Moving update and our empty house
August 22, 2017
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Hi.
My name is Sarah...I blog at this site called Thrifty Decor Chick. Remember that blog? 😂
I'm coming up for air -- selling and moving has absolutely kicked my butt. It's been emotionally and physically exhausting. But so far...I would do this process over again (I'd just start packing much sooner) for the end result -- and it isn't even done yet. ;) That's saying a LOT and if you've seen me and my harried look and blank stares over the past few weeks, shows you how excited I am for our new house.
But. I'm going out on a limb here and doing what I hardly ever do...I'm going to say the "never" word. Barring unexpected life events, we are NEVER moving ever again. Mark my words. I'm putting them in writing on this day so it will be known. This shouldn't be a problem, as I've never had the urge to move until I walked through our forever dream house a few months back. So I don't see ever getting the bug again.
But. Nevahhh.
The last I talked with you we had just moved all of our furniture out of our house, and then two hours later got word that a house sale down the line fell through. Turns out we were staying put for awhile...just with no things. Ha!
Many of you were confused by why a house four down the line would affect us. It's simple really -- each buyer had to sell to buy the next seller's house. If one falls through we're all affected. It left four families in limbo...but it did not last long!
We have a very close friend who was getting married in Mexico last week and we've had it on our calendar for almost a year. Hence our early move out last week. So we moved out and the next day headed out of the country for a couple days of the beach and margaritas. It did not suck. We paused all of the prep to close on our house, including finalizing details with the lender, insurance rep and utilities.
We got word on Thursday that the sales were back ON!! Wonderful news!! But the last day of our trip we were scrambling to get things finished. I was totally happy with that because I really needed the security of knowing our house was going to sell soon to get us in to our new one.
So that's the update -- we closed on our house today (and close on the new one in a few days) and are now in a short term hotel for at least six weeks. Our friends moved into our house yesterday and we were in and out all day grabbing last minute stuff. We had SO many random things laying around! Two things I've learned -- Lego sets are nearly impossible to move without total destruction and Nerf bullets breed like rabbits. Or at least it seems like it.
Here's the thing. I haven't been that sad! I realized this morning it's because of the simple fact that we will still be able to go see our house all the time...and get to see it loved. How lucky are we? Most people have to walk away from their home forever and never see it again. Ours is not goodbye but a see you soon. Even through all the stress and exhaustion that is not lost on me. We are so very fortunate and I still can't believe it worked out like this.
I went through the house taking photos of the rooms as I finished emptying them out. I did this to have them for myself, but many of you asked to see them as well. I have never been prouder of our home than when it was empty. Isn't that funny? The character I have added to this home makes it shine without one lick of furniture or decor. It is a true, special beauty and I love it more now than I ever have.
Here are the photos -- enjoy! I link to each room reveal above the photos and below each photo I linked to ALL of my posts on each of these rooms so you can see the projects through the years. (These were all taken with my cell so the quality isn't the best, sorry about that!)
(My friend is babysitting the plants while we're in between.)
You can see how I transformed this space and all of the projects here.
This one is partly kitchen too. ;)
That's just a few of my favorite spaces in the house, and the ones I'm most proud of after everything was out. I forgot to grab one of our bedroom but it was so beautiful as well!
OK, I swear I'll be back to a normal posting schedule very shortly! I'm hoping this week but I've learned not to promise. ;) We still have another closing to finish up and I have to get our hotel space somewhat organized so we can stop tripping over each other (and the cats). I have some wonderful updates to share on the new house and will also be blogging about each room in our "old" (that's weird to say!) home because I didn't even share some of the final finished spaces.
But I WILL be blogging in a more normal fashion again and I'm really looking forward to it. :) Thanks for your patience with me! This is going to be a fun new journey!
Huge projects! I hope you'll show us some bare pictures of your new house as well before the furniture goes in so we can see what you are starting with. Best of luck! :)
ReplyDeleteYou should be so proud of your house and all of the projects you accomplished! Best of luck with the rest of the moving process.
ReplyDeleteYou've accomplished so many great renovating projects already - no doubt you'll have no problem going further!
ReplyDeleteCharmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
So happy everything worked. You are so lucky that your friend will now love your beautiful home. We moved to our current home 4 yrs ago from a home we loved for 10 yrs. it was a new home when bought it. I drive by it... it makes we sad. It doesn't have any personality. No fresh bedding plants, or pots, nothing on the door. You know what I mean. It's just house the woman stays in...
ReplyDeleteI am right there with you! WE are NEVER EVER EVER moving again. I moved with three kids under 5, 3 cats, and a 6 month old puppy about 3 months ago and I am still under water. We left a completely finished house with everything done and traded it for a fixer upper with more space. I am exhausted and drained. I know in the long run it was a good move for our family but mentally it has kicked my butt!
ReplyDeleteWhomever has purchased your home is a lucky family - and you are lucky to know the buyer to know that it will be well taken care of. Can't wait to see the new house and what you do to it.
ReplyDeleteSeeing the pictures of your empty house makes me sad, having followed all the updates and changes through the years. Best of luck with the new one!
ReplyDeleteWe lived in our first house for 5 years and truly only painted a couple of rooms and replaced the kitchen counter. I was about 2% sad to move out of it, maybe because it was our first home or the fact that we brought two babies home. Whatever it was, I was mostly excited to move on to the next chapter. Fast forward 10 months and we found out our old house is in foreclosure. The people who bought it from us never made a payment. For a house that I was 98% unattached to, now I'm all sad and achy and emotional that no one has taken care of it. I can only imagine the emotions you go through after so many years of hard work in your old house.
ReplyDeleteLooks good even with phone pics! Do you think it will bother you if the new people (friends) change anything that you had done in the house? Like say if they, oh I don't know, took out the kitchen island or pergola for example? Would that make it hard to go back to the house to visit?
ReplyDeleteI still can't believe you sold that awesome house!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWow, you're right, she's a stunner even empty! Interesting.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if you were inclined to leave more things that worked well
in the house since the buyers are good friends.
SUCH an exciting time, and it sounds like you are doing an amazing job
of keepin it together!! Chrissy
I enjoyed reading your blog. Did you consider buying an older house to completely redo? I think the home you sold would have sold quick even unfurnished. It is so prwetty
ReplyDeleteDo you think the buyers of your former home will ever allow you to come and photograph how they decorate the space?
ReplyDeleteJust stumbled across your blog, I love the photos you shared of your former home. It looks so stunning! I look forward to hopefully seeing pictures of your new home. :) I am your newest follower and I would love it if you could stop by and check out my blog! Look forward to seeing your upcoming blog posts! Best wishes with your new chapter in life!
ReplyDelete-- Chasity @ Blue Cottage Farmhouse
I would love to see pictures of this house once it's furnished again. It would be interesting to see how another family uses all the custom things you've done!
ReplyDeleteYay!! So glad things are moving along for you and back on track! Moving limbo is the worst! We are trying to put our house on the market and relocate across the country with our three soon to be four kids. I think it is easier at this point because our hearts aren't set on a house yet. But we have renovated our entire house and you have always been such an inspiration! Can't wait to see what you do with new one:)
ReplyDeleteEven in phone pictures your home looks beautiful! The emptiness enhances all the wonderful angles and finishes in each room. Moving is awful! So, empathizing there but also so looking forward to seeing your new home and to watching it come together. It will be amazing!
ReplyDeleteCongrats! Very happy news.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, your empty home is gorgeous- you did a remarkable job with it all!
Best of luck to you!
Great post, Sarah. So thankful the home selling situation was resolved. God is good, all the time! Looking forward to your posts, at any time they come. :-) We're all rooting for you, and we're not going anywhere! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI missed your posts and cannot wait to see your new digs and your tweaks and renos!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteEven in phone pictures, your home looks beautiful! The emptiness enhances all the wonderful angles and finishes in each room. Moving is awful! So, empathizing there but also so looking forward to seeing your new home and to watching it come together. It will be amazing!
OMG... your friends are so incredibly lucky to have purchased such a beautiful home! #jealous! Enjoy creating a new home!
ReplyDelete