Thursday, August 16, 2012

Coming Up For Air

I am too tired to even think straight, let alone make a fun and witty blog post, but I wanted to let everyone out there know I'm still hanging in there. Last Friday we closed on the old house then went out to lunch with the new owners. I have to say they are some of the best people out there and completely deserve that home, the animals, and all the good times in their future. We moved our things out on Saturday and stayed in the camper Saturday night. We left the farm Sunday morning after chores. It was tough. I'm still not over it and that's all I'm going to say about that.

On Sunday we killed time by attending the Indiana State Fair where we watched the Conner Prairie youth volunteers compete in a sheep-to-scarf competition. We also pet all the farm animals, because I never, ever have the opportunity to do that anywhere else (insert cheesy grin here). Then Monday morning we drove back to the farm to pick up the car we had to leave behind the day before. When I pulled into the drive the first thing I saw were the two boys, ages 16 and 8, picking up limbs. This warmed my heart because that is a never ending job out there, and a perfect activity for two city kids to reconnect with the earth. The girl, age 12, still had the cell phone stuck to her ear, but that will change in time. The 8 year-old is a big-time animal lover and has already given the animals more attention in one week than they had in a month before. I'm told at first he checked the coop for eggs every hour, on the hour. You could say he's a little excited about being there. The animals are all going to be just fine without me under his care. If I'm lucky maybe someday one of them will think, "I wonder what ever happened to that funny-looking short lady with the camera?"

The closing on the new house actually happened late Monday afternoon, no thanks to the previous owner. Now that the house is sold I can publicly announce that he was the biggest pain in the rear end I have ever met. Well, that's not entirely true, he didn't bother to show up so I didn't actually meet him. He assigned someone else to do it. Given that he is a big-shot lawyer from St. Louis, he couldn't be bothered with such a menial task of unloading his family's home that had been in his family since the 1920s. But he sure got his panties in a bunch and nearly derailed the whole closing over a measly $125 discrepancy. In the grand scheme of what he was inheriting that wasn't even a drop in the bucket. His real estate agent finally took the $125 loss just so he could get rid of the guy.

The truck brought our stuff on Tuesday and we have been working like dogs ever since trying to unpack and sort. The dishes that were missing for over 72 hours have been found and the MIA item list is starting to dwindle. Sure would like to know where the hairdryer went though. The new neighbors here are incredible, making the transition to town not just bearable but actually pleasant.  And today, Milah showed up and helped me get settled in a little more, bringing with her the perfect housewarming gift.  She used some of my photos of the barn babies at work to make a set of coasters. A perfect symbol of the new journey I am currently on. Then, while here she unpacked all my quilting fabric and even baked a cobbler.  I love that woman.

IMAG0320

I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel and for the first time in many months don't have the overwhelming feeling that it is a train.

21 comments:

Lee Anna said...

so glad... we were all so worried. It WILL work out and I admire you for starting this new, grand adventure.
Lee Anna

Lori said...

Glad to hear the transition hasn't been too difficult. What a lovely gift!!

Robin said...

Change is always good, they say. I hoping for good things in your future.

Earlene said...

Big sigh for you Cristine.
What a lot to go through but now yes you can start to relax.
Your right..what a pain in the a-- over 125.00. Lot of idiots out there. Never ceases to amze me.
enjoy your new home..and decorating it.
((Hugs))
Earlene

Anonymous said...

reRather bittersweet to give up your animals, but sounds like this had to be. Take care!

Tombstone Livestock said...

So glad to hear you are settling in and that Milah is there to help, WTG Milah on the photos.

Bonnie Jo said...

Welcome home! Kim and I would like to take you to our favorite lunch spot in town!

Meggie said...

I'm so glad to hear you are doing better. I'm on the same journey as you, just in another state. I have sold the farm and will be moving when everything is final. It will not be easy saying good-bye to this life. At least, I already have bought my new "old" home and can start bringing things over. I'm still on the Prairie. Good luck with your adjustment to town!

Christine said...

Sounds good, Bonnie Jo! I've heard great things about the place.

Stephanie said...

Enjoy your new place!

I need orange said...

I'm glad to know things seem to have turned a corner!

I need orange said...

I'm glad to know things seem to have turned a corner!

I'm gonna tell Mom! said...

Ditto Bonnie's comment. And there is spinning the first Sunday of the month at Tabby Tree Weaver! We can do that, too!

Suzette said...

Quietly watching and pulling for you! Glad things are turning around.

Florida Farm Girl said...

Good to have friends like Milah, and I'm glad she was there for you. Hang on, girl. Hugs coming your way.

Karen Anne said...

How are the new owners of your old place planning on handling the no rain situation?

Lori Skoog said...

A new life is just around the corner. Enjoy.

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

I'm happy to hear that in the end it all worked out for you!

Christine said...

Karen Anne, we've lucked out and gotten a bit of rain lately that is helping a little bit of grass to grow. As part of the deal of the new owners letting us stay a couple extra days we sold them the hay we had already bought. I don't think it will be enough to last all winter so they are looking for more. We also discussed the possibility of supplementing the sheep and llamas with a grain feed in a worst case situation.

Michelle said...

What a relief to read that things are smoothing out a little for you! I look forward to seeing how you make the new old place "yours;" I KNOW I'll love it from afar!

Anne@Kitschy Vintage said...

I'm catching up on all your recent posts.

Change is hard
Moving's harder
Friends are golden
'Nuff Said!