Season Of Change

As you can see from the above pictures and my newest header photo, I am quite the gardener.  I try to do it all and have gardened for the past thirty or so years.  

This summer has been different.  The weather was awful.  I lost many fruit trees and the blackberry vines died back. I really don't know what happened to them.  The garden struggled along and many of the crops failed (even the re-plantings.)  That, and with my husband being too sick to help, I got little to nothing from the garden.  

It is such hard work to then get nothing in return.  I can no longer crawl around nor bend down for long periods; the most I can do is scoot along on my bottom.  I think the time has come.  If it isn't in a raised bed, it won't get planted.  The weeding alone is nearly an insurmountable task.  Everything does taste better from your own garden though and isn't covered in chemicals.  

My new house has very little room for vegetable gardening.  Maybe a few pots here and there.  I've been calling it a cottage, but I looked up that definition and it really isn't.  My style of decorating is cottage style, or in reality, eclectic I'd say.  

It is funny about buying a new home.  I had to have a large lot (no neighbors too close) with privacy, no carpeting, no garage doors taking up the front part of the house, and on and on.  So, all that went out the window when I saw the new house.  You can't get everything you want unless you build your own house and I am way past that stage of life.  So, changeability seems to be the catchphrase for me.   Think I will have to have a vegetable garden at my daughter's house.  Seems I'll have to hold on for the ride in this new phase of life where plans change just as soon as they are made.

All Buttoned Up

My realtor just texted me and said, "it's a done deal."  I am relieved beyond words (but still want that check in my grubby little hand first.)  Now, on to my new cottage, which I am never leaving.  The farm will have to wait for another day.  I'm thinking of hiring an estate sale service.

See the above?  I have gallons of them.  One reason moving is nearly an impossibility for me.  I have too many collections, er, stuff I don't need, but love.  I'm going to try and go the minimalist route in my new cottage - and we'll see just how long that will last.  I need new furniture and there seems to be a lot of mid-century modern out there, but I am not going for the plexiglass furniture as I think it will be out by next year.  Just want it comfortable.  I have already decorated the powder room in my mind - in an Oscar de la Renta wallpaper, but it says only to the trade, so I'll have to figure that out. I want to do wood floors and have to paint over some red walls.  I may end up with a few nice lawn chairs scattered about.  Oh well.

Hip Hip Hooray!

Type buttons into the top left hand corner to see some of my buttons up close.

Rest Time?

Rest for the weary? No, I'm still kicking - at least for the moment.  What was supposed to be a time to finally breathe or catch my breath is not to be.  The house we sold didn't close yesterday.  I could hardly wait for the day after all the work, packing, cleaning and stress. A typo, or something like that, has caused a delay.  The buyer lives in California and has bought it as an investment property so papers have to be sent overnight then back, etc.  

All utilities, etc. were to be disconnected today.  The insurance was to end today so I've been on the phone trying to re-instate it this morning.  There should be a way to fine the buyers for this.  At least for the pain and suffering it has caused.  They are now telling me maybe Friday.  Who buys a house half way across the country for an investment property?  The money from the sold house goes into the new house.  I can't stand the worrying, of course, worry is my middle name so one would think it would roll off me like water from a duck's back.  But oh no, the fates are going to make me pay for another few days.  Jeez! 

One Woman Band

I am tap dancing just as fast as I can.  Don't have time to even look for photos etc. to blog so this one says it all.  

Moving is horrible.  I have packed an entire house by myself (my husband is too sick and I don't want him to have to do anything if possible).  I have nightmares that the deal will fall through and I won't be able to get my new house.  That, and just the sound of a man's voice has me tensing up.  My ear actually hurts from all the phone calls.  They really get you with early termination fees for nearly everything - like internet, security, etc.

Contract negotiations, inspectors etc. for the sale and all that and more for the purchase.  My brain really cannot handle all of this.  It is in fog mode.  I'll be back posting when I can, but I still am reading your blogs if not able to comment, but soon, hopefully.

And, here is food for thought.  My son mentioned the other night, "Mom, you have ten times more stuff at the farm than this house."  I can't even go there.