In case anyone’s wondering, I’ve managed to keep up my make-the-bed-everyday-for-a-month resolution beyond October. Hootie hoo. And Burger has kept up his end of the bargain and still undoes it an hour later. Oh well.
Speaking of things coming apart, we realized that this very weekend last year I was holed up in our bathroom demolishing the darned thing (inexplicably without shoes on in the beginning, which we don’t recommend).
While that still takes the cake as my most physically grueling disassembly ever, this weekend kicks off another that threatens to be equally taxing on our emotions: packing up. With our move less than a week and a half away we’re starting to take things down, box things up, and ready ourselves to leave. It’s bound to be sad (and tiring) especially since we’ve already seen what it’s like to watch our patio go from this…
…to this (after selling our patio set at the moving sale since it won’t fit the patio of the new place).
And of course the onset of winter weather sure is helping it look that much more depressing. Sigh. We’ll be sure to post more packing up pictures as we make more progress. For now just wish us luck – and maybe hand Sherry some virtual tissues. We’re both so excited to get into the new place but it’s definitely going to be bittersweet to close the door on this one.
Psst- Want an update of what the patio looked like right before we moved out? Click here for lots of chaotic moving photos along with a shot of a very sad patio.
Just try to focus on the excitement of redoing a new place. I always love pulling out all my pictures/things that hang on the wall, laying them all out flat on the floor in front of me, and deciding what’s going to go where. It always ends up differently than in the house I moved from, and I love that freshness. Happy move!
*hands Sherry a tissue* This is making me sad too, y’all…I can’t believe how attached I’ve become to a house that’s not even mine! On the other hand, I’m super excited for what’s to come. Thanks for continuing to inspire me to make my space beautiful! I love you guys!
I remember that feeling this summer…moving away from the home we brought our son to after we had him. I think packing “up to” the move was the hardest. Our actual moving day was so busy, and after that, we were so relieved to be in and relax in our home, the sadness sort of fell away! Looking back, it’s kind of relieving! We certainly were sad when packing, but the actual day was a true blessing, when we were finally in our new home!
Don’t look back. You are going to love it. As someone else said, home is where you are. Congratulations!
Moving is brutal . . . even when you’re excited about it. We moved into our first house this May after being apartment dwellers since we got married. It was exciting and totally overwhelming at the same time. I would think this must be an especially hard time to make a move too as this is usually the time people start hunkering down in their homes with their festive decor and a cup of something warm. Good luck with all the packing and the move itself. It’s a great thing . . . even if it is tough. :)
Dang, this is sad. New beginnings are good though. Chin up!
Oh you guys,Now I need a tissue. My heart is breaking for you. BUT…I know these couple of weeks of the letting go process will leave you with only joy and excitement!! Your next dream home awaits!!! Woot Woot!!
I am actually excited for the next family going into your home, also. All that good energy and happiness you shared will definitly carry over to them!
Good luck with your move, Youngsters!!
I bet it feels great to know after the yard sale that you will only be packing up what you will truly use in your new home. Today is our yard sale, although we are not going anywhere…I will seriously re think every new item I ever purchase and learn to repurpose items. I was happy to pare down my hoilday boxes and not be so holiday specific.
I’ve read and seen my share of organization/decor ideas and tips. But there’s something different about you two (maybe because you are my age).
Wow, I can’t believe you’re really moving already! It’s hard but so worth it. Good luck getting everything outta there!
John – The phrase ‘hootie hoo’, does that come from anything specific? There’s a radio show out of LA where they use that phrase quite a bit, and I’m curious if it’s referencing something.
The hubby and I are moving too! New York to California! Granted, we only have an apartment’s worth of stuff to move…and most of it is getting sold or given away…but I find packing up my ‘areas’ really messes with my daily routine. (Even though that routine now should be focused on throwing things in boxes.)
I don’t know where that expression came from, but it’s like “wahoo” to us. I guess we use both expressions interchangeably. Funny that it’s an LA radio show catchphrase!
-John
Just reading this made me tear up. I LOVE your house. And I’m always inordinately attached to “things”. I name my cars, my important possessions, etc. Your house feels like a big part of my life since I check your site at least twice a day everyday. I’m so excited for you, but you certainly won’t be the only ones a little sad about your big change!!!
P.S. Good luck!!!
Good luck. I am sad for you but I absolutely cannot wait to see what you do with the new place!
Will you be posting some fab how to pack and keep a six month old entertained guides?
Haha, we definitely plan to share what we’re doing as far as packing strategies go (although we’re not doing anything too earth shattering)! As for keeping Clara entertained, there are lots of singing and clapping and dancing breaks going on.
xo,
s
Aww :(. Sad. My bff & I were just talking about this yesterday. Whenever we talk, YHL is almost always a topic of convo that we cover (cause we just love y’all so much!) & we both agreed that we’re probably pretty close to being as sad as Sherry above the move.
Pass us some tissue, too?
Consider those tissues passed your way. We’re trying to keep packing as
funnot terrible as possible by playing music and talking about all the projects we can’t wait to tackle in the new house. Our spirits are up so far!xo,
s
It must be hard, but all you have to do is keep thinking of the new place!
Best of luck!
Love the patio set, wish I lived closer I would have bought it!! Where did you guys purchase it from?
Hey Bobbi,
We got the table and chairs from target.com (maybe called the Manhattan table and chair set?) and the chaises from walmart.com. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Holy sad last picture. It’s so sad compared to the patio-filled picture, you even blocked out the sun.
Certainly moving on to new things can be difficult, but change is so healthy.
I know the feeling. We will be moving in a few weeks with our 6 month old. We are going to our first house and I’m really excited about it but I already have so many memories of this place with Lucy. In fact, she was even born here (with a midwife)!
And I look forward to your packing ideas. We have only done a few things on the new place (we’ve owned it for a couple months already) but it is really hard with her hanging around all the time, even if she does love her ergo. I end up getting distracted by her cuteness way too much -I’m sure you know how that is!
I think I may have found Burger the perfect Christmas present. I am not sure it will go with your decor though:( Check it out on Amazon.com
SNUGGIE LEOPARD PRINT NESTING NOOK PET BED (SMALL)
by SNUGGIE
Haha- thanks for the suggestion! He does love being all snuggly and warm…
xo,
s
Good Luck with the move
My number one tip for moving …
Pack a box or two, kind of like a picnic for moving day, and the next day. So that when you got to the house and are dying for a cup of tea or something for Clara or Burger and you have it all ready.
Ours would have kettle, toaster, bread and honey (for my honey thats his fav) coffee, milk, cookies, Lunch/dinner makings, 2 cups, knife fork spoon plates for 2, toothbrushes tooth paste etc. Night wear, cat food, and bowl.You get my drift, no rummageing in five different boxes to get t hot drink.
Cheers
Jacqui
I’m totally feeling your pain! My husband and I are moving from Georgia to Connecticut, and I’ve spent the last two weeks packing up three and half years of our life. My husband left me and the cat this morning with all of the stuff so I could give the apartment a really good clean before we left and I’m currently eating takeout on the floor of my living room. It’s actually kind of depressing.
LOL to the no shoes. We have been remodeling our house room-by-room as well and people ask what clothes we where to work, sadly we frequently wear slippers and pjs and sometimes no shoes so we can relate ;)
*Hands over a box of virtual tissues*
The last picture looks so sad… What day is your closing” If I’m not being too nosy.
Also, not to be annoying, but don’t you mean Burger kept “up” his end of the bargain instead of “us”?
Hey Emily,
Thanks for the typo heads up! All fixed. As for closing, it’s scheduled for the 13th. Ahhhhhh! So excited.
xo,
s
I cannot remember the last time my wife and I did NOT make the bed. But if it were up to me, we’d probably never make it. But our son (Berkeley the Beagle) messes it up every day anyway! :)
On a light note, is Burger flipping me off?! How rude.
{tee hee} xo
Haha, he so is. That dog has some serious attitude.
xo,
s
I remember being so sad driving away from the farm where I grew up for (what I thought) was the very last time. My husband (who was doing the driving) held my hand as I cried inconsolably and peered out the back window until the house was out of sight….
I ended up having to go back to the farm to help my parents pack up the last of their things on moving day and I am so glad I did. Without their belongings it was just a house and I was able to drive away for what was really the very last time without looking back :)
Best of luck, you two. I think you’ll have this under your belts in no time, though . . . you’ve done such a great job of not hoarding anything. (Unlike me . . . lol)
I also think that the fact that your new place resembles your first house so much is going to make the transition that much easier.
Hang in there . . .
Wow, a week and a half away?! sniff sniff. I didn’t realize it was coming up so quickly. Glad you’re in good spirits still. Can’t wait to see what you have in store!
Oh did you have to sell the grill too?
Nope, we kept that baby since there’s room for it on our new patio (it’s just in the garage since it’s winter).
xo,
s
I am pretty sad to see the current place go but I have to say that Im even more excited about the new place. I have only very recently gotten hooked on your blog (and I think Ive gone back and read every single past post!) so to me, its like Im going to get to watch everything beginning to end this time! Very exciting! Maybe you guys can DIY something sweet with all the empty tissue boxes ?? ;-)
Haha, we should make Clara a little playhouse with them…
xo,
s
*passes tissues* look at it this way…it’s good that you’re sad. it means that you took a house and made it your HOME. that’s what you’re supposed to do and you two seem to have done it VERY well…and will again ;o)
btw…i have the same exact old skool wall & floor tile in our (only!) bathroom. however where yours was a nice white w/ black, ours is peach w/ cranberry!!! any words of wisdom on what to do w/ THAT?!?
i think i’m going to need one of my tissues back…
Hmm, vintage peach with cranberry… maybe try bringing in a chocolate shower curtain and chocolate towels and painting the walls a nice soft mocha color so it feels kind of “grounded” by those richer earthy colors?
xo,
s
Aww… It must be hard, but I’m sure you guys are excited for the next chapter of your life – another DIY projects in the future :) Go Sherry, John & Clara :) Good luck and god bless :)
I’m sad *sniff* to see you leave this inspiring adorable little house but I really look forward to what the new one will bring!!
I understand your moving woes because we are also moving in two weeks! Any advice on looking for and finding a sectional? I’ve been looking too and still haven’t found one that I LOVE. It’s hard to find one that looks good and is practical for baby and dog. Maybe a sofa search post soon? :)
We took a trip to Ikea to check out a few options in person and are 99.9% sold on the Karlstad sectional with a chaise. It’s about 2-3K cheaper than anything else we’ve looked at (we also went to Room & Board, Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, and Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams). We’ll definitely post about it when/if we take the leap. Anna over at Door Sixteen has it and loves it (she has pooches so that bodes well). The whole cover is 100% removable and washable so that’s really nice- and we’re thinking about getting it in a nice dark gray color.
xo,
s
awwww…it’s hard. Looking forward to pictures/stories of your new house, though.
I’m a new YHL addict – I’ve been making my way through your archives – and like another commenter above I’m excited to get to watch all the renovations to the new house in real time! But I very much understand the sadness of leaving your home for an new home, and wish the whole family a smooth transition and comfortable settling-in. Just remember: your REAL home is wherever your loved ones are, so as long as you’ve got each other the rest is just a redecorating opportunity. ;)
Tossing virtual tissues and a hug your way! =) Best of luck guys! <3 Hope the new home brings you tons of fun and happiness
xoXOxo
Please hurry with the moving tips, we’re moving next weekend as well :-D I’m sure you’ll move everything without breaking a single lamp, vase or plate, but best of luck anyway.
*sniff*
I feel sad that your moving, I love this house too.
Its like my dream house!
Annoying I live in the UK or I would have put in an offer a while back. :-)
I’m so upset to see y’all packing up! I keep getting sad as if you’re disappearing but then I remember your moving and I’m proper excited to see whats in store for your new house :) jealous!
http://notsocountry.blogspot.com/
Ha-Ha! I think the “must sleep under a blanket” is a Chihuahua thing. My parents had one for 15 years and he was always under a blanket of some kind. He was so spoiled that he had his own cushion on the couch. When the heap of afghan or blanket was touched, growling could be heard from deep within.
Good luck with packing. I envy for having the energy to move right before Christmas.
Super excited for you all as you walk this next leg of your families life journey. You’ll be celebrating a “1st” almost immediately…..1st Christmas in you new home! Eventhough you’ll still be in the thick of making your house a home, be sure to take time to be in the moment and experience the spirit of the holidays. Maybe take a pic of the family on your first day and make a card to post on the fridge (under your DIY ornament magnet). Be blessed.
Tissues! It’s that final walk through that’s a killer………making sure you haven’t left anything. Boo hoo! And then you lock the door behind you for the last time. Wahhhhhhhhhh!
No worries. That’s temporary and the excitement of the new place will take over. Good luck guys.
I agree with others here – there is something very special about you guys! You write so openly (and hilariously) and have somehow managed to make a group of strangers passing by feel like they somehow know you and your house. You – John, Sherry, Clara, and Burger – you ARE the home. A house is so much more than its bones and property. Once you’ve put the last bubble-wrapped white ceramic mammal into its box, the house will, in a way, be reborn, ready for its new people – what it has been for you will be safely tucked away in your hearts, always available for revisiting, and the new people will not be moving into “your” house, because without your stuff and you, it becomes a whole new ballgame (or, house). And yes, even with all that said, the ballgame/house will be hard to leave and if I were in your shoes, I’d totally be a weepy mess by the time I closed the door and walked away. But I know you can feel the energy of the new home already – the house itself can’t wait to see you!
It’s time for house #1 to be reborn with its new people, and you wonderful DIYers have made it the belle of the ball – what a gift for the new owners! It’ll be fresh for their own stamp, just like house #2 is now counting down the days til you with all your warmth and laughter arrive and begin to lovingly transform it too. Tis the season for giving, and that theme is just resonating all over the place with this move – it really is going to be great!!
*hugs and tissues, nevertheless*
Aw thanks Barbara! We’re about 20% packed and so far all we feel is excitement. And a little bit of moving day jitters (there’s a lot to coordinate!) but other than that we’re doing great so far!
xo,
s
I know you are the design geniuses… but we have a gray couch and it is a BEAR to match an area rug with. There are very few inexpensive area rugs that aren’t almost entirely in the brown family. just a heads up.
Yeah we’ve been noticing that already! We found a nice green and gray-based one from CB2 I think that we love. But we might hit up a local outlet or Ikea to see what they have too. Fingers crossed!
xo,
s
West Elm’s Braided Stripe Jute Rug is gorgeous in person (not so much online IMO) – it has some grays in it
http://www.westelm.com/products/braided-stripe-jute-rug-r575/?pkey=crugs-flooring
Sweet! Thanks for the tip!
xo,
s
i hear you peeps! we just moved yesterday. it had been 5 years since we’d last moved and i forgot what a pain in the arse it is! i am up to my ears in boxes. i really think i am good at only keeping what we truly need, but i swear it seemed like that house would never get empty! but we finally got all moved and we crashed into bed at 9p.m. i couldn’t even stay awake for an episode of the office. sad. all that to say, i’m right there with you and sending prayers your way for an easy & smooth transition. it’s a marathon for sure, but it will be worth it. can’t wait to see your new digs. :)
blessings,
sara
We just moved about 2 weeks ago from the very 1st house we owned together and lived in together. It was pretty hard to say goodbye. I blogged about it: http://mgmmilestones.blogspot.com/2010/11/saying-goodbye.html
but it’s been fun to see our new home take shape….SLOWLY!!! Good luck! Moving is never fun!
I agree that the final walk through is the worst part. I hated selling the first house my husband and I shared. It was about midnight when we got everything out and the house cleaned. He and I did a walk through and I sobbed the whole time. He kept saying how sorry he was since it was his job that was causing us to have to move. I still look at photos from that house and get teary-eyed.
I’m right there with ya. A year ago this month we moved from a house that we moved into right after it was built in ’04. Last year someone contacted us about buying it. They wanted it so much they offered our asking price.
So after the shock wore off and I cried about these people chasing us out of a house where we had chosen everything from cabinet door to tile color in the entryway, we found a house we liked even better. And *gasp* it was older than me and my kids put together.
But packing everything and moving(luckily our new place was vacant and the seller agreed to let us move in early),especially this time of year, was *hard*. We didn’t get a tree last year. On Christmas day, we had exactly one chair left in our house. Christmas night we slept on the floor. The gradual process turned from excruciating to exciting over a period of four days.
Good luck with everything. In this case, I personally believe it’s less about the journey and more about the destination.
Because the actual physical part of moving, totally, completely, sucks all the life out of you. :)
Wow…1 1/2 weeks to go! It’s got to be very bittersweet, but I know that you guys are going to have so much fun tearing apart your new house. So excited to see!