Jun 4, 2018

Change


"Change is great. You go first."  (from Dilbert)

About 2 months ago we got the word that something was wrong with Mike's mother's health. We spent large chunks of April and May with her and other family. Sadly, she died towards the end of May.

We spent a lot of time with Mike's family and our son during this time and it reminded us how important family is. We have no family in the DC area and, at our son's suggestion, have decided to sell our home here and move to Dallas where he (and Mike's brother and his family) live. We will also be closer to family in California.

It's going to take some time to get our house on the market, sell it, and relocate. Needless to say, the realtors took one look at my stamping room and announced that all of it had to be packed up. I hope to make a few cards over the next day or two so I can post them over time, but basically things are going to be very quiet here on the blog.

MOOD WHEN DONE: Happy and freaking out...

20 comments:

Betty said...

just moving is difficult but it will be a good thing to be near your family, real estate is less costly in the Dallas area, and maybe i'll get to meet you as my daughter lives in the Dallas area and i visit her often. i remember you got rid of so much craft stuff the last time you moved!!

Leslie Miller said...

Oh, dear, I'm sorry. I'm glad you were able to spend that time with her. That's HUGE that you're moving to Dallas. An adventure. The stamp room, sigh... it's why I've chosen not to have anything built in. Easier to turn it back into a bedroom. You've got a big job ahead of you!

Joan B said...

it would be fantastic to meet you. I am NOT getting rid of my crafty stuff. just a little!

Joan B said...

yes. I have a lovely 4th floor loft room all to myself now. I'm sure I will have much less space when we move. Not sure whether I'm coming or going, but thanks!

I Card Everyone said...

Joan I know how hard it is to move, especially when you're leaving a place you love. Just think how organized everything will be on the other side of it. and, if I may say so, could there be a better time to leave D.C.?
=]

Patti H. said...

So sorry for your lost, Joan. I'm glad you got to spend time with her for those few weeks. Moving is so hard & especially when we have such a lot of small crafty things. I put new flooring in my craft room & was amazed at how much stuff was in there. ( I told hubby a LOT of it was office supplies to keep this household running!)😆 Hopefully you will have a nice place to stamp & will find lots of wonderful goodies you forgot you had when you unpack!

Bluejeannes said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your and Mike's loss. It's never easy to deal with, but I hope she was aware of her family surrounding her with love.

Moving is right up there with death and divorce in terms of stress, so please take care of yourself.

Becky said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. You will never regret spending time with your mother-in-law before she passed on. Moving is a big adventure. It will be nice to be near family. I so want to move, but I cringe at just the thought of packing up 50 years of stuff, so I guess I'll just stay where I am.

Jeanne H said...

I will miss your cards, but even more your writings. So indeed, take good care of yourself. Will look forward to see you whenever you can post. Condolences to your husband and you.

Carol D said...

Let me just say that the Dallas area is a great place for cardmaking, especially in the summertime when I refuse to leave my air conditioned apartment. I’ll miss your beautiful inspiration, but at least it will be temporary.

Anonymous said...

Joan,
I love your blog and will miss you while you're on hiatus. As noted by one of the other commenters, real-estate in Texas is much more reasonable than in other parts of the country. I live in San Antonio. Maybe our paths will cross some day.

Helen said...

Joan, I am so sorry to learn of your Mother's in law death. You and Mike are being very sensible in moving to the same city as your son and other family. Andy will enjoy having his parents in Dallas. You may find "hidden treasures" when you pack your crafting supplies. Enjoy the process of choosing a new home and discovering Dallas.

Susan said...

Joan, I am so sorry for your loss. Hugs. I will miss you while you are away. Take good care of yourself and each other.

Janet said...

I started reading your blog when you were caring for your mother. We come to a place where we are the oldest generation. I don't understand older people who move farther away their families, especially now when we need each other so very much. Here is hoping the downsizing you did a few years ago makes the physical part of the move so much easier on you both, that being close to family fills a place you maybe didn't even know you needed filled, that you find a place with a craft space. And, hopefully, not so many stairs! We'll be waiting to hear from you. Keep care.

sparkling stamper said...

I’ve been following you for a long time. Through your trials, tribulations and health issues and my own. Once again, our lives are paralleling. My husband moved to Tucson last week and I will follow in 2 weeks. I am retiring from my 28 years of medical research next Friday to move 20 hours away from our current home. I had to pack up my art room in order to make our home “show able”. Now, of course, I have had several needs for cards - sadly, mostly sympathy. I am anxious to get to Tucson and start unpacking. I gave tons of stuff to a program that works with developmentally delayed adults. They have a volunteer art teacher who is as extremely grateful, as the art part of the program is totally supported by donations. Hard to part with my stash, but much easier knowing it will be put to good use. Toughest part was parting with my beloved designer paper! I gave up my hoard! Good luck on your move. I look forward to the time we are both back in our art rooms!

Shona Chambers said...

What a huge change!! It will all be good though, take it one day at a time and think of all the new adventures the two of you will have in your new home and State!! Looking forward to hearing all about it!

Susan Raihala said...

Can't wait to hear how this move shakes out! I'm happy for you, Joan, and for Mike. May all go smoothly in this time of transition, and may you be up and crafting soon in your new home!

Andrew and Bertha Pilgrim said...

My condolences to you and your family on your loss. This move sounds like it will mean closer to family and happy gatherings. Fun days ahead.... well after packing up and moving that is! Good luck.

katrynka said...

Good luck with everything! It seems like not long ago that you were going through stamping stuff to move into this house!

vdoyle8 said...

I hate change. My poor husband had to deal with me during all of our big life changes - I'm sure he's going to heaven. I will pray for you. All I know is that, in the end, it's all good.