For the first time, I used the Pasquale address earlier this afternoon as the Shipping Address for an online purchase. Because, in less than two weeks from now, we will be primarily residing at Madrone Haus, versus Carnoustie Drive.
We are sort of kind of half way between here and there. The ability to make our move over a long period of time has been very welcome. We quickly made the new house livable, and then incrementally, each visit, improved the sophistication of the accommodations to the point that now, each abode has relatively equal domestic infrastructure. But now, I am frequently looking for something in Novato, only to realize it's already been moved to Nevada City.
The reality is that our Novato house is now on the market and most likely will have offers being reviewed in the next few days. Which means that in the next month or so, that property will need to be devoid of all our belongings, and we will have established ourselves solely here in Nevada City.
We have a short list of the final furniture items to be moved, and along with a bunch of boxes of personal stuff, to be transported here on July 6th. We have assembled a list of the rest of the significant items to be posted on Craigslist. Personally, at least half my clothes are here, and are most of the truly important and treasured belongings, including kitchen items, pictures, mementoes. Which means that half are still to be moved, and although there is still work to be done, having had my sabbatical the last month has given me a great chance to be ahead of having a huge, stressful, all-at-once move on my hands.
I do need to establish a Post Office address and mail box here and begin the change of address process. We have been joking lately that we are moving from "Novato" to "Nevada City"; too many times in the past where those names have been confused. Not to mention the fact our zip code changes from 94949 to 95959. Seriously.
We started our annual Hat Creek camping and fishing vacation from Madrone Haus, and returned here yesterday at the conclusion of the 20th Anniversary trip to that same great place with our same great family and friends. On our own 29th wedding anniversary, June 23rd. Somehow, making Madrone Haus our launch and return point for that trip signaled a significant change. We spent today- an uncharacteristically rainy day-unloading clothes and gear, doing laundry (tradeoff: older washer and dryer here, but *much* nicer laundry area), catching up on email and social media, napping, reading. Although it's not particularly cold out, we built a fire in the woodstove. Sitting here at the kitchen bar, getting ready to prepare some dinner and enjoy the rest of the evening before heading back to Novato tomorrow to attend to the various responsibilities we have there. But somewhat reluctantly, as I feel like I would be very content staying right here. It's truly beginning to be not just "the Haus", but ..... Home.
Monday, June 24, 2013
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Post Sixteen: Open for Business
It always seemed to me that Barry's birthday, June 8th, would be a great time to have his family up to the new house for a "party." I love it when a plan comes together.
We have had visitors here before; Mom and Dad coming by for lunch from Truckee, Clint spending a couple weekends helping out with remodeling chores, my friend Meryl spending the night with me last weekend and doing dinner downtown at Matteo's.
But this was more serious. We have spent the last four days in the company of varying numbers of family members, culminating with nine of us here last night joining us in an evening of great food and drinks, songs around the campfire, sleeping under the stars. All right here in our "backyard."
It was a pleasure touring each group of newcomers around the house, describing the current and potential uses of the spaces, the changes we have made, the decorating we planned to do. Explaining the before and after of the grounds around the house. Without exception, the reaction was genuine affection for the house, the trees, the space. And that gave me such a sense of pride, satisfaction, a renewal of the appreciation I have for our new home.
All that being said, the core of the long weekend was as much on the brothers and sisters (in-law) coming together again, sharing stories, memories, talking about the past, the present and the future. A running joke was my insistence that Barry was turning 52; not 53, as was correct. Another, that each expression of gratitude for our hospitality was responded to with a price tag of $29.99 for the particular good or service. The high point perhaps being last night around the campfire, Neil and Bridget taking turns with the guitar providing the musical backdrop for group singalongs and giving us the soundtrack for a long evening of family bonding.
The idea of continuing to have many guests here is a welcome one. Touring around our historic and charming little town. Taking the Blue Boat out on the big lake, or our Watermasters out on the little lake. Stream fishing on the Yuba. Maybe even skiing and snow sports in the winter. Warm summer evenings on the deck and around our campfire, and cold weather nights in front of the wood stove looking out at the Madrones lit up from the living room window.
The first of many great get togethers at Madrone Haus..... and, with the Novato house going on the market in about a week, another big step in making this our home.
We have had visitors here before; Mom and Dad coming by for lunch from Truckee, Clint spending a couple weekends helping out with remodeling chores, my friend Meryl spending the night with me last weekend and doing dinner downtown at Matteo's.
But this was more serious. We have spent the last four days in the company of varying numbers of family members, culminating with nine of us here last night joining us in an evening of great food and drinks, songs around the campfire, sleeping under the stars. All right here in our "backyard."
It was a pleasure touring each group of newcomers around the house, describing the current and potential uses of the spaces, the changes we have made, the decorating we planned to do. Explaining the before and after of the grounds around the house. Without exception, the reaction was genuine affection for the house, the trees, the space. And that gave me such a sense of pride, satisfaction, a renewal of the appreciation I have for our new home.
All that being said, the core of the long weekend was as much on the brothers and sisters (in-law) coming together again, sharing stories, memories, talking about the past, the present and the future. A running joke was my insistence that Barry was turning 52; not 53, as was correct. Another, that each expression of gratitude for our hospitality was responded to with a price tag of $29.99 for the particular good or service. The high point perhaps being last night around the campfire, Neil and Bridget taking turns with the guitar providing the musical backdrop for group singalongs and giving us the soundtrack for a long evening of family bonding.
The idea of continuing to have many guests here is a welcome one. Touring around our historic and charming little town. Taking the Blue Boat out on the big lake, or our Watermasters out on the little lake. Stream fishing on the Yuba. Maybe even skiing and snow sports in the winter. Warm summer evenings on the deck and around our campfire, and cold weather nights in front of the wood stove looking out at the Madrones lit up from the living room window.
The first of many great get togethers at Madrone Haus..... and, with the Novato house going on the market in about a week, another big step in making this our home.
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