"A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as for the body." ~ Benjamin FranklinCan I just take a minute to tell you all that you mean the world to me?
When I started this little experiment in November of 2008 {can it almost be a year already!? I feel a giveaway coming on!} I never thought that anyone would ever read my ramblings. But that little band of followers seems to grow every couple of days. I have made friends with many of my regulars from far and wide. It amazes me that I can be speaking to my friends in France and Germany and New Zealand and as close as my home state of Wisconsin all in a matter of minutes. How cool is that?
I have been going through a sea-change of late. Many, many things are weighing heavy on my heart and mind. In time I will share more with you, because you have been such tremendous supports for me, but for now please know that you mean the world to me. I love to read your comments... you make me think and you inspire me and you lift me up with your care and concern and really positive affirmations. Try as I might I am not always able to visit as much as I would like, but I really do try. And if you leave a comment, I will sure to find a way to connect with you as I can. {I just wish it were easier on Blogger to make that connection... I would much prefer to just email someone rather than have to go and always leave a comment on their blog just to let them know I really do care...}
But I digress...you really want to know what is up with the last post and that picture of the house, right?
For my 41st birthday this summer, my husband presented me with a drawing of a house in a frame with a message, "Let's find our dream home!" Now, we have been discussing this on and off for years, more seriously in the past four. The time just never seemed right. Well, now is the perfect time, I found out. The house picture I showed you is the one that we put a bid on last week Tuesday... at the same time that we listed our own 3 bedroom ranch. {I know... that is not how you are supposed to do it... but I am not one to sit and wait when this little gem had the price drop $20K in two weeks because the relocation company is left sitting with a vacant house over the cold Wisconsin winter!} It is not that we didn't like our house, we built it 17 years ago and moved into it the week before our wedding. It is just that the time had come. But this decision has created a whirlwind...
This new house is really everything that we want... the three car garage for my darling husband... the big backyard for my son Sport-o... the walk in closet and bigger bedroom for Tiny Dancer... and me? Well, I love it all, but mostly because it will make my family so very happy. There is gorgeous granite and stainless steel appliances in the kitchen... a spacious master suite and bathroom... a separate dining room... and most importantly, a wonderful space that will become my new studio. I was most touched by my husband's reaction when we saw this room in the basement... there is a large angled opening but no door {I think they used it as a work out room... work out room? Whatever would you want one of those?!?} He immediately saw the potential for me and said that we could rip out the carpet, put in loads of cabinets and storage space, add a utility sink and top it all off with some nice french doors. Ahhh... now that is what I am talking about!
Plus it was an incredibly good deal, and in a neighborhood that we love, about two blocks from my parents house. Could it get any better?
The good news is that they accepted our offer as of yesterday and we have to close on December 1st. The bad news is that we still have to sell our current home. But we have a way to make it work without breaking the bank, so I am not that worried about it. {But you can still keep your fingers crossed for me... we had our first showing on Saturday last week and was well received... and our first open house is this coming Saturday ~ on my 17th wedding anniversary of all days! Guess I know what I am getting for my anniversary... for the next 30 years!}
I am more concerned that I have had to completely clean out my current studio and now I am not sure where anything is! Ooh... I am so missing being creative!
On a related note, my one-and-only show is on Thursday. It is called A.R.T.S. Night (A Reason To Shop) and is a fundraiser for the Women's Fund of Portage County, WI. 25% of my proceeds will be donated to the Fund which supports women and childrens' issues in our area. It has just been a bit hard to create when I have had to switch gears and purge! I will make a valiant effort, but it might not be to my usual standard.
Have you made a decision that has changed your life for the better? Do tell!
Check It Out::Miniscule Love Story
29 comments:
Erin, I am so happy for you and your family to get this beautiful new home and especially for you to get what sounds a wonderful new studio space. I do know how stressful it is with all of this change. We've done this a few times now and while moving is exciting, it is a lot of work, physically and emotionally. I will be thinking of you and good luck with you show!
Erin,
First off, you are sweet and kind with your beautiful words here today. I feel like when I stop by here (always), it's a gift I'm receiving every time. Beautiful...
And your new home - wow! What a beauty! And what a deal! I'm sure the next couple of months will be very busy for you, getting packed and moved. The space you'll have, though, this new home - will make it all so worth it.
Congratulations on finding your dream home and moving towards living in it! Good luck selling your current home quickly so you can get your new studio set up :)
Erin this is wonderful!!! I'm so happy for you and your family that this "dream" is coming true!! The excitement of something that is new to look forward to, and yes, while you still need to sell the house you are in, I think that will happen. When something is meant to be, all the pieces "click" like the tumblers in a safe.
I wish you much luck, much success and joy with your show and as you make the move towards the next chapter in your lives!
Your new home is beautiful and I hope you will be able to sell you current one so you can begin a new chapter in your life. We have had 4 homes and each one brought something new into our lives. Our last move brought us to Tennessee from Massachusetts. It was a path I never thought I would be on but a good one none the less. Much luck to you!
Congratulations! Your new home is beautiful! It would be so fun to decorate, and to have your own studio space! I hope your current home sells quickly so you have that worry out of the way.
As far as a life changing event, I would have to say it was when I chose to stay at home. The place I had workd for 18 years (one which I truly loved and had planned to retire with) closed down to operate in another state to pay low wages to non-USA workers (can you tell I'm still a little miffed?). I tried to find other jobs but nothing felt right. After doing different part time jobs I decided to stay at home with my three kids, and subsequently got into making jewelry. Luckily my husband agreed with this idea. Taking the huge pay cut was difficult, but not out of reach. I've enjoyed watching my kids grow, not having to commute, and having the time to create and make my own schedule.
I'm so happy and excited for you Erin!
Congratulations.
Oh I wish you much success in your new home! From reading the description of it it really sounds as if it is a perfect fit for your family! I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for your home to sell quickly and go to a family who loved it as much as you did for 17 years. One good thing about packing is the fact that you find things that have gone missing for a long time, and you also have the opportunity to weed things out and start fresh. Good luck!! Be sure to post photos of your new Studio when it's completed! :) Sounds heavenly!
Congratulations Erin!! I've been holding off emailing you because I knew you were probably in the thick of things with the house. I'm so very happy for you that the offer was accepted! It does sound like a dream home (the photo is lovely) and to have your own studio space is such a wonderful thing. It's always a challenge to move so I wish you the best in packing and sorting! Lots of positive thoughts your way for a buyer :)
Congratulations, Erin! Such a lovely house! I have my fingers crossed that you will find someone to love your present home real quick!
Do keep us posted.
The gift from your hubby was so sweet! I love your new place. I'll keep my fingers crossed for a quick sale on your current home.
Congratulations!! What a blessing to find a new home that you love in the right location near family. Hope that the gods send you a quick buyer.
Yes, it's dizzying (is that a word?!) thinking about everything that now needs to be done. Cleaning/sorting/moving from the 'old' into the 'new' and thinking about where you'll place everything - will it fit/how will you decorate/what new things need to be added, etc., etc.
You have to share before and after photos of your new studio!
Just have a good inspector so you don't have any mechanical surprises....I know from experience.
Good luck to you and your family...
sandi
You are going to be able to tap into deeper creativity after the move, and reorganization that goes hand and hand with a new studio space. You will rediscover lost treasures, and envision before unimagined new uses for things that were tucked safely away. It is very cathartic.
This past January we ripped out old carpet, and I bought new bookshelves and three new table for my studio. ( I am a mixed media artist.) Same space, all new. And it has been wonderful. Enjoy the changes; bloom where you are (re)planted!
Just remember to breath! :) What a wonderful house Erin - I am so glad it has someting for everyone and that you are all so happy. Your house will sell in no time- I have no doubt!
Such wonderful news on the accepted offer! And oh how I envy you the potential studio space - awesome! I am sure you will have no problem filling it up with beads ;-)
congrats! that's a beautiful home! hope your current house sells quickly. we will going through the same thing soon ourselves, so i know what you're going through. best wishes!
Fingers crossed yes on you selling your old home soon. The new one is GORGEOUS!!!
Blessings. And we know how busy life can get, you visit when you can and are always in our hearts.
Will be thinking of you.
xo
Congratulations on the new home! I hope your former home sells quickly and that you will be able to find all that you need for a temporary studio! And the answer to your question is: Yes.
Congratulations on this beautiful house, that sounds like a dream come true =)
I will keep you in my prayers....
Take care~
diane
xoxox
Oh Erin, this is magificent! I am tickled for you and your family and I just know that all the details will sort themselves out. Funny you should post this but a little over a year ago we did the exact same thing with homes and it was an amazing change. I wish you the best on this journey with your family :)
I'm crossing my fingers that you'll sell one and buy another. I know the home-buying process can be very stressful. We're in the middle of the home renovation process. (yuck!) But I hope to end up with a nice art studio like you will.
Excellent! I'm delighted to hear you've found your home. May it be a place of true rest and inspiration.
Congratulations !! The great thing about cleaning and purging is that you will come across treasures from long ago & long since forgotten. They will feel new again & will be fresh in your mind. Ready to become a part of the next chapter in your life. Much love & God bless, I wish you joy. Melanie
Erin
You know I am sooooo excited for you and your family. 17 years is really a long time in one place. Now on to the next chapter and a whole new adventure! Your new house is truly a dream home.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!! I hope the Open House goes well today and that you two still find time to celebrate...you do have a lot to celebrate!
Erin,
Congratulations on the new house. You're studio sounds like it will be great! Hang in theer until you get it.
I have a story for you...I usually dwell on decisions, like dinner at a restaurant, I could debate for hours on what to order. I don't want to get it wrong. But the most important decisions I have made in my life were gut instincts that happened very quickly. My first very fast a easy decision was to marry my husband, we dated 5 months and were engaged. I freaked everyone out with that one.
Second, I had a really good job and my husband was in grad school not making any money. I was miserable and my husband told me to quit. I did not stopping to think once about money or consequences. That's when I started my business.
I have recently made another huge decision and taken a leap. I can't tell you what it is yet, but I have a good feeling about this decision too.
So good luck with all your decisions and adventures...you'll do great whatever it is.
Jennifer Heynen
Jangles
Congratulations on your new home. It is a beauty. I pray that your current home sells quickly and before you move.
My big decision was to quit my job, move out of the city into the country, and become a stay at home mom. That was in 1991.
I would not trade any minute of being home with my son. I still get back to the city every couple of months so that was also been a good trade.
What an exciting time for you! Yes, very busy and overwhelming, I'm sure, but how nice!
You will be in your new home for the Holidays - the first Christmas in a new home is the best! It's the very best time to buy a new home, and you will sell the one you are leaving so it's all good.
I wish I could attend your show - I would so be there it sounds like so much fun. I was planning on having a show, but family first - so it's been postponed to February. More time to create, right?
Your new home looks postcard perfect - xo Julie
I'm glad you have a way to make this work out without breaking the bank. I'm so happy ... some times you just need to make the leap and trust it will work out. The house seems like it is just made for you! Keeping my fingers crossed for whatever you need!
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