The last few months have been bonkers in my home. My husband got a great promotion…in another state. He’s been eleven hours away since March with only intermittent time at home. I’m not complaining. There are families who do much more and are apart for longer times, especially military families. It wasn’t right for us and since the job is great and he likes it a lot we decided to move.
So, for those of you who have moved, you know the drill–but I didn’t. I had no idea how much work went into selling a house, especially an older house that had seen the wear and tear of three kids. The realtors started with a number that made me want to cry, but gave us lots of ideas and projects that would up our value and chance to sell. Well, with my husband working 12 hour days, 7 days a week in a different state…I did the projects. I painted and plastered and fixed flooring and bathrooms. When he could come home for a few days he jumped right in too and we got a lot done.
The second visit with the realtor was much more heartening. In this time I’d also been downsizing. With iffy housing available (we’re in the oil basin in North Dakota now) I knew the less stuff we brought, the more flexible we could be. So, the house is now on the market, pretty close to empty and after a good three months of being crazy…I sit.
We’re officially on vacation, or at least that’s what my husband tells me. We’re in a camper (don’t feel bad for me, this thing is super swanky and has more amenities than my house) and will be here for sometime. I’m actually very grateful we don’t have to be in our house while we’re doing showings. I don’t have to run around making sure it’s spotless or disapear when there’s a showing.
Being away from home in a new space has put a huge crimp in my work schedule. I’m just now getting back in the swing of sitting my butt down and getting a few hours of writing and promotions in every morning and during naptime, but after the last few months, my brain is taking a vacation.
I wake up early with the kids, but I give them breakfast and then sit on the sofa, drink my coffee and look out the window at the rolling hills. We get dressed and clean a little, but in a camper it doesn’t take long to get things sparkly. We read together, do some school work, play games and go for adventures around the neighborhood.
All the while my husband is working his keester off. Don’t worry, we slow down at lunch and supper time to make him food and focus on him. He says it beats the hell out of the frozen dinners and ramen noodles he’s used to out here.
So, I’m going to be flexible (I’m getting remarkably good at that) and let a new rhythm come without forcing it too much. Part of being a mom and part of being a writer is having the sence to follow the situation when it’s a big one mostly out of your control. At this moment, there’s a lot up in the air, but what the hell? We have bubbles, so in a way, we’ll be up there too.
All the best,
Stephanie Beck
aka Gnome Mama
good luck. i sold my house 3 years ago. and while it seemed to be a never ending journey it did sell and I did move.
Good luck with your new adventures, Stephanie!
Hi Steph!
Sounds like you’re handling things very well! Plastering? Painting? Flooring and Moving? And having the time to Write??!!?? What a woman! =) Good Luck and keep us posted!