Thursday, May 23, 2013

catching up

Oh, mylanta! So much has been going on, I think a catch up post is in order.
Last week on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday we packed up our house in Wisconsin. We had movers (thanks to the company relo) to help us out, but it is still a ton of work! It was a little bit sad to see the contents of our house disassembled. On the other hand, it was kind of exciting to finally be at this point. It's been a long time coming!
There were plenty of quilts to move. It was fun to see so many piled up in one spot! Usually they are spread out here, there and everywhere. I had a hard time entrusting the quilts to the movers, so we opted to move them ourselves. They filled the trunk of the car. And that was just a portion of them. Yikes! 
After a few days (and very little sleep) we had the house completely empty. That requires much celebrating by the short people in the house. Lots of shouting, running in circles and twirling. It was fun to watch the kids enjoy the empty rooms and I made sure I let them. I was certain to take it all in. They've been through a lot with this move, too!
It was hard to say good bye to our house. I get so sentimental sometimes! After 4 houses you'd think I'd kind of be used to it. So many memories there and so many friends to say good bye to! It has been a great place to live.
 
EARLY Sunday morning, a day and a half later, I flew out to Pittsburgh. I had the opportunity to speak and teach at a guild there. Yes, right smack dab in the middle of the move. Why not?!?!? 
Actually, the timing was wonderful and I enjoyed my trip very much. It was a break from the reality of the move. Pittsburgh is a lovely city, the guild was wonderful and I was in good hands the entire time I was there! Many thanks to Sally and Diane for showing me around and keeping me company in the down times. It was a delight.

I did a trunk show on Monday night and a scrap management workshop on Tuesday for the guild. During class one of my students snuck an apple on my (borrowed) sewing machine...an apple for the teacher. Isn't that the sweetest thing ever? Thanks Elizabeth! I'm so very thankful that I get to travel, speak and teach about quilting. It's pretty incredible that I am able to work doing something that I love to do!
For the trip I finally broke down and started using my scrap happy purse. It's been sitting around unused for months and this was the perfect opportunity to break it in. I loved the size of it. Great for everyday use AND for traveling. My iPad fit in it well, along with my normal purse contents and I still had room for a snack. My purse also made me recognizable at the airport. Can't ask for more than that! :)
I got home at 2am on Wednesday. At 10 am the moving truck arrived and they unloaded all of our stuff. We are now surrounded in a sea of boxes. Sheesh! We are glad to have all our things in one place again. Speaking of that, I best get unpacking. I've got lots to do! Gotta get it done so I can sew!

35 comments:

http://thankfullga447 said...

I know what you are going through, I relocated from NY to Omaha, NE. Then I was a relocation specialist for 10 years, domestic and international. Can't wait to see your new surroundings.

a maidenhair fern said...

My, you're burning a lot of oil. good idea to keep your quilts separate from the mover's quilts!!! ck your email.

Marie said...

welcome to Minnesota ... since you were a cheesehead ... you'll be used to our crazy weather.

Kim said...

Oh my! You are busier than a one armed paperhanger! Best of everything in your new home! We just moved a few months ago and things are settling down nicely.still working on my sewing space but do have my sewing machine up and running.

Congratulations!

jlk said...

Enjoy unpacking and making your new house a home! I wish I could have come to your trunk show and class!! Next time :)

Svetlana said...

hope unpacking goes well, must be so much work. Love your purse, btw.

Svetlana said...

oh, and your amazingly gorgeous pile of quilts, wow!!!! fantastic

Diane said...

Good to see your post, was wondering how everything went.
Where have I seen a big pile of quilts like yours recently...hmmm :)
take care
D

Liz said...

Your new spot looks gorgeous. I hope you all settle in well. Moving is STRESSFUL ! :-)

Unknown said...

Can't wait to see your new home especially your sewing space. Pictures soon please!

Anonymous said...

So we know what you'll be doing Memorial Day weekend. Happy unpacking.

I've been unpacking too. This week our RLM team set up homes for two refugee families, one of which is arriving from a Thai camp today. And I was reminded that setting up a home is good for team building. Hope your family finds it to be just that.

Suzanne said...

Beginnings and endings are so exciting! I'm glad you got to sandwich them with a feel good trip to Pittsburgh. I hope you settle in well and enjoy the nesting process. Get some rest too!

charlotte said...

You wore me out just reading all that! We moved a lot in the earlier years. It isn't easy if they move you and it isn't easy if you move yourself. Glad you are all together with you things. Let the nesting begin!

Lucy | Charm About You said...

Awesome stuff!!! Love the kids twirling in the empty house. You have so much going on. Huge congratulations on your new home and I hope everything goes really well and you can settle in and relax :) xx

eva said...

i too would have trouble entrusting the quilts to anyone else.
we have the same ikea clock - i love it!!!
its not too often the kids get a ballroom in their own house, so the chance does need to be taken when it's there.
i don't envy you the unpacking days.
xoxo
always enjoy your blog!!
xo
eva

Kathleen said...

Enjoy unpacking - its like Christmas for days! :)

Carie @ Space for the Butterflies said...

What a wonderful pile of quilts - I'd want to dive right in!

Linda said...

Hey! That borrowed machine is almost identical to mine! Mine is the 2044 which I think is just an older model. :)

Glad you are finally getting settled in the new house. You deserve a break! I think you should come up to our place tomorrow for some hot dogs and a bonfire...

Anonymous said...

I was just thinking about you today and wondering how your class/trunk show went. Nice to be on the other side of the move now! Hope you all settle in quickly. :) Hugs!

Patti said...

Glad you are in one place again. I always felt unpacking burned a lot of calories and so reason enough to treat myself to the occasional coke and chocolate bar, lol!

Trepmom said...

Your quilts amaze me, your energy amazes me, your husband amazes me (he is a good man to let you go in the middle of a move :). You are amazing, Amandajean! Hope the unpacking goes smoothly and you get sewing time soon.

Carol E. said...

You live in MN now??? Yay!! How close/far to/from the Twin Cities?

sulu-design said...

Yikes! I'm exhausted after reading that! I can't believe you had a trip to PA in the middle of the moving mix. You are one driven woman! I hope that the settling goes well. That's my favorite part of moving (furniture arranging - yay!). Enjoy your new home.

Shauna said...

This too shall pass and you will soon be settled into your new digs. Great picture of all your quilts - :) and the purse looks great!

Beth said...

All the best to you and your family in your new home. Moving is difficult.

Jeneta said...

What a wonderfully exhausting time! You sound like you are managing everything brilliantly. After seeing your lovely photos I am impressed to do a tidy up so that my non-moving home looks as neat as your in-the-throes-of-moving home!!

Stitchin4Missions said...

Hey Amanda, it's Michele from Tuesday's workshop. Thanks for such a great time and so many tips. This is my entrance to the blogger sphere and I hope to participate in the finish up Fridays.

Vicki said...

Love the tote! It looks like it would be a great traveling companion. Keep breathing and know that whatever you don't get done today....will be there tomorrow!

Ann said...

Through all of that and you found time to post? Enjoy your new home! And that beautiful quilt pile. Congrats on all the new changes & new home.

Christi said...

I love you tote! Could you tell me what pattern you used for it...or was it purchased?

cjpike at indiana dot edu

Cheryl Arkison said...

Did you like that sewing machine? That's the one I use.
It never, ever stops! You'll get through and emerge with new creative juice, I know it.

Terry said...

Loved the post - as always! and the pics. and I also want to know if you have a link for the scrap happy tote?
Please share! Happy unpacking!

SandyQuilts said...

Good luck with the move.

Love your scrap happy purse. Is there a pattern? OR can you tell me the size? I love it.

Live a Colorful Life said...

I've been thinking about you all week. I'll miss Abby's sweet room, but am anxious to see her new one, and the rest of your new location. Sweet dreams in your new location. See you soon!

Unknown said...

Thanks for taking the time to do this post, I love it. Wish you and yours health and happiness in your new home.