What's Really Going On

Well, hello there!  I thought it was high time I let you in on what's going on around here.

 I've been sparse here, not by desire.  

 Truth is, the Dills are moving, which is a very BIG dill! ;)  Not too far, but still.  Every single thing has to be packed whether it's across the world or around the corner. I didn't think we had that much stuff, but I described it to my mom like our house had vomited.  The more we packed the more there seemed to be.  But, we finally did it.

The thing is, we're in a temporary, undisclosed location (aka bunkin' with gammy ;) until renovations are done on the new place.

 The kids have started their new schools, which has been a huge, difficult adjustment for some, and a sea breeze for others.  Olive came home from her first day and said she talked to every single person in her class.  Ryan and I just looked at each other and smiled.  That kid can ride any wave with grace and natural skill.

 I've walked our big middle schooler into her school every single day, until today.  I told her one day she wouldn't want her mom walking into school with her.  She looked skeptical.

 I've been spending every solitary (rare!) hour at the old house painting, painting, painting.  Isn't it funny how you're able to look past the dirt, grime, and wall smudges until you realize there can't be any proof of you living there?

 And it would be a whole lot easier if I had painted everything the same shade of white.  No, that would be too simple.  Every single room is a different shade, so it's not just touching up.  It's a 3 coat painting job.  

 I told Ryan that maybe it's a tender mercy that I will be so sick of the house by the time I'm finished painting that there will be no sadness about leaving a home we have grown to love, but just outgrown.  

 My green countertops, the stockings hung by the fireplace tiles, the light fixtures, the garden we have lovingly tended, the floors on which half our kids have learned to walk, the countless meals prepared in the kitchen, the birthdays celebrated in the blue dining room, the treehouse, the teacher appreciation dinners, the Christmas trees decorated in the living room.  So many memories in our little house.

 I am torn.  But, as I was explaining to one baby dill who was struggling with the change, change is good for us. Sometimes it's hard and it hurts and it seems that it will always be uncomfortable, but we don't grow and learn like we should without it.  We gain compassion, we discover more strengths and weaknesses about ourselves through change.

Changes to schools also means changes to my sewing schedule.  Clover's new school is not only doing letters of the week out of order, but she has to wear the school t-shirt and solid color pants.  That is one giant wrench thrown in my alphabet week sewing! 

 Ryan asked if we needed to switch schools.  He's a good man.  But she's staying where she is, and I will just have to work something else out.  Thoughts?  Maybe I should rotate through all the girls to more evenly distribute my sewing projects.

 Most of my fabric is boxed up anyway, but it's like I'm missing a body part, not being able to sew freely. 

 The projected date for finishing everything in the house is March 2nd.  There.  It's in print, so it has to happen, right?

 It has been an absolute delight to choose things for the house.  It was built in the 50's and has so many layers of additions and changes.  In fact, it has 2 roofs!  I love talking to the contractor about how things were built.

 He took down some drywall to see what we were dealing with in one room and said, pointing to some really big boards (I don't even remember what he called them) but he was as excited about them as I would get about elbow darts.  Those are like old OLD school!

 We've discovered layers of flooring that is proof of the floor fads through the decades.

I'm having a hard time convincing everyone of my vision as far as changes go.

Even the contractor.  He's asked me half a dozen times if I'm sure about my flooring choice for the entrance.  

 YES! YES! YES!  So. What does this all mean for the short term blog outlook?  You can follow along our renovation journey, and I'm going to try to unearth some fabric to sneak in some sewing as well (gammy does have her Bernina for my usage, and I brought my drawers 'o buttons with me like it's my 7th child.)

Oh.  Did you want to see the state of the new house?  Why, yes, those are trenches dug in my floor with mounds of dirt on my kitchen floor.  That's Divine in the corner.  It's progress, which is beautiful to me!

ps I can't seem to stay away from instagram, so you're welcome to follow our day-by-day journey (all the above photos) there (@nobigdillkaty)

pps if any of you have tips to survive and thrive through renovations, please share!