Wednesday, March 3, 2021

"Life Move" Timeline

"Shall we move to Florida where it is warm or Virginia where our granddaughter lives with her Mommy and Daddy?"  It was a tough decision that in the end was not made lightly. We visited friends in Naples and my cousin in West Palm Beach. We explored Virginia each time we visited my granddaughter. We thought deeply, weighed options, and finally found the right community in Northern Virginia to build a new home, our dream home.  

I think back on that time. Our intentions were genuine and our enthusiasm bursting with joy. Home builders we were, just like my Bessie Peace Gutmann framed print that was above my fireplace for years.  After we signed the contract for our new home at the end of February 2020, COVID reared its ugly head just like a monster from a medieval tale. We were living in Long Island near the epicenter so there was nothing we could do but work virtually with Toll Brothers until the heightened alert was lifted months later. By June 2020, we were able to travel to Virginia to meet with the Design Center consultant face-to-face. 

"Home Builders" by Bessie Peace Gutmann

At the same time, summer 2020, we decided to list our house for sale. The months that followed were not easy as buyer after buyer came and went. October brought two prospective buyers and both fell through. We started all over again with the house sale while having weekly conference calls with Toll Brothers in Virginia. It was a juggling act. Then, the final photos of the house gave credence to what we accomplished-home builders just like the early 1900s couple in the print.

Our Regency at Creekside new home

home builders
framing out a future
hope resides
©CV, 2021

Day 3 of Two Writing Teachers' March SOLSC! #SOL21, March Musings 2021
Proud Member of Two Writing Teachers Community since 2015

14 comments:

  1. Carol, deciding to move is big! So much to think about - so much to leave behind, but so many new memories and adventures ahead! I loved reading this post. My sister and brother-in-law may move to Maine. Right now, they are only 40 minutes away. Enjoy your new home and your family!

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    1. Lynn, my sister who lives in upstate NY decided to also build a home in my new community. She closed last week so now we will have our small family in one area. This is important to all of us. I am excited about the move but nervous that I don't have enough time to finish packing before next Monday night.

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  2. I appreciate your slice's layers of homesteading, homebuilding, and hope tending. Best to you and yours in what might still feel like a new beginning.

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    1. Brian, I am taking this move seriously. It will bring me great joy to be near my daughter, son-in-law, and little grandbabies. While packing up photos today, I felt a sense of nostalgia. I want to be present when the little girls have significant milestones. As it was this year, I only got to see those important events via photos or during a Zoom call.

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  3. Carol where to buy or build is a decision that takes a lot of thought...a lot of weighing options...sometimes even questioning if the choice we made was the correct one. Sounds like you picked the perfect spot. Here's wishing you many happy years in your dream home.

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    1. I did pick the perfect spot, Bob, but my husband still thinks about Florida. Maybe we will visit friends there when our pandemic lives are not about masks and fears. Thanks for your well wishes.

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  4. I don't know what I'd do without my mom living in the same city, especially now that we have a toddler and second on the way :) Congratulations to you!!

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    1. Britt, will you send me your blog site address so that I can keep in touch with your writing? Congratulations to you also-baby #2 is going to be a Godsend but a busy time in your life. Thanks for the congratulations on my move. Being a grandma near my little ones is a blessing.

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  5. Oh boy Carol, moving, buying and selling homes in this crazy year we've had does not sound like a walk in the park! But I'm so glad you guys have found a place you love! Thanks for sharing this slice!

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    1. Maggie, it certainly has been a hectic and oftentimes stressful year. Right now, I am trying to hold it together and not panic as the moving day is March 9th. Let's see how I fare next week. On top of moving, we have an estate sale set for Friday night and my new living room furniture is set for March 10th because my husband is anxious to have a couch to sit on in the great room of our new home. Stay tuned for more news.

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  6. Gosh, congratulations to you building your own home. We never will be in that position, but I'm sure it's exciting and you'll get through all the necessary moves however stressful they seem. I do hope you sell your old house okay, that must be a little scary! I've got used to not having grandchildren around, having been overseas for most of the last 12 years, three of mine prefer their devices to me, but I can understand how important it is...Your daughter will be thrilled!

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    1. Celia, it is great making your acquaintance. I wake up to a slew of to do tasks today but first start out with writing time. We are in the process of closing on March 15th on my Long Island home. What an adventure and such a long journey to this part of the moving process. Being away from my granddaughters in their early stages of development has been difficult but I am excited for this move.

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  7. Love this post "framing out a future" and the Bessie Peace Gutmann print you shared. I hope it's traveling to your new home!

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  8. Thank you for stopping by my blog and for your kind comment. You found me through my daughter's blog-It's Elementary. We have moved a lot!! but when hubs retired we bought a lake lot in SC and built. Hubs found the whole process exhilarating while I found it part fun, mostly exhausting. We do love the finished product though, so I guess that's what matters. And I'd love to live near my grands one of these days. Have a wonderful weekend!

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