I'm in!
I’ve moved! I’ve left my dear little old house, and I’m in the lovely new one. It’s a chaos of boxes still — not just boxes of books, lots of everything, and still in boxes because I’m making up my mind where to store things now, in this place with lots of storage. The old house had very little — only in my furniture, which of course, has mostly come with me.
In fact a couple of friends — separately — dropped in for a visit shortly after I’d moved, looked around and each one said in amazement :I never dreamed you had so much stuff, Anne.”
To which I replied, “Neither did I.”
Because when everything is neatly stowed away in its place, you don’t notice it, but once it’s out and sitting on the floor in boxes — wow! So even though I did quite a bit of decluttering in the lead-up to the move, there’s still a lot more to do. But I’m not in a hurry to get everything stashed tidily away — I’m going to take my time.
I’m planning to get bookshelves built in — all my bookshelves I’ve obtained piecemeal over the years, and nothing matches. Plus in my study, I had two complete walls of books that I’d built myself with brackets in the walls. But now I want proper shelves built to my specifications. So . . . the books will have to wait in their boxes for a while yet.
I put my dog Milly in the kennels so she wouldn’t get stepped on — she loves it there and they put her in with a playmate and she plays all day and night and is usually exhausted and happy when she gets home. I brought her home to the new house the other day, and she sniffed around everywhere, not quite sure of this strange and chaotic place — had a wee outside on the lawn, so it’s christened and had a good drink from her own little bucket.
Milly looks so happy! I’m so glad you are too. And what a joy to have a bit more room, yes? Don’t be like me though. After being here seven years, most of my books are still in storage while I decide what to do with the bookcases I’m waiting to have built…
Thanks, Theo — and I probably will have boxes of books still sitting here years later. But I’ll try to be good and get them sorted fairly quickly.
I just want to say I am a new reader of your books. Started with Marry in Haste and Marry in Scandal. Now I am a completely devoted fan… and so glad you have written a lot! Such lovely characters and fascinating plots and heartwarming endings. Enjoy your new home! The hard part is over now!
It’s lovely when you find ‘your’ home. Lovelier still when all the belongings most precious to you have found ‘their’place in your home. Such a light feeling you get just looking around you and that feeling makes you so happy. And when we’re happy, all is good. Enjoy the home of your soul, Anne. ♥️♥️♥️
Thanks so much, Enisa. I haven’t found a place yet for all my things, but I live in hope. The difficulty is that my old house had pelmets over every window and most doors, and they housed a lot of ornaments and decorative things. This house has none of that so I’m going to have to . . . (ulp) choose!
You can never have enough books nor bookshelves. My daughter plans to do what you have in mind – get professionally built bookcases for her library. Some of course will remain in other places. She already has a couple of library ladders so that’s a start. Have fun and I hope the bees like your new garden, too.
Thanks, Robyn. Sadly I gave away all my bee stuff before I moved. I’ll be planting things that encourage them to the garden but I won’t be eating my own honey any more.
I’m in the process of decluttering – lots to rummage sales & thrift stores, but still have a lot left – big job to move – one step at a time – glad you & Milly are happy in the new home!
Thanks, Diane — yes, as I get used to the differences in this house, and as I find places for my things, and realizing I still need to give more stuff away, I’m feeling happier and happier.
Sounds lovely Anne. The worst is behind you. Now you can unpack slowly and enjoy the new house. Glad Milly is also ‘home’. You must show us photos of the new bookshelves when they’re done, they sound divine.
Good to hear that all has been moved and now it is time to find where things should be. You can never have enough bookshelves and I hope that soon the books will find a happy place. Milly looks content and happy that her blanket moved to the new house.
I hope all goes smoothly in settling in.