A Table, A Lunch And A Lot of Naps

That pretty much sums up my life in the last ten days.

First things first though, I want to say a HUGE thank you to all of you who advised us back in February to get the move overwith before the baby is born. As exhausing as this has been, I am so glad that we're getting it done now and I can't imagine trying to do it with a newborn. Internet, as usual you are brilliant and wise and I wish I could give you all a big, sloppy kiss.

We're about two thirds of the way finished now. I've held up surprisingly well, although I've been taking a lot of naps. There are still about thirty boxes to be unpacked, some furniture that still needs to be moved over and a crapload of projects to get done including setting up the baby's room. But we're slowly settling in.

Although it's not really a surprise, thus far we seem to be literally the youngest people in the neighborhood. There are quite a few retirees, many of whom only live here part time, along with couples in their their fifties and sixties who have children our age. Everyone has been incredibly welcoming and friendly though and we've already had several neighbors come over with bottles of wine, a few invites to go boating and several offers to babysit.

I was invited to attend the monthly ladies lunch last Wednesday so I joined 20 women whose median age was well over 60. The closest age to mine was a woman about ten years older than me but again, everyone was so friendly and nice, if I didn't know better I might think we had stumbled into some sort of septuagenarian Stepford community.

As for the house, well, it's perfect. It's truly a dream come true. Jeff and I have both been walking around in amazement that it's really ours. This morning, Jeff said living here felt like he was on vacation, a rousing endorsement considing how hard he's been busting his ass this week.

Everything is coming together bit by bit. It's going to be awhile before I can really put my mark on the place with color and paint, but it's already beginning to look and feel like home. Jeff's parents, who literally never throw anything away have contributed a lot of old and antique furniture which I've taken on as refinishing and painting projects. It's gone a long way toward filling up the space and providing us with some beautiful things that have been in the family for a long time.

My favorite thing so far? Jeff's dad had a table in his garage that he said he wasn't using.  After looking at it, we realized it was a simple maple dining table that needed to be refinished. It had belonged to Jeff's grandparents and is over sixty years old, but it had been sitting in the garage, unused for years. After we said we wanted it, Jeff's dad sanded and stained it for us and it is gorgeous.

Now I get to tell my son someday how the table that sits in our kitchen was the same table where his great-grandparents ate their meals. It's where his grandfather sat when he was a little boy and where his granparents had dinner when they were first dating. This is the table where Jeff had Thanksgiving dinners with two generations of his family and now, it's where we'll share countless family moments of our own.

I'll have pictures soon and I can't wait to catch up with all of you in the next few days. But for now, there are a few more boxes calling my name and a chest that needs to be painted.

Comments

[Wendy]

So happy for you and I cannot WAIT to see pictures!!!!

[Violet]

It sounds like things are coming together - and you sound so happy! Both of you! I'm glad you're in a place with people who are friendly and nice - no matter how old they are.

And having a bunch of older people around means *quality* babysitting - no one eating all your Oreos and inviting their boyfriends over to utilize your sofa for, erm, 'purposes' while you're not home. *grin*

[mamatulip]

I've been thinking of you over the last few days, as we ourselves just finalized our deal today. I sense a feeling of relief, of contentment and excitement in your words....I'm so happy for you, and I can't wait for pictures. :)

[Izzy]

Congrats on starting the move and getting settled. It must be a relief!

Pictures, pretty please???

[Lizzie]

Living in Florida is living on vacation, isn't it?

So glad you're in your own beautiful home.

Hugs!

[Ortizzle]

Too bad there aren't couples your age around there, but the house sounds like a dream. Looking forward to seeing that heirloom table!

[Chris]

I'm glad you're getting settled in. I LOVE the story about your table - that is just amazing. I wish I had connections like that!

[V-Grrrl]

I love that the neighbors have been so welcoming. While we have always developed relationships with our neighbors, I've never been welcomed into a neighborhood.

All those older chicks are potential well springs of wisdom and experience. I'll be curious to see the type of relationships that develop there.

[wordgirl]

Yay! I'm so glad we were able to give you the kind of advice that makes you feel as though you made the right choice. I've moved with an 8-month old and it's a tough gig. I'm glad you guys will already be settled. Don't forget to wear a mask while refinishing/painting.

[mdog]

ahhhhh... it all sounds wonderful. i want a jeff and a perfect house! for now i'll live vicariously through you. :)

i'm assuming the chest that needs to be painted won't be requiring any... airbrushing.

[Tink]

I love furniture with a history. Hoop and I have a handmade table in our dining room that was made by his father, accompanied by Captain's Chairs that were stolen from his father's university. It's great to be surrounded by things that actually MEAN something.

Enjoy your house! I look forward to updated pictures. :)

[Elizabeth]

I'm jealous of your awesome neighbors! We also live in a neighborhood of mostly retirees, and none of them have offered to babysit!

I can't wait to see the pictures. It's great that everything is going so well!

[Heidi]

Glad you're in. Can't wait to see pics!