We’ve been in the new house for a couple of months now. The rooms are still filled with some boxes and things that need to be handled but there are also sweet new velvet dining chairs, a giant 9-foot-long leather couch, a sturdy Amish-made porch swing, new bookcases, and random wonderful moments of “us” everywhere.
The little house in Decatur sold on Monday and it was so bittersweet walking through one last time to inhale and exhale that space as we said our goodbyes to her. We spent 5 years dating and loving in that house and JD had another 20 years in that house before I came along with sweet memories and growth. The guy who bought the house is an amazing, bubbly little Gay man who will love it and fill it with magic and good feelings so we walked away from it feeling warmed and hopeful.
We are still tying up a lot of loose ends with the other homes we own and various duties for probate and taxes and the endless stacks of papers. Somewhere in the middle of it all, we exhaust ourselves every day by listening to the loudest frogs on Earth having a fuckfest outside our bedroom window every night and doing random projects all over the house.
We’ve designated the basement space as our gym and have set about de-spidering and cleaning. It’s a fully functional finished room but it’s basement-y as basements tend to be.
The outside space calls me. I’ve got pots and plants lined up on the back deck nearly all the time in various states of needing to be planted or transferred and so far my fruit punch hibiscus are thriving. We have also discovered various treasures around the yard left by the children and pets who have lived here before us. I smell an art project brewing with that one.
I have decided that I am going to get rid of about half of the clothing and shoes that I currently own. Im working at home forever so what’s the need and honestly, I’m tired of being that woman. I just want my comfy skirts and funky shoes and a rotating wardrobe of well-loved, well-worn fabrics that make me feel witchy and amazing and free.
This house stirs things in me. Part Pioneer Woman, part Ina Garten. Party witchy Mother love, part Freida Fucking Kahlo. Part lounging kitty, part content napping puppy.
I’m happy.
In my bones.
In my spirit.
Exhale.