August 3, 2016

Michigan Update

Well, we are settling nicely in Michigan, and the transition, I am happy to report, has been smooth and fairly pleasant.

I love our sweet little 1940s house and tree-lined street.  When Matt and I were dating I told him that one of my favorite things in the world is a tree-lined street where the tree branches reach over the road and touch. Life's simple joys.

Our past four out-of-state moves have all been sight unseen.  It's always worked out and is actually kind of exciting pulling up to a place for the first time to "meet" your new home.  I squealed with delight when I pulled onto our tree-lined street 3 week ago.  The homes are small and older and charming, and there's lots of green, which I anticipate will become lots of white in a few months.



Normally this time of year, I would be setting up my classroom, writing desk name tags, and lesson planning, but the school year in Michigan doesn't start until after Labor Day so I still have a few weeks before hitting the ground running in late August.  It's such a gift, this extra time.

So while Matt is at work, I've just been a busy little bee - unpacking, organizing, and decorating our nest. There is something so satisfying about hanging curtains and staining shelves - doing something productive with your hands and seeing results.  I have become reacquainted with our power drill and level and hammer and completed these open shelves the other day.  I'm pretty proud of myself for not screwing it up.  I love how they turned out!
Ta Da!


I have decided too that unpacking boxes is much more fun than packing boxes. It feels kind of like Christmas.

When Matt came home from work and casually walked right through the previously-crammed-and-messy-but-now-box-free hallway and didn't seem to notice (!) the difference from when he left that morning, I told him in no uncertain terms that I need him to gush when he comes home and sees the progress I've made.  He learned that lesson fast.  Only now, he's hyper-aware.

The next day's conversation:

Matt:  "Did you move that plant to this table?  It looks great!"

Me:  "No, honey.  That's been there for 2 weeks.  But thanks for trying more to notice my progress!"

Matt:  "That candle.  That candle's new."

Me:  "Nope."


He's so sweet.


Here's a sneak peek of our little Michigan nest!  More pics to come later!
Our little home