Starting Over

The big move took place this week, over a period of several days, just before the snow storm!
We slept in our home again seven months to the day after the house fire.
Preparations intensified as the day approached. Work at the house continued through the weekend, everyone finishing up their part and a lady cleaning up after them. Sunday afternoon and evening our custom-wordworker son was at it again, even after a late night so his family came out later to spend some time with him. We all found places to sit and enjoy Kristie's wonderful meal of chili and cheesy rolls.

This scene reminds me of Christmas 1990 when family members gathered in the same spot.

Monday the inspector toured the place, big furniture items were delivered, the carpenter was still working on the deck, and Mike and two helpers (son Sam and friend Larry) loaded and unloaded the U-Haul truck several times to transfer our belongings from the temporary home to the new house.
Mike had to rush off later to mentor the robotics team (the six-week build season started Saturday), and I was glad to get away from it all and go to Monday Meal. I had the pleasant company of two Taylor students who asked to go along--cousin Bethany and friend Jessica.

It was the monthly Cooking Through the United States meal, this time featuring Washington.

Washingtonian pumpkin soup is delicious!

Tuesday Mike loaded up the car multiple times and I continued to clear out areas and pack.
"You wouldn't know we had a fire! Have we accumulated that much since?"
It wasn't till around 9 p.m. that I finally drove up to my home-sweet-home. A full moon shone through the trees.

Since then we have kept at the overwhelming task of settling in: assemble some of the furniture pieces; unpack and find the right place for each and every item (and then remember where you put it!); read the care and instruction manual before using an appliance (they have changed so much!). All the while I am thinking about how to arrange and decorate. Throw-pillows on the sofa was the first and easiest decision.

Sam has been in and out almost every day this week. Thursday we shared a pizza lunch together. It was the first use of the new oven. We tried one Stephan's gourmet frozen pizzas he gave us for Christmas--chicken artichoke. Wonderful! So much so that we had nearly demolished it before I thought to take a picture.

 

Friday Sam got stuck in our driveway so Mike got out the four-wheeler and plow and has used it a couple times since. I caught this when I looked out the window to see what was happening.

Sam installed the drawer insert for the cutlery, an extra piece that he made and gave us for Christmas.

I set up and used my new sewing machine, after reading the entire manual I'm proud to say.

I needed to mend the hem of a pillowcase before returning it to our 'other' home.
Glenda, my neighbor, and I spent most of Saturday cleaning and sprucing up the other place.

I stood at the sink where I had spent hours and hours over the 214 days of 'exile' and said goodbye to the dear neighborhood.