"The Times They Are-A-Changin"

Well, it's been awhile, since I've last blogged. I'm happy to be doing this, since it's a visual record of how we are changing in various ways. This has been more than just packing up boxes and moving. It's really reevaluating where you are going and how much you need and want in your life. I have to say the hardest thing in all of this (besides leaving our lovely home) is being without an art studio. I never realized how much I took it for granted...having a readily available space to make art. I had a pity party for myself this week, because I have all these ideas floating around and no place to go except for a sketchbook. But like a good friend of mine said.."it will be worth it in the end". Paul and I know it will. There are still many steps: packing (still), moving to our wonderful new apartment (I'll talk about that later), waiting for the build, and then move again. 

This journey has forced myself to slow down and use only what is available.....so I kind of get the concept only having what you need. We sold all our bookcases (so we can have a future book wall in our new place), got rid of a ton of stuff that no longer serves us (2 chairs, 2 shelving units, clothing), so in the end we don't have much furniture at all. I know we will need another bed, some dressers, etc. However, I love knowing, right now, what we own. 
We've decided to get rid of Paul's DELL that has been wonderful to us for so many years and he's getting an iPad (it's in the mail as we speak), to make everything we own a little smaller. So that's the inventory part of things.

The other new news is our amazing, phenomenal apartment that we are starting to move into on the 15th! Just kidding! This place is a true dump...but I know with my touch it can be home for 6 months or so. Truly, it needs some work, but for the price and the flexibility we couldn't say no. It's close to the area to where we are building, flexible lease, takes cats (and doesn't charge a monthly fee), low rent and I asked the landlord that if I paint if he would take some money off our security deposit (because it smells like smoke - but the carpets were cleaned... sure~) and he said, yes! So, we got $100.00 off and starting Friday night I will be painting, and Paul will be cleaning the walls Friday during the day with TSP to get rid of the smell. It's a 2 bedroom, one small living room, with a kitchen and bath. One bedroom has a side door that has a tiny outside porch, so I'm thinking of growing some flowers and potted plants. It's an upper unit. Crazy enough I'm kind of excited...and like Paul said it will force us to get outside more and do things we otherwise would not. 
So, maybe this summer is getting away from our routine and how we identify our lives. It will be enriching for sure! The next post will be pictures of our beauty of an apartment! Stay tuned. 

Footnote: People been asking the question, "so when are you building?". We are working with our amazing architect, Matt Wiedenhoft, from Martin-Riley Architects  (http://martin-riley.com/about.php) , so things work at a different speed. If working directly with a builder they approve the plans and start building right away. Next step will be approval of plans, then bidding of the project to 3 potential contractors, and then hopefully build in July (we are hoping early July, but our architect proposed mid July). The build could take anywhere from 6-9 months. We are considered a low end project (because we are not in the million dollar market), so projects can be postponed. I'm sure I will learn patience, since Paul has amazing super powers in that area. Also, we are rooting for a young contractor from Oshkosh who is into sustainable building. There was an article just written about him in our local magazine. I don't want to jinx it, so I'm not providing a name. Gotta believe things work out!