Thursday, May 06, 2010

greetings from the danish countryside or contrary to popular belief, i survived the move

hello everybody! as you may have gathered, our home is still an internet-free zone. despite having ordered the connection more than two weeks ago, the provider - let's just name names here - TDC - hasn't even contacted me!!! arrgh!! so i'm left sneaking in a bit of time at the beginning or end of my work day for a bit of blogging therapy.

we got most of our stuff moved late last week. there are a few things left in the old house (christmas decorations in the attic for one), but since we haven't sold the house yet and it's nowhere near christmas, there's no rush on that stuff. we are going over to do a thorough cleaning on saturday since we left dust bunnies everywhere in our haste to get the truck loaded then unloaded and given back to the rental company. and we'll definitely be getting sushi for dinner at the new sushi place in our old town, as it'll no doubt be another decade before one comes to our new town. the things we give up for the sake of adventure.

the new house is proving interesting. i have, on three occasions, felt that it was actually speaking to me. first, when i hung our pretty, bright new cycling helmets on a peg in the entryway, i felt a palpable sense of happiness surge through me. the second time, i had put on a mix of jack johnson (that man's got to be the happiest man on the planet, doesn't he?) songs and had a strong sense of the house awakening, as if it had been asleep like something out of sleeping beauty or rumplestiltskin, and was awakening to find itself filled with happy music and people. the last time was when the old owner stopped by to show husband how to do some things with the temperamental furnace (it's one of those that uses little wooden pills as fuel). the house made it clear to me, by putting me in a very black mood, that it wasn't fond of him. it may sound strange but i was completely aware that of the source of the mood was coming from the house.

speaking of the house - it's probably not going to be that happy with us when it finds out that we're going to be tearing it down - at least part of it anyway. much to the relief of our architect, who was recommending that from the beginning. it will give us an opportunity to get rid of the worst problems (bricks that were painted in horrible plastic paint at some point and which have turned to powder underneath that paint) and it will also give us the opportunity to do some kind of amazing modern addition onto the bits of the old house that we leave intact. i'll have to find a way to break it to the house gently.

tho' the days have been strangely cold, it has often been sunny and most evenings the sunset light has been golden and amazing. its wonderful to walk down around our own little lake and listen to the birds singing and talk about our plans for the property. from that standpoint, the move feels like it was most definitely the right thing.


sabin's new horse, matilde, arrived yesterday. we are all madly in love with her. if you'd like to see more, there are pictures here. we're so fortunate that we can keep her at our neighbors' house, where they have a lovely outdoor riding arena and 8 stalls in their barn. happily, they have only six horses themselves, so there was room for matilde. and the fence above is around one of the paddocks where she will get to eat grass during the day.

i am scribbling loads of notes in my little red notebook (thanks spud for that - turns out it's not just for grudges, tho' they are also plentiful), so i assure you there will be much more when i'm back online at home and can indulge in my nightowl blogging once again.

17 comments:

sas said...

moving is so bloody stressful! so pleased you are safe in your new digs :)

Liz Fulcher, The Fragrant Muse said...

I've missed you. Matilde is gorgeous and it appears she and Sabin are already soulmates. I love that you hear the house speaking to you (they do, you know) and you're listening. Sprinkle some cedarwood in the corners to bless the new space, clear old energy and welcome the new adventures. I'm so happy for you! Liz xo

mrs mediocrity said...

Lovely photos...I get feeling from houses, too, and you may be surprised, yours may be perfectly happy to lose those crumbling bricks.

Molly said...

All sounds good - and exciting!

Maria-Thérèse ~ www.afiori.com said...

A speaking house! Love it.

Elizabeth said...

Good to hear from you, Julie. Glad everything went reasonably well. Now I'm off to see Mathilde.

Elizabeth

Numinosity said...

I totally can relate to your internet sushi-free move, I had just posted about our migration back to our northern summer home recently and my blog withdrawal (Dial-up and blogging are a bit tough)
Reading about your home speaking to you gave me goosebumps and your boat and lake photo is incredible!
I think it will be a happy home indeed!

Kim

Erin Wallace said...

I am so happy that you are feeling at home and peaceful in your new home. Your photos are beautiful!

Anne said...

Welcome back! Glad that everyone survived the move with sanity intact, and that the move is feeling like the right thing to have done.

I love--LOVE--that modern addition picture you faved, and can't wait to see what you have in store for your house.

And I'm glad that they also have amazing light in your new town. ;)

will said...

The canoe appears to be covered with a skin - very cool. Could you-would you show a few more pics of it? (when you have the time, that is).

Marion Williams-Bennett said...

Love that the house is speaking to you - be careful, or it will become very difficult to tear it down!

Happy new home, new horse, new day!

Char said...

love these bits of happy thoughts and good energy that you're having. and i'm glad that house has new and happy owners to let it live out more of its life.

sounds like very good things are happening.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

How wonderful! You are in your new home and it is speaking to you. It must be an exciting time, beginning a new relationship with a dwelling. Rather like falling in love.

heidikins said...

Oh my goodness, this sounds sound amazing/wonderful/crazy/stressful all at the same time!

Can't wait to hear more about it!

xox

Barb said...

Julie, Your picture with the boat is like a painting. GORGEOUS!!!!

melski said...

gorgeous images :)

PROVINS said...

Lovely shots!