Moves Me

For Sale...For Now

2011-01-23T19:08:00.000-08:00

Twelve days after putting a For Sale in our front yard, OUR HOUSE IS UNDER CONTRACT. If everything goes as planned, we're set to close March 11. (We leave for Colorado Mar. 12 but that is another post. And another logistics nightmare. Did I say, nightmare? I meant, opportunity!) So instead of crying around the clock (I'm doing plenty of boohooing anyway) I'm trying to find a school for B in Chicago, planning our move, securing temporary housing in Tulsa, organizing an estate sale, etc. etc. So in my spare time, I'm tooling around on Etsy and looking for "new address" cards. How cute are these? And how great is Etsy?! And how great is it to find a (mostly healthy) way to distract yourself during a time of stress and turmoil?

You can find the cards here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/jackandellapaper?ref=top_trail
Happy Shopping. Happy Packing. Happy Moving.

Kitchen Envy

2011-01-14T18:59:00.000-08:00

I love this kitchen.

I keep a photo of it hanging on my fridge in Chicago. I hung it there to inspire me. To remind me of what’s possible.

But it's beginning to feel a little bit counterproductive. Kind of like walking to the fridge, ready to eat a piece of cheese, and then being confronted by a bikini clad picture of me at 15 years old. Not exactly what I'm working with at 39 years old – either in the swimsuit department OR in the kitchen design department.

So there’s that.

But I love the kitchen. Realistic or not.

Mural

2011-01-13T19:24:00.000-08:00

Not only are we saying goodbye to our house, but we’re leaving the mural we had painted in my son’s bedroom when he turned three. When B was afraid of monsters, I told him the giraffe was there to protect him. And he believed me. I’m telling myself that leaving will be easier than painting over the giraffe. With enough time, maybe I’ll believe me too...

Friday Dinner

2011-01-13T18:41:00.000-08:00

Since March 2009, my husband has been working/living in Chicago and traveling "home" to Tulsa on the weekends. I love to make a big dinner on Friday nights -- partly because I don't like cooking for two during the week (when one of us is a four (almost five) year old) and partly because I love to make a fuss over K when he comes home. Tomorrow I'll be making a roast with carrots, onions, mushrooms, red wine and beef broth. Welcome home...

For Sale

2011-01-06T20:21:00.000-08:00

As we prepare for our move from Oklahoma to Chicago,we're meeting with our Realtor and listing our house this weekend. We've loved this house. It was built in 1930 - which means the charm and character make up for the drafts, squeaks and leaks.

(This photo was taken on Christmas day 2009...not a typical Christmas in Oklahoma but oh so magical!)

We had so many plans for the house -- building a bathroom, designing a master closet and revamping the kitchen. Here's hoping our buyer (Hello future homeowner!) has their own big ideas and dreams. Until then...I'll be cleaning. And organizing. And leaving everything spotless each and EVERY time I leave the house. (I'm exhausted just thinking about it.)