Hello and Happy 2018! I'm sitting in our new place on a cold, snowy day. The new place isn't where I thought it would be just a few months ago, but here I am. We went to great lengths to arrange a big move to Manhattan. And, even though we planned and researched and prepared, things didn't line up just right. It was quite upsetting. Many tears were shed leading up to the decision. We sold our sweet little bungalow that we poured so much love and money and sweat into. We sold and donated and put furniture on the curb. We were ready to go. And, it didn't work out. It is fairly difficult to get an apartment in Manhattan and we were prepared for that. It didn't help that we are self-employed. Or, that we have a dog. Or, that we had a budget that is on lower end of rent prices there. We (except for maybe the dog) were all looking forward to our grand adventure and it was a let down when it didn't come to fruition.
We decided to move back to Middle Tennessee and find an apartment in the Franklin area. So, here I am blogging from a place that isn't much smaller than our little bungalow due to the weirdly huge bathrooms. Yes, I am whining about having two large bathrooms. I clean them and I have been cleaning a single, small bath for 3 years. I think that the square footage would be nicer in the bedrooms or the living room, but hey, I'm not an architect of multi-unit dwellings.
Most days it is okay. It's not terribly different from living in a new house. Most days I can ignore all the stuff on the walls and ceilings assaulting my vision: fire alarms and smoke detectors and ceiling fans and big, grey fuse boxes. I would be lying if I said I didn't miss all the things that I picked out for the bungalow. I do, even though it is frivolous and shallow to miss pretty lights and white cabinets and original wood floors when we are warm and together and should I say happy? Yes, I think I should. I miss all those things and I grumble about decor stuff and the upstairs neighbor that may or may not be bowling, but we are content. I never imagined moving back here, but I think it is the perfect landing place for now.
We are enjoying visiting our favorite old places and finding great new places. When I first started driving around by myself , it was disorienting. All the roads were in the same place. I knew where everything was, but it wasn't there. I felt like I had awoke from a very long sleep. It's weird that it feels like home. Or, it's close to feeling like home. I don't think I realized I even missed it when I was in Maryville.
We don't know if we will be in this apartment or even this area after our lease is up. We are being open-minded, but also not thinking terribly hard about it. It's cold. We are cozy. We are here.
Since we are here, I would love any suggestions/ recommendations for a few things. We homeschool. I would love to know about programs and groups to make some new friends and maybe learn some stuff too. We have a furry little canine monster. I need to find a good vet. I could also use a haircut soon. I have Yelp and Google obviously, but I love a more personal approach. Tell me what I've missed in three years.
Another italicized note, I am very seriously thinking about moving my blog to WordPress. So, it may not be here next time you check it out (I'm assuming that people still read blogs? and possibly my little blog?) When/if that occurs, I am going to do my best to archive and forward the posts and it will be at www.vintagejunky.com
