Thursday, August 12, 2010

DAY 61: Change is... good...?


Eric, an Oregonian, attended medical school in Kansas City, Missouri.  Eric was certain, from the first day we moved to KC, that we would be swept away by a tornado. Being the more sensible one about these things, I assured him that there was not a gigantic image on his back of a middle finger pointed at the sky and I was sure we'd be fine. At the time I was managing a care facility and I told Eric that I took care of people each day that were in their 80's, had lived in the area their entire lives, and had NEVER seen a tornado. Hush up. 


During Eric's fourth year of medical school, a tornado went over the top of our town home while we were cowering in the basement under a desk, holding a baby Lauren & our dog. Thankfully we were okay but that sealed the deal: we were heading back to Oregon as quickly as possible.


Purchasing a home is a nightmare, to begin with. And this was 2004, when the housing market was just starting to "boom." Homes that were once affordable were quickly becoming unobtainable. I remember getting the call from the real estate agent who was scouting out houses in Klamath Falls for us. She said "Amy, I have found a house for you. And you need to put it a contract on it. Today." I replied "...what color is it?" I didn't know the Klamath Falls area at all. Heck, I didn't even know the real estate agent. But sometimes you have to trust that things will be okay and this home has served us well.


It's odd, seeing the sign in the yard. It's sitting underneath the tree that Lauren loves to climb. The tree used to have a swing in it but over time, the swing went a different direction, I guess. When we first entered this house, Lauren was two. We had a different dog, different cars, the house had pink wall-to-wall carpeting... (Thankfully there was beautiful hard wood underneath.) There was work to be done so Eric and I rolled up our sleeves and we made the house into a home. It was a work in progress and we tackled what ever job we could afford, at the time. We removed carpeting, refinished floors, added sheet rock, built patios, redesigned landscape, cut down trees, fertilized trees, planted gardens, leveled the dirt, refurbished bathrooms, took the kitchen down to the studs, rebuilt the kitchen, resided the house, and whatever other ambitious thing we felt we needed to do. And most importantly, we brought Corbin home through the front door and completed our little family right here on Hilldale Street. I'm so proud of our house and what we accomplished. 


But now it's time to go. We knew, moving into this house, that it wasn't our last. And we have found another beautiful home that needs our attention...  Today I feel somewhat sentimental about our house. It's as though I know the end is coming and I'm saying good bye to a friend. We made our mark on this place, had some wonderful times, and will look back fondly over our years here.


I look forward to meeting the new owners, whoever they may be! I wonder what projects they will see here... Will they like my "white trash half bath"? That's right. I decorated one room in my house with a "white trash" theme including a quote from the movie Joe Dirt  on the wall. Because 1) it's one of the best movies ever made and 2) who wouldn't want a Joe Dirt quote posted, somewhere, in their home? I mean... really? And in case you're wondering... yes... the letters are easily removable. Not that anyone would want to take that awesomeness down.












That's where I'm at, today. In the midst of signing all kinds of paperwork and taking care of a sick Dr. Hempel, I managed to get an hour of cardio in. Now I'm going to put on some PJ's, lay in bed, and watch HGTV. I've got a new house to pimp out.


See you tomorrow... 



29 comments:

andrea said...

I sincerely hope you guys aren't moving out of KFalls :( And I like your "White trash" bathroom quote :) If you need moving boxes, I have quite a few. If you guys need help moving.. well.. I can watch the kids and Sissy :) JK! I will totally help pack up, haul boxes, whatever you need! You know I'm good at helping!

natioam said...

The bathroom quote is awesome!

Beth said...

I love the fact that you have a white trash bathroom. On purpose. Doing it with intent makes it awesome where it could otherwise go so very, very wrong!
I hope the new owners leave it up. I would! I still have the heights of the previous owner's kids on one door jam in my kitchen because I feel bad painting over it.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the comments! I am going to add the picture of Sissy that inspired the "white trash bath"... I think you'll get a kick out of it! : ) (and it hangs in the bath as part of the decor)

Amy

Probst Pride said...

on to better pastures!
xoxox

Unknown said...

Loved reading this post! Best of luck to you on the new move!

The Duckworth Family said...

hwey girl! where ya been!? I have been out of town and thought getting on here I would have lots of reading. I need some pick me up, motivation because so far on this trip I have had no opportunity for real exercise. although I have made great aefforts to eat well. I hope when I get back hom and weigh in that I'm not too dissapointed, although I'm sure my lungs will be!

Warrior Princesa said...

love the dog look. but don't love that there are some days missing....hmmm. amy! i need you're motivation!! get to it! :)

Anonymous said...

amy - where are you?

Kristin S said...

Amy, Aaaaamy, Aaaaammmmmmmmmmmy??? Where are you???

Michelle said...

Hope all is alright??

Kristin S said...

Ok, I'm worried about Amy and her family. If anyone who personally knows her reads this, please let us know if she's ok???

Kris said...

Amy... We miss your posts!! Hope you and the family are safe and well!!!

Allison Juarez said...

Hey, I hope you are alright! The sheets never came, So I figured it was just cause you are moving and stuff. Still, I hope nothing bad has happened to you. :)

Kristin S said...

Ok, I don't want to be the stalker crazy type but I'm seriously concerned about Amy and her family. Has anyone had contact with her? Would it be crazy to call her husband's office? Miss your posts Amy, hope all is well!!!

Anonymous said...

Miss you Amy!

WrayLynn said...

Does anyone know if Amy is okay?

Kristin S said...

Wray, I wish we knew something. It seems so odd that she'd just disappear for this long without saying something to her loyal readers about a break. I'm praying for her and her family...and I still haven't gotten brave enough to call her husband's office...I feel that doing so would be too stalker-ish. I'll continue saying prayers.

medical equipment said...

lung cancer is scary and is like a silent killer. im try and stay away from anyone who smokes as i don't my lungs to look like that

Anonymous said...

I don't think it's stalkerish Kristin. You can tell you genuinely care about her and I think they would see that if you called. It's your decision of course but I say you do. I just can't see Amy leaving for this long without saying something.

Michelle said...

I noticed that her profile pic on facebook has chenged. I'm not a facebook friend but the profile pic is different, so shes active there at least.

christina said...

where have you been???

Anonymous said...

Maybe she's backed out on the bodybugg giveaway and feels dumb so she's calling the blog quits?

Anonymous said...

I dont think most of us care about the giveaway. Knowing shes okay and offering her support to keep going is more important.

Anonymous said...

I had lunch with Amy last week. She and the family are fine, just really busy with school starting and trying to sell their house and getting ready to move, etc. I will remind her that everyone is supportive and we miss her blogs!

Allison Juarez said...

can you remind her that the girl who won the sheets never got them?

Anonymous said...

Wow how inconsiderate of her. (In reference to Allison never getting her sheets.)

Allison Juarez said...

Hey, I was just asking because I didn't know if she sent them and it got sent somewhere else, or if she just decided she couldn't do it or what. I mean, it's kind of a bummer to be told, Hey you won Something! and then never get it. I understand that things come up, and that's cool. But It's also a bummer to be told that you are getting something and then never recieve it, nor do you recieve any communication as to why you didn't recieve it ya know? I wasn't trying to be rude.

Laurens_Closet said...

Dear Allison -

My apologies! Your sheets will be ordered TONIGHT along with a bonus gift. I'll email you your confirmation once it's done. Sorry I've been MIA. There's a new blog post with some explanation... But really, I should have taken care of your gift months ago and I'm sorry!


Sincerely,

Mrs. Hempel : )