So, we did it... we finally sold the house! It is done. We are out. We packed eveything we are sending to Chile in boxes; we packed everything we are carrying with us in suitcases. We signed away the first and only house we have ever owned.
There is so much about it that still seems surreal. I already miss my own space. I miss our friends down the street that I never tire of seeing. I miss the park two blocks away where we have gone almost daily for nearly 4.5 years. I have this heavy sadness now, though I have been too tired and busy keeping my kids from picking up, chasing, releasing into the wild, or otherwise harming (or being harmed) by the 5 cats of the friends we are staying with until we take off (yes, that is every bit as fun as it sounds.)
Is it always sad to leave a house? I am not sure. Perhaps, because we are not leaving it for a new house, where the sadness might be overtaken by the excitement of filling up a new space. There is excitment somwhere inside too, for the new adventure that lies ahead, but right now the sadness is most present. We are leaving our own space for a space that isn't ours. We are leaving a life already established for a life that will take a few years to settle into. We have sold almost everything we have accumulated in our 9 years of life together and will arrive with books and baking sheets.
So we will be heading out in a few weeks. We don't have a date yet, we still have to take care of a few things like shipping our things. As soon as that is taken care of or scheduled we'll buy tickets and make the final trip to the consulate for the final paperwork.
Can you believe it? Soon I'll be blogging from Chile!
Speaking about blogging from Chile... I have contemplated starting a new blog for this new chapter of my life (now with more photos! and fewer posts on marital strife!) ... would that confuse my 3 readers? Would that be annoying? Part of the reason is that I have never liked the title I gave this one... I just needed something-- played with a spanglish title and then settled for an alliteration obsession. But I am NOT actually all that "unabashed"-- well maybe about illegal immigration and health care reform-- but generally speaking, I don't just lay it all out there (or maybe you think I do, who knows?) so it has never seemed to fit. I even contemplated trying out a new blogging platform, like wordpress, but I don't know... does thata require a lot of patience? Because I am fresh out...
Any ideas? suggestions? objections?
18 comments:
Do as you please and cheers to new beginnings! For what it's worth, I cry every time I leave one home and move to another.
I just found your blog. From reading your comment on Anymommy out there.
We are from the Northeast US and moved to Buenos Aires almost 4 years ago, so if you ever need to talk/cry/laugh, either on your blog or in emails, I am here !
Looking forward to reading more.. and now you have 4 readers lol.
chau, Candice/Notes from aBroad
¿En español sería como "Annje Sinverguenza"? Si es así, es un nombre simpático, creo yo.
Me alegra hayas ya superado esta etapa e inicies una nueva en Chile. De seguro en todo este tiempo algo encontrarás ha cambiado en Chile. ¿Piensan vivir en Santiago?
Annje, I will read your blog if you continue here or start another one. Congratulations on this new phase of your life, and lots of good luck and animo to you and your family. My parents just sold their house, a house I never really lived in because I was away at college or here in Chile the whole time they owned it, but I still felt sad. Maybe mostly because now when I go home I'll be like a guest (no more childhood bedroom) and all of my stuff is currently in storage.
I feel sad on your behalf, but full of hope that you are making exactly the right move for you and your family. Doesn't make it any easier. I've moved across the continent from one country to another, but never to another continent altogether, so all I feel is amazement at this adventure you're undertaking.
I love this blog, I'd be sorry to see it go away. But I understand wanting a fresh start. I think the easiest thing might be to start a new one with the name that is right for you now, and export all your posts over to it?
And once you are settled, we shall juxtapose. ;)
I'll read you no matter where you are in the blogosphere and even if you end up living down the street.
It is often sad to leave a house, and especially when it's the backdrop for a lot of memories.
Wishing you easy getting out of there vibes, and lots of ánimo for the days and weeks that come. We'll be here when you get here! (and we now know where to buy cheddar cheese!)
i'd go with a new one if this doesn't feel right to you.
and congratulations!!!
The selling of a house always is a bit of congratulations, a bit of condolences. But you're off to a new adventure! And of course I'd follow if you started a new blog - but to be honest I think "Annje Unabashed" is a great name!
oh wow. i have 2 cats, and when friends bring their kids over it seriously stresses me out (probably because in my case nobody else does anything as the kid torments my cats and i worry it will attack them and blame it on me). you must be running around like crazy haha.
yayyyy finally coming to chile. i'll admit im a little lazy about updating my links, but i think i can commit to doing it if needed haha
and hey, congratulations... looks like you have at least 3x the readership you estimated ;-)
I understand considering a blog name change. If I ever wanted to expand my blog to something beyond a tribute to my relationship, then a new name would be warranted. I say do it if you want to, and enjoy the experience of transitioning in both real and virtual life. :)
Congratulations by the way, on selling the house. I will really look forward to reading about your experience in Chile, since moving there for at least some period of time is probably a good idea for me too.
Yay! congrats on the sale of your home. It must be a little uncomfortable feeling out of sorts but you will be settled soon. I am excited to hear about your new adventures. I will continue to read, unabashed or not. Best wishes for a smooth landing!
Congrats on selling! Let me know if we do end up in Chile at the same time!
I understand that wanting to switch things up on the blog. I've been having some blog growing pains of my own. I think maybe the perfect thing would be a brand new blog. Or just redo the one you have. Some new wallpaper and all :p
Hi Annje- I'm a little late catching up, but (1) you already know I'm thrilled that you're practically on your way, and (2) personally, I vote for keeping the name and shifting the content/focus to whatever you want to write about now! Whatever you decide, I will remain one of your far more than 3 faithful readers!
Good luck with the move and I'm with everyone else, I'm still going to read no matter what it's called!
Good luck with the move (I hate moving but I love unpacking) and I'll follow your blog anywhere, dear.
Congratulations on selling the house! I know exactly the sadness and the excitement that you are talking about - it's bitter sweet.
Do it! The new blog. It's a little metaphoric and fitting your new situation. But mostly because you want to. Diaper Monologues is my 3rd blog in the last 5 years and all of them were a result of some major changes in my life, so I get that feeling of wanting to renew and shake things up.
I switched to wordpress about a year ago and personally like it more than blogger, but there are plenty of people who will disagree with me. It didn't take me long to figure it out and I like that it seems to be cleaner and a bit more modern. You will just have to play around to decide, but either way - I'll be here reading.
Moving is hard. But in a very few years, when you look at old photos, you will be surprised at how much you have forgotten about the old house.
Go forward with joy and keep up the blog from Chile. Please.
Moving is hard. But in a very few years, when you look at old photos, you will be surprised at how much you have forgotten about the old house.
Go forward with joy and keep up the blog from Chile. Please.
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