A Christmas Tour

It finally happened last night. We were curled up on the couch in the den, watching football and basking in the glow of our Christmas tree when we noticed snow falling. And finally, after twelve days of December had passed, it felt like Christmas time. I can't even begin to tell you how wonderful that was.

Since it's entirely possible this is your first visit here, let me get you up to speed in about 60 seconds:

After two and a half years of marriage spent living in an apartment in the city, Hubby and I decided it was time to buy our first house in the city. We spent three months of looking at home after home. On our last weekend of house hunting (we were going to have to stop since my accountant Hubby is about to enter busy season), we found the one. Our offer was accepted, and we entered a whirlwind. We did all inspections, had a major issue addressed and closed in three and a half weeks. Before we knew it, this front door and the portico I love was ours.

All of November was spent tearing out gross wallpaper and painting room after room to our liking. We finally moved in at the beginning of December. Then my dad had some surgery two days later, and I spent part of last week at home with my family.

With all that's happened in the last thirteen days, it's been hard to find time to decorate, Christmas shop or do any of the things that make it feel like the Christmas season is here. If it weren't for the Christmas music on the radio, I could probably be convinced it's January. So I took Friday off, and spent the day unpacking, cleaning and decorating.

So without further delay, here's a peek at the small bits of Christmas you can find here and there.


Today, I'm linking to the Nester's Christmas Tour of Homes 2010. Why don't you join us!

Every New Beginning...

...comes from some other beginning's end. At least that's what Semisonic says in that old song Closing Time.

But I suppose it's true. The beginning of our life in our new home is coming at the expense of the end of our life in this apartment complex. It's funny - after years of wanting a house, wanting out of this place, I find my sentimental self getting a little sad about leaving.

This apartment complex has been home for the last two and a half years. We began our married life here. We established ourselves in a new, big city here. We had our first holiday season, our first anniversary and a host of other firsts here. It is familiar and comfortable. And I'm a just a little nervous about moving on.

I know this tiny bit of sadness that comes with the end of something good will soon pass. I know soon we will look back on this complex with fondness. We will drive by it and say, "Remember the time spent there?" And we will smile.

But tonight, with moving day looming in the morning, I am sitting surrounded by packed boxes and suitcases full of clothes. And I am fighting a bit of melancholy nostalgia. This place was good to us. But just as the song says, no beginning can come without some other beginning's end.

And so, we look toward tomorrow - the end of the old and the beginning of the new - with great anticipation, hope and joy.

It's time for a new adventure together. And we can't wait.

Boxes, Boxes and More Boxes

Well, the moment I've been hoping for and dreaming about is almost here. After weeks of painting and prepping, we will move into our house this weekend.

I'm so excited!

I'm really looking forward to finally living in one place. For the last several days, we've sort of been living between places. About a third of our things are already moved, and not a day goes by in which I don't hunt for something I already took over but still need!

And our apartment is a mess! Boxes are virtually everywhere. So yesterday I decided to take down our dining table and use the eating area as a staging place of sorts for all the things already packed.

Instead of a mess all over the place, now it's confined to one section. Unfortunately that's only half of what still needs to be moved. I do look forward to putting everything away as soon as I can!

On a brighter note, Hubby came home in the pouring rain last night and presented me with these.
Luckily I had one vase I hadn't packed and moved to the house. At first I was frustrated that I'd have to find a random box to put it in. But the Lord must have known I would need it!