Tuesday, April 30, 2013

A Different Kind of Work in Progress

So, I've been holding onto a secret for quite some time now. Neill, Daniel, and I have a major life change coming that has been exciting and stressful and nerve-wracking and thrilling...and has been consuming a huge amount of brain power and it's been killing me not to talk about it! But, now that we've told all the people we didn't want to find out from the internet (i.e. our bosses), I finally can.

In mid-May, we will pack up and move to my hometown in California's agricultural Central Valley - only 2 hours (1.75 with no traffic) from San Francisco, but worlds apart. A new job opportunity for Neill was well-timed with Daniel beginning to outgrow our current city living arrangements, and it all just kind of came together in a crazy way. A lot of people have asked me if it's going to be a harsh change to go from the Big City to Small Town USA...but honestly, our icky commute has made it difficult to take full advantage of San Francisco for years, we're very tired of said commute, and we feel ready for a slower pace. We're excited to take advantage of what our new surroundings have to offer (without having to pay for parking), being close to family, and the amazing fresh produce...and if I never have to carry a 30 lb. child and groceries up 3 flights of stairs again, it will be too soon.

So, what's the work in progress? Well, we are now the proud owners of a new home...


with lots of light and lots of space to run around...


and lots of oak cabinetry and tile.

(And that light box? That was a feature in almost every single home we looked at built before 2005. Why was that ever a THING?!)

The previous owners took wonderful care of this house and left it in great condition, but we are taking this opportunity to make some cosmetic updates and really make it our own. At first it was just the kitchen and painting...then the kitchen, painting, and floors...then the kitchen, painting, floors, and a bathroom...and on and on...and it's, like, half the house now. Anyway, it is a LOT to coordinate and budget with everything else that's going on, and I've been waking up in the middle of the night thinking about tile and carpet for weeks. But, despite all that, and even though we really have no idea what we're doing, renovating a house is a huge creative outlet, and I'd love to share a little of the process here.

Wow....writing it out like this makes it feel even more real.  Three more weeks.  (Central) California, I'm coming home.

18 comments:

Nettie said...

Congratulations!!! What a cool opportunity! I wish you good luck with your renovations, your move and settling in!

Jodi said...

Oh, what big news! Congrats to all three of you! The move sounds like a great opportunity, and just think of Daniel running around that huge yard and growing up so close to your family.

Wow, that light box in the kitchen is... something. That's not a feature that I see around these parts very often! Good luck with the move and all of your home improvement projects. How exciting. : )

Aline said...

Sewing room!!! LOL! Very cool news. It's beautiful.

peaknits said...

Yay! Congratulations, what a wonderful transition! And a beautiful home!

Thea said...

Yay you! Life will be so much easier - and there will lots of knitting time :) Congrats on the move and the house and everything!!!! Home improvement is fun, and I know the good internet sites to get that expensive kitchen/bathroom stuff you see at the showroom from....

Is it in Turlock?

caroline aka FiberTribe said...

Congratulations! So no more NASA?
Best of luck with it all.

Margo said...

Whoooooo-hooo!!!! Congratulations on the house!
I'm so excited to see you around town again :) Let us know when you're settled, we'd love to have you over for dinner and a play date :)

Virginia said...

Welcome Home! So happy and excited for all of you. We had the same kitchen light at our house too ~ never figured out why it's made like that.

DeirdreKnits said...

Congrats, Hilary! This sounds like a welcome new change for you. Best of luck, and please post photos of your house reno. I love to live vicariously through those projects because I don't have a home of my own to renovate. :)

Suzanne said...

Congrats, Hilary! I wish you a wonderful time in your nesting as you re-establish your roots.

Bonnie said...

Congratulations! That's great news!!

Evelyn said...

Life changes are always so exciting! Embrace it and have fun.

Julie said...

Oh wow, congratulations!! It's going to be great, it sounds like you guys are really ready for this.

Unknown said...

So much fun! Buying a house is such a roller coaster isn't it? But so rewarding and exciting when it's all said and done. I'm really looking forward to seeing lots of pics of your tile, carpet, paint choices.

Mary said...

the only thing I love more than a knitting blog is a home improvement blog. Beside myself that yours will be a combination of both!! Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, Hilary and fam!

Anonymous said...

So happy for you, Hilary! I can relate to that no paying for parking thing. And I imagine your life being a blend of Ravelry and HGTV for a while. Chloe

jennifer said...

I've gotten so behind on blogs again, but had to chime in with my belated congratulations!!!