Sorry I left you all hanging about our
move into the new house. I was reminded today by a reader of my blog
(thank you Catherine for the heads up advice, so nice to meet you
today also) that many of you are wanting to know our housing status.
We are IN!! But we have been swamped, I explain below.
Knock, knock...Who's There?
Christian's father wanted something special for our front door so he added a little door.
Love it! I was so excited when I saw it!
It was pretty hectic those last days
getting ready for the move to our new home. The morning after
we got to sleep in our new house, I called a friend in Michigan to
tell her we got in only to be reminded that she would be seeing us
“next week”. “What!! Are you kidding me?!!? Next Week?”
In the hustle and bustle of moving I lost track of the date and was
shocked we had to leave for Michigan one week after we moved in.
Rats!! I really did want to see family and friends in Michigan but
not in one week! I just got into my new house! But we had a
daughter's wedding to attend so we left our new home, all the
unpacked boxes and Serenity on a beautiful day and headed back to
Michigan.
Our Trip to Michigan
We had a wonderful 3 week vacation from
our perpetual Costa Rica vacation. We loved seeing family and
friends, I always wondered what it was like for people who take their
vacations to go back “home” and visit. Now I know, it is great!
A BIG Thank-you!!
Thank you to our two host couples who
invited us stay in their homes. Kay & Tony and Kim & Carl,
you made our Michigan visit even better than hanging out in a hotel
room in-between visits with family and friends. We got to spend
extra time with our host friends; after-all visiting was what we went
to Michigan for; it was not for sightseeing.
We had great visits with loved ones we
miss; dinner, brunch and lunch invites and just stopping by to see
people.
We also got to go “up north” for 4
days to Carl & Kim's lodge and had a great time. If you have
never been up north in Michigan, or other northern states, it is a
real treat. Peaceful and beautiful like Costa Rica, but obviously
different vegetation. During our whole visit we had weather very
similar to Costa Rica's mountain areas (beautiful!) but the day after
we left a storm came through and has been chilly since. Whew! Left
just in time! I hear many are already heating their homes!!
Our New House
It is very nice to be in our house.
The house is fantastic (thank you Christian Arce and his crew-you
guys did a great job) and the views are constantly amazing. We get
to unpack things we haven't seen for 9 or 10 months. Now the million
dollar question is, “If we have done without this for so long, do
we really need it?” Both John and I sold and gave away soooooo
much stuff that we really did feel we had downsized a whole lot. I
mean A WHOLE LOT!! Now we have to ask if we downsized enough. ??? I
don't know. I DO know that I don't really like packing and unpacking
to move. And poor John REALLY hates being without proper tools to
get jobs done. I understand somewhat because it has been nice to
have my kitchen tools back; working in the kitchen is easier and more
productive. I am sure John's tools are even more important to him
than mine are to me though.
For those making the move to Costa
Rica, here is a tip. You don't need as many clothes as you probably
have. We really brought too many clothes. I will have to ask around
to see where I can give some away. It is not that we go naked up
here on the mountain but warm weather requires much less. Plus since
we are on a perpetual vacation, clothes are more a necessity, not a
fashion statement as it is very casual here. There are nights, (even
some mid-days if a storm comes through) where I do have to take off
my sundress and put on pants and a shirt. Some mornings we even are
chilly and need a lightweight jacket, sweatshirt or sweater. But
soon that extra layer is coming off as the sun warms things.
There is the “ahhh, my stuff” feeling as you unpack things you shipped. There is something to be said for moving to a new country and having familiar things around you. But I do know we are determined not to accumulate all we had before. So if you are coming to Costa Rica, start giving away and selling your stuff. Selling will help finance your moving expenses. It was great to give special things away to family and friends. It was nice to see who wanted what, much better than waiting until we are dead. And I just loved going to people's houses this trip and seeing “me” at their houses! That was great! I didn't miss my stuff when I saw it, just thought it very nice to see someone I love have a part of me in their home.
Looking forward to hosting family and friends in our new home. Can hardly wait!
Café Anyone? Can you picture having breakfast with us on the veranda?
John squeezing lemons and oranges for our fresh fruit juice. I add mango and pineapple, Yum!
John playing with Halisku, who has adopted us. He is a beautiful dog and he missed
us greatly while we were gone but kind neighbors fed him.
Costa Rican dogs are very gentle and sweet and abundant!
