Hey everyone! Gosh, that was a longer break than expected! There is a lot going on in my world and I haven’t had a chance to take outfit photos. I thought I’d use today to catch everyone up with my non-fashion life. If you’re totally not interested in that (don’t worry, I’m not offended!) check back on Monday because I will be getting some photos done this weekend and have some cute outfits planned.
So, when I last left you I was going on vacation and turning 50. Two big deals. The vacation was fine. Not great. Just fine. My eldest daughter Kealan wasn’t able to join us since she is working her dream job for a professional rider, so it was a bummer not to have her with us. She is 22, so I need to start getting used to the idea that we all won’t be together for vacations in the future. We also usually take a big group with every teen bringing a friend and this year it was a small group, so pretty low-keyed.
The other part that was disappointing about our vacation was it was hard to relax because of this cloud of moving hanging over us. My youngest daughter, Sara, calls it false relaxation. Even though you’re on vacation there is a big weight on your mind that makes it hard to relax, with any moment you could get a text for a showing in an hour (!) to not knowing where you will be living in the fall. I know, this is definitely first-world problems and in the scheme of life it’s not a big deal, so I guess I’m lucky to have these be my disappointments.
When we returned from vacation the perfect property showed up for sale in Charlotte. After a sleepless night, I hit the road at 3:45 am (might as well be driving rather than laying in bed looking at the ceiling!) to see this house that evening. We loved it! It was actually better in person than the pictures and we were excited and ready to buy. I was already planning which furniture was going where. So, I guess I don’t get this whole real estate finagling thing. Even though we made a full price offer, it took a day and a half for the seller’s realtor to get back to us to tell us the sellers were going to go with another offer. Isn’t there such a thing as counter-offers? Or tell us what the offer is up to and perhaps we’ll top it? We never heard any amount from the seller. I don’t know. Anyway, we felt extremely manipulated and didn’t get the house. Since I was down there for a few days we looked at a couple of other houses and they were all “meh”. We could settle for a house that was fine, but I really want to be excited and love a house (though the thought of knowing what your kitchen will look like and what your address will be is very alluring at this point!). I know, totally privileged whining. I dejectedly drove back to Michigan and left my husband down there in his bachelor apartment for a few more months.
Now I’m back in Michigan where our house is currently sitting for sale with no activity at all. We live in the middle of nowhere so someone really has to want to be out here (where it’s beautiful, I might add) to buy our house. We luckily have a Plan B if our house doesn’t sell by December so we’re ok there.
In more free-wheeling news: my youngest daughter, who has been living with me here in Michigan and helping me with the house and animals, leaves in a few days for a semester abroad. She is attending a language school in France to learn French since she wants to study international relations in school and already speaks Spanish. She has been saving up for this for over two years and has planned it all herself and paid for it all herself. I’m proud of her but I’m going to miss her. Talk about being an empty nester! My whole family is spread to the four winds!
Since I’m going to be taking my own photos, and that might be harder than I’m imagining. I thought I might branch out into other topics important to midlife than just fashion. I’ve been thinking about the whole transition since I turned 50 (well, actually way before that) and my children are striking out on their own and how my life is changing a lot right now. I may quickly find myself annoying and just go back to outfit posts but I’d like to add a little breadth and depth to this corner of the internet. So, bare with me as I try that out and let me know your thoughts.
And what am I absolutely loving this summer? Ann with an E, the new Netflix series based on the Anne of Green Gables books. I devoured those books when I was growing up and this show is just as good. I confess I’ve probably watched the whole series more than once (or twice or more. I’ll never admit!). I find it comforting to watch while things seem crazy (I’m having a hard time listening to the news this month). The scenery is beautiful and I love how the actors look like every day people. The main character, Anne, loves nature and the director takes really beautiful shots of sunlight on trees and grasses and flowers. Really a bright spot this summer.
So again, I know my problems are minuscule and very manageable, but this is what is happening in my world right now. When I write this blog I write it as if I was talking to a girlfriend and these things are what I would be talking about. Of course, she can’t just x out my page like you can! So, if you’re still reading this then thanks for listening and here’s another thing I’ve enjoyed this summer!
Thanks for all of the lovely birthday wishes and have a great weekend everyone!
17 Comments
I’m so sorry about that house, Julia….the entire process seems so frustrating at times.
At least you do put it into perspective, but it creates such anguish in our mental state….
Sending you wishes for a fabulous weekend—even if it’s just sipping wine!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thanks Jodie! I am usually a pretty go-with-the-flow kind of person but having my family strewn around the world and not having a permanent home is hard. I feel for refugees who have it much, much worse.
Hi Julia,
So glad to know that you are hanging in there, and really appreciate your sharing a little of your life with your blog family. They say that moving can be one of the big stressors of life, not to mention the stress of dealing with the nest emptying out. Take it from someone who has experienced all of this….the best is yet to come! Can’t wait to see some outfits. 🙂
Oh that’s so good to hear Susan! I will keep it in mind!
Welcome back!
Julia, this is your blog. You can write about whatever you wish. I don’t know about the other readers, but I initially came here following a link about clothes, but have stuck around because I like your perspective. There are plenty of other fashion-only blogs to please those who are looking for that.
It doesn’t sound like that real estate agent was doing his/her client any favors — or you!
You’ve probably heard this, but just in case… I’m told that if you take a statue of St. Joseph and bury him upside down in your front yard, your house will sell: https://st-josephstatue.com/how-to-bury-st-joseph-statue/
Your right home will appear, and we’ll be happy to read about it when you find it!
Thanks Bells! Gosh, really, thanks on so many levels! I do believe we will find the right home or perhaps we’ll just build the perfect home and thanks for the tip for selling this one!
I turned 60 this month, and feel I’m a bit in denial….how can it be happening so fast???? You are going through so many changes in your life right now, I can understand how you must feel. One thing I try to remember, is that everything always works out for the best–we may never know at the time, the reasons why something doesn’t pan out the way we wanted, but something better is always there for us–just keep the faith! Blessings to you and your family!
Thank you Rhonda! I agree, I’m feeling like things are starting to rush too. My mom always reminded me to put things in perspective by asking what were you worrying about two weeks ago. Usually we couldn’t answer b/c we couldn’t remember so for most things in life it’s small. I’ll keep in mind your perspective!
Thank you for the update! It seems you’ve been busy and trying to adjust to many changes. I know I greatly dislike having things up in the air and it seems as though you for to. My thoughts are with you as you tackle each and every issue, one at a time, as they unfold with ease. Enjoy your day as much as I enjoy your blog. Your friend from Pennsylvania.
Thank you Tina! I love the “friend from Pennsylvania”! Sometimes I wonder if I’m making up the blog friendships in my head! You know, in a year, I’ll probably be settled in and bored! I think I’ll be ok with that!
I’m fine with having you branch out to other topics although I love your outfit posts. I don’t envy you buying and selling- I do not find it very fun!
Good luck with the hunt
Thanks Maggie for the vote of confidence. I’m looking forward to seeing what other topics come up! I have to say I enjoy looking at the houses online but that’s about it, so thanks for the luck!
Enjoyed your post, even if it didn’t have to do with fashion. You may have first world problems, but we all can identify. Good luck with the home search and the empty nest!
Yes, I find I’m going through a pretty normal life event but it’s nice to hear other people’s perspectives and experiences. Thanks for sending the luck!
Kitty hammock! I want a kitty hammock!!!
Oofah, the missed dream house. Ugh. It’s so hard when you see something you LOVE but can’t have then everything else pales in comparison. I hope you find another LOVE soon 🙂
Beautiful sunset shot! I would be happy to hear more about your life. Those are my favorite blogs/vlogs, the ones where I like the PERSON and then want to know everything about their lives (which is not stalkery AT ALL), not just what clothes they wear or makeup brands they use.
I’d love to hear more about your daughter’s equestrian exploits – I was a “horse person” in one of my earlier lives as well.
If I didn’t say it before (I can’t recall), Belated Happy Birthday and Welcome to the 50s.
xoxo Bettye
Ha ha Bettye! I do recall last winter you going ga-ga over a horse picture. I believe you compared yourself to a 12 year old girl! I still chuckle about that! Ok, well, I am going to be telling everyone more about my life. I think because I’m such an empty empty-nester this will be my main social outlet! Thinking of you kicking cancer’s butt!
Hello sweetie and welcome back – I’ve missed you! I love your chatty style of writing and think it’s great for you to look at what you can do to counter the empty nest syndrome. Starting my blog was my antidote to that so I understand the need for a new distraction. It’s a good plan to branch out within the blog – I’m just starting to think I need to do the same thing and changed my post for today on impulse. I sometimes think how boring it must be to keep seeing me parading about in yet another outfit in the same location. Things are about to change…
Good luck with selling and buying houses and try not to get too downhearted. I understand how you feel about your family taking off in all directions, but really we have to let them go with our blessing. You will find lots to do and soon be surprised at how busy you are.
Take care and welome back x
Anna