Monday, September 22, 2008

Antsy

Fall has always been a calm, serene time for me. I just love the cooler temperatures after a hot, humid summer. I love the slow turn of the leaves, the brisk winds, the sweater weather. I love hot apple cider, picking pumpkins, and decorating my house in reds, oranges, browns, and yellows. I love making my famous stew and chili, watching the high school football games, and raking leaves. Fall has always felt like coming home. It is comforting.

Today is the first day of fall, and I barely noticed. I am antsy and distracted. I am busy cleaning and sorting. Checking real estate websites, setting up open houses, and stalking my home's web page for hits. The fall decorations were put in storage this past weekend along with all the other unnecessary personal items that everyone warns you about having in your home for an open house. My house is uncharacteristically bare of pumpkins, fall leaves, and scarecrows for this time of year. In short, it doesn't feel like fall.

But we are making progress. The inspection problem is being taken care of and things are moving forward. And maybe, just maybe, if we can accept an offer on this house sometime soon I will still be able to dig those decorations out of storage and set them up in my house one last time before we move. Perhaps then it would feel like fall. And maybe the changing leaves would be a kind of sign. Or a reminder. A reminder that change, even big, scary change can be beautiful and comforting.

40 comments:

Stephanie said...

Fall is one of my favorite times a year too - for all the reasons above. I will say send some prayers your way that all works out and those pumpkins can come out of their boxes soon!

Anonymous said...

Oh, I so love the crispness in the air. (Or I would if we had any here in Houston right now!)

I hope things get settled soon and then you can enjoy the season!

painted maypole said...

i love fall, too, although we don't get much of it here in the south.

I think if I were looking at homes a few fall decorations would make it stand out, and make me want to live there all the more.

dawn klinge said...

Happy first day of fall! I hope life settles down quickly for you and you can get those decorations out.

Laura said...

Sending you lots of bloggy-support.

HUGS

Tonya said...

Oh I'm right there with you and loving fall. We are currently trying to decided whether or not we should start looking for a bigger house?!?!

Jaysi said...

I so miss fall :( We just don't really have that season in AZ. I would give my right hand for a nice brisk day and bowl of chili!

Cyndi said...

I love fall, too. Except that it means winter is around the corner. Fall colors are my favorite to wear and to decorate with and I just LOVE watching the trees turn. I'm not so big on the raking, though. Good luck with the house!

Wendy said...

I think a few fall decorations would be fine; as long as it doesn't look like a pumpkin exploded in your house (I don't know how overboard you go with your decorations). I think it might help your house stand out. Good luck!

Molly's Mom said...

Fall is definitely my favorite time of year as well! Sending you thoughts and hopes that this transition time will end soon...

Beck said...

I hope that the whole house selling process goes by quickly - and if putting up a few decorations would make you happy, I say do it!

Caffeine Court said...

Fall is by far my favorite time of the year.

I'm with Beck. Nothing wrong with putting out a few fall decorations, it will add to the appeal of your house and make it look more like a home!!

Hang in there.

Mom24 said...

I agree with Beck. I know they say less is more, but a little bit of decorating might make things seem more inviting. Good luck. It's so hard to be unsettled, isn't it?

Unknown said...

I put out my fall decorations yesterday. But I am also not getting a new house!

Sure, put a few things out, except for maybe a scarecrow... ; )

Anonymous said...

I wish I lived in a state that has a good fall, but I live in the south where it's hot 90% of the time, ick!
I miss the cold mornings with a cup of hot cocoa. Christmas is actually my favorite time of the year.
Good luck with everything going on with your home/homes. I hope it all turns out well for you.

Kirst

Brittany said...

I will be praying for you, my friend! Hope this house situation is not too stressful for you! :)

Anonymous said...

I love autumn, too, and I have my own little twist going on this year to make it a little different than normal, but by next year you will be all nestled into your new home where you will really get to settle in when it's autumn once again. How cozy will *that* be then? Hang in there.

Anonymous said...

You've listed all my favorite things about fall! I don't think some seasonal "flair" is a bad thing!

Kelly said...

I am so so hoping you sell your house soon!

Anonymous said...

change can DEFINITELY be beautiful and comforting.

I think sometimes when I am looking for COMFORT.... i try and CHANGE something.

It's therapuetic (sp?)....in many ways.

Kristen said...

Fall is my favorite too!

Glad to hear that the inspection is working out and things are moving forward.

Happy thoughts for you all getting a buyer really really soon! And then those pumpkins can come out of hiding! :)

JEWELGIRL said...

Fall is my favorite too! Love to
go on nature walks.... they can't
make you put away everything colorful, how about a few pretty
Fall colored candles, love the ones
by Chesapeake Bay, great scents too!

Rachel said...

Fall is an amazing time of year.

I'm praying for you and your family that this goes quickly and smoothly for you.

I hope you find the ability to enjoy the fall and the change and hope that it brings with it.

hugs babe

Fire Hunt said...

I like fall also. I love to make chili but I don't know how to make stew if you have a good recipe let me know.

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

We had a hellacious roller coaster ride this weekend, but it ended well and we are buying the house we were looking at. We'll be busy moving too and I'm not sure if we'll get to do much fall decorating.

lime said...

i love fall too. and what a poingant thought about the leaves being a reminder that even big, scary change can be beautiful. i like how you think,.

Momisodes said...

Such a beautiful post. I've only experienced 1 real fall season (it doesn't really exist in Florida). Now that I'm in New England, I totally understand what you mean. It really is a beautiful time of year, a season of change.
Keeping my fingers crossed for you all!

Anne said...

I love fall too! If spring followed fall, I'd be a hapy camper.

I think that a few pumpkins or cornstalks or mums will cheer up the entry for an open house/tours, especially since a lot of landscaping is starting to get pretty blah looking. As for raking leaves, you'll have to find time for that too since you won't want buyers to see how much they have to rake if they move in. I know those traditions aren't quite the same when you have so much to do, though. :-)

Jill said...

Oh still keeping my fingers crossed that everything turns out well!!!

imbeingheldhostage said...

I'm with PM, I would think the homey-ness of fall decorations would sell me on seeing my family living there...

Hang in there!!!

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

Sending you good vibes and falling leaves K. I know things will turn out well!

Robyn said...

Hopefully your house will move fast and the decorations will be out in no time.

Lisa said...

I think it's fair to put up a few decorations. Enough to make it feel homey. And make some pumpkin bread while you're at it. They'll buy the house for sure :)

Praying that you find some peace during this stressful time!

OHmommy said...

Hoping everything FALLS into place for you guys soon.

;)

Genny said...

Found you through Indy...so glad I stopped by. You have a beautiful blog here, and, yes, like you said, I hope all the changes it sounds like you are going through will end up to be comforting!

Anglophile Football Fanatic said...

It's very bittersweet when you move, isn't it, K? I hope you get to use your decorations, even if it's at your new house - where you will make new memories.

dianna said...

I always hate that part of moving de-me-ing the house. Makes it feel strange living in your own home.
Oh yeah, I dislike having to always keep the darn place clean too (the most obvious de-me-ing of all*!*).

You'll get those fall goodies out, I just know it*!*

Kellan said...

I'm sorry you aren't being able to enjoy the fall like you would like and wish you luck with your house - hope something happens soon!

Take care - Kellan

CissaLynn said...

Fall is such a beautiful time of year and Halloween is one of my favorite holidays!!! :)) I am goofy, tho, 'cause I didn't even realize it was "officially" fall already!!! lol!!! :) I agree w/everyone that a "few" small decorations would be nice! It would look pretty and might even help w/the sell in the end. I know realtors always say to paint your house a "neutral" color as well, but I am a "color" person and would like it the way it originally was (I can always change it later). You just never know what people are looking for 'cause everyone is different!
Hang in there, girl!!!! :)

Anonymous said...

I love this time of year too, it just doesn't last long enough!!

If the house needs huge repairs (or even small ones), make the sellers do it and make them provide a PROFESSIONAL receipt with it. Or, have them take the cost out of the asking price.

Words To Live By

Be grateful for each new day.
A new day that you have never lived before.
Twenty-four new, fresh, unexplored hours to use usefully and profitably.
We can squander, neglect, or use them.
Life will be richer or poorer by the way we use today.
Finish every day and be done with it.
You have done what you could;
some blunders and absurdities crept in;
forget them as soon as you can.
Tomorrow is a new day.
You shall begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be
encumbered with your old nonsense.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson