So the rest of 2014 whirred by in a head-spinning frenzy. We closed on the house and moved to Vermont. We rented the house in NJ and have, until just a few days ago, been dealing with remediating a house full of black mold. Nope, didn’t know it was there when we were; we only found out the day AFTER we moved, when the new renters were coming in to get the house ready to be painted. So that’s been three months of an unexpected and very expensive hell.
Vermont is all sorts of loveliness. The view from my front windows is enough to take my breath away on a nearly daily basis. Watching the changing faces of the mountains, every day is different. And stunning. And reminds me of why we did this.
It’s most definitely been an adjustment. There is nothing- NOTHING- within walking distance or even “close by.” There is nothing open 24 hours. The post office won’t deliver packages to the house and half the time neither will the other carriers, if they can’t get up the driveway, so we get deliveries to a shop down the road and go pick them up. No running out to the store for something you forgot. I forgot to buy heavy cream the last time I was out (sorry, Husband!). The supermarket was out of it and I forgot when I went into the local store. Nope, can’t just run back out and grab it; it’s 15 minutes away. But there’s peace and quiet like I have rarely experienced. And the beauty and wonder continues to enchant me. Despite everything I know unquestionably that this has been the right thing to do.
The big question is…..what does 2015 have in store for us?
For me, probably a new job- either with the same or a new employer. Better health- being out of the moldfest we didn’t even know about has to be helping, as does cooking more of our own meals (and better quality take-out when we do get from places!). Less financial stress would be nice. Selling the NJ house for a decent and fair price. Settling in and creating our life up here (which we’ve started on quite nicely!). Better contact with friends. And hopefully better and greater things that I can’t even imagine right now!
It’ll be an interesting year, that’s for sure!