Moving on up...to the east side...of the Hudson River

Apparently, I've got the theme to The Jeffersons in mind as evidenced by the title to this post.

This afternoon, I will be driving a 5' x 8' Uhaul trailer down to our new place.  I'm a little nervous about getting onto the highway where everyone drives 80+ miles per hour while my little Toyota Corolla is towing an awkward, wheeled metal box.  I did this once before, driving from NY to Wyoming, and I don't recall it having been particularly fun.  Enjoyable or not, it has to be done.  Besides,I am very excited to get into our new home and put our stamp on it.  We are still sans a couch, a kitchen table and a real bed.  However, the garage sale find of the summer - a five dollar queen-sized air mattress with pump - will at least allow us a place to sleep.  In the spring of 2013, we survived three weeks in our Vienna apartment without so much as a chair so this should be doable.   

sitting on the floor in the bedroom of our apartment in Vienna, awaiting the IKEA delivery truck

the living room with some furniture and decorations

I woke up early today with creative thoughts that I had to sketch before I forgot them.  I realized that I am very much foreseeing the crafty room getting organized first.  Not the kitchen, not the bathroom, not the closets.  My beads, my fabric, my sewing notions and every other crafty item I brought with me will be put in its proper place so I can start CREATING!  I've got the itch to make some things. 

Heading out soon, hoping the kitten cat doesn't howl the entire way.  Our furry friend has flown with little issue, but man oh man does she dislike riding in the car!  I see some treats in her future. 

Walking in the woods

Tim and I went for a walk today in an old growth forest that includes Eastern white pine and Eastern hemlock as well as numerous types of mushrooms of various colors.  We spotted a purple mushroom, some that looked like perfect stools for toads and yet another that was bright orange and velvety.  A garter snake squirmed across our path at one point as well.

This area is called the Lisha Kill Natural Area, and it is owned by the Nature Conservancy.  Less than 15 minutes from my parents' house we found a beautiful pocket of wilderness that is a bit unexpected.  I had visited before, but that was years ago.  I had forgotten how despite its being surrounded by suburban homes and a few rather busy roads, it really is a treasure of relative quiet and natural wonder.  I was hoping to see deer or even a barred owl (the trail head sign stated they are commonly seen during the day), but the trees, creek, ferns, fungi and friendly humans and doggies sharing the trail were enough to make this an hour well spent.  Here are a few photos:

Calling New York home....again

So Tim, Penny and I made it across the country in five days.  I used to drive it in two and a half days, but I'm not as young as I once was.  Additionally, having a cat with us required extra time at stops for water, food, freedom from her carrier and moments of affection / reassurance.  Plenty of curious looks, giggles and second glances came our way at rest areas.  Apparently it's unusual to see folks traveling with their feline.  Penny meowed a lot the first two days, but eventually exhaustion kicked in and her need for sleep took over.  She was overall very patient.  However, by day three I'm pretty sure she was over the experience.  As were we, to be honest.

"This beats sleeping in your car at the Walmart parking lot....any day."  Our Penny at a hotel room in Michigan.

We traveled north on this trip.  We started in southwestern Montana and made our way across to the wide open lands of North Dakota (soooo beautiful!) and on into Minnesota (holy lakes, Batman!).  We drove through intense fog and a tremendous downpour while passing from Duluth into Wisconsin.  On to Michigan where we considered buying a bumper sticker that read: "The Upper Peninsula.  Unsalted and Shark Free!"  It made me chuckle.  I know I appreciate fresh water being shark free, don't you? 

On to and through Ontario before dropping down into NY.  Tim and I lost each other on the bridge into the US and for a few hours afterward.  After almost five full days of driving and one night sleeping in our cars at a Walmart parking lot, I broke down in tears at a rest area outside Buffalo.  I was a bit of a wreck, but tears did lead me to a very, very kind woman who let me use her cell phone to find Tim.  This lovely lady saw my distress and helped without hesitation.  (Yes, I'm one of those people who does not own a cell phone.)  Thank goodness for the kindness of fellow human beings.  How many of us have been blessed by the generosity and soft words of a complete stranger at one time or another?  I thanked her about a dozen times, walked away calmer than I had been, reminded myself that people are awesome and not five minutes later watched Tim pull into the parking lot.  Challenges do often work out in the end, don't they?  

We are currently hanging at my parents' house until we can move into our new-to-us home.  We will be renting half of an old farmhouse on a quiet country road where I hope to see deer, rabbits, wild turkeys, raccoons, blue jays, cardinals, hummingbirds and whatever other critters decide to show themselves.  Okay, I don't exactly want field mice in my home, but you get the idea.  There aren't any bison or pronghorn running wild in upstate New York that I'm aware of, but I will be happy to see the creatures that call this particular area home. 

Below is a photo of a white-tailed buck Tim and I spotted near the Mohawk River on a walk along a bike trail.  He was pretty startled and stayed motionless in the tall grass for a long while before moving on.  What a handsome fellow he was.  Below that is another shot of the same area as a thunder storm rolled in.  While I am indeed missing the mountains and wide open skies of Montana, I realize there is natural beauty everywhere.  I am excited about the bird watching opportunities that lie ahead.  I look forward to hearing coyotes howling in the night as I've been told happens pretty often in this part of NY.  And I will soon be pouring over maps of the Catskills, state parks and wildlife refuges, hoping for many chances to explore as the weather cools and the leaves begin to change.

It is nice to be back in NY.  This is where I was born and called home until my late 20s.  Old memories abound in this area, fun times with family have already been had since we've arrived, and Tim will soon be on his adventure of pursuing his graduate degree.  Life is really quite good.  Finding rewarding work will make it even better.  Making a home where I can be creative, having access to my beads and other arty pursuits will undoubtedly make things terrific.  Wish me luck with the job hunt.  In the upcoming months, I'll be sure to pass along any escapades worth sharing.

Tim riding a crocodile (or an alligator?) outside the Historic Village Diner in Red Hook, NY

Funny stuff

Tim found this on Youtube recently while we were packing.  I think it's hilarious and worth sharing.  Get ready to giggle.

Moving kinda sucks

Forgive me if the title of this post seems whiny, but at this moment I am very much over the whole moving process.  Selling our house, packing up every last possession, putting stuff into storage, deciding what will go with us and trying to find a new place to call home on the other side of the country (over the internet!) has caused my stress level to ratchet up a bit lately.  That being written, I will admit there have been fun moments too.  Two days ago I found some old costume stuff that I modeled for Tim.  He laughed and took some photos.  Our poor cat, on the other hand, was terrified by my beehive wig.  Can't say I blame her.

Since I've lived & worked seasonally for about fifteen years now, one would think I should be used to frequent moves.  I suppose I am, and I absolutely know that relocating can be very exciting.  A new home.  A new location.  A new job (crossing my fingers).  The possibility of new friends and countless new experiences.  All of these things I am looking forward to.  Being closer to my family is another.  I am a daughter, step-daughter, sister, aunt and great aunt.  It's hard to think that my niece is old enough to have babies of her own, but there it is - she has a two and a half year old boy who loves to sing, dance, laugh and talk on the phone.  I cannot wait to spend time with this little guy!   Just like his mamma, he also has an infectious giggle.

Here he is at around six months old

So Tim and I are leaving beautiful, small town, southwestern Montana for beautiful, small town, upstate New York.  He wants to change direction from being a meteorologist to someone who studies climate science and policy.  We will very soon be heading off to the Hudson Valley region so he may attend graduate school.  I have a zillion things in mind for myself, firstly finding a place to lay our heads and suitable work followed by exploring as much as possible in any direction.  We will be about 90 minutes north of New York City where I hope to rekindle my affection for its museums, parks, truly good pizza and interesting people.  We'll also be equal distance from my hometown.  This should allow for lots of family time.  I haven't spent Christmas at home for fourteen years.  Very much looking forward to that.  I love looking through the old ornaments my mother has kept since we were wee kiddies. 

In the end, the tasks of moving do kinda suck.  Leaving friends and an area that I adore will definitely suck.  But change can be oh so good, and being around family should be great.  Perhaps I can focus on that while we are driving across this huge country, ticking off the states and adding on the miles.  I have decided this will be my goal while also listening to several podcasts of Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me.  Looking forward to Mo Rocca, Paula Poundstone, Roy Blunt, Jr. and Carl Kasell.  Goodness that show makes me laugh!

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As an aside, here is a pretty positive thing that happened yesterday:  I checked my mail after returning the Uhaul truck and picking up my car following four days of check ups & parts getting replaced to find a gorgeous magazine and letters from two wonderful women whose friendship I cherish.  Am I a lucky girl or what?  I may be dreading the 2,000 + mile drive back east, but tonight I will find the time to grab a cup of tea and settle into my camp chair for some reading.  I do so love that I have friends who still write letters!

 

Bloem, Fiora, Hana, Blume, Bunga, Fleur, Floare, Flor

part of my of my tea cup and saucer collection

The title of this post contains words in various languages that translate to "flower."  I simply love flowers.  I don't often buy them for myself or frequently keep them inside my house.  I don't even have house plants, mostly because we don't live in one spot long enough to care for and keep them.  But I adore flowers.  Whether they are the beauties I see in my front yard as I sit at my desk or felt flowers, fabric flowers, wooden flowers, ceramic flowers or pressed flowers - I enjoy them all.

sculpture on a memorial in Vienna

To me, flowers in all varieties provide a boost of happiness and joy.  They inspire relaxation.  I truly delight in the many colors and shapes of ornament that mother nature has devised.  I am the dork in botanic gardens and city parks taking dozens and dozens of photos.  Roses, lilacs, columbine, clematis, hydrangea, peonies, poppies, what have you - they're all ogle-worthy to me.

fun rose fabric from Joann Fabric and Craft

ceramic pansy pendant

My affection started when I was young.  I grew up in a house across the street from a greenhouse.  They sold flowers and plants in a small front shop.  Behind that was a large greenhouse.  I would often go inside to wander the rows of seedlings and full grown plants and flowers while soaking in the humidity and smell of soil.  They were very tolerant of the neighborhood kids doing this, thankfully.  To this day, anytime I go into a flower shop or greenhouse I am instantly transported back to this first glass-enclosed haven.

close up of the bouquet Tim sent for Valentine's Day

I don't have a Pinterest board, but I do have a huge folder on my laptop full of flower pictures that I add to regularly.  I use it as my desktop background, the photos changing every 10 seconds so I can enjoy the rotation every day.  I also cut out flowers from magazines and seed catalogs.  Some might say I'm a little......obsessively fond.  I'm okay with that label.

felt flowers that become colorful mobiles

Thinking about the great outdoors...