Unwinding
At long last we’ve reached Portland! I drove the last two hours yesterday evening, with Mr. Garter stoically not throwing up in the passenger seat. The cat was draped over his lap, purring like a maniac and being generally more adorable than anyone has a right to be. Wouldn’t you know the little beastie would finally get comfortable in the car in the final hours of the trip?
Now we’re camped out in our new digs, the apartment on the other side of Mr. Garter’s parents’ garage, previously occupied by his grandmother. It’s nicely, if grandmotherily, furnished, which actually makes it feel a little weird to move our stuff in. Not that there’s much moving in of stuff just yet: the boxes we sent with the movers haven’t arrived yet, so all we have is what we brought in the car and a lot of boxes of books we mailed out. I’m feeling anxious without all my yarn around me, and I keep imagining horrible scenarios in which it’s lost or damaged or attacked by a plague of moths in transit. But I’m trying to comfort myself by scouting out potential homes for the stash once it arrives. And the possibilities are legion: all kinds of cubbies and shelves, an enormous wardrobe with nothing in it but some old photographs, more bathroom drawers than we could ever fill with bathroom stuff… and the television doesn’t work, so we can get rid of it and put a lot of yarn in its cabinet.
I hate the disarray of moving, of not being able to put my hands on things I need, like a fork or a water glass or my size 1 Addi circs. I’m far from being a tidy person and I don’t think I’ll ever achieve my grandmother’s maxim of “a place for everything and everything in its place”, but there you have it. And since this landing pad is a very temporary home until we find our own apartment or Mr. Garter’s parents sell the house (whichever happens first), I know we’re never going to be really settled here, and that gives me a sort of rootless feeling I dislike. Call me a homebody, but I wish I could just fast forward to the part where we buy (or build) a house we’re never going to move out of. It’s frustrating to know that’s at least ten years down the line, if it ever happens at all.
So I’m fleeing the chaos and beating a hasty retreat up to my childhood home tomorrow. Really I’m going for the wedding of two of my oldest friends, which is sure to be a great time, but I also just need the opportunity to unwind after our eventful drive. When I come back after the weekend there will be pictures (although Mr. Garter accidentally deleted all the ones we took en route – poo!) and blog revivification and all manner of good things. It’ll be shiny. In the mean time, pray that my yarn (and with it my sanity) arrives intact and unsullied.
Posted: March 23rd, 2006 at 8:00 pm
i’m so glad to hear that you made it there safely!!! welcome to your new home!
Posted: March 23rd, 2006 at 8:39 pm
glad ot hear you made it (semi)safely. and yes, cats can be contrary like that, lol. and i hate moving too. i’ve been in this house 1 1/2 years, and i still can’t lay my hands on everything i want. urgh!
Posted: March 23rd, 2006 at 11:28 pm
Yeah! You’re there..Make whatever place your living in your own. I’ve lived in three temporary places, the first I didn’t make my own, I left all my things in storage and I felt out of place. The other two were more comfortable because I had a few personal things around. Sounds like you have some good spots for your stash!, I’m sure it will arrive just fine. Take care..
Posted: March 24th, 2006 at 4:39 am
a lot more than “poo” would be streaming out of my mouth had that deleting been Mr. Sassy’s doing! Remarkable restraint. I am glad to hear that the last two hours were peaceful, at least. How’s your face? and WELCOME TO PORTLAND!
Posted: March 24th, 2006 at 5:45 am
I’m so glad you made it safe and sound – even if a little bruised and battered 🙂 I hope you are feeling better!
Posted: March 24th, 2006 at 6:11 am
But….But….
In my defense I put the ipod (where we store the photos) in the dock and it automatically updated the ipod software, and *that* is how it was deleted. Believe me, I was ready to throw it out the window.
How is that excuse? 😉
Posted: March 24th, 2006 at 6:28 am
Welcome to Portland, Mr & Mrs. Garter! I totally know the unsettled feeling and it’s no fun. But keep in mind it’s temporary! And once your yarn is back in your possession, almost all will be right with the world again. Have fun at the wedding this weekend!
Posted: March 24th, 2006 at 8:08 am
Losing pictures is kinda not a good thing here at my house. I impose harsh penalties so good luck to Mr. Garter. I moved into my home last May and I worked my fingers to the bone to get it all done. It took about 6 weeks and I hated every single minute of it. But, I know where all my knitting stuff is! Good luck in your new home.
Posted: March 24th, 2006 at 8:18 am
I’m sure you’ll create a homey (if temporary) home! Anyway, it will feel like home once the yarn gets there, no?
Posted: March 27th, 2006 at 10:43 am
I’m so glad you’ve finally arrived! Good luck getting your place organized and comfy. Super POO about the pictures. And as for the building of a house, be careful what you wish for…your adventures so far may not have prepared you!