Tuesday, June 10, 2014

HOMELESS IN OREGON

Well friends, I am about to reveal our plan to shock our kids (3 grown sons and their families).  We have talked about moving to Oregon for years and I frankly got tired of talking about it.  We finally decided to "just do it!"  We sold our house (closed on it May 20), had 2 sales to get rid of things, packed the rest, placed it into storage to retrieve when we find a house and left as planned on May 22.  It all took about a month, except for one garage sale that we had earlier, and it included a quick trip to Florida, to see Abby graduate from kindergarten.

For some strange reason (being ornery, maybe?) we decided not to tell our kids that we had sold the house until we arrived in Oregon.  We wanted to tell our oldest son and family when we were all together, so we had to wait a few days because our DIL was busy helping a friend of hers, but last night we shocked the daylights out of them when we told them that we had sold the house and were not going back to Texas!  Our DS kept saying, "What?", "What?" with his mouth hanging open.  Our 2 grandchildren  jumped up and down (at least one of them did), we all hugged, and DS couldn't believe it - as we had been talking about it for years and even had looked at houses on other trips.

Saturday was GS's high school graduation and Thursday night we went to an awards ceremony where it was announced that he is the class salutatorian!  His GPA was 3.89.  He got a stole (?) for being in the National Honor Society and 2 rope/tassel things to wear with his cap and gown.  He also got a medal for being the salutatorian and several certificates for excelling in different things.  We are very proud of him, to say the least!  I'm making potato salad for the celebration barbecue after the ceremony.

Here is what we will be living in while we look for a house:


Our 29 foot 5th wheel, except we are parked in DS's driveway (not in Gallup, NM as in the picture) and have unhooked it from the truck.  I'll take a picture after I rearrange it somewhat so I can set my Featherweight on a different table and leave it there so that anytime I want to sew it will be ready.  Between looking for a house, etc.  I've been working on my log cabin quilt in between other things and almost have enough blocks for a queen size quilt.  The blocks measure 5 1/4" unfinished with 1/2" finished logs made with all reproduction fabrics from stash.  This has been my travel project for a few years.  I decided to make it when I met with Beth in the Chicago area either 3 or 4 years ago and I saw this quilt in a quilt shop that she took me to.

OK, here are a couple pictures of how I arranged the sewing area.  As you enter the door of the 5th wheel, the table is right in front of you with my Janome sewing machine on it.  I decided that since I had it with me, I might as well use it.  I've been doing a little quilting on my basket quilt.  There are some boxes beyond the table containing some of our household goods.


This view shows it a little better.  Do you see the American flag to the left?  Love gave that to me.  Now, I can leave my sewing machine set up and not have to move it every time we eat.  We usually eat breakfast and lunch in the camper and then eat supper with our son's family.


Here's a picture of their house, which was built around 1882.  You can't see our camper parked in the drive way because it's behind the house.


We've been looking at houses and may have found one to buy, but will wait until we know for sure.  We can't believe we are actually here to stay!!!

19 comments:

  1. Congratulations on your decision! Sounds like you are entering a new exciting chapter of your life...and you are never homeless when you have a sewing corner in your
    5th wheel!

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  2. Our neighbors of 15 years are coming your direction. Their DD lives in Oregon with her husband and 2 kids...they sold the house and drive away today! The going away party last Friday was such sweet sorrow. They are moving in with their DD until they find a home to buy. They are hoping for a duplex they can share with DD.

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  3. How fun to surprise your family with your great news. Enjoy your new adventure.

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  4. Welcome to Oregon! Your house sold amazingly fast - good for you! I love how homey your trailer looks with that great sewing set-up. Good luck with your house hunting, hope you're all settled in soon.

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  5. Wow, when you decide to do something you don't mess around! Congratulations and I will be watching to see how your hose hint goes. Good luck!

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  6. What fun to be starting over again in a brand-new area. I love your son's house.
    Lillian

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  7. Congrats. What part of oregon are you wanting to live? I live in portland but used to live in ; Bend and hope to get back there in the near future

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  8. Do happy for you on this great adventure.

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  9. Wow!!! How fun for you!! You will definitely enjoy being closer to family! Looking forward to more posts about you new life!!

    Blessings and hugs!

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  10. How wonderful for you. Hope you find a house soon. Hugs

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  11. What a surprise for everyone! I sure hope you find a new home soon. I look forward to hearing about your Oregon adventures!!

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  12. Wow, that is pretty major news!
    Love your son's home--hope you have good luck on your house hunt!

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  13. I can imagine how shocked your son must have been! It's hard for me to believe you could have the courage to just pick up and leave, for the unknown, sort of. Makes me think of Abraham! Hope you find a new home soon so you can get settled in again. I'm sure your family is glad you decided to come there. Enjoy! ---"Love"

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  14. how wonderful! congrats on the big move.
    Your sons house is lovely.
    the camper sewing always looks so fun :)

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  15. It would have been fun to be a fly on the wall when you made your announcement! Good luck in your house search and all the best in your new location.

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  16. I can hardly believe how fast all ofthat happened. I bet the Oregon part of the family is thrilled that you are there to stay. I hope that the house you found works out for you. Will you have to go back to Texas for your 'stuff' of did you do a pod that can be moved to you?
    Best of luck.

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  17. Congrats on your move! Our DD, who lives in Oregon, would love for us to "shock" her with news that we are moving there too, but instead we just sold our house in Louisiana and are moving to Texas next week!!! Good luck with your house search!

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  18. If my parents showed up here in their camper with news they'd sold the house, I'd run for the hills! Of course, their camper is about the size of a queen bed (in total) and isn't exactly the type of place you'd live in between homes, so that plays into it a lot. But congratulations to you on making the decision. I'm sure you'll be happy there, closer to family, though it will be quite a change in climate! Keep us posted on the house hunt. And I'm glad to see you do have a sewing space while you're "squatting" in the driveway!

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  19. Love reading about your adventures!!I hope you find the "perfect" house soon.

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