Sixteen Year Anniversary

It’s hard to believe that we have lived in the DC region for sixteen years. This month marks the anniversary of our move from the Midwest to Capitol Hill. I remember it well. After thirty years in the ice and cold we decided to take the plunge. I gave myself four weeks off before starting a new job at the Library of Congress. We bought the 500 square foot condo a few months before we actually moved. But we didn’t buy it with the intention of moving. It was meant to be a second home that was located just down the street from our son and his family. But I searched for job options and it just kept steamrolling. Are we happy we moved? Before the pandemic I would say absolutely yes. Now, I’m not so sure. We miss our friends and colleagues and house and dog. It would never be the same if we went back, but we haven’t even visited in over two years. We almost feel like we are on an island since we moved to northern Virginia three years ago. My mom passed away at the beginning of the pandemic and our trips to Florida ceased since 1976. We haven’t really seen anyone - except a rare visit to our family who moved to central Virginia. At least we have each other and that has been the saving grace. Now we have a balcony that faces west and a safe environment to live in. We still drive in to town every week and have started taking day trips just to get out of the house. The evenings are the best because they really haven’t changed. We miss going to the library programs that we so enjoyed. Thank goodness for our relatively good health and the internet. 

Three Year Anniversary

It’s been three years since we moved from Capitol Hill to northern Virginia. Two plus of those years have been spent living in a pandemic - which took the joy out of our new place. We were looking forward to traveling every few months - to the Midwest and also to visit our family in central Virginia. Rather, we have and remain cooped up in our 1000 square foot condo, except for a morning walk and a weekly drive in to town. We are glad that we moved out of DC because it would have been difficult living there these last few years. It’s hard enough living there when things are going well. It would have been so much worse living there now. Would we have moved to a condo if we knew a pandemic would happen? I’m not so sure. We certainly looked at so many options before we settled here - even in Florida. At least here we have a parking space in an underground garage, a small balcony, and a clean environment close to essential services. We don’t really know our neighbors yet for obvious reasons. Our place still doesn’t feel like “home.” We just haven’t felt like putting in the final touches for so many reasons. I have a lot of ideas to make it ideal, but so many things have changed since we moved. Things just feel unsettled - or maybe I just feel unsettled. This should be a time for celebration. Retirement, doing the things we wanted to do without thinking much about it…. I feel more uncomfortable now than I ever did. That’s just not how it’s supposed to be.

Fifteen Years Ago

Fifteen years ago we moved to DC. We lived in the Midwest for thirty years. The difference between living in the Midwest and DC is quite the contrast - and the reason I started this blog in the first place. A lot has happened in these fifteen years. Right now I miss our Midwest home because of the friends and colleagues we don’t get to see as much as we did before the pandemic. Our home was entirely reconstructed and made the way we wanted, and it included a beautiful Borzoi. I would prefer to be there now over our 1000 square foot condo in northern Virginia with no dog and living on the fourth floor. At least we have secure parking and it’s in a lovely neighborhood with all the things we need and want very close at hand. My mom passed away last year so our routine trips to Florida ended after forty five years. My mom gave our house to the neighbors who cared for her the last few years. It was well worth it, but I felt the void once the paperwork was completed. On Monday we drove in to DC to get some photos for my 52frames photo challenge. We parked on the mall and visited the National Gallery of Art. We haven’t been to the gallery since before we moved to Virginia. Living on Capitol Hill was both interesting and irritating. We loved and still love the overall vibe, I worked at the library of congress for ten years, and our family lived five townhouses away from us until they moved to central Virginia. If the 1890’s building we lived in wasn’t so dreadful we probably would still be there. It’s not an easy city to live in - especially since we are getting older and we had street parking. We certainly are glad we aren’t living there during the pandemic and the unsettled environment. Every time we drive in, we are sorry we moved, but when we get back home we are glad we can still enjoy the parts we liked. Last year I painted a portrait of all the houses we have lived in and the picture is on the wall in the den. I often wonder if there will be the need to add another one. In some ways I’d like to move somewhere else, but I don’t know where that would be. The Midwest? Too cold. A house or a condo? I don’t know. Closer to family or friends? It’s anyone’s guess. 

We Moved One Year Ago Today

We lived on Capitol Hill for thirteen years. After searching to find a new home for about five years in Florida, Wisconsin, and Virginia, we decided northern Virginia was the place for us. We already spent a lot of time grocery shopping, going to restaurants, and shopping in this neighborhood. We would still be living just ten miles to DC and it would feel like we really never left our favorite things. Today marks the one year anniversary of our move date. How things have changed since then - most notably my mom passed away last month and we are all in the midst of a pandemic. For certain we can say that we are in more comfortable surroundings - especially since both my husband and I are in the “at risk” age group - although it seems like anyone could be affected. As with any new move it took a while for us to settle in. After six months we decided it was time to find a new doctor, dentist, eye doctor and they are all within walking distance. I switched to a new hair salon which is hardly a block away. Rather than walking the national mall every day we walk across the street to the park for a two mile jaunt - although we stopped walking three weeks ago and have stayed inside. In December I had a project in mind to paint all the homes we have lived in. It now hangs in our den. No one knows what the future holds - but that’s always been true. The only difference is that it’s too hard to plan anything right now. I’m so glad we made the change last year. So we will just try to enjoy the moment, take each day at a time, and stay in contact with the people we love. Thankfully we have kinda always felt that way. 

Town and Country Boxes Everywhere

I’ve taken a few days off from blogging because we moved from DC to Virginia last Friday. It took several weeks to prepare all the belongings. Luckily when we moved from Milwaukee to DC thirteen years ago we had seriously downsized from 2500 to 480 square feet, and then added another 450 square feet when we bought the second unit across the hall three years later. Our new condo is a little over 1000 square feet, so it was just a matter of consolidating the two spaces and getting rid of the black leather loveseat that I never liked. We enlisted the help of Town and Country movers to pack on the day before we moved, move us the next day, and unpack the furniture and boxes that same afternoon. It went incredibly smooth - things seem so different now than in the “old days.” So on the last night of our stay on Capitol Hill we were surrounded by boxes. The whole experience feels surreal- and we are so happy we finally made the decision. Time for a fresh start in a neighborhood we already know very well. 

A City of Transients

The U Hauls and moving vans are everywhere. August seems to be the month where everyone is getting out of town. But then, someone usually comes back to take their place - especially in our neighborhood. It is particularly more acute when there are renters in a shared community space. It always takes awhile for newcomers to learn the "rules" of sharing space. One of my pet peeves is leaving the door open for everyone and their brother to just wander in, and then leaving whatever vehicle that brought all the belongings in sitting in the driveway - overnight. There is a sign in the lobby that clearly states the drive is not meant to be a parking lot for many reasons including a fire hazard. But I have found since moving here that a lot of people prefer to ignore courtesy under any circumstance - even if it is clearly spelled out. I suppose the rules just don't apply to them. How was that determined?

The Mayflower Moving Van Leaves an Empty House

It finally happened. My husband stood on the sidewalk - mouth agape. We knew they would be moving, but to see the truck actually piled with furniture and memories was a little hard to swallow. For those leaving they are looking forward to new adventures. For those staying behind it feels a little lonely. One of the major reasons we moved to DC from Wisconsin was to be near our grandson and his family and try to be of help if and when our son was deployed, and any time in between. That happened three times over the last eleven years. Now our army surgeon son has retired and is living the new civilian life in Virginia. Obviously we wish them the best and we may even see them more now that they have actually moved three and a half hours away. Our neighbors in Wisconsin said they felt the same way when we packed up and left after thirty years. I remember them waking up very early and waving from their front window as we pulled out of the driveway. The contents put in that truck left a very empty house. Each room was well known to us and filled with good people. The neighborhood will never be the same. 

New Tenants = Junk

It happens quite regularly in this neighborhood. People move in and out and while doing so, create problems for the regular "residents" who actually live in the building. Things have actually improved since we first moved here from Milwaukee. But some people really don't get group etiquette, or care to learn about it. Keeping the front doors wide open allows all kinds of unwanted vermin to enter the building - especially in the winter. Everyone wants to keep warm, and this is no exception. The garbage dump becomes full of containers that are not collapsed and then collect water. Invariably whatever junk that is no longer needed or wanted lands on the curb - and stays there for weeks. Some folks think it will miraculously disappear. Let's see how long this piece of junk stays in our front yard. Now that it has snow on it makes it even more appealing. I can't help but notice when this activity occurs because we live on that side of the building. But since we feel we own a piece of this place, we like to keep it orderly. I guess that's just the way we were brought up - group living or not.