By the time we got back from our trip to Utah, my 4-week online class was in full swing. My study space, aka, our apartment, was nearing its capacity for moving boxes, leaving little room for walking, thinking, or breathing. There were plenty of moments when I wondered if I was losing my mind.
Oh, yes . . . and we got rid of this thing:
So, poor Ramona probably thought she was being tortured.
It was a relief when the moving truck came on Tuesday the 15th, bringing an end to the packing and taking all of those imposing boxes out of the way.
The next day, with packing completed and the moving truck gone, we spent our last Urbana morning on the campus quad. The weather happened to be gorgeous . . .
. . . and hardly a soul was out there, besides us.
That place will always hold a special place in my heart. I cried when we pulled out of the driveway of our apartment for the last time.
Soon after leaving Urbana, we found out that the closing date on our house had to be pushed back by four days. Being left somewhat homeless, we ended up staying at my parents' house in Normal for part of that time.
Despite the stresses about our delayed closing and the attention required for my class, Ramona was oblivious of these things, and we had an enjoyable visit while we lingered in Illinois for just a little longer than expected.
. . . and also discovered her new favorite park.
Forest's new job began on the 21st, while we were still in the hotel,
but the following day we were finally able to close on the house,
move in,
and, eventually, begin unpacking. The day the moving truck arrived felt like Christmas.
The movers unloaded numerous furniture donations from family (and an upright piano), as well as wedding gifts long lost in storage.
While still in the midst of unpacking, we jumped right into the process of home improvement that first weekend. The former residents were decidedly fond of the color purple--particularly a dark plum color, which covered the upper wall of the family room and the trim around most of the house. Amazingly, after one Saturday, most of that purple was gone, thanks to the generous help of Parry and Teresa.
The obligatory BEFORE:
and, AFTER:
At the last minute, I asked if we could paint one wall in the living room blue, to match the chairs from Teresa. I don't hate it, so far . . .
and, I still love the house, by the way.
