STONEY HILL CABIN BLUES

Well, this is it. We've completely moved out of the house and cabin. We took out the very last of my cabin "treasures" about an hour ago. As we packed the final contents of my little sanctuary and loaded them into the pickup truck, tears began to flow. I've been holding my emotions intact during this move since I am truly happy with the new old house and I'm thrilled my daughter and grandson are now able to visit us for as long as they wish and not develop cat allergy symptoms. It was a good move for us - not easy or fun - but good for my family and me. I'd told myself I was ready to let go of the cabin, but that wasn't exactly true. I knew I had to let go, and was willing to do so, but that didn't keep me from thinking about all the memories I made there with my grandkids, all the work Glenn put into building it for me, and all the gratitude I felt for having had such a special place to be when I needed time alone. Glenn has promised to build another cabin for me but I know that's not going to happen soon. He and I have so much to do before we can even think of beginning such a big project. 

We signed papers on this house one year ago (on July 12th) and spent the better part of three months pulling up old carpet and linoleum, putting down wood floors, painting, cleaning, and setting up housekeeping. Then a barrage of events caused us to put off finishing the move. We had our furniture transported here last October then prepared for two holiday family gatherings and two holiday parties. As much as I loved doing all of that, it took time away from completing the move. I wanted this house to look and feel like home, so I pulled out all my fall and winter decorations. I decorated the Hoosier and fireplace mantel for fall and when December came, I put up six Christmas trees, baked dozens of cookies, and did lots of shopping. I had a good time doing it and our first Thanksgiving and Christmas here were wonderful, but I couldn't plan for the holidays here and be at the other house (finishing the move) at the same time. If I had it to do again, I'd still choose making Thanksgiving and Christmas special here in our new old home.

We'd scarcely gotten through the holidays when my mother fell and was hospitalized. In early March, my sisters and I moved her down here to an assisted-care facility and I was with her daily for three weeks - spending most of each day there. I wanted to help her adapt to new surroundings and also observe how the staff and residents interacted. I didn't step foot into the former house or cabin for those weeks. I was absolutely drained after helping my mother during her adjustment phase. (I'm still drained after every visit with her, but I'm learning to adjust.)

All of that was more than enough, but then my father-in-law's health deteriorated and he passed away May 12th. Family members traveled from Colorado, Kansas, and Missouri to be here for the service and some stayed for two weeks afterward to help us with my father-in-law's house. We're very close to having it ready to sell too. Glenn's sister and her husband worked long hours cleaning and packing things to donate to Goodwill. Their help was invaluable.

THIS WAS OUR HOME FOR 32 YEARS 

OUR DAUGHTER GREW UP HERE

THE BACKYARD CABIN

I LEFT ALL THE OUTSIDE DECORATIONS. I DIDN'T WANT TO STRIP THE CABIN OF ITS PERSONALITY. GLENN REPLACED THE ORIGINAL BARN STAR FOR ME. MY DEAR FRIEND, DEANNA, GAVE THAT ONE TO ME AND IT NEEDED TO COME HERE. I'LL HANG IT ON THE BARN.     

It's been a long process but our former house is finally on the market to be sold and it's move-in ready. Today Glenn said all we need to do is find someone to fall in love with the cabin and the house would be a bonus. If I was searching for a well-loved house and found one with a big yard, a split-rail fenced, a beautiful wooded area behind the house, and a rustic backyard cabin nestled among tall pine trees, I think I'd do everything I could to convince my spouse we needed to make it ours. My cabin will soon belong to someone else and I hope he or she will love it and cherish it as much as I did. I think I'll always miss it, but with a little luck and a lot of work, I'll have another one some day.