Saturday, July 28, 2018

A Big Change from San Miguel de Allende, Mexico!

It just came to my attention that a blog post has not been written in almost three weeks.  Not because I did not want to, but life has been frenetic to put it mildly.

There has been something going on that has not been shared since January!  Something that needed to be thought through and decided upon from all angles and with input from many friends. 

It is something that will change my life forever, so it needed to be thought over and over just to make sure it was the right decision.

I'm moving..........to a one story house on the other side of San Miguel.  After almost eighteen years here, it is something that I never thought would happen.  But, it is time. 

It is quite ironic in retrospect how, seeing the new house, came about.  Two years ago some dear friends were moving and I went with them to their new house.  When we walked in the door, I said, "IF you ever decide to move, please let me know first!"  I liked the house immediately. It has high ceilings, the whole front of the house is big windows looking out to a lush, green, grassy yard and it is all on one floor. 

What  is so surprising to me about this, is that at that time I was not having knee issues, and had not
given any thought to moving.  Add to that, that my son and grandchildren were not living in that vicinity and now they are.  They are one block away.

In January of this year, my friends called and said that they were moving back to Texas!  Oh my, this was right before my decision to go to Texas for knee replacement.  I went to see how beautifully they had fixed the house and I was torn as to what to do.........but, secretly I moved forward with the thought that I could live there and keep the property that I am in now and lease both houses out.

Well, the Universe took over on that score and I am moving in October and only going to live in the new place.  Yes, I know I'm giving up the mountain views, the sound of the wings of the egrets at night, the sunsets and of course my beautiful gardens which now, with lots of work, are like a nature sanctuary............but I'm also giving up fifteen stairs to go up and down from the bedroom to the living room/dining room and kitchen.  That doesn't count the additional fifteen stairs to the roof terrace.  IT is just too much. 

At this point, if I could see myself on that trek up the stairs with the cane and the hand rail, it would probably appear to me that I had turned into Granny Frickert or something.  IT is time.......much to my son's relief.

Lots to do to prepare for this epic journey across town.  Sell tons of furniture, art, accessories, plants, etc etc etc.  The new house is partially furnished so about 95% of my things will be sold "by appointment only" starting in a few weeks.

The guest house is rented til the end of August, so nothing can be moved til September.  Postings of some of the items, especially art, Mexican folkart and furniture might end up posted on the blog and on SMA Buy Sell Trade, but not yet.  I'm hoping that 94 1/2% is sold before I move!  ha.

Here are a few photos of the new house.  I'm REALLY looking forward to not having to have all the maintenance, gardening and responsiblities that I have had for all these years.  The lease is all inclusive. 

WHAT will I do with all my time?  Doesn't that sound great?  A glass of tea on the patio every afternoon about 4PM after siesta time sounds perfect to me.  What do you think?
The last photo is taken from the doors out of the bedroom, which is 30ft x 30ft, through the living room to the front door and the kitchen in the distance.  All on one floor - how sweet it is.

Onward my friends!  But, still in my beloved San Miguel..........


20 comments:

Charles said...

Wow...it is beautiful....it looks like you! You will be much happier with a single floor...I moved after 6 years in a 2-story in GDL...I just got tired of climbing Mt. Everest several times a day...

Good luck...you can do this...and an added bonus is you can "de-clutter" your life...

Love and hugs...stay strong!

Donnis said...

Congratulations Barbara! I know it was a huge decision, yet the right one. Interesting that you put forth "intention" a couple years ago. I love your next home. There are walls for your wonderful art, nooks to be filled and I understand the egrets love the neighborhood. See you soon! xo

Joyce Wycoff said...

Congrats on following your intuition. Looks perfect and perfectly beautiful.

La Tejedora said...

BRAVA, Barbara. Difficult but excellent decision, in my opinion. I will sit on that front veranda with you. I can't think of anything nicer than to have grandkids stopping by for a minute after school. It's life changing for them, I'm sure. Nora

Tom said...

Sweet. I’m glad you got rid of the stairs! Enjoy your new home.

Tancho said...

It is always sad to give up familiar surroundings but, stairs are not so welcome at our age, one fall either on the trip up or down can be disastrous. When we built the house here 20 years ago we built it as a one level place, because I knew at some point I would embrace that design. It proved so,especially when I had need for a wheel chair after my surgery. I know you are going to transform the new place to a grand abode, especially with your touch.
And the best thing is that you are not running around stressing yourself out at the last minute searching for something. Sounds like you have everything under full control. And as someone said, it's a great chance to declutter the place and fill the garage-sale tub.

Joan said...

WONDERFUL!

Peter Kouwenhoven said...

Congrats on making the decision to move to new digs! One level living definately has its perks. I'm glad we were given the opportunity to live in your wonderful place on the hill. I'm sure your new home will be amazing as well.

Croft said...

Congratulations on the new digs! You will not miss the stairs and so nice to be close to the grandkids!

Billie Mercer said...

I am so happy that this is working out for you. You have that wonderful ability to live in the moment. Some things will be different but I know you will find delight in them. Hugs, Billie

R. P. said...

Congrats! "It is time" is the sentiment here. Situations have a way of just working out when one is open to them. The "steps" thing I am just starting to understand. Saludos, Robert

Deborah S. said...

Congratulations! As someone who has moved 9 times in 25 years and lived most of the last year in short-term rentals and Airbnbs, I can attest that moving can be stressful, exhilarating and liberating. We are moving from British Columbia to Guadalajara in 17 days with 4 suitcases and 7 boxes to start a new life. You will make a lovely home & life for yourself!

Kim G said...

Wow! Sounds like it'll be a big change, but a positive one. As charming as stairs are, they do tend to get steeper over time, at least if you stay there long enough. And no, you don't want to worry about falling. It's bad enough to fall on a level surface, never mind stairs. So, it sounds like a great decision.

Saludos,

Kim G
Redding, CA
Where fire is currently a greater threat than stairs.

Suzanne said...

Wow, this bit of news took me by surprise! But I am so happy to hear you found such a suitable place in the city you love so much! Serendipitous, indeed! Good luck on the move...poco a poco.

Barbara Lane said...

Oh my goodness! The end of an era! New beginnings crashing into endings. Endings crashing into new beginnings. Emotional time I'm sure, and so exciting! Let me know if you need help with anything when the time comes. You always land in beautiful places!

Anonymous said...

Fantastic! I had wondered if you were getting tired of driving into town! Send me an Email with your new address, and we’ll see you later this year! All the Best on your relocation!

Dan in N C said...

Apologies for the Anonymous post! Dan in NC.

Babs said...

Thanks everyone for your encouraging comments. The decision was made with much angst and trepidation, but onward is the best way. I will be farther out of town, which is a bummer, but it will be an easier life.......

Kim G - You have been on my mind daily. Please evacuate if necessary before it is necessary there in Redding California! The news is terrifying of the fires.

Deborah Soloway, Good luck on your move to Guada. Yes, 18 years ago I moved with 17 boxes of books and art. Now I have two houses full of furniture to sell. How the heck did that happen? I've lived in this house longer then anywhere in my life! Enjoy your new life. Guada is wonderful! I know it well.

Retired Teacher said...

I'm coming late into the discussion, but I agree that the move is a wise decision. I have lived in the same house since I was three years old, so the thought of moving is something I have never experienced, and is something which seems extremely daunting. But fortunately, my home is a one story ranch house with no basement. No stairs to climb! The condo I rent in Mexico City is on the 4th floor, and for the last week the elevator has been out of order. It has been a quite a chore climbing those steps several times each day, and I don't have any issues with my knees.

The next few months will be stressful for you, but when the move has finally been completed, I think that you will be very happy with your new place. Buena suerte!

Babs said...

Thanks Bill for your comments. Yes, I wish I could click my heels and the stressful part would be over. But, my old "planner" personality is kicking in. After all, if I could gut and remodel a restaurant in 4 days, working 24 hours a day, I can do this.......of course that was about 30 years ago...but planning and people are the key!
Ha, I'll let you know how that goes. I might drown in lists......and photographs....and floor plans. Oh my.