Highs and Lows
Exhilaration and Exhaustion
Calm and Chaos
First we started with the remodel of the basement at Sleepy Hollow towards the end of December 2013.
after New Year's 2014...we painted every surface in the upstairs of our Sleepy Hollow house. Since it was built in 2001, it just had the builder white color on every wall...now every room is a customer color.
When the downstairs was finished and before the woodwork was installed, we then painted every wall down there also!
At work, I asked if I could work part-time 4 days weeks...I was told there maybe too much of an impact on the office and to interview my co-workers and see how they would be affected by my absence 1 day a week... OR ... use vacation time and take off every Friday.... so that's what I did! Every Thursday after I got off work, Steve would have the truck all packed and we'd head to Sleepy Hollow (2 hours away). We would then paint from Friday morning to Sunday afternoon...EVERY WEEKEND for months!
Part of the remodel included a new kitchen upstairs. The old kitchen was moved to the basement and we got a new custom built kitchen and new appliances.
During this time, a neighbor approached us and indicated that they wanted to purchase our house and the remaining 50 acres of the farm. They made us a good offer and have a plan and vision for the farm that we were comfortable with.
So now 2014 included moving from Cottage Grove to Sleepy Hollow much sooner than we'd imagined!
My job at the University had been the best job I ever had in my life....but the last few years, things had changed radically. There was no more joy in the office...morale was so bad, several longtime co-workers quit and others drew up their draw bridges and isolated themselves...most communication in the office among staff was complaining and whining.
Steve and I made decision for me to quit my job and pull my retirement. August 1 was my last day at UW-Madison and I have never looked back or regretted the decision.
August 2 getting ready to move kicked into high gear! We made arrangements for my Mom to also move with us to an apartment in Boscobel, WI.
Steve and I started moving boxes and furniture to and from sleepy Hollow. Professional movers moved my Mom and our heavy furniture August 26th. The balance of our stuff had to be out of the Cottage grove farmhouse by October 1 due to the fact the house was rented out. ....no pressure...
In September, we held a household and farm auction and sold off all the items we no longer needed. It was a huge success.
So renters are in the house, paying the us rent until the new owners take possession November 1, then the new owners become landlords.
In August we began construction on a garage/shed for Steve where he will store his equipment and big boy toys. We are almost finished with that project and Steve has one of two trailer loads of things to before before closing on the Cottage Grove property October 31.
and the ride continues...
