Beautiful Cait! That is so interesting that all the prints had houses in them! I appreciate the leaning story too! Ha! It is hard to explain this temporary feeling of a home to some people. You did it so well
Aww thank you, Tammy. I'm still so fascinated by the fact that I haven't explored this topic much before... but it's been highlighted so much for me, since making this decision.
Wishing you all the best Cait as you turn the page and begin this exciting new chapter! Thank you for introducing me to a new artist! As for leaning vs adhering I have not thought about this before. I like how things look leaning. In my room that overlooks our creek bed I have leaning art of antique birds and a wooden sign that says Namaste. But it does make we wonder why I have not painted the walls in all the rooms in a house we have lived in for almost a decade!
I like how things look leaning too! It creates a cool layered effect, if you have things mixed together. I did this on my dresser, as an example. But had other pics up on the walls in my bedroom!
Now, I feel worried. Or rather, I feel a connection to you in moving so frequently, as I have done the same. I am finally on my own at age 63. I have never felt so free in all my life. I lean, I hang, I eat ice cream for dinner, I garden my own way, I ask no one for permission...just be sure, that you stay you. Love your prints and am inspired to paint today. Houses...the places I have lived. Thank you for your piece today.
I love ALL of this for you, Mary! And I'm *very* conscious of the fact that I don't want to lose myself in this next chapter. It was my biggest concern. Which tells me: I'll be mindful of it. ☺️
It's funny, I used to always immediately put something up on the walls when we would move somewhere new when I was a kid, and as I got older, too. But since I'm now sharing my space with my kiddo, and most of my room is stuck in a kind of time loop (shelves facing the walls so tiny hands can't pull out the DVDs and books in them, things that xould potentially be dangerous stacked high on the few surfaces those same hands can't quite reach yet, etc etc), it's the art that has suffered the most; haven't put anything up for over 2.5 years because I know everything thing will change again and I don't want to be drilling holes and patching them up again all the time.. I never noticed until I read this just how unsettled I think it's been making me feel!
Oh that's so interesting, Johanna! Of course, I can understand why you wouldn't have bothered! But interesting to notice it feels unsettling in some way... makes me wonder what you might put up... ☺️
Love this! And I also collect house imagery - in prints, small house-shaped items, and more. It's about continuously creating a home for myself and those I love.
I can relate to the thoughts, feelings, and preparatory activities that you are currently doing as you prepare to move into TM's house this summer . When first married and eventually living in a house with our young kids in Montreal we too had to prepare for our move to Toronto, as part of my company's Head Office move. It took lots of planning and organization, such as what you are doing, but one thing I remember from the move many years ago was that some of our small packing boxes remained unopened for the first few years "after" that move. This lead me to think that much of the stuff in those boxes probably should have not been kept but rather disposed of in various ways before the move.
One major thing going for you though is that you already know where you will be moving to, those whom you will be living with, as well as the new neighbourhood around you. When we moved I (alone) first, while still working, had to weekly fly out to Toronto, work during the day and, with the help of a real estate agent, look for "our new home" in the evenings - during the winter months. Eventually I found what I was looking for - a nice house, good neighbourhood, nearby shopping, convenient public transportation (in case our car broke down), etc. The way I found out, during those evenings, whether there would be kids around for our small little ones to play with was that I looked around for "kids signs" - outdoor back yard swing sets, nearby elementary schools, etc. All in all it was a good thing that my wife fully trusted in my judgement in picking out "our new home" since she was still back home with the kids in Montreal. 😉
All the very best Cait in your move to TM's house. I'm sure you both will be very happy together.
I love when you paint pictures of situations you've been in, Rob! I can imagine you scouting for those "kids signs"... and knowing it was a very important decision to make! You're right, I know exactly where I'm moving to. Still don't know where all of my things are going to go though, haha. But I know we'll figure it out ☺️
Oh so beautiful! I’ve never thought about what “putting down roots” means to me, but I couldn’t agree more. It’s in the community, the daily interactions with your surroundings and those in it (be it human or animal). I’m in awe with your intentions in this move. The process feels full of gratitude and love. What a fabulous way to move into the next chapter!
Aww thank you for that reflection, Effie! It feels "easy" to give this one more attention/intention, in a way, because it is *so obviously* a very big move. Maybe the biggest I've made yet!? You could argue that moving to the UK was huge... but moving in with a partner and his kids feels much bigger. It's the end of many eras, and the beginning of a new one. And it feels so important to be present for all of it ❤️
Your words resonate so deeply, Cait. As someone who’s also spent years moving around and living in different countries, “putting down roots” never felt like something that applied to me either. During my time as a tenant, even something as small as hammering a nail into a wall to hang artwork felt risky - like it could cost me my bond. That hesitancy followed me into home ownership too; it took me ages to build up the courage to do something that seemed so permanent - even though, realistically, it isn’t. It’s fascinating how many untold internal stories we carry until we finally pause and reflect on them. I’m so inspired by the care and intention you’re bringing to this transition. Thank you for sharing so openly and honestly - it’s such a gift to witness.
"It took me ages to build up the courage to do something that seemed so permanent - even though, realistically, it isn’t." YES! This really resonates, Tanya! And those internal stories we don't know are there, and how much they are impacting us/our lives... now I'm curious: do you have things on your walls today!? What's one of your favourites? ☺️ And thank you for your kind words at the end.
Thank you, Cait! 😊 Yes, I do have things on my walls now. My favourite is probably a picture wall I’ve started putting together - it’s made up of multiple images that reflect my African roots. There’s definitely a wooden theme running through it (unintentionally, but clearly! haha), and I’ve left room to keep adding more.
Yes, I see the wood theme! I love the mix of colours and textures too. It feels like something you could reach out and touch ☺️ thank you so much for sharing!
I have always felt that hanging pictures means a commitment. I'm here and this is my place to pound nail and leave my mark If that makes sense.
It makes sense to me!
Beautiful Cait! That is so interesting that all the prints had houses in them! I appreciate the leaning story too! Ha! It is hard to explain this temporary feeling of a home to some people. You did it so well
Aww thank you, Tammy. I'm still so fascinated by the fact that I haven't explored this topic much before... but it's been highlighted so much for me, since making this decision.
Wishing you all the success and abundance in your next chapter.
Thank you, Debi! ☺️
Wishing you all the best Cait as you turn the page and begin this exciting new chapter! Thank you for introducing me to a new artist! As for leaning vs adhering I have not thought about this before. I like how things look leaning. In my room that overlooks our creek bed I have leaning art of antique birds and a wooden sign that says Namaste. But it does make we wonder why I have not painted the walls in all the rooms in a house we have lived in for almost a decade!
I like how things look leaning too! It creates a cool layered effect, if you have things mixed together. I did this on my dresser, as an example. But had other pics up on the walls in my bedroom!
Now, I feel worried. Or rather, I feel a connection to you in moving so frequently, as I have done the same. I am finally on my own at age 63. I have never felt so free in all my life. I lean, I hang, I eat ice cream for dinner, I garden my own way, I ask no one for permission...just be sure, that you stay you. Love your prints and am inspired to paint today. Houses...the places I have lived. Thank you for your piece today.
I love ALL of this for you, Mary! And I'm *very* conscious of the fact that I don't want to lose myself in this next chapter. It was my biggest concern. Which tells me: I'll be mindful of it. ☺️
It's funny, I used to always immediately put something up on the walls when we would move somewhere new when I was a kid, and as I got older, too. But since I'm now sharing my space with my kiddo, and most of my room is stuck in a kind of time loop (shelves facing the walls so tiny hands can't pull out the DVDs and books in them, things that xould potentially be dangerous stacked high on the few surfaces those same hands can't quite reach yet, etc etc), it's the art that has suffered the most; haven't put anything up for over 2.5 years because I know everything thing will change again and I don't want to be drilling holes and patching them up again all the time.. I never noticed until I read this just how unsettled I think it's been making me feel!
Oh that's so interesting, Johanna! Of course, I can understand why you wouldn't have bothered! But interesting to notice it feels unsettling in some way... makes me wonder what you might put up... ☺️
Love this! And I also collect house imagery - in prints, small house-shaped items, and more. It's about continuously creating a home for myself and those I love.
Ooo so interesting you do this too, Marlena! I'm especially intrigued by these house-shaped items!
Hi Cait!
I can relate to the thoughts, feelings, and preparatory activities that you are currently doing as you prepare to move into TM's house this summer . When first married and eventually living in a house with our young kids in Montreal we too had to prepare for our move to Toronto, as part of my company's Head Office move. It took lots of planning and organization, such as what you are doing, but one thing I remember from the move many years ago was that some of our small packing boxes remained unopened for the first few years "after" that move. This lead me to think that much of the stuff in those boxes probably should have not been kept but rather disposed of in various ways before the move.
One major thing going for you though is that you already know where you will be moving to, those whom you will be living with, as well as the new neighbourhood around you. When we moved I (alone) first, while still working, had to weekly fly out to Toronto, work during the day and, with the help of a real estate agent, look for "our new home" in the evenings - during the winter months. Eventually I found what I was looking for - a nice house, good neighbourhood, nearby shopping, convenient public transportation (in case our car broke down), etc. The way I found out, during those evenings, whether there would be kids around for our small little ones to play with was that I looked around for "kids signs" - outdoor back yard swing sets, nearby elementary schools, etc. All in all it was a good thing that my wife fully trusted in my judgement in picking out "our new home" since she was still back home with the kids in Montreal. 😉
All the very best Cait in your move to TM's house. I'm sure you both will be very happy together.
I love when you paint pictures of situations you've been in, Rob! I can imagine you scouting for those "kids signs"... and knowing it was a very important decision to make! You're right, I know exactly where I'm moving to. Still don't know where all of my things are going to go though, haha. But I know we'll figure it out ☺️
Ah yes, I remember when you lived in Port Moody 😊
Wishing you the best on this next chapter of your life Cait 🤗
Aww thank you, my friend! Sending a big hug over to you ❤️
Oh so beautiful! I’ve never thought about what “putting down roots” means to me, but I couldn’t agree more. It’s in the community, the daily interactions with your surroundings and those in it (be it human or animal). I’m in awe with your intentions in this move. The process feels full of gratitude and love. What a fabulous way to move into the next chapter!
Aww thank you for that reflection, Effie! It feels "easy" to give this one more attention/intention, in a way, because it is *so obviously* a very big move. Maybe the biggest I've made yet!? You could argue that moving to the UK was huge... but moving in with a partner and his kids feels much bigger. It's the end of many eras, and the beginning of a new one. And it feels so important to be present for all of it ❤️
Your words resonate so deeply, Cait. As someone who’s also spent years moving around and living in different countries, “putting down roots” never felt like something that applied to me either. During my time as a tenant, even something as small as hammering a nail into a wall to hang artwork felt risky - like it could cost me my bond. That hesitancy followed me into home ownership too; it took me ages to build up the courage to do something that seemed so permanent - even though, realistically, it isn’t. It’s fascinating how many untold internal stories we carry until we finally pause and reflect on them. I’m so inspired by the care and intention you’re bringing to this transition. Thank you for sharing so openly and honestly - it’s such a gift to witness.
"It took me ages to build up the courage to do something that seemed so permanent - even though, realistically, it isn’t." YES! This really resonates, Tanya! And those internal stories we don't know are there, and how much they are impacting us/our lives... now I'm curious: do you have things on your walls today!? What's one of your favourites? ☺️ And thank you for your kind words at the end.
Thank you, Cait! 😊 Yes, I do have things on my walls now. My favourite is probably a picture wall I’ve started putting together - it’s made up of multiple images that reflect my African roots. There’s definitely a wooden theme running through it (unintentionally, but clearly! haha), and I’ve left room to keep adding more.
Here’s a little peek: https://imgur.com/a/RxB3Ris
Yes, I see the wood theme! I love the mix of colours and textures too. It feels like something you could reach out and touch ☺️ thank you so much for sharing!
Oh! What a lovely read this was. So many nuggets I will be reflecting on and thinking about. Thank you! 🩷🩷🩷
Thank YOU for reading, friend! ❤️
I loved reading about your landscapes with houses- I do the same, and I realized the houses always have a red roof! 🏡