It's kind of a funny story.
We found our new Nashville house in March, closed on it in May, and started renovating (well, painting mostly and getting quotes from contractors) the very next day. And then I blinked and summer was over, some of our rooms were still gutted and major work was still taking place. Where did the time go?
To make our situation even funnier, we packed 90% of our home, clothes and work spaces about a month ago. We had a moving truck scheduled and the day before it was supposed to arrive, I got a call from one of my friends who was checking in on the progress who said we should push back our move date because to move at that point would have just been getting in the contractor's way.
So we pushed back our moving date a few weeks. Then a few weeks later we pushed it back again.
Our renovations have gone a little over budget (another story I will share at some point) and quite a bit over their timeline. If I could go back, I'd probably not try to do so much work long distance before our move date. But there's no going back. Believe me, I tried. Haha!
So that brings you up to date on what's going on in Larson world.
Now we REALLY are going to pack up the moving truck this weekend and move next week. Crazy times.
And to make it even more awkward, everywhere we go in Springfield someone says to us, "How's Nashville?" or, "Oh—are you here visiting?" To which we have to say, "No. We still live here. We're not sure when we're moving." Haha! We've gotten very pro at this conversation.
I had to let go of a lot of expectations and plans. We had to reschedule a visit from my family to a later date. I had to realize that as soon as we move, I have two weeks to somewhat nest (the thing I am craving more than anything!), and then we're leaving for our Amsterdam/Iceland trip for two weeks. So our busy, unsettled state of being isn't exactly going to slow down for the time being. And we're rolling with it! It's just a little cray.
I'm taking notes from their level of chill. It's unmatched.
Also—isn't Dolly just the cutest sad baby in her blanket?
And I don't want to miss autumn. Autumn is my favorite!
So here's me being open. I'm not trying to complain, I promise. I'm just kind of letting you know what's up with us and what I've been struggling with a little.
I am still VERY excited to nest in our new home, explore Nashville and make new friends. I keep telling myself that by Christmas this will all be over and we'll be decorating up a storm (!!!), brunching with our Nashville friends, watching Home Alone and baking cookies. (My happy thoughts are VERY specific! Haha!)
Just a few more hurdles and we'll be at the finish line. Send us some virtual fist bumps and high fives if you don't mind?
Love you guys! Elsie
Credits//Author and Photography: Elsie Larson. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess Actions.
72 Comments
Aw, moving can be SO rough! I moved my classroom, moved my apartment, got married, and started a new job within the last few months and it’s been a lot, even though those are all happy, good things! Sounds like your dogs are being good role models. Good luck with the rest of your move!
Sarah
Years That Ask Questions
Hehe! Thank you! :)))
-Elsie
Moving is so stressful minus all the bumps you’ve encountered. But you just have to take a deep breath and say, it is what it is. I’ve done the best that I can. And in the end, it will all be amazing. Because it will be amazing.
sending a fist bump, I have just taught my 18 month old boy to fist bump too, (it is all the cutes) so take it as read he is fist bumping you guys too.
We are currently moving back from Paris with toddler and dog to our building site home in Yorkshire so applaud your decision to push it back. It is annoying but better to have had less construction work happening around you.
Bon Courage xo
Hi Elsie! I hope the actual move will go smoothly and you will be looking back at this time of waiting and even missing it a little bit. We moved so many times, and a lot of them have been a bit dramatic, but what an experience it has been! And having a supportive wonderful husband just makes everything so much better, doesn’t it?
I just saw you guys are coming to Amsterdam soon. How cool! We live here! I have been following your website for a while now and have been secretly hoping that you might be coming to Amsterdam one day because it would be really nice to meet you! haha
Anyway, enjoy your move and the last days of summer and everything that life has for you for today. After all, life is beautiful, even now.
I’ve been watching WAY too much HGTV lately so in my head I feel like I can totally relate to your struggle. Good luck with the rest of the moving, lady! I’m sure you can’t wait to get in there and put your personal touch on things!
Chelcey | http://www.chelceytate.com
Patience has been a recurring theme for me lately! Nothing moves as fast as I want it to. Or it moves way faster! It is awesome than you are smart enough to enjoy the ride!
Ooh!! A seriously excited icelander waiting for your icelandic travel blogpost! Good luck moving and safe travels!
Good luck with the move! I can’t wait to see your new home come together.
xoxoBella | http://xoxobella.com
There’s always calm to be found in the midst of a storm. It must be the state of feeling in suspension that’s difficult. You seem to be able to hold on to all the good & dear things now and to come though. Best of luck with the move! 🙂
embrace the craziness! I`ve moved 4 different states since college and you just can`t plan this stuff – it will play out exactly how it wants to. you guys will look back and think “what a crazy ride- can`t believe we did all of that” and that right there will make you feel proud of yourselves and resilient. sending you a fist bump from Seattle! 🙂
Funny my husband and I were all set to move to Seattle but one apartment fell through and then we didn’t end up finding an apartment we liked, such that our move has been put on hold indefinitely. Autumn is my favorite season too. And like you, I’m determined to enjoy it. I’m thinking lots of positive thoughts for you guys. Love this blog, you are all so talented!
Oh whoa! Sounds crazy, all the renovations and postponing, I actually came back from my family house the other day and there, what was meant to be a garage renovation, 3 weeks tops, has turned into a full blown, both frontyard and backyard building site, 4th month is starting… I suppose that’s the thing with starting building or renovating. Good luck!
Also, dogs in blankets freak me out – in a good way. Mine would have NEVER snuggled into a blanket voluntarily
Sending all the good vibes. We moved last weekend and I can promise you that as much as you can plan and plan, your plans will ultimately change eventually and you will have to roll with the punches. Keep staying positive. All this will be worth it in the end!
Elsie, I’m so excited for you and your husband! I can only imagine how stressful it must be to relocate. I guess that’s what I have to look forward to. My husband and I live in Ohio and we plan to relocate hopefully next Fall. Nashville is at the top of our list of possible cities to move! 🙂 I’m looking forward to hearing more about your adventures and why you two fell in love with Nashville. It’ll all greatly help my husband and I during our journey. xo
Thanks Kristin!
xx- Elsie
Wow! What an exciting move!
xx- Elsie
Hang in there…. it will all be worth it.
xo
You are SO close and it’s going to be amazing! It’s so hard to feel balanced while waiting. But if anyone knows how to make a house a home, decorate, and “nest” in a short period of time – it’s you! It’s going to be beautiful and everything you dreamed it would be.
So excited for vacation pictures!!! #ABMdoesIceland?
Hehe.
xo
krisina
Thanks for sharing Elsie, best of luck with everything! 🙂
its so funny how Laura moved with Todd before they had a house sealed while you guys had it all ready to go and then in the last second, it flipped!
gotta love it!
hope all goes well!!! (:
and yes! dolly is the cutest!!! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Such stress! But I’m glad you can look ahead to the holiday time and know it will all work out – because it will!!
– Kaitlyn | http://www.TheCrownFox.com
this situation is so sucky – my husband and I have the EXACT same situation with our new (and first) house. BUT – the power of positivity is on your side. When stress comes along, just breathe deep and think of it as a great chance to appreciate one more moment in Springfield. You’ll get through. Kiss the puppies and wishing you such good vibes 🙂
I love autumn as well. It’s such a happy time of year. I wish moving could be as joyous. Oh well. Have fun in Amsterdam! It’s so lovely there. Try to go to the Anne Frank House if you can. :]
// http://www.itscarmen.com ▲
High Five, girl!!! Keepin’ it positive!
This is so timely! We’re relocating to Portland at the end of the month… Which was supposed to be the beginning of the month, and then it was going to be October, and now we’re back to September, but late. We will be renting out the home we own further south in Oregon, and renting a teeny, tiny apartment in Portland… Which was going to be Hillsboro and then was going to be Lake Oswego. Lol! Crazy back and forth, but embracing it has brought so much peace. There’s a reason for all of this, and we’ll be moved and settled in at just the right time. Cheers!
Deep breaths! I can relate. We’re finally leaving tonight but don’t have an apartment once we get there. Staying with family, but it’s not home. Christmas is definitely going to be great! You’ll be fine.
fall is the best here in nashville! you guys will love it.
welcome and good luck with the move.
This is hitting home! I’ve been planning a move out of state for a bit and as soon as I blogged about it yesterday, I found out that I had to push my plans back for 6 weeks. Oh joy! Just have to ride those waves and learn to enjoy the ride!
wwww.thequirklife.com
Home renovations, especially ones that keep you out of your home, are the hardest. An earthquake condemned our house when I was in middle school and it took months before we were able to move into our new house because the renovations took much longer than forecasted. It was rough but I definitely count that as one of the most influential times in my life. Hang in there! This will be a great story some day.
Sounds rough! Hang in there! Sending a virtual hug and a fistbump from the other side of the world!
Can’t wait for your updates on your nesting weeks in Nashville and your Iceland-trip.(let me just say how jealous I am hahahaha, but have fun!)
xx Mei
You are so adorable! I love the positivity even though things aren’t going as planned. The hardest things for me in life are when things don’t go as expect them to!
http://www.lovealwaysjess.com
Good luck! And thanks for keeping it real. 🙂
Home Alone is my favorite Christmas movie too!! When we get our first snow, I make cocoa, grab a snuggly blanket, and throw that movie in! So cozy 🙂
I’m totally living in the “we’re supposed to be gone, but we’re still here!” thing right now! I thought for sure we’d be starting our new life in our new city by now, but things happen, right?!
I’m loving these more personal posts lately! I’m so excited for you guys to finally move to Nashville. I’m actually the complete opposite to you and hate the nesting stage hah! I’d so much rather just move and everything be complete and everything in their places already, kinda like just going on holiday haha! I’m sure everything will go fine and you’ll be settled in in no time!
xo April | April Everyday
Thank you for sharing your story! Moving can be so tough and it doesn’t always go the way you planned (and planned and planned and planned!). It’s nice to hear someone talk about that part of an exciting move.
I look forward to hearing your updates as they come along, and seeing the progress on your beautiful home!
It’s nice to see the hard real life side of things!
I’m currently moving too (halfway across Australia), though my husband moved seven months ago. I needed to stay behind to wind up commitments and projects and get our house ready to lease.. These seven months have been HARD. Even when all the things happening in life are good, it doesn’t mean change is easy.
Good luck! You guys will be 100% fine, and life will start to feel more settled soon. Sending you all the positive vibes.
xx
Oh how lucky you are to be moving in autumn! I am imagining it right now and i am sure it will be beautiful and memorable – and the temperatures in autumn are way better for a move 🙂 Sending you lots of good energies and wishing you an amazing move ! xx
ps. i´ve been a reader of your blog for a few years, however this is the first time i´ve commented a post – something about this one i guess 😉
The anticipation of moving, with constantly rescheduled dates, is excruciating! Am in a similar position where a move abroad has been pushed back from July…to end August….to end Sept….due to circumstances beyond our control.
Learning to manage expectations, frustration, excitement, nerves…it’s a tall order and I’m beginning to feel maybe it’ll never happen! Staying in the moment and enjoying where I am is the hardest, because I am SO ready to get out of this town.
Best of luck with the move and can’t wait to see more updates!
Harry… I’ve reached the top!
Aw, I know exactly what you’re talking about – I bought and renovated an apartment at the beginning of this year, and the renovation process has given me so many new grey hairs it should be illegal 🙂 I’m crossing my fingers for you – good luck with the big move and happy first weeks in your new home!
moving is so stressful! hope you get things organised and have fun!xxxx
https://justthatdiy.wordpress.com
Lovely post!
http://www.killthemwithchic.com
Totally get the packed up anxiety. Our little bungalow is (finally!) getting new windows and there’s dust everywhere, everyday, all the time. We packed everything up and put plastic over it to be safe; which is great but also drives me a little cray. I’m hoping by Halloween things will kind of get back to normal..fall is my favorite too!!
So, give you an ‘AMEN’ and an ‘ugh huh, don’t I know it’. Here’s to hoping we can get back to some kind of normal, whatever that is. 🙂
Looking forward to seeing the finished product and hearing about life in Nashville.
XX Ananlog House
http://theanaloghouse.blogspot.com
You can do it! I just moved and the paint alone made a huge difference! I just hang up little things everyday and be positive with the small victories :] Your house will be ultra cool!
You are going to love living in Nashville! My daughter is a student at Belmont University and she is totally smitten with her new city. I wish you safe travels on your journey south.
Thanks for sharing this. I love your positivity in the chaos. Everything will work out just fine 🙂
You’ve got this Elsie! I know that moving can be such a pain … there was a period where I moved SEVEN times in FOUR years … um … CRAZY!!!! I also did the half way across the country thing by moving back from Los Angeles here to Kansas City. I can’t even imagine adding in stressful renovations into the mix!
But it will all be over soon and you’ll be nesting- sending gabby vibes your way! 🙂
xoxo
Allison
http://www.wonderlass.com
We are thinking about buying a fixer upper here in town (Nashville) and I’m wondering if your post is a sign from the stars to pass on this house. We have little ones and delays would be stress filled. On the bright side its in the 90s this week. So you are missing out on that. Hoping it all works out and that you soon can be here in Nashville.
Oh my gosh, I can’t even. I’m 32 weeks pregnant and the idea of moving (it’s 100+ here now too!) is just scary. It’s hard to believe that 2 years ago when I was pregnant with my 20 month old, we were moving into this house. I don’t envy you, but it will be over soon!
UGH. I only say that because all of this is exactly what I needed to hear. That and a reminder that God’s timing is always better anyway. My husband & I are in the middle of a house hunt and so far it’s not been fruitful. I’ve been growing weary, but I really found your words to bring encouragement. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Thanks so much for being honest and sharing all that!! I’m sending a high five your way. I think you guys are extremely brave and adventurous it is truly inspiring!
My cat freaked out when we boxed up our home to move, too. He’s finally settled in but he freaked out a little when we started unpacking, too. However, encouraging husbands make every move so much easier!
I transplanted to Nashville 5.5 years ago from midwest, and sadly autumn here is a little wonky. The leaves still fall, but yet its anywhere between 70-90 degrees so its not always comfortable in boots and flannel. Based on your description of lots of renovation projects, i’m guessing you scored a deal in East Nashville- gorgeous homes and such a neat culture / neighborhood.
Welcome to the south when you finally get here 🙂
We totally had the same problema few yesrs ago! But after two month we had to move in as we couldn’t afford to pay rent and mortgage forbthe new place. We moved in Nov and had no heatin or propper floors. Had the best Xmas ever as by then most of it was finished. Its so hard when you go trough this, but you’ll learn for next time and soon its forgotten and you are all gappy settled in.
All the best for the move and start in a new city!! Cant wait to see your updates. Xx
Wow, sounds like everything that could get in your way did! Best of luck, I hope all the mishaps are over with!
I’m still living with some boxes in our one bedroom apartment that I moved into in April & then got married in June so the hubs moved in (still not all the way!), so if we can make it in the transition, I know you guys are gonna have a gorgeous place just up the road from me! Excited to see your Nashville adventures & I’ll keep my eye out for you all when we are up visiting family & friends!
Ok. Please please please snapchat while you are in Iceland! I really want to see awesome things!!!
Your positivity is inspiring! To say the very least, I can relate right now. (Our lives are mirroring each other right now—more or less.) Having your life in boxes when all you want is to be settled into your new home makes your head spin when you are thinking about all that needs done. But you’re right. We need to take it one day at a time, be adaptable, appreciate the fact we get a break from it all and travel to Europe, and really… just chill.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Yay! So exciting. Good luck with your move. Can’t wait to see all the work done to your beautiful new home!
Boo for moving delays!
Yay for good times in Amsterdam!!! 😀
Carrie
http://www.wearwherewell.com
Moving is so hard!!! Best of luck to you! <3
where are all of those wire baskets from!! love them!
I’m waiting on a spouse visa to join my husband in another country, and it’s taking AGES…and honestly, people asking about when I’ll be moving and why I’m still here is almost worse than the wait itself 🙁 I pretty much have a script ready at this point.
Good luck on your move btw! Hope the puppies settle down quickly at the new place 🙂
http://www.adrianathani.com
You’ll learn a lot from your move about yourself and your imperfections and your marriage (and also probably how much stuff you have!). I moved last year with my husband (who is in the military) to Italy and it was so, so hard. I had to let go of all the expectations and planning and scheduling while I waited for the bureaucratic process of the military, which was a nightmare (my husband arrived in Italy about six months before I was able to). But our marriage is stronger because of it and I learned a lot that I didn’t like about myself (like how I freak out if things don’t go according to plan) and now I feel like I can deal with anything.
It will get better and it will be over eventually! One step at a time. I used to tell myself after every step was completed, like getting my Italian driver’s license: “I’m 75% a person now!”
Katie
http://www.freckleandfair.com
Hang in there! I give you so much credit for juggling as much as you do while making a big move. Power boss lady for sure 😀
I hope the rest of the moving process goes really well for you guys! We just moved 15 hours from Calgary, AB (Canada) to a small island off the coast of BC. It’s definitely an adjustment, but exciting all the same, and I’m sure once you get in your new home and see all the fresh changes you’ll be ready to decorate like a boss! Also, I love those wire baskets in the first photo. Where did you find them?
Lauren.
Love your updates and your honesty about it not always being all sunshine and puppy dogs 🙂 Can’t wait to see how it all progresses when you do get to Nashville!
Kate xx
http://www.thrillofthechaise.net
It’s going to be so worth it! I love reading about your adventures. Your project sounds quite intense, but I believe in you! Long distance must be a bummer. Sounds like you have great friends in Nashville looking out for you. If anyone can handle all of this, Jeremy and you can!
Living surrounded by boxes right now. Yours are more beautiful. Any unpacking tips?