This week marks 1 month in North Carolina so I thought I would share a journal-type post today sharing how I’m feeling.
I’m so happy we’re here and we were able to move into our house just over a week ago. I’m really starting to fall in love with the area and with the arrival of our team this week (including two of my sisters!), and my mom visiting–it has helped everything feel like home. Every time I go outside, I think — this feels so good.
I am usually still in sweaters or jackets for health reasons (a big reason we moved here), but I’m able to be outside so much more which has felt really energizing. Even the wind is warm. The rain is warm. I’ve been meeting with some amazing doctors and getting new care and new medications and without focusing too much on my health (I really prefer to keep it private right now), I have hope for our quality of life as a family in the future and that feels good.
This is not where I expected to be one month after living here. Both good and bad. On the good, in addition to everything above, my mom is already here visiting for 10 days. Like, pinch me! I wish we had all of our things here (more on the moving company drama at a later time)–we’ve had to rebuy mattresses and some things only parts are here. But I’m enjoying setting up our home with what we do have. I have even hung some things on the wall because that creative act of zhushing brings me so much joy and calm. Polly was so sad when she saw all of her things in her room set up how they were in Idaho because she thought she was getting a new room. I laughed and thought I felt so happy when I saw everything the same.
Sometimes I get these realizations when I’m cleaning up my house and unpacking like I’m going to host a game night and all my friends from Idaho are going to be coming over–but then remember that the people I’m imagining filling this home with aren’t coming over on Friday.
But! Our team is here. It feels so good that our team is here. The last few got here this week. Certain people are home and these people are definitely home. I’m sometimes afraid to say anything isn’t great and perfect and wonderful because when you make a really big change, that affects a lot of people’s life, you want it to feel perfect. But sometimes the right thing doesn’t feel good all the time.
I’m happy to be here and I’m sad to be here. I’m feeling better, but I’ve also had a flare up. The girls love swimming every day and catching fireflies, and sometimes they cry over zoom calls with friends they’re missing. It feels so good to be surrounded by some familiar things in our home, but I’m stressed about getting the rest of our things here. Eating out has been such a highlight with so many incredible healthy restaurants, but I miss a home cooked meal.
It can be both. It is both. But at the end of the day, I am so grateful we’re here in this beautiful home surrounded by so many new sights and sounds (frogs and locusts are my new lullaby). I’m grateful we have an opportunity to make this place our own and I can’t wait to take you along for the ride.
New house content starts next week!
Other fun things this week!
For our last week of CLJ Summer School, we are talking all about how to love your home by having someone over. I am a homebody by all means. I thrive off having friends and family over and entertaining. I don’t go all out on decorations or plan a fancy tablescape. For me, it’s small things like having my favorite scented candle going or one of Chris’s charcuterie boards on my favorite serve board.
I rounded up a few of my entertaining favorites for your next gathering!
1. Etched Vase $89 The most beautiful vase to fill with freshly cut stems from the yard.
2. Acacia Salad Servers $24 Making salad fancy.
3. Cotton Fringe Napkins $16 Love the black and white!
4. Wood Tondo Bowl $6 Tried and true. Use these for everything!
5. Acacia Wood Serve Board $30 Another favorite. Gimme all the charcuterie boards.
6. Dinner Plates (set of 8) $44 Our everyday favorites.
7. Tiered Stand $79 The black metal is a classic.
8. Brass Candlesticks $22 To make it feel special.
9. Wits & Wagers $18 Such a fun party game! We played this with over a dozen people on Friendsgiving and EVERYONE was so into it.
10. Cutting Board & Ceramic Bowl Set $15 The prettiest set up.
11. Handled Platter $35 We’ve had these for years! The perfect serve-ware dish.
12. Greenery & Cream Tablecloth $148 I want to be a tablecloth kind of person.
13. Round Wood Charcuterie Board $165 My go-to.
14. White Enamel Party Bucket $69 Cute way to keep drinks out and cold.
15. Acrylic Drink Dispenser with Wood Stand $79 Can’t forget the stand. Never have to hang it over the edge of the counter again.
16. Hey Robot $24 I have never laughed harder!!!
Weekend Sales
Amazon: Shop our Amazon Storefront here! (one of the best vintage dupes)
Anthropologie: 20% off select entertaining (cutest cooler tote I ever did see)
Everlane: Up to 60% off! (my favvv)
Nordstrom: Anniversary Sale (tried and true oversized crewneck. i have an xl)
One King’s Lane: Warehouse Sale (this & this)
The House of Noa: Summer Sale up to 40% select items plus code CHRISLOVESJULIA for 10% off on all items (love their standing mats)
West Elm: Extra 50% off select clearance with code EXTRA50 (these are so fun)
World Market: Save up to 40% on outdoor (loving this)
We just moved across the country a couple of weeks ago for my boyfriend to start medical school later in life than is typical and it has been so comforting to read your posts and see both the good and the bad. It’s so true – the right thing doesn’t always feel good and it’s so hard! Thanks for sharing it with us.
This post is so uplifting. Thank you! I get the feeling that SO MANY things are so hard right now. BUT…BUT you are choosing to show the good. And I love that.
Please y’all stop moving here there’s way to me freaking people it’s making traffic atrocious and not fun to live in such a big city anymore! 😒
Are you serious? This is not a constructive comment. Talk to local officials if you want to see traffic changes in your community.
Oh my word. That is called a “bubble thought”.
Love this post, Julia! Living through a move/renovation combo as well and really connect with feeling every spectrum of emotion about it. You put it into words beautifully!
It can be both is powerful.
Love this post. Life is both! Life is grey area and nuance. And it’s beautiful all the same. We’ve moved cross country. It’s so special and a lot to grieve. Sending strength!