It’s been a crazy time. Unpacking, work, decorating, shopping, work, trying to get fresh air and enjoy the spring…it’s always a crazy time of year.

Holy Week was insane this time: I ended up with an extra gig fairly last minute and between that and all my teaching it was exhausting, but in retrospect, fun and satisfying. I played at 4 different churches and 5 different services! Probably overdid it, but I’m still here.

We are working on getting our house even more in order. I won’t say I’m done unpacking yet, but I’m getting really close. We’ve gotten quite a few new things, but that’s slowing down soon. We just have a couple more rugs we need, some little lamps, and maybe a light fixture, and then we are really doing well. I’m sure there will be other things overtime, but as far as initially getting the house how we want it…we are almost there. Today the last of the chairs we’d ordered for the living room arrived, and I’ll share pictures with you later.

Teaching at my house has been going really well. Sometimes I ask myself why I even leave: it’s a wonderful place to teach and it’s so nice just to be at home to work! But then I go and play with other people and that’s a lot of fun, to interact with colleagues.

People ask if we are getting settled. Yes, but I still feel like I’m on some sort of vacation in this house. It feels like home, but nicer. I pinch myself pretty often to be so lucky to have purchased this place! The cats enjoy it too.

Just some updated cat photos for you! Life will settle down here once school is done, but until then, it’s crazy (as always). I’m really looking forward to this weekend: Augustin Hadelich is playing a solo violin recital as part of the Great Artists Series at Wash U. I also have a fair amount of free time, and we are going out to dinner on Saturday night with friends and then going to Jazz St Louis. AND Friday and Monday my morning job is off school so I may finally get to sleep in a little bit. It’s a happy time!

I’m trying to manage my stress and remind myself that the house is terrific, that it doesn’t need to be perfect yet or ever, and it’s okay if my garage is full of boxes (hey, if you need any and you are local, let me know!) but there is so much work…I can’t wait for vacation and for things to settle down a bit. Until then, I will sit on my velvet couches when possible and enjoy the windows and watching the cats!

We made it through the move! It was a stressful time leading up to it, but the actual moving day was easy and smooth. Trick: hire movers.

The day started rainy and we were nervous about having all our things moved in the rain, but by the time the truck arrived it had stopped raining. Since we aren’t getting rid of the old house yet (planning to do some fixing up first before dealing with it) we didn’t have the added pressure of having to get absolutely everything out and clean as well…I’ve done plenty of those moves in the past!

The movers were great: quick and professional. The whole move took just over 4 hours and then it was time to start unpacking! And (other than some gigs) that is what I’ve been doing for the past week. I’ve spent hours unpacking, moving boxes around, all of those fun things, and I have to say, the house is better and more amazing than I even thought it would be.

One of the more stressful parts of moving day was moving the cats. While the movers were at the old house, we put them in the bathroom to wait. Then we tried to load them into their carriers. Muriel went easily, but Miles was doing that cat thing where he became basically liquid and it was very challenging to get him into his carrier!

I drove the cats over ahead of the truck and got them settled into a basement room. Muriel seemed thrilled that we hadn’t arrived at the vet, but Miles was terrified and frantically looking for a hiding place in the room I placed them.

After the move was done Muriel was ready and eager to explore. I’m not sure if she is brave or stupid, but she couldn’t wait to get out and see where she was. Miles needed some time to hide, so we let him do his thing, and by evening he was venturing out a little bit.

By now the cats are super comfy here and chasing each other all over. We got a few new cat trees and scratchers for them to use as well, so it’s basically cat heaven.

One of the two new couches I ordered has been delivered and it’s fantastic! I read mixed things about Joybird, but their couches looked awesome and comfortable, and I hoped that the delivery issues people complained about were pandemic related, and it turned out well. Our couch was delivered during the week they said it would be, and the color, texture, and feel is amazing.

There’s still work to be done unpacking, particularly in the kitchen. We had a painter do a lot of the walls, but we decided to do a few things in the kitchen ourselves, mostly because we plan to remodel in the next few years. There is an amazing pantry, but it was this blue color that I didn’t care for, so we finally finished painting it white yesterday. I would spend today unpacking the kitchen and getting it set up, but I have a rehearsal and a concert, so that will have to wait, though I’ll manage a bit this morning.

I start teaching here tomorrow though, so I’ve done a lot of the office set up.

I feel lucky in that all my students have agreed to come to have lessons at my new house. It’s not terribly far, but for some of them it will add 10 to 15 minutes each way. I am looking forward to getting back to work–I told Louie yesterday that if I weren’t starting up this week I don’t know if I ever could again: I enjoy teaching and love my students, but I’ll tell you, it’s been nice to just be doing stuff around the house all day and playing some gigs.

However, it’ll be back to teaching, but there is just 7-8 weeks left until summer vacation. Less for my college students, more for my private students, and everything else in between. There’s a lot happening between now and then: NFMC Festival, my studio recital, school concert, college recital, Holy week services (SO many!), several concerts and performances on my end (more being added all the time, gah!) and some visits from family. It’ll be a busy time, but nothing too terrible for the most part. I can’t believe it is almost April!

I’ve got laundry going right now and I do want to get some work in the kitchen, so I’d better go. What have you been up to lately?

Things are moving along: the house is painted, the floors are waxed, and the moving truck is coming on Thursday! I’m finishing up teaching, packing like a crazy person, and just trying to keep my head above water. I ordered two couches and both are being shipped as we speak.

Once we are done moving, the unpacking will commence, but hopefully also the “normal life” again, of doing things other than working or preparing to move/working on the house. May I recommend NOT moving during the school year, if you are an overbooked and overworked teacher?

See you on the other side of everything!

Things sure are crazy around here!

We made it through our second household bout with COVID well: I was unscathed and Louie recovered quickly. We’ve been busy busy with the house, life, work, etc. I’ve been spending all my free time at the new house, or browsing the internet for ideas for decor, closet design, etc. We have our moving date set (ONE MONTH) and in between still lots to do: you might think this is taking a long time, but really, it’s moving as fast as we can. The paint is looking great, and the plaster cracks are getting fixed and will be basically nonexistent soon. We are getting the floors waxed and cleaned soon.

Basically I sound and feel like a crazy overwhelmed person! In between I’m teaching, playing entirely too many concerts, and oh, did I mention our washing machine at the “old” house broke so I can only currently do laundry at the new house?

But, it will all be WELL worth it in the end, when we move, when we get to live in this glorious space. The bedroom color is gorgeous, the couches are ordered and will be delivered at some point in the spring, and I’ve picked up a few new (to me) things on facebook marketplace.

Anyway, I’ve posted a fair amount on Instagram over the past month, so look for me there as well for more house stuff.