A New Year and a new home

I was determined that I was going to spend Christmas Eve at my new house. After attending a pair of Christmas Eve services, I headed down to the house. I’d seen a bunch of police cars in town so I knew that something was going on. After jumping in bed, I scanned Facebook on my phone and saw that there had been an armed robbery at the Family Dollar store just a few miles away. I was a bit nervous as they were warning everyone to lock their doors as the suspect had not been apprehended.

That made my first night at bit nerve-wracking. My house is on a dead-end road in a rural area, so I did not sleep really well. What were natural house noises and what might be something else? I finally fell asleep and woke up Christmas morning at my new home! It was snowing at that point so I got my stuff together and headed to my parents as my sister, brother-in-law, nieces, and nephew were headed there as well before the weather got too bad.

I continued to stay at my parent’s house for a few nights after Christmas as we continued to work each day at the house. The biggest accomplishment was getting the hot water heater hooked up so that I could have hot water. That is kind of a necessity.

Thursday my sister and her family came down for another work day. We seem to get so much done when they are around. We got the light installed over the sink, the microwave and cabinet hung above the stove, and a clothes rod put up so that I could move all my hanging clothes to my new house. My niece helped me bring an entire car load of stuff from my parent’s house to my house.

I got a long curtain rod and curtains to put in the loft for Christmas. Eventually I’d like to have sliding barn-like doors in the loft, but wanted some curtains in the meantime. I’m on a dead end road, but there is still some traffic.

There is a large flock of turkeys at the house which have been interesting to watch. There were about 20 of them the other day, and there are turkey prints everywhere. It’s so funny to watch them all walk up and down the field, as it’s usually in a line.

Friday, I went grocery shopping and bought groceries for my new house. I also signed up for internet, which will make me much happier at the new house. When I worked at UMaine, I worked with quite a few hockey players who are currently playing in the NHL. Each night, I typically listen to a game with at least one former Black Bear via the NHL app. These days it’s usually either Vancouver, Detroit, or Dallas. I’ve never really been a fan of television – I actually don’t even have one –  but I really enjoy listening to the hockey games. It’s hard not being able to do that.

The progress is really unbelievable. The house is certainly not finished, but the fact that it is livable at this point is just a dream come true! It has not been without a few frustrations lately. My parents come to my house to work every single day except for Sunday. I am overwhelmed with guilt dealing with it. I work during the week and I also want to do coffee with friends, shop, etc. on the weekend. I don’t want to work every single day and I would actually prefer them not, but they want to. It’s too cold to do anything outside they say, but I just wish they’d slow down a bit. I guess if you know my Dad, however, you know that he is not capable of slowing down.

Happy New Year everyone! Hoping that 2018 has less drama than 2017 did for my family, but continuing to praise God for all the blessings of 2017!

Laura Reed

About Laura Reed

After 15 years in college athletics, the last seven as an assistant athletics director, I was burned out with 70-hour work weeks and extensive travel. I resigned my position and accepted a position in marketing at a small, vibrant college in my hometown of Unity, Maine. In the process I wanted to go back to my childhood where we raised polled Herefords, had a Christmas Tree Farm and spent many hours outside. I decided I wanted to build my own home on beautiful farmland that my family owns. With help from my Dad, the most talented person I’ve ever met, we are building my home together. I have decided to blog my experience – the ups and downs, the joys and frustrations. What was once an open field will one day be my home! The dream in my head is becoming reality. I can just see the lambs frolicking in the field, chickens in the barnyard and going running with my Alaskan Malamute!