Wow – the last few months have been an incredibly busy time! As you might recall, we bought a house about 90 miles outside NYC way back in June of this year. I spent the Summer playing ‘General Contractor.’ I oversaw the weekend house renovations while the Mr. stayed in the City to work. Summer wound down and our kitchen cabinets hadn’t arrived yet. At the end of August, we bit the bullet and moved our things from storage into the kitchen-less country house.

I arrived back in the City sometime during the month of September. I never quite got settled in the weekend house. Come October, we received our lease renewal in the City. The landlords had their head in the clouds. They raised our rent an ungodly amount. So much so, I was I was given no choice but to take on the task of finding us a new apartment. For three weeks, I saw everything on the island of Manhattan within our price range. I must have viewed – I dunno – at least 45 different apartments – if not more!

I spent a ridiculous amount of time searching for a new place for me and the Mr. to hang our hats while we’re in the City. The good news is that we found a place that feels more like home than I ever could have imagined. It’s a little one bedroom that is nestled in an opulent vintage New York mansion. My impression is that we are not getting neighbors, but something more like housemates or (dare I say?) new family members. I stumbled into something truly exquisite.

We moved in the City this past Monday and the kitchen arrived in the country on Wednesday. I’m up to my eyeballs in moving boxes and dust every which way I turn my gaze. I must admit, I am overwhelmed and overjoyed – all at one time! The new City apartment is all the way Uptown. It’s a brand new start for us in more ways than one.

I’m so happy that we left the Financial District. For me, it will always be inextricably linked to that year that we spent waiting with baited breath for our next step in life to present itself. From Fall of 2008 through the Spring of 2010, we had such a stagnant, uncertain feeling. Much of that time was spent in the FiDi, just a few steps from Wall Street. For those of you who know the story, I am sure you’d agree that it’s all quite ironic.

I am currently in country watching the cabinet installers do their thing. Of course, that project has had it’s own issues. The Mr. invited family for Thanksgiving and we’re nowhere close to having a completed kitchen. I am aching to get back to the City and hunker down there. Seems it would be easiest to get settled in the City since it’s small and completely renovated. Have you ever just wished that there were two of you to do your job? I feel that way right now. I am torn as to which task to tackle first.

All this life excitement, moving, and disorganization has been reeking havoc on my ability to sleep. I’ve been waking up in the wee hours in a bit of a panic. I just want to be in a place that feels like home so darn bad! I guess I just need to remember to take things one step at a time. Eventually it will all come together, right?

{All images credited to Country Living Magazine}

The images in this post came from a digital sketch book post I wrote on ABCD Design called ‘Crushing on Country Collections’ where I gave tips on displaying collections in your home. Please stop by for some helpful hints!