What if I could get my hands on that West Virginia house for a while?
Saturday, 3 January, 2009 at 3:25 PM 
More than 15 years ago on the phone with Cindi, I told her about my great new idea to move to New York and work as a nanny. Her response was, "The only thing you could do that would surprise me is die." She's gonna' love this one.
Earlier today I spent an hour and 14 minutes on the phone with my dad trying to sell him on the idea of how he and Mom should let me "borrow" my grandparents' West Virginia house for a while. The house they still haven't sold, and will likely be putting on the market later this summer. Maybe a few weeks...maybe a few months. Who's to say? I just realized this morning that while I've thought of this possibility off and on for years, it's exactly what I want to do. (Of course if you know me very well, it won't be lost on you that in 3 days I could want something else equally. Trifles. I cannot be bothered with those right now. I have some plans to make. If they'll let me.)
I've been working on this phase of a possible "mid-life crisis" for a few years now. During recent weeks and months I've recognized the inner rumblings of Some Honkin Change. Again. But more. Didn't know what form it would take. Didn't care. Just thought I'd sit it out and wait to find out how it manifested.
The writer in me craves the idea of a retreat from all I know. Which is odd 'cause I'm an extrovert who's surrounded by way cool people in a very fine town. Why would I want to leave this behind? Or even put it on hold?
I do not know. There is no way to explain to you the nomadic gypsy leanings that pull me sometime, but if you talked to my Alabama Granddaddy he would help you see it's not really that big a deal at all. I love my Granddaddy. Need to go see him, too, when I start this rambling I'm about to do. But first I think I need to try some Totally By Myself time.
Of course when I hung up the phone, Daddy subtly pointed out that we hadn't decided anything for sure yet. Which I realize. But the conversation was very, very promising. To me, anyway. We discussed details: the need to get a little fridge in the kitchen, the fact that plumbing and electricity are handled, that the stove works fine and although there's an inflatable mattress I might want to actually move a bed into the house so I could be really comfortable. We're pretty sure Internet should be okay. I have to know this for sure; cannot move to a place where I can't do my job. But if the 'net can be brought into my home, I can go anywhere. And with Skype, which I finally bothered to embrace, I should be able to do video chats with Mr. Pie.
Oh the details. It's the sort of thing I would usually keep out of the blog until it was more than a whim. But today I have to write it. These thoughts, these not-yet-plans-but-we're-thinking-about-it... these are the things that fill my mind today and even if it doesn't happen, I decided I'd try something new for the new year. A little more disclosure for the blog. Why not? After 4 years maybe a little more disclosure is exactly what this blog needs to inject some life into it.
Sit tight. I'll let you know if I wake up tomorrow as excited as I am now, or if I totally change my mind. There's something very cool about not knowing, yet, though!
Happy 2009, eh?
Melody
Called folks back to find out if they'd given any more thought to My Big Idea. Mom had a few terms to throw out, then said, "I don't have a problem with it!" (And as Dad kept pointing out, it's her house.) She's excited I'm willing to scrape wallpaper and paint a bathroom, maybe hang some blinds. By the end of the conversation I was also washing windows. :) Washing windows can contribute to the zenlike state I'm looking for, though, right?
Thanks Mom and Dad! Seriously. I can't believe how excited I am to go spend time in this house. Now the work begins. It'll take at least a month to make this transition come together. But I'm not afraid of a little old challenge.
2009 is going to be interesting. I can already tell!
Reader Comments (10)
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO......!!!!!!
But on the other hand, sounds very cool and like something I would do. I totally get the urge to "reinvent." Hope all works out as you wish it to.
Darlin' it's really very close. I promise. Like only about 3 hours or so from where I am now. I'll plot the drive to your house, too. Maybe you'll put me up for a couple of days when the solitude gets to be too much and I have to come back out of those mountains.
Take me too! lol
Funny, I sent an email to someone today and this is what I wrote:
I've made only one resolution so far that I hope to keep and that is to travel a bit this year BY. MY. SELF! I am wanting desperately to go to Greensboro, N.C. to meet my friend Melody's who is an artist in many ways, jewelry, clay, web design, blogger. I just have a desire and want to make things, hands in clay, going to the artisan shops that hubby hates to go in, enjoy some good food, drink some great wine... If I say it enough it could happen :) I need a reboot!
and now you might be gone :(
Sounds wonderful, truly wonderful
I think it's the best idea you've had in awhile! You could write a book about WV while ur there...maybe with a twist, like something good about the state and how one can go there to find themself....think mountainy, hickish, Eat Pray Love.... maybe a cats version: Eat, Stretch, Sleep; or a dork's version: Eat, Click, Blog....sorry, I'm entertaining myself at your expense during yet a n o t h e r football game!
I know! You could get a Volkswsgon while there and your book could be Mel and her VW in WV! Oh, sorry, take my keyboard away from me now....and I'm not even imbibing. I think it's great and perhaps what you need to welcome in your 40th!
Btw, I don't remember saying that 15 years ago, though I'm sure I did...as dying is the only thing you could do to surprise me!
The best reason for you being there is because it would be good for you. You will be "on the way" when we visit our friends in Lindside, West Virginia.
Be sure to tell your mom that a house sells better when it is lived in. Also, you need someone there to have proper insurance and all that stuff. Just think...if you get it together and like it, there will be no reason to post a "for sale" sign. Living at the old home place is the best placed to be. l
Yep, I think a book is definitely in your future. Someone told me that Appalachian books are popular these days.
l
Jen, come anyway - who knows where I'll be by the time you're ready to come to the east coast? This could turn out to last way less long than I'm imagining.
Cindi, you're very funny. But I'm glad you like the idea. When I'm calling you in the middle of the night, freaked out over some noise I heard behind the house, you get to remind me of what a great idea it was.
Lynn, you can stop and visit me!!! I'm catching this "Melody needs to write a book" theme in these comments. I'll be just fine with some fun blog posts. Although you never know what could come. Oh. But about the Moving There For Real thing. No. Don't think so. Seriously. It's a lovely place, but not "me" for long-term living. I need either lots of interesting happenings or my beloved peeps to keep me entertained, over time...
I'm reading this late. I'm just reading this today. BIG NEWS, and I get it late. This is Awesome Melody. Here's what you need:
1. A bandana to tie your hair up with like Rosie the Riveter (while you paint, wallpaper, sand, scrape, etc). I think Classic Red is your color.
2. Good speakers for your ipod, so you can listen to all the music you listened to as a little girl goin' visitin' Grandmamma and Granddaddy (while you paint, wallpaper, sand, scrape, etc)
3. Such terrific books!!! Wait until you get to town to get these, so that you can go to the local bookstore, where you will run into a big-grinning man who wants to take you out. (You will demure of course. You're having Alone Time. But he's so persuasive- and the way he shoves his hands into his pockets...)
O.K. now go.
Brenna
Be careful and lock the doors when you go to bed when you get up there. It will do you good up there ! I hope everything turns out good for you.
Love,
"Alabama Granddaddy"
Mel, When I heard the news, I thought it was terrific! It brought back so many memories from our childhood summer visits. I have a picture of the old barn that makes me go for a visit every time I see it. This will be a good opportunity for you to have some solitude and renewal. Keep us posted on your move, and your progress on the old place. I think you're a great choice for a "homestead house-sitter." Who knows. You might fall in love with the old place?
Love,
Ev
Ev, I meant to respond to this. You too, Granddaddy. Thank you. I'm looking forward to it. And now, less than a week away, it's actually happening. So many "real life details" are in the way of too much excitement at the moment, but still, I'm looking forward to it. We'll see and yes, I'll keep you posted on how it goes! Cheers! And love you too... (PS: I'll take more photos of the barn.)