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The episode that never will be…

December 3rd, 2012

Mr. Chiots here filling in for Susy. As I write this it is midnight, in six hours we are climbing in moving truck #2 and heading back to Maine. This past week has been intense. We celebrated two Thanksgivings and one Christmas. I harvested 3 deer which yielded around 130 lbs of meat. Susy picked up 50 chickens and a turkey for the freezer. We visited with friends and family. I picked up the worst cold I have had in years. To top it all off, we signed our end of the closing papers and had to have the place cleaned out as we will not be back in Ohio until long after the buyers give us the check (or someone gives us a check).

Today as we loaded the last piece of our lives on the big yellow truck, we had full intentions of recording a podcast from our empty house, sharing memories that had been made there over the past 10 years. It never happened, and therefore will never happen. Time was too tight and we were WAY too tired.

But Susy and I took a few minutes and walked around. We shared memories of each room. Of ding and dents. Of projects past. Of changing careers, and doing it again. Of building a successful business in the office. Memories of friends that dined with us and family that visited regularly around our table. Of the gardens and the transformation of them. As the memories folded over me I began to weep. Susy hugged me and asked “Are you sad?”. I shook my head but could not speak. After wiping my tears and catching my breath I replied, “I am not sad. I am happy we have these memories and I realize this house is not these memories nor are the things on that truck. Our memories are us.” I hugged her again and we both told each other, “I love you.”

One other thing that happened in the last ten years is this blog and all of you coming and reading about our simple life. So thank you. Thank you for sharing in our lives as we share them with you. You don’t know how much we appreciate the encouragement that you give. We are excited to continue this journey with you.

Here’s to the next memory!

Next week we will return to our previously scheduled program.

30 Comments to “The episode that never will be…”
  1. Mich on December 3, 2012 at 6:10 am

    I raise my glass, (well actually it’s a mug of fresh coffee) and drink to wish you many more happy memories.
    Hope you get rid of your stinker of a cold too.

    Reply to Mich's comment

  2. kristin @ going country on December 3, 2012 at 6:29 am

    I think that would be memorieS, plural, many, many of them. And here’s hoping they’re mostly happy ones.

    Reply to kristin @ going country's comment

  3. Marina C on December 3, 2012 at 6:39 am

    We moved at lot! But where ever we were, winthin days of moving in, with familiar furniture and bedding and one’s own and familiar mug for tea our pets around, we found that we were home as soon as we sat down to our first meal cooked together. Our kids never found moving traumatic, always the start to a new adventure. We are like snails, what’s most important, we take with us!
    Here my cuppa raised to your new adventures and memories!
    PS: take a little rest abs a cup of lemon verbena for your cold.

    Reply to Marina C's comment

  4. Lisa@The Cutting Edge of Ordinary on December 3, 2012 at 8:05 am

    It’s been a bit of a weepy week for me too (for different reasons though). Thank you for sharing your life with us. I know when things are getting really crazy and you feel the world spinning out of control a bit, it’s nice to come here and visit with you guys. Here’s to happy memories.

    Reply to Lisa@The Cutting Edge of Ordinary's comment

  5. jennifer fisk on December 3, 2012 at 9:04 am

    Safe travels back to your new home in Liberty. I was in your general area yesterday, Unity, Thorndike and Belfast. You’ve picked a great area to live in. That would be my next choice if I were moving.

    Reply to jennifer fisk's comment

  6. Denimflyz on December 3, 2012 at 9:15 am

    This is, I’m quite sure was the hardest post to do, Mr Chiots. Your home was a intergrated part of your lives, its a part of the whole. I am sensitive of things, and personally, feel that sharing this is for only you and Susy. It is so hard to let go, but like you said, happy tears, sometimes a fear of the unknown, and a leap of faith takes your lives into the next chapter, like a book. Your new home is the book, the pages are the days to come, and your lives are the words.
    This will only make your marriage stronger, but wiser.
    Congratulations on your move and stellar job.

    Reply to Denimflyz's comment

  7. Misti on December 3, 2012 at 9:25 am

    Moving is always hard! I completely understand and we too go from room to room and look at everything, even in the places we only lived for a year.

    I hope the rest of the move back to Maine is smooth!

    Reply to Misti's comment

  8. Songbirdtiff on December 3, 2012 at 10:18 am

    Very sweet. When I think back on the lovely memories I have I remember that we are exceedingly blessed…not everyone has beautiful memories. I can’t wait to read all about the new life in Maine!

    Reply to Songbirdtiff's comment

  9. Jaye on December 3, 2012 at 10:21 am

    I understand what you’re both going through, although I would have never been able to articulate what you have so beautifully.

    I’m happy you have had these experiences to share and hope that you have many, many more beautiful experiences as you proceed through life together.

    Safe travels back home!

    Reply to Jaye's comment

  10. Maybelline on December 3, 2012 at 10:39 am

    Awwww. You gotta be sad. Good byes are rough.

    Reply to Maybelline's comment

  11. Beth K on December 3, 2012 at 10:43 am

    This is so sweet! I hope you guys have save travels today. I’m looking forward to reading along as you two make many more new memories through the years!

    Reply to Beth K's comment

  12. Rhonda on December 3, 2012 at 12:19 pm

    This made me teary. :-) Thanks for letting us peek into your lives. Safe travels!

    Reply to Rhonda's comment

  13. Melanie on December 3, 2012 at 12:33 pm

    My husband and I have moved many times over the last 32 years of marriage and before departing an apartment/house we have a ritual of walking through each room of the house and recalling some event or memory of the space. There is a bit of closure when we give thanks for the spaces in our lives where memories were created. Endings always mean new beginnings. Safe travels back to your new home. Looking forward to your podcast next week.

    Reply to Melanie's comment

  14. Estelle on December 3, 2012 at 12:44 pm

    You almost brought tears to me eyes, thank you for having shared so much with us all :)

    Reply to Estelle's comment

  15. Melissa on December 3, 2012 at 2:04 pm

    Ya’ know– you ought to write more often– that brought tears to my eyes. I hope your trip is going well, travel safely. Looking forward to next week’s episode!

    Reply to Melissa's comment

  16. Donna B. on December 3, 2012 at 3:00 pm

    Oh gosh! You’re making me tear up too! >w<;;

    I want to have those memories, but not in the house I'm currently living in. I will miss it when I move, but it's more bittersweet since it's not my 'dream home', but just the 'first' in many homes I believe I will live in.

    Aside from that, sounds like you guys are all set and hunkered for the winter! I can feel many delicious dinners to come from your harvests! :D

    Reply to Donna B.'s comment

  17. judym on December 3, 2012 at 3:08 pm

    Great writing, Mr. Chiots.

    My family moved a lot while I was growing up, so when hubs and I finally bought our first house, I was thrilled. A big yard for very young children and small garden, beautiful old tree for shade and a little tree house – loads of memories of hubs graduation for his masters, last of four children born while there, etc – had a wooded area on one side (rare in big cities) where we could sit on a stair landing looking into the woods watching squirrels and birds. When we finally bought our land in NE Ohio to build our new house, it was bittersweet. We finally had plans for our new home and an exciting future but sad to leave our first home. We’ve been here in NE Ohio now for 30 years now – 4 children raised in this house, graduation parties, church activities, bon fires, creating flower and edible gardens, growing fruit trees – such an abundant life – not without it’s “moments” naturally, but abundant nonetheless. Now, we are in another phase of our lives at this home. Trying to fulfill our dreams of an even more self-sustaining lifestyle than when children were home. So many plans and so many more memories to make with each other and grandchildren! What a life!

    So excited for you two – a blessed future of new mermories for you both.

    Reply to judym's comment

  18. DebbieB on December 3, 2012 at 3:54 pm

    I missed the podcast today! I listen via the podcast app on my iPhone, and when it wasn’t there, I rushed here to find out what had happened.

    Memories of life and love – it doesn’t get any better than that.

    Reply to DebbieB's comment

  19. Brenda on December 3, 2012 at 5:30 pm

    What a beautiful post, I think things should not go according to plan more often

    Reply to Brenda's comment

  20. Five Monkeys and a Chick on December 3, 2012 at 8:15 pm

    Onward to new adventures and happy memories!!!

    Reply to Five Monkeys and a Chick's comment

  21. daisy on December 3, 2012 at 8:55 pm

    Looking forward to the next podcast, whenever it is! Safe travels.

    Reply to daisy's comment

  22. sharon on December 3, 2012 at 9:04 pm

    changes are hard until you make new memories….its gets so much harde the older you get…..unless people are gone…..plaves are just the background of our lives…just like summer is gone to winter…..I am sad about the deer.but they are not tomatoes…..they are living….so killed is a bit more realistic….

    Reply to sharon's comment

    • Mr. Chiots on December 4, 2012 at 11:34 am

      By using the word ‘harvested’, I am not trying to pad the hard fact that I killed the deer. I am trying to indicate that I utilized the resource rather than wasting it. It is common among meat hunters to use the term and is an actual dictionary definition.

      Reply to Mr. Chiots's comment

  23. KimH on December 4, 2012 at 12:52 am

    Awww… wishing you safe travels.. though you’re probably home by now.. Godspeed to you both, on all of your journeys..

    Reply to KimH's comment

  24. Mona Lisa Magal on December 4, 2012 at 2:48 am

    Thank you for sharing your charming stories! This is my first comment, and it’s about time I acknowledge openly what an inspiration yor musing have been to me. Wishing you a safe journey, and I’m looking forward to being evermore inspired by your so called “simple life”.

    Reply to Mona Lisa Magal's comment

  25. Missy on December 4, 2012 at 5:14 pm

    Well written, Brian. It was great seeing you two last night and I finally feel like you are truly living there since the house is all taken care of. Now when you come back to visit you can relax and truly visit, no worries about the house. Glad you had a safe trip home. We love you guys.

    Reply to Missy's comment

  26. Melissa on December 4, 2012 at 10:55 pm

    I know what you’re saying. We’ve been through several moves over our 15 years of marriage and it’s always the same… bittersweet… excitement about the future tempered with the pain of pulling up roots. Blessings to you both in this new chapter of your life!

    Reply to Melissa's comment

  27. amy on December 5, 2012 at 11:41 am

    Had a bit of a bad something myself….thinking the flu….so a bit late reading this post…..Best wishes to you and Ms. Susy:) My husband and I have had that same mad dash overwhelming moving experience….It can be….well….a bit too much…Wishing you guys some much needed sweet restful winter days….in your new home! Blessings.

    Reply to amy's comment

  28. tj on December 5, 2012 at 2:18 pm

    …*goosebumps* This post gives us even more reason to love you two! Beautifully written Mr. Chiots! :o)

    …Yes, something such as selling & purchasing a home is bittersweet for sure. We’re so happy to purchase our first home but dreams, people, circumstances change and before you know it, you’re longing for something different. Leaving your old home is like leaving an old friend but it will be a new source of joy, warmth and shelter for someone else now. Such is life, it continues to evolve. I’m certain this was hard for you both but I can’t help but feel that you both were a lil’ giddy when you pulled up that glorious new driveway of yours knowing that now you are finally, once and for all, home.

    …Hope you’re feeling better! :o)

    …Here’s wishing you both all the happiness in the world on your new farm! And a big ol’ “thank you” for sharing your life & knowledge with us and for all the hard work you two put into this blog – it is greatly appreciated!

    …Many blessings to you both.

    Reply to tj's comment

  29. Miranda on December 9, 2012 at 12:19 pm

    Oh, my.
    Now you’ve made ME weep as well.

    I know exactly how you feel. And i did the same thing when we left austin. I stood in the empty house and looked around at all the nooks and crannies, dents and limitations, beautiful shades of paint…. many that i’d maligned over the years… and cried. But i never looked back. We think back to the happy memories of being together in our first house. Of getting married, travelling, raising hens and buying our new puppy…. and now we, too are moving on! It’s been a long journey, and it’s only the beginning!

    Reply to Miranda's comment

About

This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

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