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Finally Up North

 We finally officially moved to Wisconsin. But first there were goodbye parties with friends...

...saying goodbye to Chicago...

...and a successful driver's license test!

We loved our time in Lombard but after preparing to move for almost a year, we were ready to finally go! I think people were getting tired of seeing us around and I got tired of answering the question: "So, are you all packed up?" 

I'd love to say that I'm all settled in, but nothing is ever as simple as that. Of the first 18 days living in Wisconsin, I spent 10 of them in Lombard. I drove the camp van full of campers down from their week at camp, stayed the night with Sam at our house in Lombard, then drove a new batch of campers up the next day (5 hour drive). Then I spent more days back in Lombard working hard to get the house ready for renters. Three other guys are going to share the house with Sam this year while he works and goes to culinary school. It was exhausting, and when I was back in Lombard I would get sad and convince myself that I never actually moved and that I would be stuck painting the upstairs bedrooms forever. One can go a little crazy while staring at the same paint color all day!

When we bought our house on May 1st, it was snowing. The previous owner pointed at places in the snow and told me what plants might come up in those spots. Well, now the house is basically surrounded by a jungle. There are plants everywhere! I think the forest will overtake the house if we don't beat it back every year. That feels overwhelming, so instead of unpacking, I sit on the couch and stare out the window and think of all the work it's going to take to be a homesteader...just kidding, I'm not going to be a homesteader but that's kinda what it feels like! The other families are talking about storing up wood for the next two winters and I'm just trying to muster up the energy to pull a few weeds!

What a difference one month makes!

We've already had a few potential home invaders...a grouse (large bird) tried to fly through a window and broke the outer pane (and its neck) in the process. We also heard shuffling and squeaking amid the boxes that were piled in the basement and assumed there was a mouse. Nope, it was a bat. But it perished on its own and was actually quite fascinating to look at up close before I chucked it into the woods. 

Jeremy has decided he wants our house to look like a log cabin or hunting lodge...so instead of hanging up all my charmingly vintage and "global spice" inspired decorations, I am now driving around to thrift stores (each 30-60 minutes away) to try to find pine cone lamps and plaid throw pillows. Maybe a bear skin would be a nice touch. Just kidding but not really. I actually saw a lamp with a base that was a fisherman and then there were decorative fish hooks dangling on the outside of the lampshade. I almost bought it, but then I splurged on the $1 framed deer portrait instead. I hung it up above (what will eventually be) the fireplace to surprise Jeremy, and then he promptly sent me a picture of the exact same piece of art in the hallway outside his office. I guess it's a popular one up here.

The two biggest lifestyle changes for us so far are in the areas of transportation and meal prep. In terms of transportation, we bought a used ATV and I haven't even had a turn driving it myself yet. The kids (and Jeremy) cruise around camp and the neighborhood on it. By "neighborhood" I mean about 12 houses with forest in between. It is the preferred mode of transportation for all camp staff. I don't even think Evan remembers that he has a driver's license. 

For meals, we just walk/drive the ATV/Onewheel over to the dining hall to eat. It's a nice perk, especially during this time when I am so busy staring out the window unpacking. I don't have to plan, shop (30 minute drive each way), prep, or clean up. It's pretty nice, except for some of the times I walk up to the tables while clumsily balancing my food and I'm not sure where to sit because there are a lot of teenagers and college students and I feel like Forest Gump for a minute. But people are nice and make room for me, except for Annie who sometimes acts like she doesn't know me or sends me the eye daggers that say: Don't you dare act like you know me.

Despite the ups and downs of figuring out my new life here and realizing how far away most major shopping and services are, I'm enjoying the scenery and the sounds of nature all around me. And, I haven't been eaten by a badger or a bear yet, nor attacked by bird-sized mosquitoes, so I'd say I'm doing alright.

This is the exit from my driveway onto Sawyer Lake Rd. It is pitch black at night here and I have been known to sing loudly while walking back home...there are noises in the bushes and though I know it's probably chipmunks, still...