Monday 21 March 2011

You say what? You're leaving Athens?

So, this weekend we put our apartment on the market. Oh man, I'm shitting bricks. Excuse my language, but how else do you describe fear that physically hurts in forbidden territories?

Where are we moving to? We don't know. We'll decide that if or when someone wants to buy an apartment in a country that is rumoured to soon be announcing bankruptcy, and a country who has sent Greek soldiers to bomb Libya, which is another thing I'm shitting bricks about. Does that mean we are now a target? Will Libya BOMB GREECE in retaliation??? I know we live in a no aircraft zone, so technically we're safe. But seriously, that means nothing nowadays, does it? Rules? Rules are broken all the time.

Anyway, back to my point. We're selling the place furnished so that we have as little as possible to move about. We'll either move to Australia, the Greek countryside, or rent a furnished apartment in Athens until we decide what we want to do. Either way, I'm still physically hurting in forbidden territories. Sure, the place mightn't sell for YEARS. But what if it does? What if next week some rich schmuck phones us up and says he wants to buy? EEEEEEK! I put such love into fixing up this home ... I'm so sad. But. I'm also a little excited about the fact that if we do sell, we will be free. And freedom is GREAT. Isn't it?

Have you ever had to leave your home due to factors out of your control? How did it make you feel?

Anyhoo, here are some pics of my lovely handy work ... the walls ...




37 comments:

  1. Moving is such a mixture of emotions! Good and bad. Scary and exciting. Sad and happy. Whatever happens, you'll be ready and off for your next adventure!

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  2. Wow. You have a big unknown before you. Moving is always really hard. Though the pictures are lovely, I'm sure you'll love your next place too. Or at least the place after that!

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  3. The wall colors are beautiful! Remember, you will take all of you with you... and you will make a new place beautiful. Look forward...

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  4. OMG! Moving? What an exciting, brave thing to do! Part of the pain and anxiety you are suffering from right now is just that excited energy having no place to go. Once you decide you're going to move to Australia, the feel-good part can take over.

    LOVE your use of color. Makes me want to paint something around here.

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  5. Wow, you created such a beautiful home. Moving is scary when it's beyond your control. I wish you all the best and hope everything works out exactly as you need it to.

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  6. Four years after my husband passed away, I found the house too big for one(all the children had flown the nest) and the garden even bigger, I went on holiday to N. Ireland to stay with a friend and saw this lovely house just the right size for me and fell in love with it. I went home put mine on the market, sold it and moved to Ireland. I loved the house but I kept getting vandalised beacause I was English, after three years I moved to Spain closeby to my son,
    stayed there for three years then came back to the UK as other son had Cancer, I loved Spain and would go back if I could.
    Sure it's a big upheavel but if you're not happy where you are one has to take risks in life.
    Good luck to you Jessica.
    Yvonne.

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  7. Hey, that's tough. My sister-in-law and brother-in-law just had to do that, bur things have worked out pretty well, and they're back home and we get to see them more often. Win! At least for us, anyhow.

    And the marsupial ratio is much higher in Australia, and this must be a good thing.

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  8. The emotions we feel when letting go of something is tough. Starting fresh is always fun but there are always extra emotions in the background. Did I make the right choice, is it time. I have these questions with each time I move and each time I love the fact that I took the leap of faith. It was freeing and exhiliarating... well worth it I'd say!

    GOOD LUCK!

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  9. I haven't had to move in a very long time...These are such unsettling time...can't imagine what you must be going through. What a lovely home you have. No doubt wherever you land, it will be on your feet and you will make your new place just a comfy.

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  10. I had that same fear once and mine happened, sold in 3 days. Talk about shitting bricks. I love the color by the way, nice handy work. How'd ya get such perfect spots on the dog? :)
    Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

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  11. Moving is so difficult. Especially when you doing it for things out of your control. Your place looks great, though! Good luck to you two, with whatever happens! *hugs*

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  12. I just have to say: I really think you ought to move over here. America is boring as hell, but it's good for careers.

    And I think we have the same couch.

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  13. Lovely, sweets! I hope you're okay. You sound a bit jittery. ((hugs))

    I have had to move due to strange circumstances. We had to move out of a house we were renting with only two weeks notice...and three small children. I was flipping-out. In the end, it all worked out and for the better! It will for you, too. I just know it.

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  14. Your place looks awesome! I especially love the dog ;-)

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  15. It all works out. Don't worry! I've had to move for various reasons in the past (expat, transplant, & trailing spouse are part of my resume now ;). I know the feeling, but I also know opportunity presents itself when you need it the most.

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  16. just think of it as a new adventure! And wherever you end up, you'll get to make that place home too!

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  17. Your place looks so nice, but from what I've been hearing about the political and economic climate in Greece I'd want to leave too. That's why I'd kind of like to leave Los Angeles, but I'm not in a hurry yet.

    I've made several moves in my life, but though coerced by circumstances, I was never forced into it. Moving is a hassle, but I have always looked at it as kind of an adventure as well.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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  18. I know exactly how you feel, Jess. We've gone through similar situations--more than once--in the last few years. It's very uprooting. I feel like I've been living out of a suitcase since 2003.

    I wouldn't worry about Libya bombing Greece. They have their hands full, and Greece isn't the only country fighting them.

    Email me if you'd like to talk--any time!!!

    Hugs,
    Paula B.

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  19. Wow, that would be nerve-wracking. But what an adventure!
    My Blog

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  20. Moving is never easy, but I'm sure it's infinitely harder when you are conflicted about it. Your walls are gorgeous, though! I love all the bright colors. :-)

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  21. It will be tough to leave that place! Think of it as an adventure, Jessica.

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  22. Wow! Moving has its god point and bad point. But what an adventure are you in for. Beautiful pics of your home and I see you doggy loves it there too.

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  23. Your home looks lovely! We're going to be listing our house soon as well, also for reasons out of our control. It makes me sad because we've done so much work on this home and I love it. *sigh* I despise moving.

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  24. Wow. A lot to think about. I wouldn't worry too much about Lybia though.

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  25. Wow - exciting but scary times ahead for sure. We almost left London a few years ago - put the flat on the market and started making plans to move to the Cotswolds. It was SCARY - my stomach was eating itself! We had an offer within a week! Long story short, we're still here. But I remember how shit-worthy that whole episode was! Thinking of you.

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  26. Aww, your apartment is beautiful. I think moving is a scary thing, but starting can also bring wonderful rewards... even if it is REALLY scary. Hugs.

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  27. What a huge undertaking! But good for you, taking a leap even when its difficult to do. I hope all goes as it should.

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  28. Change is scary- I'm sure your move will work out for the best. Your apartment is lovely- so colorful! I hope your new home will be just as gorgeous!

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  29. You have such a pretty apartment too. I hope everything goes well.

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  30. With those pictures of your beautiful house, someone just might pop in and want to buy. I couldn't imagine packing up and moving right now, but I'm sure everything will work out. *hugs* By the way, I just saw your cover art for STRING BRIDGE on Lucky Press, LLC's blog. It's wonderful!

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  31. I love the colors on your walls! I have a room with a wall the same blue color as yours. It's going to be tough leaving, but the next great adventure is about to begin. Good luck!

    Oh hey, I mailed off Noelle's and Mara's copies of Literary Foray to you today!

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  32. It will be such an adventure! I hope you find the perfect place to move to. I hate the mixed feelings of moving. I cried the last time we moved, although the new house was amazing.

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  33. when we moved here seven years ago, I thought this was it. I still have no desire to move anywhere, and I cry a little bit whenever we get an "interested buyer."

    But as your good publisher said, you take you with you. And I and you must look at this as an adventure. A new road to travel.

    I'm thankful I don't have bombs going off around me... Honey! I have to say, I'm a little glad you're moving... Take care~ xoxo <3

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  34. Good luck, Jess.

    I know it's hard to leave a place you love. But your safety is much more important.

    In todays market real estate is hard to move unless it's in the millions and there's always a buyer for that. Middle grade real estate is a biotch to sell. Not enough buyers and way too many sellers UNLESS you have an outrageous view that stops time.

    I wish you all the best.

    Michael

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  36. Well the comments above say it all. Play it by ear. You'll feel better once you know where you're going.

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  37. Good luck with the move Jessica! You're lucky to have a job that lets you live anywhere [g] What'll happen to that puppy (*love* the photo on the bed!) - does Australia have any quarantine laws? DH and I keep talking about going to the UK (or Turkey or elsewhere in Europe...) but the rules for bringing pets into England are so darn binding!

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