The past year and a half of pandemic life brought a stillness to our lives and allowed us to reflect on our journey thus far. We felt we needed to make some changes, so Maren and I decided our six years of suburban living on beautiful Gresham Butte–a half hour from Portland on a good day–was complete. Too much distance from our kids, siblings and friends. So we took the time to shape our new direction.
We took advantage of the pandemic vacation (immunity after vaccinations) this spring, to put our house on the market, which had become a full-on seller’s market. A fun time to sell! (FYI: best listing agent in Portland: Rebecca Walter https://www.redfin.com/real-estate-agents/rebecca-walter.) We sold the house quickly, well above asking, and the sale was completed perfectly. That was the easy part.
Next, being the buyer. The hard part began. We knew we were ready to downsize 30-40%. So much easier to say than do. And we had a one month clock loudly ticking to vacate the premises and fill up a 10 x 20 storage space with all the rest of our belongings. (We had already filled a similar sized space a month earlier when we off-loaded to stage the house.) For the first time in 25 years, we didn’t own a home. But, we sure own a lot of stuff!
Fortunately, Maren’s sister, Veda, now known as Best Sister Ever™, offered us the top floor of their downtown Portland townhouse while we searched for our new home on the west side. But by then, the market was getting even crazier. Listing prices became rough starting points for much higher prices. After looking at 30-40 houses in person, and hundreds online, we still were outbid on our first four home offers. Time was moving on, sleeping on an air bed next to our workstations was getting old, and the possibility of us becoming permanent squatters must have crossed Veda and Dave’s minds. But with the help of our astute agent (best buyer’s agent in Portland: Jennifer Ciacci https://www.redfin.com/real-estate-agents/jennifer-ciacci), we learned something each time we lost, and number five was the charm. It checked most of our boxes and brought us back to our beloved Southwest Portland.
We’re moving small U-Haul loads for now so we don’t overwhelm ourselves, as we wait for the movers to bring the motherlode (or motherload, in this case). But, I have my desk, iMac and Aeron chair, so my first workstation is now functional. I’m very happy to be working again in my own office.
This past year and a half, we have all had lots of time for reflection, and jigsaw puzzles. It’s a time for all businesses to respond to the changing world and determine how to keep a foothold in the marketplace. I see that clients have made changes to operations, product mixes and marketing plans while everyone figures out what comes next. I have explored and learned new popular 3D and animation programs during this time to expand my talents and capabilities.
Linea Forma Design is alive and kicking, with enhanced modeling and animation capabilities. In reviewing the strengths that got me through over forty years of design work, I really want to reiterate that this is what I do:
• Graphic Design Services
Including: logos; corporate identity; marketing tools like brochures and catalogs; project management.
• Technical Art
Including: technical illustrations; motion graphics; 2D and 3D models and animation;
• Product Development Services
Including: conceptual design and consulting; 3D design models and animations; renderings, presentations and visual marketing tools.
Maren and I are very happy to be back in our old SW Portland area in a great neighborhood near family and friends. We look forward to seeing our current clients and meeting new ones in the coming months. Our new office number for Linea Forma Design is 503.946.8480, my cell is 503.421.1168. Give us a call anytime. Or stop over and unpack a box!
28 Responses
Joel Summer
Wow! What a saga. Glad the finish line is in sight. Would love to come and see you once you get settled in.
bgob1
Any time, Joel. We would love to see you. Next week….furniture!
Tom Barber
GEEEEOOOOOBEEEEWAN….BACK HOME AGAIN. Looks like all is well and love the update. Watch those Storage Units…sometimes they don’t go away….just paid my monthly bill today and have not looked in it for a year.
TEEEBEEE OR NOT TB
bgob1
TeeBee, all is well. Back close to everybody. We learned the hard way about the storage locker syndrome years ago. We will be out of this one as soon as we are fully moved in next week. Hope you are all doing well!
PETER WEISS
Great story. Thanks for sharing Bill and Maren. Welcome home.
bgob1
Thanks, Peter. We miss you.
Doug Drake
Welcome back to the Hood!
bgob1
Thanks.See you soon.
Dan
Congratulations! Nice to have you closer.
bgob1
Much closer. Would love to come out and see you soon. Maybe do lunch. I’ll give you a call very soon.
Gayle
I just realized I missed these blog posts! Great read as usual. Congrats on the move. Can’t wait for the housewarming party!
bgob1
Can’t wait to have you over. We miss you both.
Jan Morgan
Hi, Maren and Bill!
Congrats on the new house and relocating back to your happy (geographical) place. I was just about to get in touch, Maren, because I spent Sunday at the Cotati Accordion Festival and wished you were there. I’m sorry you missed the cover of Led Zep’s “Whole Lotta Love” by Those Darn Accordions (my favorite group) – it was unforgettable.
Stay well, friends –
jan
mgob
Hey J- I’ve been to Cotati twice. It’s small, but very fun– if you love accordion! I didn’t know you fell in that camp. I really like Those Darn Accordions as well. They have started another accordion festival: the Deep Squeeze in Port Townshend, WA that I’d love to attend. Bill has agreed to go only if I start playing again. Sigh.
No need to tell a pharmacist to stay safe, but please do!
M
Jan Morgan
I’d definitely attend Deep Squeeze. Field Trip?
mgob
Fun road trip! We’ll have to check in next year on it.
Terri
Congratulations on getting settled. You’re still the best at what you do no matter where you are. Onward! Hope to see you both soon.
bgob1
Thank you. And yes, very soon!!
Mary Agnes Prosser
Bill & Maren! Welcome home! Still here in the old hood! …….how close are you…….? Noel still working and I’m back at it too! Hope to connect soon! xxoo
bgob1
We are right near where Capital and Barbur cross. Just south. Close to you. We will connect with you very soon. Hi to Noel.
Karl vinsek
Congratulations
bgob1
Thanks Karl.
Elisa
Congratulations!! Stoked to have you back near us again! Love and a thousand good wishes,
Elisa and John
bgob1
Me too!
Lynne Cooper
Thanks, Bill. Great update! But where are the photos of your new house?
bgob1
We are still moving in. Soon.
Seana Valentine
Congrats on the new digs! Hope to see it (and you guys) real soon!
bgob1
We would sure love that!!