Tuesday, July 22, 2008

It Must Be Mid-Summer

Because we're preparing for our annual Fall Move! I can't believe I didn't blog it, but in addition to moving across the country almost two years ago we moved last fall to get into a better school district for Pork Chop. And I don't even want to think about this move or this one. And those were just the ones that got a passing mention on the blog. I've been married ten years and moved eight times. And we're about to make it nine.

I moved a lot as a child too. My parents must have had wander-lust in their blood. Things were always changing at our house. The furniture was re-arranged on a quarterly basis. We were always swapping bedrooms. And every few years we just changed towns. My Dad was into computers before computers were something people were into and I think he went where the technology would take him (or at least that was my child-like understanding). My best friend in high school went to the same school for all thirteen years. That was just unfathomable to my teenage brain. How could one stay in one town for so long?

And that wander-lust must have rubbed off on me. I married a man in the military, virtually guaranteeing I would never spend too long in one place. But as the years slipped by, and the moves added up (and in the interest of full-disclosure only two moves were military related, three if you count the move when he left the military) I began to ponder living in one place for a long time. Wondering what it would be like to live in one house for a lifetime. Making friends and keeping them. Not picking up heavy furniture every 12 months. Having my children go to the same school for all thirteen years. Would it be dull? Would the stability be smothering? Or would it be glorious?

I'm about to find out.

Yesterday we closed on a house. I can't even begin to get into what the home buying process was. It was a nightmare. After I hit publish I shall never think nor speak of it again. I started to type the highlights, but really, if I have a record of them I might stumble across them, then I'll have to think of them, and I'm never going to think of them again.

I didn't blog the process as it happened because I was too happy about buying the house. I was so happy my body could not hold it all in, and it bubbled out in smiles, laughter, and occasionally happy tears. To be honest, so much joy felt foreign to me. I worried that if I called attention to how happy I was the universe might notice me. Surely this much joy is not meant to be felt by one person. I didn't want them to realize their mistake and take measure to correct the situation, or temper my joy by filling the house with termites.

But the documents are all signed and recorded. The locks have been changed and the house is mine.

Photobucket



It was a foreclosure house, so there is a bit of work to be done in the house. Not as much as there could have been. The house was broken into and the appliances were stolen after we went into contract. So the bank had to install brand new appliances and fix the garage door. If only we hadn't stumbled upon the break-in before they came back for the fridge (we went to the house and the doors were all open and the fridge was on a dolly by the door, they never came back for it). We have a VA loan. And the VA inspector declared the house to be unsanitary. Our lender refused to fund the loan until the house was cleaned, the carpets were washed, and the pool was swim-able. That's right. I said POOL.

Photobucket




So I am now the co-owner (The Greatest signed the loan too) of a house with a pool. But the love doesn't stop there. The previous owners pimped the house out with lots of upgrades. My favorite is probably the humongous balcony off the master bedroom where I plan to sit and knit every day! I'll show you lots of pictures when we are done. But in the meantime I've got walls to wash.


Photobucket



And painting to do.

Photobucket



So we can move in and do this

Photobucket



Every day!

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!!! A pool is a huge blessing with lots of kids. Make sure you take the time to knit on that balcony. I've decided that if you wait until everything is done to enjoy mini-retreats, it will never happen.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! I'm so excited for you!

In contrast.... my parents still live in the same house they moved into when I was six months old. That was almost (cough/gag) 49 yrs ago. We are only in our 2nd house in our 27 yrs of marriage. We must be nesters ;o)

Dani said...

Congratulations! The pool looks fabulous!

Corrina said...

Congatulations! Yay for good things happening to good people!

shizzknits said...

Yay! I always wanted a house with a pool....they are such fun with the little people!

Congrats!

Bezzie said...

I'm excited, but mixedly so because I have that nomad blood myself. I look at people that grow up and die in the same town like they look at me for having made a residence in four different time zones in 10 years...
But you found a nice place to test those roots!! :-)

Holly Jo said...

CONGRATULATIONS! It must feel good to move all the heavy stuff one last time for at least a good long while. Enjoy the pool - it is the only way to go in the desert SW. :)

Anonymous said...

Yay!!

I am so happy for you!!

Zonda said...

Congrats on the new house!! Awesome pool, which looks like it will be well enjoyed!

Unknown said...

Good luck w/ your move, and enjoy your new home! I'm jealous of your pool. Your kids are going to have so much fun.

Anonymous said...

I'm so happy for you!!! You need that pool living in Arizona!! It's hot here in Utah, but not as much as Calif. I was there last week and I was glad to get home where it was cooler.

I totally enjoy your blog...and I guess I'm like a grandparent... I look EVERYDAY hoping for more pictures.

Hugs,
Aunt Julie

Stephanie said...

So jealous! lol You know, I sold the house in P-town 3 weeks ago. I can't believe I sold it! No Foreclosure for me! Thank God! I am moving into a house by my mom, 4 bdrm and pretty big. It's MUCH older and needs lots of work, but if I like it after a year, I can do a work equity and have the option to purchase it. Only downfall, it's only 1 1/2 bath..BOO So glad that things are well with you, and I miss sitting and chatting with you. Tried to call, but the # I had was disco'd. Oh well. Hope you comment my blog sometime. Take care!

Steph