My House

So most of you who read my blog already know that almost two weeks ago I put an offer in on a house. I had been looking for over two months and was beginning to feel really discouraged that I would never find one that suited me. Well this one came up in an email and it looked wonderful in the pictures (of course I have learned that pictures do not give the whole story) so I called Nancy, the realtor, and we went over to see it around 3:30pm on a Thurs. It was so cute. The first thing I was happy about was it was not in an HOA and the neighborhood looked nice. I did not want to live in a place where someone was telling me what I could and could not do with my house, plus I think HOA neighborhoods look a little sterile unless its really expensive homes. The second thing was that the living room/family room/kitchen were all relatively open to each other so if friends come over we could visit plus it will be great for skills nights to have the bigger space. Marilyn also pointed out that if I'm cooking in the kitchen I can still watch the tv. Third was the kitchen had been redone and it was beautiful with tile countertops and a decorative backsplash and brand new appliances. The master bedroom has a cute bay window, which I am always partial too, and the master bath had been partially redone. There are two other bedrooms one of which I am going to make into a project room. I am so excited for it! It will be wonderful to have my sewing machine, inkle loom and various other tools already out and ready to go rather than having to set them up every time I want to make something. Plus being able to have a good size work table instead of the floor will be great. The front yard is desert landscaping which I wanted for easier maintainance but the backyard is a complete blank slate. I don't really know exactly what I want to do with it other than have an orange tree, lemon tree, lilac bush and a veggie garden.

I really did like the place. Now keep in mind that I was heading to the Trail the next day and I asked Nancy if she thought it was going to go off the market during the week I'd be gone. She wasn't entirely sure but she thought the chances were good. So I had quite the decision to make and those of you who know me, know I don't like to make big decisions quickly, plus Marilyn had gone out of town that morning and she'd been my buddy who I would bounce things off of. On the drive home I kept thinking about it and by the time Nancy dropped me off I told her to make an offer.

Well that started a roller coaster. The seller was totally willing on negotiating that night which I wasn't expecting but turned out to be a huge blessing. After a little back and forth we agreed upon $113,000 and I had signed the contract at 9:30 pm. During those hours I had a full on panic attack and had to call many family members to remind myself why I was doing this and that I had made the right decision. I couldn't believe it had happened so quickly. It was a good thing though; I wouldn't have to be wondering while I was on the Trail whether or not my offer had been accepted. Even though it had gone under contract, I still was a little distracted at work wondering how the home inspection would go and if there were major things wrong with the place which kept giving me anxiety. In order to keep my anxiety down and to help me get excited for this new development in my life, I made stirring spoons and a spatula while I was sitting around camp. They are made out of catclaw and I love the red heartwood. It felt good to carve something so beautiful that I can use in my new place. I put the regular sized spoon in the picture just for size comparison.

Now that I have had a couple weeks to get used to the idea, the home inspection is all done and the mortgage thing is on its way, I am excited about my new home. I'm thinking of colors that I want to paint the walls, how to hang the art and arrange the furniture. I've begun looking for a fridge and a washer and a dryer. During the home inspection, I began to organize the kitchen in my head. I've always talked about "when I have a place of my own" and now that its actually coming true its hard to wrap my head around it.