Saturday, March 30, 2013

Medical Update

Cletus is doing ok...still in some pain and living part of the time in hydrocode-land.

They removed a large kidney stone on Wednesday.  I will spare you and not post the picture.  Yuk!! 

Thanks so much for all of the prayers.  He was pretty nervous and had to wait two hours.  (He got bumped; his doc had to do a kidney removal.)  But all went well and we were home by 6:30p.

Sadly, the doc could only do one side.  Removing both stones at once would involve both kidneys and be too risky.  So, Cletus has to go back in on Monday (6:30a).  More prayers appreciated.  I know he will be happy when this is all over with!!

And so it begins...

I thought I'd try to take progession pictures of the house...

Thurday...we have a lot!
Friday: we have dirt! 


Cletus scared the bulldozer dude by taking his picture yesterday.  Poor guy thought he was on the wrong lot!

And late Friday: a huge pile of gravel.  Buddy is 6'5", so you can tell that is a BIG pile!

While we were out, the builder came by.  Too bad his name isn't Bob.  I may call him Bob the Builder anyway!  He said it will take about 40 days...if the weather cooperates.  So exciting!!  The movers are coming April 29th.  Closing is the 30th.  So, 30 of the 40 days we will be here.  And then we will only need a couple weeks inbetween.  Yay!!

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Spring Break

Spring? Doesn't seem to apply.  It was 26 degrees and snowing yesterday.  And not much better today.  Good day to build blanket forts and have a movie day...or stay in bed under the covers!  Maybe by week's end it will warm up.  I'm just thankful that the Snowbird weather was so wonderful!! :)

Break?  That doesn't seem to apply either.   Although, I knew I would have some chores: packing, taxes, house appraisal, getting estimates from the movers. 

Yesterday, I got the taxes done.  We are getting a refund (PTL)! And the appraisal guy came.  And I got some boxes packed.  Nice to cross stuff off the list!

Today, the estimate from the movers and more boxing.  I was planning on fun stuff the rest of the week (when it warms up.)

But what I wasn't planning on was a trip to Crestwood this week.  Cletus went to the doc yesterday and the doc said "you are in trouble".  Not what he wanted to hear!  He has three kidney stones.  One large (unpassable) stone on each side; the other stone is smaller, but won't pass because of the larger one above it.  Unfortunately, the only option is surgery.  So, Wednesday he will be doing outpatient at Crestwood. (Prayers greatly appreciated). Not a very fun surgery (quite invasive) but the recovery time is short.

Despite all, Buddy is enjoying his spring break.  He gets to stay up late at night, sleep in late in the morning.  And he is mesmerized by the paint by number I got him.  So nice that I don't have to entertain him constantly!

Probably a good thing we don't know what our future holds...or we'd just stay in bed under the covers!

Friday, March 22, 2013

Making Hay

As the old adage says: make hay while the sun shines.  In my case, paint while the sun shines.  And paint I did...

Split Mountain Scene

 Natchez Trace inspired path...not sure the path is quite right. But such is life.
 My favorite place...at the beach.
 The sunrise at Smith Lake.
 Sunflowers in a Vase
 My dead tree...actually just a winter tree.  Trees are so hard.  Branches are so random.

Snowbird Sunrise

I had so much fun on the annual trek to Snowbird.  I started our thrift shopping.  I found some good buys.  Then met up my besties for lunch.  Then off to Snowbird.  The day was sunny and warm.  So I could drive with the sunroof open.  Yay!  Why do I like Snowbird?  The view of Smith Lake is gorgeous!  The food prepared is delicious!  And the company cannot be beat!  You know you are with besties when you can talk about anything...or not talk at all.  And the weekend flies by.  I had a hard time leaving.  But God willing, we will do it again next year!
 
The sunrise on Sunday... 
 



Leave Well Enough Alone

Sometimes when in doubt: don't.  I let this sit.  Thinking I would fiddle with it.  But I put it in a frame and it looked better.  Sometimes I have to remind myself that it isn't a photograph.  It is an impression of a place.  A representation...not a photocopy.

Sign of the Times

Well, there it is.  I still am not used to seeing this in the yard!  Jennifer (realtor) said if our buyer hadn't been an engi-nerd.  We would have had an offer on that Monday!  But being an engi-nerd, he had to have a second look and ask tons of questions.  I guess he still liked what he saw.  I guess it is true...it only takes one willing buyer. 

MacGyver To the Rescue

I put my mad HGTV skills to work today.  I went to Lowe's, by my self.  I picked up the tools to fix stuff (without assistance).  I went home and fixed a couple of the items on the inspecion list!  Yay me!  I am woman hear me roar!!  Ok it wasn't rocket science.  I fixed the stopper in two of the sinks and replaced wall switches and the gutter downspouts..  But still...my mother really would be so proud of me.

There are actually only two things that really scare me.  Roofing/extreme heights (read: falling on my head) and electrical work (and yes, I have been minorly electrocuted). But the rest of it I'm good with.  I can even do saws, minor plumbing, painting, tile and grout... 

I am always asking Cletus questions.  He thinks I'm questioning his methods, when really I am trying to find the sensibility.  Why do it that way? Why not do it this way?  "Because" is not a good answer.  It won't work?  But why won't it work?  I'm worst than a little kid.  He finally wised up that I really am interested in understanding why something is the way it is.  I really have learned quite a bit. I should have taken shop in high school!

Warp Speed Ahead

Everything is moving forward...at warp speed!

The inspection went well.  Nothing major.  Just about ten piddley things...most we were already aware of.  The most minor was to replace the bottom elbow part of the downspout that got beat up by the weedeater.  We are getting an estimate. But we may say, instead of fixing these things, would ya like a John Deere riding lawn mower?  That would be my preference.  But we shall see what the estimate is.

The builder is going to start dirt/site prep work next week on the new place.  He got the lot for a good price and is willing to make our minor modifications for an incredibly reasonable amount.  It goes to show, that it can't hurt to at least ask.  You might be surprised at the answer.

Speaking of surprised by the answer...he thinks he will be done around the end of May!  Weather permitting that is.  It has been surprisingly rainy...so I'm figuring maybe by mid-June? Wow! Not even long enough to rent an apartment (requires 3 month lease).  So, it looks like we may be on a month long "vacation".

So, I need someone to administer oxygen...deep breaths! My nerves have had the better of me all week.  I just feel completely overwhelmed.  But I need to just sit down and breathe.  Then make a list and say: this is do-able....but just not all at this minute...so breathe!

When I started blogging again in January...I was thinking that I would have anything to talk about.  Silly me!

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Whirlwind

Ah, the rest from this weekend has evaporated in two days...

Yesterday, I went on a cheer visit to a friend/former co-worker who is battling cancer.  She is such a sweet spirit.  So grateful.  It struck me that most people don't listen with the intent to understand and empathize.  They listen with the intent to judge and convey their opinion.  Most people just want to be heard.  I don't know what God's plan is with my friend.  One path seems evident, but we all know that what seems evident to us...may not be God's plan.  Either way, thankfully, she is at peace.

It is hard for me though.  Just brings up all of the memories of my Mom and how much I miss her. :,(

Then after navigating a tremendous thunderstorm, we signed the paperwork to set the sale of the house in motion.  The closing date will be late April.  Then we talked to new construction.  We picked a lot, a builder, a plan, and let them know the modifications/specifications we wanted.  Really only two changes.  I don't want a garden tub.  I want a bigger shower and a closet.  Thankfully, no extra charge. And hubby wants a few more feet in the garage.  Found out that is only going to be $3k, which is within budget.  That is great!  A detached would be $20k and definitely not in the budget!

So, today we put down earnest money.   The builder will secure the lot from the developer (not anticipating any problems with that).  And then get started.  We don't know the time frame yet.  But I have heard that he has a crew ready, and if the weather cooperates...it may not be as long as I originally thought!  We should know more tomorrow.

Tomorrow.  Ugh!  The inspector is coming over tomorrow.  I'm dreading a list of picky items.  I made sure we had bulbs in all of the fixtures. (shaking my head).  Praying we don't have any deal breakers. (finger crossed).

Now the mad scramble to figure out what we will need temporarily...pack the rest...take little stuff to storage...get quotes on moving the big stuff...figure out time tables on shutting off utilities, cable, phone...

Oh yeah, do all of the usual stuff.  Finish the taxes.  Do the FASFA for Tdawg's school stuff.  I am at the bottom of the avalanche again.  It is a little scary.  But exciting. Right now, my fear is diminishing my faith.  Maybe a good nights' sleep would help?

Monday, March 18, 2013

Done and done!

So, the Engi-nerd made a solid offer on the house on Thursday night!  As I had guessed, it was low and had a list of fixes.  No big fixes (kind of silly things like: leaving the bathroom mirrors and replacing a light bulb)! We countered on Thursday night.  And before I left on Friday morning, we had a verbal contract!

Wow!  I must say, I'm still in shock.  I didn't know if the house would sell in six/nine months. I was concerned about the economy, the housing market, etc.  But ya know, if God wants you to move...Bam!  It is done and done in days.

We sign the written contract and put up the sold sign today (only because I was gone over the weekend). We went yesterday up to Fowler Creek Subdivision and walked around again.  We picked a builder and a house. We are going with the one pictured in the blog earlier.  We like it and only making a minor change to the bathroom.  We should hear about the lot, builder and time frame today.

So, the end of April...we will officially be homeless.  Sounds scary, but I'm ok with it.  The plan is rolling along.  We will be in temporary housing for a couple months.  Not sure where.  We had a few options come available yesterday.  So I'm sure we will know soon how it is all going to unfold.

I got the thinking last night that I'll have to pack for the temporary housing.  Seems like a good time to try the 30/30 idea.  Only 30 items (not including accessories, pjs, workout wear, undieroos) to combine and recombine into 30 outfits.  I'll keep ya posted on how this experiment works.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Holy Guacamole Batman!

Sunday, we were notified of our first house showing. It was scheduled for 6p.  Yay for the showing! And double yay for being at dinnertime!  A great excuse not to cook. So, we took off and ate at our fav cheap mexican restaurant in Fayetteville.  And enjoyed the extended evening daylight hours with a leisurely drive back home.

Monday was rainy and yucky.  The ReMax team all came to familiarized themselves with my home. So, I took off and ran errands.  Ok, actually I played in Jones' Valley at Target, Hobby Lobby, and had lunch with V.

Tuesday was awful.  I felt like I'd been hit by a truck.  I spent most of the day asleep.  I guess I needed it.  I was thankful no one wanted to see the house.  I didn't feel good enough to back the car out of the driveway!

Today (Wednesday), I got a text telling me that the Sunday lookie loos wanted another look.  Oh! A second look sounds serious!  After which came questions about the house.  Some of which I had not even noticed.  It got really real!  They went into the crawl space (ick!). (Although, I must say that the pest guy said ours was the cleanest crawl space that he had ever seen!!)  They even asked every question under the sun!  He even asked what was planted in the front flower bed. (Cletus wanted me to tell them that Aunt Ethel was buried there). LOL!  Goodness...we have a little of everything in there.

Turns out that lookie loo is an engi-nerd who works out at the arsenal.  Oh my!  Next thing he'll ask is are the walls plumb.  Egads!  All day long, I am getting text after text of "one more question".  He wants the invoices and warranty work of all home improvements.  Say what?  Most are not transferable to a new owner. But I complied and made copies. I am thinking that he must have trust issues.  He is an inquisitive little bugger.

Jennifer said to expect an offer from him soon.  I would suppose she is correct.  My friend, Q, thinks that they will use the invoices to lowball the offer.  But then again, Q is a known pessimist.

I am still in shock!  I feel like I'm on the Wildcat at Elitch's.  A slow climb (tick, tick, tick) as the chain pulled the cars up the hill. The moment of suspended animation at the top of the hill.  You could see they whole park and the front range of the Rockies. And then the terrifying sixty-eight foot drop into a banked curve left you screaming and breathless at the same time with your stomach doing backflips.

I couldn't wait to be tall enough to ride.  I still remember the day when I was tall enough.  And I talked Dad into riding with me.  He thought that I'd be terrified and done with it for good.  Oh no.  I loved it!!  And I had a ride band, so I didn't even have to get off and back into line.  I rode a couple of times with my sister.  And then a couple more times with my brother.  I would have stayed on until the park closed, if I could have!

I'm older now.  And it is a bit more terrifying.  Could we really have an offer on the house just seven days after it hit the market?  That's crazy!!  Where are we going to live?  We don't have a lot, a builder, or a plan...Holy Guacamole Batman!!

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Update

We just listed the house on Thursday.  Moved a ton of boxes on Friday. And had a showing on Sunday!  I am taking that as a good sign.  I really don't want to mop and wipe down bathrooms every day!

Jennifer, our realtor, called afterwards and said the showing went well.  Actually, it was so clean that they thought we had already moved.  I guess my cleaning frenzy worked!

With the possibility of a quick sale, we went up to the new subdivision on Saturday.  Jennifer, realtor, lives there.  So she introduced us to her neighbors.  We looked at lots and floorplans.  The one we liked was locked up.  So Jennifer broke in!  I never knew the mad skilss you needed to be a realtor. Lol!

I think we found a builder we prefer. And now we need to look at the floorplans that he does.  We have seen one of them. This is one of the floorplans.  Really like the brick, rock work, side entry garage. It has three bedrooms, but on one of the modification plans the dining room is walled in.  That way it coule be a study, craft room, game room or extra bedroom.

And then we have to see if the builder can get the loan to start building before we sell. But if it turns out that we have to live in-between. Well, that's ok too.  That is one of the main reasons that we got a storage unit.  We are just trusting that this is the right move and all will fall in place.

Friday, March 8, 2013

Bowling Tourney

Onc perk to not working, it that I have time to go to Buddy's sporting events.  The city Special Olympics individual bowling tournament was yesterday.  Buddy did very well, bowling a 128, 150, 157. Not his best score, but it earned him a first place ribbon.  He didn't have as many strikes, but left very few open frames (pins still standing).  He possibly has a spot for the State tournament in Montgomery.  That would be nice; he had such a good time last year!





It's Official

It is official: our house is up for sale.  Jennifer came over yesterday and we signed the paperwork.  She took quite a few photos and put up the sign.  We should be on the web: valleymls.com soon.  We both feel it is a good thing.  But still a little scary.  We hope it goes by quickly; never fun to keep your house like you don't live in it.  Thankfully, some of the recent neighborhood sales have been about 50-60 days.  Not bad!

Tomorrow, we are going to see about picking out a lot, a builder and a plan. (deep breath).  I said that I would never build.  There I go with that *never* word.  I really should know better by now.  Just praying that everything goes smoothly.  In this economy, banks are skittish about loaning money.  Especially with our house unsold.  It wouldn't be much fun to wait until ours sells to be able to break ground!  But whatever will be, will be. I'm not all that concerned.  Thanks to the lovely Dave Ramsey, our credit score looks amazing.  So the bank should love us!!

It seems inevitable that we will be temporarily homeless.  Maybe an extended stay at a place with a pool this summer wouldn't be all bad.  I rather like being a lounge lizard.  Right now I'm oh so pasty white and vitamin D deficient!  Come on Spring!!

So, we are also well on our way to being hoarders. Ha ha! We have a storage unit now.  Once again, I said that I would *never* have one. Silly me!  We made three trips over there this morning.  Whew!

Then we took advantage of this gorgeous day and did some yard work.  Then I worked on the barstools.  Mom gave them to me about 26 years ago.  They are all wood and still in good shape.  I restained them and they are looking fab.  I'll try to take a pic tomorrow.

I think I am about done for the day.  Didn't get much sleep last night.  My neighbor required medical attention right about the time I was going to turn in.  Scared me! He is eighty and has already had heart issues.  They kept him overnight.  Thankfully he was released this morning and seems to be ok.  He was complaining up a storm...I take that as a good sign :)

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Progress?

Well, it is all a matter of perspective...right? It seems like we have accomplished quite a bit.  A lot of the house is boxed up, waiting to go to storage.  The house is painted.  The windows are fixed.  We are finally "ready" to take pictures for the internet and put up the sign.

But sometimes, it seems like I'm in that crazy dream/movie.  You know the one: the faster you run to a destination, the further away that destination seems to be (until you quit because you are exhausted and the bad guy catches up to you).

Nobody said that this would be easy.  I know after a good nights sleep, which now consists of more that five uninterrupted hours.  All will look much better.  I am so looking forward to next weekends getaway.  A little distance should help immensely.  However, I'm not sure I have any creative juice left in me.  I may just sit on the deck and vegetate.  (Highly unlikely.  I'm still completion oriented.)



Friday, March 1, 2013

Really?

The other day, I was cleaning and washing drapes in preparation to list the house.  When I see (pics below).  Something has eaten (like acid) through the aluminum frame of our windows. It looked like it was from the underneath, some places were just starting to bubble.  Others were eated all the way through.

I called the company that installed the windows.  Their first reaction was that there must be pressure (chemically) treated wood underneath.  They, of course, acted like it was our fault.  We were ready for a fight.  But it turns out the only thing underneath is their fiberboard/mdf.  No one has ever heard of pressure treated mdf.  So the why, will remain a complete mystery.

But the result, all of the window frames taken off.  The mdf chiseled away. New wood put up. And reframe.  Times about 20.  So yesterday was loud, like a mammoth dentist drill, and cold.  It was chaos.

Chaotic because in the midst of this crisis, my dryer died.  So at one point yesterday, there was 3 people and the loud drilling on the windows, two more people with installation of the dryer, my cell phone ringing and the house phone ringing all at one time.  Calgon...take me away!!



I'm hoping that today it will be finished up. The painter is coming tomorrow to paint the stairwell. Hopefully we can take pics and list next week. I am cautiously optimistic...

For now, I am enjoying the calm before the workers arrive.  It is peaceful and warm.  And I'm thankful this it getting resolved.