New Adventure Begins...

... or it has begun already. I just haven't updated my blog in a while, lol.

So - when I last posted in December of 2008 my husband, Randy, and I were in the midst of looking for a home.

We went through the up and down, teeth grinding, hair pulling experiences of making offers on homes that were "short sales" and waiting (and waiting and waiting) to get an answer. We learned that the term "short sale" is extremely misleading.

Then we found a great house, just exactly what we were looking for, made an offer and went through the emotional roller coaster of the uncertain closing date, the delays, the last minute paperwork. We packed up our stuff and gave our notice at the home we were renting and weren't sure, up until the day we moved, WHEN we'd be moving. Who knew that coordinating a delivery date of your new fridge could be so complicated?

Long story short - we moved into our new place the first week of January, 2009. That's when our new adventure began, and it's a lot more rewarding than the first part of the journey. Well, except for the 1st week we were there when we ran the washing machine for the first time and raw sewage spewed out of the downstairs bathroom... that I would have to rate as extremely unpleasant.

So - after paying a plumber obscene amounts of money and fighting with a contractor about his liability in the issue - we began the "making the place our own" process.

THAT part of the adventure is really cool, and there is no deadline. It's a lot more of a satisfying experience than I thought it would be.

Looking for just the right shades, or sheers, or fabric for curtains. Searching for just the right accent pieces, dining table or red recliner (I HAD to have a red recliner)... that has been fun. Expensive, but fun.

Learning all about sod for the front lawn, trees, acidic vs. alkaline soil, what those three numbers mean on fertilizer bags, and various and sundry other landscaping minutiae has been educational. I thought I despised yard work... but it's MY yard... OUR yard... so it is great! I do NOT hate yard work - when I create the yard from scratch. It's like art! It's like quilting! Again, expensive, but fun.

We get to make this place just how we want it. Don't have to ask permission to paint a wall, drill a hole... we just do it if that's what we want to do.

We have developed our own unique style that reflects the two of us and, at the end of the day when we are sitting exhausted in the living room watching "Jeopardy" together, I feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that is kind of, dare I say, grown up?

Our new adventures may seem boring to my kids - but I'm having a terrific time. I never would've thunk it.

Now, if I could just get Sears to send me that darn rebate on the refrigerator... grrr.

More adventures to come...after all, it's spring and I hear that's a major big deal with yards and plants and stuff.

K