Inspector Gadget

Hey, first post! I figured it was time I joined in here...

Hectic day today, it was inspection day. Five and a half hours of house inspection, all while having to get my Mom, Dean, and Chad out of the house. It was a little excessive, but we survived.

For the final half hour or so, we were waiting in our car down the road attempting to remain patient. Eventually the buyers came out and waved, so we popped out to say hi. Apparently they recognized us from our wedding pictures, which I deemed sweet but slightly creepy. As it turns out they're from Thailand, and the husband works for Exxon. The wife did not speak much English, but said that she loved our decorating (we decorate?) which was very nice of her. They also have two young sons who appear to be twins, and as Anna confirmed "had nice handshakes." Oh, AND they mentioned being interested in our appliances and possibly furniture, since they're moving from an apartment, so BONUS.

As for the inspection, all that we've learned so far is that the roof is a "concern," just as we figured, and that the inspector said it was a "good house." I guess we'll have to wait a day or two for them to come back with the report, but we're optimistic.

Well, off to enjoy another evening with my Mom and Dean before they head back to Florida. It's been an eventful week, but I've really enjoying having everyone here.... even with the house craziness!

Option Pending

Apparently my last entry was a good luck charm. After only 4 days of being listed on the market, Sean and I received an offer (above our asking price) for our home.

I must admit I had dreamed about being one of those Woodlands home owners who could tell people "we sold our home in less than a week!" It's a pleasure to be selling in a seller's market! We now have only one last house hurdle of getting through the inspection without any surprises- and I won't hold my breath as Sean and I subscribe to the belief that owning a house means nothing but surprises of the crap kind. For now, however, I'll celebrate the little orange box below our house listing on MLS.

I also have another photo to include in today's entry. Yesterday was Christmas Day, and Sean and I are fortunate to have spent it with both sides of our family at once! It was such a treat to be together- especially as our upcoming relocation will likely make it more difficult for us all to gather at once. While enjoying Market Street's impressive musical tree- I asked a passerby to take a photo of everyone. Luckily, we weren't photo bombed and no one made a funny face. Merry Christmas from Texas!

Dean, Lynne, Mike, Tina, Joe, Deborah, Bradey, Rosie, Anna, Sean

Too warm for elf costumes and other concerns

Our house has been on the market for three days and we've already had 8 showings booked. I'm really hoping this is a good sign and that we will get an offer soon to ease my worries! I really need to relax about the whole thing, but knowing that I will no longer have a job after the first week of March makes me anxious!

It's the Friday before Christmas and we are excited to have Lynne, Dean, Mike, Tina, and Rosie's boyfriend coming to town for the holiday. It's going to be a lively week! This Christmas is especially meaningful as we will likely be far away next holiday season. I wonder how we'll decorate in our flat. Sean won't have a whole house to cover in icicle lights and wreaths next year- so I guess that means more $$ for libations! I also wonder what it will be like to live where it is certainly cold this time of year. We've fluctuated from 38 degrees to 79 degrees this week. It's downright warm out there- too warm for me to sport my elf costume for the annual Trace Creek Light The Night event!

My goals this week are to keep the house in sparkling condition and to worry less about the situation.... oh yes- and to receive an offer for the house. Clearly, I am not yet attaining my goals.

Numbers

1,871 days ago, Sean and I were married. Since that time, we moved from North Carolina to Texas, purchased our first home, adopted Chadwick Kitters Croghan, and have enjoyed some great times with our family, friends, and colleagues.

I am beginning this blog today as Sean and I have begun preparations for our next move. This move will be a bit different than leaving North Carolina. It includes the sale of the vast majority of our possessions, a departure from our current lifestyle, and 4,814 miles of travel.

I know many people have made major life transitions, so I don't claim our effort to be blog-worthy to an outsider. Yet for Sean and I, this experience will be blog-worthy. We're giving up the lifestyle which could easily see us through to our golden years and we've nothing to confirm we'll even be successful in this change. I think, however, that it is that very lack of confirmation which is making us proud we're doing it. Proud, because for two risk-averse individuals, this is a bold choice.

Today felt like the best day to start the blog. Sean is in New York for work and I have spent the weekend cleaning every nook of this house for the realtor's photographs. Within 14 days, the "For Sale" sign will be in the yard and Sean and I will be anxiously awaiting the arrival of this home's future caretaker. The journey begins!