Recently we reviewed all our choices with our rep, changed a few selections we made earlier, and signed the agreement. No more structural changes! Time to move on to other things.
We met with the rep from Gaurdian to select our security system, wiring for the Internet connection and cabling for the TVs and land line phones. So far these were the most challenging decisions since the house is really just a floorplan on paper at this stage. How do we really know now where we want things?
He started with the TVs -- "Where do you want your TVs?" He asked. "Uh, oh. Well, I'm not sure." I said, "I know where we want the phone. Can we start there?"
We made decisions. Some of them are for-sure, others were best guess. One remains to be made. It's difficult. We aren't even sure what we'll use many of the spaces for. Where the heck do you put a router? Ugh!
I need someone to help me make decisions on the best use of each space --and the Pisa Torre sure has a lot of spaces!
The study...Hmm. Glass doors. Can't put an office in there. Not either one of our offices. Too messy! Would have to put curtains on those doors. No. Maybe a library.
The front bedroom...who gets it? He or I? If I get it do I use it for my office or a little art studio/craft room? Do I want to combine the two uses in one room? Not really.
In our current home, we like to sit together in the morning in the south-facing window, have our coffee and plan our day. In the new home we will have two south-facing rooms, each with lots of windows. Can we duplicate our routine in either one of those rooms? Which one?
Sunday, May 15, 2016
A New Adventure
MAY 8, 2016
Today I packed and labeled the first box marked for moving into our new Forever Home: Winter Boots. The next snow shouldn't fly for several months and hopefully we will be moved by then.
We started seriously looking for a one-floor low maintenance home in August 2014. Then we gave up. Nothing was a right fit. We started again a month or so later with a realtor. Weeks passed. We visited dozens of houses. Still nothing.
Then on March 27, 2016 our realtor emailed us a link to new construction in what I call a "mushroom community". The link included a floor plan that was almost a perfect fit. The Pisa Torre. But the community did not offer maintenance free living.
So the search was on. Could we find this house in a community that offered condo or condo-like living. Surprisingly, we found two communities. One was brand new and no houses had been built yet. The other, in the complete opposite direction and slightly outside of the boundaries we had set, was a larger community and new home construction was nearly completed. Which one should we choose? We visited both sites several times. Picked out lots at both sites. Asked questions.
On April 14, 2016 we decided against the brand new site. We didn't want to be living in a construction zone for what could be a very long time. We immediately began negotiations on building in the other community and finalized the deal on April 30, 2016.
The compromises on our ideal choices were many, but minor and easily accepted:
> the community is somewhat outside the boundaries we had set but close to a social group where we are known.
> we preferred a house with no entry steps. This one will have a few steps up to the porch and front door and two steps up from the garage. Small ramps could correct that if ever needed.
> we wanted basement-less. Zoning requires a basement.
> we had hoped for a wooded view. Not here. But great birding areas and an eagle nest are a short walk away.
The home will have a front porch and a deck. The floor plan is perfect! The mailbox will be right in front of the house. And, if we don't have time to throw away ALL of our junk before we move--that unwanted basement is huge!
God is good!
Monday, May 9, 2016
Baby Steps
Today I interviewed a lovely young lady who may become one of my sidekicks as we dive into our new adventure. Hopefully she will help me keep my house presentable as we sort, donate, toss and pack. I guess we can't start too soon. It is going to be a really big job!
Sunday, May 8, 2016
A Dream Come True
Yes -- A Dream Come True
For as long as I can remember I have been creating floor plans in my head. Frequently I've played with them on paper. I've cut them out of newspapers and downloaded them. I've lived in them, walking from room to room, my head!
Never, ever, in my wildest dreams, did I ever think that building a house of my own with an ideal floor plan would be a reality. God is good and dreams do come true--even when you've never dreamed that they could.
The Back Story
We have lived in our home for over fifty years. It's the homestead. It's where we raised our three children. It's where pets were born and buried. Where many dreams came true. It's on a hill and the bathroom is upstairs. We're getting older. The hill is getting tougher to climb. The steps are a concern and the bathroom visits are more frequent! It's time to find more suitable digs, to take our memories, leave the house behind and begin a new adventure.
Won't you come with us?
For as long as I can remember I have been creating floor plans in my head. Frequently I've played with them on paper. I've cut them out of newspapers and downloaded them. I've lived in them, walking from room to room, my head!
Never, ever, in my wildest dreams, did I ever think that building a house of my own with an ideal floor plan would be a reality. God is good and dreams do come true--even when you've never dreamed that they could.
The Back Story
We have lived in our home for over fifty years. It's the homestead. It's where we raised our three children. It's where pets were born and buried. Where many dreams came true. It's on a hill and the bathroom is upstairs. We're getting older. The hill is getting tougher to climb. The steps are a concern and the bathroom visits are more frequent! It's time to find more suitable digs, to take our memories, leave the house behind and begin a new adventure.
Won't you come with us?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)