I waited until the Beegirl made her Zoidberg post on her Facebook before I made my little announcement there as well, but waited until today to do it here…

Last fall, Carrie and I looked at a house that was listed privately. I fell in love with the kitchen, but had some reservations about water supply (well) and the basement was a bit iffy… we went back a second time with my cousin (knows his biz when it comes to houses!) and the girls’ dad, and weighed the advice given… and declined to make an offer at the asking price.

She did make an offer on the other house, just a bit late; being a competing offer, she was outbid. Although we were a bit disappointed, neither of us were really all that concerned.

We kept looking, and happened to notice that the other house had now been listed with a realtor (the owner had told me she would be going to an agent, so it wasn’t a surprise) for much less than originally posted.

Knowing the dream of a tiny acreage is out of reach financially (and physically, at least for me right now) and after a long talk with pro/con lists, we decided this one is really the one we wanted. A call to our realtor was made, and Carrie made her offer.

It was countered, not too much more than what she’d offered (and still 30k less than was originally asked), which Carrie accepted. The well was tested, the appraiser sent out, the mortgage application approved…

And today the papers go to the lawyer, and Carrie signs the mortgage Tuesday afternoon. Knock on wood, she takes possession of this lovely little house March 2nd.

Sometime in April (probably), I’ll be making the move as well. For the first time in nearly 22 years, I’ll be living somewhere other than Miami/immediate area. The house is in Altamont, about 15-20 minutes away, in another RM. It’s about the same distance for Carrie to go to work, and although it’s not right on the edge of the ridge, it’s still up there, and the energy there is just… I can’t describe it. I’ve always loved being on the ridge, ever since we first moved here when Rhia was a baby. Something about this edge of the Pembina Valley just makes my soul sing.

The house comes with a fairly good sized yard, with room for a really big garden if we want. We’ve already decided the rabbit hutches will go behind the garage (sheltered by trees and the garage for wind etc.) and Carrie wants to look into the possibility of chickens. The house is second to last on the road out of town, so… maybe? And there’s plenty of room for her to put in an apple tree, a crab apple tree, pincherries, plums, blackberries, raspberries and rhubarb.

Oh the plans we have!

We’re finally getting out of this shithole. We’re going to leave the indoor cement pond behind, along with the black mould, collapsing ceilings, rotting roof, and sagging, damp walls.

And no, apparently I’m not allowed to paint or tape black stripes on the door… much as I’m tempted!

Here’s to the future!
<3 JL