I have to admit, I am ADDICTED to my blog, your blog, and everyone else's blog, and a little facebook on the side. Needless to say, I feel that I have this constant connection to everyone in the world. They can enjoy, laugh and cry with me all at the same time - and I don't even know about it, until they publish a comment or story about it.
Last week I posted a little note on facebook, something like - Please don't ask when we are moving in. Why? I am on the verge of a breakdown! So I will share with you a little story. Grab your blanky, find a warm spot, get settled in. Are you ready?
The rental story: In August of 2006, we put our house up for sale. It sold 2 months later. We were lucky enough to rent a home 3 HOUSES SOUTH, yes, 3 houses. New neighborhood, new ward, new neighbors. We told the landlord that we would be renting for a year, MAX! - - Oh, right - 3 YEARS LATER,we finally moved out!
I am a landlord as a profession, so I can only imagine how Ms. Curtis felt. She had talked of selling the house, renting it to family, or just renting it again. When we finally started building we thought we would be out Sept.1, but that didn't happen either. She was being so patient with me, but I could feel the un-welcome bug creeping in.
We have been trying to move every week since September, but it hasn't been happening. Thankfully we built Jayson a huge storage unit...oh, I mean shop (hahahaha), and have been taking loads of stuff down every weekend.
THE HOLD UP - We (Todd and I) decided to do concrete counter tops for the entire house. Todd had never done these before, but was really excited to try. 1st problem - waiting for the check from the bank, 2nd problem - has to order more red dye, 3rd problem - It is a four step process, with each step needing 24 hours in between, 4th problem - needed to order MORE RED dye. We FINALLY got everything...and then it's just a PROCESS! I AM SO HAPPY with the counters. The plumber couldn't come until counters were set, and you can't get a final clearance until EVERYTHING is done.
We decided to go ahead and move the past weekend and then stay with Jaysons parents. We hoped that we would have clearance on Monday. We spent all day Saturday moving, thanks to some VERY great friends with trucks and trailers. Sunday I spent the day at the rental CRYING and cleaning. It took ALL day, and as a landlord, I hope Ms. Curtis is thankful for my cleaning skills.
The "redneck" way of moving a trampoline
What I start to look like after 3 days of no sleep!
Lunch break, have to feed the help!
MONDAYS small DISASTER-
Jayson and I both took off work yesterday to final up some things on the house, while the "workers" were sanding down the counter tops. I was arranging the house and was planning on going into work about noon. Well, at about 11:30 we had a little disaster. Something happened with the well when they were turning it on, and it blew water OUT of the utility room onto yes, my new carpet! THANKFULLY, my good friend and neighbor is Wade Rasmussen AKA Absolutely Clean Carpets. ( He is great, and always willing to help out my friends. You can call him at 512-1402!) He was on the way to clean the rental, and I asked him to stop at the new house to exact the water. He said everything looked fine, but...well..arghhHH! We turned up the heat, and put fans near the wet spots. I think it is all taken care of. I must have been pretty tired, because It didn't seem to really matter. Quick fix, all better!
Now a little note about the house - I am SO excited for a NEW home, I just DON'T want to move. I love my Dad very much, and want my kids to be able to run and play at the farm, and have a HUGE farm as a backyard playground. HOWEVER - the Woolfs are the most amazing people in the world!
Steve and JennaVee are the WORLDS BEST NEIGHBORS!!! We LOVE them. Jayson started calling me Margaret Woolf at some point over the past three years. They take care of us, invite us over, bring in the trash can, feed us, love us, and accept us. We have had many great memories that involve the Woolfs and their entire family over the past few years. Sunday Carmel popcorn is one of my favorites :) We love everyone of them.
Saturday when we were getting the "last" load out JennaVee and Anna came over. I started to cry, and the minute they were out of sight, I started to BAWL! I was crying so hard I couldn't breath. I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE MY CORNER! Jayson just held my hand and didn't say a word. It was at this moment that I realized the reason I have been so blah about my new house is because I would rather have my old house with great neighbors. Katie and Rex (the neighbors dogs) were even making me cry.
I will miss this old house, and everything about it. The leak in Ashtons ceiling, hot water faucet in the main bath that doesn't work, creaky floor, sump pump in the laundry, small kitchen, fireplace in the living room, doors that won't lock (yes, you could have been robbing us for years), old barns for the kids to play in, WONDERFUL neighbors - Woolfs, Atwoods, Russells, and the Weeks, ALL the dogs in Paradise coming over for Sunday treats, selling Saturday doughnuts on the corner, the park 1 block away, the bay window that my kids think is where coats and backpacks go, the old wood burning stove pipe that the birds like to come through,the COKE machine 1 block away, the fire pit, the porch that will one day collapse, the dogs that shit on my lawn, the cows that shit on my lawn, the basement that leaks when the pasture renters don't turn off the sprinklers, the fire department in all it's glory 1 block away, fresh produce on my doorstep, not having a garage, all the HUGE rock for Ashton to find bugs under, the great hill to ride your bike off, City utilities, Ms. Curtis, my OWN closet, "the hidden closet," where ALL my crap goes, neighbor kids thinking I make the BEST treats around, walking late at nigh with street lights, talking in the middle of the road, and a GREAT family ward!
For those of you who don't know where I live, or where I am moving - here's the details. We live on 9100 S, and are moving to 7800 S - Yes 13 "blocks, " 2 MILES North. You would think that we are moving to the other end of the world. But, not being able to yell across the street, do morris code with lights in the kitchen window, send the kids over for whatever ingredient I am missing, have fresh Steve garden produce, or simply enjoy our visits in the middle of the road is the hardest thing for me to emotionally deal with. I KNOW that I can visit them anytime - but for now, no one will understand how this is tearing me apart. I can't thank the Woolf family enough for who they have been to me or my family over the past three years. It is a relationship that I will treasure throughout my life. Kaden and Bridger are my "other" kids, and I love them so much. They might just have to have sleepovers at my house. Jayson said I have to give up one of my night visits with my Dad to have one with the Woolfs :) We will miss you, but never forget! Thank you for a wonderful 3 years! (yes, crying hysterically again)
This is the view I love from my porch, the Woolfs back door- ALWAYS open and inviting!
As for the new house... today Tuesday October 27... 1. carpet man finishing grout in bathroom and pantry and putting down transition pieces. 2. Cutting seems in driveway concrete to prevent cracking. 3. Finishing up counter tops. 4. Plumber finishing up 5. "touch up" 6. Final Inspection today at 4:00....with high hopes and dreams! :)
