residing in uncertainty

As I sit here typing to update you on what's going on in the Rebel household, I have a page-long to-do list. I rarely keep up with a to-do list these days, unless I have a seriously busy day or event. But moving? Moving requires a to-do list. 

Goodness, I can't remember the last bit of our house saga that I shared with you. The last time we talked, I was sad but we were still looking. Oh, ho, so long ago it all seems! We ended up finding a really excellent house with, as they say, "motivated sellers". Bigger than any other house we'd seen (but uses the space well). There's definitely some updating that needs to be done but nothing that is so ugly we can't live with for awhile. (It's more basic than ugly, if you know what I mean.) A lovely big kitchen and gorgeous high ceilings. A nice backyard with plenty of room for little boy feet to run and explore. NO CARPET!! So we did all the normal stuff, with much less drama and sturm und drang altogether. Sent the inspector over and he came back with a long list of things that had to be fixed. So we presented an offer and asked for the proper repairs, the owners agreed, and then... 

We had qualified for a lovely first-time home owners grant. This was going to make it so much easier to buy a house for us; namely, we didn't have to sit around and save up a mountain of cash. Until we out-earned the grant and had to start from square one,which is, sit around and save up a mountain of cash. Or, in my dear husband's case, work like crazy. He's been awesome and working like a Turk, if I may say so. And thank goodness his plant is at a point that is allowing extra work and hours and all that. We've pushed back the date twice now, but we're finally to the point where we're ready. Plus, we were thinking, this gives the owners more time for repairs. 

Still, we'd drive over to the house now and then and peer the windows and observe that...it didn't really look much or anything had been done. The repairs that we requested are things that have to be done whether we buy the house or not. Still, the word from their realtor is that repairs are scheduled! They are happening! So, the inspector is supposed to go back next Monday or Tuesday and go over his list. I really can't believe we're buying a house until we get the go-ahead from him. We've kept a light touch on this house, not setting our hearts on it. We're okay letting it go if we have to - and if everything isn't done then we are walking away from it and undoing all the phone calls and paperwork - but in the meantime, moving trucks have to be booked, and our apartment packed up. I have no idea how I'm going to pack up this house basically by myself and have taken to haunting liquor stores for boxes. I'm trying to put off spending tons of money on EMPTY BOXES. 

That I BETTER NOT PACK IN VAIN. 

So far, I've packed up all my books NOT in our room, which is the majority of the books. I'm very proud of my discard stack. It's way too much trouble to schlep them to the used bookstores around here, so I'm just going to give them to the library. It makes me feel vaguely benevolent and also, it's the easiest way to get rid of them. 

I'm also trying to figure out what's the best scenario for moving - we can stay in our apartment until June 1st, and we sign papers on the 27th. I plan to send to Thomas to my parents that weekend so he doesn't have to deal with most of the moving uncertainty or possibly get packed into the truck himself. Moving can be overwhelming for little ones and I want him to be okay. 

That's what is going on here. I will be packing, I shall be packing, and I absolutely should be...packing. But my heart just isn't quite in it yet. People who have bought houses before, does it always feel like this? Like, I'm think this is going to happen but what if it doesn't? 

 

Comments

[Sheryl]

Packing is yucky. I have done it more times than I care to count. I remember packing up the whole house in Ohio and Aaron had already moved to Colorado, so I hear you on packing up the house yourself. Look on Freecycle for moving boxes, or on Craigslist under free stuff. Have a packing party. invite all your friends, acquaintances, (strangers, hobos?)over for pizza and beer, put on some music and go to it. Unpacking is a lot more fun. Congrats on the new house!

[Megsie]

Woot! I am so excited for you! Packing sucks. And so does the uncertainty. I just think you put one foot in front of the other and hope for whatever is supposed to happen to HAPPEN ALREADY. If I could help, I would be there! Congratulations!