And Now the Work Begins

I guess this is always the case, but there is a lot more work to be done than I had anticipated. First and safety first, the electrical wiring. I needed a 220 outlet for my dryer, simple. But when we got to looking at the wiring in the basement - yikes. A lot of the lights were "wired" with extension cords that probably date back 50 years. Fortunately for me I was born into a family with skills in this area. So after a day and a half of hard labor the wiring in the basement is safe AND there is a 220 outlet for my dryer. But wait there is more.

This house was built in 1928 - that is 78 years ago for those of you keeping score at home. Just for historical perspective, because I love historical perspective, in 1928 the first tv set was sold for $75 which was almost 5% of the annual average income. This has a point, when this house was built they couldn't possibly imagine the need for electrical outlets on the second floor. There was only one real outlet in two of the rooms. Dad has spent the last two or three days rectifying that situation. He is putting lights in the closets in the kids rooms and outlets in their rooms and my sewing room (since I don't use a treadle).

I have been slaving away painting. After eight years of living in a rental I am sick to death of off white. However picking the right colors is more difficult than I would have anticipated. Thank goodness Lowe's sells paint in 2 oz. samples. Worth all 300 pennies. I was able to pick a good yellow. Yellow?! Yep, but that is a story for another time.

One more historical note. In 1928 the New York Yankees won the world series. I can't help but think that is a good omen.

Possession

No, I am not actually possessed, it only seems that way sometimes. No, I finally took possession of the house yesterday. The previous owners moved out and into their new home. They still have a few odds and ends in the house and still have a set of keys, but hey I have the garage door openers! This really isn't a problem for me since I want to work on the house before I move in and they are friends and have been my neighbors for 25 years. Believe me I am not going to be upset about a few lamps and things.

BUT I have keys too and can come and go as I please. Hopefully it will start to feel like I own it soon. Right now there is some sort of mental disconnect. I know that I have done all the paperwork, I have the deed on my desk, but somehow it feels more like a project than my own land and home. Very strange, and not at all how I expected to feel.

So this morning I went over and did some cleaning. Not deep, pass the white glove kind of cleaning, but rather sweeping the cobwebs off the wall where the furniture had been kind of cleaning. I vacuumed all the carpet and sweep the other floors. It made a real noticible difference in how the house felt. I am sure there is a lesson to all housekeepers in there somewhere.

I also had my first visitors this afternoon. Grandma and Granddad came down to have a look around. Grandma brought me some steamed steak for my lunch. She told me that her Grandmother always said that you must take a gift when you go to someones new home for the first time...even if it is only salt. Vicki and her kids came by a little later, Vicki was giving me paint color advice! She is much more interior decorating minded than I.

Tonight, I washed down all of the drawers and most of the cupboards in the kitchen. My intention is to start taking things over and putting them away as I go. After doing that, the kids and I played hide and go seek in the empty house. Hopefully starting to make them more comfortable there. A. was a little scared and didn't want to hide or seek by herself.

I have big plans for tomorrow. Collecting paint swatches, getting propane service so that I will have hot water and a stove, starting to tape the rooms for painting....much fun, but I must not neglect my business, time to start juggling.

T- two days

Today is Monday, only two days until possession of the house. It has been raining all morning so I know that one of the first things that will have to happen is mowing the yard. I am sure it will change, but right now it seems very rewarding to be mowing my very own lawn. As the fasination decreases I am sure T. will have more and more of the "honor" of the job.

I am beginning to get a sense of the fact that there is a tremendous amount of "stuff". I have been doing a bit of mental inventory of how I want to live. This move being a catalyst and the perfect point to implement lifestyle changes. I am determined to live simpler, with less stuff.

I was unpacking a closet, just a little closet the other day, I am amazed at how much junk was in there. How about five decks of cards that don't have all the cards...

Starting a new Journey - Across the Road

Originally the name for this journal came from the fact that I live across the yard from my childhood home. While there are a plethora of strange issues with that emotionally, I am not dealing with that today. After eight years of living in the Heatwole house, I have bought (see New Year's resolution for 2005 and 2006) a house, and you guessed it, it's Across the road.

I closed on the house this past Wednesday, I have the deed lying on my desk. A done deal. Except of course I have to make the payments.

I thought, that it might be fun to use this space which I obviously neglect to cronicle the move. I take possession this week on Wednesday, when the Bernhardi's move to thier new home. I am anticipating Wednesday night when I have the keys in hand and can come and go into the house as I please.

So, I will cronicle it here. And maybe sometime if I feel like doing so I will write about the great Easter Egg hunt that is getting a loan when you are self-employed.