Wednesday, October 24, 2007
**Back and Blue**
It was an exhausting week. (I might mention my dissapointment that no one did my work while I was gone...) Would have been worse if not for the big ole pillow top bed, jacuzzi bath and in room fireplace at my hotel. I am thinking, with the real estate market so squirrelly, I might just as well stay at this resort indefinitely. I wonder if they have week and month rentals....? It is only a mile from work after all.
We looked at so many houses. I like the contemporary with a view of the lake. But there was a busy highway behind and, even worse, obnoxiously barking dogs on the property behind.
I like a home 14 miles west of town - a well built ranch on five acres with a view of the valley. But it was 14 miles from town. And upstate New York has real winters.
But on the up side we did find a delightful quirky house built in the mid 60's. A raised ranch with a lower level single garage. there are windows on the ground level that are part of the basement. Could be finished, but I have never been a basement person. Too much like being buried alive.
It sits on five acres, most of which is behind the house. The owners were there for 38 years and have planted hundreds of trees in back in an effort to reforest the property. There is a very large work shop - probably 800 sq feet, heated and ready for someone to.... I don't know... make things for me:). It also can function as an escape when a certain guy I know needs to get some space from a certain crazy female who, for the purposes of this entry, shall remain unnamed. His first project should be a sign that says "Girls may enter by invitation only."
The sellers added an addition a couple years ago that included a beautiful kitchen remodel with maple cabinets and Corian counters. They added a sitting area with a propane stove and a big picture window looking east to the back yard. And they added an elevator. I kid you not. This is one accessible house. ADA would be proud.
The south side of the house has a porch with fir floors and is shaded by two beautiful mature maples.
The road is quiet and there is a little cemetery nestled in some trees across the street. Most markers are from the 1800s. I can't see the neighbors on either side because of trees lining the property lines, but one house next door is a bit of a dump.
The school district is unimpressive. It doesn't impact me except for resale, which is something I have to consider given my pattern of changing jobs every five years or so.
There are three bedrooms, all small, and no master suite. I am spoiled. I love my vaulted ceiling master suite with a walk in closet and master bath. But then I remember: I am partnered with a guy who builds things and fixes things and who would have a workshop bigger than a small apartment. All the sudden discussions turn to a master suite addition. So with the cost of that in mind, we made an offer. I don't think they will accept it, but what the heck. I will know by Friday night. Plan B is a townhouse rental west of the lake. The cost is as much as a mortgage but they are willing to start with a 6 month lease and it has an attached two car garage so we can store the kayaks.
Fate, have your way with me.
We looked at so many houses. I like the contemporary with a view of the lake. But there was a busy highway behind and, even worse, obnoxiously barking dogs on the property behind.
I like a home 14 miles west of town - a well built ranch on five acres with a view of the valley. But it was 14 miles from town. And upstate New York has real winters.
But on the up side we did find a delightful quirky house built in the mid 60's. A raised ranch with a lower level single garage. there are windows on the ground level that are part of the basement. Could be finished, but I have never been a basement person. Too much like being buried alive.
It sits on five acres, most of which is behind the house. The owners were there for 38 years and have planted hundreds of trees in back in an effort to reforest the property. There is a very large work shop - probably 800 sq feet, heated and ready for someone to.... I don't know... make things for me:). It also can function as an escape when a certain guy I know needs to get some space from a certain crazy female who, for the purposes of this entry, shall remain unnamed. His first project should be a sign that says "Girls may enter by invitation only."
The sellers added an addition a couple years ago that included a beautiful kitchen remodel with maple cabinets and Corian counters. They added a sitting area with a propane stove and a big picture window looking east to the back yard. And they added an elevator. I kid you not. This is one accessible house. ADA would be proud.
The south side of the house has a porch with fir floors and is shaded by two beautiful mature maples.
The road is quiet and there is a little cemetery nestled in some trees across the street. Most markers are from the 1800s. I can't see the neighbors on either side because of trees lining the property lines, but one house next door is a bit of a dump.
The school district is unimpressive. It doesn't impact me except for resale, which is something I have to consider given my pattern of changing jobs every five years or so.
There are three bedrooms, all small, and no master suite. I am spoiled. I love my vaulted ceiling master suite with a walk in closet and master bath. But then I remember: I am partnered with a guy who builds things and fixes things and who would have a workshop bigger than a small apartment. All the sudden discussions turn to a master suite addition. So with the cost of that in mind, we made an offer. I don't think they will accept it, but what the heck. I will know by Friday night. Plan B is a townhouse rental west of the lake. The cost is as much as a mortgage but they are willing to start with a 6 month lease and it has an attached two car garage so we can store the kayaks.
Fate, have your way with me.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
**A househunting we go**
We are heading out for a week of house hunting. Given the current market, I am not optimistic we will find something we like enough to make the plunge quickly. I suspect we are more likely to find a rental and maybe look for some land.
One of the highlights of the trip will be the chance to see #1 son and my family for a day. Another plus will be where we are staying. Taking advantage of special rates available to my future employer I am able to stay at a pretty nice resort for $99 a night. Just two days ago the Dali Lama was staying at this place while doing a series of public talks. New faciltiies for his North American base are being constructed across the street I understand.
I am looking at a wide range of housing options from a fixer-upper in town, to a higher end, expensive home in the established and desirable (read: reseale) neighborhoods surrounding Cornell University, to a farm 20 miles out of town, to a log cabin. And then there is building, which sounds most intriguing to me. I have abandoned the idea of a loft in the heart of downtown as it just seems too noisy. There are some alternative housing options - cooperative communities - but I don't think I have time or even want to invest the energy into the personal time commitment of living cooperatively. Plus S. -a loner at heart - has NO desire to be part of a community living situation with shared meals and such. That part of hippiedom didn't stick I guess.
One of the highlights of the trip will be the chance to see #1 son and my family for a day. Another plus will be where we are staying. Taking advantage of special rates available to my future employer I am able to stay at a pretty nice resort for $99 a night. Just two days ago the Dali Lama was staying at this place while doing a series of public talks. New faciltiies for his North American base are being constructed across the street I understand.
I am looking at a wide range of housing options from a fixer-upper in town, to a higher end, expensive home in the established and desirable (read: reseale) neighborhoods surrounding Cornell University, to a farm 20 miles out of town, to a log cabin. And then there is building, which sounds most intriguing to me. I have abandoned the idea of a loft in the heart of downtown as it just seems too noisy. There are some alternative housing options - cooperative communities - but I don't think I have time or even want to invest the energy into the personal time commitment of living cooperatively. Plus S. -a loner at heart - has NO desire to be part of a community living situation with shared meals and such. That part of hippiedom didn't stick I guess.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Monday, October 01, 2007
Bruce Springsteen -Long Walk Home
Thought I would follow-up with the music video associated with the Springsteen song that aired on the Today Show last Friday.
**Stand-Up Comedy or A Very Frightening Leader**
Bush responding to a student's question on Blackwater. Can someone slap me out of this 8 year hallucination?
**On the market**
It took quite a few weekends of work, but the house is officially on the market today. It looks damn good - and there is a certain sadness about letting it go. I finished all the cleaning yesterday and lit a candle to heat some water containing pure pine oil. It seemed a nice touch on an otherwise rainy blustery typically PNW wintery day.
S. came into the room and I asked him if he smelled anything. I thought the fragrance of pine would evoke nice memories of his woodstove in Montana. He inhaled deeply, and said as he exhaled,
"Yes, I do.... Pine Sol."
S. came into the room and I asked him if he smelled anything. I thought the fragrance of pine would evoke nice memories of his woodstove in Montana. He inhaled deeply, and said as he exhaled,
"Yes, I do.... Pine Sol."
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