A Sad Note

We recently learned that the former owner of our house has passed away. Mr. Reid had a more stressful time than we did during the months the bank took to approve the sale. There's no doubt this stress contributed to his declining health. Our deepest sympathies go out to his daughter.

Seriously Stinky Stuff

Carpet, carpet, and more carpet. When not properly maintained (and the floors in the place were not), it can be seriously stinky! And draperies Scarlet O'Hara could make several dresses from. Not enough Fabreze in the factory to combat years of neglect!

Fortunately, Rob is on demo patrol. Every last stitch of fabric has been removed from the house, but now resides in the garage (we have a garage!) until Carlos, our partner in rehab and construction can take it away. The stink is almost completely gone.

Next to go is some of the shelving, except for the pieces that are original to the house.

Speaking of original, we have had nightly discussions on what to keep and what to update. Part of me wants to remain true to the mid-century style, but I'm admitting out loud that I'm having a hard time with the pink tile in the main bathroom. I can't tell if it's the color or my general aversion to other people's skeeve. OK, just grossed myself out. On a happier, cleaner note, painting in the kids' rooms is almost complete. They chose pretty traditional boy/girl colors. Go figure.

Home At Last!

We spent our first day as home owners exploring and ripping out carpet at 1030 Rock Creek Drive. It was amazing. We met wonderful neighbors (one even mowed our lawn while we went to lunch!) and only left out of exhaustion and lack of daylight (we have to fax documentation showing we are new owners to have power turned on. I won't even tell you the details of the hour and and a half phone call to the phone company!)

Since this has turned out to be a total gut/rehab, we'll be staying in the apartment for another two weeks—at least!

Pictures are coming!

Everything But The House!

The Energy Star compliant appliances have been chosen. The estimate for radiant flooring is in writing. The size of the solar array determined.

We have no house.

Let's see. Last blog in June of 2007. Way back then we were looking to sell our victorian gem. We found buyers and settled on February 15. Many people selling and buying settle on the same day. We would have too if the new house was ready to be sold. Where to go? Temporary housing of course!

We packed up our stuff, sent it into storage and Rob, the kids and I took up residence in a two bedroom highrise. For three months!

Bumps In The Road

So, our bid was accepted on the house. Now we have to sell ours. The real fun has begun!

Monday-
Went to sign the mortgage application for the new house. Found out interest rates have been steadily rising for the past several weeks. An increase in our monthly payment.
As my hand seemed to have a mind of its own, it hesitated—for just a few seconds before IT—signed MY name on the official mortgage papers. "We can still back out if it doesn't feel right." Comforting words from Rob as he watched my hand. "It's not me—it's my hand," I was thinking. "I don't want to back out, do you?"
My hand signed. And signed. And signed again.


Tuesday-
Called the insurance agent to confirm the lower home owners rate listed on our mortgage application. Moving outside the city is sure to lower the rate. It ain't necessarily so. Although the overall value of the new house is lower than that of the current one, our rate will somehow go up. A LOT. All this because of a minor claim to have our kitchen walls repaired. The insurance company pays out $2000 grand and our rates are rediculously raised. Why do we have insurance again?

Tuesday night-
Wicked thunderstorms, complete with downed trees and canceled flights. It also brought to the current house clogged downspouts and a wet kitchen. Not the kinds of things homeowners like to experience, particularly when there is a "for sale" sign in the front yard.

Wednesday-
Receive an inspector's report saying the septic system in the new house needs to be repaired or replaced. A permit is needed to repair. The township is giving the current owners a hard time. The owners would rather not have to pay for an entirely new system. Don't blame them.

The open house for the current residence is scheduled for eleven days from today. The porch still has to be repaired and the tiles in one of the bathrooms have to be replaced. Haven't heard from our contractor. Oh, and we have to keep the house looking like we're neat and clean people.

With all of them bumps in the road (we've just begun the process, there will be many, many more bumps), I still believe this is the right thing to do. And I am still excited. We will have our zero energy house.
I think my hives have gone away.

The Deed Is Done

I couldn't figure out why I have been breaking out in hives for the past two weeks. That occassionally happens when I'm under real stress, but I've been feeling very excited by this new chapter. "Could it be because your entire life is being upheaved?" Rob asked. Ohhh, right ... that is whats happening, isn't it? Underneath the outward excitement is the shear panic of changing a relatively settled family life. Made worse by highly acidic food/drink, that would do it. Damn! No wine or tomato sauce for weeks. So much for comfort consumables

Contracts have been signed, money has been exchanged. The reality is setting in. We're moving.
From three stories to one. City life (sort of) to the burbs (sort of). Public sewage to septic tanks. Slightly annoying commute to a possible real pain in the ass one. Still, its all very exciting. We're that much closer to going off the grid. And having a master suite is pretty cool too.


Itchy

Somehow someway - a word from the husband

So of course i promised my wife anything if she would get excited about this new house. giving up a victorian house in one of the "best" philly neighborhoods is a big request. She wanted to pick all the finishes for the kitchen, but within 1 day i was already testing her patience on the choice of the counter top - granite. we eventually found a terrazo product that has a high performance/recycled content. we also are looking into a company called Citilogs for our cabinents. I assure my wife that they will match excatly the beautiful and cost effective Ikea cabinenets that she selected.



I know, I know, i need to step back and give her some control...maybe in a week or two...