Thursday, March 31, 2011

House Hunting Chronicles: The Beginning


I've foolishly let my superstitious nature get in my way recently, and yours too I’m afraid. I've been keeping things to myself in the hopes that by not saying them out loud, they might come true. The universe would hear the request, laugh and shut all doors open to making this dream happen. About six weeks ago, I stopped believing in that kind of thinking. I realized it was limiting and ridiculous to think that I couldn't get excited about something because my enthusiasm would scare it away. Today, on a bit of a drive, Tim convinced me that I should write about this, that it would be good for me, it would calm me, help me focus, take some pressure off, and that it would probably make for some good reading material – at least for us in the years to come.

So, today I begin the blog entries about our forays into buying our first home. There’s quite a bit to cover, which I find exciting and overwhelming at the same time. I’ll do my best to limit the details and rambles on certain properties, but you’ll have to excuse me if they slip in there. It’s hard not to get rambling about some of them.

The best place to start of course is the beginning, so I’ll delve into that today. We currently live in an apartment, and although it’s a decent size, especially for an apartment, we have definitely outgrown it. We decided to start actively looking for a home last fall, which in hindsight, was probably not the best time to get out on the market, but you live, you learn. The first string of houses we looked at were all either bank owned properties or short sales. I recommend avoid both completely if you can. Bank owned properties can be a great deal, if you have the cash, time, patience, manpower, resources and skill to bring them back to their previous luster. We do not have the correct combination of these, but we had to learn that the hard way. I think it's one of the few times that our bargain hunting has failed us.


We looked at two bank owned properties and one short sale. We passed on the short sale because it was in a bit of a strange neighborhood off of a busy road. We ruled out both bank owned properties because they needed more work than we could put in. About a week later we saw a cute Gambrel that was on 13 acres (yay! Land!) and would meet our needs. We put in an offer. We waited. Nine days after we submitted our offer the bank informed us that there was a serious mold issue in the basement, so they would only be accepting cash offers or rehab loan offers. We dodged a bullet. We were slightly discouraged, but happy to be told about the mold up front before paying for a home inspection and getting our hopes up about that house becoming our home. The search continued.

Admittedly, I spend far too much time online looking at listings, and have through this whole process. Genreally, it just gets me daydreaming about places and wishing there were more listings, and tracking the price reductions on certain properties. In short, it makes me a little crazier than usual, but it’s for a good cause, so I figure it can’t hurt. There has been some pay off to my obsessing, one home that Tim had really loved, had dropped in price and although we knew it needed work, we also knew we could get a rehab loan to fix things up, and had a great friend who is also a great contractor, so we decided to give it a shot. We put in our offer again, and waited. Turns out, the bank that owned that property wanted to be rid of it and they really weren’t entertaining any offers unless they were cash. To the best of our knowledge, that house sold at auction. While we were waiting to hear back on that house though, I kept up my searching and found that a home we had liked in the summer was re-listed and with a lower price. Up until about six weeks ago, we were certain that this house was going to become our home. This house, and the saga surrounding it, deserves its own post in the next installment. It’s that bizarre and entertaining, I promise!

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Tuesday Tunes

Possibly the best band name EVER! Wait for it....Fitz & The Tantrums. (Yes, this opinion is probably colored by the fact that I live with a toddler.) This song is beyond fun, completely dance worth and has a high ear worm potential. It has a great "old school" feel to it and reminds me of a slightly stripped down ELO. Enjoy!

Teardrops fade
Then I saw, blue hands in the pocket
'Cause you were always made to want it all
But now you got to make it on your own




Money Grabber - Fitz & The Tantrums
Don't come back anytime I've already had your kind.
This is your pay back, money grabber.
Don't come back anytime, you've already run me dry.
This is your pay back, money grabber.

Teardrops fade.
Then I saw, blue hands in the pocket.
'Cause you were always made to want it all.
But now you got to make it on your own.
This ain't your home.
So I'm showing you the door.
Wave goodbye now, it's time for you to go.

Don't comeback anytime, I've already had your kind.
This is you pay back, money grabber.

Don't come back anytime, you've already robbed me blind.
This is your pay back, money grabber.

Blue rhinestone glass.
All I see.
You talking double.
Like the time you set fire to me.
'Cause I'm in trouble.
Here's my advice .
I don't think twice for the price of a cheap time whore .

Don't comeback anytime, I've already had your kind.
This is you pay back, money grabber.

Don't come back anytime, you've already robbed me blind.
this is your pay back, money grabber.

One. Two. Leave.
One is for the money.
Two is for the greed .
And three times that I told you you're the one,
I just don't need .

Don't comeback anytime, I've already had your kind.
This is you pay back, money grabber.

Don't come back anytime, you've already robbed me blind.
This is your pay back, money grabber.


Money grabber.
Money grabber
Don't come back anytime, I've already had your kind.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Ostara!

A few shots to capture our celebration last Sunday. We welcomed spring with our annual egg hunt, seed planting, ham dinner and carrot cake. (I'll try to get back with a more detailed entry)

















Friday, March 25, 2011

This Moment

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by SouleMama.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Whoooo Knows Their Owls? We Do!

Yesterday was the first time I've taken all three kiddos to a "class" together. The class was geared for Ben's age, and actually he was the only kid in our family that was officially signed up, but of course siblings were allowed to tag along. Tag along they did!

We went to a wonderful session about Owls and Owls in NH at the NH Audubon Center. This was courtesy of a group field trip, coordinated by Relaxed Homeschoolers of NH. We border hop all the time! To be honest, I was a little nervous about how it would work out. I wasn't sure how easily distracted Sydney would be, if Nate would be feeling shy or tired or uninterested and if Ben would be overwhelmed by his siblings' needs impeding with his fun, or if he'd be feeling nervous, since we were interacting with a large group of homeschoolers we didn't know. It all worked out far better than I could have hoped. Nate and Sydney each managed to nap on the hour-plus ride up to the center, so they were well rested and in good moods when we arrived. Nate became much more engaged in the presentation than I had thought he would. Sydney was happy to walk around the large room and look at goldfish, and Ben came out of his shell easily. I'm sure this was all partially thanks to the presenter, who was friendly, kind to all of the kids and kept the pace moving well.


Ben, in his usual reserved state, withheld his review until the ride home. About thirty minutes into the presentation he told me he was bored and this wasn't what he had expected, and seemed ready to leave. He pushed through for ten more minutes, until the Owls were introduced and then it was the best thing he'd ever seen! He's seen Owls before at the York Center for Wildlife, and they did have a larger variety there than what he saw yesterday, but yesterday he was able to get much closer to the Owls. I think that counted for a lot in Ben's book. Proximity!


The Audubon Center staff was incredibly kind and helpful and very welcoming to kids. I know that many people will think, "Well, of course! They're teaching a class for kids, they must like them." But sadly that's not always the case. It was reassuring to be in a space that was open to kids, prompting them to touch artifacts, ask questions, share their favorite experience in nature, etc. We have been to other places where the kids are expected to sit and be quiet, take in the information and leave. Sadly, many adults forget the curiosity that comes with childhood. The Audubon Center has not, they encourage it! We will be going back! (The hour plus drive, it's well worth it!)



Nate dissecting an Owl Pellet.
A few other inhabitants at the Center.


Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Tuesday Tunes

Well it's all right, even when push comes to shove
Well it's all right, if you got someone to love
Well it's all right, everything'll work out fine
Well it's all right, we're going to the end of the line







The End of the Line - The Travelling Wilburys
Well it's all right, riding around in the breeze
Well it's all right, if you live the life you please
Well it's all right, doing the best you can
Well it's all right, as long as you lend a hand

You can sit around and wait for the phone to ring (End of the Line)
Waiting for someone to tell you everything (End of the Line)
Sit around and wonder what tomorrow will bring (End of the Line)
Maybe a diamond ring

Well it's all right, even if they say you're wrong
Well it's all right, sometimes you gotta be strong
Well it's all right, As long as you got somewhere to lay
Well it's all right, everyday is Judgment Day

Maybe somewhere down the road aways (End of the Line)
You'll think of me, wonder where I am these days (End of the Line)
Maybe somewhere down the road when somebody plays (End of the Line)
Purple haze

Well it's all right, even when push comes to shove
Well it's all right, if you got someone to love
Well it's all right, everything'll work out fine
Well it's all right, we're going to the end of the line

Don't have to be ashamed of the car I drive (End of the Line)
I'm glad to be here, happy to be alive (End of the Line)
It don't matter if you're by my side (End of the Line)
I'm satisfied

Well it's all right, even if you're old and gray
Well it's all right, you still got something to say
Well it's all right, remember to live and let live
Well it's all right, the best you can do is forgive

Well it's all right, riding around in the breeze
Well it's all right, if you live the life you please
Well it's all right, even if the sun don't shine
Well it's all right, we're going to the end of the line

Friday, March 18, 2011

This Moment

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by SouleMama.







Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Tuesday Tunes

The sun is hot in the sky just like a giant spotlight
The people follow the signs and synchronize in time
It's a joke nobody knows, they've got a ticket to the show



Keep your eyes open for dancing tomatoes, curious birds, a floating lady and singing police men. You're welcome!

The Show - Lenka
I'm just a little bit caught in the middle
Life is a maze and love is a riddle
I don't know where to go, can't do it alone
I've tried and I don't know why

Slow it down, make it stop or else my heart is going to pop
'Cause it's too much, yeah it's a lot to be something I'm not
I'm a fool out of love 'cause I just can't get enough

I'm just a little bit caught in the middle
Life is a maze and love is a riddle
I don't know where to go, can't do it alone
I've tried and I don't know why

I'm just a little girl lost in the moment
I'm so scared but I don't show it
I can't figure it out, it's bringing me down
I know I've got to let it go and just enjoy the show

The sun is hot in the sky just like a giant spotlight
The people follow the signs and synchronize in time
It's a joke nobody knows, they've got a ticket to the show

Yeah, I'm just a little bit caught in the middle
Life is a maze and love is a riddle
I don't know where to go, can't do it alone
I've tried and I don't know why

I'm just a little girl lost in the moment
I'm so scared but I don't show it
I can't figure it out, it's bringing me down
I know I've got to let it go and just enjoy the show
Just enjoy the show

I'm just a little bit caught in the middle
Life is a maze and love is a riddle
I don't know where to go, can't do it alone
I've tried and I don't know why

I'm just a little girl lost in the moment
I'm so scared but I don't show it
I can't figure it out, it's bringing me down
I know I've got to let it go and just enjoy the show
Just enjoy the show, just enjoy the show

I want my money back, I want my money back
I want my money back, just enjoy the show
I want my money back, I want my money back
I want my money back, just enjoy the show

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Preparations

Ben's 8th birthday is tomorrow. 8. Eight. Eight! Eight? It doesn't seem quite possible and it feels like a monumental age to me. When he turned five, I remember thinking it was an important birthday. It seemed to mark the end of his younger years and fully established him as a "big kid". I didn't think I'd feel that kind of significance about his birthday again until he turned ten. I was wrong.

Eight is proving to feel very poignant for me. I can't decipher why just yet, I'm assuming his growing confidence and independence have a lot to do with it. He's grown into his own person very fully now, and although I'm still his mom and provide guidance and safety, he's growing up and needing me a little less. He's venturing out more and more and as his bravery grows, my faith and pride in him does as well. I'll admit it though, a little part of my heart aches too. Ah, the lovely dichotomy of parenthood.


Cupcakes shared with friends at homeschool group this week.

Syda had a particular interest in the cupcakes. She refers to them as, "Uh uh!" complete with head shaking "No." This translates directly into, "My mom is SO mean! She won't let me eat all of those cupcakes."


Gift bags for Ben's presents. Reusable, bright, fun colors and
durable. Certain to be seen for the next family gift giving.



Ben is oblivious to all my sewing and knitting and busy movements today, or he's being a very polite 7 year old and acting like he doesn't know what I'm up to. I think it's the latter. That and the Wolves of the Beyond series, is very engaging.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Tuesday Tunes

In honor of Ben's birthday this week, he chose this week's song. Any guesses as to how old he's turning? The pop music isn't an indicator at all is it?


Friday, March 4, 2011

This Moment

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by SouleMama.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Tuesday Tunes



Open Wide Your Wounded Heart, Feel Yourself Be Blown Apart,
Open Wide Your Wounded Heart, It's a Funny Place to Start
In The Light of the Sun, We Are Found, We Are Undone


All The Stars - The Wailin Jennys

This song is from the newest Wailing Jenny's album, Bright Morning Stars, and the lyrics aren't available yet online, much to my chagrin. The quote above is a piece that keeps replaying in my head, but I'll admit I'm not confident those are the exact words. Oh well, the video is more than enough to tide me over until I get a hold of the album later this week hopefully. If you are local and want to see more of The Wailin Jennys, they'll be at the infamous Somerville Theater on March 27th. They're also touring throughout the east coast right now so catch them if you can!