21 January 2009

making decisions

As I mentioned in my last post, I took a ride on Sunday up to the Virginia mountains to look at that house again. I had an appointment and ended up arriving about fifty minutes early. I sat in my car in the parking lot of the little 200+ year old church that is at the corner of the road the house is on. I had forgotten to pack a book in my purse, I always keep a book in my purse, but had my sketch pad and colored pencils so I did a few sketches of some of the trees that were there in the churchyard. I took a couple of pictures of some ostrich that were on the farm across the street, not good photos though.

When the time came, I drove down the road to the house and as I crossed onto the property I immediately felt the peace and calm that I had felt over a year ago when I'd been to see it with my mum. So many things were flying across my mind, that I wouldn't know where to begin to describe it. I met the realtor there and we went through the house together. This time, the owners had prepared for us to come and had left the property. (Last time, they claimed they didn't get the message about the appointment but did show us around some.)

I remembered every detail of the house and property, immediately noting changes that I noticed they had made. It was so wonderful to be there. The agent and I stayed for almost the entire hour, talking about the property, about homes like this she had owned in the past, things that we need to do if I make an offer, etc.

When I left, drove the route that I thought was best, to my office in an effort to verify what the drive would be like if I was to do it twice a day, five days a week. (It turned out to be a one hour and twenty minute drive from driveway to driveway.)

As I drove, I tried to focus on what I'd felt while I was there, listening carefully to my intuition and trying to remember that it never guides me wrong. What I realized is that it is exactly where I belong. All the doubts that I'd had about it; the commute, being so far from family and friends, being alone in the country, all the things I will need to learn about in order to survive living in the country...all those doubts went away. I know that is where I am meant to be. As I told the realtor, there just are not words to describe how much I love that place.

We've started the process of making an offer. Getting all the paperwork, property disclosures, prices all that tedious and detailed information. I'm talking with two different lenders about getting a loan and of course, my mum now says that she wasn't planning on helping me as much as we have learned she would need to with the down payment. I am not letting that distract me. I know she will come through in the end. She had several questions about the contract offer and property disclosures (she will have to co-sign in order for me to do this so her name has to be on all paperwork) and I spent today getting those answers. I discussed them with her and she felt better, she'd asked me to talk to my local realtor and that lovely woman has been able to soothe mum's fears.

So, I'm going for it. I am making an offer and am going to do everything in my power to make this work. No more doubts, no more worry. I belong there.

My local realtor, this fabulous woman who has put up with me for nine years and been to all kinds of different places with me, asked me today, "When you left, did you love it as much as when you saw it the first time, or did you pick it apart and look for things that were wrong?" My answer was that I loved it more than the first time I saw it.

She says that means it is the right place for me. I believe that.

~*~

17 January 2009

Knitting and Basketball

It's been a day of knitting and basketball in my house today. I picked up my k2p2 scarf and decided to work on it. When I started this morning, I had about 30% done. When I stopped tonight, I have about 85% done. I've had the tv on all day, more than I've had it on in weeks, and I've been checking the basketball scores. Mostly I've been listening to my iPod and knitting.
The only reason I've stopped knitting tonight, because I really really want to finish this scarf, is because I can't knit and watch the Tarheels play ball. I get too keyed up and focused on the game and mess up my knitting.

I doubt I'll get to knit tomorrow, because I'm going on a road trip and when I get home it will be time for the Steelers/Ravens game. (Can you tell I like my sports?)

Tomorrow I'm going to VA for the afternoon to look at the house. I'm taking my camera and hopefully will get some nice photos. I heard there was a chance for snow in the area tomorrow. I figure I should get used to it, if I'm going to move up there. I hope to know when I leave there tomorrow if I'm going to make an offer.

My Heels are up at half and they are getting ready to start back. Gotta get back to it. Go Heels!

~*~

09 January 2009

Create

Hello Blog world...oh how I've missed you. It feels like ages since I've been here. I am so behind in all of my favorite reads, it might take days to catch up. I do have a good reason for not being here though. No, I didn't win the lottery and disappear to Tahiti. Though that would be fun.

I have become consumed with a project. It is something that I have always wanted to try my hand at, but had been unable to put it into action. Somehow, during my time off from work, that changed. Something changed, in me, something that has allowed a part of me to become more creative. I know, I'm not making any sense. But maybe, when the time is right, I'll be able to explain it more thoroughly. I am creating...and it feels wonderful!

Blessings,
~*~

03 January 2009

Photo Hunt #6 - Hope

hope in words... (sorry for the bad photo...couldn't get a better shot).



“Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without words, and never stops at all.” ~Emily Dickinson

Blessings,
~*~