Well....what an eventful last couple of days!

Tanya called just after midnight and we chatted about life for a while. Otherwise a very quiet and solitary welcoming of the New Year.

New Years Day found me at work on evening shift. It was a wonderful night. Pauline and Merline had cooked up a storm and we had a veritable feast of Jerk Pork, Jerk Chicken, home made potato salad, roast potato and of course black cake. We also had home made ginger beer and sorrel to quench our thirst. I brought some home for the old hound to try on Monday and he thought they were great, he is also a fan of black cake so thanks Pauline! Working on a holiday is so much nicer with good people.

Sunday morning brought conversation with my lawyer. It looks like my settlement is finally within reach, which is very good news as you will see when you read further!

Sunday evening I was feeling fairly on top of the world, despite the dent to my beautiful blue caddy. I had looked back on the past year and all I had accomplished in starting over and rebuilding my life. I was feeling pretty positive about things and felt a renewed sense of energy. I got home from work and.......boom......there it was. A HUGE roach in my kitchen. I grabbed a wad of paper towels but it was big and I am terrified of those horrible things. It took so much will power for me to squash that thing. People may think that is foolish, but I do have an irrational fear of them. I felt such a sinking feeling in the bottom of my heart. Then I saw another one! Just as big! I tried to kill it and missed. Terrified I would lose it and then not know where it was I had to really make myself kill it. I literally was shouting "kill it, kill it" as I pounced with the paper towel. I am ashamed to say I lost it at this point. I was distraught. I had just started to feel comfortable in the apartment again and there they were. The tears just flowed and flowed. I felt so frustrated and helpless. There is NO food on my counters. Everything is sealed and put away. I disinfect every day. I sweep every day. It just wasn't fair.

Then came the old hound to the rescue. How he knew I needed him I don't know, but there he popped up on messenger like a knight in shining armor. He consoled me and comforted me and even convinced me to go back into the kitchen. (I was afraid to in case I saw more, I didn't feel I could handle it). There were no more. I filled the sinks with water as they seem to be coming from there and tried to get some sleep. I had houses to look at the next day.

In the morning I decided I really needed to treat myself to something special. I went for a pedicure and paraffin treatment and boy did it make my tired, achy, dry feet feel better. My mood lifted after the pampering and I headed out to the real estate office.

Gary (my real estate agent) drove me out to Whitby and Oshawa to look at the houses I had selected. There were about six on the list and I wanted to revisit the house I was interested in the last time. I had driven out to look at it from the outside a few times since I viewed it and wanted another look inside.

The houses were for the most part unsuitable. There was a lovely older house on a quiet dead end street, but it was not really big enough. Same with a couple of bungalows that I looked at. They were nice enough, but not me. One house was close, ...but not quite. There was another one that bordered on slum. Pictures really can lie, it looked nothing like its ad! A backsplit was nice, but a bit pricey. There was nothing wrong with it, it was in pristine condition but seemed sterile and bland. Then it was on to the house I had seen previously.

That house just felt right. The yard is fantastic. It is separated into two parts, patio and lawn. There is a gazebo with grape vines and three mature fruit trees. The lot is large, 50 by 127.5 feet. Inside is cluttered and somewhat outdated, but I could still see the potential. When I stepped inside it felt like "home". The kitchen felt like a kitchen you could cook in. If you could ignore the absolute clutter and outdated garish wallpaper there were definite possibilities. I decided to make an offer and arranged to meet with the agents the next day.

That evening was supper with the old hound. I got home late so quickly fried some sweet italian turkey sausage and some veal, boiled some spaghetti, and bunged it all in a casserole with some sauce. I was feeling a bit tired and had only eaten a muffin all day, but as usual the old hound had me cheered up in no time. He brought the requisite bottled water (it is heavy for me to carry up to the apt.) and fresh bread and the movie Kill Bill 2. I believe he stayed awake for 96.5% of the movie.  A new record!

We talked about the house and its pros and cons. I was afraid to get my hopes up too high in case it didn't go through, but could feel the excitement starting to build.

The next day (today ) I dropped off a pair of end tables that I have been driving around with in the back seat of my car at the old hounds apartment. He is kindly looking after them until I have someplace to put them. They came from my old house and there isn't room in my apartment.

Then it was on to negotiation. First of all I had to meet with my agent who had me sign all manner of forms. This is all new to me and very nerve wracking. Then we drove off to the house. I had to wait in the car while he delivered the offer to the other agent and the owners. That was how it went back and forth all afternoon! Finally,

WE AGREED!

I now almost own a house! I say almost because it is conditional on the inspection being satisfactory. I am paying to have the home inspected for any defects. I expect minor flaws, but want to make sure there is nothing major.The final price was $190,000 and includes two fridges, a stove, dishwasher, washer /dryer, a big long freezer, all window coverings and all light fixtures and a huge wood burning cookstove in the basement! Not bad for a 4 bedroom house with finished basement, three bathrooms, a garage and workshop. The couple are moving to Nova Scotia and have not yet found a place to live, so I won't be able to move in until May. I almost didn't get it at all as the listing expired Dec. 31st and the agent was actually taking the sign down and had removed the mls listing. They were going to take the house off the market and put it back on in the spring when they would hopefully (for them) get more for it. They had already sold it once for the full asking price (194,900) but the person who bought it lost their job and the deal fell through. This is the biggest decision I have ever made on my own and I am feeling quite scared even though I am happy about it. When I got home I felt a little nauseous and lightheaded. I had some peppermint tea with honey and told the old hound the news.(I wanted him to be the first to know)  I can't wait for him to see it, but he has to promise not to laugh! I already showed him some photos of the interior. I am hoping he can come on the house inspection and see it then. Even I didn't get to see it today, I had to sit in the car! I can't post a photo of it yet because the listing has been removed already. I will drive by and lurk out front soon and get a full frontal photo!

So much to arrange and so little time. Everything, the inspection, the financing, insurance etc. has only a five day window. Plus I have a meeting with the lawyer on Friday about my separation/divorce and have to see about getting my car fixed. All this and still working and living. I am putting my multi tasking skills to the test! On the bright side in spite of all this activity I feel amazingly good. My stomach has been behaving, I am only taking one Nexium a day, I just feel a little more fatigued than usual now and then.

Now I am starting to feel excited. I have the urge to look at Home Depot etc. for ideas on cupboard doors and door knobs and a million other things, but I will be patient. I will be learning alot of new skills in the months to come, but the main one will be the removal of wallpaper. These people were wallpaper mad! Flowers, stripes, borders, they even cut the pattern out of wallpaper and stuck it on the walls!

I will have to take a plethora of before pictures during the inspection. I think a house blog of the decorating process and progress would be a fun idea. Now I just have to think up a name for it........and write a poem called the "Wallpaper Woe".

Note the burgundy/floral print in the dining room with striped border below:

Note the main floor bathroom's subtle wallpaper pattern!

 

Now just wait until you see the after shots! Just give me time!

By the way, the consensus (of the old hound and my real estate agent) is that the damage to my car is not that bad and should not cost and arm and a leg....maybe just a few fingers! To me any damage to my car is a blow, but I am heartened by their opinions.