AND We've Closed

Despite a last minute hitch over the language in our insurance policy, we closed, as scheduled.  We did our final walk through and everything was as it should be.  This poor house and property; it has been neglected in every way.  Hubby and I discussed why this happens; no conclusions, just speculation.  We felt a little better about the low appraisal, because it is clear that everything needs, cleaned, repaired or replaced.  After we left the house, I found fleas hopping off me.  Welcome to country living.

After we closed, we headed to Atwoods to get bug bombs to set off in the house.  Normally I'm opposed to such chemicals, but it has to be me or the fleas and I'm staying, so the fleas must go.  We then stopped by a friend's counseling office and talked about ways we might collaborate on some projects.  Then back to the farm (we still don't have a name) to take pictures, survey what needs to be done (first) and take more pictures.

On today's agenda:  pull out all the carpet, drapes, window blinds and shades and pressure wash the outside of the house, random pruning and trimming and general clean-up.

 

 

And the S____ Gets Real

When you go to the bank and get the cashier's check to take to the title company, you know it is real and you are buying a property!  Goats, chickens, guinea foul,  more cats and more dogs!  Greenhouses to build, gardens to plant, a house to remodel.  All while working, commuting and getting a house ready to sell.  Yeah, it's getting real. 

Today is closing day.  I got a lot more sleep than I thought I would.  After many days of lengthy discussions about what we will do, how we will manage and what all of our contingency plans will be, I think I am at peace with our decision.  At 3:30 today we will do a final walk through with our realtor, Carl, who has been wonderful through it all.  At 4:00 p.m. today we will hand over the check and sign all the paperwork.  Then off to the farm to begin our adventure.  I hope you enjoy the ride!

Let the Farm Fun Begin

I was almost too afraid to post that it would happen.  We hit a couple of snags along the way and found out the house needed some foundation repair.  BUT, after a slight negotiation of the price, we landed on a fair deal.  We did  not get a steal on the property, but it is a good deal.  So....closing date is set for August 8. 

We have drawn and re-drawn the house and the renovations we want to make.  We finally decided we needed to stop until we actually got there, to see where everything is, before we make decisions.  We know there is a lot of clean up to do on the house and the property, so we will start with that. 

What should we name the place?  Should we focus on the home part or the farm part, which will ultimately sustain us and hopefully make us some retirement money?  We are all over the place.  We are scared.  I know we can do whatever we set out minds to do, but the problem is, we keep waffling on the direction we want to go.  We will post hundreds of pictures, not all of them will be pretty.  LOL!!

Moving to the Country

We are buying a house and eight acres in the country!  Yes, I have lived in the country before, but never quite like this.  Over two miles down a dirt road (yes, I know it's mostly gravel, but we still call them dirt roads.)  Every day I want to leave my house that's about five miles driving on a dirt road, to get anywhere!  WHEH!  What was I thinking. 

I was thinking about the peace and tranquility, land that is mine, chickens to have, goats to have, endless garden space, wild blackberries, space to roam.  I am thinking I'm getting back to my roots, back to my tribe and I will love it. 

Five miles of dirt roads always stopped me before.  But today, in order to get something affordable, where I can have time to actually spend on my property, this is what I can have.  This is what I want, this is my destiny.  We have a lot of work to do, but we have a plan and we believe we are up for the challenge!!

These are the quick pictures I took as we were doing our final tour of the house.  I promise some better pictures as our journey unfolds.  I would love to hear about your farming adventures, changes in lifestyle and how you've found peace and tranquility.