Sunday, April 27, 2008

Giddy

I didn't mean to leave you all hanging in suspense for so long. I really just wanted to be sure that every thing was for sure before I shared our excitement. 

No we are not having another baby...yet. Of course we discuss that kind of stuff but we are happy to wait another year before cranking out the next batch. Maybe.

You may have guessed from all my hints that we made a big purchase this week. It was a spur of the moment and crazy fast. This time last week we weren't even thinking about it. We were sitting here content and planning bathroom reno's.

Then I go on IM and am chatting it up with a realtor friend and mention that we are always watching the market for the perfect place but that we are happy to chill for a few years. 
Then I threw in that Dave always still has the lake in the back of his mind.

My friend says, "funny you should mention this, I just drove by a for sale by owner today, stopped and checked it out. It is a steal of a deal if you are ready for some work." 
We said we were interested, sounded like a good flipper, took down the number and made an appointment to go out and see it the next day.
The realtor friend calls the next day before we head out and wonders if we are serious about it, there was a line up growing of people who wanted to snatch it up.

The pressure was on. TT came with us and we checked it out.
Seemed like a solid place. It sits on two lots just a few houses up from the beach and has a great lake view.
We did the tour through the property and house. If we flip it there is great potential with some hard work for a few weeks. However after a meeting at the bank and an inspection we found ourselves falling for the idea of keeping it.

We have had this dream of living outside the city. I had a crazy dream about living on a coast feeling the fresh breeze and listening the water lapping on the shore. Dreams of a studio with a view to inspire.

Close enough!

It may not be a Mediterranean breeze off an ocean but it is a pretty darn good trade.  We are still stewing over keeping it as a cottage or doing major reno's and moving out there.  It is a home and people live there year round. If we keep it we sure aren't getting any further ahead financially, but if we sold our city house and made the move we could be debt free!

Debt free!!!!!

I can hardly even imagine!

We could travel the world every year if we feel like it. I could buy massive amounts of canvas, the possibilities are endless!

Of course there are issues such as  schools and Doctors and conveniences such as Starbucks and pizza delivery that would be further away. However it would still be within 30 mins drive of the city and 5 mins to the closest town. Water would be trucked in and a septic truck would make it's rounds too. It would sure be an adjustment. We still have so much to think about!
Oh, here is the beach just a few houses down. It is public and not the main beach so it would be more locals. Perfect for us!

Anyway, I am excited but also a little reserved. I want to get out of the city yet at the same time fear the isolation. This house is in a community and there are at least 5 other year round families on that street alone, and some have kids. I wouldn't have to worry about being as isolated as I would if I was out in the middle of no where with no neighbors.

It is private and treed and yet there are people around. It seems like a good fit!
The yard has two cherry trees, a plum tree and apple tree. I hope we can put in a nice big garden and a clothesline, gosh, this still feels like a dream!

Kinda like an answer to prayer when we weren't even seriously praying it. Kinda crazy!

Anyway, that is it. Maybe not so exciting to all you out there but to us this means big changes for our future. No matter what we have a lot of work ahead of us. I think we are still kinda in shock at it all but we are also like giddy school girls and spend evenings laying on the bed chatting away about all the options.

Saturday morning was the inspection so I dropped Dave off and headed over to my Aunt and Uncles, only a 10 minute drive from the lake.
They have new baby goats so we had to check them out.

So cute and yet so bouncy and full of spunk. Here one is trying to wiggle out of my cousin Erika's arms.
After a short visit we headed back to get Dave and come back to the city.
Now we sit pouring over kitchen design websites and a debating. My memories of being at the cottage as a kid are my best memories. The place we bought is just down the lake from my parents and when I think about all the fun times there I want the same for our kids.
However we have to take into consideration what is best for them and their education as well.
So much to go over, I should get back to my lists!

My stomach is in knots I am so excited, it hardly feels real!



14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yay!!!

Anonymous said...

Wow, it looks beautiful! Congrats on the buy, and good luck with the decision on whether to move there or not. I would go for it myself!

Glenda Conner said...

Cool Anna! What a view!

Family Adventure said...

WOW, Anna! That is H-U-G-E! I am so excited for you! On the lake. Wow, wow, wow!!

Can't wait to hear more... :)

Heidi

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness that is SOOO exciting! I would LOVE to live on the lake, even ANYWHERE outside the city would be nice.... I guess I'll just keep dreaming... sigh...

Anonymous said...

WOW! That sounds like an awesome deal!! Growing up outside the city is a great experience. (I think anyways :p) Hope you guys get everything figured out!! That beach looks wonderful too! Nice and private.

Anonymous said...

Fantastic! I was thinking you were going to follow in Heidi's footsteps and spend 6 months or more overseas, but a new house/cottage? How Cool! I can't wait to see photos from the inside, both before and after. And Yay you will be around in May!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!! Being near a lake is such a treat!

Excited for you :)

Amy.E said...

Great news! Such fun to plan all the possibilities and dream. Good luck with the decisions!

The Chatty Housewife said...

Sounds like a neat place to live! I love living away from the big city. Even though we are basically in a town, it feels more rural than living right in the city. Congrats!

Unknown said...

Looks like a great place to me. I hope everything works out how you want it to.

mamatucci said...

looks great, we used to live on a lake 20 mins out of a bigger city in BC. I loved it. Maybe you could rent out your city house for a year to see if you like it. then sell it or move back to town? Just a little thought.

Misty said...

How exciting.... totally my cup of tea.

Karen MEG said...

What a beautiful place, and the view is gorgeous!!! This is a big and exciting thing. So many possibilities, I am so happy and excited for you and Dave and the kids.