So the rental house got sold out from under us

After months of no showings, the house we were supposed to move into next weekend... has been sold.  Or at least, an offer was made, a counteroffer was made, anyway, the buyers are "motivated", the sellers are "desperate,"  and we are... screwed.

Not really.  After not being able to choose between breaking down in tears, or punching a few holes in the walls, I got in the car with el Jefe, and we went apt hunting (again) only to discover (again) that no one wants a dog, or a short term lease, on a 3 bedroom apt... blah, blah, blah.  So we went over tot the townhomes we originally had as our second choice after the house, and yes, the price had gone up (of course) BUT they were running a new special, which involved a 7 month lease (bummer, but better than 12) AND 1 month FREE... which more than makes up for the price increase, as long as we only stay 7 months.  So...

We must get the quotes on what we want to build (and they have to be our conservative estimate of affordable), or, if they are not under our max acceptable price, we have to find existing property that is.  And close on it before our lease runs out, but not so much before the lease that we are out 4 months rent. 

At least the townhouse has a basement, so we can empty our storage units, and washer/dryer, so I don't have to shlep to the laundromat.  And way more square footage than any of the apts, so I am not driven nuts living in close quarters in winter with a small but exceedingly vocal Pirate.  And the darn dog.

I am so stressed out.  I threatened to mow the lawn... in cursive.  Use your imagination...

Almost done...

Still packing.  Amusement from Sunday- the buyers' agent called and wanted to move the closing date up to Monday (8/22).  Yes, that's right.  He thought we would be ready, willing , and able to close with less than 24 hours notice.  And then he apparently tried to tell our agent that the wording "close on or before 8/31" meant he could schedule it any dang time he wanted and we'd have to do it.  Bwahahahah.  I'd have been willing to move it up a couple days, but not NINE, when we aren't moved out, and we'd have to pay for 9 extra days of hotel (or even camping) over the 4 we are already on the hook for.  And his attitude was snarky, so close remains 8/31. 

Culligan picked up their stuff today.  Broadstripe comes in a few more days.  Everything else is scheduled to stop by 8/31.  Kids go to grandparents tomorrow.  Furniture move to storage is Friday, then we'll be camping in the house (airbeds and sleeping bags) until Wednesday's close.  Then off to the campground til Saturday, when we can get into the house.  And Broadstripe will show up that evening, so I SHOULD have internet access as soon as I get the computer set up.  We will see...

Xa Lynn

So we have a place to go...

We did finally get things arranged for a rental place in Williamston after the close on the sale of our house here - of course, I really do mean AFTER - we'll be homeless for a few days, which means I am going to pitch the children into the van and drive up to Sturgeon River Campground (and hope it doesn't rain).  The kids are delighted - the Campground is owned and operated by another homeschooling family, and they have children the same age as ours, thus making it my kids' absolute favorite campground in all the world.  El Jefe has to work the rest of the week, but he may show up Friday so I have some help breaking camp on Saturday morning.  Assuming we can get into the rental that day (I'm still awaiting a Sat or Sun decision). 

I'm still packing, but we've reserved a 17' truck for this Friday, and have some friends who will show up at various times that day to help move the furniture.  It's a big enough truck to fit everything that's left in the house, but I'm still trying to get a bit more out of here beforehand, since we only have the truck for 6 hours and I have no idea how long it will actually take to load and unload the furniture, etc.

We're doing homeschool (just math, phonics, and spelling) thru Wednesday, then I'm pitching it all in the bin (storage, not trash) and calling it good until Labor Day...

which we do not "celebrate" as neither El Jefe nor I have any respect for any union currently in existence, except UMWA.  Someday, I'll have time to blog about why, but that will not be today, as my unscheduled coffee break is now over, and it is back to packing...

Inspection Results

I'm extremely pleased to say that the inspection came back completely clear except that we have to add a railing down the three steps from the deck to the yard, in order for the new owners to get their FHA loan. Silly, but that's gov't for you.
Yesterday, I had a meeting with one of the builders I wanted to talk to... none of the structural changes I wanted to make to the plans are at all difficult, or expensive.  He suggested 9' finished ceilings in the basement, and said it would save us some money to use roof trusses in part of the third floor bonus room,  and Dan's office doesn't really need to be 20+' by 30+'.  Dan was good with half that size.  That puts my sewing space in the basement... which means Dan won't have to listen to my machines buzzing along.  Now the question is whether converting the screened porch to a conservatory, and finishing the basement will break the bank.  We'll see.  I need to talk to the other three builders next week... Must call them tomorrow - that was one of many things that didn't get done today while I packed another load into the van.  Dan is having far more fun taking his motorcycle class so he can get his license... I'd be jealous, but I've got some Appleseeds coming up...
We still need a place to live by the end of the month - I've got a couple leads on homes in Williamston, which would be the best location for us in terms of saving gas $$.  If anyone knows of anything on the rental market that will do a 6 month lease, FB or email me, please!

Packing (toys, not heat)

Yes, I know the verb packing around here usually refers to firearms, but lately it has been used in reference to the tremendous amount of STUFF I have to shove in boxes, toss into storage, toss into the trash, take to Goodwill or generally get out of this house prior to the end of the month.

May I just say that I am depressed and disheartened at the amount of junk we've accumulated in ten years here?  That I long for the days when everything I owned fit in the back of my pickup truck?  That my children have WAY TOO MANY TOYS! (Note to the friends and relatives who buy toys for my kids!  Please STOP!  We will love you anyway!  I promise!  In fact, we will love you MORE!)

And due to the short time frame, and the roofers coming next week, I cannot get a garage sale organized to get rid of any of this.  There just isn't time, since we still need to find a place to move TO.  So I'm thinking I'll just haul as much as I can to Goodwill after trying the "FREE" sign on the stuff at the end of the driveway for a few days.  

If anyone wants a Singer school model sewing machine ($50), or a giant beanbag (the loveseat-sized LoveSac in brown - $40), or a Roman chair/pullup exercise tower ($25), just come and get them.  And/or a metal (looks like cast iron but isn't) queen sized headboard ($10)...

Also, I need good packing tips are welcome.  I'm way out of practice...