I need to be more regular in posting to my blog. I say this to myself several times a day. Lately it hasn't been easy. My mind has been cluttered, my heart has been heavy and I haven't been sleeping like I should. Why? Because Houston, we have a problem. I don't want anyone to worry. This is all fine now. But along the way the turbulence was more than bumpy. Scott started searching for a new home right after we sold our house here in Appleton. Not a minute sooner, because we knew that we would find the perfect house and not be able to make an offer until our house was sold.
So the search began. We spent hours pouring over listings on the Internet. Fun? Not so much. Mostly because we would find a house and it would be sold within 24 hours of our discovery. Scott visited many homes. Wasn't feeling it. We spent an entire weekend, beautiful weather weekend, inside on the computer looking at houses. We found one! Called the owner as it was a FSBO, For Sale By Owner, for those of you who don't know. This house was so pretty. It was green---I mean environmentally constructed. So quaint, we loved it. Scott asked one simple question, being the former cop that he is, how is the crime in the neighborhood? We've only had two murders in the neighborhood in the last couple of years. I said, do you think that this guy was joking? Scott said, at first I did, but then he went on to explain in more detail. Check that house off the list.
So, last weekend we looked at nine houses. Of course we found the perfect one---only 30 minutes from the city on a good day. We know some do this, but the commute is not for us. Defeated, I came back to Appleton. Scott went to six open houses on Sunday. Nice house, not so nice neighborhood. Nice neighborhood, not so nice house. So sad how the foreclosed homes are damaged and neglected. Then the heavens opened, the angels sang and yes, something glorious happened. Scott found us a house. It's brand new, in an area that we like, close to work and had a great park nearby.
Simply have faith that things will work out and they usually do. The trip there doesn't always go the way we want it, but a safe landing makes it all worth it. Take off: 38 days and counting...
© 2010 Ann M. De Broux
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
What Was I Thinking?
So yesterday I went shopping for a book. The book is called How High The Moon, by Sandra Kring. I love her writing and she is a friend of mine. Her book is one of Target's Bookmark books. I walked excitedly into the store and expected her new release to be featured on an end cap. Much to my dismay it wasn't there. What? Had not the whole world been waiting with anticipation that matched mine? I'm not kidding. I had cleared the calendar so that I could devote all of my free time to this new work.
Well, I saw some employees stocking new books, Cd's and DVDs. I said to myself, step away and let these folks do their work. Shop around a little and check back. If you've read any of my earlier posts, you know that I don't just shop willy nilly. I shop from a list and I shop with purpose. But here I was free from the shackles of my list and I was killing a little time. I wandered over to the clothing section. My sister had on a cute sweater the other day and I thought I might check those out. Found 'em. Found my size. Soon to be mine.
Back to the books. Not out yet. I've got to go. Other things need to get done today. A few more stops and I'm home. Perhaps I should try on the new sweater (and of course pick out one that I will be saying bye to---you know, one thing in, one thing out rule). I try the sweater on and holy torpedo! Yeah, I meant to say that. Not holy Toledo. Why did I not try this sweater on in the store? Why didn't I think about it for 24 hours? Should I consider reduction surgery? Isn't Madonna's "Vogue" out of style?" I'm pretty sure you get the picture. Man, do I wish there was some one I could call to come and see this.
Back goes the sweater. Bad impulse buy. Should have tried it on before I left the store. I'm headed back tomorrow. I should have stuck to my list. I haven't found a book that doesn't fit me yet. OK, maybe one, but that's another post for another day.
© 2010 Ann M. De Broux
Well, I saw some employees stocking new books, Cd's and DVDs. I said to myself, step away and let these folks do their work. Shop around a little and check back. If you've read any of my earlier posts, you know that I don't just shop willy nilly. I shop from a list and I shop with purpose. But here I was free from the shackles of my list and I was killing a little time. I wandered over to the clothing section. My sister had on a cute sweater the other day and I thought I might check those out. Found 'em. Found my size. Soon to be mine.
Back to the books. Not out yet. I've got to go. Other things need to get done today. A few more stops and I'm home. Perhaps I should try on the new sweater (and of course pick out one that I will be saying bye to---you know, one thing in, one thing out rule). I try the sweater on and holy torpedo! Yeah, I meant to say that. Not holy Toledo. Why did I not try this sweater on in the store? Why didn't I think about it for 24 hours? Should I consider reduction surgery? Isn't Madonna's "Vogue" out of style?" I'm pretty sure you get the picture. Man, do I wish there was some one I could call to come and see this.
Back goes the sweater. Bad impulse buy. Should have tried it on before I left the store. I'm headed back tomorrow. I should have stuck to my list. I haven't found a book that doesn't fit me yet. OK, maybe one, but that's another post for another day.
© 2010 Ann M. De Broux
Monday, April 5, 2010
Moment By Moment
Have you ever tried to explain to a child that they should live in the moment? First of all---most of the time they do, so this may seem like an unnecessary task. But I happened to have birthed a planner. Now that we have some direction in our lives, and know where we are moving, she wants to boogie. She's cleaning out drawers and lining up books by topic and wants me to get her boxes and a Sharpie. This girl wants to pack! I had to sit her down and run through some simple breathing techniques and gently remind her that it is two months until closing.
She needed to be told that if we pack up our whole house now, what will we live with day to day? I would rather wait a while longer and sift through things slowly. Get rid of some, sell some and pack the rest when it's time. That's a hard concept for a ten and a half year old to wrap their minds around. Actually, I talk a great game, but it's hard for my 43 year old mind to embrace, too. Our new town and new house are things to look forward to. But to leave the only house that she's ever known and the town where her family and friends are, these are things too painful to think about at times.
I explained the saying "hurry up and wait" to her today. It's like running in place, I said. You're supposed to be in the ready mode at all times until you get the call to action. It's exhausting, I told her. And it's sort of a waste of time, too. Kind of like worrying. So, today I suggested let's live in the moment. Let's take one day at a time and enjoy it for what it is. There will be sad times and mad times and hopefully lots of glad times. But if we take it slowly and remember to breathe, all will be accomplished, memories and plans will be made, and the packing will get done. In the meantime, we will have had two months of great moments in the town that we hail from. With the people we love. Gracie (and me, too), breathe in two three, out two three...
© 2010 Ann M. De Broux
She needed to be told that if we pack up our whole house now, what will we live with day to day? I would rather wait a while longer and sift through things slowly. Get rid of some, sell some and pack the rest when it's time. That's a hard concept for a ten and a half year old to wrap their minds around. Actually, I talk a great game, but it's hard for my 43 year old mind to embrace, too. Our new town and new house are things to look forward to. But to leave the only house that she's ever known and the town where her family and friends are, these are things too painful to think about at times.
I explained the saying "hurry up and wait" to her today. It's like running in place, I said. You're supposed to be in the ready mode at all times until you get the call to action. It's exhausting, I told her. And it's sort of a waste of time, too. Kind of like worrying. So, today I suggested let's live in the moment. Let's take one day at a time and enjoy it for what it is. There will be sad times and mad times and hopefully lots of glad times. But if we take it slowly and remember to breathe, all will be accomplished, memories and plans will be made, and the packing will get done. In the meantime, we will have had two months of great moments in the town that we hail from. With the people we love. Gracie (and me, too), breathe in two three, out two three...
© 2010 Ann M. De Broux
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