Could we just wrap this up?

OK, home inspection is done. House is good except needs new furnace, it is original to house-that's 40 years old, probably new hot water tank, and front walkway thingy needs to be redone-as in it's rotting. We'll probably put in a heat pump as air conditioner is 20 years old, and do it all in one fell swoop. We figured on new furnace, and I thought as going through house-hmmm-is that walkway thingy OK? before the home inspection. The deck is OK, it's just the front part that you see in the picture. Apparently it's just plywood-no weather resistant stuff there-other than outdoor carpet. Who built that and thought that would be a good idea?
Now we are waiting to get OK from lender. They have our last few paystubs, letter from employers, have called our employers, have copies of our house assessment from the BC Assessment Authority, we have had an independent assessor come and assess our house. They also have our rental agreements, copies of our bank statements-proving we actually do have money, as well as copies of our RRSP holdings. They know our financial picture better than we do. Of course, seeing all the news stories right now, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. All these stories are talking about how the banks all of the sudden don't want to lend money.
Anyhow, as we were going through the house we were thinking of where to put things etc. I am pretty happy about the whole thing and am finally sleeping better. the kitchen has a convection oven-and a garburator. Like we'll ever use that-all that good compost sent into the sewer. What we need is an automatic composter.
Richard has started packing and I have been allowed to pack a few boxes under supervision.
I just want to wrap this up.
We changed our move in date to January 27 as I was offered a trip to Toronto for work! For a conference on decreasing smoking rates among people with mental illness! But sadly registration was closed, so it looks like it will be later in the year. Which would actually work out much better considering that we would be in the middle of moving. We're going to hire movers, but we all know how I feel about having my life disorganized and in boxes.
I feel terribly unprepared for Christmas and don't know how this will resolve itself given that all this other stuff is happening and it seems that since beginning house purchase I have had to spend most of my time worrying about things. this doesn't leave me enough time to actually accomplish things. But I did review shopping list and felt better as it seems that we actually did a lot of it on the weekend before we seriously started looking at buying a home.
The rest of this week I need to: bake 10 dozen cookies for cookie exchange tomorrow (never mind Allison, you'll be happy enough to eat them). Get OK from mortgage broker and take conditions off of sale of house (could this thing take any longer?!), finish Xmas cards, finish shopping for out-of town people, do some more packing, recaulk our bathtub, go to LES Xmas party, supposed to go to mtg for resident's association today but am going to excuse self based on this list, begin to decorate, clean house somewhat, and then go back to work on Saturday.
Sob.

It's Ours!!

Hey, we got the house on Blondeaux! Pending financing and home inspection.

We put in an offer on Friday, expiring Sat at 11pm. We offered for $50,000 less than asking. They countered with too high, we countered again going up by $11,000, they said no.

We thought, 'ok, end of story for now, we'll wait and see if there are any other offers, or see what else is out there'

Richard then met with our realtor today, who said he had talked to their realtor and to increase our offer by $1,000 and see what they did. I don't really understand all of how this goes down in real estate-they talk to their realtor, we talk to ours, the realtors talk to each other. At times, it seems like the realtors are interpreters of their clients...'yes, it's true they refused your offer, but they really will accept it if you make them feel better'. 'yes, it's true they asked too low, but they aren't bad people'

I think working in psychiatry is much easier.

We take possession January 28, so feel free to come out and help us move.

Or feel free to come visit afterwards and you can stare at the kitchen with me.

What About This One?

OK, now we are seriously thinking about this one.

It's in Glenmore, around the corner from Highland Dr.
Cheaper and in better condition than the other. The kitchen floor is cork. And the kitchen itself is a thing of beauty.
And we could suite it or Richard could work out of the house, doing massage. It's set up well for that...
No jacuzzi tub, but the bathtub is a deep one.

Super(re)model

Actually, the most exciting thing about having everyone here last weekend was the fact that they saved my sanity by helping me so much. And Todd's sanity too, by helping pull up numerous staples in his flooring. I feel *extremely lucky* to have you guys! Tim & Geoff looked at electrical, Theresa pulled up flooring and lino, Judith and Lisa scraped and everyone hauled stuff out. Honestly, I'm so grateful for this. Everyone invited to what Jen calls our House Swarming on December 29! And I don't think I brought any bedbugs home from new place, either!

More exciting things: the article on housing in Alberta has been published! Check out my glamour shot. Mom, I do have an extra print copy I'll send off in mail to you.

I am not going to Rocky this weekend due to a strategic planning event that I am trying to pull together for L53, and that is my loss. Sniff.