~ Retired and Starting My Future In The Foothills ~

[gryeyes]

Got home a while ago after holding my breath when I slid my debit card through the payment thingie at Lowe's. Never authorized that large an amount of money to be sucked out of my account at once, before. (The money for the HOUSE was handled by wire transfer from bank to bank, so that transaction wasn't as "right there and scary."

Front loading Whirlpool washer and dryer. Frigidaire oven. All to be delivered on Tuesday, June 7th. (A special request day off added to my usual, alternate Monday off.) I was handed the dryer and stove LP conversion kits to carry with me, and have handy; Lowe's installers do NOT touch gas fixtures. Yes, I have arrangements made for connecting those appliances.

Then I went to Target and bought myself a new bed pillow and a slew of AA batteries, plus a new, digital timer for whatever lamps I want to illuminate in automatic mode. I cannot remember the last time I bought new pillows.

Appointment made for Monday morning with the contractor who reportedly handles "small jobs and big projects." I've got four projects for him to spec out for me right away: Enclose the open side of the garage to make it a four-sided building with a people door in it and LOTS of ventilation so I can get the Ginormous Coop started. Repair the very small leak in the kitchen ceiling over the space where the stove goes. Run electricity to the garage the REAL way, to code, instead of the "There, I Fixed IT!" manner in which it is currently draped overhead with nasty, old, old, old CLOTH COVERED electric cord. And repair the broken floor joist in the master bedroom.

And, apparently, I'm going wine tasting with HHandbasket on Sunday.

 

[gryeyes]

So, let's see... I came Up The Hill yesterday (Saturday) with boxes of stuff, and the two dogs stayed on the sofa with their eyes saying, "Go ahead wherever you're going, we're comfy here on the sofa with our blankie."

Hhandbasket and Farmer Lew and I unloaded the boxes we'd shoved into their shed, too. Most of this stuff is decorative, stuff I wanted for my dream house someday. A few small appliances so I can eat something hot if I wish to, as there is no propane yet nor even a stove.

I drove back Down The Hill after nine p.m. And in the rain. Not a bad trip at all.

Then, this morning, after taking special care to fill up all the flock's feeders and waterers, plus those in the brooders, I started putting some more stuff in the car. THIS time the dogs got real antsy and kept jumping into the car any time I opened one of the doors. In, out, in, out. How did they know I planned to spend the night tonight?

So I got interrupted in packing the car and just said the heck with it and we all came Up The Hill. This is the first time the dogs have been here. No fence yet.... But they have been very good boys! I stopped at the grocery in Plymouth and bought some basics (mayonnaise, bread, butter, baby carrots for dog treats, that sort of thing) plus a small bag o' dog food, a double dog dish, and a water dish.

Every single box has been emptied. Two electric baseboard heaters have been set up, one in each bedroom. The guest room - my "office" and Incubator room - doesn't need to be heated right now, but it's there when I need it. I brought a small clock radio for company, and it's been on my favorite station since I turned it on almost the minute I walked into the house.

I have a stool upon which to sit. Looking around. Yup, pretty bare in here, except for all those empty boxes. Oh, and the nicely
made AeroBed in my bedroom.

Yesterday's tasks were to arrange for fencing (done, the fence will be up within three weeks) and decide what to do about the low flow of water from the well. I'm going with having it dug deeper, despite the cost, as opposed to installing a storage tank.

I am now pretty tapped out for really big expenses this calendar year, saving aside plenty for the contractor (I hope!) to do the first tasks I want done, plus the propane installation and termite repair work.

I was telling the fence guy how I managed to buy the house, how my sister's life insurance and the IRA she bequeathed to me is allowing me to buy the last house in which I will ever live. We both got "god bumps" on our arms during the discussion. Another cool thing is that my next door neighbor tipped me off to the fact that my property is larger than I thought, extending further on the other side. The fence guy found the property line markers to verify that information. Wow.

Due to the occupied bird's nest below the electric meter and on top of the exterior breaker box, we will not be using the French doors for a while. I don't want to disturb her too much. When the appliances come, it can't be helped...

I am pooped. Gonna take a nap with the boys on my freshly made bed, in the toasty warm bedroom. Life is great!

 

[gritsar]

Sounds like you are having the time of your life Linda. I'm very happy for you.

 

[Gardengirl 2011]

Congratulations! It's yours...........it's really really yours!!!

 

[debilorrah]

I can't tell you how much I have enjoyed following this journey with you. If anyone deserves it, you certainly do!!!!!

 

[zoo357]

Congratulations on your new home. It sounds like you are having the time of your life. I'm so very happy for you!!!

 

[gryeyes]

Thank you, everyone!

It will probably be a month at least bed before I can REALLY move in. No water, yet (next door neighbor offered to run a hose over through the fence so I can " five gallon bucket" the toilet issue, which I thought was very nice of him). I don't have my microwave oven here yet, and that will be one of the last things moved...but I have a hot pot, the FlavoreWave convection oven do-hickey I have never used, my Keurig coffee maker (got the little one at the other house, still), and a toaster and a steamer, so I'm good. Only gonna stay over on weekends for the time being.

I'm sitting on my stool on the veranda with my cup of coffee right now (Hhandbasket brought two mugs and a chair over last night). I'm waiting for the contractor. The dogs have found their sunny spots to lay. I'm listening to birds.

There will be some more photos posted when I am able to upload them from my PC,

 

[HHandbasket]

SO happy to have you in the neighborhood! We still cannot believe what a great deal you got on that house/property.

I'll be over in a couple of hours. Gonna *try* to fire up Bella Rosa and come over on my sweet pink ride, but we will see what happens with the weather... what's the deal with this weather? Tomorrow's June 1st, and we have yet to break the 80-degree mark!

Welcome to California (?).

 

[Gardengirl 2011]

HHandbasket, please send me your 80's. I put the outside part of my 2 part digital thermometer in the sun at 3:00 Saturday afternoon and it was at 112*.

.

gryeyes, it sounds like you have a great friend and neighbor in HHandbasket! I have enjoyed reading this thread through the process you have gone through. I wish you many many many happy years in your new home. Right now it's a house. It'll be a "home" in no time.

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

I have enjoyed hearing about your search and move. You'll have to plant a tree or something in honor of your sister for making it all possible.

Being a single woman, I'm a little concerned about you telling on this public forum when exactly you're going to be there and when you're not. You never know who knows who and it sounds like a small community. Just be careful is all I'm saying.

Heard lots of cases where people announce on Facebook their going on vacation to such and such only to get robbed while they were gone. In one case on the news, the thief caught on camera was a Facebook friend.