Moving back to Belle Isle

The past few months have been relatively unremarkable. Outside of illness, that is. Charlie had the flu with some drastic - and scary - fever spikes. Andy and I have pretty much taken turns being sick for the past couple months. And then Charlie woke up recently with a swollen eyelid. Like - completely swollen. All of these things worked out just fine so I don't want to gripe.

He was even well enough to catch up w/spring break camp at the Lighthouse. He's so brave and so confident. He asked to stay all day everyday. So I let him. He loved it. Who knew?

Now on to the next big thing:

You may recall that we put our house on the market last summer. We wanted to make soome money, and buy a more affordable place, in an effort to get our cost-of-living down considerably. Well after a zillion unsuccessful showings ("We really wanted an old home." "Well, why did you come look at a new home?") we decided to take if off the market, just wait for spring when everything is pretty again, and try at that time.

Fortunately we didn't have to. A realtor contacted ours, said he had a couple who'd like to see it, would we be interested in showing it? And a week later we had an offer we were all happy with. They move in mid-April. We bought a house that Andy's had his eye on since last Summer - and got it for 25% off what he was willing to pay last year. That's because I am a master negotiator. (or at least got really, really lucky this go-round). It's a plain ol' red brick ranch, just like the ones we grew up in. And just two blocks away from our old place on Belleview -- which was always "our favorite house'.

We close on the new place tomorrow, so we'll have few weeks to get some work done before we move, which I've scheduled for the 8th. Or was it the 9th? Hm..might have to double check that! Anyway, on the agenda:

1) New Roof w/skylights

2) Knock out the back of the kitchen and install double doors so we have access to backyard.

3) Remove wallpaper in kitchen and hallway.

4) Put new wallpaper in a couple of the baths.

5) Tear up carpet/redo floors

6) Paint entire interior.

The best part? Andy thinks this can happen in a week. I'm giving him three. We'll probably split the difference. Really looking forward to living with some color again! I've already picked some lovely shades and some pretty new furnishings too. Pics soon -- we get in tomorrow, so I will post "befores" at that time.

Next up...picking Charlie's school for fall. -- T