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May 19, 2007
Yet More Reasons to Move
We were having a lovely night last night. I wrote that last blog entry while B. and Clara Jane were fetching pizza (pepperoni for them, artichoke, green pepper, black olive and onion with pesto instead of sauce for me, which I'm only telling you because my God, it was good). We ate, then went to the backyard. B. and I sat in our super-cute Adirondack chairs and chatted about the new house while I knitted. Clara Jane chased the dogs, who chased each other, before settling into the sandbox for a good dig.
It was a good night. We've never spent much time in the backyard because of the obnoxious neighbors, swarms of mosquitoes, dirt bike/dune buggy cachophony, and the steady stream of strangers wandering down the dead-end sidestreet, going God knows where to do God knows what. But last night was good. The foot traffic was light, the bugs absent, and although we could hear lots of neigborhood obnoxiousness, we couldn't actually see it from our little alcove.
We also couldn't see our back gate, which is why we didn't notice when someone opened it, releasing our stupid little dog, Murphy and the neighbors' dog. Luckily, Chloe the Basset was hanging out by our chairs, otherwise, she would have been gone, too. Don't get me wrong; I love stupid little Murphy and I don't want anyone fucking with her. Mess with my Chloe, though, and you're going to pay. A lot.
B. located the dogs across the street and two houses down, eating a bag of fast food fries that had been dumped in the front yard. I spent the rest of the night making sure Murphy wasn't showing signs of being poisoned. B. put the padlock back on the gate.
This isn't the first time people have tresspassed on our property, opened the gate, and let out the dogs. That's why there's a padlock, which had only been removed while we were showing the house. All I can say is, the countdown has begun. The best consolation to the anger and fear of having our yard broken into while we were fucking sitting in it in the fucking daylight is knowing that in 27 days, I never have to set foot in this goddamn shithole of a neighborhood ever, ever again.
But there are better reasons for getting out of here, and being oh so very happy that we're 27 days away from the moment when we stand on the front sidewalk of the crapshack and scream a giant, "Fuck you!" to the assholes on this street. Happy reasons. Like today. We had the inspection on the new house. It's awesome, and there are all-new photos. Keep in mind that the current owners are 1) frantically packing, and 2) have two kids under seven and a third on the way. Anyway, it's beautiful. It's in wonderful condition. We'll live there in 27 days. Did I mention that? 27 days.
We also talked at length to the current owner and her sister while Clara Jane played with the current occupants of her new bedroom. I kind of wish this family had bought the house next door, because I really like them. They're going to be all of three blocks away. Phone numbers were exchanged.
Get this - the couple who owns our new house both work in our current neighborhood. They work here, but make the 45-minute one-way commute from Prettytown. That's how much they love it. So much that when it came time to buy a bigger house, they decided the commute was worth staying in the neighborhood. How's that for a testimony?
She loves the house. It's obvious. She noted several times that they wouldn't be moving if it wasn't for kid #3's July arrival. She talked about how much she's going to miss the front porch, which she paints every spring. The orange dining room. The bells of the nearby church.
We learned a bit about our neighbors. Across the sidestreet is a teacher at one of the local high schools. Behind us, the principal of a parochial school. New people have bought the house next door.They haven't moved in, but word is they've been cleaning and working like mad.
I asked. There are no dirt bikes or dune buggies.
After the inspection we headed to Art on the Square to meet Beqi, Raquel and Aubrey. How much do I love that I'll be living in a town (In how long? 27 days!) that hosts an art fair on such a big scale? A lot. B. and I had the great idea that once we live in Prettytown, we'll buy one piece of art at the fair every year. Even though we're not quite there yet, today we purchased our first piece, the trio of Michael Mitz photos on the right. By buying them unframed, I saved a tidy $700. I can't take beautiful close-up photos of stunningly colorful roses. I can, however, stick photos in a frame myself. And I will. In about 28 days so they don't get busted in the move.
Posted by Robin at May 19, 2007 06:47 PM
Comments
Oooooooh! photos! It's like real estate p0rn!
Congratulations - it's beautiful.
Posted by: christine in portland at May 19, 2007 10:46 PM
Things happen for a reason; I really believe that. This is the house you were suppose to have, for what ever that reason is. The vibe is right, and it looked as if Clara Jane was at home the minute she got there. That says something. Best of luck. I know it is a lot of work, but it is happy work, work for something you really want and is right for you.
Posted by: Kathie at May 20, 2007 07:23 AM
Don't let the fact that your neighbor is a teacher fool you. I'm sure there's some serious drinking going on at this point in the school year!
I can't wait to see your new digs!
Posted by: allison at May 20, 2007 08:28 AM
OMG, I am so in love much more with this house versus the other one. It's a good thing you're moving so soon too. It bites that someone did that to your fence door. How obnoxious.
Now let me say this, leave the dining room as is, cause that pic of the roses your purchased will so kick ass in that room.
Posted by: Cassie at May 20, 2007 10:30 AM
zOMG! I love the house. Love it, love it, love it. It is so picture perfect....wait, did you say art fair? I, uh, maybe I could be arsed to cross the river at least once a year...
Posted by: Rachel at May 20, 2007 11:00 AM
I love that house. That door is fantastic! And the built in china cabinet and the rumpus room! It's great. Your view from the porch is lovely too.
Posted by: Katya at May 20, 2007 02:10 PM
This house just seems so much more like you than the other one did. Seeing the orange dining room clinched it for me.
I'm so excited for you. Finally a neighborhood and house that's worthy of you!
Posted by: Dixie at May 20, 2007 02:50 PM
you had me at the front door. also? time to change the banner!
Posted by: robiewankenobie at May 20, 2007 03:59 PM
Can't believe you had to deal with assholes and your own fucking gate again. Thank god you're almost gone! Am going to look at those photos right now!
Posted by: Exena at May 20, 2007 05:36 PM
Allison, I'm fine with the teacher being drunk, just as long as he doesn't have a dune buggy or dirt bike.
Cassie, I'm definitely leaving the orange walls in the kitchen. We were going to paint the living room that color in the other house we wanted. I think the roses might go in the living room, though. We'll see once we're there.
Rachel, just look at the picture of the sink in the wet bar. You know you want to come across the river and dye.
Robie, I'm not changing the banner until we close on the sale of the crapshack. I'm superstitious like that.
Exena, when are you gonna park your butt on my front porch stoop?
Posted by: Robin at May 20, 2007 08:59 PM
Love the house! It is perfect. And so much better than your current neighborhood!
Posted by: Andrea at May 21, 2007 07:57 AM
I'm happy for you!! Yay!
Did you see the article about Wednesday evening walking tours in Prettytown? It was in last week's RFT. LMK if you didn't see it & can't find it.
Posted by: Jane at May 21, 2007 12:08 PM
