Half a Step Over

Oh, the Decision              

We were supposed to talk to a realtor in December, but then the baby got sick and everything was put off. Then we wanted to talk to him in March but he was out of town. The conversation happened in May--with the baby along to add an opinion. Regardless of months of waiting to move forward, the decision was made… we’re moving.

I’ve lived in different parts of two adjoining states for my entire life. All of them were, let’s say, within 60 miles of each other, and I’m being generous. It was probably a little less. Therefore, the decision to move was not easily made. But, it’s hard to argue that the children might come back East; they won’t. And we do want to have an opinion when asked on what might be good for the grandchildren. Our views are very different from those of the in-laws. And that’s fine; different is okay unless one side is a criminal and the other isn’t—and even then, what kinds of criminals are they; there might be a really good reason.

So, we’re going to move. To Colorado. What’s 1700 miles give or take among friends? As it turns out, most of our friends totally understood our move. Some cried; only two got upset but I think they’re over it. I’m not sure I’m happy that everyone took it so well but I’ll cope.

I’ve started a list of what happens just to get to actually leaving. And a list of things I want in the new place—how many bedrooms, bathrooms; how much space. Do we have to have a basement or can we live without one (we probably need one just for the husband’s exercise equipment; he’s having trouble cutting down on that). And a list of what we can get rid of—turns out there’s a fair amount of that.

I’m now intimately acquainted with Craigslist. Turns out that it takes no effort to change your sale location and end up offering things in Brooklyn while living in New Jersey. However, it does take 15 minutes of effort to figure out how to change it back—and I still have no idea what happened. Plus, my negotiating ability has improved dramatically. One could even say that it is in direct proportion with how badly I want something out of my house. And some things I want gone immediately.

The next few weeks will be crazed. Not only do all these decisions need to happen, but the house must be instantly ready for buyers to view. And I have to be ready at all times to either leave the house or work very quietly in my corner and hope no one notices me. No matter what, it’s going to be messy.

More soon.