Showings

I have been so happy these past couple of days. We have had 3 showings in the last 3 days! Of course that brings a LOT of stress with it, but it's totally worth it. We have no idea what the first people thought of the house, since they came with a realtor, and we left while they looked. The second lady came by herself, and later told me she thought the house is too far out of town. The people that came this morning, came without a realtor as well, so Joe showed them around. Apparently they kept saying how they just loved the house. They have been looking for a long time, and all the other properties were "project houses". They already live in Bonham, so living in the country isn't a new thing for them. They even went so far, as to wish we would just leave the furniture. Of course we told them everything is negotiable. This is so funny, because just the other day Joe and I were talking and wishing that somebody would just want to buy all our furniture. If we sell it, we don't have to store it, moved, or try to sell it to someone else. All of this is exciting, but it doens't really mean anything unless they actually make us an offer. In the mean time, I'll enjoy this beautiful house.

3 + 4 = 7

After a bit of an emergency, we now have 7 kids in our home. Some people in the ward needed some help, when the husband had to go to the hospital. We don't know what's wrong, but that's not important. It's fun and crazy, and kids are everywhere. So much for a spotless house... (it's fine, really) They came in such a hurry, that they didn't have any extra clothes. It turned out alright though, as they are about the same age as our kids. Only the 1 yr old girl ended up in boy clothes.

Not Ready

When I submitted the MLS paperwork, I knew I wasn't ready. Not ready to show the house. Too many projects left unfinished. But I also knew that if I didn't just list the house, most of the projects would never get finished. It's always good to have some motivation. Well, today I got a BIG dose of motivation. A real estate agent called to set up a showing for tomorrow.

Wow, great! But that phone call did put me into a bit of a frenzie. I immediately started cleaning up, and doing quick projects that have been unfinished for the past year. Like ripping off the "already half ripped off" weather stripping on the front door. And replacing the bath tub overflow cover plate. As soon as 5 o'clock hit, I recruited Joe. We picked up trash all over the yard, hauled a bunch of wood to the upper 40, and made a big scrap metal pile. We also scraped a bunch of mud off the driveway. So much, that Sterling was dumbfounded by the results.

I am very grateful that the agent gave us almost 24 hours notice. We needed that! We were already planning on spending the whole day tomorrow, working on projects. However, this definitely put us in overdrive. Now we are just thinking positive thoughts, and hoping for a full-price offer tomorrow. I know, not likely, but a girl can dream right?

Done

I did it. I sent in the paperwork. Our house will be on the MLS in the next 48 hours. It's bitter sweet for me. I have really come to love this house, pool, and land. I love the animals. I love the quiet. I'm going to miss it like crazy. But, alas... life goes on. Joe's career needs a boost.

I set up a blog for the house, so I can have more pictures and descriptions than the MLS allows. It's still under construction.

There are still a few things that need some serious attention before we're really ready for the first people to look at our house. The back patio needs to be laid, the front door needs some work, and a bunch of trash needs to be picked up around the yard. Oh, and Joe's office is still a warzone. We're keeping ourselves cooped up all weekend, and hopefully knocking a bunch of those projects out. Basically I just want it to be on the market before spring break, when hopefully hords of people will want to come see it (thinking positive thoughts here).

I had a dream a few days ago, that tons and tons of people came to look at the house, and I hadn't even offically put it on the market yet. There were so many people, that they had to park in the lawn. One guy even offered cash on the spot. We also discovered another bedroom. A girl can dream right?

Hooray!

After 6 long months of studying, Joe finally took the GMAT. When he first started, he was so discouraged with the math section, that he almost gave up then and there. But he persevered, and kept studying. In the end, he did better than 53% of GMAT takers on the math section. The verbal section was another story. Joe's a genius in that department. He did better than 89% in there! Joe doesn't want me to publically post his results, but I'm very proud of his score. With it, we should be able to get into one of our preferred schools.

First we'll apply to Erasmus University in Rotterdam. This school has great accreditations, rankings, plus it's located close to my parents. We're also considering other European schools in England, Switzerland, and Spain. Then, of course, there are the American schools. Not as exciting to me, but it would still be an adventure.

The next step is for us to put the house for sale. We'll hopefully get that done by the end of this week. And then we wait. There is minimal control over this part of our journey. I just have to remember, if it's supposed to happen, God will help to make it happen.

Typical afternoon

• Kids get off the bus at 3.45pm
• The first question out of their mouths: can we play the wii?
• My response: yes, as soon as you do your home work
• The kids set the timer for 2o minutes and read
• Sometimes I make them load and unload the dishwasher. They always fight who gets to load. I'd rather handle clean dishes any day, but I guess they don't like to unload, because the plates and cups are up high.
• The kids turn on Mario Brother. Let the arguing commence.
• I threaten to turn off the wii.
• They beg me to play with them
• One kid might get banned.
• We play until it's time to make dinner.

I know... not the most productive day, but most of the time we have fun playing a game together.

Next obstacle

I'm continuing my efforts to declutter and get the house ready for sale. This mornings obstacle: the garage. Man oh man. What a disaster! It was a combination of disorganization, items for sale sitting in the middle of the floor, trash, tools all over. And then there were the heaps of boxes. Empty boxes. You know, the shipping kind. I never throw away a box when something is shipped to me, because if I ever have to ship something I would NEVER want to buy one. Now the boxes are nestled by size. All the peanuts are in trashbags, ready to access (we have 3 trash bags full of packing material).

Of course I got rid of my fare share of crap. Mostly things that have been in boxes for the past 3 years, and weren't even touched the 3 years prior to that. One item of internal agony, are the side shelves to my entertainment center. I purchased the 3 piece set in August 2005. The main piece was finished within a few months, but the side shelves are still sitting, half-finished and unassembled in my garage. Today I made the decision that it's been long enough. I am ready to take that burden off my shoulders. I will not finish it. Yep. I'm a quitter. I don't care if I can make an extra $100 when I get ready to sell it. I'm done!

I wish the garage was finished. After 2.5 hours I'm only halfway done. And it's cold out there. And I am just getting over a cold. And I'm ready for a nap!

(I wish I had some before pictures.. to document my progess... but then I would be embarrassed.. so I guess it's for the better... maybe I'll post an after picture, to impress everyone... )