Life in the forest

We are hanging out in the land of cliches. You know when everything in your life is sucking to such a degree that everyone whips out the thoughtful sayings that make it better? "This is all happening for a reason--you just can't see the forest for the trees." or maybe, "Everything you're going through will only make you stronger."

I know it's all true and I trust the process, and yes, I know this will all be in the past before long, but geeeeeesh, the only saying I'm living by right now is "When it rains, it pours." I can't comment on the latest and greatest debacle to enter our existence, but it's of the legal variety and a total pain. More like a splinter. Painfully ANNOYING. Here's hoping it goes away quickly and doesn't fester.

Oh, and for those who haven't heard, I dropped my $400 iPhone in the toilet. I'll spare you the specifics if not only to say all the heat, rice, and drying out in the world isn't helping that sucker. It's dead. D.e.a.d. Yep, nothing like needing to replace an expensive phone to help those with financial woes. I'm pretty sure the next one will not be a 16Gb.

.....

So, the house has been on the market, "officially," for almost two weeks and it feels like about two years. I'll explain:

Selling your house is like going to high school every day when you have a crush on a guy. You can never let your guard down, you overthink your outfits, and you pray to the good lord above that you put plenty of product in your hair. You feel like you always have to look super-hot just in case you happen to bump into him on your way to the water fountain in-between 2nd and 3rd period.

It's the same -- just more adult-ish. Dishes have to be put away, bathrooms spotless, toys off the floor. If only for the small chance that on any given day, somewhere around 10:30 or 11 a.m. your agent calls and says, "I have someone who wants to do a showing at 12:30." Does this happen? Oh, heck yes, it does. Last time we were selling I actually had someone start unlocking my door while I was standing on the other side of it, still in my pajamas with the morning dishes hanging out in the kitchen. Totally not planned at all. I promptly told them they needed to leave immediately and literally pushed the door back in their faces. Super-welcoming, right? Not so much. Shockingly, they didn't buy the house. Then there was the call from the realtor saying another agent was sitting in the driveway and could they come in. Um, yeah, sure can. With an appointment. I'm a planner and last minute just does not work for me.

All of this happened when I was pregnant and I thought it was a challenge because of the nausea. Ha! Trying it with a 14-month old is a whole new adventure. So, I guess I should actually feel lucky that we've only had a couple showings? At least I'm not scrambling to load up the car with a laundry basket of everything I didn't have a chance to put away (this happened last time too). Yeah, but I don't feel lucky. I feel like I'm waiting for the hot guy from history to walk by my locker. I mean, seriously, how long can I hold this pose?

To Market, To Market

If you told me six months ago that I would be typing what I'm about to type I would call you a big, ol' liar face. Alas, here it is in lovely Verdana font: As of one hour ago, our house is officially for sale. Sigh... Much thought and deliberation went into the decision to sell our beautiful home and now, thought has turned to action. 

The plan was that after moving every couple of years for what seemed like an eternity, this would be a house that we would stay in for some substantial amount of time (notice, I didn't say forever). Lots of space, lots of yard (a half-acre to be exact), lots of everything, actually. And for where we are right now, that makes us lots of house rich and not a lot else. So, we decided to shift priorities and focus on something besides making a hefty house payment every month. It sucks to be a slave to your mortgage and I, for one, am over it! I think the choice is much harder for Kevin than me. To me, it's just a house. We'll get another one, have fun there, and grow our precious family. But I have to say, it would be nice, at some point, to flippin' be settled for longer than 2 years....somewhere. 

I have spent the last few days cleaning out closets, staging rooms, and removing the photos and things that make our house personal. Call us recession chic, call us unable to plant roots, call us whatever you want, but if you happen to be in the market for a quite lovely 3,000 sq-ft, castle, don't call us at all--call our realtor. 

By the way, many thanks for all the questions and well-wishes in regard to my previous post. Apparently, I alarmed a few of you. No alarm necessary...Things are still challenging, but happy. Good thoughts are working and we are so thankful for every single person sending them. :-)

Optimism

Though I don't have a ton of resolutions, I have a few big ones. One, is that I'll post here more often and post about things other than my beautiful son (although he is damn good material). This is a chronicle of my life and there really are things in that existence other than my kick-ass child. 

Having said that, I gotta say that 2009 is proving to be one filled with challenge for our little family of three. We have been blessed with overwhelmingly good luck throughout our years together so I know it's our time to face the obstacles and having had my share of them in the past, I know coming out on the other side always makes for a better human. In this case, two of them. Here's hoping we plow through them with grace, positivity, and happiness. Oh yes, and no worries on what this may or may not be about. And I better say that the dilemmas have nothing to do with husband and wife -- Kev & I are great. 

We welcome all good wishes and thoughts. Just your everyday generic positivity will suffice, thank you very much. In the meantime, we won't be crying over this (see below) .... Ha ha. 

Much love.