Sunday, May 22, 2011

Househunting is...

a bit like hunting unicorns. Apparently houses don't exist.

I didn't think we were looking for something so rare. A three bedroom (but 2 is ok) with 1 1/2 bath (but 1 is ok) with a yard, in town, and at an affordable price, without being a wreck, is apparently a bit too much to ask for...

We saw a house on Friday that we are super interested in. It's in the perfect location, big back yard, lots of room for garden and for Shas... but I just don't think we can do all the repairs it needs. I don't even think we could get approved for a loan for this place. It needs a new roof, new electrical, a new heating/cooling system (it has a steam boiler and radiator system now, but it's in serious need of repair, and ideally it should probably be upgraded to a heat pump), a new kitchen, a bathroom renovation, refinished floors, repaired walls, and that doesn't count things like painting and making the house your own... We can do non-critical repairs (moldings, paint, refinishing floors, updated kitchens and bathrooms), but we're not electricians or plumbers!

...

We've been busy lately! My 7th grade and college classes are done, and so I'm just working on a lab manual now (and trying to get data from my collaborators from my phd work... and applying for jobs)! Jim's got two grad classes left to manage, and then he's working on the undergrad semester.

Jim saved a box turtle yesterday from being hit by a car. He is now the hero of turtle-dom.

This poor worm somehow ended up between the double panes of our windows. He, unfortunately, passed away when the sun became stronger.
I built a stool! Jim's teaching me to use all his tools. And soon they will be MINE. We painted this green. Our next project is a bed for our bed. A wooden one. With a headboard.

We went to the Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester. It's a huge festival, with a never-ending parade (two, actually - we only went to one). There were elephants in the parade. I sort of feel like while I love seeing elephants, this is not appropriate for them...

The pink poodles (a standard and a miniature) were among the most popular events in the parade...

Pretty cake. Not as tasty as I'd hope - made this for Easter, which was very nice- Jim's parents came down and it was lovely.

Shasta's now 3 years old. We still lie and say she's about 8 months when she's acting badly. Which is less and less often, now... Here she is, with her birthday present.
Old tractors look like things out of kids stories. This one was beautiful!

It rained and rained and rained. Then it stopped, on Thursday, and the rainbow came out...