So, how's the house, valis?

[valis2]

Let me tell you about the house.

So. I've moved from what is basically the edge of a giant sprawl of suburbs into the rural edge of suburbs. There are still cornfields down the road from the house. There's a new subdivision across the street, but otherwise, it's pretty much ranch homes and stuff. I knew I was in trouble when I called AT&T to change the phone number, and the service representative said, "Whoa, you live in God's country. I hope you have four wheel drive."

We're not really remote enough to have big issues with services. In fact, Comcast seems to think they can hook us up for high-speed internet (HUZZAH), which I was worried about. Having that new subdivision probably helped. Still, we are now a good fifteen minutes from any sort of grocery store or anything. I could have walked to a convenience store from the apartment complex, but this new place is too far out for that. No mocha lattés at midnight, clearly.

Today marks the ninth night we've slept here. I'm still getting used to it. I'm also just now getting over a cold that made unpacking a very remote possibility. I've been so worn out and sick. At this point most of our stuff is here. We just have about 70% of the kitchen to bring over, and about 5% of the random stuff. And my piano has to get moved, but I can't do that until the new floor is put in the living room (which supposedly is happening tomorrow morning, huzzah). I've been really remiss in getting anything done, but I've been working (and still sick) and I just haven't been up to much. I have not done a single bit of Christmas shopping, nor have I crafted a single thing. And we're hosting Christmas Day. I really hope we can get it all together by then.

Anyway, I'm always obsessing over strange things, as you know, and this change in locale is no different.

Our driveway is a bit long now, and of course there are no handy apartment maintenance guys to plow it for us. So Husband kindly went out and shoveled half and also forbade me to shovel it because I was too sick. The second day of snow, he went out and started on the other half, but our neighbor came over on his tractor and not only plowed it (!) but also apologized for not having done it sooner. *blinks*

Listen, I'm sure people were doing all sorts of nice things for the grandma while she was here, but I did not expect any of them to carry over. So that was a totally awesome and unexpected bonus.

Then he came over later and gave us cookies. *blinks*

I'm not used to this. I'm used to grunting at people, honestly. Okay, fine, I say hi, but that's it. Anyway, this is going to take some getting used to.

I have to say, I absolutely love this place more and more each day. Sure, the layout is standard eighties closed off blergh, but having an office where I don't have to climb over the edge of a sofa to get to my crafting desk? WIN. Having room for all three of my desks, PLUS A FOURTH? WIN. Room for more filing cabinets? WIN. I am really loving this extra space. And once the living room is finally finished, we can put all of the stuff into it, and it will be so nice. I've been home all weekend and I've been enjoying this place so very much. The bathtub gets an 8 out of 10, which I can totally live with, and even though there isn't as much space for stuff, it's still okay. Having a guest bedroom will be WIN once we can clear out the living room stuff.

There are SO MANY OUTLETS GUH. I have never seen this many outlets. The kitchen has five of them. Plus a sixth at the end of the counter. I mean, seriously. I still have outlets in the office that aren't used! Wow!

Yeah. I'm really liking this place. It isn't super pretty, it isn't super amazing, but it is homey and comfy and it was built by a civil engineer who wanted things to be convenient and of decent quality, and that is making me very happy indeed.

And having a basement? SO MUCH WIN. Seriously. All that stuff I had to creatively store can now go downstairs. Breathing room. Oh, this is so good.

Comments

[gmonkey42.livejournal.com]

Yay! That sounds great! I'm happy for you! Well, except for the part where it snows. It just rains here ;)

[valis2.livejournal.com]

eee! I'm so excited. At least, until I get the first mortgage payment, eeep!

The snow is a major bummer. I remember when we used to rent a house and I had to go out and shovel the driveway. yuck. That was one nice thing about the apartment complex. :)

[sylvadin.livejournal.com]

Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy!

You now have a nest you can call your own. No need to beg a landlord's permission if you want to paint the walls, or get a new color of carpeting, or update the light fixtures. You can do what you want because it's yours!

[leni-jess.livejournal.com]

Sounds excellent! Sorry you're not well yet, but it seems as if you'd have been better faster if working hadn't been imperative.

Cultivate those good neighbours, and think of a nice thing you can do for them, later, when you're better, and fully moved in, and settled and comfortable. Just a little thing (apart from thanks and the odd cup of coffee after ploughing driveways!) suffices, and you don't have to be all over them (and maybe need to be sure they understand that you work from home, too).

Now get better!

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Yes, it's already been painted! Huzzah!! I'm so happy. The old paint was discolored because the grandfather was a smoker. So the new paint looks marvelous! And soon the carpet with the burnmarks will be history, too. yay!!

I'm so happy. We don't have to worry so much about being quiet and hearing people shouting at each other at 2 am. *sighs in relief*

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Sounds excellent! Sorry you're not well yet, but it seems as if you'd have been better faster if working hadn't been imperative.

Yeah, I absolutely had to work--had no choice, honestly. Fortunately, it wasn't too awful, just enough to make me somewhat miserable, not altogether miserable.

Cultivate those good neighbours, and think of a nice thing you can do for them, later, when you're better, and fully moved in, and settled and comfortable. Just a little thing (apart from thanks and the odd cup of coffee after ploughing driveways!) suffices, and you don't have to be all over them (and maybe need to be sure they understand that you work from home, too).

Yeah, I still don't know neighborly etiquette yet--I have to figure this stuff out! ha! Hopefully Husband knows about this stuff. I'm not used to having neighbors do things for each other without being super good friends for years first.

And I'm trying to get better, really I am!

[cactus-wren.livejournal.com]

Good neighbors like that are a real blessing, I'm so glad you have them! We don't mind shoveling (okay, it's mostly the hubby), but our oldest has to walk three houses down to catch the bus and two of the three houses can never seem to be bothered to shovel their sidewalks. In the past I would drive her down three houses, wait for the bus to round the corner, let her out and drive three houses home. Two years ago, the nice neighbors moved in next door and the husband loves his snowplow (new homeowner, new toy). So he plows about five houses in each direction when we get significant snowfall - it's awesome.
You're a friendly person, you'll get the hang of it easily enough.
I'm glad to hear you're settling in nicely and hope you feel better for Christmas!

[cordeliadelayne]

Aw, yay! It all sounds wonderful :D

And I hope you're feeling a bit better now, too.

[catsintheattic.livejournal.com]

It sounds wonderful! I think it's lovely that your neighbours are so friendly and welcoming.

Now, first you have to get well, and then comes the rest. Try to drink lots of fluids - that should help with the cold.

*hugs and sends honeyed tea*

[morganmuffle]

Friendly neighbours sound wonderful :D and a basement too! Dad keeps threatening to dig one out under our house which would NOT go well *g*

[seraphina_snape]

Yay for the new house! Yay for your neighbours!

It's always so annoying to be sick. I hope you get over that cold soon.

~ sera

[rickfan37.livejournal.com]

So pleased for you! It really does sound great. :-)

[svartalfur.livejournal.com]

I'm so happy for you! Sounds like a great place to be. And now get better! :)

[greenpear.livejournal.com]

Sounds like overall it was a good move. And having space for desks and filing cabinets is so, so nice.
Hope you feel better for Christmas.

[kakiphony.livejournal.com]

Are you sure you're not living in town in Sturgis by my mom? Seriously, she has plowed three of our neighbors' driveways for going on 20 years. This behavior has lasted through 2 changes in neighbors in one house and 1 in another. She mainly does it because she likes to keep busy and be outdoors, but every once in a while she does appreciate a thank you. So take those kind of neighbors of yours some fudge or something. If they're really like my mom they may help you with leaves too...

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Good neighbors like that are a real blessing, I'm so glad you have them!

Dude! Cookies!! I feel like I've slipped into some strange episode of the Twilight Zone. Like I'll be eating the cookies and then one night they'll all show up on the doorstep with candles and we'll have to go into the forest and perform a sacrificial rite.

You're a friendly person, you'll get the hang of it easily enough.

hee! Online, I'm friendly. In person, I'm a little strange, I think. ;)

I'm glad to hear you're settling in nicely and hope you feel better for Christmas!

I am finally feeling better, and despite having 2935862 things to do before Christmas, I think I'll get through it all right. Thank you!! *hugs*

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I'm hoping it all turns out to be wonderful. If there is chainsawing at 10:30 pm I'll be very cross.

And thank you! I am feeling a bit better.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I am so touched by their thoughtfulness. I hope that it all continues in this vein, and that I don't do something stupid.

Am feeling better--thank you so much for the hugs!! *hugs back*

[valis2.livejournal.com]

The basement is AWESOME. Huge. There is SO much stuff down there already. Let me tell you, when we finally have a garage sale next year, it's going to be big. *squee*

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Yay for the almost not being sick! *is happy*

I can't believe the neighbors--this is out of Mayberry. LOL.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I'm so happy! There are so many nice things about this, I can't even begin to list them all.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I really am beginning to love it here. I think it will be a lovely place to live for a very long time. :)

I'm on the road to recovery, thank goodness!

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I can't believe how much space I have--I'll be able to set up a table with my lighting setup, and I won't have to take it down every time we want to eat dinner. That's worth its weight in gold right there. squee!

Thanks!

[valis2.livejournal.com]

That's pretty amazing. I mean, I just assumed that her driveway was plowed because she was an old woman living there alone. I've been totally amazed by this.

It's a different mindset, that's for certain. Now I'll have to try to bake something. hee!

get well too

[florence-craye.livejournal.com]

Wow, what a nice surprise! I agree, a little gift of food or something and hellos every so often will go a long way to neighbors liking you. XD

I am thrilled the house is working out so well... such exciting news!

Re: get well too

[valis2.livejournal.com]

It's such a nice house. The mortgage payment is frightening, but I hope we'll be okay. I just love having so much space!

Must brush up on my baking skills. Maybe loaves of bread...

[artystone.livejournal.com]

Trust me, it won't be long before all those outlets are used and you'll be buying those cheap plastic 3 in 1 outlet expanding thingies!

And how is it awesome to have good neighbors--who own a tractor!

Don't feel bad about not having done any Xmas stuff--I've been in this house 10 years and have managed only the bare minimum--cards? HA!

[http://users.livejournal.com/_vocalion_/]

I love reading your new house posts. I've been living vicariously through you while waiting impatiently to be in a new house of my own. I've never even seen a basement except on TV. That sounds so cool. And outlets. Wow. I remember those. They're the things I used to have plenty of in the states -- the things they call power points in the UK that you can't find in any residential bathrooms over here.

Much happiness to you in your new digs, and hope you're feeling better soon. Merry Christmas!

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Trust me, it won't be long before all those outlets are used and you'll be buying those cheap plastic 3 in 1 outlet expanding thingies!

Dude, I can't believe how many outlets. Seriously. Of course, I still am using power strips, but still--this is making me ridiculously happy.

And how is it awesome to have good neighbors--who own a tractor!

hee! We have one as well, apparently, though I haven't seen it. But I don't think we have a blade. See, they used it as their summer home, so there isn't a lot of winter stuff here.

Don't feel bad about not having done any Xmas stuff--I've been in this house 10 years and have managed only the bare minimum--cards? HA!

I had thought about a tree, but no, it wasn't to be, of course. That was a silly idea on my part. Still, I adore having a place to live like this--it's amazing.

I'm working on presents right now. I really hope to have at least a semblance of Christmas together by CE at my sister's place.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Aw, I'm so glad you're enjoying these entries--I'm never sure if they're just annoying people. Hence the cut for this one.

This house is going to be very much a home. I hope. Right now I'm listening to workers put in a new wood floor in the living room. I am so excited about this, I could scream. The carpeting had burn marks all over it.

Yay for wood floors!

I can't imagine not having an electrical outlet in the bathroom. Though I only use mine for charging my phone, now that I think about it.

*hugs* Merry Christmas to you as well!!

[jaelle-n-gilla.livejournal.com]

Through all the trouble and sick and all it sounds like you are happy with the decisions! Enjoy your new home :-)

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I am happy with the house. I am happy with the house. I am happy with the house.

I'll remember to read this later when I start having to pay the mortgage payments. lol.

Yeah, it's wonderful. I am really beginning to love it.

[marginaliana]

A basement is a happymaking thing!

And I am glad that you did not go shovel snow while sick unlike Alyson.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Basements FTW. Seriously. I have never really appreciated them enough before now.

And poor Alyson! Though I admit, I was sorely tempted. It was only Husband putting his foot down that stopped it, lol.

[dbassassin.livejournal.com]

That sounds fabulous (if somewhat remote!). What a great neighbour!

And oh, do I envy you your storage space.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I am so completely smitten with the storage space. If I were polygamous, I'd marry it. Seriously.

And wow about the neighbors. *blinks* They were good cookies, too.

[ms-hecubus.livejournal.com]

Good for you! I remember living out in the boonies and having a neighbor plow our long-ass driveway. Stock up on the hot chocolate for him!

[ms-hecubus.livejournal.com]

BTW, I just reread Velocity by Dean Koontz and he has a character that goes by the name Valis. I thought of you.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Aw, how cool is that!

Thank goodness that I have a huge supply of hot chocolate already. I don't know why, but I ended up getting it for every occasion for about two years, so now I am overstocked, lol.

[verdenia.livejournal.com]

House sounds AWESOME!!! XD

...3-4 desks?!?! I am impressed. And boggling. ;p

[valis2.livejournal.com]

House is awesome!!! eee!

Computer desk, crafting desk, eBay desk, and now a printer desk, huzzah!! I am so happy about this.

[verdenia.livejournal.com]

That's totally rad. I have a recliner with stuff piled all around it... ;p
(Laptop'in ftw?)

Don't have to print too often so take the lappy to our office when I need it...the office is mostly babe's space tho. :P

Sewing machine goes on the kitchen table when I have a project. ;p

You are blessed with a richness of desks! Hee!

Enjoy the continued house-arranging! :D

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I love having so many desks. I wear so many hats that it seems natural to me, lol!!

*giant hugs* That recliner sounds comfy!!

[verdenia.livejournal.com]

*HUGS*

Oh, dude, the recliner is completely Made of Win! The living room is cold now, though, so I've got pillows propped up in bed, instead. We're both in here with our lappys & our space heater. ;p

(the whole-house heat works but is too expensive/inefficient, since there's just the two of us right now!)