conversations with invisible pigs and sheep

We had two showings today. This morning we went to Sears and looked at refrigerators — we might be getting a new one for the new house, ironically, if this house doesn’t sell first. And we looked at TVs, big big TVs, which we won’t be getting until we sell this house without losing our shirt in the process. Anyway, it was a mostly miserable time because I tweaked my back changing the sheet on Colin’s crib, and then I was squashed in the passenger seat of the Honda, because that’s where the carseats were.

We got home looking forward to relaxing in the clean house for the rest of the weekend, and my cell rang as we pulled into the driveway — an afternoon showing was requested.

So, we rested for a bit after lunch, and then went back out, to the new house this time. The front door and garage were open, so we did what we shouldn’t have, and checked out the inside. Which is nearly completely sheetrocked.

We’re excited.

To add insult to injury, 75% of the family have fallen ill to what appears to be the common cold. I don’t know how Jim has missed this, except for the fact that he’s been taking a low dose of antibiotic since June. Colin is fairing the worst, not because he’s more sick than us, but because he’s also dealing with a tooth breaking through, and trying to learn to crawl. He is taking it in stride, and is, according to Dad, “just wearing snot from his nose to his belly button like it belongs there.”

It’s been a while, huh? In the “no news is not good news” category, we’ve had a week that has been testing our patience. There’s been a lot of big financial decisions to make in a short period of time. We’re now progressing with the firm idea that our house won’t sell before we close on the new one. We’re looking at the financing scenarios with the mortgage company, “ordered” our new homeowner’s policy, and also strategizing on how to keep this house looking as good as it does now without leaving the new home bare.

Last week Jim had Red day at school, where he got to wear red and bring in something red to put on a collage the class was making. And then Friday was circle day, where he got to bring in something circle-shaped to share with the class. He choose his little plastic globe, which is now a permanent fixture in the toy collection in the back of my car.

Colin is not crawling yet, although he is getting closer on a daily basis. He does have the ability to get across a room, through scooting and rolling. The other night he only woke up twice, and I thought we had turned a corner, because I had been sleeping with him on the couch since Sunday. But that fourth tooth is about to break through, and he can barely sleep a couple hours at a time.

We drove by the new house yesterday, and it’s nearly all sided, except for some spots over windows, and a patch on the living room side of the house. The garage door and window have nice trim over them. The siding is white, which sets the house apart from those around around us — there’s only one other white house in the development so far. Dad also drove by last night, and said that the garage door has also been installed as well.

Yesterday, Dad and Jim reported that Colin sat up on his own, but neither of them saw him do it. Well, now I have seen it with my own eyes. He gets up on his hands and knees like he’s going to crawl, and bounces backwards until he’s sitting up again.

we drove by the new house today, and there was no housewrap or siding, which was unexpected. But maybe this pushes back the settlement a week, so we’re not complaining.

are the negotiations. As quickly as they started, they stalled, and in my mind at least (although we haven’t heard anything in over 36 hours), they’re done.

By our metrics, the next offer will be around Halloween. Don’t ask, let’s just say that I have been making good use of my Excel skills during this endeavor. I have the spreadsheets to prove it.

While this should merit it’s own post, Colin has had another tooth push through, his top front right. I knew it was coming, because he’s been biting me while feeding. According to one of the books I have, it’s very common just when the top front are coming in, and usually during “snacks”. So I’m working on trying to prevent it from occuring again.

We’ve got another showing tonight, so it’s house cleaning time again. On our way home from dropping Jim at school, Colin and I got some mums for the front porch. I think they look pretty nice, adding to the curb appeal. I’ve been doing some little things around the house, like caulking windows and trim. We also picked up a little table for the living room, because the bottom of the stairs is a little dim, and I want to put a lamp there.

this is such a miserable process, and that’s all I can say. Tempers are short around here, and we’re just hunkering down and trying muddle through.

To distract us, Colin has a new trick in his quest for crawling. He gets up on his hands and toes, in the perfect position to do a push-up. He bounces for a bit, and then gets back down on his belly.

Dad (coming to bed): I’m turning the game off, it’s 11-0, we can’t lose this one.
Me: What inning is it?
Dad: 6th, maybe 7th.
Me: Leave it on, you never know.

He must have left it on, I was half-awake during this conversation. But Colin woke me up later, and as I stumbled in at 11.40pm, the score was 12-9! I ended up sleeping on the couch with Colin, and we picked up on the replay of game exactly when I had first fallen asleep (when it was 6-0). But I didn’t get the final until we got up in the morning — 13 to 11, Phils. It was one of the longest game threads we’ve had in a while, on BSG.

Anyway, we’re just stumbling through things right now. Yesterday was big for errands and small chores that needed to be done. Today it is grocery shopping and sock-puppet making.

We drove by the new house on Sunday, and I got pictures of it with the windows in, which I don’t think we have yet. (I checked, we have pictures with windows, but the pictures I have now have the finished roof and porch). When we had our meetings at the house last week, we got a real good idea of how things are (plus Dad got a feel for his office). The windows in the breakfast room and family room are very low to the floor. The living room may be as well, but the bedrooms and dining room windows aren’t. [I might have more to say on all this later, right now, I'm getting poked and pulled on by Jim].

So I checked my old posts, and I realize that I haven’t mentioned that the estimated closing date for the new house is the second week of November. We’re taking the attitude that it is what it is, and we’ll work out what we need to do if this house doesn’t sell by then.

Colin’s second bottom tooth (lower right) came in.

Yes, I’m awake at 03.15. I gave him some tylenol, and it woke me up & I can’t get back to sleep. But at least the replay of the game is on.

And there’s a very noisy cricket here in the basement.

we’ve had a showing. That’s a lot of cleaning. And happy meals, and trips to the mall, and to the library.

I turned off the air today and just now is it feeling as cool as it did this morning. Trying to relax…

For a “day off”, as we will classify Jim’s non-school days, we were mighty busy.

I had been putting off the trip to get Jim’s bloodwork done all summer, so I finally decided that yesterday was the day. He’s fine until it’s time to sit in my lap in the chair, and then he wigs. In the middle of the wiggage, my phone rings. Someone wants to see the house at 10.30. It’s 9.30. Forgetting that I’m completely in the right asking them to wait, because of our two-hour rule, I ask them to wait until 11.30. We rush home and clean, putting Jim’s reward donut on hold until we leave for the showing. We made it home and I got most everything done, too. Of course, I find out tonight that they’re not interested in the house.

So, it was donuts, and then the fabric store. I bought the fabric for Jim and Colin’s costumes — costing me $8 and $12 respectively. Now I just need time to sew them. And a place where I can make the mess of sewing.

Anyway, it was home for lunch, and then we had a major rest, some more cleaning, and then out for dinner because of another showing. If there can be “nice” showings, this was one, because they wanted to see the house between 7 and 8, and asked them to come earlier because of the kids’ bedtimes. And they respected this, obliged me, and the agent left a nice note on the chalkboard about the house. I feel happier just writing this.

We really feel like we’re getting down to the wire, after seeing the new house almost done on the outside. The roof is being shingled, siding is going up next week, and electrical is starting too. Rough plumbing is done. We picked the locations for the low voltage stuff and had our pre-drywall meeting today as well.

Colin says, “Don’t go, bro”

Today Jim started his new preschool. We don’t really get hyped up about these things beforehand, and this was no exception. I think it works for us. He certainly wasn’t upset.

The morning went well. The three of us were ready to leave by 7.45. I was showered (yay!), and caffeinated, but I didn’t get breakfast. Colin didn’t really get breakfast either (although he had eaten an hour and a half earlier.

We got to school in 25 minutes, five minutes longer than any other time, going the most congested route. I got some pictures in the car (waiting at a light) and at school, and some video, although the lens was fogged because the car was cold from the AC and the outside was HUMID. My glasses were fogged.

Jim went off and nearly forgot my hug, he was so excited.

Colin and I left, and Colin started fussing. I tried a new way home, and found this to be a great way to get to school, although a bit congested for going home. We skipped our errands because we were both hungry.

At home we had eaten, and we got a call for a showing this afternoon. Clean-up mom kicked into high gear, but I didn’t finish before it was time to leave to get Jim.

On the way back to school, a downpour began as soon as we got off the highway, and persisted until about two minutes before the kids were let out. I left a sleeping Colin in the cool car.

Jim proclaimed that he liked school and can’t wait to go back. For what more can you ask?

We came home, I finished cleaning, and then took Jim out for chicken and fries. We are hanging out in the library until we perceive it’s safe to go home.

I’m trying to stop working myself up about each showing and lack of showings. It’s a real emotional rollercoaster these days. More than anything I just want some normalcy to our days.

Really, he was more excited than he looks.

With no showings, we had a busy weekend. While Dad worked from home Saturday, the boys and I visited some of Mom’s extended family. Jim loves visiting his Poppy, and we got to go swimming — plus Jim got to play with some dogs, big and little.

Today I finished a knitting project, took pictures of the new house, and tried to rest — my back is bothering me terribly. Probably a physical manifestation of the stress of trying to sell the house, but it really hurts.

The house pictures are in the album. Here’s a peek at the knitting:

And, because this was so darn cute… Jim getting ready for school tomorrow: