And we're outta there!

I never thought it would happen.

We really sold our house.

We really signed on the dotted line; rather we signed the 76 different documents and initialed in 17 other places. After gulping down a considerable loss and bartering our firstborn, we handed over the keys.

Those of you who believe in the Secret: I am living proof that living the opposite of what the Secret teaches is the way for the universe to succomb to my desires. After 3 weeks of living in a 70% packed up house, I decided to to hang up some pictures again, unpack the bathroom mats, and take a spontaneous trip to Alabama. (the secret would have me pack up my entire house and wait patiently with my forwarding adress form in hand. )

While we were away, whom should we get a call from but none other than our attorney to let us know that closing for REAL would happen on Thursday the 22nd.

CRUD!

We weren't due back into town until Tuesday afternoon. That gave me 36 hours to finish packing, load the truck and clean the house.

Somehow, it all happened. Actually, I know exactly how it happened. We had a lot of help from great friends that made it possible, and if I were to say any more about that I think I'd just start to cry.

{{brief sob session}}

I'm beyond grateful for the dear friends that came to my rescue in every possible way. From taking food out of my fridge and freezer to your own so I wouldn't have to waste food, to delivering a slice Portillo's chocolate cake to keep me going. From dropping by with toys for the kids' car ride, to helping me pack up my kitchen.... from showing up un announced to scrub my toilets to letting me use your washer and dryer when mine was loaded on the truck.... my heart is full of gratitude. Thanks from the bottom of my heart.

Once we finally pulled out of the driveway, I was really ready. We have so many fun memories in that cute little cape cod, but I was ready to leave it.

Ten things I WON'T miss:
1. The crazy neighbor lady. I swear, everyone else in our neighborhood is awesome, but we got stuck with these weird hippie/recluse -type people next door. She has something like 8 dogs and was always hollering at them to come back to the house, or screaming a string of profanities at her husband. It's a wonder either of them came back to her at the end of the day.
2. Closet-less children's rooms. I want to be selfish and have my own closet. Though I wonder if sharing one with the kids is better than sharing with Kyle. He has more clothes than I do...
3. Not having a garbage disposal. Darn well and septic...
4. Not being able to use the hose. Not sure why Kyle enforced that one.
5. Not being able to park under the tree in the front yard (Kyle was always afraid the dead branch was going to land on it. )
6. Leaves! LEAVES! Leaves! I will not miss those darn leaves.
7. People crashing into my front yard. It happened again just before we left the house. This time instead of taking out a tree, they just ran into the snow bank.
8. Steep stairs. If nothing else about our house screamed 1940's era, the stairs sure did. They were so steep. Cade fell down them and got a concussion and that sealed it for me.
9. Brown water. There is so much iron in the water that it's brown. Oh, except we bought an iron filter for it 2 months before we sold it that took care of the problem.
10. Blagojevich. Need I say more?

I am grateful it sold, but it does stink that we had to sell it for less than we bought it. It really hit me when we were given the check at closing. I nearly choked. I remember how much we came to closing when we bought the house because I was the one who went to the bank and withdrew the amount some 2 1/2 years ago. To see money vanish like that made me almost ill. Then my attorney, understanding my state of shock, told me to be grateful. He has witnessed many a closings where the seller had to come to closing with check. I am glad that is not me. But dang....


There's lots more that I will miss, but focusing on these things just makes leaving so much easier. That and the fact that we are coming back to the area in the spring. Just a different house.

We arrived this evening in Idaho after braving a harrowing, adventurous, and fun journey in wintery weather. Sure missed my Subie. I can't wait to be reunited with her!

Tomorrow we pick up the keys and sign our 3 month lease.

Stay tuned for:

Alabama Update
Savvy's birthday pics
Christmas pics (yes, Christmas)
Thanksgiving pics (yes, Thanksgiving!)
and of course, a good dose of Hilarious Cadeisms.
Savannah will also be making her debut on the side-bar. She is quite the talker and has cracked us up with some of her own thoughts.

In the mean time, cross your fingers someone in our new neighborhood has an unsecured wireless network so we can post. Otherwise, I am sure it will be at least a week before we get internet.

Good night!