Who knew?

Who knew it would take two months to get our house started?

Who knew I would want to build a house and would be disappointed that it hasn't been started?

Who knew not being in a place of your own could be so disconcerting?

Who knew I'd be so lonely for the blooming of the tulips?  Who knew seeing so many photos of said tulips would bring me to tears some days?

Who knew I'd miss hummingbirds so much? 

Who knew I'd be buying birding books to find others to fill in the gap?  

Or that I would put oranges out as well as a hummingbird feeder in hopes of catching a glimpse of any bird close to the house?  (Well, any bird except the blackbirds).

Who knew living closer to my mom would be so fun?

Who knew I'd love to drive the hills I was raised near looking around for new barns or sweeping vistas so I could take photos?

Or that the wheat fields are really beautiful?

Who knew I'd want to be able to identify the trees that I've been around forever?  (This is a Ponderosa or Bull Pine, BTW).

Who knew I spent so much time at the nurseries?  Or in my greenhouse?  OMGosh, I'm sure I'm saving lots of money.  

Who knew I'd miss family and friends on the West side so much?  

Who knew? 

I guess deep down, I knew.   

Two good things yesterday:

Signed the preliminary loan papers.  The banker went through them with me and it's really happening!  

And the appraisal came was received by the bank.  This allows the application to flow through quicker.  Yay!  Getting closer.  

Gotta love Google Earth.  This is the aerial view of our new area.  The red dot is just South of our property.  I'll be anxious to compare it in a few months/years.  

I really hope next week they start moving some ground.  Now we're waiting for permits.  Keep your fingers crossed!

S T O P

May I tell you how disappointed I am?  No permits granted yet.  Submitted and rejected.  Apparently, the original developer didn't do something on the septic systems he was told to do.  A $100 item.  Seriously?  And I think the county must have changed the rating for snow load because that was an issue as well.

Heavy sigh.  We thought for sure we'd know where the kitchen would be by now.  There were several reasons I wasn't anxious to build a house.  Disappointment and delays was one.  

We wanted to be in by August because we have to be out of the rental by the end of July.  Moving twice won't be fun.

Deep breath...it will be OK.  There must be a reason.  I'll go with that.  

On the Right Road

Shiras is a subspecies of moose; it is also the smallest.  And it is the name of the road where we are building our new house!  

We signed the contract a month ago yesterday.  We're really hoping the builder breaks ground this week.  They will stake the foot print so we know exactly where it will be on the property.  The permits have all been submitted and we are talking with the bank this week to sign the mortgage.  

It's really happening.  Hard to believe.  Exciting.  Nerve wracking.  Frustrating.  Fun.

We're on the right road and the ride is just beginning!