At last!

As of Thursday afternoon, we are officially homeowners!

Our back porch (before the previous owners moved out)

We have a lot of work to do. The house is in need of painting, inside and out. The yard needs work, too, especially around the property lines where things are very overgrown. There are several small things in the house that need repair or replacing, but it's mostly cosmetic stuff that we can do ourselves. Most of all, our new home needs a thorough top to bottom cleaning--that's on my agenda for today. But it's ours!

After a good cleaning, we have to start moving our things in earnest. We have movers scheduled to come on Wednesday, Nov. 21 to take our furniture and any large, delicate items. That night will be our first time sleeping there, and we'll be officially moved in. The next day is Thanksgiving, and we have so much to be thankful for this year! Our only regret at this point is that we can't call Gregg's mom and tell her all about it. We know she'd be absolutely thrilled for us, and it was her inheritance that made it possible for us to buy it. That would have made her so happy. I want to cry when I think about how I wish she could come see it, and how much fun we'd have sitting on that back porch in the summer drinking wine and talking. Such is life, I suppose. Joy and sorrow all mixed up even on the happiest occasions.

Speaking of moms, my mom has been really supportive and happy for us! That makes me happy. She's been saying for years that she wished we could buy a house and stop "throwing away money" on rent. She was thrilled that we were able to get reasonable mortgage payments and only a 15 year loan. As soon as we finish moving in she wants to take me shopping for a housewarming gift from her and my dad. I don't care about gifts, just the fact that she's so supportive is a gift in itself.

Well, off to the house to begin my day of serious cleaning! Have a good weekend, everyone!