I slept very little last night. How to sleep with life topsy-turvy?
Topics that kept me awake:
Pandemic, obviously. Short-term implications for our family and
We are 95% certain we are buying a house.
Per previous post, I’m keen on watching pandemic news…until I’m not anymore! Large gatherings cancelled, schools cancelled, then you realize what may be coming with shortages of treatment facilities. It’s gonna be BAD BAD BAD. I am wondering when Boingboing will have a post about DIY Ventilators.
Last week, Rob and I noticed a couple of odd occurrences that felt like a bad-pandemic-omen. We were leaving the post office and I noticed that the guy who had been ahead of us in line was throwing up on the side of the building. And just a couple days later, we were driving in our neighborhood (not late at night or near bars) and someone had to jump out of the car to throw up. I know people throw up for lots of reasons, but twice in a week like that out in public is….creepy. And I know with coronavirus you can start out with vomiting/diarrhea.
Also, seen at least two pictures of workers overseas that were spraying disinfectant in the city. How come they are always spraying THE GROUND?! Shouldn’t they be spraying places we put our hands, like railings? Who cares if there are germs on the ground/actually seems terrible for the environment—may as well dump that stuff right into the river.
Hoping my parents, out in California, are staying home. (Doesn’t pose any kind of challenge for my Dad, who already stays at home and eschews as many cocktail parties as possible ;)
Paige’s college has asked all students to not return to campus after spring break—classes will be on-line only! For now, Paige will stay with friends that live near her school in Massachusetts and then she plans to come here by early April. Hopefully domestic travel will still be possible at that time!!
With that backdrop, we have been actively shopping for a home as if things were normal. We visited a home two days ago which fit the bill…and we made an offer! After short negotiation of price, we are now progressing along and will have our inspection Saturday! So 95% sure that will be our new home!
Closing supposedly will be “on or before April 15.”
This home is west of downtown Austin but still in the city of Austin, barely. It’s about a 25-minute or so drive to city neighborhoods where we may go for dinner and stuff on the weekends, so that’s nice as we didn’t want to give that up.
The house is a one-story home with plenty of room for the kids to visit (or friends). It was only built about 4 years ago so it is in fine condition. The layout does have a great room layout where kitchen is open to living is open to dining, which I generally don’t prefer, but we decided with just two of us it’ll be fine. With some large windows, the house is very bright which I love. And the best part of the house interior? The kitchen!! Amazing, attractive, and large! Mega counter space! We’re going to love that.
The front “yard” has loads of old oak trees which is AWESOME. In the back, which is fenced, there are raised garden beds, a pool, and a HEN HOUSE! Also trees along the back so feels very private.
On the pool, we are happy it exists (wasn’t something we were seeking tho), but it is a bit odd looking as it is somewhat above-ground. There’s a wooden deck built around it and some stonework around the edge, but still kind of strange. There must have been a reason not to get it fully below ground. These owners don’t seem like the types to skimp on expense so it remains a mystery to me. Anyway, it’s all a bonus for us!
There are residents in the hen house and I’ve already asked if human homeowners are leaving us the chickens (please). Don’t know yet for sure. So already thinking about post-move-in-to-do’s:
Learn: How to keep chickens alive
Learn: How to have dogs + chickens and keep them all alive. Get dog(s)
Learn: Tortoise adoption. Get tortoise from Central Texas Tortoise Rescue (requires a lot of setup so this is definitely last. there’s also a waiting list)
Learn: how to keep all the animals from hurting each other or falling prey to snakes, foxes, etc.
Cat’s always around the house
Not sure why Cheech seems to prefer napping with hose on his face
At Louise & John’s! They are moving soon too!!
Flies matter too
Our new favorite game, Wingspan.
We are trying to grow some succulents and herbs
The kitchen in the house we are likely buying
The chicken coop at the house we are likely buying