After 6 1/2 months of diligent searching, we have finally purchased a new home.
Why in the world would we want to do that? Don't we already have a house?
Yes.. we already own a house. However, with the housing crisis, the Antelope Valley has seen a HUGE decrease in home prices (most over 50%), and so we decided that if we ever wanted to afford a home on some land that we could actually grow into, now was the time to jump IF we found the right property.
We have looked at the craziest houses.. and we've seen it all. Houses with zero appliances/light fixtures/etc. left in them. Houses with dead rodents. Houses with the MOST random floorplans you've ever seen.. after 6 1/2 months we've probably seen 30-40 homes of varying sizes, shapes and locations. I figured it out the other day and I think we've submitted at least 20 offers on 10 properties in that time.. every time crossing our fingers only to be disappointed -- bank didn't like our financing, beat out by $1000, etc.
The day I got back from Girl's Camp we went to see this one. It was amazingly clean, the previous owner still lived in it (which was a first!), and the price was incredible. So.. on it's first day on the market we wrote an offer.. and the very next day we got a counteroffer and we thought the deal was done. Nope.. the listing agent 'conveniently' didn't make it back to her client's place to get the final paperwork signed and several other 'more lucrative' offers came in in the meantime. She gave us the opportunity to up ours, but we said 'heck no.. you crazy evil agent'.
Then, two weeks later she called groveling asking if we still wanted it since everyone else had defaulted. We thought and prayed and felt like this was the place, so we resubmitted our offer, we opened escrow last week and I think it may actually happen this time. Our closing date is sometime in the 1st 10 days of August and we're hoping to be in by the 15th. Crazy..
It's a custom home on a 2.2 acre lot.. swimming pool.. nice big bedrooms.. it's in need of updating (built in the 80's and it shows), but we can do that in pieces through the next few years. It does have a wall or two that could do with being removed and a lovely wetbar in the family that needs to go... again.. one step at a time. However, all in all, it's a beautiful well-built home on some good land so Chad can one day live his dream of having a 40 x 60 shop in the backyard.
Anywho.. here are the pics from the listing.. I haven't had a chance to take any of my own yet:
So.. if anyone is need of a good house to rent in the Lancaster area.. I know of one.. and if anyone is dying to participate in an exciting move.. we'll be happy to accommodate ;-)
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Girl's Camp
I survived!! :-)
After what seemed like an eternal preparation period, Girl's Camp flew by and is now a thing of the past.
It was an amazing trip that went WAY better than I could have even expected. The girls were awesome -- there was absolutely NO drama. I know, I know, hard to believe with 30 teenage girls, but I'm telling you we pretty much had zero issues. There was no drama with the leaders either, which is almost as miraculous.
It was ward camp, which means that, as Ward Camp Leader, my noble assistant and I planned and executed the entire thing. A LOT of work -- let me tell you.. just ask Chad. It seemed like weekend after weekend that we were doing something for camp. In spite of the work, I loved having just our ward together -- especially with all the leaders.
The food was amazing, the crafts were well received and well executed, the scenery was second to none (we were on a bluff overlooking the beach!!), the weather was cool in the mornings and sunny in the afternoon, which was perfect, the spirit was strong and the girl's really seemed to bond with the leaders as well as each other.
I have loved Girl's Camp my whole life -- both as a girl and as a leader. This year was definitely no exception.
It was a special week spent with some awesome people. Who could ask for more?
After what seemed like an eternal preparation period, Girl's Camp flew by and is now a thing of the past.
It was an amazing trip that went WAY better than I could have even expected. The girls were awesome -- there was absolutely NO drama. I know, I know, hard to believe with 30 teenage girls, but I'm telling you we pretty much had zero issues. There was no drama with the leaders either, which is almost as miraculous.
It was ward camp, which means that, as Ward Camp Leader, my noble assistant and I planned and executed the entire thing. A LOT of work -- let me tell you.. just ask Chad. It seemed like weekend after weekend that we were doing something for camp. In spite of the work, I loved having just our ward together -- especially with all the leaders.
The food was amazing, the crafts were well received and well executed, the scenery was second to none (we were on a bluff overlooking the beach!!), the weather was cool in the mornings and sunny in the afternoon, which was perfect, the spirit was strong and the girl's really seemed to bond with the leaders as well as each other.
I have loved Girl's Camp my whole life -- both as a girl and as a leader. This year was definitely no exception.
It was a special week spent with some awesome people. Who could ask for more?
San Diego
The weekend before Girl's Camp, I hopped on a train from the AV down to San Diego to join Chad who had been down in San Diego all week at a convention.
We had a very eventful Friday.. starting with visiting the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. Midway which has been docked in the harbor and turned into a floating museum. It was REALLY cool being able to explore the entire ship, climb down all the crazy ladders and experience what life on a boat that size must have been like. Definitely not anything I'm signing up for anytime in the near future.. that's for sure...
The deck is even loaded with planes and helicopters you can explore inside and out and there's a 360 degree flight simulator that Chad took advantage of (I was pretty sure that about the time I flipped upside down I would have lost my lunch)..
After the ship, we wandered around Seaport Village, where we borrowed a kite from the kite guy and had some fun although the wind wasn't terribly cooperative.
We then decided to head over to the Del Mar Fair, where we ate too much, spent way too much money and had an overall lovely time.
The next day.. well.. we ended up sleeping in, packing up and heading back up North. We did get to stop in Anaheim on the way and visit with Meesa, Trevor, Carter and Avry for a bit. We all went to Downtown Disney and had a lot of fun 'window' shopping and hanging out. It's always fun to see them!! :-)
It was then on to home for the final Girl's Camp prep.. I must have been crazy to take off the weekend before camp.. but I'm glad I went down.. it was definitely a needed break from the everyday craziness that has become life..
We had a very eventful Friday.. starting with visiting the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. Midway which has been docked in the harbor and turned into a floating museum. It was REALLY cool being able to explore the entire ship, climb down all the crazy ladders and experience what life on a boat that size must have been like. Definitely not anything I'm signing up for anytime in the near future.. that's for sure...
The deck is even loaded with planes and helicopters you can explore inside and out and there's a 360 degree flight simulator that Chad took advantage of (I was pretty sure that about the time I flipped upside down I would have lost my lunch)..
After the ship, we wandered around Seaport Village, where we borrowed a kite from the kite guy and had some fun although the wind wasn't terribly cooperative.
We then decided to head over to the Del Mar Fair, where we ate too much, spent way too much money and had an overall lovely time.
The next day.. well.. we ended up sleeping in, packing up and heading back up North. We did get to stop in Anaheim on the way and visit with Meesa, Trevor, Carter and Avry for a bit. We all went to Downtown Disney and had a lot of fun 'window' shopping and hanging out. It's always fun to see them!! :-)
It was then on to home for the final Girl's Camp prep.. I must have been crazy to take off the weekend before camp.. but I'm glad I went down.. it was definitely a needed break from the everyday craziness that has become life..
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Facelift
So.. I was looking at my blog today and decided it needed a little summery facelift.
However, now that I'm all done, I'm thinking it might be just a bit too.. well.. festive? Pink isn't really my color.. hmm.. I dunno.. So.. we'll see how long it lasts..
In the meantime, I'm hoping to get caught up on blogging this week.. so.. stay tuned..
:-)
However, now that I'm all done, I'm thinking it might be just a bit too.. well.. festive? Pink isn't really my color.. hmm.. I dunno.. So.. we'll see how long it lasts..
In the meantime, I'm hoping to get caught up on blogging this week.. so.. stay tuned..
:-)
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Baby Grand
I've always dreamed of owning a Baby Grand piano.
Don't get me wrong, my little Kawai that I've had for years is a good little piano. However, even as I was buying it I thought 'in five years I'll save up and buy my baby grand.. this is just an interim piano. That was 14 years ago..
So while perusing Craig's List about three weeks back I saw some interesting listings for an older baby grand or two at terribly reasonable prices. I thought to myself.. if they're in decent shape at all it would be worth it. So.. I watched the listings come and go and finally honed in on one. A 1934 Mahogany Kimball that was supposedly in perfect working / sounding condition with a few 'minor' cosmetic blemishes.
I thought and I figured and thought and figured. Then two weeks ago Saturday I needed to go down below (that's what we call 'the San Fernando / Los Angeles region) for a doctor appt, so I thought I would just call and see if it was available to be looked at.
It was, I went and saw it, I played it and in a rare moment of not-quite-insanity.. I bought it.
It was delivered to our house on June 9th. We then started working on getting it polished up (it has the original 1034 finish and looked it). A few coats of restorative wood wax (no worries.. it's all natural and safe for pianos) and all those 'minor' blemishes all but vanished.
It's a pretty little thing. The piano tech came and looked at it and is due back on Tuesday to give a good once over and then he says it will be in good working condition.
Now.. if only I had somewhere to put it in my house.. and a matching piano bench cover..
I guess that's just a project for my post-girls-camp recovery period..
Don't get me wrong, my little Kawai that I've had for years is a good little piano. However, even as I was buying it I thought 'in five years I'll save up and buy my baby grand.. this is just an interim piano. That was 14 years ago..
So while perusing Craig's List about three weeks back I saw some interesting listings for an older baby grand or two at terribly reasonable prices. I thought to myself.. if they're in decent shape at all it would be worth it. So.. I watched the listings come and go and finally honed in on one. A 1934 Mahogany Kimball that was supposedly in perfect working / sounding condition with a few 'minor' cosmetic blemishes.
I thought and I figured and thought and figured. Then two weeks ago Saturday I needed to go down below (that's what we call 'the San Fernando / Los Angeles region) for a doctor appt, so I thought I would just call and see if it was available to be looked at.
It was, I went and saw it, I played it and in a rare moment of not-quite-insanity.. I bought it.
It was delivered to our house on June 9th. We then started working on getting it polished up (it has the original 1034 finish and looked it). A few coats of restorative wood wax (no worries.. it's all natural and safe for pianos) and all those 'minor' blemishes all but vanished.
It's a pretty little thing. The piano tech came and looked at it and is due back on Tuesday to give a good once over and then he says it will be in good working condition.
Now.. if only I had somewhere to put it in my house.. and a matching piano bench cover..
I guess that's just a project for my post-girls-camp recovery period..
First Piano Recital
On June 4th, I had my very first piano recital.. ever.
I never actually had to perform in piano recitals growing up and so I've never performed nor attended one. However, I decided to try it with my students. We had it in Joni Swindlehurst's (our music coordinator in the ward who loves to throw parties / events..) living room on her beautiful old grand piano. I had 5 of my 9 students perform and it lasted all of 16 minutes. They all did wonderfully for the amount of time they had been playing. I was proud of all of them.
Now I am enjoying a two month hiatus from teaching while I prepare and go to girl's camp and pretty much just rest. We resume up again in August.
With any luck we'll have a repeat performance come next May.
Unfortunately, my camera wasn't really being terribly cooperative and I have yet to obtain any pictures from those who have promised them. However, as soon as I get some, I'll post them.
I never actually had to perform in piano recitals growing up and so I've never performed nor attended one. However, I decided to try it with my students. We had it in Joni Swindlehurst's (our music coordinator in the ward who loves to throw parties / events..) living room on her beautiful old grand piano. I had 5 of my 9 students perform and it lasted all of 16 minutes. They all did wonderfully for the amount of time they had been playing. I was proud of all of them.
Now I am enjoying a two month hiatus from teaching while I prepare and go to girl's camp and pretty much just rest. We resume up again in August.
With any luck we'll have a repeat performance come next May.
Unfortunately, my camera wasn't really being terribly cooperative and I have yet to obtain any pictures from those who have promised them. However, as soon as I get some, I'll post them.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Memorial Day Camping
This is the first of my 'catch up' entries. Yes, I know that Memorial Day was a month ago.. but I've been a little busy. I would like to appologize to all of you out there who have been faithfully making entries into your own blogs since I haven't had any time to read blogs either.. sheesh..
So.. back to the topic at hand:
Since it was around my birthday and I needed to go stake out the campground at El Capitan for Girl's Camp anyway.. we decided to go camping in the mountains north of Santa Barbara on the weekend over Memorial Day.
We drove up on Friday evening and found a campsite above Cachuma Lake down 'Happy Canyon Road' in a tiny little campground that had a creek running right behind it.
On Saturday we decided to do some exploring and, in an interesting 'side trip' ended up in Solvang where they just so happened to be having a Military appreciation day and were letting people climb on helicopters and humvees and such.. so.. of course.. we stopped and took some pics..
Since we'd already stopped, we decided to explore Solvang for a bit and sample the Danish pastries (YUM!)
Once we'd had our fill of the cute Dutch town with it's beautiful pastries.. we journeyed on up to Santa Maria where we were hoping to do some off roading. We were a little later than planned at this point, however, and by the time we got anywhere where off roading would have been an option, it was time to turn around. So.. we headed back to Solvang for some Danish meatballs for dinner with Danish pancake balls (that have some fancy Danish name I can't remember) for desert and headed back to camp. However, while the trip might have been short lived into the wilderness, it was beautiful up there
On Sunday we headed into Solvang yet again for church at what had to be the friendliest ward I've ever been to. Every person in that ward introduced themselves as they walked into church. Amazing.. After church we took the 'long way' back to camp and even took a tiny little four wheeling road as a 'shortcut'. It was amazing the differing landscape and vegetation on the other side of the little mountain we were staying on. Where we were looked like Central California.. where we drove through that day looked a little more like Arizona. Amazing..
We went back to camp that afternoon, hung out by the creek and were joined by Sam & Michelle in the evening. The next day we all headed down to El Capitan to stake out the campground I was going to go to and try out the 2.5 mile hike from there to Refugio beach. Both were beautiful right there on the beach. Unfortunately, though, I didn't take any pictures cuz I figured that Sam was taking enough for the both of us. So.. you're just going to have to take my word for it.
It was a fun little trip and we got to explore country we probably wouldn't have thought to explore otherwise. I just wish it had been a tad bit longer..
So.. back to the topic at hand:
Since it was around my birthday and I needed to go stake out the campground at El Capitan for Girl's Camp anyway.. we decided to go camping in the mountains north of Santa Barbara on the weekend over Memorial Day.
We drove up on Friday evening and found a campsite above Cachuma Lake down 'Happy Canyon Road' in a tiny little campground that had a creek running right behind it.
On Saturday we decided to do some exploring and, in an interesting 'side trip' ended up in Solvang where they just so happened to be having a Military appreciation day and were letting people climb on helicopters and humvees and such.. so.. of course.. we stopped and took some pics..
Since we'd already stopped, we decided to explore Solvang for a bit and sample the Danish pastries (YUM!)
Once we'd had our fill of the cute Dutch town with it's beautiful pastries.. we journeyed on up to Santa Maria where we were hoping to do some off roading. We were a little later than planned at this point, however, and by the time we got anywhere where off roading would have been an option, it was time to turn around. So.. we headed back to Solvang for some Danish meatballs for dinner with Danish pancake balls (that have some fancy Danish name I can't remember) for desert and headed back to camp. However, while the trip might have been short lived into the wilderness, it was beautiful up there
On Sunday we headed into Solvang yet again for church at what had to be the friendliest ward I've ever been to. Every person in that ward introduced themselves as they walked into church. Amazing.. After church we took the 'long way' back to camp and even took a tiny little four wheeling road as a 'shortcut'. It was amazing the differing landscape and vegetation on the other side of the little mountain we were staying on. Where we were looked like Central California.. where we drove through that day looked a little more like Arizona. Amazing..
We went back to camp that afternoon, hung out by the creek and were joined by Sam & Michelle in the evening. The next day we all headed down to El Capitan to stake out the campground I was going to go to and try out the 2.5 mile hike from there to Refugio beach. Both were beautiful right there on the beach. Unfortunately, though, I didn't take any pictures cuz I figured that Sam was taking enough for the both of us. So.. you're just going to have to take my word for it.
It was a fun little trip and we got to explore country we probably wouldn't have thought to explore otherwise. I just wish it had been a tad bit longer..
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