On the Move
We are living in limbo here at the moment. I moved up to Whyalla exactly 40 years ago to take a teaching position, met DH a few months later and was married the next year. We raised 3 sons in a great environment, had a (mostly) satisfying work life and happy social life especially after retiring. The capital, Adelaide, is 4-5 hours' drive away and that is where I was born, where my siblings and several long-life friends plus one son and his family live. When grandchild #2 was born last year (and when things started to need repairing/replacing in this 80 y.o. house) I woke up one morning and asked DH "What are we doing here?" Our other sons live in another state, which makes it hard to visit either way - moving closer to the capital city was a no-brainer; ideally we could find a place in a semi-rural area just to the north. We announced to all and sundry our intentions, including the builder who was replacing the roof on our outbuilding. A week later he returned with a proposition: He had a rental house in the town we preferred and had fallen in love with ours (especially the large cellar - a very rare commodity over here - it is now his "Man Cave" LOL) - would we like to do a swap?? It took us another week to think about it - what an opportunity! No waiting for our house to sell - no trips down to search for one to buy. No paying for ads and all the other costs. A ten year old house on a block only half the size of this one, but with 3 br and an ensuite. 11 km away from son and his family. That was six months ago - we agreed to wait until after Christmas before the tenant was informed. That has just happened, and the bank is now drawing up the forms for the changeover. All we have to do now is wait for the tenant to move out, and it will be 'all go'. In the meantime we have emptied our storerooms, taken lots to Vinnies and the dump, and the rest down to a storage facility near to the house. The new owner has started filling the storerooms with his belongings, and has even slept over one night! There are still the house contents to go through, but we are at last looking at April at the latest for the settling in to be all done. Only then will we hand over the last key to each other. Wish us luck!
posted by Fran (Sth Aust) @ 6:33 PM
5 Comments:
Fran, how many people would find an exchange like that. I hope it goes well and smoothly. Something not many people would experience. Fate, serendipity, higher power, who knows, something was at work there making this all happen. Will you have time to let us know how this all works out.
Rosey
Certainly will, Rosey.
FROM MARY JO:
Rosey, there is much beauty in both sets of pics but I much prefer the first. Am wishing for warmth and garden time. Planted 3 varieties of primroses in the entry pots and will move them to the flower bed when it warms. So glad you find enjoyment in both seasons.
Fran, what a chance of a lifetime. Wonderful exchange for both of you. It will take time to sort out a home much lived in. But, even that is rewarding. You will find many treasures unseen for years - or at least I did. Our home in Tucson has an offer pending. Have counter offered as it is $20,000 below the original listing price and 2/3 of the purchase price.
For anyone not used to seeing 'grey' instead of bright sunshine, this is why many Canadians head down south for the winter. However, the US govt. is now making it mandatory that you cannot stay there for more than four months or you have to start paying US taxes. Also, the cost of health insurance is becoming very expensive for Canadians.
I used to go to Florida when raising my children, for the month of March. I lived for it. The moment I stepped out of the plane in Tampa, I began to 'feel' better. But I've been in Florida in April, even, where I could not cope with the intense heat and relentless sun. Odd to say, when you look at the dull, grey pictures above. And yet, there is beauty in grey. If you're not used to it, there isn't. It's all in what we're used to but I would say that my first choice would be to live in a moderate temperature year round. Where is that??
I have a nice fat bunny under my bird feeding station this morning. It lives beneath my back deck. The coyotes are terrible for picking off the rabbits and small to medium size and even larger dogs. I'm glad to see this rabbit.
Rosey
Fran, I'm SO very excited for you and Graham with this move! I'm sure there are qualms about leaving your home area of 40 years but to live close to grandkids will be such fun for you. Good luck with the move! Wish I was there to help.
Hugs, Mary in Oregon
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