Homeowner at last!

A home all one's own

So, today was the big day, and I closed on my house. There was a lot of last-minute angst about whether or not it would get to be today. For a short moment, I even almost cried. But, everything went fine, all the signing of papers and shaking of hands. My realtor, who is awesome (if you ever move to my town, use my realtor), brought me a bottle of champagne. She and my mom are new best friends; they're planning to go out to lunch together.

Everyone talks about how you sign a million papers at closing and it's so scary and weird, but I'm here to tell you I signed a lot more papers and took a longer time when my applied for the loan and made the offer. That initial deal took place from about 6-9:30 one night after work and was fraught with much more uncertainty. Would the sellers take my offer? Was I gambling by bringing the price down? Was I picking the right loan, or would I get screwed on it? Those questions seemed much more urgent, and I was hungry and exhausted by the end. I got some takeout on my way home and crashed ASAP.

By contrast, the closing took place around 3 pm on a beautiful spring afternoon. I kept thinking to myself, “I can take a nice walk after we finish here.” We drove past the house on the way home. One of the neighbors was walking her dog, and she waved. I get the keys tomorrow, and then it will be more real. Actually, it won't be real until things are painted and I'm moved in. Since I'm going out of town Thursday, I have to put it out of my mind somewhat for the next few days and just focus on functioning at my job and on my trip.

Easter weekend was lovely. The very best part of all was that I got a surprise visit from Miss M.C., who breezed in from Little Rock. She got to see the house, and it made me so happy to share the excitement with my friend. She is only the second friend to see the house up close, and the first to see it inside, completely. She pronounced it a great success, which is important. Of course I want my friends to approve.

I also took baby steps toward re-finishing two wooden chairs for my dining room. As luck would have it, we discovered that my dad did the really nasty part of the job-stripping the old finish, some years ago. I'll have to go back and strip a little more, then sand, re-finish, replace the feet. They are the perfect chairs for short people. I apologize in advance to my tall friends, as my house will be filled with furniture for short people.

MY house. I can't believe I own property. This fact arouses all sorts of weird instincts, like wanting to patrol the perimeter like a border collie, or pee in all four corners of the yard. I can see myself, the crazy lady who yells at kids to get out of my yard and stop trampling the flowers. Yes, a new day is dawning.