Thursday, April 16, 2009

Walk through

V picked me up from work today and we drove out to the acreage for our final walk through.  The owner was there moving out the last few bits of furniture that they had left.  V helped him move a shelf out of the kitchen.  After he left our realtor just left us there by ourselves with our assurance that we would lock up behind ourselves.  
So we took our time.  We did some of our measurements that we were expecting to do on Monday so we're a little ahead of the game.   We figured out where the new island will be going in the kitchen and discovered that none of the cabinets are standard sized (they were hand built by the original owners).  They're not even standard height, which isn't really a problem except that they had to cut into the countertop when they installed the dishwasher because it is taller than the cabinets.  We were planning to put in a new counter so we may have to play with spacers to raise it over the dishwasher.
I also had a good look at the spot I want to put my garden and the strawberries.  It's going to be lots of work to clear the weeds/grass and dig it up.  Oh well, I knew it wouldn't be easy.  
I did discover that there are hostas and peonies coming up as well as iris.  It's going to be fun trying to identify all the trees and shrubs that are out there.  There is one tree in the corner of the yard that I haven't figured out what it is yet.  It is just starting to bud out.  The bark and some of the old leaves still hanging on look like apple but the trunk is much too shrub like and we found no evidence of apples on the ground underneath.  Of course, it is possible that the deer ate anything that fell.  The deer have definitely made themselves at home there.  It is going to be interesting keeping them out of my plants.  I'm hoping that having people and a large dog living there will dissuade them from being quite so brazen.  The shrubs in front of the house have been nibbled down to stubs.  
It will definitely be an adventure.  I'll try to post lots of pictures as we go along.  I'm forseeing lots of digging and cleaning on Monday.  The mice have definitely been busy when there has been no one there.  The kitchen cabinets and drawers will need significant cleaning.  I noticed that the owners had set a few mousetraps and I have several that I will take with me.  Setting those will be one of the first things we do.

14 comments:

  1. Argh..where are the pictures! LOL.

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  2. Sorry, I didn't know we were going out until V picked me up from work. I called him to pick me up rather than driving since I have been collecting boxes. Evidently, right after I called, our realtor called about meeting out at the house for the walk through. I didn't have my camera with me at work.
    Don't worry, pictures galore starting Monday.
    Judy

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  3. I'm so happy for you. I'm feeling so frusterated right now because we are at such a turning point..trying to decide what to do...to rent a house 30 minutes out of town that's perfect or wait to buy. I'm not very comfortable with trying to homestead with a rental. YET, we need to get out of the rental we are in because we are spending too much and we feel we are cornered trying to decide what to do. I'm so envious that you have found your spot, but so happy for you too!
    Sorry for my rant. I know that you will understand what we are going through.

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  4. I've been missing for awhile, and am happily catching up with your adventures. Again, congrats on getting the place. Its going to be exciting watching you put it all together. Best of luck to you both!
    Sue

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  5. I'm getting so excited for you! The final walk-through makes it seem very very close, and yet just beyond reach.... fun to look and figure out what needs to be done, even though I completely understand the little daunting feeling. Looking forward to the pictures, and especially the exploration of what all the existing plants/trees/shrubs you can find :-)

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  6. Congrats again Judy! Very exciting and a little scary. Going from abstract 'house in the country' to where do I start? and how do I keep the deer out of the garden? I am very excited for you.
    Kris

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  7. slaterlife- I SO understand where you are coming from. It took us a year and a half to find the 'perfect' place- which is far from perfect. But it fit all our requirements: land, outbuildings, 4 bedrooms, and biggest of all for us- the school district. Having our children be able to attend the same schools (our youngest will change elementary schools) was HUGE. We're even in the same Zipcode!!
    Sue- Thanks.
    Localzone- It does feel daunting sometimes. We know that we are able and willing to do all the work involved but sometimes it just seems like so MUCH!
    Kris- Yeah, going from the wonderful abstract to the reality of 'Monday this will be ours' is a bit overwhelming.
    Judy

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  8. Hi Judy...the house & property will feel like home in no time! A good cleaning will do wonders. Have you thought of fencing for you new garden? Sounds like it might be the next step after tilling. Don't want the deer to eat all your plants. Look forward to the pics.
    Barb

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  9. And so the adventure begins. Congratulations!

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  10. I'm so happy for you! Congratulations!!! I cannot wait to see some pictures
    Kris

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  11. Yay, this is quie exciting! Good luck with the deer situation....from my experience I can say the dog and people will probably *not* deter the, unfortunately. :( Out where my rural parcel is located several of the gardeners have had to build well fenced gardens to keep them out...and these are people who work from home and have large dogs and are outside constantly. Maybe fencing and spraying something like Deer Off around the perimeter of the garden might help? I use that around the perimeter of my home garden as it also works to discourage the Easter bunnies gone wild & the rampant squirrel population. I wish it worked on chipmunks as they're the major problem now!

    I can't wait to follow your progress on the home and garden work...this will be fun!! Good luc and have lots of fun!!

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  12. Yeah, happy to hear things are working out for you. Love your award, congrats!

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  13. Looking forward to pictures. And your "deer deterrence" efforts. Since I need some help in that area. :)

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Glad you stopped in. I would love to hear from you.