The Redd Room Gets A Roof

It’s amazing how sometimes life takes forever to change, and then there is that time when, in a blink of an eye, the view is entirely different.  This is one of those times.

I don’t think that "change" could be any more official… I bought a house.

The key word here is “I”.

OK, so in the spirit of full transparency, I am a little proud of myself.  Maybe a little more than a little.  In the past, when dealing with such huge life decisions, it involved a lot of discussion, pro and con list, consulting with friends, family, ensuring everyone had buy in to the decision.  This time it could not have been more different.  I connected with a real estate agent, searched the MLS listings, was approved for a mortgage, went down to Georgia, stayed on my own,  toured some homes, and decided that this was the one.  And yes, while I did discuss the decision with a few people- my sister was there when I needed her, and confirmed what I needed to know about the neighborhood and schools,  and a good friend (the kind that knows you better than you know yourself) kept me in check when necessary and reminded me of my guard rails - but it was ultimately my decision, and mine alone.   

To even get the contract signed has been a long process as it is a foreclosure, and I am not going to lie, it is much smaller than what we are used to (Georgia homes need to understand the benefit of this great thing called a basement- everyone should have one) but the important thing is that I can see us there.  I think that it will provide us what we need in so many ways.  It is cozy and offers this sense of closeness- something we need as we are going through such a difficult time- but the Master bedroom is on the main floor and the girls’ rooms are upstairs, so a good amount of separation when necessary.  Formal dining room- yeah, I don’t think so- so I am going to turn it into a media room, perfect for all Wii challenges and Mario battles.   There is a bonus room above the garage- instant home office.  We can see the neighborhood pool from the front yard, which I am sure, is where my 2 little fish will spend the entire summer.  There is even a fenced-in yard for the dog.  And did I mention, it’s in the same neighborhood as my sister, so we will have lots of support for those times that I will have to travel out of town- vital for my peace of mind and keeps familiar surroundings for the girls.

I think it’s ironic that I signed the contract on Valentine’s Day, and the close date is my birthday.  With everything I have dealt with in this scenario, things have truly fallen into place, and helped to make my decision easy, rational, and responsible.  So unlike me.

Oh- and the most important thing about the house, just in case you didn’t notice from the picture… it’s red.