We had the inspection of the house yesterday, and I believe that went well. We also had the foundation inspected per a suggestion from an architect. That did not go so well. The house is tilted to one corner by about 3-4 inches. This is not good for many reasons, but the main question is if the house is still moving or if it is done settling.
The house had the foundation repaired in 2005, andd the seller disclosed that report to us. That particular report said that the house was originally built on a slant and that adding some piers to one side should stabilize the house. But, after a little more digging we found another report from 2001 that showed significant settling due to lack of rain the previous year. The 2005 report looked as though the house moved back up, probably due to rehydration of the soils. Sellers are not required to disclose reports, inspections, etc. any farther back than 4 years, so that's probably why they didn't give us the 2001 report.
The foundation guy yesterday recommend that we hire a structural engineer to look at the house and try to determine if it's still moving and what the repair recommendation is. He seemed to think it would need a full outer and inner repair which can cost as much as $30,000. Yes THIRTY THOUSAND!!! So, our realtor, Jeff, was at a total loss of what to do as of yesterday. Paul is not sure he wants to spend the money to hire a structural engineer when he's going to most likely tell us what we already know - that the house needs major repair (who knows, he could also tell us it's fine). But, the other question is if it's stable enough to add a second story, but at this point that is secondary.
So, we will probably ask the sellers to agree to get a struc. engineer and then if they determine a repair is needed that they agree to pay for most of it, but that we will pay for some of it. We are hoping they will work with us - they will now have to disclose the foundation report to any further buyers, and most of them would probably see this problem as too big and ugly. And, if we end up not purchasing the house it will be the 3rd deal to fall through, which would make it look bad to future buyers. We are in a unique position because we don't care if they have to rip up all the floors, etc. since we plan to remodel.
I'm totally stressed. I"m grinding my teeth and can't concentrate at school. I love this house and the lot - it is so perfect for us in many ways. But, we are also not going to buy this house for the current price on the table if a $30K repair is looming over it. We'll have to make a decision on what to do today, but at least we got all that taken care of in Day 1 of the option period!! I guess if it's meant to be it will work out some how.
2.05.2009
2.02.2009
New house picture
Here is the back of the house - the yard goes out significantly behind where I am standing and has tons of huge trees. The lot is basically 2 full lots deep and the neighbors also were able to buy the property behind their lots and no one has fences, so it's essentially a huge woody greenspace. I'm not really sure why the fence is there - it marks about half of the total property. I didn't take any pics of the huge yard because it was online but now I'm unable to grab those pictures, so I'll have to take some more and post them. But, this one give you a little idea.
The other picture is the front - not terribly beautiful and I really don't like the landscaping, but all of that will change significantly since we are going to most likely add a 2nd story and do a major remodel. But, who cares when the back yard is so awesome!! Oh, and I will MOST CERTAINLY be getting rid of the teal green door and trim. Yuck!!
1.30.2009
Offer accepted!
We finally came to an agreement on the house yesterday. The owners finally settled for 10K over our asking price and 20K under their original asking price. Compared to other homes in the area, it was way overpriced when we looked at price per square foot. Either way, we got it for less than I thought we could, so we're pretty happy. Our realtor is very agressive so it worked out in our favor. When we purchased our current house with him, he actually ended up making an offer to the sellers for less than we had decided on, but they accepted, so it really worked in our favor.
Anyway, the sellers won't be able to sign the offer until Sunday, so our option period will start Monday. We will have to do all the normal house buying stuff like getting the inspector and appraiser, but we are going to have to really forge ahead on getting some remodel plans in the works.
I am pretty sure everyone thinks we are crazy, including our realtor! But, this idea is just so crazy that it's going to work. The lot is so gorgeous - I will post some pics when I get a chance - that no matter what we will make it work. We want to add up to 1500 sq. ft. or as much as we can afford. In order to figure that out we really need to have some plans made up and some contractors look at them. So, this brings us to our next major hurdle. Finding an architect to draw up some official plans. We have spoken with one who we had mixed feelings about, and so now we are on the hunt for more. We just have to call them and set up some meetings, and I really think this is going to be quite the process. Thankfully they have their portfolios online so we can see right away if we like their style.
We have a meeting this morning with another contractor and his architect so it will be interesting to hear what they have to say. Paul really wants to make sure we are able to put the plans out for bids by contractors, so it may be best to find an architect who is not directly associated with a contractor.
This really is going to be an experience. I told Paul that if we make it through this without getting a divorce that we're in it for the long haul for sure! Just so you know, we both laughed!
I'll keep updating as we progress along!
Anyway, the sellers won't be able to sign the offer until Sunday, so our option period will start Monday. We will have to do all the normal house buying stuff like getting the inspector and appraiser, but we are going to have to really forge ahead on getting some remodel plans in the works.
I am pretty sure everyone thinks we are crazy, including our realtor! But, this idea is just so crazy that it's going to work. The lot is so gorgeous - I will post some pics when I get a chance - that no matter what we will make it work. We want to add up to 1500 sq. ft. or as much as we can afford. In order to figure that out we really need to have some plans made up and some contractors look at them. So, this brings us to our next major hurdle. Finding an architect to draw up some official plans. We have spoken with one who we had mixed feelings about, and so now we are on the hunt for more. We just have to call them and set up some meetings, and I really think this is going to be quite the process. Thankfully they have their portfolios online so we can see right away if we like their style.
We have a meeting this morning with another contractor and his architect so it will be interesting to hear what they have to say. Paul really wants to make sure we are able to put the plans out for bids by contractors, so it may be best to find an architect who is not directly associated with a contractor.
This really is going to be an experience. I told Paul that if we make it through this without getting a divorce that we're in it for the long haul for sure! Just so you know, we both laughed!
I'll keep updating as we progress along!
1.26.2009
Our Next Adventure!
I've been hesitant to write anything about this in case we changed our mind or things didn't work out, but I guess it's time to tell everyone what we've been scheming about behind the scenes.
For a long time I've wanted a bigger yard and we are entertaining the idea of having one more child. If we do have another baby we'd like to have a 5 bedroom house (need a spare bedroom for all our out of town guests), and I still want that yard! So, I started looking around for houses and found a nice little house with a beautiful yard that is about 2/3 of an acre, but it's too small - only 3 bedrooms. So we looked at it and really loved it and started thinking that we might be able to get it and remodel to make what we want for the same price we could get or build a new 5 bedroom home. And none of the new builds have anything close to the yard this one has. We researched, talked to contractors, read online and looked at the house again.
We decided to make an offer on the house yesterday and we are still anxiously waiting to hear from the sellers. They've already turned down one offer and had one offer fall through, so I'm hoping 3rd time's a charm! From what we understand they are a retired couple with a ranch somewhere in Texas and a home in Costa Rica so I'm hoping they are ready to get rid of the house!!
The house is great and we'd love to add a second story if we can. It has a nice layout, but it's really the yard that is so great. It's got big trees and backs up to some heavily wooded property owned by other neighbors who got together to purchase it so nothing would be developed on it. It would be so perfect for the kids to be able to play out there all the time.
So, as I write this I hope I'm not jinxing the situation and I hope we hear some good news today - I'm sort of expecting a counter offer and that if they were going to say 'no' we would have heard last night. If we come to an agreement I'll post some pictures, but I don't want to get too excited yet.
For a long time I've wanted a bigger yard and we are entertaining the idea of having one more child. If we do have another baby we'd like to have a 5 bedroom house (need a spare bedroom for all our out of town guests), and I still want that yard! So, I started looking around for houses and found a nice little house with a beautiful yard that is about 2/3 of an acre, but it's too small - only 3 bedrooms. So we looked at it and really loved it and started thinking that we might be able to get it and remodel to make what we want for the same price we could get or build a new 5 bedroom home. And none of the new builds have anything close to the yard this one has. We researched, talked to contractors, read online and looked at the house again.
We decided to make an offer on the house yesterday and we are still anxiously waiting to hear from the sellers. They've already turned down one offer and had one offer fall through, so I'm hoping 3rd time's a charm! From what we understand they are a retired couple with a ranch somewhere in Texas and a home in Costa Rica so I'm hoping they are ready to get rid of the house!!
The house is great and we'd love to add a second story if we can. It has a nice layout, but it's really the yard that is so great. It's got big trees and backs up to some heavily wooded property owned by other neighbors who got together to purchase it so nothing would be developed on it. It would be so perfect for the kids to be able to play out there all the time.
So, as I write this I hope I'm not jinxing the situation and I hope we hear some good news today - I'm sort of expecting a counter offer and that if they were going to say 'no' we would have heard last night. If we come to an agreement I'll post some pictures, but I don't want to get too excited yet.
1.13.2009
Only a week left . . .
From slate.com:
Being able to laugh at yourself is a rare quality in a leader. It's one thing George W. Bush can do that Bill Clinton couldn't. Unfortunately, as we bid farewell to Bushisms, we must conclude that the joke was mainly on us.
1. "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."—Washington, D.C., Aug. 5, 2004
2. "I know how hard it is for you to put food on your family."—Greater Nashua, N.H., Chamber of Commerce, Jan. 27, 2000
3. "Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning?"—Florence, S.C., Jan. 11, 2000
4. "Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB/GYNs aren't able to practice their love with women all across the country."—Poplar Bluff, Mo., Sept. 6, 2004
5. "Neither in French nor in English nor in Mexican."—declining to answer reporters' questions at the Summit of the Americas, Quebec City, Canada, April 21, 2001
6. "You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test.''—Townsend, Tenn., Feb. 21, 2001
7. "I'm the decider, and I decide what is best. And what's best is for Don Rumsfeld to remain as the secretary of defense."—Washington, D.C., April 18, 2006
8. "See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda."—Greece, N.Y., May 24, 2005
9. "I've heard he's been called Bush's poodle. He's bigger than that."—discussing former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, as quoted by the Sun newspaper, June 27, 2007
10. "And so, General, I want to thank you for your service. And I appreciate the fact that you really snatched defeat out of the jaws of those who are trying to defeat us in Iraq."—meeting with Army Gen. Ray Odierno, Washington, D.C., March 3, 2008
11. "We ought to make the pie higher."—South Carolina Republican debate, Feb. 15, 2000
12. "There's an old saying in Tennessee—I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee—that says, fool me once, shame on—shame on you. Fool me—you can't get fooled again."—Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 17, 2002
13. "And there is distrust in Washington. I am surprised, frankly, at the amount of distrust that exists in this town. And I'm sorry it's the case, and I'll work hard to try to elevate it."—speaking on National Public Radio, Jan. 29, 2007
14. "We'll let our friends be the peacekeepers and the great country called America will be the pacemakers."—Houston, Sept. 6, 2000
15. "It's important for us to explain to our nation that life is important. It's not only life of babies, but it's life of children living in, you know, the dark dungeons of the Internet."—Arlington Heights, Ill., Oct. 24, 2000
16. "One of the great things about books is sometimes there are some fantastic pictures."—U.S. News & World Report, Jan. 3, 2000
17. "People say, 'How can I help on this war against terror? How can I fight evil?' You can do so by mentoring a child; by going into a shut-in's house and say I love you."—Washington, D.C., Sept. 19, 2002
18. "Well, I think if you say you're going to do something and don't do it, that's trustworthiness."—CNN online chat, Aug. 30, 2000
19. "I'm looking forward to a good night's sleep on the soil of a friend."—on the prospect of visiting Denmark, Washington, D.C., June 29, 2005
20. "I think it's really important for this great state of baseball to reach out to people of all walks of life to make sure that the sport is inclusive. The best way to do it is to convince little kids how to—the beauty of playing baseball."—Washington, D.C., Feb. 13, 2006
21. "Families is where our nation finds hope, where wings take dream."—LaCrosse, Wis., Oct. 18, 2000
Share this article on DiggBuzz up!Share this article on Buzz22. "You know, when I campaigned here in 2000, I said, I want to be a war president. No president wants to be a war president, but I am one."—Des Moines, Iowa, Oct. 26, 2006
23. "There's a huge trust. I see it all the time when people come up to me and say, 'I don't want you to let me down again.' "—Boston, Oct. 3, 2000
24. "They misunderestimated me."—Bentonville, Ark., Nov. 6, 2000
25. "I'll be long gone before some smart person ever figures out what happened inside this Oval Office."—Washington, D.C., May 12, 2008
Being able to laugh at yourself is a rare quality in a leader. It's one thing George W. Bush can do that Bill Clinton couldn't. Unfortunately, as we bid farewell to Bushisms, we must conclude that the joke was mainly on us.
1. "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."—Washington, D.C., Aug. 5, 2004
2. "I know how hard it is for you to put food on your family."—Greater Nashua, N.H., Chamber of Commerce, Jan. 27, 2000
3. "Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning?"—Florence, S.C., Jan. 11, 2000
4. "Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB/GYNs aren't able to practice their love with women all across the country."—Poplar Bluff, Mo., Sept. 6, 2004
5. "Neither in French nor in English nor in Mexican."—declining to answer reporters' questions at the Summit of the Americas, Quebec City, Canada, April 21, 2001
6. "You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test.''—Townsend, Tenn., Feb. 21, 2001
7. "I'm the decider, and I decide what is best. And what's best is for Don Rumsfeld to remain as the secretary of defense."—Washington, D.C., April 18, 2006
8. "See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda."—Greece, N.Y., May 24, 2005
9. "I've heard he's been called Bush's poodle. He's bigger than that."—discussing former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, as quoted by the Sun newspaper, June 27, 2007
10. "And so, General, I want to thank you for your service. And I appreciate the fact that you really snatched defeat out of the jaws of those who are trying to defeat us in Iraq."—meeting with Army Gen. Ray Odierno, Washington, D.C., March 3, 2008
11. "We ought to make the pie higher."—South Carolina Republican debate, Feb. 15, 2000
12. "There's an old saying in Tennessee—I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee—that says, fool me once, shame on—shame on you. Fool me—you can't get fooled again."—Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 17, 2002
13. "And there is distrust in Washington. I am surprised, frankly, at the amount of distrust that exists in this town. And I'm sorry it's the case, and I'll work hard to try to elevate it."—speaking on National Public Radio, Jan. 29, 2007
14. "We'll let our friends be the peacekeepers and the great country called America will be the pacemakers."—Houston, Sept. 6, 2000
15. "It's important for us to explain to our nation that life is important. It's not only life of babies, but it's life of children living in, you know, the dark dungeons of the Internet."—Arlington Heights, Ill., Oct. 24, 2000
16. "One of the great things about books is sometimes there are some fantastic pictures."—U.S. News & World Report, Jan. 3, 2000
17. "People say, 'How can I help on this war against terror? How can I fight evil?' You can do so by mentoring a child; by going into a shut-in's house and say I love you."—Washington, D.C., Sept. 19, 2002
18. "Well, I think if you say you're going to do something and don't do it, that's trustworthiness."—CNN online chat, Aug. 30, 2000
19. "I'm looking forward to a good night's sleep on the soil of a friend."—on the prospect of visiting Denmark, Washington, D.C., June 29, 2005
20. "I think it's really important for this great state of baseball to reach out to people of all walks of life to make sure that the sport is inclusive. The best way to do it is to convince little kids how to—the beauty of playing baseball."—Washington, D.C., Feb. 13, 2006
21. "Families is where our nation finds hope, where wings take dream."—LaCrosse, Wis., Oct. 18, 2000
Share this article on DiggBuzz up!Share this article on Buzz22. "You know, when I campaigned here in 2000, I said, I want to be a war president. No president wants to be a war president, but I am one."—Des Moines, Iowa, Oct. 26, 2006
23. "There's a huge trust. I see it all the time when people come up to me and say, 'I don't want you to let me down again.' "—Boston, Oct. 3, 2000
24. "They misunderestimated me."—Bentonville, Ark., Nov. 6, 2000
25. "I'll be long gone before some smart person ever figures out what happened inside this Oval Office."—Washington, D.C., May 12, 2008
1.09.2009
Christmas 2008
Christmas is a wonderful holiday, but I think my husband put it best - 'Christmas morning is like giving your kids a drug overdose'. It is so true. The toys, the excitement, the toys, the wrapping paper, the music, and the toys. There is so much new and wonderful stuff that they don't even know what to do with it all. There is no sharing of any kind and letting another child even touch or look at their new toy creates a meltdown that the neighbors can hear 2 doors down.
We had a very generous Christmas this year. My parents, brother, sis-in-law and 2 1/2 year old niece were all staying with us to celebrate. With everyone in the house plus gifts sent from relatives who don't live here, we had an absolute drug overdose of 'new stuff'. The 3 kids played together so wonderfully that they lost interest in eating (except Sophia) and sleeping (also except Sophia). They did not want to go to bed, they woke up early, they would only eat if the food was consumable within 2.5 seconds, and they did feel a bit territorial over their toys.
Sophia likes to push stuff around, Thomas likes to put small cars into his new garbage truck and big wheel, and Isabella likes to undress dolls and color. Kids were running everywhere at all times and Isabella was a little overwhelmed by all the action at times. There were fights, a fall down the stairs, crayons smashed all over my kitchen floor, food everywhere and toys even more everywhere. I am still finding odds and ends that I"ll have to send home to respective owners.
Despite the craziness, it was really wonderful to be together. Many people don't have a family or the opportunity to be together at the holidays. In the past year I attended the funeral of a young soldier (son of a teacher friend, also a husband and father) killed in Iraq, had a friend pass away from complications related to skin cancer (his wife died of cancer several years ago and he left behind a son), and 2 other friends died (one unexpectedly in an accident and then his wife died about 6 mos later of pancreatic cancer - they have 2 daughters in college). The experiences of losing all these friends made me realize how lucky I am and how important it is to spend time with the people who matter most, even if it is completely chaotic and crazy. I would rather have that than an empty, lonely house any day of the week! Here's a few pictures of the 'new stuff' overdose.
We had a very generous Christmas this year. My parents, brother, sis-in-law and 2 1/2 year old niece were all staying with us to celebrate. With everyone in the house plus gifts sent from relatives who don't live here, we had an absolute drug overdose of 'new stuff'. The 3 kids played together so wonderfully that they lost interest in eating (except Sophia) and sleeping (also except Sophia). They did not want to go to bed, they woke up early, they would only eat if the food was consumable within 2.5 seconds, and they did feel a bit territorial over their toys.
Sophia likes to push stuff around, Thomas likes to put small cars into his new garbage truck and big wheel, and Isabella likes to undress dolls and color. Kids were running everywhere at all times and Isabella was a little overwhelmed by all the action at times. There were fights, a fall down the stairs, crayons smashed all over my kitchen floor, food everywhere and toys even more everywhere. I am still finding odds and ends that I"ll have to send home to respective owners.
Despite the craziness, it was really wonderful to be together. Many people don't have a family or the opportunity to be together at the holidays. In the past year I attended the funeral of a young soldier (son of a teacher friend, also a husband and father) killed in Iraq, had a friend pass away from complications related to skin cancer (his wife died of cancer several years ago and he left behind a son), and 2 other friends died (one unexpectedly in an accident and then his wife died about 6 mos later of pancreatic cancer - they have 2 daughters in college). The experiences of losing all these friends made me realize how lucky I am and how important it is to spend time with the people who matter most, even if it is completely chaotic and crazy. I would rather have that than an empty, lonely house any day of the week! Here's a few pictures of the 'new stuff' overdose.
12.17.2008
Week from Hell
Paul has been gone for a week and a half. And, of course, during that time, everyone decides to get sick. Sophia ran a fever last Wed. at daycare so I had to leave early to pick her up. It turned out that she had an ear infection, and so I had to stay home with her the next two days. She got over that pretty quick and then I started catching a cold. Then Thomas started catching a cold and had a small fever on Tuesday. I took him to the doc and no ear infection or anything. Well, this evening he became feverish, lethargic and unlike himself. So, now I have to take tomorrow off. It's basically the last day of school before break (Fri is a half day with fun stuff planned) and I had tests planned that I will now have to cancel.
I hate missing work and I've never missed 3 1/2 days in a matter of one week before! My kids definitely come first, but my students rely on me and ultimately their grades are in the balance. So, it's hard for me to be absent! And, it sucks that we don't have any relatives around here that could watch the kids for a day if they were sick so I could go to work. I give many, many kudos to single Moms who are doing all this stuff by themselves on a regular basis. I'm completely exhausted, out of energy and just plain worn out from these past 2 weeks. I only have a day and a half to go . . .
I hate missing work and I've never missed 3 1/2 days in a matter of one week before! My kids definitely come first, but my students rely on me and ultimately their grades are in the balance. So, it's hard for me to be absent! And, it sucks that we don't have any relatives around here that could watch the kids for a day if they were sick so I could go to work. I give many, many kudos to single Moms who are doing all this stuff by themselves on a regular basis. I'm completely exhausted, out of energy and just plain worn out from these past 2 weeks. I only have a day and a half to go . . .
12.08.2008
12.07.2008
BB King
Paul and I went to see BB King at the Houston House of Blues on Nov. 19. It was awesome - he is so incredible and is still touring at 83 years old!!! We've seen him 3 times now and each has been an awesome show. I took some video that I"ll share here. It is him playing the song 'I need you so bad' (not sure if that is the actual title), which is one of my favorite songs. It is one of my regrets that I didn't choose it as our wedding song. I had another I wanted to share, but it was uploading. I'll do this for now and see if I can get the other one to work. Sorry if the video is not complete professional quality - due to my vertical impairments, I had to hold the camera up kinda high. Anyway, enjoy!
12.01.2008
The Christmas Tree
The Christmas Spirit has found our house and it is moving in with full force! We went on Saturday to find our Christmas tree - not just pick it out of a lot, but to actually wander amongst neatly sowed rows of pines and pick the most fabulous tree we could find. It was cold for Texas - Paul was wearing shorts and nearly shivering, Thomas was crying because he was afraid of the tractor and Sophia wandered into the trees to end up with sap covered hands rolled in dirt and pine needles. Yay for the Christmas Spirit!! But, damnit, we were going to have FUN!!!
We found the perfect tree, which didn't really seem that big compared to all the other ones surrounding it. So, Paul sawed the trunk and I gave it the final push over after photo documenting the whole wonderful experience. The people shook it out, wrapped it up, helped us load it up and then we were off. After a few miles we had to pull over due to strange noises coming from above which turned out to be the tree slowly slipping off the top. The teenager who tied it on did a crappy job. We retied it, loaded up on some caffeine from Starbucks and headed home.
We brought the tree in, unwrapped it and it almost blew the windows out of our living room like Christmas vacation it was so big!! It is 9 feet tall and VERY wide!! Paul actually could not quite reach the top with a step stool to cut the wrapping all the way off. Paul is 6'6" tall - a sign that the tree is clearly too big. It looked so small out there in the forest . . .
Because the tree is so big we had to rearrange all our furniture, and it's all shifted slightly to the left so that all seats can see the TV. We put it in a stand that seems a little small for the size of the tree, but we had no idea that there are different size tree stands. I guess you live and learn. The trunk is very crooked and at one point nearly splits in 2, so it took five tries of anchoring it in the stand before it looked like it was fairly stable in all directions. Who knows. I am just waiting for the cat the take a drink and the whole thing to come tumbling down.
We are having lots of family come for Christmas, and so this tree will easily nestle all the gifts that will come, and it will spread all the Christmas cheer we can stand. It will be beautiful, if not a bit too big, and provide a lesson in just how big a tree we should consider in the future. But, it's environmentally friendly and smells good. I just hope there's not a squirrel in there somewhere . . .
We found the perfect tree, which didn't really seem that big compared to all the other ones surrounding it. So, Paul sawed the trunk and I gave it the final push over after photo documenting the whole wonderful experience. The people shook it out, wrapped it up, helped us load it up and then we were off. After a few miles we had to pull over due to strange noises coming from above which turned out to be the tree slowly slipping off the top. The teenager who tied it on did a crappy job. We retied it, loaded up on some caffeine from Starbucks and headed home.
We brought the tree in, unwrapped it and it almost blew the windows out of our living room like Christmas vacation it was so big!! It is 9 feet tall and VERY wide!! Paul actually could not quite reach the top with a step stool to cut the wrapping all the way off. Paul is 6'6" tall - a sign that the tree is clearly too big. It looked so small out there in the forest . . .
Because the tree is so big we had to rearrange all our furniture, and it's all shifted slightly to the left so that all seats can see the TV. We put it in a stand that seems a little small for the size of the tree, but we had no idea that there are different size tree stands. I guess you live and learn. The trunk is very crooked and at one point nearly splits in 2, so it took five tries of anchoring it in the stand before it looked like it was fairly stable in all directions. Who knows. I am just waiting for the cat the take a drink and the whole thing to come tumbling down.
We are having lots of family come for Christmas, and so this tree will easily nestle all the gifts that will come, and it will spread all the Christmas cheer we can stand. It will be beautiful, if not a bit too big, and provide a lesson in just how big a tree we should consider in the future. But, it's environmentally friendly and smells good. I just hope there's not a squirrel in there somewhere . . .
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
