day 1

We're building a house.  And we're pretty excited about it (like, just finished my third glass of celebratory champagne excited).  And we're pretty sure our friends, family and co-workers are going to get sick of listening to us talk about it.  Actually, I'm guessing they're already sick of it.  Since not talking about the process just isn't an option, I'm going to try to write about it instead.  Yes, insert laughter here.  My first attempt at a blog, when our little guy arrived, didn't last too long.  So, here's to new beginnings.  Join me, will you?

[I have a good camera, I promise.  I was just too excited to break open the bubbly to actually get it out.]

It's been a journey to get to today...November 5...the day we broke ground!  I'll fill in the gaps eventually but here's the CliffsNotes version (do those still exist?):

• February - After I accepted a new position within Corporate America, we decide to stay in Cheese Country (aka Wisconsin).
• March - Start new job.  Decide to sell house.  Totally normal to take on two huge life changes at once, right?
• April - House cleaned and staged.  Painting complete.  For Sale sign in yard.
• May - Showings, showings and more showings -- interrupted by a burst hot water heater (bon voyage), a much-needed vacation and a leaky toilet (welcome back).  Start looking at houses.  Start talking about building.
• June - Accept offer on house, with tentative July close-date.  Decide to build and start scouring subdivisions.  Make offer on Lot 23.  Start drafting house plans.
• July - A/C stops working the morning of the inspection.  Appraisal comes in low.  Sale falls through.  Start process over.  Counter-Offer #3 is accepted on Lot 23.
• August - Accept new offer on house.  Wait for something to go wrong.  Avoid packing and finding somewhere to live.  Make repairs called out during inspection.  Fine-tune house plans and submit to the subdivision's ACC for preliminary approval.
• September - Finally give in to packing and finding a condo to lease.  Closing is delayed...and delayed again...but finally happens!  We close on Lot 23 a week and a half later. 
• October - Submit final house plans to ACC for approval.  Wait.  Wait.  Wait.  Turn approvals in to the Village for permits.  Wait.  Wait.  Wait.
• November - Receive permits and start excavating.  The adventure is just beginning... but at least we have a hole to call our own. 

[Trying not to creep out the excavators...or the new neighbors.  They'll know my car soon enough.]

I don't think I've ever been so excited about a giant hole or enormous piles of dirt.  More to come.  Much more.  I hope you'll join us for the ride.