Finally HOME

   A sigh of relief just left my lungs in a loud huffing noise.  I sit in my living room looking out the front window and am so giddy I could giggle like a kindergartener.  This past few months has been a roller coaster, and yet that is not the right word as that it implies that it was a fun ride.  In 4 and a half short months we moved a 3 bedroom home (and scrapbook room, and man cave stuff, and tools, fishing and hunting equipment) twice.  Through the process I wonder how people do it?  I have some relatives that moved states, jobs, lives almost every other year.  And they also had stuff. 
   My not-so-nice ex-landlord called yesterday and left a voicemail, he sounded defeated.  "Wondering if you gave any thought to buying the house you are renting from me?"  Uhhh, no.  I did recently tell him that we were re-locating and going to be out on or before June 1st. I wonder why he thinks we may change our mind.  This was after he called Century 21 who promptly put a 'for sale' sign in the front yard.  His offer for us to purchase the house was ridiculous.  He wanted us to pay an outrageous higher rent, for 3 years, and after that 3 years, still purchase it for the asking price of $159,000.  As nice as the house was to live in, it was not the house I wanted to live in forever.  Even if the water worked (needs a new drilled well $6,000) or if the heat always worked, or....well the list goes on and on.  Plus, on principle alone, no way.  He lied to us.  After living there for 2 months we found that our rent was going in his pocket and he was going to foreclose.  Hey, I get it if you can't afford the house, but don't tell us that you'd like us to be long-term renters with a possible time frame of 3-5 years. 
   Yet, in a way I am grateful to this man.  If it wasn't for him, we would never have found the home we just moved into.  A fabulous man who I will call BB, has this business who helps people like us.  We are renting to own.  It's truly a win-win.  He buys homes (more than likely foreclosures), puts some money into them, and sets up a rent to own program for a time period that allows you to recover financially and eventually purchase the home with your own financing down the road.  I did the math and he makes about 5% in the end.  No different than a bank.
   Let's move on to a new subject; Niko is coming to Milwaukee for Bailey's high school graduation and will be there June 1st.  I can't wait to see him.  My parents haven't seen him for 11 months!  Bob, I and Jake will drive back for Bailey's graduation, Jake will be staying with his mom for awhile, and I will bring Niko and Bailey back for a week or so.  I can't wait.  Hmm, Niko, do you think you can take some of your crap back with you to Hollywood?  It's taking up almost a whole storage locker !!!!  Then Bailey leaves for North Carolina in August for basic training, 9 weeks, afterwards, Missouri for 21 weeks for job training.  Wow, I am old.  However, not as old as Bob :)  He just turned 44 in April.  My brain still feels like I am 20 something, now the body, that's another story.  Knees are doing ok, but I really should get on that darn bike.  My body has been so sore from moving, I just couldn't bring myself to do it.  But I will. 
   My goal is to keep positive during all these changes that are happening in our lives.  I continue to miss my family and friends, but truly feel that I belong here, up north.  I am at ease, calm and feel like I am in another world when sitting outside, watching the wildlife, trees, even the people.
   I saw a rubber stamp at an event I went to this weekend, and boy did it hit home; God always provides a safe landing, but he never said the ride would be calm.