no longer homeless

Yesterday morning we signed a lease agreement on our new home: a 2 bedroom bungalow in a neighborhood of East Santa Cruz called Seabright. We love it! It was a Victorian cottage when it was built in the 19-teens, then was "remodeled" in the 40's. It has the kind of old house quirks and personality that make us feel right at home. We are camping out in the living room on a foam mattress (a gift from our new landlady), with 2 blankets we found in the trunk of the car and another one we bought at Goodwill for $3.25. Rich is opting for a pair of folded pants for his pillow. I went for the $2.25 number at Goodwill. Our makeshift bedroom is situated in front of the beautiful gas stove...very cozy even in today's cool rainy weather.

As we looked at dozens and dozens of places for rent, a pattern emerged: each time we found "the best one yet," I filled out an application and mentally moved in. Rich, luckily, showed better judgment. If it were not for his restraint, we would now be in a place half this size in a less desirable location for about the same money. On the other hand, if not for my motivating energy to keep searching (and my Aunt Kay's suggestion that we try this neighborhood), we would never have stumbled upon this house. If this family were a car, I would be the accelerator and Rich would be the brakes. Both necessary for the thing to work.

We saw lots of dumps and lots of places considered "nice" but lacking character. It seems to me that most all of the houses I have lived in since my 1st apartment in college have had similar features. I just like old houses! One of our short term goals is to find the camera so that we can take some pictures to share. Maybe this weekend...

The other trend I have noticed, which seems opposite the first, is that when it comes to short term situations, I am patient and Rich is not. He is the one that goes rushing out on an errand but forgets to take an essential item, or becomes irritated with traffic delays. In these situations, I am more measured. Balance reigns once again.

Things checked off the list:
-mailing address changed
-utilities transferred 
-accounts opened at the Santa Cruz Community Credit Union (what a cool place!)
-library cards obtained
-4 grocery store options identified
-golfers found for 3 regular games weekly at Rich's new home course

Things still on the list:
-check out nearby yoga options
-find movers to help unload the truck (due to arrive Monday)
-find a table and chairs small enough to fit in the breakfast nook
-cancel old ATT internet service (still not accomplished after half an hour on line, half an hour on the phone, and a visit to an ATT store!)
-find a Humana primary care provider
-update CV and start job search

On the Missouri front, the house closing has hit a snag. It seems there was a mistake made in the title process when the initial owners of the house sold it to the couple who owned it before us. The mistake was not caught when we purchased the house, but needs to be corrected before the closing can proceed. The delay will not impede the new owners' move, we will just do a short term lease until it is straightened out. So THIS is why you have to have Title Insurance! Our old neighbor, Mr. Brock, was friends with the inital owners, and helped us locate their heirs. Poor things, they have gotten dragged into the legalities surrounding their family trust...but their involvement will make the "fix" much simpler.

Since we have no kitchen things here yet, we are mostly bringing in prepared foods. Tonight is chicken enchiladas from Trader Joe's. We have made some tables by stacking emptied boxes, our only seating is in a window seat.  Hopefully, we will have more restful sleep tonight!