helwen

fitzw called his brother Warren today, and we now have confirmation that he and Susan will be able to close on the house and farm they wanted (pending the chimneys and something else simple being cleaned). Seller has said yes, bank has said yes, inspection has been done (what turned up the cleaning), etc. [keeping fingers crossed that nothing happens to offset the current closing date of Sept. 7]

They're moving to a lovely place in Plainfield, just over the border from Ashfield, with 33 acres!

They'll be moving out of the 2nd floor apt. at the farm, and should be out by October 1.

We had originally wanted to sell our house and buy a small farm in/around Ashfield ourselves, but have realized that financially it would not be the most sound thing to do. First, we'd have to be sure our house sold, or we wouldn't have enough money to make a downpayment. Second, we still have child support payments for Z, and don't make enough money above that, that any bank would even consider giving us a mortgage. And unfortunately, my having been out of work for several months hasn't helped.

(Having gotten this question several times already....) Yes, Z is 18. But for those who don't know how child support works, 18 would only count if he were to get a full-time, self-supporting job. He's in the National Guard now, but that's only full-time in the summer for training right now, then one weekend per month during the school year, as he'll be in college. Child support can go up to age 23. And for the record, I don't begrudge the child support at all -- I want Z to do well and have a good life, after all! But, it does mean our ability to save has been a bit on the sketchy side.

So, the idea is to sell the house, move into the apt. for at least the next year. If we can sell our house for a decent amount, we can pay off the mortgage, the equity line, and some debt, and then pay off the rest on our own and save money toward building/buying. There _is_ still the possibility that we may be able to build above the double-sugarhouse in a year or so, and I'm definitely not forgetting that.

Meantime, we have to:
- Finish renovations
- Contact a realtor (I know one I like)
- Pack and move things to Ashfield over the next few months (storage in barn)
- Dig up the garden and move it to Ashfield.
-Re-level the upper backyard and re-seed it with grass.
- Show the house and pray for it to sell quickly
- Continue weaving and painting and getting ready for Ashfield Fall Festival

... all in all, it's probably a good thing that I'm not working right now. The packing has been taking forever, because of sorting, organizing, figuring what we need for the next year, and now for the next few months, and of course my shoulder and the weather haven't been helping.

But we get to move some things up this Sunday, which will help with both the packing and the renovations (need space to work!!).

fitzw's doing most of the work right now. He's really making great progress on the larger of the upstairs front bedrooms; I just wish I could do more. I'm certainly more able-bodied since the second shot, but I don't want to do something stupid and wreck it again.

I'm concerned because we need to get all the work done in the next week, while he's on vacation. I think we can do it, but... it's going to be quite a week. So, we'll do what we can, and whenever the showings start, they start.

Hampden and Hampshire Counties have actually had pretty decent sales over the past year, so I'm sort of hopeful.