Topsy-Turvy

Yesterday was an emotional day. As some of you know, we have been trying to sell our house since early March in an attempt to move into a smaller home in a neighborhood with more amenities. No, we're not retiring; on the contrary, we're busier than ever, which makes the time we can spend with our kids that much more precious, so less home maintenance plus convenient playground, soccer field, and walking trails seemed a natural progression.

June 30th we received a viable offer on our house; through negotiations, we were able to come to agreement on a contract by the end of July 1st. June 30th was also the day we said goodbye to our dear 17-year-old cat Grendel; she had been declining for a couple of months, and although our veterinarian and the Vet school had been unable to find a definitive reason for her decline, it was clear that the testing was taking its toll, she was hiding most of the time, and she had stopped eating. Needless to say, the coincidence of the two events robbed the first event of some of the excitement it might have had.

Well, our "viable offer" turned out to be a Pandora's box. The dialogue that went on over the past three weeks could be summarized as follows:

Us: Where is the home inspection report?

Them: We're working on it.

Us: Where is the home inspection report? You're late!

Them: We're working on it.

Them: OK, we've reviewed the report, and we want a new roof, a new water heater, and new floors in the attic.

Us: What the -- No! The home inspection report doesn't say anything about replacing these items. We'll repair the safety items.

Them: OK, then fix the safety items, plus give us (Dr. Evil finger by the corner of the mouth) ONE MILLION DOLLARS! (Slight exaggeration).

Us: No. You've had our final offer -- take it or leave it.

Them: OK, then we want FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS and a home warranty?

Us: No. You've had our final offer -- take it or leave it.

Them: OK, we really want the money. Give us the money for the repairs instead of doing them.

Us: OK, fine.

Them: And fix these additional items.

Us: NO!

We probably would have walked away except then we would have to pay their expenses so far, and we didn't really want to do that. So, we've been trying to prepare the kids for the possibility that we were not moving:

Us: Well, if don't move, maybe we can go to Great Wolf Lodge before the end of the summer.

Xav: Yay! Oh, wait -- that means I need to learn to swim.

Gwen: If we DO move, how long will it be before we can afford to go to Great Wolf Lodge?

Yesterday morning, I went to pick up Grendel's ashes at the Veterinary Clinic where we said goodbye to her three weeks ago. I went without the kids, but they knew what it was when I got home and started tearing up. Massive oversimplification:

Kids: Grendel!

Me: Great Wolf Lodge!

Kids: Yay!

Then, last night, while the kids were in the tub, we got the call from our real estate agent -- our buyer had finally agreed to remove the home inspection contingency so we could continue with the sale of our home. I was pondering how I was going to tell the kids, when the phone rang. It was my brother.

Ez: Hey, what's happening with the house?

Me: We just got word -- they've signed off on the home inspection.

Ez: So you're moving?

Me: Yep, we're moving.

Kids (just out of the tub): We're moving?!? HOORAY!

Gwen (bursting into tears): Grendel would have loved the new house!

Yes, I can see that we're in for quite a ride over the next month, but hopefully things will only get better from here. I think when all is said and done, we'll be happy in our new home. I think a conversation we had at dinner summed things up pretty well ...

Gwen (tearfully): Dad, I'm worried we'll forget something when we move.

Adam: Oh, it'll be okay, honey. It's much easier to spot things you might have overlooked when the house is empty. Just before we'll move, we'll go through the house for a final look, and say, "Oh, right, there's something we missed -- come on, Caliban, let's go."

Kids: Giggle-giggle!


(For the less-informed, Caliban is our 14-year-old cat. We've been asked how Caliban is dealing with Grendel's death, and, sadly, we think he is enjoying his status as spoiled, only cat. Grendel and Caliban never warmed to each other, and by midday July 1st Caliban was well on his way to reclaiming the prime sleeping places he had been forced to vacate by the more aggressive Grendel.)