Real estate craziness

Yesterday we spent the day with my sister looking at properties in western Loudoun. It was a beautiful day and we had a great time looking at houses and letting Sawyer and Caroline play in the country. (Caroline's favorite way to address Sawyer: "Yer-Yer! Stop!") We saw some great places, but nothing we fell in love with. There was one house that was in the perfect location, but a schizophrenic floorplan that wouldn't work for us. And another had a perfect house, but a terrible location, right on the road. The house that originally started us looking is still listed for sale, but we drove by it and the owners were actually there, moving their stuff back in (and they gave us the evil eye when we slowed down to look). Their agent says they might still be willing to sell, but at a much higher price than before since they no longer feel desperate. We're not willing to go that high. So it looks like it's still a no. For now.

Well, that was easy

Never mind, we're not buying that house. We had just gotten preapproval on the loan when we learned that the sellers decided to pull the house off the market and move back in. They had already moved (guess where? That's right - Raleigh) and apparently things didn't work out so they are coming back. And obviously they don't want us buying their house because they need to live in it. Makes our decision a lot easier!

We're still open to buying in the near future though. My sister is taking us out tomorrow to look at more homes in that area. Who knows, we might find a house we like even more. Or we could wait a few more months, which would be fine with me. Or we could still end up moving to NC. Back to the drawing board.

To move or not to move

For a while now we've been contemplating a move. We love the DC area, but it has become too crowded for our taste. Our beloved Loudoun County is becoming so developed now that is bears almost no resemblance to the semi-rural oasis we grew up in. Not to mention that homes are so expensive here. So we've been planning to eventually move to the Raleigh area in North Carolina. Eric's family lives there now, and we love it whenever we go to visit. It is a smaller city with lots of IT work and some great neighborhoods, and most of all, incredibly low real estate prices. The downside would be leaving DC, and leaving behind my sister and her family, and my dad, since he lives here about half of the year.

My sister happens to be a realtor, and in what I'm sure was not a completely altruistic move, she sent me a listing for a gorgeous house in the next county over that had just been dramatically reduced in price. It's a 4 bedroom/3 bath cape cod on two acres in a beautiful rural setting. She took me out to see it on Tuesday and I loved it. Eric hasn't seen it yet but we're going out there again on Saturday. If he likes it we might make an offer.

This would be a complete departure from our plans of moving to NC, and we'd have to rethink a lot of things. I'm pretty stressed out about it - I do not do well with big decisions and big changes. But I feel like this would be a really good move for our family. Eric would have a longer commute (right now he's 10 minutes from the office) and I'd have a longer drive to Target (which would probably save us a lot of money). We'd be farther from church too. But we'd also have a big yard for Sawyer (and any future kids) to run around and play, and quiet evenings without having to smell the neighbors' cigarette smoke or hear their parties. I would have enough space to have as many gardens as I want, and my own soap room. The thought of having a mortgage is scary (we've always rented), but I know we have to take the plunge eventually and this might be a great time to do so. We'll see what happens.

The things I'd never say

Michelle did a post about the things you've never said but would like to given the chance. Very thought-provoking. I'm fairly introverted and I tend to let a lot of things go unsaid, but in thinking about this post I realized that when it comes to the really important things, I do say them wherever it's possible. So most of mine are to people I'm not in contact with anymore. The following are things that I either haven't had the opportunity to say, or that I never would even if I could. Each one is to someone different. Feel free to guess. :)

1) Remember that time at Andrea's when we all fell asleep on the floor in front of the fire, and you ran your fingers through my hair and stroked my face? I was awake.

2) The letter you wrote me after my mission saved me in more ways than one. Thank you.

3) I still can't believe you started out our second date by asking me if I was wearing garments.

4) You are the main reason I believe in fate. I used to think (and hope) things would turn out differently, but I'm glad they went the way they did, and I'm glad you've been a part of the picture.

5) I don't think you ever could have imagined how much I would miss you. And I always will.

6) I don't understand how you can be so incredibly mean to people you're supposed to love. I just don't get it. I hope one day I can understand where it comes from and why you think it's OK to be so hurtful.

7) When we broke up I was completely devastated. I acted like I didn't care, but I had too much pride to show how I really felt. I think you knew this...but I'll never be sure.

8) You were the best first kiss I have ever had. You brought out a gutsy-ness in me that no one else has.

9) Thank you for not taking advantage of a silly 18 year old girl when I gave you every opportunity to do so.

10) It really hurt my feelings when you talked about me behind my back. It screwed things up for me really badly, which I know you didn't intend, but still. Very uncool.

11) I feel bad for ignoring you that time you came to visit me because I was drooling all over a boy. That was really crappy of me.

12) Telling a first date that the temple makes you feel "all tingly" is really, really creepy. I wouldn't recommend it in the future.

13) I'm sorry for breaking up with you the way I did. I was young and stupid and didn't know what I was doing. It still bothers me that I hurt you by not being honest and clear about my feelings.

14) You are one of the most insightful, self-aware women I've ever known. I look up to you in so many ways.

15) Every time I hear a Grateful Dead song or drive through an ice storm it reminds me of you. You were there for me at such an important juncture in my life and you'll never know how much you helped me just by being there to talk to and play guitar with.

D'aim, these are good!

I was at Ikea last week buying some soap dishes to sell along with my soap at the fair, and as I headed for the check-out line something bright red caught my eye. Could it be...it was...a big bag of D'aim candies! I first discovered these little treats on my mission in France. Once in a while we'd stop in at McDonald's, and my companion and I got endless amusement out of ordering "D'aim McFlurries". They are similar to a Heath bar - chocolate-covered toffee. But this is European chocolate and hence bears no similarities at all to its waxy American cousin. YUM! So of course, I bought the bag. It's huge and will last me a long time. And then I'll need to make another trip to Ikea. I might need a cheap dresser by then anyway.

Playdate with Cah-ine

Last week we had a fun playdate with cousin Caroline (or as Sawyer pronounces it "Cah-ine"). They spend a lot of time fighting over toys that neither one cares about when the other is n't around, but they have fun together nonetheless. This time, Sawyer decided to push Caroline around in his umbrella stroller. Caroline always enjoys it when Sawyer ("Yer-Yer") does her bidding.

Crafty People Gathering

Saturday's craft fair went fabulously. It was a long day: 8:30 to 5:30, and Sawyer was with us the whole time. He did great, and even took a nap in his stroller when he got tired (he's never done that before - he's an in-his-bed or carseat sleeper). There was a good turnout for the fair, although a lot of attendees seemed to be there just to look around, not to spend money. I gave out lots of business cards and was approached by a few organizers of other fairs asking me to participate, so that could lead to more sales in the future. Since I'm working on getting my business name out there, that would have made the event a success even if I hadn't sold anything. I did though - I made about 11 times my booth fee. So I'm glad I did it, despite all the stress and late nights of preparation. Thanks so much to all of you who came by to support us!

The fair took place around the historic Lanesville house. It was a really beautiful setting, with trees on one side, a pond on the other, and the house right in the middle. They had live music on the lawn and crafts for kids.


My booth.


Soap display.


Solid lotion, lip balms, and soy candles.


Pillow sprays and herbal balm.


Sawyer, my sunny boy.


A groundhog that lived in the tree behind our booth.

We love New York!

And we can say that for real now since we've been there! A few weeks ago Eric had a work assignment that required him to stay overnight in Manhattan. His company likes him so much that they paid for Sawyer and me to go too. We were there for less than 24 hours, so we didn't get even close to doing everything we wanted to (like visiting Andrea and Jeremy - we'll get you next time!) But we saw some sites, ate some terrific food, and stayed in a swanky hotel, so it was a great trip. Next time we'll go sans Sawyer! Here are some pictures. New York Trip

I'm It

Christie tagged me w/the Middle Name Game!

My middle name is Anne.

A - Anxiety prone. I worry about things too much, especially when it comes to decision making.
N - Nice. Sometimes too nice. But I believe in good old-fashioned courtesy.
N - Nymphomaniac (my husband wishes!)
E - Evolving. I try to continually improve my life and take on new challenges.

If you feel inclined to play, consider yourself tagged!

Where'd the kitchen go?

On the 15th (a week from this Saturday!) I'm selling at my first ever craft fair. The preparations have all but taken over our home, especially the kitchen. Thank goodness for an understanding husband and a child who is perfectly content to watch Dora the Explorer reruns all day.

Beveling and polishing station, plus some candles. The counter in the background has clothespin sachets, herbal balms and body sprays.


Kitchen table with soaps waiting to be beveled and/or wrapped and labeled.


Stove area set up for making candles.


And a finished product - Blackberry Sage soap.