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September 25, 2005
WE GOT THE HOUSE!!!
Joni called today during breakfast while Tom and I were out on a parts run for Shelley's Blazer (everything is good now). She told me we got the house! We just needed to finish some paper work on it and have Wayne walk through.
Wayne did the walk through today, he approved and added his signature to the paperwork. I understand that Cortnee is jealous of our yard. :) We couldn't have done it without Joni. She has been very helpful and has gone way out of her way (Sherwood home and office) to show us homes.
We had done several drive by viewings of homes the last few days. Many were in less than nice neighborhoods. This was the 2nd house we walked through, first one on Friday evening. Joni sent out a new report late Friday night and this was the third on the list. It was brand new, so new in fact there were no pictures yet. Did I mention that this house was on the market for 16 hours?
We were up early on Saturday and found 4 places we'd like to check out. After breakfast we set out with Thomas Guide in hand. This house was the first on our list. We pulled up and thought it was great and put it on the list to see with Joni.
While preparing to move on to the next house the Judy, one of the owners, came out to ask if we'd like to look around. Of course we did. She gave us the tour from double garage to RV port. We loved it. Neighbor hood is great, well maintained, quiet, and inviting. We thanked Judy and continued on our way. Each house never getting close to the standard that this one had set. Upon our return to the area to cruise for other houses we called Joni and told her we'd really like her to see it.
Joni had a very busy weekend with other clients in town so we weren't sure when we'd be able to meet with her. She had a house warming for a client and a friend's birthday party/dinner to attend. There was also some other bad news: Another offer was being given at 6 PM. She did some calculating and found time to zip out to us for a 3:30 meeting. We headed over and waited for her.
While we waited more things seemed to be just right for this house. Kids were in the street playing (skateboards), we could hear other kids playing with parents in the back of homes, and other neighbors were out working on their properties.
One of Joni's main concerns for the property was price vs. square footage. It was a little steep at 864 sq ft. But that worry vanished when she walked through with us. This time no one was home it was just us peeking around. Wayne was called several times, basically saying he trusted Joni and us with our opinion of the place. We decided to get an offer penciled up ASAP.
I'm guessing we had been there for a couple hours checking the place out and doing the paper work. Just as we finished and were about to leave the owners came home. This was a great advantage to us. We were able to meet the husband, Craig. He filled us in on a little of the history of the house.
The house had been in their ownership for over 30 years. It had been their first home. I believe it had been a rental for 15-20 years, with them living in Scappoose. Well the distance to Scappoose meant that many of their friends didn't visit much and they moved back 3 years ago. Upon returning to the home they found much to do after the renters.
They remodeled the kitchen, bathroom, put on a new roof (complete tear off), and landscaped the property. When I say landscape, I mean, till it all up and start over. Three large fir trees, a couple over 100 years old, were removed due to safety concerns and new sod added. It is amazing, they told us there was a foot of dirt and grime on the patio cover that had to be washed off and the grass had been killed. Nothing was growing.
Everything was complete and they were happy. Now that it was all done, the friends started coming and staying. The fun of a retired life. :) They started notice it was hard to share the bathroom with company when it was often two other couples. As Craig said, “I was luck to get any time in the bathroom with three ladies in the house.”
Craig and Judy were wonderful to us. We took time talking to them and congratulating them on a wonderful job with the house. They told us the other offer was from another couple that wanted to use the house as rental income. Judy didn't want her little home to go back to being rentals. :-)
Since they were heading out to see their realtor they decided to take our offer with us, vs having to fax it. This saved us some time and probably allowed them to look it over (Judy was their realtor's assistant previously). We all had places to be so we said good bye and headed out to the cars. When we were outside Joni said that it went “very good.” It was good to chat with the owners and get to know them. All we could do was cross our fingers and wait. Our offer had a deadline of 1 PM Sunday.
I checked a couple times this morning to see if the MLS listing had gone to pending… It had! So it was us or the other offer. Just had to wait for the call. And you know the answer to that!
As we were leaving today Judy said to Shelley, “I'm glad you two got the house.” :-)
I should go to bed now. I have to be sure to go to work now… that I have a house!
Posted by pykeman at 09:37 PM | Comments (0)
Made an offer on a house!
Check it out, pictures of the house we made an offer on. I'll post more info later.
It's late… Shelley's Blazer had the alternator go out, Molly crapped on the floor, and you can't flush paper towels down the toilet, and yes Albertsons is open until 1 AM and they carry toilet plundgers. :) The good news is we had a free dinner at the resturant that Shelley's cousin is the chef at.
Long night, but much better to going to bed.
Click the “Continue Reading” link for the pics.
Posted by pykeman at 12:46 AM | Comments (0)
September 17, 2005
I'm going to be so tired.
made it to DFW just fine. My body says it isn't 6:51 (arrived around 5:19). Flight departs at 7:56. I'm just trying to stay awake, because if I try to sleep somewhere I'll hurt some muscle in my body. Sure DFW has updated some things but the seats still SUCK.
I'm sitting at a phone booth/desk thing so I have elctrical connecton. They have wireless internet here, but I'm having to buy it :) You know me I can't do without the net.
Geeze this is fun. An hour flight to Tulsa and then a two hour ride to Joplin. This whole trip started at 8:30 last night. I thought my plane left at 10:50… Well it was accually 11:50.
On the good side I was able to meet up with a coworker's daughter and have a drink. Shelley stuffed me with dinner, but since I drove us to the airport I didn't have a beer. I did when I got to the airport. My buddy, from Boston, will be happy. 32 oz of Sam Adams from Tap! funny thing is i didn't get lit at all. I swear.
Anyways I figured out I've flown 5 times for trips: San Diego, San Fransico, Vegas, Austin. That's really low, I think, for a 31 year old. I guess Mom didn't do that much traveling until she was older and Dad was working for Bechtel.
I'll post later as time allows this weekend. I'll be flying home with under an hour in DFW from the time we should arrive in DFW and boarding for home. And I booked the very LAST seat on that plane. If I miss it I should be able to make another from DFW. I can verify they fly into PDX later than 10:30 since they come over my Apt :)
TTYL
Posted by pykeman at 04:51 AM | Comments (0)
September 16, 2005
Katrina's influence.
I'm sitting waiting for a 11:50 flight to Dallas, then to Tulsa OK for a wedding this weekend. I'm waiting at PDX, this flight goes to Dallas and stops beyond.
A group of six or so behind me are talking about Baton Rouge, etc. They are Red Cross Volunteers. Will be down there for 21 days in the Gulf area.
Wow, I wish I could go with them. You all know me, I'd go if I could. These are a bunch of ppl that haven't done this before. Some are going from DFW to Atlanta to Baton Rouge, others from DFW direct… fun flights.
I'm not jealous.
I'll post more of what I come across.
Posted by pykeman at 10:51 PM | Comments (0)
September 08, 2005
Don's Obit
From Lincoln News Messenger:
Donald Marsh Rhea
8/19/1930 - 9/02/2005
One of Lincoln's favorite neighbors, Don Rhea passed away at his home, September 2nd. Don leaves behind his loving wife of 29 years Margie, daughters Debbie Overstreet, Beverely Green (Mark), sons Tom Rhea (Kelley), Rick DeKoning and Gary DeKoning (Leslie). Adored by his grandchildren, Sara and Laurel Overstreet, Geoffrey and Mathew Rhea, Ashley Rhea, Brandon, Michelle and Bryan Green, Natalie and Kate DeKoning and Madison Rhea. Don will be greatly missed by his extended families of, Sylvia Carley and Frank Cantoni as well as many nieces and nephews.
A second generation Californian, born in Los Angeles, Don is survived by his sister Joanne Bentley and preceded in death by his parents, sister Nadine Olmsted and beloved Duchess. A veteran of the Korean War, Don began his career with Kraft Foods in Southern California during the 1950's. During the 1960's Don and family lived in San Jose while working with the legendary breweries, Lucky Lager, and Hamm's. During the late 1960's Don moved his family to the Sacramento area. 19 years ago Margie and Don moved to the “little” town of Lincoln. As a member of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, Don proudly spoke of the local community and it's many changes.
Since retiring in 1995 from a successful 40 year long career in the food service industry, Don enjoyed traveling with Margie, fishing, cultivating his garden of onions and garlic, NASCAR races and sharing time with his many friends. Among his many passions; patriotism. The Stars and Stripes flew proudly out of his tidy home on Silver Spur Circle.
Don loved his many friends and neighbors and they returned the love right up to the moment he lost his courageous battle with cancer. Many of the neighborhood children called him “Grandpa”. The family wishes to express our gratitude to the neighbors on Silver Spur Circle for all the many wonderful years of friendship, love and support so graciously and unselfishly given to Don and Margie.
Friends are invited to a celebration of his life to be held at his home on Sunday, September 18, 2005 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Cancer Society, Sutter VNA & Hospice.
Posted by pykeman at 10:31 PM | Comments (0)
September 07, 2005
You have to love the military...
I've been watching some other blogs that are written by people in the New Orleans area. My favorite has been by a group off guys and a gal keeping internet and other communiction lines open in downtown NO. Great pictures and great honest to goodness depection of what is happening down there… no spin on things at all.
To say the least they had a great wake up call last night from our own well trained 82nd Airborne :) Check it out:
I was laughing out loud on that one. Way to use your resources! I think grandpa would get a kick out of this too :)
TTYL… Back to work for me :)
Posted by pykeman at 08:33 AM | Comments (0)
September 02, 2005
Big Don
Just learned tonight that Big Don, a family member, passed today.
He had a two month battle with Pancreatic Cancer. Rest in peace my friend. May you and our father have wonderful breakfasts together for eternity. We will look for ward to your wonderful sausages when our time comes.
Visit www.pancan.org to make a donation in his memory.
Here are some photos of The Don for you to enjoy. They were from Tim Osburn's Family Reunion pictures. I'll provide obiturary info if I can find it. Let me know if you'd like higher quality images. Click for a larger image.
Posted by pykeman at 09:27 PM | Comments (0)