I was so excited to start this blog back in the spring. The idea struck me in the winter of last year- I love cooking, entertaining and celebrating so much and I thought it would be such great fun to share the little things that I do to make events extra special, no matter how small. I got a few posts written and shared and then my new found blogging hobby came to a screeching halt in June- but for a great reason!
I have dreamed of owning my own home for several years. When I graduated from undergrad, I lived with my parents for four years, saving up instead of spending on apartment rent (thanks mom and dad!) so one day I could purchase a real, grown up house of my own. On June 29th this past summer I walked into a sweet little red brick house with black and white trim (literally what rolled off my tongue every time someone asked what I was “looking for” I swear!) and fell in love. It felt like falling down from the top of a roller coaster and landing securely at the bottom of the dip, glad you went though the whole crazy ride, but also glad that it’s over.
Searching was so much harder than I thought. I got ahold of an amazing realtor and had so much help and support from my parents and family, but there were several houses that I found and “loved” on a Tuesday that would be gone by Wednesday morning.
The day I found my house I had been to see a few…not so great places with my realtor and I was feeling so sad and discouraged. I had a pretty strict budget and was wondering if I couldn’t really afford what I dreamed of. I went home in a terrible mood and as I was pouting on the couch my dear dad peeked his head over the upstairs ledge:
“Did you see the one I just sent you?” (We had gotten into the habit of sending each other potential listings about fifteen times a day.)
“No. I’m not looking at any more houses today.”
“Just look, just one more.”
And it was the one.
I made an appointment to see the house with my realtor the next morning at eleven AM, but I was absolutely convinced that it would sell in the night- after all it had happened to me twice already!
I couldn’t sleep all night and apparently neither could my parents because we all woke up at around 6:30 in the morning, sitting on the couch waiting to go, not really talking.
My realtor called me at 8:30 and I thought;
“Well, it must be gone.”
But instead I heard;
“Can you come now? Like, right now?”
So my parents and I jumped into the car, drove the fifteen minutes from their house to mine (huge selling point for all parties) walked in through the gorgeous forrest green door with the antique brass knocker and I absolutely knew.
If searching for my house was crazy the process of buying it was even more insane! There were tons of bumps in the road, but sitting here at my kitchen table, looking out the window at the lake(!) across the street, they have more than faded away.
And so I didn’t post anything all summer. One because I hardly shared the details of my home-buying process with anyone (always convinced something terrible would happen and I would lose the house) and two because from searching for a house to closing, to moving it has been ALL CONSUMING.
This week I have gotten to observe my first real change in seasons in my new home from summer into fall and it has been so magical and beautiful. I had my grandparents over for my first real dinner party of my own, all by myself. I had trick or treaters! I raked my yard and replaced exterior light bulbs. I moped the floors and lit candles and poured fancy booze into all of the beautiful decanters I was gifted when I moved in.
The entire process was so much more challenging than I ever anticipated, but worth it. I mean, come on- I stare at a lake while I do dishes.
I am absolutely thrilled and beyond grateful to have accomplished such a big dream of mine. I had so much help from everyone I love, and I’m so exited to get “carryed away” thanking them by sharing my home with them every chance that I get!
And maybe blogging about it all. 🙂
katiecarryedaway.com 