One year ago I drove into town with my truck and U-Haul, two dogs very tired of the road and a brand new (old) house ahead of me.
Though the signing was mid-morning my realtor allowed me to begin unloading and graciously let the dogs stay in her air conditioned office while we walked down the block to sign the paperwork.
The funds had already been transferred and without a mortgage, it was a quick process. I soon had the keys and the real work began.
I got a quote for insurance, got my utilities turned on, set up a PO Box, and went to Wal-Mart for the essentials: an air mattress and a fan.
See, most of my belongings were in a POD in Wichita so I was unloading the truck but had very little of my “stuff.” Nothing for the kitchen, which was fine because I also had no stove, fridge or microwave. No linens except the pile of pillows the dogs had slept on the whole drive from California. No real groceries, again fine because no way to keep them from spoiling.
As soon as the UHaul was empty I was off to return it, grateful to get the truck back so it could reverse and go through Drive-Thrus.
Just imagine, if you will, driving 2,000ish miles, during the worst of COVID-19, with restaurants closed, most drive-thrus inaccessible and two dogs. It was a pain.
Once I had my truck empty I quickly bought a mini fridge, a few more fans, a microwave and began looking for appliances — most of which were sold out, on backorder or just plain unavailable.
As I look around my house today I see all the work I’ve put in. Curtains so the passing cars don’t see me changing clothes, paint on the wall to cover up the ugly beige, furniture! I moved in with little more than a bed, desk and dresser, along with a few arm chairs and now I have storage, a china cabinet, media center, dining table… it’s great!
The yard has probably seen the most transformation in the year. I hired someone to install a fence, brought home a pool, installed raised garden beds, bought a hammock, grill, bench, table and chairs and have planted so many lovely green things.
I still have a list two miles long with all the changes I want to make and the improvements that are coming soon. But for today I’ll appreciate the anniversary of buying my house and creating my home.
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