2022 Sunday — 10 Years

Again we are in a celebration season. Ten years ago today — July 31, 2012 — we had our first walk-thru of a house we would own 90 days later. We were looking for a future place where we could retire our professional titles and live happily ever after. We honestly had no idea of the door we were opening, of the future we were entering.

I had seen this property on the Internet and the real estate agent we had been communicating with for the better part of a year sent its info to me; I think she sarcastically sent it as a joke; she thought it was "a little shack" and that we'd have no interest, but I also think she was tired of our "slow-poke" mentality; I was quite content to look at property (mostly on the Internet) until I found what we could afford and what we needed in order to be comfortable.When I saw it on the Internet, three elements about the house caught my attention: the price, the view of the ocean, and that it had more than one bathroom.

After we walked-thru, similar to several other decisions we have made, we talked non-stop about whether to make an offer or not, we prayed over and over about it, we asked two professionals (our insurance rep and our financial advisor), if it was feasible for us, they both gave us a thumbs-up; so we jumped out of the airplane believing God would catch us, and He did. We are amazed at what God has done for a couple of ignorant, inexperienced people (ignorant is different than stupid).

The house had been a rental for years, and the owners had never lived in it and had never done any improvements. "Fixer upper" was an understatement. The place was a shack.

But none of that mattered to us. We saw the potential and several days later we made an offer and asked for a 90 day escrow. Making an offer, then having to make a counter offer, ultimately purchasing, and years of "fixing and fussing" have been nerve wracking and confidence building. It's a story that only God could write.

Today we have ten years of history, of transition, of adjustment, of wonder, of thankfulness,and lots of reasons to celebrate. We've been married 57 years and most of our leisurely moments have been spent near the ocean.

So we are celebrating! We thank God for the friends and acquaintances who celebrate with us and encourage us along the way.

One final note, this little lavender lovely is named "Hank's House." WHAT? One day a long time ago a local resident asked us where we lived. We told her, and she responded, "That's Hank's House!" and since then that's what we've affectionately called our place.

Our celebration dinner was at the Blue Sky Bistro with a delicious meal of Pasta Pomodoro.

From California’s Central Coast
in Cayucos,
Rosie (& Mr. Fun), aka Carol
and Chloe & Mitzi too!