Yesterday was Caitlin's birthday. I went into the city to meet up with them earlier to see the new Wes Anderson movie, "Grand Budapest Hotel." It was amazing, and if you love Wes Anderson, you must go for sure! After the movie let out, we met up with David to head to our dinner destination. This year, Caitlin wanted to go to our favorite Greek restaurant named Kokkari. It was wonderful as usual. Caitlin had the whole grilled fish that is pictured and was surprised with a candle on her sundae she ordered. I can't believe my little one is 24! What a blessing to have her in our lives. I love the picture of her with Cyrous, mainly because I have another photo of them when he celebrated Caitlin's 19th birthday when they first started dating almost 5 1/2 years ago, and it is fun to see them side by side! They are such a wonderful couple and it is so sweet to have seen their relationship grow into what it is today. I think she had a good 24th :)
Things are about to get a bit spotty on here for posting, as we found out last week that we have to move. We don't own our home, and the owners of this house have decided to sell it. We have lived here for 7 1/2 years. We have lived in our town for 20+ years, minus 2, when we lived in France. I love our little town but the real estate is expensive, and while my husband makes a good living, we have always been three steps behind in the housing market! I could whine and complain about it, but it is what it is, and we have been fortunate to live in some pretty fun houses I must say. This house served its purpose, and that was to have Caitlin attend the right high school. I suppose this chapter is now about to close. Lots of fun memories here, but now it is time to pack it all up, like a set from a play, and make new memories somewhere else. I have been on Craig's list everyday, but there isn't anything to look at yet. Hopefully something will turn up soon. I panic each time we have to go through this process, and wonder if my luck will run out in finding a reasonable home that will suit our needs. It kinda makes me crazy sometimes how people make you feel when you say you don't own your home. I'm always honest about it and try to see the positives in renting. Like you never have to worry about losing the house that you put money into, you don't have to worry about coming up with money to fix things, and you can move to whatever school district you want to be in, because you are not tied down to an area where you could afford the house, but then the schools are bad. You also have a lot of flexibility if you want to do something like we did when we moved internationally. We were not tied down to a house, nor did we have to worry about someone destroying our house if we had to rent it out. The company chose us to go because they didn't have to worry about dealing with a house. So, while I'm sure there are great rewards to owning your own home as well, there are also some rewards to renting too. I just wish I didn't get that pitting look every time we tell people that we don't own our home!
I'll keep you all posted as to what new home we end up in, then you can follow our journey in making another place our home. Not sure if I will be slowing the shop down as well, or it might be something that will take my mind off not finding a place! hahah. You will just have to come back and see I suppose.
Happy Birthday to your daughter! Thinking of you as you search for a new place to live. I will be in the same boat myself soon. I hope you find the right house in the right place, and soon too. We own our home now, but it makes just up and moving a bit hard. We plan to relocate to Charlotte, NC, as there is much more opportunity for my husband there, and he will be staying with the same company, just transferring. It's about one hour from where we live now. But we have to wait until our house sells. We definitely plan to rent for a while when we get to Charlotte.
ReplyDeleteThe search is never fun, weather you are buying or renting. Packing and moving flat out stinks! Hahaha
DeleteThis is really interesting for me to read because I feel that we, too, have been "behind" when it comes to housing. We moved straight to the very expensive DC area after law school and have always rented our homes. I have many friends who have moved further away to buy nice homes, but living closer in means my hubs can come home during his lunch break most days. That is worth so much to us! But yeah, I do feel like people feel sorry for us that we don't own our house. Sometimes I think it would be so amazing to be able to customize our current cute little place, but other times I love not feeling like I have to! Thanks for sharing. It's nice to hear about others who face similar challenges. I can't wait to see where you end up! I hope it's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLiving in the area you want, and having your husband home for lunch is wonderful, and your children will always remember those times that were shared. We made a decision that I stay home with the kids and not have them in day care and raised by others. I never have regretted that decision when I look at my girls and how they had a good foundation with me at home. I don't want to bash on working mothers though, because we do what is right for our families. Not having a double income though in the San Francisco bay area makes it really tough to own a home, unless you are given help. Every single person I know who bought a house that is my age, and lives in this area, got help from family. So combined with no help from family, and not having a double income, this is where we are. Like I said though, it isn't all bad though I don't think! :)
DeleteHappy birthday to your daughter. It has been a year now since we sold our house in WC and even though only a holiday home I miss it greatly. I hope you find a great new place in the WC area.
ReplyDeleteThanks Thud! I hope I find something in Walnut Creek too. The inventory on house rentals though is very slim. I'm hopeful with a property I will be looking at this weekend though.
DeleteI think that many people are rethinking these thinks in todays economy. Renting has it downsides, but you do have a lot of freedom that sounds great to me! We all have different needs and priorities and it is kind of silly that people would feel sorry for you for doing what works best for your family. But then again some people always do, like my neighbour whol felt sorry for me when I worked and had to bring the children to day care and now feels sorry for me because I home with the kids :)
ReplyDeleteOeps, forgot to sign it. Above comment is from me.
DeleteI know, people are funny, and I try and not care about what they think about my situation, because I have a wonderful family and I'm happy, and that is all that matters in the end! :)
DeleteCaitlin gets more lovely with every year! You are blessed! To heck with not owing a house. You can proudly say that you own the keys to relationships with two very special girls.
ReplyDeleteI have actually had this very same own vs. rent conversation with Harleigh. As a single woman in her early '50s, owning a home is now a huge headache. When Harleigh was little, it was nice for schools, and to have friends in the neighborhood for her to play with, but now it's a pain in the butt. And with an older home like mine, when things go wrong, they usually cost an arm and a leg to fix. I honestly think that once Gideon is gone (my only real need for the yard), I may put it on the market and rent a condo.
While others may look at you sorta sideways for renting, consider my look one of envy.
Dawn
Thanks Dawn! I'm starting to feel more and more that owning is never going to happen for us, and we are both fine with it. I have been able to rent some really great homes, and had fun with decorating challenges with all of them. I'm looking at a 1962 California ranch styled home this Friday that we are hopeful about. I really don't regret being home with my girls at all and the price we had to pay. I can make a "home" anywhere I end up. :)
DeleteSounds like a nice birthday! To be 24;)
ReplyDeleteSo, renting or owning I can't see what the big deal is really. Everybody makes the right decision for themselves. There are always going to be people who put their 2 cents in about stuff.
One just has to ignore those that judge and go their own path. I respect your decisions.
With each choice there are two sides and sacrifices no matter what one decides... we just have to follow our heart as much as we can.
Good luck with the house hunting!