It's Ours ... Hmmm

Well, we own the house. As predicted NOTHING was completed other than one countertop installed since our meeting on Tuesday. Oh, and the cleaning crew did a partial cleanup. We have a list of almost 30 things -- not punch list items, but actual work that's not completed from the basement finish to the home inspection list. 

No toilet. No built-ins. Sprinkler heads that hit the new fence and don't water the yard now. No beverage refrigerator in the basement. Construction debris filling the attic and unfinished basement. A room not painted. No porch railing. Damaged carpet (bright orange stains all over) in all three carpeted rooms. Stove still doesn't work. Floor in basement not finished. Steps damaged in garage. Siding broken. And the list goes on and on. 

We held back money at close and they'll work until next week to get it finished. I give up. Of course, this will mess up my plans because I need to unlock and lockup the house while hubby is in Belgium. This reenforces my decision to push my schedule as a priority. Had I said -- oh, just until the wedding, just until the close, etc, I would've given up weeks and weeks of living my life since, yet another week of "be available" is tacked on again.

They had excuse after excuse and nothing was communicated. I think close should've been postponed, but we didn't do it. We think that this builder works on a time pressure situation and probably would be in the exact same spot next week. 

I'm still fighting the urge to NOT want to move. I came home to the comfort of this house last night and felt a panic about leaving it. This area is changing rapidly though and that comfort won't exist for long. I will love the new place once we settle, etc., but I lean on the comfort of my environment and I'll lose that for a few months, at least. I feel safe and protected and stable in this house.

The new house is not private at all -- probably the most "seen" house we've owned, even Asheville which we call our little fish bowl. That will change eventually when we get window treatments and the street construction finishes (that will take at least a year). And, of course, this is part of "the new way of life" -- this change is good, but I want to go running back to the comfort of my private house and private garden.

I know these feelings are normal. Especially when you leave a good situation for hope of a better one. Trading bad for good -- the decision is a no-brainer. But the risk to go for a dream is harder than I thought when there's nothing wrong. We dreamt of something more, something different. You know, "one wild and precious life" kind of dream. We're taking a risk in the most risky time in US history since I've been alive. Pretty please let this be okay.

Anyway, that's where we stand. I'm doing a short hike with a friend today and then house stuff. Hope you're set heading into the weekend. Later gators.