My humble abode.

cute.
Originally uploaded by This Year's Love.

Inspection day!

There are signs of termites.

He couldn't say how large of a problem it is, but it's fixable. Otherwise there's nothing really wrong with the place that isn't basic wear and tear from being 80 years old and lived in by God knows how many people. It won't interfere with the habitability of the home. He wished me luck and said it's a nice place.
We were there for almost two hours and in that entire time we all (Adam, my parents, the inspector and myself) would just stop and observe, "It's so quiet here!"
It's so peaceful. No barking dogs, no sounds of cars, it's basically a dead end (but not technically) and pretty much only the people who live on the street drive on it.
No gunshots, no sirens....
It's just plain lovely.

Okay, so back to the termites.
With my parents there they of course acted like it was the end of the world. My grandmother has had termites in her house for DECADES and it's still standing.
Yes, it is going to cost me several thousand (the inspector is familiar with termite extermination and said it would probably cost $1500 but it would be resolved after that) to treat the termites. Okay, so let's say $2000.
I could back out of the deal and say no thanks. Then I can try to find a place with similar space (not likely), in a similar location (ha!), with as much space (it's small, but the other places I looked at were much smaller) that isn't foreclosed on and is in reasonable condition for a similar price.
It just isn't going to happen. Even if I spent more, then what? Within four or five months I'll spend the amount it would have cost to fix the termite damage ... while that would be a one time cost, the mortgage is every month for 30 years.

I realized while talking it over with Anna and putting everything into words that my parents were so freaked out by it because they won't even fix the most minor of things in their own house let alone major issues. God forbid there was anything major! It would never get worked on and I would have to hear about it being broken for the rest of my life. No thank you!

So here's what I've decided.

If I can get a termite inspection and a real estimate, then I'll decide for sure.
But so far I can't let that deter me if it's only a few thousand right now. The price is too good regardless, it's pretty much ready to move in, and it has so much space for my animals. And let's face it. It's all about the dogs (and cat and all of the other critters soon to be acquired) and I have always done my best to give them everything. People might think that's ridiculous, stupid, and weird...but hey. It's better than supporting a deadbeat boyfriend who smacks you around and sits on the couch playing video games all day while scratching his balls.

Sorry. I had to say it.

Anyway.
My dogs can't tell me what to do. My dogs can't tell me they're disappointed in me. They don't care where we live, but if I can provide a nice backyard and a comfortable place to sleep and all the juicy raw meat they can eat...then I will. I love them so much.

I forgot! Today I noticed for the first time that (drum roll, please!) there are SIDEWALKS all around! I've been dreaming about sidewalks ever since we moved and I got a dog. It won't be the safest area, but I've got Is and Jude with me. Usually people run in the other direction when they see me coming. SIDEWALKS!!!!!

So in conclusion...

I'm going to go ahead and buy it.

I have absolutely no regrets. I don't have any misgivings and my gut is saying "Do it!"
I've been praying about it, too. Nothing is saying no.

I'll obviously talk to my realtor after she reads a copy of the inspection report.

The thing is, unlike my parents, I want to work on this house and invest in it. I want to make it mine. I want to live in it and love it despite the work and money it takes. They just complain and make excuses and I'm really, really done with that attitude.
They don't see it as a privilege to finally own a house. My father has stated countless times that he thinks it's a curse.
And whether or not he means to, and he even said he doesn't want to come across as negative, he is. He picked the whole house apart. They were such minor things that they're really only cosmetic. And he would never fix them if it was his house anyway. He has actually done many of the crappy quick-fix jobs found in the house himself. I grew up that way!!! They forget that.

All of those memories are filed away in my brain. I can recall them at the drop of a hat. They're filed under "B" for "bitter".

Termites be damned. I love this place and if it's going to happen, then I'm going to be living here.