Thursday 27 February 2014

Four Beds and Two Baths

It's been a funny couple of weeks here. The house has been put up for sale. I know this because it's in the paper today. It was odd looking at it looking back at me. Even though it's there it doesn't feel real at the moment. I guess that when there has been a couple of viewings and (hopefully) an offer or two it will.


I cast a look around all of our stuff and panic. How on earth am I going to pack this lot away when the time comes? I am still planning on having a yard sale in April, because there is yet more of it in the attic and it has to go. There are boxes up there that haven't been unpacked since we moved here, for goodness sake.


There is no telling how long we may be here. Even with a recovering housing market, houses don't tend to fly off the shelf here in St Ives. So it could be months. Months of keeping on top of the house in readiness for potential viewings. Months of hassling the boys to keep their rooms in some kind of order. You know, so I don't start crying ten minutes before a potential buyer comes round to look  "Ah yes, the line of apple cores on the window sill. We feel it adds a certain ambiance to the room..."
I have decided that some of the garden will be coming with me when we leave. I shall be making a list to go on the fixtures and fittings form - fridge, freezer, master bedroom light, three rose bushes, two gooseberry plants and approximately fifty Dahlia plants. Marc has promised me another greenhouse if there isn't one where we end up. I'm not sure we are keen on moving a greenhouse. Marc says that is was the most ridiculous thing he has ever had to put together, and that included IKEA furniture.


We have lived here for twelve and a half years. I have bought two of my children home from from the maternity hospital into this house. It has utterly changed from the house we bought. We have knocked down walls, extended, ripped out and replaced, painted, plastered, tiled and re-worked every last inch of this place. We are very proud of our little house. Much of the work we did ourselves.It's only in the last couple of years that we have employed other people to do the work for us. All I can say is that I am extremely lucky to be married to a man who is both a perfectionist and can turn his hand to anything. Me? I can't even wire a plug. I am the window dresser.


I'm not sure how I'll feel when I shut our front door for the last time. I am looking froward to creating a new home. I am excited about a bigger project and new family adventures. And I know that I'll be taking all that I love with me. Not just the plants or the pottery. But all of us. Who knows what challenges this next chapter will bring.
 

All I know is that whoever finally moves into this house will have bought a place that embraces. A place that is warm in the winter and cool in summer. That allows children to play in one room, while Mum can keep a discreet eye from the kitchen. That makes for great train track, scalextrix and scootering possibilities. That can fit and entertain a lot of people, and whose downstairs makes for a great dance floor. Is local to and yet far enough away from town. That is light and bright and airy.


But above all else is a wonderful family home.

Leanne xx





16 comments:

  1. You've certainly sold it to me! It sounds like a happy place Leanne, I do hope you have an offer on it soon. I well remember the horror of trying to keep a property in viewable condition.

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  2. Leeanne, I'd buy it in a heartbeat, it's a beautiful home. I hope it sells quickly. I've only sold one house, and we moved out completely before putting it on the market, so I have no experience with maintaining it during the showing period. I hope it's not too stressful. I'm so excited for you all, what a huge adventure!

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  3. I so wish I could move there as it sounds lovely. I firmly believe a house has a spirit and will find its new owners. I knew the moment I saw the house I am in right now that it was exactly right. Certainly it has all the right rooms etc but more than that there was a feeling of the 'energy' being right and it being the right place for us. Sorry if this sounds a bit ethereal but I sincerely hope your home attracts it new family and that you head towards yours. Fingers crossed.

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  4. Oh my, you have such a gorgeous home! And in such a great location. I'm sure it will sell quickly - I'd buy it. Very exciting, all of this - new adventures await you and your lovely family! x

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  5. Painting, ugh! My least favourite job.
    I hope it all goes smoothly for you Leanne.

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  6. I'm sure your home will sell. It sounds like a lovely place! Oh my, I don't envy you the process of selling and packing though, especially having just gone through it myself a year ago. Good luck!

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  7. Good luck with the house sale Leanne. Your house looks very desirable, a proper cosy home. I'd buy it but I think I won't be allowed to because it is a bit too far to commute for Richard. Cx

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  8. It sounds to me like you've truly made your house a home, and if you can do that there then you can do it anywhere. Are you moving far? Wherever you're headed, good luck with the sale x

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  9. A juxtaposition of excitement and sadness. You, indeed have a lovely home in one of my favourite places in the world. I also have a collection of Torquay Pottery that I love x

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  10. How exciting, are you staying in St Ives or thinking of moving to another part of Cornwall? It's lovely to see glimpses of your home, you've obviously worked hard to make it sunny, cosy and bright. Good luck with your move x

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  11. Your house is gorgeous Leanne and I really hope you arent long before you sell. I am wondering where you are going to?

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  12. Hello lovely, sorry I haven't been around much. It sounds like you have an exciting time ahead of you, but also one that will possibly bring a little sadness. I know I wept like a baby when we left our last house and to be honest I struggled handing over the keys. The funny thing was that I was fine as soon as I got to our new house, even though it was smaller, but the views just blew me away and still does. A home is really what you make of it and it sounds like even though you don't know how to wire a plug, you will make a beautiful home out of the next wherever it may be. You've done a pretty impressive job on this one, by the looks of it! xoxo

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  13. Good luck with it all Leanne. I hope your house sells quickly - I'm sure it will it sounds lovely. Such exciting times ahead for you and your family. xx

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  14. I'm sure it will sell in a heartbeat. It looks (and sounds) gorgeous. Good luck! x

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  15. What a beautiful house, and what exciting times. I can see how it must be such a wrench to move away from somewhere so full of memories, but you seem very optimistic about the new adventures in your future. Hope it sells quickly so you don't have to spend too long removing apple cores from the window sills...! xx p.s. wish I lived closer so I could come to that yard sale!

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  16. it looks gorgeous! so excited for you! and how am i missing your posts???? x

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