Handling the Chaos
Our lives over the last six months. Could most easily be described in five letters. C.H.A.O.S.
At the end of the summer the TravelingWards had a wild idea to SELL OUR HOUSE. Just move. Toss out everything we own, then throw the rest in storage and make a C.H.A.N.G.E.
We owned our RV-- why not change things up, right?
We closed on the LOT to BUILD our DREAM home in September 2021. Originally, I had planned to purchase as a POWER OF ATTORNEY. Jason moved with the military to El Paso in August of 2021. But low and behold his schedule opened and he drove home with hours to spare before I was to be at the closing table.
My hand thanked him. For those of us that have signed for a home with a POA you know how much extra work you have to do.
ON EVERY. SINGLE. DOCUMENT.
Well the build had not really begun. We were doing the paperwork, arranging the floorplans, choosing the interior. Planning the exterior. Picking out the appliances. Making sure logistically all was grand and to my specific requirements. But the build itself. It hadn't started. Not One Single Thing.
The San Antonio winter was coming in and it was COLD. We had a few floor heaters and of course the gas heater in the trailer. But we would wake up FREEZING! When we had to remove those covers that kept us warm at night, we quickly noticed the CHILL and COLD floors that hit our feet. Along with this cool weather (inside the trailer). Do you know how difficult it is to organize for an 80' day then 30' day. How much room do you think we have in that trailer? We purchased standing closet shelves. I filled the other side of the bed with a stand up closet and the boys had their winter jackets there. Now we each needed extra shoes. That just filled the other door way (did we really need two doors to get in and out of this trailer?) We could also use the park bathrooms, so we used the shower/tub for additional storage.
We went from just enough room for 2 boys and their mom, TO NO ROOM! The front door had a shelf that held our hats, gloves and boots. We also put an extra basket with more blankets. This was an endless battle....
Then the freeze came. REMEMBER we are living in an RV.
Can we have a little cold and be okay, YES. Can you add heat tape to ensure things don't freeze, ABSOLUTELY. But can I? Can I? The girl that can't DRIVE this 36 foot trailer do it? No, no she can not. I know my boundaries. And this is one of them. Jason was gone and we found ourselves tripping the breaker and blowing fuses ALL TOO OFTEN. But this is just NOT where I specialize and find my strengths.
INSTEAD... I began looking for another home.
My youngest was a little startled by this decision. He was worried dad wouldn't be living with us. Or he would lose the "BIG YARD" (that we get with the new house). I assured him that dad, who doesn't live with us know, will still NOT be living with us. 🤣🤣BUT that when he returns from El Paso he WILL be moving into the "big house" with us. That this change was for all of us to be a little happier.
My oldest decided this was an opportunity to state what HE wanted. "If we do this, I want a yard. Do you think we could have a park nearby and that I can play soccer in the backyard?" I also assured him, that yes, we will make sure all of this worked out for us.
I searched. And searched. Until I found a place. I put in an offer and .... I lost in a multiple offer war.
So I tried again. I lost in a multiple offer war.
I tried again... I lost in another multiple offer war.
I am assuming you get the point.
I think I put in 5 offers. Before breaking for the Christmas break. When 2022 came, and the weather was still COLD -- I was done procrastinating and I told Jason this was it!
He helped me this time. And guess what???
I lost in a multiple offer war.
(Guys the market right now is vicious! We just recently closed on the New Build in Bulverde. We had to afford Jason's rental in El Paso and I was in a lease with the RV park. We had a modest budget. But I was determined to make this work. Buying a home was still the best thing to do. Its always the right choice to Invest In Yourself. I recently read a book that said...
Homeowners Get Rich and Renters Stay Poor.
Message me if you want the name of the book! This is such a true statement.)
But by OFFER 7.
We won!
This ciaos was almost over. Jason went home after visiting for a week. Upon returning home he has a wild hair and FOUND A BUYER FOR THE RV. It hit me, my Ciaos was just beginning. I was suppose to close that Wednesday. So I contacted the potential RV buyers and told them WEDNESDAY night I could take photos of the trailer for them.
GUYS when I say CIAOS. We didn't close on Wednesday. But I committed to taking a LIVE video of my trailer. So in the midst of SCHOOL schedules, Soccer Practice and all... the boys and I emptied the entire trailer into the front yard so I could do a video and answer their questions. Then they helped me in the dark put it all back...
When you have a seven year old ask you "Hey, mom. Do you think we could get something for dinner...."!!! It was 15 til 8pm (**BEDTIME**) and we hadn't eaten dinner!!! We took off to a nearby fast food restaurant, happened to be Taco Bell. When that same seven year old asked if he could have Sprite for dinner. My quick response was "um... its bedtime of course not..." Which quickly changed to "Its BAD MOM night.... anyone want dessert??"
We did end up selling. We also ended up buying that house later in the week. So maybe the ciaos hasn't yet ended. But LIVING IN THE TRAILER ENDED.
Welcome to the next chapter. Our Home Before Our Home Is Built...
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