There are many new home developers in the northern part of Colorado Springs. The sizes and prices of homes available range widely. In fewer than 21 days we have visited most of them, walked through countless models, envisioned and discussed myriad possibilities.
Now, if you'll please allow me a brief digression...
I'm not a fan of reality TV. Never have been. Ever since the first episode of the first season of Survivor when I observed that this so-called reality TV show brought out the worst in human nature and emphasized the entertainment value of people dragging one another through the mud (literally AND figuratively), I have disdained this genre.
So, the fact that there is a reality show about househunting both annoys and puzzles me. This is not a process I would include in the category of entertainment. Maybe it's because since leaving college in 1985 I've moved 17 times. When you pack up, move, and unpack all your worldly belongings that many times you cease to be intoxicated by the romance of it all. Don't misunderstand, I'm not complaining. I really have loved moving to and exploring so many different places. I merely point out that the actual househunting process doesn't rank high on my list of favorite pastimes.
Combine all this with the fact that we have been living out of suitcases all summer and you will probably understand that Tom and I epitomize motivated buyers. However, we are also wary. We've lived in enough places that we feel confident that we know what we want. And maybe more importantly, what we don't want.
So, on the day we drive into the Northgate Estates development and tour the Challenger Homes model, we are cautiously hopeful.
We love the location. The views of the Air Force Academy and the Front Range are breathtaking. We are impressed with the quality and attention to detail of the model. The floorplans are open, thoughtful, comfortable.
Shunn (pronounced Sean), the builder's rep, tells us, "We have a spec home, scheduled to be complete early in October, but it's smaller than the model and the views are obstructed. It's just across the street, would you like to see it?"
Tom and I share a look. We've both been thinking the model was really too big (and too expensive) for us. So, we agree to take a look at the spec.
It's being painted, so we don't stay long, just take a quick walk around to get a feel for the layout and the details.
We thank Shunn and head back to our temporary digs in the basement of dear, generous friends.
We're excited. The house, as we recount each detail, is very much what we've been looking for. The details that grab us include:
-Ranch-planwith a fi nished basement ideally suited to visiting friends and family (especially college students)
-Gourmet kitchen with gas cooktop, double oven, and walk-in pantry
-Great Room/wide open living and eating space on main level
-Large main level master suite with both a large shower and soaking tub as well as a large closet
-Office space for both Tom and me
-Three car garage
-Views
-Outdoor living space
And it's affordable. We're more than excited. We're PUMPED!
Well, after several more visits and some serious discussions about financing, landscaping, etc. we write a contract for the house. We schedule the closing for October 11th.
We did close without any trouble and moved in that day.
And now, just shy of two weeks later, we are living in our new home and loving it more and more. The household goods shipment, all our furniture, etc. from Virginia, has yet to arrive. So, we're sort of camping out. Thanks to generous friends we have mattresses to sleep on and a table and chairs so we don't have to eat standing up. The word from the moving company is we should see our things by October 30th. I guess I won't have much time to get my Halloween decorations up! But it is all good.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Home Hunting - Part One
I was going to call this entry house-hunting, but that would really be misleading. It isn't just a house we've been hunting for. It's a home.
Since we made the decision that we sincerely want to make Colorado Springs our home, we have been looking for a place to settle. Originally, we believed it would be quite temporary. We had in mind that we would find a place to rent while we built on a piece of land we own with a view of Pikes Peak.
A little research revealed that our perfect spot, property owned since 1983, is in the city plan to become the northeast corner of a four way stop at the eastern end of a sprawling residential development. Perhaps not the ideal location for our dream home. So, on furter reflection, we decide to wait and see what really happens with this development before we commit to build.
We also learn, as we investigate the housing market in the northern part of Colorado Springs, our target area, that renting a home, preferably furnished, of the size and with the amenities we prefer, will cost as much as or more than what we might pay to purchase such a home. This is when our focus shifts.
So we begin to investigate homes for sale. It isn't long before I rediscover my beloved's preference for new homes over those lived in by others. We shift our focus to new, recently built and spec homes. There are many. I am particularly impressed by how many there are with pricetags over $700,000. More than we prefer to pay.
I am also impressed, and surprised, by how many still include formal dining and living spaces. In the 23 years we've been married, I can count on one hand (okay, both hands, really) the number of times we've used the formal living room. The dining room we've used more frequently, but only because the table has more leaves and seats more people.
We really do want a great room, living space in the basement for visiting college students. and a view, if possible. To be continued...
Since we made the decision that we sincerely want to make Colorado Springs our home, we have been looking for a place to settle. Originally, we believed it would be quite temporary. We had in mind that we would find a place to rent while we built on a piece of land we own with a view of Pikes Peak.
A little research revealed that our perfect spot, property owned since 1983, is in the city plan to become the northeast corner of a four way stop at the eastern end of a sprawling residential development. Perhaps not the ideal location for our dream home. So, on furter reflection, we decide to wait and see what really happens with this development before we commit to build.
We also learn, as we investigate the housing market in the northern part of Colorado Springs, our target area, that renting a home, preferably furnished, of the size and with the amenities we prefer, will cost as much as or more than what we might pay to purchase such a home. This is when our focus shifts.
So we begin to investigate homes for sale. It isn't long before I rediscover my beloved's preference for new homes over those lived in by others. We shift our focus to new, recently built and spec homes. There are many. I am particularly impressed by how many there are with pricetags over $700,000. More than we prefer to pay.
I am also impressed, and surprised, by how many still include formal dining and living spaces. In the 23 years we've been married, I can count on one hand (okay, both hands, really) the number of times we've used the formal living room. The dining room we've used more frequently, but only because the table has more leaves and seats more people.
We really do want a great room, living space in the basement for visiting college students. and a view, if possible. To be continued...
Europe - Part 4 (London)
After buying a handheld luggage scale, and arranging for an additional piece of checked luggage when checking in online, we were better prepared for our Ryan Air experience from Dublin to London-Gatwick. We still had to shuffle a few small items between suitcases, but it wasn't the wholesale repacking required in Oslo, so we were much more relaxed going through security.
London was still all dressed up for the Olympics since the Para-Olympics were just wrapping up and it was evident everywhere we looked that they were proud of the hosts they'd been (w/good reason).
The weather continued to smile on us and every Londoner we encountered thanked us for bringing fair skies to them after the wettest and most miserable summer in recent memory.
We wandered and explored the city, its parks, and its gardens during our three blissful days in London.
*Kensington Gardens
*Harrods
*Fortnum & Mason
*Savile Row
*Piccadilly
*Claridges
London is really so special.
There is really nothing to compare to a 5 star or 5 diamond hotel. If you have never been able to treat yourself to this experience (or convince another to treat you) you simply must. Three days at Claridges was my dad's 50th bday gift to me, and it is one I will always remember. It is difficult to do justice to the experience with mere words. If you can imagine being remembered and catered to every time you interact with any hotel personnel, you'll come close to imagining the experience.
All that being said, however, I can honestly attest that returning home to the U.S. was a welcome relief.
Traveling broadens the mind and spirit. The greatest gift I believe I've given my children is to expose them to distant lands and cultures. At the very least I believe that traveling exposes us to life as others experience it. More than anything, though, I believe that travel helps us to appreciate all that we have and mostly take for granted in our own lives.
London was still all dressed up for the Olympics since the Para-Olympics were just wrapping up and it was evident everywhere we looked that they were proud of the hosts they'd been (w/good reason).
The weather continued to smile on us and every Londoner we encountered thanked us for bringing fair skies to them after the wettest and most miserable summer in recent memory.
We wandered and explored the city, its parks, and its gardens during our three blissful days in London.
*Kensington Gardens
*Harrods
*Fortnum & Mason
*Savile Row
*Piccadilly
*Claridges
London is really so special.
There is really nothing to compare to a 5 star or 5 diamond hotel. If you have never been able to treat yourself to this experience (or convince another to treat you) you simply must. Three days at Claridges was my dad's 50th bday gift to me, and it is one I will always remember. It is difficult to do justice to the experience with mere words. If you can imagine being remembered and catered to every time you interact with any hotel personnel, you'll come close to imagining the experience.
All that being said, however, I can honestly attest that returning home to the U.S. was a welcome relief.
Traveling broadens the mind and spirit. The greatest gift I believe I've given my children is to expose them to distant lands and cultures. At the very least I believe that traveling exposes us to life as others experience it. More than anything, though, I believe that travel helps us to appreciate all that we have and mostly take for granted in our own lives.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Europe - Part 3 (Dublin)
Traveling in Europe on a US passport affords one the unique experience of waiting in line for Passport Control with anyone else who falls into the "Non-EU" category.
Just think about that for a minute.
Suffice it to say, it is a very "global" experience.
However, since we were coming into Dublin with something like thirty thousand Americans to watch an American college football game, there were many more travelers sporting Fighting Irish and Navy gear than turbans and burkas.
And Dublin made us feel more than welcome. It seemed every native we encountered asked, "Are you in town for the match?" And for the most part, we resisted the urge to correct them and explain that we call it a game.
Every pub in Temple Bar had its windows painted with the Leprechaun, the Goat, or both. The excitement about "the match" electrified the whole town.
We noticed a distinct new paint smell in the pub where we enjoyed our first Irish dinner and realized as we surveyed the several-hundred-year-old walls that they'd recently been freshened up in blue and gold.
Saturday broke clear and warm with bright blue skies and a dazzling orange sun. We literally followed the crowd as we walked to the stadium feeling as though we were heroes in a victory parade.
Aviva stadium was standing room only and the energy was palpable. Navy brought about a thousand midshipmen to the game and as they marched on to "the pitch" the Leprechaun, Irish Guard, and cheerleaders saluted. A lump rose in my throat and my eyes filled. My heard swelled with pride in these young people that so beautifully and honorably represent the country I love.
As we awaited kickoff, we got to know some of the fans seated around us. To our left was a group of retired Navy seamen who'd only just arrived at the stadium. They had left home Thursday but encountered delays and flight cancellations only to arrive in Belfast at 9 that morning. They rented a car and drove the three hours to arrive in time for kickoff.
Behind us a group of Texans with no connection to either ND or Navy had come just for the experience. They boasted of spending Friday night with representatives of the Irish Navy tasked with boat-sitting the U.S. destroyer docked in Dublin harbor whose crew was enjoying the game. They worried that these poor Irish seamen might be nursing wicked hangovers due to the Texans generosity of the previous evening.
The game was a solid win for the Irish, but there really was no loser that day. I was a little sorry Colleen couldn't be there to enjoy it with us, but I know someday she'll have a similar opportunity and that she'll appreciate it even more than I did.
Just think about that for a minute.
Suffice it to say, it is a very "global" experience.
However, since we were coming into Dublin with something like thirty thousand Americans to watch an American college football game, there were many more travelers sporting Fighting Irish and Navy gear than turbans and burkas.
And Dublin made us feel more than welcome. It seemed every native we encountered asked, "Are you in town for the match?" And for the most part, we resisted the urge to correct them and explain that we call it a game.
Every pub in Temple Bar had its windows painted with the Leprechaun, the Goat, or both. The excitement about "the match" electrified the whole town.
We noticed a distinct new paint smell in the pub where we enjoyed our first Irish dinner and realized as we surveyed the several-hundred-year-old walls that they'd recently been freshened up in blue and gold.
Saturday broke clear and warm with bright blue skies and a dazzling orange sun. We literally followed the crowd as we walked to the stadium feeling as though we were heroes in a victory parade.
Aviva stadium was standing room only and the energy was palpable. Navy brought about a thousand midshipmen to the game and as they marched on to "the pitch" the Leprechaun, Irish Guard, and cheerleaders saluted. A lump rose in my throat and my eyes filled. My heard swelled with pride in these young people that so beautifully and honorably represent the country I love.
As we awaited kickoff, we got to know some of the fans seated around us. To our left was a group of retired Navy seamen who'd only just arrived at the stadium. They had left home Thursday but encountered delays and flight cancellations only to arrive in Belfast at 9 that morning. They rented a car and drove the three hours to arrive in time for kickoff.
Behind us a group of Texans with no connection to either ND or Navy had come just for the experience. They boasted of spending Friday night with representatives of the Irish Navy tasked with boat-sitting the U.S. destroyer docked in Dublin harbor whose crew was enjoying the game. They worried that these poor Irish seamen might be nursing wicked hangovers due to the Texans generosity of the previous evening.
The game was a solid win for the Irish, but there really was no loser that day. I was a little sorry Colleen couldn't be there to enjoy it with us, but I know someday she'll have a similar opportunity and that she'll appreciate it even more than I did.
Europe - Part 2 (Ryan Air)
Let me begin with a warning: If something seems too good (or too cheap) to be true...it is. And remember Murphy? Whose law I referenced in an earlier blog? He was IRISH.
Ryan Air seems like a GREAT deal if you judge by price alone. In fact it IS a great deal if you can fly with little or no luggage. If, on the other hand, you are using Ryan Air for connections in the midst of a two-week European vacation for which you have MAXIMIZED your one free piece of checked baggage (ie, it tips the scale at 49.9 lbs) you may not emerge from your Ryan Air experience convinced it was a great deal.
When you check in for your Ryan Air flight online and in advance you designate how many pieces of luggage you intend to check and whether your luggage falls into the category of less than 15 kilograms (kg) or less than 20 kg. (For the metric challenged, 50 lbs is approximately 22 kg). You will pay for any checked luggage, but the fee is comparable to other airline baggage fees.
However, if you misjudge the weight of your luggage to be checked, or are blissfully unaware of the limitations until the time of check in, and it weighs heavy you may find yourself, as we did, with all your belongings spread out on the floor of the airport frantically repacking.
Looking back on the scene now, it seems a little humorous, but trust me when I say, at the time, none of us was smiling.
The staff at Ryan Air's check-in desk at Rygge (Oslo's OTHER airport) were helpful and friendly. They warned us that our overweight bags would be extremely costly and allowed us to use a nearby scale to repack and weigh each bag until we achieved 4 bags under the proscribed limits. Unfortunately, that left enough of our belongings to fill a 5th bag. Because the limitations on cabin or carry-on baggage (10 kg) are even more strict than those for checked baggage, we could not simply carry on the extra.
So, we packed the excess into an extra carry-on bag and prepared to check it. Of course it wasn't as simple as carrying it back to the check-in desk and swiping a credit card. We had to cross the airport (which was thankfully tiny) to the air freight desk and pay there for the bag before carrying it back to check it in. This was going to cost us dearly. Two hundred dollars, to be exact, for that single carry-on sized, 15kg bag. OUCH!
However, in the grand scheme of things, it really wasn't exorbitant because when we added up all we paid for the tickets and the luggage and divided it between the four travelers it came out to less than $150 per person. Still a good deal, even if not quite as great as it originally seemed.
And, like most lessons learned the hard way, not without comedic value. That said, I will never again fly an unfamiliar airline without reading ALL the fine print.
Ryan Air seems like a GREAT deal if you judge by price alone. In fact it IS a great deal if you can fly with little or no luggage. If, on the other hand, you are using Ryan Air for connections in the midst of a two-week European vacation for which you have MAXIMIZED your one free piece of checked baggage (ie, it tips the scale at 49.9 lbs) you may not emerge from your Ryan Air experience convinced it was a great deal.
When you check in for your Ryan Air flight online and in advance you designate how many pieces of luggage you intend to check and whether your luggage falls into the category of less than 15 kilograms (kg) or less than 20 kg. (For the metric challenged, 50 lbs is approximately 22 kg). You will pay for any checked luggage, but the fee is comparable to other airline baggage fees.
However, if you misjudge the weight of your luggage to be checked, or are blissfully unaware of the limitations until the time of check in, and it weighs heavy you may find yourself, as we did, with all your belongings spread out on the floor of the airport frantically repacking.
Looking back on the scene now, it seems a little humorous, but trust me when I say, at the time, none of us was smiling.
The staff at Ryan Air's check-in desk at Rygge (Oslo's OTHER airport) were helpful and friendly. They warned us that our overweight bags would be extremely costly and allowed us to use a nearby scale to repack and weigh each bag until we achieved 4 bags under the proscribed limits. Unfortunately, that left enough of our belongings to fill a 5th bag. Because the limitations on cabin or carry-on baggage (10 kg) are even more strict than those for checked baggage, we could not simply carry on the extra.
So, we packed the excess into an extra carry-on bag and prepared to check it. Of course it wasn't as simple as carrying it back to the check-in desk and swiping a credit card. We had to cross the airport (which was thankfully tiny) to the air freight desk and pay there for the bag before carrying it back to check it in. This was going to cost us dearly. Two hundred dollars, to be exact, for that single carry-on sized, 15kg bag. OUCH!
However, in the grand scheme of things, it really wasn't exorbitant because when we added up all we paid for the tickets and the luggage and divided it between the four travelers it came out to less than $150 per person. Still a good deal, even if not quite as great as it originally seemed.
And, like most lessons learned the hard way, not without comedic value. That said, I will never again fly an unfamiliar airline without reading ALL the fine print.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Europe - Part 1 (Norway)
Three weeks. That's how long we've been back stateside after our amazing 13 day European odyssey. So, what have I been doing? Besides neglecting my blog, that is. Well, to be quite honest, it's a bit of a blur.
The upshot is, we will close on our new home in Colorado Springs on October 11th. So, yes, we have been busy. More on that later.
When I last wrote we had just conquered jet lag. What followed were five unforgettable days in Norway.
We explored Oslo, or rather rediscovered it and revisited a few favorite spots (Frogner Park where the famous Vigeland Sculptures are and the Akershus Fortress to name a couple). The Norwegian Air Force was preparing to celebrate 100 years of flight so we were excited to see them setting up static displays including the Joint Strike Fighter or F-35. But for me, the highlight of the day was being interviewed, on camera, by Norwegian students, in English, about what I liked about Norway (I guess it was their homework, little did they realize I could have gone on for days with that question!)
We also drove the three hours to Geilo, a lovely mountain resort town, to spend a couple of days hiking and soaking in the beauty of the countryside. And in fact, we really did soak it in. Or rather it soaked into us in the form of liquid sunshine. But the rain didn't really deter us. We were, after all, in Norway and in Norway there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. So, we donned our raingear and headed out onto the mountain for several miles of scrambling over rocks and through heather (there are a lot of similarities between the Norwegian and Scottish hills).
It had only been sprinkling when we started, but by the time we returned it was pouring and we all gratefully deposited our muddy shoes and dripping outerwear in the mudroom. Sipping strong coffee I curled up in an overstuffed leather chair in front of a blazing fire and enjoyed reading my book and dozing through the rest of the afternoon. As the sun began to descend (though it wouldn't really set until after 11pm) the sky cleared and Tom and I hiked up under the ski lifts to watch the moonrise.
Magic.
Being back in Norway, after nine years away, was truly bittersweet. The country and the people were as wonderful as I remembered and I enjoyed every moment.
-Meeting friends of friends, Norwegians, who truly appreciate America and who treated us like family.
-Speaking a little Norwegian, and recognizing words, phrases, foods, and a hundred tiny things that conjured treasured memories
-Gazing out over the hills or the fjords and realizing no postcard could do the views justice
-Brown cheese on the thick, grainy Norwegian bread
-Reindeer with lingonberries
It will not be nine years before I return to Norway again.
The upshot is, we will close on our new home in Colorado Springs on October 11th. So, yes, we have been busy. More on that later.
When I last wrote we had just conquered jet lag. What followed were five unforgettable days in Norway.
We explored Oslo, or rather rediscovered it and revisited a few favorite spots (Frogner Park where the famous Vigeland Sculptures are and the Akershus Fortress to name a couple). The Norwegian Air Force was preparing to celebrate 100 years of flight so we were excited to see them setting up static displays including the Joint Strike Fighter or F-35. But for me, the highlight of the day was being interviewed, on camera, by Norwegian students, in English, about what I liked about Norway (I guess it was their homework, little did they realize I could have gone on for days with that question!)
We also drove the three hours to Geilo, a lovely mountain resort town, to spend a couple of days hiking and soaking in the beauty of the countryside. And in fact, we really did soak it in. Or rather it soaked into us in the form of liquid sunshine. But the rain didn't really deter us. We were, after all, in Norway and in Norway there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. So, we donned our raingear and headed out onto the mountain for several miles of scrambling over rocks and through heather (there are a lot of similarities between the Norwegian and Scottish hills).
It had only been sprinkling when we started, but by the time we returned it was pouring and we all gratefully deposited our muddy shoes and dripping outerwear in the mudroom. Sipping strong coffee I curled up in an overstuffed leather chair in front of a blazing fire and enjoyed reading my book and dozing through the rest of the afternoon. As the sun began to descend (though it wouldn't really set until after 11pm) the sky cleared and Tom and I hiked up under the ski lifts to watch the moonrise.
Magic.
Being back in Norway, after nine years away, was truly bittersweet. The country and the people were as wonderful as I remembered and I enjoyed every moment.
-Meeting friends of friends, Norwegians, who truly appreciate America and who treated us like family.
-Speaking a little Norwegian, and recognizing words, phrases, foods, and a hundred tiny things that conjured treasured memories
-Gazing out over the hills or the fjords and realizing no postcard could do the views justice
-Brown cheese on the thick, grainy Norwegian bread
-Reindeer with lingonberries
It will not be nine years before I return to Norway again.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
THE Cure for Jet Lag
A long travel day (24 Aug-Dep Ft Collins 9am, Arr Denver 9:45am; Dep DIA Noon, Arr Newark 6pm; Dep Newark 8pm, 25 Aug-Arr Oslo 10am) including very little sleep on the airplane can result in a wicked jet lag. Yesterday I discovered a flawless cure for that plague of overseas travelers. Let me sum up:
Step 1: A shot of Norwegian Akavit (or aquavit) chased with a beer
Step 2: A sun-kissed walk along the fjord to a seaside cafe´
Step 3: A delicious shrimp salad sandwich (smørbrød) washed down with several glasses of French white wine
Step 4: A brisk walk through the hills of the Norwegian countryside
Step 5: A two hour motorboat cruise around Oslo Fjord
Step 6: Twelve uninterrupted hours of sleep.
Since it was Saturday, there were hundreds of sailboats and motor boats out on the fjord. Being out among them, bumping over the waves, smelling the sea, and feeling the breeze in my hair transported me from bone-tired to exhilarated. I don't think I can imagine a better first day back in Norway. As Tom profoundly observed, "it didn't suck."
See Facebook for photos.
Step 1: A shot of Norwegian Akavit (or aquavit) chased with a beer
Step 2: A sun-kissed walk along the fjord to a seaside cafe´
Step 3: A delicious shrimp salad sandwich (smørbrød) washed down with several glasses of French white wine
Step 4: A brisk walk through the hills of the Norwegian countryside
Step 5: A two hour motorboat cruise around Oslo Fjord
Step 6: Twelve uninterrupted hours of sleep.
Since it was Saturday, there were hundreds of sailboats and motor boats out on the fjord. Being out among them, bumping over the waves, smelling the sea, and feeling the breeze in my hair transported me from bone-tired to exhilarated. I don't think I can imagine a better first day back in Norway. As Tom profoundly observed, "it didn't suck."
See Facebook for photos.
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