Winds of Change are Blowing

Have you ever faced a time in life when you sensed the winds of change were blowing for you? Change that wasn’t tangible because it hadn’t yet happened? Something similar to the feeling we get when the first buds of spring appear, a sign of summer about to descend?

After a slow winter combined with much needed rest, both my man and I sense a season of change is coming to us. Several things have lent themselves to our anticipation.

 

CURRENTS THAT CREATE A WIND

First, our rental house just sold. Yes, it did! While the new owners don’t seem anxious to have to us go immediately, we suspect we’ll be gone by the end of summer, one way or another.

Second, we just called the owner of the land we hoped to buy last fall (read about that experience here). We held to our word and he has held to his, wants to get things moving first thing this spring. Starting with the perk tests that held us up last year.

Third: My man has had steady and even extra work this winter! Part of the reason we wanted to move forward last fall was because in our valley, carpenters often go from Christmas-Feb without work. If we had the foundation laid, we could use his ‘off’ time to tackle the house. Instead, we’ve been able to work and continue saving, which will ensure a larger down-payment!

Fourth? My man just got a raise! Which will help with a bank loan and enable us to save even more over the upcoming months.

Last but not least, we’ve thought about this place for a year, weighing pros and cons. We’ve brought knowledgeable folks in to look at/assess it and have talked with people who live in the area. Over time, we’ve concluded that it would suit our wants, needs and likely, our financial situation. We truly believe we could be happy there.

 

FANNING THE FLAME

The winds of change have lit a fire under us once again. House plans have been revisited and the final tweaking has taken place. It’s finished! Complete!

Property has been revisited and location for specifics have been chosen. Between my man and I, we’ve been calling companies and tallying costs once again. Unfortunately for us, lumber prices have steadily climbed over the winter!  

We’ve settled our ‘to do’ list for the first year, should things go through and even talked specifics for a second year development plan.

And me? I’ve been feeling the need to express my hope and anticipation, which I’ve done by running around the neighborhood, clipping the neighbor’s shrubs.

 

AN EXPRESSION OF HOPE

No, I’m not crazy. And I don’t trespass or tranquilize dogs until after dark!

I joke!

But seriously? The south side of this potential property has uncomfortably-near neighbors. And me? I like a bit of space! I’ve decided that if we end up there, a beautiful, food-bearing hedgerow would be a wonderful thing to have between them and us!

Which is why I’ve been busy taking slips from shrub-like plants, from lilacs, hazelnuts, the wild plums and elderberries found on public roads around us. I’m in the middle of rooting them so that we can get a head start, should things go through. If not? I guess I’ll be selling shrubs this summer!

The winds of change are blowing. We feel it in every area of our lives. Neither of us knows where we’ll end up, nor do we have any assurance on the end result. Regardless of the outcome, we believe this will be a valuable learning experience so we won’t shy away from any of it.

It’s all part of our life journey. And I’m so grateful to be doing it together.