Ben’s Blog

Well, we got completely moved in on Saturday, but we’re still unpacking boxes, and probably will be for some time.

The near daily trips to Home Depot have yet to end. Actually, this evening we mixed it up and went to Lowe’s in Batesville.

We didn’t put the child locks on the cabinets and drawers right away because we knew our painter would be starting on them soon. Luke’s been making up for lost time by dragging everything out of the cabinets. Today things got worse because the painter actually started refinishing the cabinets and the cabinet doors are at his shop.

Cassie and the boys have been spending a lot of time in the new backyard this week. Right now all they have are a couple of riding toys, their play wheelbarrow, and their imagination. That works for the most part, but we do plan on getting them a playset soon. Swings, a slide, and that sort of thing.

The cable installer was supposed to come last Friday afternoon to get us setup for Internet. About 4pm they called to confirm my appointment for the following afternoon. Hmmm…someone got the date wrong, and I don’t think it was me. Then, instead of showing up in the afternoon (1-5pm), he showed up around 11am, just as we were trying to unload a trailer load of stuff. He left after telling me everything was working. I usually hover and chat with the technicians, but I was busy unloading.

A couple of hours later I got a break and came to check on the Internet. It wasn’t working. It was Tuesday before I could get them back out here. On Tuesday the tech (a different one) discovered I needed a new cable run from the box at the street. That’s right, they’re going to have to dig up my yard. Did I mention I was switching to DSL in October when it becomes available?

Tomorrow (Friday) we do last minute cleaning and repairs and some minimal moving. Saturday is the big move. I’m ready to get it over with. The last couple of times we’ve moved I’ve paid a local mover to do it for us. This time I’ve called in the family. Cassie’s folks arrived tonight, my folks are coming in the morning, and my brother is coming on Saturday. My grandmother is coming tomorrow to watch the boys.

Earlier this week I called AT&T to setup the DSL install. They set it up all right, for October. South Oaks doesn’t have DSL yet. I’m going to have to deal with cable internet for a few more months. That’s not a big deal, but it’s $20 more expensive than DSL that’s twice as fast. Also, it occurred to me today that if the house hasn’t been on cable before, they’ll have to dig a trench through my lawn. Nice.

Cassie’s mentioned that she’ll be a little sad about leaving this place. Both the boys were born while we were living here.

We closed on our new house on Wednesday. I am now officially a homeowner. Or a mortgagor at least. :)

Painting commenced Thursday morning. Nearly everything is now painted, thanks to lots of help from my parents. We still need to paint the small entryway from the garage and a little touching up here and there. We chose some bold colors. Cassie blames seven years of renting. I’ll try to post some pictures soon.

No one said home ownership was cheap. We still have to get the kitchen cabinets refinished and buy a washer and dryer, a lawnmower, and a grass trimmer (a weedeater to most of you :). That doesn’t even begin to count all the small stuff.

For instance, Cassie insisted on a new faucet and light fixture in the kitchen. And by the way, while we’re getting the kitchen cabinets refinished we might as well replace all the hardware. We looked at tables for the breakfast nook Saturday in Tupelo. That will be our first new furniture purchase. New living room furniture and a dining room table aren’t too far behind.

For the past several years whenever Cassie wanted to replace something, I would say, “Just wait until we buy a house.” I can’t put her off anymore.

We’ll spend this week cleaning, making small repairs and upgrades, and packing. We move on Saturday.