the purchase

I moved back to WA just shy of two years ago. I was away for 15 years, working and traveling, all the while missing the great Pacific Northwest. I could not wait to move back to Seattle and "settle". I use quotes here because this is Gina we are talking about. I don't "settle". My gypsy blood (a family trait) keeps me restless. Fortunately, I stayed away long enough to realize that there really is no place I would rather be than western WA...so to keep myself confined to a single state, a region nonetheless, is settling in my book. Anyways, I finally made it back and immediately found myself a brand spanking new townhome in Rainier Valley for a great price. I thought I would stay in the townhome for years, or at least make it past two years. Get this: I will be 40 years old in February and I have NEVER LIVED AT THE SAME ADDRESS FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS. That's the gypsy blood I'm talking about.

Life is funny. My aunt says, make a plan and God laughs. Well, God must be laughing his ass off now.

After a couple years back in Seattle, I realized it is no longer for me. (I am rewriting an entire section here because my sister said I was too harsh on the city. I'll behave.) Very fun for a while, but a bit too fast and crowded for me these days. I therefore decided to relocate to Tacoma for too many reasons to list and started to poke around for houses.

And I found one. FAST. It even has a yard for my "yorkie terror". The catch: It needs to be renovated. The good news: The home has really good bones, so all of the renovation is cosmetic. I saw "project" written all over this place. I could get a house at a killer price, renovate it, and be sitting on a goldmine. But this thought gets a lot of people into trouble, doesn't it? So of course I went for it...I'm Gina, remember?

So here we go. Today I signed the final signature saying YES, I want this place. I approve of the inspections. It closes in July. I am freaking out. I realize this will be a lot of work and cost some cash. I am way out of my comfort zone, but then life begins when you step outside of your comfort zone, right? (Yes, some of you are totally laughing right now...with God ;). But I have my kickass mom (Sandy, you'll be reading a lot about her in this blog) and stepdad (Stew, he will certainly be a most comical character in this saga) behind me on this project, and they know how to do this work and can advise...that gives me all the confidence I need.

And to make this process less painful...more fun?...I have decided to write a blog about the adventure ahead. Maybe I will inspire others to dive in. I mean, I am NOT a professional renovator. I work in computer software. I am going to have to learn how to do everything when it comes to this house, so why not teach others as I learn?

Ok, here we go...enjoy the ride (talking more to myself here than you ;).