Each place we lived was unique and we figured out clever ways to live in tiny spaces. Our kitchen in Hamburg was the size of a small closet but we figured out how to cook yummy food. Our first apartment in Morgantown was like a big box without any storage space but we managed to fit in two dogs and our second apartment in Morgantown had salmon colored walls and a bathroom barely big enough for one person.
Our search for a home in Fredonia began in earnest four weeks after Ben was born. We drove up to western New York on snow covered roads and tromped through snowy sidewalks into some dismal habitats. Sloped floors, ceilings that were caving in, cracked foundations, a house without central heat, and a flooded basement were just a few of the treasures we found. Discouraged we went back to Morgantown. A couple of weeks later we made the trip again with another set of houses to view. We found one. It was perfect (or would be perfect after we removed the asbestos from the basement, tore up all of the carpet, removed the lacquer from the woodwork redid the kitchen, bathrooms and replaced all of the wood paneling). Structurally it was beautiful--it just needed some cosmetic help. We put in an offer and drove back to Morgantown.
We were outbid and after looking at that to-do list I am incredibly thankful! A few days after our disappointment, another house popped up on the MLS website in our price range and in Fredonia. Most of the houses in our price range were in neighboring Dunkirk which would mean a longer (at least 10 minutes!) commute for Andrew. This particular house was on the same street as Andrew's future office. Not wanting to make another trip with our very young baby, we asked Andrew's parents to check it out. (They had scoped out a few other places for us as well.) They liked what they saw and sent us some pictures. We knew we had to act fast and without even seeing it, we went ahead and made an offer. They countered, we countered, they accepted, we bought a house!
We bought a house we never even saw! It was a little crazy at the time but now as I sit here in my house, I am incredibly thankful for every part of it. It isn't our dream home and we are prepared to move in eight years or so but it does have SPACE. Not a garage or a basement for Andrew but three large bedrooms, upstairs laundry, a decent kitchen, living room, dining room and for the first time in our married lives, TWO bathrooms! The backyard needed some work and every room is receiving a fresh coat of paint but other than that it is just what we needed. We can see Andrew's office from our front door and he comes home every day for lunch. We even have a porch swing!
Tessa helping Andrew with our dirt
Serious painting face
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