Big dreams and starry eyes…

Mike and I have been really busy lately with trying to get a construction loan so we can build a house on the lot we’re buying in Bayview. We had tried this fall without much luck, largely because we don’t have a lot of cash for a down payment and a lot of banks said our debt/income ratio was too high. Now we’re dealing with Panhandle State bank, a local North Idaho bank, and they are really working with us to help us get our loan. Yesterday when we met with the loan officer for the first time in person (after corresponding only by phone and email) we found out that it’s likely that we’ll be able to do this! We hadn’t let ourselves hope too much that it was a real possibility because of the difficulties we had last fall, but now we’re starting to let ourselves dream again. If it doesn’t work out then we’ll just do something else a little later, but it’s pretty likely so for now we’re enjoying our daydreams about studies, open floor plans, dual sinks in the master bath, a covered porch facing south, and a garage to keep our cars happy! And most of all, the idea that it would be ours. With our own yard, with more room for Ampersand to run in, and room for us to put in a garden, which with my laziness and lack of garden knowledge is likely to consist of a whole bunch of flowers all jumbled together and maybe some strawberries and fresh herbs. It’s a big resbonsibility, home ownership, but we’re ready! Although let me say right now that there are to be no cracks about us having a dog and a house and so where are the kids? Ack, the terrifying thought!

Other than drifting about in homeowner daydream land, I’ve been working (good), spending time with family (good) and doing lots of outdoorsy stuff like going on walks with the puppy or the husband, depending on who is easier to convince. Usually the puppy…. but he’s good company :). It’s been the mildest winter up here in half a century, or something like that. Winter is essentially over, the song birds are back, it’s sunny all the time (really weird….starting to freak me out. where are the clouds? did we move back to southern Idaho?) and trees are budding out. I love love love spring!

Off for a walk with Ampersand.