Day 231: (Week 33) A Nice Surprise

318.0 pounds; -1 pound this week; 31 pounds lost total

As if by magic, here the Lord blesses us with a nice surprise. Andrew went in to work this morning and wouldn't you know...in his email was an offer from our Realtor.

After a few counter-offers we came to a deal. Our Realtor came by the house tonight and at 6:15pm we entered into the agreement, our home c/s, and waiting for conditions to be lifted in 9 days on February 10th! The only conditions were standard--buyer financing and passing the home inspection. Sometime this week, the house has to stay in perfect condition for the home inspection and after the 10th, we go to our builder and sign a change of possession. Our new house is basically ready already. When we sign the change, we'll be moving in a little over 3 weeks on February 26th.

From start to conditional finish, our sale took 3.5 days. FAST! We've been worried about selling as we must take possession of our new house by April 29th, but having everything fall into place puts us in our new home 2 months earlier than we expected--just in time to celebrate Andrew's birthday, and have many hockey play-off BBQ's.

One thing I can say for sure about selling a house is if you want it to sell fast, it doesn't have to be the cheapest property on the block. Out of 3 homes on our street, we were in the middle--not cheapest, not most expensive. I'm certain what sold us was the fact that we were the best house on the block. I'm patting myself on the back a little here, but our house is move-in ready. It was staged beautifully and made the buyers feel that they can just come in and live without having to change so many things to make it comfortable. This was the market we were aiming for, this is the market that bought. We made enough money to be satisfied with accepting the offer, and I believe all will be happy with everyone's decisions. So if you want to sell fast, sell AT market, and make sure your home feels move in ready. This is how we sold in 3.5 days. Be willing and ready to accept a little less than you listed for, as everyone tries to get the best deal and it's pretty standard. Oh, and pray A LOT. Have faith, the Lord is on your side.

We've been so blessed throughout this whole process. Yes, we've had many days without the gym, almost every night of fast food, but we're making good decisions along the way and working our tails off getting this house ready. It's all about balance. I've come to terms with not being able to make it to the gym and that painting and cleaning is workout enough. Hey, I even lost a pound this week just working hard on the house. I can't complain. Life happens and you need to be flexible. Selling our house gave me a crash course in this lesson.

I did make it to the gym anyway today, as I went I had no idea we had the offer yet. I came home and got the good news from Andrew. You just fit the good things in to your life, making it your lifestyle. It can be done no matter what obstacles get in the way. Believe me, this has been one of the most stressful times in my life. I'm still managing to change my body. This gives me so much personal strength. Life is good. What a nice surprise.

-Meals

1 chicken taco

1 cup skim milk

3 cups water

2 pieces sourdough toast

1 tbsp peanut butter

1 orange

2 cups of water

6 cheese puffs

2 cups of water

4 slices frozen pizza

2 cups of water

-Exercise

60 minute step and pump class

-Notes

Like I said, eating has been mostly fast food, or convenience foods. I had a good talk with my personal trainer about better choices out, eating just the chicken and veg in a chicken burger, eating a salad with just a little dressing, etc. I am not perfect and have been eating crap, but at least it's not a LOT of crap right? I guess no, but it is what it is. I'm not the perfect example of health. I'm a darn good example of being self-aware and trying though. I can't beat myself up over that now can I? I will try better this week though. I'm craving real vegetables!

Day 227-Day 230: Busy

These days have been filled with busyness. I fell under the weather a day or two before and so that was hampering all our progress on the house. We signed with the Realtor last Saturday and hadn't formally put the house on the market because we still needed to paint a few doors and clean out the basement so you could at least walk in it. After mornings of going back to bed after taking Andrew to the train, I would get up enough strength to paint one door or to pack one box. I'm not sure what struck me--maybe my immune system was just fed up with the late nights, early mornings, and constant stress companion. It just gave up. I finally started feeling better a few days later and was able to finish the house. We finally called our Realtor and told him no matter what, list us Friday, fully knowing that someone might come for a showing at any time and we had to be ready.

Friday morning came around and I was up early. Outside I heard a truck stop by our house, and sure enough 7am, our for sale sign was posted.

We had one showing Saturday afternoon, and one Sunday evening. Each day I spent 2 hours cleaning the house top to bottom, even when it didn't need it, I still dusted off any particle that might be seen edge-ways. I made sure to wipe the condensation off the windows, and mark perfect vacuum lines on the still new carpet.

No offers came in after the showings, but then again what was I expecting? A miracle offer immediately after the showing? I had to be realistic and at least wait for them to sleep on it. After spending the hour during Sunday's showing at the dog park in -10 Celsius weather, I was ready to be home, warmed up with hot chocolate, and have an end to the showings for the weekend. It's been stressfully busy, but we survived.