Celebrate!!

Yay!! We are officially homeowners!! It is sooooo exciting!! The closing went smoothly and after what felt like about 100 signatures each, we received our keys and garage door openers and officially own 19 BHL in Ashland. We can't wait to celebrate tomorrow with mom and Jim.

Every year we have so much to be thankful for...our friends, family and health but this year is extra special and one we will never forget. Happy Thanksgiving to all!!

Closing Time

Today Chris and I become homeowners!! Yippity do da yippity aye!! Both of us were tossing and turning this morning in anticipation of the closing. It felt like I was a kid again on Christmas morning eager to see what Santa brought me. I don’t think a house would fit under the Christmas tree and unfortunately it wasn’t a gift from Santa but we worked for it and earned it so come this afternoon, we will have our own little slice of the American Dream. Next step….the dreaded move.

Final Weekend!!

It is our final weekend in Charlestown which seems kinda weird. Lots to do and lots to pack!! We are all ready (well, almost) for the closing on Tuesday, just waiting for our final packet of information so we can be sure we bring everything we need to. This week, the home inspection went fantastic and I am sure the painters have been scurrying throughout the house finishing up with all of the touch-ups that we listed on our walk-through punch list. Next week at this time, we will be waiting for the movers to arrive while most likely still being full from Thanksgiving dinner.

Charlestown Top 10

We can't make the transition to suburbia without me reflecting on what we will and won't miss about our current home.

Top 10 Things We Won’t Miss

10) Hooligans – If there is one thing that Charlestown has a lot of it is teenagers. Teenagers who like to hang out on Main St. and once everyone is retired for the evening, empty all of the newspaper stands into the street and vandalize public property. Their parents clearly don’t care where they are. You’d think that one of the many cops who patrol the area would intervene, oh wait….they are too busy in the projects (see #6).

9) Slowest Dunkin’ Donuts and CVS Service in the Country – Chris and I have had endless venting sessions about the Charlestown Dunkin’ Donuts and CVS and have walked out of both on numerous occasions due to the long lines and slow service. I can only hope a drive through of each is available near BHL.

8) Spiral Staircase in Winter – Can you say deathtrap? Going down the spiral staircase in the winter to get the trash was quite an adventure through the years. Metal and ice isn’t a good combo.

7) Entering Fort Knox (aka the apartment) – I have never had to unlock so many doors to get inside my home before. 3 locks seems a little unreasonable especially while carrying groceries, shopping bags, dry cleaning, boxes, mail, etc. I guess I can think of it as good practice for once we have kids and have to lug that gear around.

6) Projects Close by – Who wouldn’t miss murders, drugs, car break-ins, purse snatchings and burglaries? It isn’t surprising why Charlestown has one of the highest car insurance rates in the state.

5) Carrying the Laundry Up and Down 3 flights of stairs – I am getting winded just thinking about it. Hallelujah for first floor laundry!!

4) Street Parking – For any of you city dwellers reading, you know the feeling; driving around to find a spot where you “think” your car will be safe from a ticket, towing, street cleaning, vandals or other parallel parkers. Once the snow comes, a decision is made to not have to drive anywhere from the first snowfall thru April or else the spot you spent hours clearing will be taken by somebody else who just 4-wheeled out of their spot without even taking out a shovel….jerks!!

3) Scary Looking Bugs – Chris has heard me freak more times then I can remember when our other roommates drop by - - the scary bugs. I had to deal with my share of bugs throughout childhood, but I have never seen a bug that gives me the heebie jeebies like these bugs. I don’t even know what they are; I have done endless internet searches and have come up with nothing. Just writing about them makes me feel like one is crawling on me. The worst part is that they are so unpredictable. They can be in the basement scurrying across the floor, in the kitchen sink, bathroom sink, shower, walls, hardwood floors, just everywhere. I hope we don’t pack one by accident and then they breed in our new house.

2) Unfriendly Neighbor(s) – Yup, you all know what I’m talkin’ about. Crazy cuckoo!!

1) “Piss Alley” – Related to #2, the sidewalk outside our front door smells like a porto-potty that hasn’t been emptied for weeks. Now, there are lots of dogs in Charlestown but only a few relieve themselves in front of our door every single day, multiple times a day. I have tried pouring diluted bleach on the spot to deter the pooches or drown out the area with extra water from our flower pot but nothing seems to help. No matter what, if you walk up the sidewalk to our place, you have entered “piss alley”. It is disgusto, nose-holding worthy and the #1 thing I will NOT miss about Charlestown!!


Top 10 Things We Will Miss

10) People Watching – There is nothing better then people watching in the city and that includes sitting in our leopard chair, peering out the living room windows and watching the comings and goings on our street. I wonder if our new neighbors will be as exciting or if we will create nicknames for them?

9) Glitters – Hands down the best manicures and pedicures I have received in MA….and cheap!!

8) Renting – Equals limited responsibility; when something goes wrong, we just call up our landlord. I will miss these days when we have our first issue with the house.

7) The History – The Bunker Hill Monument, Charleston Navy Yard, USS Constitution and the Freedom trail all in our back yard. We have been so fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of this city so rich in history. On any day you can just walk and walk to take in the sites and act like a tourist among tourists. It won’t be the same not seeing the Bunker Hill Monument all a-glow perched up high every night signaling that we are almost home. We will have to make visits frequently and maybe one day, I will actually climb it to take in the view.

6) Reverse Commute – I don’t typically hit one pocket of traffic on my way into work from Charlestown to Waltham and it is glorious. On the way home is a different story but it doesn’t bother me considering my door to door evening commute is only 40-45 minutes. One of the reasons we chose Ashland was its central location between Boston and Worcester since we wanted to avoid long commutes at all costs (long commutes in Boston could be up to 1 ½ - 2 hours one way!!). Chris will have it easy to Worcester but it may be a bit of a struggle for me to get use to Mass Pike traffic (and tolls if they continue to increase…ugh). Without traffic it only takes me 25-30 minutes to get to Waltham so it can’t be that bad with traffic right?

5) Endless Supply of Pug Sightings – For all of you out there that know about Chris and my love of pugs you know that when we see pugs being walked around town it just makes our day; Humphrey and Hailey, Louis and Petunia to name a few. They are such cute bundles of joy and now since we won’t have a clause in our contract that prohibits pets, we can’t wait to bring one into our new home (hopefully early next year!).

4) Unlimited Restaurant Possibilities – For foodies like us we are definitely going to miss having unlimited dining options. We have so many favorite places to dine in and around the city and have made a plan that we will visit some of them this weekend…it being our last in Charlestown of course. We already went to our fave Mexican place, Ole, last night and we couldn’t move away from Charlestown without stopping at Figs and seeing our favorite waiter, Anderson. We are already getting recommendations for places in and around Ashland so we will have to check them out. That is after we know what we can afford once the first mortgage payment is sent!!

3) Being Near the Water – Chris and I have always lived closed to the ocean. Now it isn’t like Ashland is far from the ocean when compare to landlocked states but still, it will be an adjustment for us as we always find ourselves driving north along the coast of MA but rarely west. The great thing about Charlestown is that since the Navy Yard and Boston Harbor boarder on the east, the sound of foghorns and seagulls and the smell of the ocean air are always apparent. I have no doubt that on the weekends we will be driving east as much as possible.

2) Friends in Close Proximity –It is nice to know that friends are only a cab ride, bus ride, T ride or quick drive away anytime you need them. Hopefully the transition to suburbia won’t hinder anyone from taking the quick 30-minute drive out to Ashland for a visit…or even the commuter rail which is super convenient. And on a positive note, my Charlestown resident sticker is valid for another 2 years so I can always drive in, park on the street and take advantage of the Orange Line.

1) Happy Memories – Chris and I have had so much fun living in Charlestown and starting out our life together. Our current apartment was the first place we moved into together, it’s where Chris proposed, it was the site of many girl’s nights, family and Lilly visits, and the rooms are filled with our tears and laughter. When the couch is hoisted out for the dining room window next Friday and the last box is loaded into the moving truck we will be sad but filled with happy memories. But we know that BHL is the beginning of the next chapter of our lives and we can’t wait to foster more memories and achieve new milestones there together and with our family and friends.

8 Days and Counting....

Only 8 days until closing (that is if the builder/seller's attorney ever gets back to us!!). I keep on thinking that we are closing this week, Thanksgiving is this week, and we are moving this week. Either daylight savings must have really screwed me up...I am a week ahead of myself instead of an hour behind, or I am just reallllly excited to close/move. Tomorrow we are doing the walkthrough with the general contractor and the home inspection will be completed.

Here are more before and after pics from this weekend. So I could sleep at night, I had to visit the house to see our refrigerator and washer/dryer that were dropped off on Friday. I can't wait to use all of the new and sparkly appliances. Kerry doesn't know it yet but I have already recruited her to help break in our range :-)

Kitchen

Backyard

More B & A's

Here are a couple more before and after shots of the living room and master bedroom. Carpeting was installed on Monday completing the flooring portion of the program. We are going to have to think of some way to protect our virgin berber carpet from potential stains. For our sake, I hope it isn't raining or snowing on moving day because I am sure the movers will track some dirt in...eeekk.... We have officially determined that our house, at least in the interim, is going to be a "take your shoes off at the front door house", so plan accordingly before visiting :-) Maybe we will have a supply of slippers for visitors like they do at spas. Or perhaps we will just require that you put on shoe covers prior to entering the living room. Hahahahaha.........

Living Room

Master Bedroom

Local Yokel

Throughout our trips to and fro from Charles- town to Ashland, Chris and I frequently drive through Ashland center. Be careful though because if you blink you might just miss it, that is unless a train is passing through and you have to sit at the railroad crossing taking in the sites of the town hall and Lunker’s Outfitters…. where did we choose to live??? Anyway, during one of our trips I spotted the Sunnyside Café which looked like a cute diner just waiting to be filled up on Saturday and Sunday mornings with locals seeking out some greasy grub. On our most recent trip to BHL, we decided to check it out. We were greeted promptly at the door despite the fact that it was bustling and after being seated by the window, got our first glimpse of the locals. Lots of families, some young couples that looked like they just rolled out of bed, high school friends out for breakfast, you know, typical suburbia. The menu was extensive and our server was very nice. We both got eggs which could have been fried a tad longer but other than that, everything was good. Now, it is no Lendy’s in Saugus, MA but we had to make a sacrifice moving west of Boston and this was one of them. The next time we go back I am going to try one of their many eggs Benny options or maybe pancakes.

Chris was also happy to see that there are 2 barber shops in Ashland center, one apparently being his namesake. Now, I don’t know of any barber shop that is going to compete with the Bunker Hill Barber Shop but luckily for Chris, his hair cut isn’t too complicated. I’m sure Chris will miss all of the stories about Charlestown and townies from the owner, catching up on local happenings and taking in the views of tourists, yuppies and dogs walking the Freedom trail through the training field. But, no worries, those will all be replaced by commuter rail and CSX trains passing by.

Before and After

Every woman I know just loves makeovers and seeing the unveiling of before and after shots whether it be of new moms, sassy seniors, men or women in needs of serious "What Not to Wear" help or fabulous room makeovers. These photos will be more fun once we actually live in the house and have the opportunity to decorate (if we don't kill each other first when it comes to making decisions on furniture!!) but for now, from frame to almost completed, everything is coming together.

Foyer

Dining Room

Fireplace

Kitchen

Final Touches

Right before the first snowfall and winter sets in, 19 BHL is enjoying and thriving in autumn. The grass is growing in nicely and some areas are blanketed by large oak leaves. Chris is already day dreaming of raking and jealous that Lot 18's grass looks lush and mowed. I see green, weedless grass compe-titions in our future.

Our exterior light fixtures, door bell (that actually works...there will be no need to call us when you are downstairs anymore, yay!!) and permanant door knob were installed as well. And even more exciting is that the Johnny-on-the-spot was removed. We have indoor plumbing that actually works. The downside, 3 working commodes that I will need to clean... something that I am NOT looking forward to. After we have made a few mortgage payments maybe we will see if we can afford a cleaning service :-)

Lockdown

After what feels like endless days of waiting and watching interest rates rise and fall and worrying that the market would tank even more than it has and prevent mortgage companies from loaning us the money they promised, we have locked in the rate for our 30 year fixed mortgage, no points, no closing costs.

Wow....30 years, I can officially say that I will most likely never be debt-free again unless we strike it rich winning the lotto. But on the bright side, in less then a month, we will be homeowners with our own piece of land living the American dream. I never thought this day would come.....well, it hasn't come yet but it is getting closer and closer and I (we) can't wait!! I think I may tear up when the last signature is signed and the keys are handed over. I already do for other people when I watch "My First Place" or "Property Virgins" on HGTV. I know, I know, surprising right?

Only 21 Days Until.....

closing!! Eeekkkk....It is coming quickly. So much to do (aka packing) and so few weeks.

Chris went by the house this morning and the majority of our light fixtures where installed. I can't wait to see. I may have to make a quick visit during lunch today.

Granite Surprise

We visited the house yesterday with Chris's brother Paul and nephew Jordan to give them the grand tour of 19 BHL. We had been told that granite was going to be installed today but we received a nice surprise when we entered the kitchen and saw the slab had been placed. I just love surprises sometimes and this was one of those times!! We love the way it turned out. It was a little bit difficult for us to select the granite based on a small sample since the larger slab can have so much variation but we took a small leap of faith (after polling many). We were unsure if it would go with the cabinetry but after seeing it in place we definitely think we made the right decision. There are lots of golden hues and red specks throughout that really compliment our maple cabinet choice and the gray flecks will really look great with our appliances. We even got to see the wine chiller installed and we can't wait to fill it up with reds and whites. Bathroom granite counter-tops were also installed and are lookin' good!!

The Red Door

The front door of 19 BHL has been brought alive by a lovely coat of Classic Burgundy paint. It looks great and I think it lends an air of welcomeness (I know Chris....probably not a real word) to the house.