The House that Wasn't . . .

. . . ours.

Early in the We're Moving to Lompoc story, I found a house I really liked--a cottage actually, on a large lot across from a big park. Funky, yes. Needing work. Lots. But it had good "bone structure" and a lot of original details from when it was built in 1941. Better, there was a spot where I could drink my morning coffee and watch the goings on at the park.

It was bank owned and they wouldn't accept a contingency offer, even after we sold the condo. So, we sweated it out . . . and sweated it out . . . and then they sold it to somebody else!

So, last Monday we went schlepping from house to house to see what else was available and discovered more about the different areas. It became even more apparent that I'm a cottage kindof a gal, and not someone who will easily slide into a tract house--which is a lot of what's available up there.

It was also abundantly clear that REO homes have largely been abused by those who lost them. I saw so many violated houses it was depressing and a bit creepy.

The good news is that we will have a place to set down the TV and park Mr. Pooh. BigTea and I will be having our morning cuppatea in a small one-bedroom apartment just a block or so away from a WalMart and that in itself is a thrill. Yes, I know WalMart is politically incorrect and awful and all that stuff, but I don't live anywhere near one right now (although I'll be giving up two neighborhood Targets). Shopping there has always been a vacation treat.

And in about two weeks we'll be there and looking for an even more perfect place to plant our garden than the cottage that got away.