The Whirlwind of Life

In mid-April I sat on my front porch in anxiety for what was to come. I was putting in my notice at work, debating what type of work I would do in Cedar Rapids, reading up on the do's and dont's of for-sale-by-owner, and pulling my kids out of school. We committed to 90 days of this FSBO crap, and that's tough. We spent every weekend at the house cleaning everything from ceiling fans to baseboards, staging it perfectly, and manning our own open houses.

Finally we decided to take a night off to visit some friends in Illinois. We packed the kids and headed out Saturday afternoon, bikes and all. Jenni and Chad lined up a sitter and the four of us enjoyed a little bit of small town Ogelsby. There's no exaggeration there.... Literally, I would venture to guess that I was 13 or younger last time I saw cigarettes in a vending machine!

In the midst of it all, we got the call that someone wanted to see the house at 10 am on Sunday morning. As much as I wanted to inform them that we scheduled the open at 2 pm that day to allow for a wild Saturday night, we did agree to meet them at the house. The morning came quickly, and while Chad ran off to work, Jarin failed to realize our van keys were inside his truck.

I believe this was the moment when our whirlwind began. By the time we got access to our car, we were already 20 min behind schedule. Thankfully, we had two babies who were patient for 1.5 hours in the car, and appreciated Teddy Grahams for breakfast! I had 7 minutes to spare as we pulled in the driveway and the main level still needed vacuumed.

Whew! Time was up and the doorbell rang. A sweet couple walked in with their realtor. Since I am positive that the Coors Light aroma was holding on strong, I allowed the realtor to show her clients through the home. And 35 minutes later they were finally heading back out the door.

Within hours, we were receiving a call to inquire whether we'd be open to paying commission fees. Are you kidding? Our final FSBO open house after more than 12 weeks.... you're darn right we'd entertain that! Thankfully my husband is much more level-headed and answered appropriately. That was last Sunday.... yes, only nine days ago.

Fast forward through an 8-time-volley of offers, a final signed offer only two hours before our FSBO contract expired, two really great job interviews, a farewell party at work that was absolutely perfect, multiple trips to the nasty WalMart, and more than 40 hours of packing boxes, and you have me at today. Exhausted.

But totally stoked! I am sitting now, not on my porch, but in my living room, gazing around these empty walls and remembering all the fun we've had here in the last 4 years. After August 19th, it'll be for someone else to enjoy. And I will be happily placed in Cedar Rapids, near all of our family, with a kindergartener and preschooler, and a husband who loves his job. And me, I will be the new Program Director at Big Brothers Big Sisters, in a whole new whirlwind of life.

It's amazing how it always works out.