Just Waiting...

The big rush to gather documents for the loan process is over and the waiting begins.  All indications are that we'll meet our timeline for moving in to our new home on April 20.

Meanwhile, there's much to appreciate around our temporary residence.  The other day, the predominant color was orange.

There's a giant Angel Trumpet tree next door.  The fragrance is enough to knock one over.

All the beauty outside inspires me to acquire some to bring inside, too.  I found this California-grown bouquet at the local Safeway supermarket.

Views from Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve

Today Erick and I hiked a bit in "our extended backyard" - the Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve.  Here are a few photos from that trip.

The flyer on the far right is for a Native Plant Sale the day before we move in.
Guess who will be there.

Our future home (a bit left of center) as seen from an observation spot in the Preserve.

Blooming Manzanita

Erick on Upper Huckleberry Path

Fern fiddleheads

Yesterday we took another walk in our current neighborhood and saw more plants to admire.  We had to smile at the Wisteria vine that was starting to grow up the telephone wire.

Jasmine vine - very fragrant

Sempervivum in bloom

Wisteria

Bougainvillea

Move-in Just a Month Away

If all goes as expected with the loan process, we'll be taking possession of the house April 20.  We just got an agreement from the sellers for a closing date of Friday, April 18.  Also, part of the recent negotiation was an agreement to leave certain furnishings with the house at no additional cost to us. (The sellers are moving overseas and are only planning to take selected items of furniture with them.)

The sofa and love seat from the Chelsea house didn't make the move with us.  So, we're pleased that the sectional sofa the sellers had specially configured for the living room will be ours.  It's not new, but is still in good shape.

Our deck chairs didn't make the trip with us either.  So, we're glad to have the patio table and chairs the sellers are leaving for us.  The covered grill in the photo below is also part of the deal.  It needs some cleaning and possibly repair, but it will be nice to have one.

Our buyers agent's guess is that wood on this main floor deck is mahogany which is dense and wears well.  That's a wall planter on the wall behind the patio furniture.  We had never seen one until we moved here.  It has little compartments planted with succulents.  Here's a close up:

Needs some work to fill in the gaps in the empty sections.

Another Visit to Our Future Home

There was an Open House Sunday for people waiting to make back-up offers and for neighbors to come see the house.  So, of course, we went.  And Erick got his first look at the place.  (He loved  it - we knew he would.)

Monday we followed the inspectors around for the better part of four hours.  Today we read all their reports - nothing that would discourage us from buying the house.

Here are some recent photos:

Erick on one of the decks that face the botanic preserve.

The back of the house

Walkway behind the house.

Close up of Manzanita trees on the property.

It was a good day for both Bay and Preserve views.

These photos taken by our son-in-law will give you a feel for the inside of the house.

Solarium on the top floor.

View of the high ceiling in the living room.

Dining area on the left, entry stairway behind the railing.

Looking into the kitchen area from the family room.

House Hunting Success at Last!

We now have a contract to buy this house which was designed by Martin Davis, an Oakland architect who lived in it for awhile after it was built in 1984.  I think we'll be its third residents.

The floor plans for the three stories work well for the requirements of our two-couple, extended family arrangement.  Each couple will have our own sleeping and working quarters in addition to the shared spaces (living room, dining room, kitchen).  And there will be room for guests, too.

The neighborhood is quiet and the setting beautiful. But, it's also less than a 10 minute drive to shopping, banking, etc.  Here are the views we'll be enjoying.

Plus this orchid growing in a container near the door.

Meanwhile, as we go through the purchasing process and await a May 1 move-in date, we'll be staying in the little "urban cottage" we've been renting.

Here are some recent photos from around our current neighborhood.

Jasmine vine - very fragrant - growing up the side of the cottage

A Sure Sign We're Not in the Detroit Metro Area Anymore

Today is Fat Tuesday.  And I can't just walk into a grocery store and buy a box of paczki.  It took some hunting, but I found acceptable substitutes at Oakland's Donut Dolly and Golden Gate Donuts.  (The owners of both of these business are super-friendly and give great service.)

(For those of you without Polish Catholic immigrants in your families, see details here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%C4%85czki)

Because it's been a bit rainy during my recent walks, I haven't taken outdoor photos of flowers lately. But here's one of the bouquet I bought yesterday at Lucky Florist just a couple of blocks away.

This bouquet replaces the one Erick bought on Valentine's Day.  Yesterday there was still one stem of mums left from that one!

House hunting continues.  So far we've been the second highest offer on two places, neither of which have had their sales completed yet.  But it's a long shot that either deal will fall through.  I expect that we'll be staying here in our little "urban cottage" through April.  Fortunately, the owner is happy to extend our lease.