Okalaska

Okalaska, where the sleet comes sweeping down the plains. And the freezing rain is really a pain and cabin fever is all you gain...... (sung to the melody of "Oklahoma)

To borrow a term we heard from a good friend of ours (thanks Chuck) we believe we have landed in Okalaska. I can honestly say I have never seen such a display of sleet and ice. Today, after about 1 1/2 hours we were able to free our cars. Big learning curve though....don't leave the ice scraper INSIDE the car when this type of storm happens. If you can't get in the car, it doesn't do you much good!
We heard back from our realtor who is stranded in Atlanta and our offer has been countered. We will wait until she can advise us before going further. In the mean time, we are expanding our search and weighing options.
We found a downtown OKC condo advertised for monthly rental today. We are more than ready to get OUT OF HERE! Hopefully we can see it tomorrow and move to yet another temporary home. I think my late night trek to the office in my sweats to have a chat with the night clerk is a good indication. I was sick, tired, cranky, full of cabin fever and really disgusted with all the racket coming from above us. I probably did not handle it all that well, do you think? I apologized for not having the knowledge from hotel management school, but why cram at least 3 adults, 2 kids, and 2 dogs in one hotel room above the Cinottos, when you have the whole entire complex to put them in? Having been the second time the Marriott made this kind of great planning decision it is time to go. The night clerk promised to post a big sign warning not to use the room above us unless necessary. I think he just wanted me out of his lobby....We'll keep you posted. Downtown life in a high rise might be a kick for awhile! Stay tuned.

Frozen Sand

Okay then, so this is what everyone is freaked out about. How do you think the little subaru is feeling.....this was our go to beach car for 8 years. It still has Ft Myers Beach sand in the back and beach chairs and umbrella loaded in it. If cars could talk to their owners, I don't think this one would be saying very nice things to us. I am sure this will all melt and go away....right?

Dueling Banjos

Calmly and resolutely, we decided to make an offer on the 80 acre ranch with an 1862 sq ft house, 30 x 40 steel garage, 2 wells, 2 ponds, major erosion problems and terribly overgrazed grass land, located 2 miles south of Pink, OK. But, did I say calmly? As I wondered what the heck we were doing, my dear husband reminded me status quo was not working in Florida. He reminded me how both of us tend to get bored with situations and are always seeking ways to continue to expand our knowledge, which sometimes places us on an uncomfortable learning curve. He reminded me how poorly I respond to working for others. He reminded me that this is one of the few places in the country that seems to be still growing and semi thriving with only a 6% unemployment rate. He reminded me that so far, we have not met ANYONE here that did not seem sincerely nice and kind. He reminded me of the 8 months of continual heat in Florida and lastly, how difficult it had been for me to move to Florida 8 years ago. (How many times did I visit Colorado and threaten not to return to the Sunshine State?). So, I admitted the fears, and we made an appointment at the real estate office.



But, remember, our realtor is currently basking in the sunshine and weirdness of Key West! So, we met with someone helping her out while she is gone. This is a strange way to write an offer when we know nothing about Oklahoma real estate practices. We were sitting with a woman who we just met, and who did not seem to really grasp that we wanted this offer written, presented and dealt with ahead of the ominous ice storm. Is this the OK way? When she commented that talking about this property reminded her of....that scary movie with the dueling banjos song....you know....DELIVERANCE......I became worried. But, after 2 rewrites and 3 hours (a tortuous exercise for me), we were satisfied with at least the offer if not the realtor. We indicated we would like the broken down bus, various boats, trashed trailer, mounds of junk in the steel garage, and all domestic animals removed by closing, but if not, at least titles or a bill of sale. Last time I checked, mobile homes, boats and buses still required titles!



So, we wait. As predicted, the ice storm has moved in and now and I am sitting here with fingers crossed that power holds. The cats are asleep, the husband is asleep (it's 3:oo o'clock in the afternoon, what else is one to do?), we have vodka in the freezer and tuna and chips to eat. We have 3 composition logs to throw in the fireplace if the heat can't run. We were fore warned that time lines may not hold due to this storm. It reminds me of hurricane days....a time when all anyone does is watch the weather channel or visit weather underground on the computer. I guess our quest to change our life is on hold for a bit. I just hope "a bit" doesn't last too long!

Bridge Out?

We visited California Cowboy's acreage Tuesday afternoon. The day was sunny and warm and we tried not to think about the weather forecasts that promised a less than lovely ice storm in as little as 2 days. We chose to remind ourselves we are on an adventure, seeking something new in life. So, onto the cowboy's spread to see if it would provide what we are looking for.

Do you think that the realtor (listing agent in this case) might have warned us about the journey? We approached this spread located NE of Lexington, with the obligatory trailers on one side of the road, and a barking running dog warning the owner of our approach. But, do we risk this bridge? After doing some rudimentary math and guessing on our weights (we refuse to divulge that information) we decided to proceed. California Cowboy assured us when we arrived that we should "pay no attention to that sign...the county is just being safe". Good to know.

We had a marvelous tour and we were even given a peak at the custom built guest house complete with bunk beds (a guarantee that visitors won't be staying long!). We have serious concerns about the property including a bit of a small house (1500 sq ft) and HUGE major power lines behind the house. I am not sure of the health benefits of such high voltage on a continual basis. While I am beyond child bearing years and could certainly use a bit more energy these days, I don't think it should come from this source.

Also priced at 279,900 it is at a list price 80,000 higher than Ma and Pa Kettle's. Certainly a consideration. So, promising to remain friends, no matter what property we buy, we parted ways. Over my first Carl's Jr. hamburger in Purcell, OK we decided we would pass on the property and offer on Ma and Pa's place outside of Pink, OK. Details on that event to come next!

Are we there yet?

We have arrived in Oklahoma with high hopes and big expectations. But, of course this was not without a scare leaving Florida. We started to think that Florida was simply refusing to let ANYONE out with their money. Four hours down the road and 5 days after selling our house, the title company was "looking" for our money. Not a good thing to say to us. But, don't loose faith in those you trust in real estate. We finally confirmed our money and on we went. We are now safely tucked into a Residence Inn in Norman Oklahoma. The cats traveled well (would they say that?), but continually look at the ceiling of this hotel wondering what kind of monsters are making that noise above us (a family of 3 kids!).

Naturally, as soon as we got here, our realtor went on a vacation to Florida. We learned, the properties we liked when we did not have our money are no longer available and the properties that we did not like, are still available now that we have money. Are you noticing a trend here?

So, we are on a quest to understand this market and not second guess ourselves. What was wrong with slowly going down the financial tube in Florida? What WERE, no what ARE we thinking?

We have identified 2 properties that are actually in our price range: Ma and Pa Kettle's, and Cowboy California's. Ma and Pa's is in a great location close to Norman and comes complete with it's own trashed trailer and broken down bus (perhaps our new guest house?). It needs extensive work but low and behold, has a contract with the USDA Soil Conservation Program to improve the acres. Cowboy California is in better condition but, of course, higher price. We walk that tomorrow and will report how that goes in a later blog.

I must say, we have new respect for the local extension office out of Oklahoma State and the USDA Soil Conservation office. They were patient and understanding of our complete ignorance and didn't look at us like we had 3 heads and 11 toes. I suddenly don't feel alone in this quest and am beginning to feel perhaps this is not such a crazy idea. My husband said "I told you so". We will see. We and the cats have yet to endure a predicted 12" snow storm on Thursday. Watch for details!

I am attaching some pictures of Rancher Rick and unknown dogs exploring Ma and Pa's acerage. Enjoy and watch for more.