Orville and Dora

Milo, Oklahoma. Where? South from Norman on I 35, then west for a ways on Highway 53 to the middle of nowhere. This is where we found the old house and store that Rick's ex Uncle Orville and ex Aunt Dora owned. The building is still standing but gas pumps long removed. Some good memories for Rick seeing this old place. He and his first wife used to spend time there with Orville and Dora playing hours of Moon and 42 while drinking Rick's booze (yes, they were good Baptists and certainly could not have be seen in a liquor store.) Orville drank 151 proof rum straight from an ice tea glass. Rick and his wife carted away the empties. And it sounds like there were alot of empties. Guess it was quite the hot spot for Milo for many years..decades actually. But time really marches on doesn't it? We all show the wear and tear eventually. Orville died of asbestosis (a ship welder during WWII) and Dora died several years later.

After the memory lane trip we went on to explore the Arbuckle Mountains and Ardmore. The Arbuckles are the oldest mountain range in the US. Wow. Who knew Oklahoma had this within the state lines? Oklahomas, I'm sure, but as a transplanted Coloradoan I apparently was pretty ignorant. It is a far more exciting place in writing, though, than in reality. Rick claims that Turner Falls possesses one of the best swimming holes around. Given that it was about 25 degrees that day I did not get the chance to test his hypothesis. I am of the opinion that it's a memory he formed in part by the 151 proof rum.

We have explored yet another part of Oklahoma. Did we find a clue on what our life is going to be? Not yet. But we did experience another 4 hours of sunshine and a great burger from Carl's Jr.

Oklarado

We went exploring the other day to the Altus area. I felt like home! Parts looked similar to the front range where I spent almost 30 years. Who knew? This area by the Quartz Mountains is lovely. Notice the blue sky. This picture was taken in the 8 hours that the sun was shining in Oklahoma. I was happy to capture it.

We drove all over this area and for once I could tell what direction we were headed as you could look and find the mountain range. I realize that coming from Colorado, one has to be careful how you use that term, but they were definitely bigger than hills.

We found Rick's cousin and surprised her with a quick visit and continued on in our search. We found great Mexican food in Anadarko. We found the Wichita Mountains. We found more than several dying downtowns. And we found lots and lots of damage from the recent ice storm. For the readers that have been through a hurricane, that is pretty much what it looked like. We heard there are families that won't have power for another month. Not a good sign for the local residents when 3 weeks after the storm there are still power lines and poles just laying along the side of the road. I can't imagine. We bailed from SW Florida after 3 days of not having power after Hurricane Charlie. These Okies are true troopers.

After a wonderful day, we decided that part of Oklahoma is beautiful and full of wonderful people. But, according to stats, the area is losing population, and it just didn't seem like the right place for us. We decided to continue to search......

Deal or No Deal?

Well, no deal are the words for the day. More details to follow when our schedule allows some time to think about what I am saying.

To make a long story short: the deal with Ma and Pa Kettle has been cancelled. The last straw was when the very nice past president of the building association declared there were 3 layers of shingles making the home uninsurable (how did our home inspector miss that??). Okay. We REALLY got the message from above. No going forward on this property.

So, today out the door for another adventure in another area. Details and pictures later. We refuse to let this idea of this lifestyle die. Start thinking earth sheltered home......


See you soon!

Stop Trying to Push a Rope Uphill

Well, well, how fun each day can turn out to be. What now? Who tries to push a rope uphill? Turns out, me, sometimes. It doesn't seem to be anyone else's concern and only frustrates the pusher (me). Are you getting this? It seems that I am still looking for some of that patience that every home buyer should have.....I am my worst nightmare. I am out of control.

But today revealed that the selling homeowner doesn't really grasp what this water leak, and saturated black board that lends to the structural integrity of the home, means. Neither does her realtor (who cannot claim cognitive deficits). When this listing agent was made aware of the sill plate problem they came up with a solution. Let's send a friend of the seller's daughter's husband over to declare it's simply condensation! A friend, it turns out that is not licensed to do anything. Saturated, dripping boards that are covered in what is probably black mold. Condensation. Really. What you all should be aware of is that sitting in a cold hotel room (heater intermittendly stops working), for over 2 weeks now, with a husband, 2 cats, and the insurance adjuster above us, does not help me find my patience. I certainly did not find it today. Just ask my husband.

But, let me back up. The day started when we actually reached the contractor that called us back who was still waiting for the inspector to call him, who was still working on the report, who was convinced we needed a contractor, who was then convinced we really needed a plumber, but then forgot to tell our real estate agent, who was still trying to find a contractor. What? Yes, this is how the day was shaping up. Pushing a rope uphill. It was really not working. So, our agent says, call their agent (what?). Rick, a much better diplomat then me, gives her a call. That's when we found out they had declared "no problem" due to the friend of the husband of the daughter of the cognitively impaired seller. And we want these people to fix our next abode? I don't think so. To make a very short story even longer, he started throwing around the word cancellation, and "we have pictures". While that did get her attention, I think it is too late. The two sides of the party are way far apart. We were pushing a rope uphill.

So, tomorrow will most likely lead to a cancellation. We have deciphered the message! We are looking at another property much closer in and with much less acreage. No room for cattle. But not close enough to anyone to have to listen to their barking dogs. And we will now expand our search to include businesses and homes perhaps up to the Edmond area. We continue to be open to what is presented to us. But absolutely, positively no pushing the rope uphill!

Water Always Wins

Inspection finally got done! All was going really well. The house we were having inspected was showing the typical small problems where things were fixed in a half assed sort of way; nothing really very major. Then we heard the "Oh no!" NOT what you want to hear from a guy crawling around in the crawl space under the home. When he emerged, dirty and muddy, he did not have good news. Apparently the sill plate (not sure that is the correct construction term) was so wet it was dripping water....and black. So, coming from Florida I said "Black....as in black mold?" thinking he would say, "no, certainly not that". But yes, possibly that. And the source of the water could not be identified. It looks like it has been a long term problem. As both residents of the home are unreliable (and not just from age) we could not ascertain if there had been any kind of "water event" that could have caused this. More troubling. One of our Residence Inn cell mates proclaimed when she heard this story "Great, it is probably an Artesian Spring! Demolish the house, and bottle it with the name OU WATER. Everyone who has religion will buy it and you will be rich!" Hmmmmmm maybe she is onto something.

But back to the story. We all left and we informed the agent this WAS most definately a deal breaker. And in true Oklahoma fashion, nothing was done. We finally got a couple of contractors names and one actually called back 24 hours later. He said he would talk with the building inspector. So, here we sit and wait while others seem to be talking but not doing. I am so frustrated with this that I am beginning to really forget the meaning of patience. I am sure I have none left.

Hopefully tomorrow, someone somewhere will do something that will grant us more information. But as of this writing I cannot see an easy fix. And as one of our good friends from Florida noted, "Remember, Therese, WATER ALWAYS WINS!" Got it.

We found a small, but enthusiastic Unity Church that we attended today. The lesson was about trust and belief. What a coincidence I should attend. We made about 20 best friends immediately and even got fed. I had some of the best barbecued beef I have ever tasted. And how about another weird thing....the couple we sat next to were also relocating, he from Ft Myers, Florida. We had even attended the same Unity Church there. Strange.

We move into a short term rental in a few days (thank you Modern Movers!). It is a small little place that will allow us to sleep in our own bed and not feel like we are just on a clueless, budget vacation. Now it will feel like we are just camping. We don't intend to unpack anything but what we need and are too cheap to buy. Somehow in my 8 dish packs I will need to find my knives, a few pots and pans, the coffee maker and maybe a dish or two. Of course, we did not label anything better than "kitchen". Smart move. I obviously have not moved enough in my life. But at least we will be a bit more comfortable while we search for our clue. A new search is under way and we will keep you all posted.

Now onto to watching the Superbowl. Sometimes it is nice to forget all the important, pressing problems and just spend time on something that means nothing. So long for now and remember "WATER ALWAYS WINS!

Need a trailer?

Please find me a home, please?
Although he may not looked stressed, Katmandu is counting down the days until we can all happily pile into the highlander and drive out of the hotel. Anywhere. Just outa here! Two weeks after leaving Florida, I think our cats are bored and depressed. But, not for long...........Yes, we are under contract. FOR REAL. This afternoon, after a counter to a counter we signed documents and handed over escrow. We have agreed to buy 80 acres with the 1860 sq ft house, 30 x 40 steel garage, 2 wells, 2 ponds, completely fenced grassland and woods, and yes, even the trashed trailer. We think we did okay. But, now comes the inspections. We are inspecting EVERYTHING and with a signature can walk away with deposit intact. Will we? We think we may be crazy or deluded. For those of you who know us, you can only raise your glass in a toast and say "Glad it's them and not us!"

More seriously, now comes the details. We are contemplating renting a little house we saw close to the OU campus and having our stuff shipped here now. The landlord said he is looking for an in between renter and could probably accommodate our schedule. He let me in on a little contractor's secret: all rehabbing takes longer than the home owner thinks.....so he figures we are good for at least 3 months......We have to admit to dreaming about sleeping on our own tempurpedic again. Modern Movers (bless their hearts) can have our stuff on the road in a matter of days. Things are lookin up!

As we were floundering about yesterday before we knew our final counter had been accepted, we started to consider plan b....finding a business to buy instead. What a refreshing thing to find businesses that are MAKING money! Wow. There are actually thriving, healthy businesses here. I guess we had become so distorted from living in SW Florida that we forgot there are places in the country where people are working. What a concept.

What a frustrating process this has all been. Living by the mantra that things are always going to work out sometimes gets very very hard. It requires patience. It requires some level of maturity. It requires having trust. Maybe for me, this journey is about more than just learning to ranch.