I have big and exciting news to share.  I bought a house!  Yes, you heard correctly.  I really did buy a house.  It happened so fast that it even surprised me a little bit.  Last week I went house hunting with my agent and when we drove up to this house and walked through it, I felt really good about it.  After some careful number crunching, a lot of prayer, and a feeling that I should proceed....I made an offer and that was it.  It's been a long process and it feels good to be done.  Right now I'm in the process of getting the financing ready and then hopefully in a month or two we'll be closing on it.  So it'll soon be very official. 

I'm pretty happy about the house.  It has many good things going for it.  The things I like about it are that it has main level living for my parents.  They don't have to do stairs anymore and everything they need is on the main level.  The stairs have been a lot harder for my mom and so this is a BIG blessing.  It also has a yard and a place where my dad can have a garden or a dog if he wants them and my mom can have a small flower garden.  There are many great features and we're very happy. 

I'm excited because there's a basement with big windows and enough space that I can have a room for all my "tools" as I call them.  My tools are basically teaching aids and materials.  I will have room to spread my big projects out and work for long periods of time without having them in the way.  It has a garage so scraping the car window every morning is over hopefully.  I'm also able to stay in Perry and I will be able to stay close to work and friends, which I am pleased about.  Since I was diagnosed with cancer I've experienced an outpouring of love from the people who live here.  I never realized so many people loved or cared about me.  It makes me want to stay basically so I am pleased with the location. 

All in all I would say I've found a good fit for me and for my parents.  It is a little high in terms of my price range, but it felt like the best fit for us.  If I have to earn extra money from a second job I'll do whatever I have to do.  I've always been a hard worker and I've made up my mind that I'll make it work.

Mom and dad are excited and happy about the house.  They love it as much as I do.  We often talk about all the little exciting changes that are going to happen in our lives and where we will put things when we move in.  It makes me feel good knowing that I can do this for my parents.  After everything we have been through and are continuing to go through.....this is a big blessing for us! 

For the most part I'd say everyone has been happy for me.  There have been a few Negative Nellies that seem to feel that they need to tell me that I'm going to fail before I've even begun, but despite their lack of support I still feel this is the right decision.   Anyone who actually knows me, knows that I carefully deliberate about everything.  I also make good decisions.  I know I am not perfect, but I am a grown up and I do make good decisions! 

To my supportive family and friends, all I can say is THANK YOU!  To the unsupportive ones, all I can say is I am disappointed that you would choose to be so negative during such a happy time in my life.  I hope one day you can see things from a more positive viewpoint.  So, that's my good news!!!  I have a home!!!  As more unfolds I'll write and fill you in on what's happening.  I'm feeling very happy, appreciative, and excited!