devastated

Well, we thought we’d found THE ONE.

In fact, we’d all but moved in and painted the walls already.

It feels like someone came in and stole it right out from under us.

For those who don’t know, here is the short version:

Just as we were about to throw in the towel last weekend and ‘settle’ for something, Andrew found an amazing house that wasn’t even on the market yet. It was PERFECT: a 1900s farmhouse on 3 acres with a barn and room for a garden, a small front porch and pear trees. A beautiful, spacious, updated kitchen and enough bathrooms and bedrooms. Wide wood plank flooring. Attached two-car garage. A quiet country road just a couple miles outside the village. Seriously, we were dying over this place. We saw it immediately, but there were some questions we had for the seller, so we didn’t put an offer in right away. Our realtor met with the owner and we were planning to see the place tomorrow and put our offer in.

Well…we got a call Saturday evening from our realtor saying that someone else was going to put an offer in THAT NIGHT. So, we gave a verbal offer ABOVE ASKING PRICE over the phone and spent the next 18 hours praying fervently.

We know God heard everyones’ prayers, but he didn’t grant them; the other people got the house. This has happened to us TWICE now! And in this market, too. I think it just means we have excellent taste in houses…

Before I get too far, we know God has a plan and that His best for us may not seem like it at the time. But it doesn’t make this any less disappointing. Even our realtor was pretty upset for us. We got the call after church–I shed a few tears and Andrew spent the afternoon in bed, curled up in the fetal position. (Seriously, he did.) I threw myself into school work, laundry and online retail therapy (I need warmer clothes!!); Andrew watched the Bills defeat the Patriots–at least that gave him a boost.

I don’t know why God didn’t give us the house, but I do know there is a reason. And I’m OK with that. We just need Him to provide a place to live, at least temporarily, AND FAST. That’s the thing folks, we don’t have anywhere to go. In about a month, our time here at the hotel will be up, and while we can extend a bit if we’re under contract to buy a house, that’s looking more and more unlikely to happen. Sooo…we have to figure something out, and apartments that allow giant dogs are slim to none. And we don’t really want a year-long lease if we’re still going to try to find a house…

While I’m still very disappointed, I know in my heart that God has a plan. And that really, this is not that big of a deal. I mean, if Sara can go on praising God after a Stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis, and Susy can have hope after her sister’s Stage 4 brain cancer, and Heather can remain joyful while being a single-parent to Maggie while Silas is at pilot training….we can surely get through this. Surely.

We ended our day with a walk to the little ice cream place near the hotel. For the last month or so I’d been telling Andrew that that is where we were going to go to celebrate when we got a house. Well, today was its last day being open for the season, so we went to celebrate the “better” house God has for us instead. Not that we were in a mood to celebrate (I didn’t even want ice cream this afternoon–how crazy is that?!), but it was nice to get out and get some fresh air.

And here’s both of us… Can you tell Andrew was not into documenting for the blog tonight? I really need to figure out how to use the timer function… (I was doing my best to put on a sad face.) Pray for us!

all over the place

It’s that kind of day for me today. Say a prayer for me today!

First off, OIAJ!

Been waiting to make OIAJ in this one for awhile, and then I went and scraped out the bottom for yesterday’s sandwich before I realized I should have kept a little in there! Darn it. It was still yummy anyway. Oats, half a banana, flax, milk, coconut and maple syrup.

Disclaimer: If you are reading this and you are MALE, proceed with caution. MUCH caution.

1. I’m not sure anyone blogs about their periods, or even if it’s kosher, but by gosh I’m going to do it anyway. I have been so stressed out this past month that my cycle started TWO WEEKS late. TWO WEEKS. That has never happened to this “regular-to-the-day-and-almost-hour” girl. That is some kind of stress, not to mention the additional stress brought on by not getting your period when you think you’re supposed to. Two negative pregnancy tests later…

2. It started. FINALLY. Guess that explains my ice cream binge in the kitchenette yesterday, as well as the violent mood swings I’m experiencing. And the “I-can’t-get-off-the-couch” depression this morning. And the 30-minute “I can’t find anything to wear” fit I had before going out to dinner the other night. But these are all (relatively) normal for me… Between the hormonal roller coaster and Midol’s pain- and mood-enhancing chemicals, I can’t tell which way is up.

3. Not to mention the fact that Andrew and I are both stressed beyond belief about our housing situation. Yet another thing I can’t even think straight about anymore. Yes, we’ve probably been too picky. But what else are we supposed to do? It’s a HOUSE.

4. Didn’t someone say you should never make big financial decisions during times of grief (usually in the case of a death in the family/inheritance, etc…)? It should probably include women’s menstrual cycles, too.

5. I’ve failed miserably at making good eating decisions. Basically, for the month since meeting my weight-loss goal, I’ve been hovering a good 3-5 pounds above it… Most of that, I think, is because my body has been trying to have a cycle for that long, too, so I’ve been experiencing all the period side-effects with no period. However, I’m not happy with my lack of self-control. I mean, why in the world would anyone keep eating after they are full? Like UNCOMFORTABLY full…? I blame the period.

6. I have my first two tests in school Monday. One in Biology and one in Anatomy and Physiology. I’m not stressed by them at all, really. Maybe I just have so much else going on that they seem like small potatoes. Or maybe it’s because it’s only Thursday.

7. I had intended to go to the gym today to lift and swim. I couldn’t drag myself there if I tried. Again, the period. I did, however, take Hadrian on an hour-long walk. It was nice, except for him wanting to chase squirrels. It’s also freezing here, by the way. Well, not freezing, but cold for September. Made for a nice walk. But I’m started to stress (great, more stress!) about us not getting any of our winter stuff from storage for at least another two months…

8. Speaking of Hadrian. We need a house, with a fence, and FAST. My grades in school depend on in. My sanity depends on it. The sanity of those in the rooms around us depend on it. Seriously, he’s either sleeping (which is a lot, I’ll admit) or pacing at the door. Or shoving his face in my face. Or barking whenever he hears people outside the door. And don’t even get me started on housekeeping. Every afternoon is a bark-fest when he can hear “housekeeping!” from down the hall…

9. We’re seeing a house Saturday. It’s new to the market and in the village and has four bedrooms and two bathrooms. I’m trying desperately not to get my hopes up, but it’s hard.

10. All these things, and more, have been swirling around in my head ALL MORNING. I HAD to get them out before I could focus on anything else…like chemistry.

New Yorkers love their food

Andrew was remarking the other days about different foods that are unique to Buffalo. My mouth started to water and I thought perhaps yours might start watering, too.

1. WINGS. Couldn’t start this list without that one. They were invented at The Anchor Bar, but everyone has their own local favorite. We love Pasquale’s and those from The Bar-Bill Tavern, in East Aurora.

2. Beef on Weck.

3. Mighty Taco.

4. Sahlen’s hot dogs. They are amazing and you can buy them in the grocery store. Awesome.

5. Ted’s Hot Dogs. See above–Ted’s is a chain of hot dog stands and they serve Sahlen’s. Even our hotel serves Sahlen’s on their hot dog night. Really, hot dogs in general are all over the place. Some call them “red hots” and there are chains and stands all over. I don’t get it.

6. Pizza. Just like hot dogs–everywhere. Unlike Ohio or Chicago, there isn’t a distinct “style” around here–no exceptionally thin or thick crusts or weird toppings. People just really like their pizza. We love Pasquale’s, (see Wings) hands down.

7. Ice Cream. It’s everywhere, and I mean, EVERYWHERE. Andrew once told me he saw something on TV about how there are more ice cream shops/stores/stands in the Northeast than in the South (where it’s actually hot). It’s so true. New Englanders and Northeasterners love their ice cream! (I realize ice cream is not unique to Buffalo, but it’s still EVERYWHERE. I’m in heaven.)

8. Sponge Candy. It’s a little weird, but people here love it. It’s kind of like a chocolate truffle, and on the inside is an airy, toffee-like flavored candy that dissolves almost immediately in your mouth.

9. Schwabl’s. They’ve been open forever and it has that ‘old-fashioned’ feel. They’re famous for their beef on weck, but I didn’t think it was that special. Apparently they serve Hungarian Goulash on Saturdays, so we’ll have to make sure to try that next.

…and the one thing we CAN’T find much of around here: ETHNIC FOOD. There are some places, and we’ve tried a couple different Thai establishments, but there just isn’t the variety that you can find in other places. Sure, closer to Buffalo there are more choices, but trying to find ethnic food closer in East Aurora is pretty much impossible. And no, I don’t count Chinese take-out as ‘ethnic.’