ML:BW

Honestly,

I haven’t felt like writing, and I am sure you’ve been able to tell.

I try to keep this blog really positive. I felt that women in my situation really need someone who is going to say that tour life isn’t that bad – and in a lot of ways it isn’t. A lot of people need someone who can take bad situations and see a silver lining. I try to do that, even when I’m writing about my health troubles. Over the last month I had a really difficult time seeing the silver lining and I didn’t want to bring the rest of you down.

I realized yesterday that being authentic is more important than providing you with something I think you want to read. I’m a real person with real struggles and real joys. This blog won’t help you if you can’t see how someone else deals with what is a real life, adult issue.

After California, my positive energy and mood went in a downward spiral pretty fast. Many have asked me what happened with the house, especially after the fun we had with the financing

We had to back out of the offer. We made the decision while we were on vacation, after we realized we would have to make the sellers wait six-plus weeks for us to get everything we needed in order. The truth is, I was sad to have to let it go, but it really did make the most sense for us and for the studio.

But then it came down to the big issue: we have nowhere to live.

There is nothing like being homeless and squatting with a friend within the first six months of marriage. Jay and I looked at all of our options, including moving out of state. Frankly, I tried very hard to be open minded about the idea, but the prospect made me physically ill and every time it got brought up I became anxious and prone to tears.

My family and friends, my career, and my support system is here. I can’t imagine leaving all of that behind, especially while Jay still has Defeater. I can’t tell you how much I admire the many women who are strong enough to start over and do that – there are quite a few who read this blog that have done just that. Deep down, though, I knew it wasn’t for me.

I didn’t want to talk about it. Not with my friends, family, or even with any of you. I barely wanted to talk about it with Jay. I was so excited about that house, having a place to call our own, and to be nearer to one of my best friends, that losing it was incredibly painful. I tried to play that pain down, but it had been killing my insides. It was causing me to be very, very cranky (how my husband deals with me, I will never know. He really is amazing).

Everyone had told us not to get attached, but I couldn’t imagine not getting attached to a place we were going to spend thousands of dollars on and would likely be living in for the next 10 years. I wish I listened.

I’ve been antsy, anxious and desperate to get out of our situation. It’s made me cranky and edgy. For anyone who has had to squat for any period of time, it is difficult not to truly have your own space and to have to live by someone else’s rules.

We’re lucky to be living in a beautiful house with an incredibly generous friend. I don’t want to downplay that at all. If it weren’t for him, we’d still be living in the filth and constraints of our last place, or we’d have nowhere to live at all.

I’m just ready to get out, to be a married couple in our first house. I suppose I am ready to talk now because there is a light at the end of the tunnel. We did find a house that we love, that’s perfect for the studio and even has a giant tub and yoga room. It’s the best first house we could ever hope to have, and I am starting to get excited about it.

I’m also trying to be realistic about it. It has been six weeks and the documents we need still have no come through. Thankfully, we have a couple of weeks before we need them. I guess I will feel a lot better and more interested in sharing details once we’ve been able to get financing.

To everyone who has stood by me, talked me through the tough time I was having, and stayed interested in the blog – thank you. It really does mean the world to me.

Adventures on the road to homeownership

I am so glad this week is over. Although, I do wish the weekend were one day longer this time around. Who doesn’t, right?

It’s been a very busy week at work putting together a presentation for a really cool client. We went into NYC to present and catch up on what’s new, among other things. I was telling my boss and colleague at a dinner party on Friday that I’d love to share my work adventures with all of you, but so much of it is confidential. Currently, the best I can do is share my freelance work for Watertown Patch with all of you.

Anywho, yesterday was home inspection day. What you see above is Niles enjoying the sun in, what will be, his (and our) new home. He had previously been sitting on the rug where the Defeater hoodie is. He likes to snuggle in and sits there, looking at me helplessly if he can’t.

It was an incredibly intense thing. First of all, when the hell did I become an adult? Why are these people standing before me, telling me about how the breaker box will have to be replaced, we need gutters, the barn will need a new roof in three years, this is why the mold has grown all over these suitcases near the hookup to the well, and we better get a garage door guy in there because they are misaligned and not safely attached.

What? Who AM I?

Why am I standing here, in this empty house, when my husband is in Europe playing a show where one of my best friend’s lives? Why am I not in the picture they took together to send to me?

Ah, yes, because I am a an adult, a woman, with a career that I love, a dog, bills to pay, and this house that I am trying to buy. With my husband.

2011 sure has been a whacky, wirlwind of a year.

All the stress of the last week and half has lead to stomach problems and excrutiating joint pain. I stayed in bed yesterday after the home inspection to recover and found myself wishing that Jay was here to go through all of these things with me, and like the GIF I reblogged yesterday, jealous that I wasn’t able to hang out with the boys and my wonderful Miss Sophie.

Today is our 3 month wedding anniversary and my sister Caroline’s 10th birthday. I have a massage at 3 pm, which I so desperately need, and a lot of tasks on my todo list to check off before then.

I’m looking forward to Desperate Housewives tonight — seriously, is it time for Tom and Lynette to get back together yet? This is getting ridiculous.

Laura ♥

P.S. I signed up for Path. I haven’t used it much, but I also have approximately two friends on it. Join me? Laura Paine Maas.

1. As you know, Defeater is on tour in Europe right now with Every Time I Die, Trash Talk, and Spy Catcher. Naturally, Jay saw this shirt and thought of me. He said he would bring one home for me. The truth is, at least once a day I utter the phrase, “I hate people,” or “I hate everyone.” It’s not exactly true — I hate when people fail to use their brains.

2-5. Today Jay and I put an offer in on this house. The sellers accepted. We close December 29, hopefully. Talk about burying the lead, huh? Today was insane. We put our first offer in yesterday, and the sellers came back instantly. Between pitching news and introductory calls for clients, I was immersed in a bidding war. It was thrilling, scary, and generally left me drained. But I am so excited. Jay and I can finally get out of the Kobe House and I can get away from #mynewroommate.

Plus, do you SEE that kitchen? Do you know how many delicious meals I am going to make in that kitchen? I’m excited that I won’t have to keep my spices in my closet anymore.

It’s a split-level with 1.6 acres of land and a barn for Jay to put his studio in. It will need to be built out, but we will be creative and make it work. We’re going to get a roommate once we get settled — so if you’re looking for a nice couple to live with in the middle of the woods, you know where the ask box is!

2011 has been the best and craziest year. It’s going to be amazing to settle in to one place, with my husband, and really start building our life together.

So, ladies and gents, I live you with this video clip. Feel free to begin at :45:



Laura ♥