Seeking the formula for parenting

Flexible Links

My Blogging Inspiration
Campaign for Unshaved Snatch (CUSS) & Other Rants

Skiplovey

Slouching Past 40

Flexible Affiliations

- Crazy/Hip Blog-Mamas +
(Random Site)

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

The Secret Garden

When I was a kid, I really enjoyed reading the book The Secret Garden, and I vividly imagined what the garden looked like. Fast forward 15+ years later. When I saw my current house, I felt like I was at home, because, for some reason, the yard felt really familiar.

Last night we met with a realtor. I sort of felt like I was dating again. Relax, Big Giraffe! What I mean to say is that I was really nervous about what the realtor would think of our house. We had a different realtor offer his opinion last year, but I wasn't sure if this realtor would agree. I ran around like a lunatic trying to get everything together. Plus earlier that day I gave a complete house tour to two of my friends. Talk about cementing my friendships with them forever; hey I don't just show anyone my closets and basement!

The realtor arrived and he had nothing but wonderful things to say about our house. Phew! I felt very proud. The fact of the matter is that the Big Giraffe and I have worked hard to do at least one home improvement project every year. One year it was remodeling our kitchen. Another year it was replacing a single toilet, but still that toilet was an improvement! He said the same things that the other realtor said too.

Before you think my head is starting to swell with pride, I can share another point of agreement between the two realtors...our yard looks like something out of the Secret Garden. As the realtor last night put it, most people have to invest some money in their house to put in up on the market (fresh paint on the walls, fixing any cracks in the walls or floor etc.) We're good on that. We need to put all the improvement money into our yard. He also clarified that this was not something that we can handle alone (that's not the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth time that we've heard that.) We need machines.

We're going to be exploring different options for this, but we know that it's inevitable that we need to hire someone. Unlike us, I don't think most people would consider "looks just like The Secret Garden" to be a selling point!

I know I'm way behind in my blog reading. I've been fighting a cold since the end of last week. Fortunately I'm well on the mend.

A. Elliot's Lesson Learned: Murphy's law is right; even if you haven't been sick all year, you are likely to get sick the week of your first triathlon.

Labels: Random

posted by Alex Elliot @ 7:31 PM 9 comments

9 Comments:

At 5/06/2008 8:34 PM, pincushionpoints said…

Sorry you are not feeling well. Hope you feel much better soon.
At 5/06/2008 8:52 PM, Heather said…

Huh. Here I thought looking like the Secret Garden was a good thing. I guess I don't remember that book very well!
At 5/06/2008 9:03 PM, Alex Elliot said…

I should have clarified that I meant the Secret Garden before it was cleaned up!
At 5/06/2008 10:40 PM, Jen of A2eatwrite said…

Feel better, and congrats on the good realtor evaluation!
At 5/07/2008 7:21 AM, Goofball said…

never read that book or seen the movie, but looking like "the secret garden" sounds like a good thing? apparently not.

So are you moving? I hope the house selling will go smoothly
At 5/07/2008 11:11 AM, Ted & Laura said…

I would love a house like that. I remember the descriptions of them working the ground and the little green bits starting to come up. I've always wanted to find a garden that needed that type of love!
At 5/07/2008 11:58 AM, soccer mom in denial said…

You've got to feel better! We've got plans!!

Good luck with the house. We would need to ship the kids out of our house for a month to get it ready to show to anyone.
At 5/07/2008 3:18 PM, Suzanne said…

I have seen your basement, but I do not think I've seen your closets. I am jealous of those two other women! :)

Seriously, though, congrats on the positive assessment from the realtor. That's great!
At 5/07/2008 3:27 PM, Worker Mommy said…

A home improvement project every year and you're still married ? Whoa! ;)

Glad you're on the mend!

My Profile

Name:	Alex Elliot
Home:	MA, United States
About Me:	Professional Mom of two cats, a dog, an ant farm, and oh yeah...two boys: a 5 year old and a 3 year old. Also found in my house is my husband who is known on this blog as The Big Giraffe.
See my complete profile