Moving

Yes, we are moving-but not far! On Thursday we met with our current landlord who informed us that he has an offer to buy this house contingent on our moving out so the new owner can take up residence here. We have a valid contract until August 2010 and an option for an additional year but we will try to accommodate our owner and find a place to move. It is strange having a 'renter' mentality, I feel no strong affection for this house just dread the hassle of moving, remember we have to move a baby, grand, piano!!

We like this area, we're used to the market, it's close to the boys' school and I know a lot of our neighbors. Actually one of our neighbors is willing to rent to us but wants a two-year contract and we're not sure that we can commit to that length of time. They have a great house but it feels so American, it even has a 3 car garage and a food disposal-I have never seen that anywhere else in all of Thailand!! This couple have an interesting background, the wife is Philippine and he is Cambodian but both of their families sought refuge in the US over 35 years ago, Lee actually graduated from the University of Kansas. After several years as an engineer, they cashed out and moved to Thailand, building an American home hoping to flip it and sale it. Thailand is having some economic problems and houses have been moving very slowly so they are willing to lease their property to us. They own two other properties in this area and can move into one of those.

I spent most of the day Friday looking at available properties and will look on Monday as well before making our decision. We have agreed that we will try to be relocated by January 1. This may be a good thing for us because rental rates have fallen considerably since we moved here 1 1/2 years ago. Our neighbors' house would be considerably less than what we are currently paying and it includes the gardener and pool fees. It's a great house but will feel strange to be living in Thailand in such an American feeling house-the boys like it a lot, better area to play basketball. Remember that I broke my finger last year playing basketball on our rock pavement, it's a very uneven surface and is not conducive to working on dribbling skills...

Mark happens to be in the US at the moment. I jokingly asked him if he wanted me to pick a new home and get us moved before he returns!! It's really not good timing for us (when is moving ever though?). November and December is the busiest time with our bakery project. The end of the month we are hostessing a big Thanksgiving party with a father/son American football game and in December we have a 3 week trip planned to Italy and Greece!! Craziness!

If we take the neighbor's house just two doors over I guess we can just roll the piano down the street!! Wouldn't that make for an interesting picture especially if we could capture a rambling elephant in the background!