New Kids on the Block

Remember back in July when I got all excited that people were finally building on the weed-infested empty lot next to us? Well, it won't be long now until people are actually living on the property!

We haven't been able to get inside as of late (yes, we walked around the house during the building process--just like our neighbors have admitted to doing to us) because with the doors and garage doors on the place has been pretty well locked, but we assume they have to be getting close because they broke ground about the same time of year that we did, and we were moved in by Halloween (and we were supposed to be in by Native American Day, but a stupid fluke snowstorm set it back). I keep waiting to see the official moving signs--trucks, stuff piled into the garage, lights aflame at night--but nothing yet. And you can bet that when it does start to happen I'll be over there with a plate of cookies like any baking-happy old-fashion inspired neighbor should be. We do know that the homeowners are a young couple with a two-ish year old son; and no, I haven't actually met them, I just know that because I'm snoopy perceptive.

Oh, and do you notice the one glaring omission from the back of the house? There is no deck back there. But not because they don't have one; it's actually situated to the north of the house behind the garage. It's kind of an unusual layout, and while it has all the bells and whistles (raised ceilings, tile, arched entryways, etc), square-footage wise it's definitely on the small side. Which I thought was a little strange because Darrell and I had the mentality of keeping our square-footage high by minimizing other costs (who really needs six-paneled doors for every interior door?), but I guess everyone has different priorities. And I am just a little jealous of the space they have for a built-in fireplace; I've been trying to convince Darrell since the day we moved in that we need to put an electric one in our basement when we finish it. We'll see how that battle pans out.

Here's to hoping they're good neighbors--although anything is better than the empty lot we had before!