On one hand, your plan is one I'd like, Robin (start with something untouched, do the stuff important to you yourself, not subject to someone else's designs) on the other....aaaaaack!

But I also know me. When I buy, if it isn't ideal, but it's new? I won't change it, just hate it. So better I start with something that I get to change. Just without, you know...having to redo all the plumbing or something.

We're both thrilled....and then occasionally terrified. Because moving in together is, like, all grownup and shit!

Yay! I'm very excited for you both. That is grand good news.

Hooray for Teppy and the Boy for deciding to live in geeky sin--the best kind!

How much of that stuff will I not have immediately, though, because I'm doing a new build? I mean, I'm paying for paint (and painting myself, you betcha), but it's coming out of the construction loan. beth's savings account is a good idea. We can do that, and then maybe by the time the new things start breaking down, we'll have some money to work with.

It's insane that we're building, first. We've never owned anything bigger than our car, and the car we just got rid of is the only car I've ever owned myself. We figured we'd be vagabonds always, so it's all so weird. Property taxes, homeowner's association fees (which in our case turn out to be lake fees, yay.) it's all new to us.

And like, how often will I need to have my septic serviced? Stuff like that. At least by now I know what part of the toilet to jiggle, because we've had largely absentee landlords for the past several years. But it sure is different to be responsible for it altogether.

Lises, I'm sure it depends on your septic size and the drainage of the soil, but my parents have had it done maybe 3 times in 15+ years. Unfortunately, they have a desert willow in the yard that's become invested in the tank, and killing those things is a bitch. So also think of it when you do plantings.

IKEA and even Target have some nifty not-killer-expensive movable wardrobe things (not armoires, but more like canvas on a frame with a rod for hanging off-season stuff in the attic).

If allergies are a problem for you, actual wooden wardrobes may be better -- the canvas will collect dust and pet hair and may be a PITA to defuzz (a wooden wardrobe can just be Swiffered or whatnot, easy peasy), plus clothing and linens that aren't stored behind a solid door or inside a solid drawer can collect dust mites.

Signed,

Presently Hating My Sinuses To Death

P.S. HOORAY FOR MOVING IN!!! Which makes me think of Rio and how excited she was when she moved in with Saget, and her excited asscappy post about NOOKIE ON TAP.

You and The Boy are so delightful and awesome together. I'm all bouncy and squeeful for you both!

If allergies are a problem for you, actual wooden wardrobes may be better -- the canvas will collect dust and pet hair and may be a PITA to defuzz (a wooden wardrobe can just be Swiffered or whatnot, easy peasy), plus clothing and linens that aren't stored behind a solid door or inside a solid drawer can collect dust mites.

Hmm. Good to know. Seriously. Maybe off-season clothes will go in big ol' Rubbermaid containers in the attic, then. And we can make a wall unit out of modular pieces like these: [link] If you scroll down, it has doors you can buy to put on the modular pieces, thus fending off pet hair.

How many sets of sheets do most folks have?

Three, and they're all pretty new cause I just bought a new bed (queen, up from full) in march. Oh, plus I have a set of twin size sheets for the couch.

Now I want modal sheets, though.

Steph! Moving in with teh boy sounds exciting!!

I've been thinking about the concept of moving cross country, and knowing that even though the company would be paying for it, I'm still going to end up spending lots and lots of money. Eep.

Totally what JZ said. You're such a superneato couple.

Okay, sarameg. That's not bad. Our lot is tiny, so we'll have to consider our plantings carefully. But if we avoid planting there and in the septic reserve area, we'll barely have anything! I guess we could do some stuff along the west side, instead, and that would help cut out the summer evening sun.

Right now, the National Arbor Day Foundation is doing this awesome promotion where if you join (membership costs $10), they'll send you 10 free trees, appropriate for your hardiness zone. The trees are guaranteed to grow, if they don't, they'll replace them. In our zone, we could chose from a variety of trees, ten each oaks, bald cypress, etc., but we selected the wild bird variety group. They'll ship them to you at the best time to plant for your area.

We're both thrilled....and then occasionally terrified. Because moving in together is, like, all grownup and shit!

Huzzah! This is lovely news.