Boxes. Buckets. Rubbermaid tubs. Sitting in my living room in southeastern Wisconsin, I am surrounded by things Maggie believes we will need to begin a life in southwestern Wisconsin.
Maggie and I have been searching for property for nearly 10 years. Most of the houses we saw were ‘fixer-uppers’, thanks to our budget. In several cases ‘tear-down’ would have been a more accurate description, but one that probably would not draw much interest on the MLS. We were generally able to look past old wallpaper and purple paint, but paint being used as a structural element was a problem.
Our wish list shifted over time, thanks to the brutal reality of these listings. My wish for a trout stream would yield to a recognition that it is difficult to get a stream without accompanying wetlands. Maggie wanted tillable land for gardens and chickens, but properties without trees seemed barren in winter. Maybe some woodland would be nice.
Our goals also changed. Maggie researched sustainable forestry. I wrote a business plan for an organic farm. She explored off-the-grid living. I dabbled in antique clock repair and making bamboo fly rods. We both agreed that a life that involves making something was very alluring.
We wrote several offers and were not quick enough with several others. Finally, the stars aligned, and we now have a closing date circled on the hall calendar. Soon we will be starting the renovations on our 78-acre fixer-upper. The dream will start to take root in reality, and the hard work that reality requires will begin. Things will start slowly. It is, after all, a fixer-upper.
We wrote our purchase offer after one 10-minute visit. Our realtor went to the wrong property, but the listing agent was showing the property to another couple. He took us through after that couple left. It was a chaotic walkthrough as the owner was there and the listing agent wasn’t sure what to make of us. As a result, the details on what we will be facing are a bit vague. Maggie swears the bathtub was pink.
Which brings me back to our living room. I have found it is easier to work on an empty house than a full one. In my male opinion, all we need that first weekend after closing are cleaning supplies and tools. Give the place a good cleaning and set the stage for crowbars and sawdust. Maggie, in her female opinion disagrees. We all know who wins such an argument. So two large packs of toilet paper, coat hangers, and a composting toilet will accompany us on the first trip.
We will have a tablet to take photos, so that when we are back in southeastern Wisconsin making to-do lists, we can check that tub color. There will be lots of to-do lists. And more boxes in the living room.
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