It has been exactly ONE year since we closed the door at Mayne Mill and strolled into a new life. We walked out of our country home, on route to the closing attorney’s office with excitement for what was ahead. In my perfect-hindsight mind, at this point in time (one year later), I pictured Len and myself, inside our new home, sipping coffee on our deck and beginning our travel pursuits that we had put on-hold while we constructed our home.

I am such a funny girl.

Building a home is a lesson in patience, sacrifice, decision-making as well as discovering how much weight you can shoulder without falling apart. It’s a true test of relationship strength and putting someone else’s wants ahead of your own. Yes, building a home is marriage; the same experiences and lessons apply. There are no such things as expectations - that is, unless you want to be disappointed. When talking budget, think what you’d like (or can) to spend and multiply it by three (or even more). Add at least a year to your end-date, and be ready for a Plan B should that even take longer. Long-term rentals at Airbnb will be your best friend, and you’ll learn which are the best restaurants in town and which to avoid at all costs. Being on a state line, you’ll take advantage of the lowest sales tax when grocery shopping, as well as triple point Tuesday.

And about the house plan, it will not be a clear-cut process. We chose our plan from Architectural Designs. I remember shouting to Len, “I think I’ve found the one.” Can’t say it looks much like its online finished photo, but it had everything we wanted and nothing extra. Change Order will be your nemesis while you suck it up and write the check. There are only so many items on which you must settle; changes are a given, and there are certain items I want, regardless of cost.

Along the way, we’re awakened an old friendship of 20 years, proving that some people are simply good people and regardless of space or time, they were willing to lend a helping hand. We’ve said goodbye to THREE of our animals that made the trip with us, and guilt will always be a part of that. We’ve had TWO homes; one in Blue Ridge; a second, in Hayesville. The third, God-willing, will be on Penland. I hate boxes and I’ve lost count at the number of cardboard boxes and Home Depot bins that are shoved into our FOUR storage buildings. TWO outside cats are now inside cats (thus avoiding an inevitable fate), and Zelda remains queen (and a little jealous).

It’s July 1, 2023. We’re not home yet, but come September, we’ll be closer - hopefully - there. Otherwise, Plan B will be initiated and I’ll, once again, throw my expectations out the window.