Patchwork Times by Judy Laquidara logo

Good Things Come To Those Who Wait

If you haven’t figured it out, I am NOT a patient person. I don’t think it’s so much that I’m impatient, though that is part of the problem, but a lot of times, there is a need to act quickly. When looking for a house or a rental, often the early bird gets the worm.

You know we’ve been trying to find a small house in MO near Chad. We’re not moving there . . just wanting a place where we can leave our “stuff”, stay longer and not have to go out to eat so much. We were willing to rent but, there just weren’t many good options available. Housing prices have gone way up since we left there and it isn’t like industry has moved in or new jobs have come to town. Even the realtors are kinda shaking their heads when we ask them about it. Vince, rightfully so, is afraid of buying something at the prices they are now because they are way higher than that market can support.

We had a contract on one house and the inspection revealed some issues that caused that deal to fall through. I had found a rental. It had an attached two car garage but it had no basement and I am so very afraid of storms there. Even so, I had decided that when it came available in December (this all happened in August), I would rent it. When I saw it in August, there were corn fields everywhere around it and it seemed a bit pastoral and secluded but when we were back in October and Vince was with me, we drove by. The corn had all been cut. You could see the interstate, the two hotels, Walmart and worse, the race track on Saturday nights was very, very loud.

Vince, kept saying . . wait! Something will come up. Easy for him to say! I’ve been looking for a place for probably 18 months but more so in the last 9 or 10 months. I did decide to not get that place.

Go way back a bit . . when Chad was looking for a place to rent when we moved away from there, we looked at some places that honestly, I would have slept in my car before I stayed in any of those places. We had probably looked at half a dozen places and were feeling pretty desperate when I looked in the little ad paper and saw an ad for a 2 bedroom, 1-1/2 bath apartment. I called the guy who had the apartment and it was someone we knew and respected. Chad wasn’t available so I went to look at it and rented it for him right on the spot. I knew if I didn’t get it right then, it would be rented by someone else. The rent was so unbelievable cheap. They lived there for about 1-1/2 years. Addie was born while they lived in that apartment so it was her first home.

Every time we talk about a rental, Vince asks me if the apartment Chad rented ever comes up for rent and I had never seen it posted . . until this morning! I saw it online and the rent has not increased since Chad rented it in 2011. I called. Since I know the guy, he told me he would hold it for us if we wanted it because I had to talk to Vince first and he was gone to the landfill. As soon as Vince got back, I told him that Chad’s first apartment was available, Vince called the guy and we have rented ourselves an apartment in MO.

I am so happy!! I don’t get it til January 1 and I’ll be there then but I have to buy furniture and get it delivered and set up, get the utilities switched to our name, etc. and since just yesterday we made a non-refundable reservation, I’ll just stay in the hotel this trip. After the first, I can go to the apartment and cook so I don’t have to eat out!

One of my friends has been through this whole rental/buy process and I’ve cried on her shoulder over and over when I thought we’d found something and it didn’t work out. Every time, she would tell me “God’s timing is always perfect!” I would always tell her, often through tears, that I know this just means there’s something better out there for us. My head knew it but my heart was breaking that we couldn’t find a place. Now, this place we found is truly perfect for us, and this is the one place Vince kept hoping would become available; the cost is less than half . . closer to 1/3 what we were hoping to pay. By renting, that means if Chad, Nicole and Addie end up moving, we don’t have a house to sell, we have no property taxes, the trash and yard maintenance is included in the rent. I never thought I’d say this but I’m so glad we waited.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  4. YAY!! I knew by the title of your post that something had happened with the housing situation! Congratulations!!

  5. Good for you! I’m afraid I wouldn’t have been as patient as you have been. It paid off.

  9. I’m happy you found a place that you and Vince both like and at a good price even!

  10. Congratulations! I’m so happy for you. This will be a terrific experience for everyone involved.

  11. Oh, I am so happy for you! You will appreciate being able to just shut the door, turn the key and not worry about a house, yard, etc.

  13. Where’s the little jumping up and down emoji? I need one! Yipee! I know it’s been a long road, but just think of it as Santa coming early!

  18. First post I have read the day it’s posted in over 2 months. And I get an answer to prayer. There is planning, buying, packing, work to be done. It may adversely affect knitting time! But, oh, the joy! I am thrilled for the entire family!

    • Even on the days I was shedding tears after deals fell through, I always knew you were praying for me to have patience til God’s plans were in place and the timing was right. Thank you!

  19. YEA!!!!

    I think that this is the best news ever – easy to get in & out of the place and you don’t have to worry about maintenance issues. I hope it is close enough to Chad’s home that they can go to check on the place.

    And, since it is the end of the year, just think of all the year-end sales that you can take advantage of – just send it to Chad’s house for storage until you can get in.

    My parents had a place in Florida and Dad had a book that was a checklist of things to do when you get there and when you leave. It was great when I got there before they did and I was able to get everything ready for them. I did a similar checklist for when I left my home to visit mom – some are small things which may create a big mess like shutting off the water on the washing machine, turning down the heat/air, etc.

    I bet you are already looking at everything in your kitchen, sewing room, and home as to what you can take up there. Don’t forget to let Vince take some “toys” up there – a 3D printer or two?? I see the second bedroom as the Vince and Judy Activity Cave!

    We need pictures of the place!!!

    • Thanks, Liz, and thanks for the tip. I will definitely keep a list of things to do before leaving there because, as you know, I don’t remember as well as I used to.

    • I hope you know how much I appreciate your support and your wise words when I was having meltdowns after deals didn’t work when I thought surely they would. You’re a good friend!

  22. I am so glad you got this! That is wonderful! I love the pictures and it looks homey. A perfect place for you to go, relax and be able to knit in peace or have Addie come over and be with you. She could get to know her first house again!

  23. God’s plans and timing are always perfect, and always for our good and His glory. Rejoicing with you! So glad, you were listening to His direction and closed doors.

Discover more from Patchwork Times by Judy Laquidara

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading