Oh-Kay ... Breathe Slowly, Deeply, and Gently

I'm learning to be mindful of what I wish for. Not careful or cautious, just aware. Very aware.

Let's look backward a few months.

In April, I was feeling burned out at work. So much so that I thought of asking for a leave of absence to get back to normal.

In May, I decided to do this, even though the economy was in a deep recession and my job would be up for grabs.

In June, I began my leave of absence and started to take care of myself and my family. After 7 years' hiatus, I started exercising regularly, fixed some big ugly patches in my garden, and restored my children's room to order.

In July, my husband had to go overseas for about 3 weeks. Since I was at home, I was able to devote a lot of time to caring for my kids, giving them extra TLC, making special meals, and organizing and taking them on fun excursions to lessen the blow of missing Daddy. Realized that by next year, we would need to move to Palo Alto to be closer to school for both kids, and to the office for my husband. I would not be able to continue working in San Francisco. Thanks to MLS, I was able to familiarize myself with available house inventory, prices, neighborhoods, etc.

In August, I supported my kids and transitioned them into new schools. Started meeting the other parents at these schools and began the process of joining new communities. Asked to be considered as a backup Room Parent at my son's school. Never expected this to occur, given the lateness of my request. Within in a week, I was appointed as a Room Parent. Kept watching MLS to see what kinds of houses and prices we could expect to buy next year.

In September, our family started the Giant Bi-Directional Commute. Husband and son to the south Peninsula; myself and daughter to San Francisco. We let our nanny go, since my son's school hours ended in the mid/late afternoon, with an excellent after-school program. Huge $ savings, and even bigger stress reduction -- no need to manage her any more. Actually dismissing her took a significant amount of time, negotiation and effort. Apparently she didn't realize that the recession is a reality and people don't want to pay $$ for little to no work. In terms of my health, still exercising thanks to the Dailey Method and Bar Method. Lots of home maintenance and cooking. Realized I needed to return to work for my own satisfaction, but felt no enthusiasm for returning to my old company. Read the writing on the wall, i.e. would be best off working as an independent consultant. Figured I would deal with that in November. In the meantime, decided to interview and select real estate agent so we could start getting informed about the market in a more specific way. Asked for referrals and was pointed to a very proactive agent with 30+ years' experience in the neighborhoods we had targeted. Both kids getting used to new schools, teachers, classmates, cultures. Son has a bit of homework every night. Daughter's class is less directive; more self-initiated. Lots of changes.

Mid-September, I had my first meeting with our real estate agent. In one day, she showed me all of the available inventory meeting our criteria ... exactly 4 houses. That's right. Good news -- don't have to look at and think about 80 houses. Bad news -- there are only 4 houses in our range! Good news -- I only really liked one of them.

Two days later, my husband went to look at those same houses. He had the same opinion.

Two days after that, we took our whole family to look at those houses. My kids thought the whole thing was an odd morning excursion but went with the flow. My husband and I agreed that the original house we liked was still the front-runner for location and livability. We decided to make an offer. This is now Sunday night.

On Monday, we made a formal offer.

On Wednesday, we received a counteroffer.

On Thursday, we made a counteroffer.

On Saturday, we received another counteroffer.

On Sunday, we made a counteroffer with two options, showing that this was our best and final offer.

That Sunday, our offer was accepted. September 27th, just 11 days after I first met the real estate agent.

Now we are moving money around to enable the purchase. Putting together financing so we don't have to wait 6 months to get a mortgage -- new banking rules ... who knew? Trying to close by next Friday, a total of 12 calendar days.

There's more.

This past Saturday (one day before our house negotiations ended) my neighbor brought up a potential consulting gig with a highly-regarded biotech company. And guess what ... for the right person, they would consider a part-time role. Amazing. An opportunity.

After months of dilly-dallying, we'd ordered a new car to replace my 14-yr old vehicle in which my very tall husband has never really fit. Thought it would arrive in November or December. Turns out it's coming in the middle of October.

After months of procrastinating, we'd ordered 3 new windows for our kitchen. Thought they'd arrive in November or December. Turns out they're coming on October 19th and will installed shortly thereafter.

What other things are now underway from this initial waterfall of change? Let's see ... looking for Palo Alto preschool openings for my daughter. Right.... One of the parents at my son's school told me about a great Montessori nearby. She thinks they might be expanding classroom space and perhaps could take new students. Another parent offered to make a warm introduction to the school and its director. Yet another friend offered to help get my daughter into a Reggio Emilia method preschool where she is a co-founder. Incredible. So many helping hands.

Getting bids from movers. Starting the process of selling our current home. Thinking about all the things we probably should sell or get rid of before we move. Being invited to block parties to meet our future neighbors.

In June, this all seemed like a far-off future. No way would I have believed that we would be preparing to move before spring of 2010 at the earliest. It just goes to show that when you push on boulders, don't be surprised when they suddenly start to roll. Because you were pushing, remember?