6 Weeks and We're Almost Home

Honestly, some days Ray and I feel like we've just arrived and other days it feels like we've always been here. Today is our sixth week in Fairbanks. We're both settling into our jobs. Most weekends and some weekday evenings we'd spent a considerable amount of time searching for a house to lease. Our greatest desire was to find something that was long-term. Neither of us wanted to unload our furniture and stuff, only to have to do it again in the next year. Several of the properties we were shown were going to be put back on the market (for sale) in May.

The first house we saw and fell in love with was a log home out in the hills. No garage. No fenced yard for Wendell. However, it was the only house we've seen with a (propane) gas stove! We looked at a duplex, a townhouse, and lots of single family dwellings. Some houses had potential but many were drive up and drive away. We even looked at (and weren't at all impressed) a home in "THE" neighborhood--Doyon Estates.

Then, one Sunday I saw a listing in the newspaper. 5 Star Energy rated. Built in 2002. 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath, 2 car attached heated garage. Wow! I called. Turns out the owner(s) is a dentist in town. [AND Sarah Palin was his babysitter when he was growing up!] He was very excited to know Ray's in town! As we drove there, I reminded Ray not to commit to anything. At this point we thought we wanted to live on the West side of town--close to church and church friends. We drove up and immediately liked what we saw!

535 Baranof Avenue in NE Hamilton Acres (it's on a 1/4 acre lot)

(We signed the lease and drove over to shovel the driveway.)

We took two steps inside and knew it was what we were wanting! We were home.

The layout is the living/dining/kitchen area upstairs with a 1/2 bath. Plenty of cabinets and storage. Plus, it's equipped with all appliances: fridge, stove, dishwasher and microwave. Plus, a pantry!

From the kitchen, you walk up three or four stairs into the master bedroom and bath area.

(I hadn't realized, before posting this blog, I failed to take photos of the space. The window you see upstairs from the first photo of the front of the house is the master bedroom.)

Downstairs there's a laundry room, den, full bath, and two bedrooms

As of Tuesday, the Superman border is now gone. :-) This room will become the "Texas" room.

This weekend we'll paint this room and turn it into the "Helen" room.

The backyard is Wendell's dream! And come spring and summer, I'm pretty sure you're gonna find Ray grillin' on the back deck. Come join us!

Ray had fun shoveling off the deck!

We'll be waiting...and we'll leave the light on!

Blessings,

Y, R and W

P.S. Here's our new phone number... 907-328-0813 (as of 5 pm Sun Nov 2).

Our SA cell phones still work. We have free weekend minutes and welcome your call!