If you and I were to sit down to coffee today, I’d be amazed when I realized how long it’s been since we’ve done this. We somehow haven’t talked since the summer of 2021! A lot has happened since then! I’m sure you’ve been busy too, haven’t you? Oh, of course you have!
I’d tell you that in October of 2021, Andrew and I found a house in Wilmington that we wanted to buy, and our offer to purchase was accepted! We took possession of the house in mid-December and started working on fixing it up and furnishing it in January. Fixing it up involved a few bigger projects and a number of smaller projects. There are definitely some big projects yet to come, but it was good enough and furnished enough for us to start renting it out on Airbnb in September. We missed the busy summer rental season but it performed well enough through the fall. And we were able to spend a lot of time in the house ourselves, enjoying Wilmington, while we were fixing it up.
I’d then ask how your work life is going? Are you staying busy? Actually I should also mention that my work with Redfin really slowed down last fall and never really picked back up. I suspect it’s a combination of them hiring too many people and fewer houses being on the market. But I have done more pet sitting this year, which involves way less time spent with obnoxious humans and way less driving, so that’s been nice.
You’d politely interrupt me and suggest we grab a coffee before talking more, because that’s why we’re here, isn’t it?
I’d think that’s a great idea so we’d get in line to order. We’d overhear someone talking about their journey with Christ, because that’s what people do at coffee shops these days.
After we get our drinks, I’d jump into telling you about our reintroduction to international travel this year. In January, we spend a week visiting my mom in Mexico, enjoying margaritas and sunshine. A few days after we got home, we hopped in the car to drive down to Saint Petersburg, Florida for a work-cation that we had booked prior to finding out about the Mexico opportunity. Between the two trips, we managed to miss all of the snow and freezing rain that Raleigh got this year. Aside from all the time we spent in Wilmington this year, we didn’t travel again until the fall. In September we took advantage of direct flights to Iceland to travel with a couple friends to Amsterdam for a few days followed by a few days in Iceland. And then in October we took Andrew’s parents to Greece, spending a few days on Santorini followed by time exploring and taking day trips out of Athens.
You’d ask if I have pictures and show you a few with the promise of sharing more details later.
You’re such a good listener so you’d ask how things are going with the Mulberry House. And I’d thank you for asking! I’ve had the same tenants for almost two years. The first year was pretty good aside from a few slightly late payments so I was happy to sign them on for a second year. Unfortunately it’s been nothing but drama since then. I don’t really want to go into it, but am just thankful that they will be leaving in a couple weeks. You respect my wishes and quickly change the subject to your favourite new TV show.
Then I’d glance at the time on my phone and notice that I have spent way too much time talking about myself—yet again. I’m the worst. Can we make a date to get back together soon? I promise to talk less about myself. Love you!
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