Write it down

Before the New Year arrives I have a few areas in the house that I want better organized, although it is silly to think that one day can create such a cleansing divide it truly does for me.  In one of the paper stacks that needs to be dealt with I came across a book where I wrote out our Must Haves and Nice to Haves when looking for a new house in Calgary.  In writing out the list we were up against a few challenges, including not knowing the city, needing a house that was wheelchair accessible or could accommodate one, and be within our price range.  Here was what was on our list.

Must Haves

1. 3 bedrooms or 2 bedrooms, 1 large one for the girls
2. No more than 15 minute drive to Reilly’s school
3. Good school for London
4. >1200 square feet
5. No immediate highway (noise)
6. No L or curved staircase
7. At least a single car garage
8. Not on a busy street, such as Leslie, Bayview, Bathurst equivalent

Nice to Haves

1. Neighborhood with young families
2. 4th bedroom in the basement
3. Large Bungalow
4. Excellent school nearby for London
5. 30-40 minute commute to downtown
6. Near a park
7. Near pathways/Outdoor stuff – ice rink
8. Double car garage
9. Only 1 lift in the house

Actual house characteristics:

1. 3 bedrooms main floor
2. 5km to Reilly and London’s school – both are great
3. 1200 square feet
4. Bungalow and straight staircase to the basement
5. Double car garage
6. Not on a busy street
7. Lots of young families (under 4) on the street
8. 4th bedroom in the basement
9. Large Bungalow – we have successfully had 15 people over for a sit-down dinner
10. 17 minute bus ride commute to downtown
11. Park is 2 minutes away along with an outdoor ice rink

I would have to say in looking back on this list we pretty much got what we wanted given what we penned to paper.  Of course we had to make compromises in making this move, overall square footage, closet space, master bedroom en-suite, etc but I have to say this is the first house that really feels comfortable.

So comfortable that London and the previous house owner’s eldest daughter have become school BFF’s (they ended up in the same Spanish bilingual class) and I have become good friends with the mom.  On one level it is weird that we have forged these bonds but at the same time it doesn’t surprise me given that they were in this house for 11 years and we fell in love with it just the same. It certainly has been put to the test over the holidays as we host and entertain family and it just shows you that you don’t need a massive house when you have a very functional layout.

This past year has been full of challenges, especially since we have arrived in Calgary but looking at this list is a good reminder that when we envision something you want, it can be made possible.