Selling our House

So the process of selling our house is officially underway. 1 open house has been completed, we're listed on MLS as of last week, and our boy Phil Smith (Prudential Realty) is working his magic to get this thing sold.
I know it's clique-ic, but it's very true that your house never looks as good as it does right before you leave. In our case that's mostly due to laziness and scheduling. Hayley's schedule didn't leave her much time to paint and decorate and the like; my laziness did the same. I also don't really have the urge for decorating. I'm more of a fix-it and project guy. Painting rooms, hanging pictures, that's just not my thing. I personalize through things I build and the messes I make. And of course my TV rig and my butt-dent in the couch. Watching countless hours of college football and Cubs games teach you nothing if not how to properly set up your couch, tables, and remotes.
The other downside to selling is putting the glaring light on all of your house's flaws. What seem like quirks to you are issues that need fixing to someone else. The little patch of bad carpet in the landing from where I built that linen closet and moved the attic stairs? Hayley and I know exactly how awesome the new setup is and gladly overlook that spot. But not these strangers that are wandering around my house poking at everything. It's just another thing on their "this will have to get fixed" list. If they only knew what it used to be. Same with the yard. It's rough, I know it. But 4 years ago it was mostly crab grass with a touch of real grass mixed in. I've worked awfully hard to get it to where there is very little crab grass left.
But I'm not entirely sad about all these things. I'm proud of the jobs I did and I will miss finishing a few and not doing some others. But I'm glad to have had the experience. This being our first home I learned quite a bit. It's one thing to grow up helping your dad do all these projects. But once you're the big man with the tool belt and power saw it's a whole different ball game. Suddenly the phrase 'measure twice cut once' takes on a whole new meaning. Pads of graph paper left over from college once again have a use. The fine folks at Lowe's become your favorite people in the world. And the next time I get to do these things I'll be that much better at it.
Speaking of which, 1 big bummer is going back to renting for 3 years. While we initially wanted to buy in Philly, it's just not going to be cost effective. We'd have to close June 1st and hope the market doesn't drop just to break even. And then hope we like our new sight-unseen neighborhood. So no more ambitious house projects. No more randomly tearing things apart just because I can. And while we will still have a yard, it won't be as rewarding to spend all those hours working on it. I guess I'll just have to befriend people with homes I can work on when I'm bored.
In the interim, wish us luck in our selling efforts and our ability to find a nice house to rent in Philly. And of course keep your eyes and ears peeled for notice of our going-away party. Hayley will cry alot; I'll drink alot; all will be as it always was.
PEACE!