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June 10, 2004
House update
I know, I know, this isn’t about Ella at all (although it does affect her life indirectly and directly) but it is certainly one of the biggest things in our lives as a family right now so I feel the need to update. So, without further ado…
Things did end up falling through with the first buyer after all. Surprisingly enough, Jamie and I both took the news in very good stride, despite the fact that this meant we would have to start over with the house selling and we had basically lost four weeks of prime selling time. She had been making the whole process so stressful and awful that I know I felt a definate relief in not having to deal with her anymore, even if it meant having to start over in marketing the house. But we weren’t starting over really, of course, since we had already put everything we could in storage and cleaned things up a lot. And we had also already gotten to work getting an electrician and plumber in. Originally, it was in response to her demands following the inspection but some of the stuff I know we would have had to do for anyone (updating the electrical system, for instance). And since we had already been through the whole thing we knew what to expect. And I was also very happy to hear that our house would be listed as having been on the market for three days (the time before we accepted the first offer) and not the whole month that we had been dealing with this witch (the nice word for her).
So we cleaned and polished again and again I escaped down to the Cape for open house weekend with Ella rather then risk marring our pristine abode. Again we waited and again were told we had one offer. While this woman (also an older single female) didn’t offer us asking she DID offer more then we had negotiated down to the first time. AND (this is when our jaws practically hit the floor) she wanted to waive the inspection AND didn’t want to have a lawyer, would do the paperwork herself, and was ready to sign the purchase and sale in three days. You could have knocked me over with a fly—these were the two major issues that crushed our first deal—the fact that the woman went to town with her demands following the inspection and that she was alarmingly litigious and not what we considered a ‘nice person’ (remember, we will be living right down the street from whomever buys this place). Now we had what seemed like the polar opposite! And she was willing to go along with our requested closing date, even though it is less then five weeks from now, so we don’t even lose any time. I never would have dared to dream of such a buyer. After our broker left Jamie and I just stared at each other like “did she just say what I thought she did?” All the same, we were a little too gun-shy after the stress and headaches of the first time and could not believe it enough to completely jump for joy until we saw it all in black and white, complete with signatures. But now the papers are all signed and we are on schedule to close in mid July.
It’s all just unbelievable really. It’s been such a series of highs and lows with us but when all is said and done it really seems like things worked out for the best possible option for us. I have always believed in karma and in ‘all things happening for a reason’ but it was hard to have faith while we were battling it out with buyer #1 yet dreading the idea of simply giving up and starting over. It sure is funny how things work out sometimes. I am also a firm believer of ‘that which does not kill us makes us stronger’ and can definitely say that, now that we seem to be out of the woods, the experience has made us more knowledgeable about the housing process, less naïve about human nature, and more grateful for the way things turned out.
Grandparents
We had a nice weekend down on the cape. Among other things, Ella got to have fun visits with both sets of Grandparents. One thing that I think is very interesting is that she acts very differently around each of them. My mom (Nami to Ella) tends to be more ‘in your face’ enthusiastic grandma, with lots of games and activities to do with Ella (even if it’s just following her around and helping with chores). Ella is always very excited for a trip to Nami’s house, talks about her often, asks to call her, and greets her with enthusiastic hugs and kisses. When we are at Nami’s Ella is her little shadow and will always choosing doing anything with Nami over anyone else, from feeding the fish, to help make cookies, to reading the stories, to planting the flowers and throwing rocks into the lake).
Jamie’s parents, on the other hand, are much more subdued, with less to do at their house and less visits as well. Ella still loves Grandma and Grandda, but not with the same unrestrained passion as her Nami. While she usually shows up at Grandma and Grandda’s more quiet and clingier to mommy and daddy, it doesn’t take her long to get comfortable and begin to entertain herself. Ever since she was a little baby, I have always noted that Jamie’s parents seem to get the best ‘shows’ out of Ella in terms of doing all her latest ‘tricks’ as well as getting very creative with her playing. The last time we were there, for instance, she declared that she was Grandma and Grandma was Ella. Upon questioning, she launched into this long convoluted tale of how she made our dinner, complete with step by step instructions, including arm motions and ending with “And then I… eat it all up!!” While she does play pretend around the house from time to time, it seems that these times are some of the most elaborate, self directed games we see. I assume it has to do with their relative scarcity of toys and their willingness to let her be on her own, and thus to give her the opportunity to get creative. At my mom’s, as well as at home, to some extent, she is usually so busy being stimulated and entertained that I fear we stifle these creative impulses to some extent. I will have to think about that.
Why why why?
Boy, I thought we were in the why phase before but that was just when Ella learned the word why. Now this child wants to KNOW WHY?! Why what? Why everything of course. In the playground: Why that girls name is Emily? Why her mommy liked that name? At the grocery store: Why that man mopping the floor? Why it’s his job? In the car: Why we driving on the highway? Why this is the way home? At home: why daddy not home from work yet? Why he still working? Telling stories: Why the bear driving to go get ice cream? Why he like to eat ice cream? Why ice cream taste good? Why sugar sweet? Why why why? And she’s not just doing it to drive me crazy, as I sometimes fear, because she will ask a question over and over if we don’t answer it or give some lame mom answer like “Because”. It’s amazing to think of her little brain processing nugget after nugget of information, forming and reforming her view of the world. All the same, it’s a little maddening. I realize how much I don’t know like, why IS sugar sweet?
Bonnie’s Book Reviews: The Robber Bride (Margaret Atwood) Very big thanks to my diary reader who recommended this book. While I will admit it wasn’t my favorite Margaret Atwood (I’ve read quite a few recently) I still appreciate the recommendation. While there seemed to be a lot going on, I found much of the book seemed to drag as we followed this ‘poor little rich girl’ and her sister their the twists and turns of their lives. There were definitely some parts of the book that intrigued me, however, especially towards the end.
Stones from the River (Ursula Hegi) I had read this one a while ago but decided to listen to it on Audio since it was read by the author and I love it when the author reads, even moreso if she is reading about her homeland with an accent, as in this story about a dwarf growing up in Nazi Germany. I remember reading it and thinking it was pretty but very very slow but this version was abridged which made it somewhat better. Still kind of slow though.
As always, thanks for reading.
Bonnie
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