Wednesday August 4, 2010 - Camarillo/Santa Barbara, California

It would seem that the decision is going to stick. We've decided to sign a one-year rental lease in Carpinteria. The house is beautiful, and that was one of the big selling points. It's ready to be lived in immediately without making any sorts of changes. The landscaping is beautiful in the front and back yard, and the house is in fantastic condition. There are things that we wish we could change (carpet throughout instead of some sort hard flooring, the kitchen doesn't have much counterspace, and there's not a very natural spot for our dining room table).

But there are plenty of other good things. Two of the four bedrooms have built in desks that will be handy with the kids' homeschooling. In addition to the (typically, for this area) small living room with a fireplace, there's another room that could act as a reading room or place for people to gather. There's a garage and it's huge. And it has a red-tile roof, which Gena has always dreamed of living under. What a cool deal!

I'm scheduled to sign the lease tomorrow and pick up the keys. Gena flew back to Phoenix today, but should be back again in a week or so with the kids in tow. Things are starting to fall into place....