Pinch Me, We Bought a Cottage!!!

The day we got the keys!
{Please don't enlarge this picture. Muffin top and bad hair alert. Hee hee!}

I think this is the first time in the history of ever that I've said I would be back soon with another post and I'm actually back soon with another post. It was the result of a) deciding to stay home in yoga pants instead of doing much-needed groceries, b) the magical occurrence of both kiddos napping at the same time this afternoon, and c) me being so excited to share!

In my last post I wrote that Alex and I were hoping and wishing that one day we would find an affordable cottage on the same lake as my grandfather's. A few years ago we had an offer on an old, outdated hunting cabin but lost out because of a higher bidder. I also shared how we were SO disappointed because we didn't know if and when another opportunity would come up. 

At the beginning of the summer we were sitting around with family lamenting about how we missed out on the other cottage and were really hoping that something else would come along.

We had heard a rumour that the cottage right next door to my grandfather's might be going up for sale within the next few years. We laughed and joked that we would have to scrimp and save for at least five years and then we only might be able to afford it. Let me explain. The prices for properties in the area have only been going up. Also, the cottage next door to my grandfather's had a big renovation completed about fifteen years ago which meant that it was in really good condition. It also had a few bells and whistles that we weren't used to at our place like running hot and cold water!!!!! an indoor bathroom with a septic system!!!!! and solar power!!!!! At our family's place we were accustomed to bringing drinking water from home, boiling water for washing dishes, carting pails of water from the lake, having no electricity whatsoever, using propane lights and flashlights, and (you might gasp at this one) using an outhouse. Hee hee.

:)

Well, whaddayaknow. About three weeks after that dreaming-impossible-dreams conversation, an ad went up on Kijiiji stating that the very cottage we were discussing, the one right next door to my grandfather's, was indeed for sale. Except it was listed for a price that was WAY over our budget.

Here's where a funny coincidence comes in. I actually knew the sellers, as I had practically grown up at their cottage.... playing cribbage and rummy, sleeping in tree-houses, and creating awkward synchronized swimming routines with their youngest daughter.

Alex crunched numbers for about 24 hours straight. We figured that if we drastically changed our lifestyle (no more fancy steaks from the butcher shop)(no more decor items ordered from Restoration Hardware)(no more all-inclusive trips to Caribbean destinations) then we just might be able to make it work.

We packed up the kids, drove down to see the cottage, made an offer on the spot, and waited for their answer. We waited for two very, very, very long weeks. Every time the phone rang I jumped out of my skin and scared both of our children. I made Alex check his email about every two seconds. The whole thing was extremely nerve-wracking. We knew there were other people interested in the cottage and so we were scared that we were going to be outbid for a second time.

Finally, we got the call. The sellers let us know that if we paid their original asking price (our offer was a bit lower) then they would sell us the cottage - even though there was a couple from Toronto willing to pay more than the asking price and with no conditions. They picked us.

They picked us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The purchase officially closed at the end of September and we are absolutely thrilled. We are so, so lucky to have such an amazing place to enjoy in the spring, summer, and fall. Cooper and Winnie will be able to experience all of the fun extended family adventures that I got to enjoy growing up because we are literally right next door to my grandfather's cottage. It's just a hop, skip, and a jump through the woods to get there.

So, without further ado, here are some pictures of our new place! Everything that you see in the pictures came included with the purchase except for the kayaks (and the baby).

View of the front of the cottage from the lake.

Side deck and side entry.

The back of the cottage as you drive in from the dirt road.

The walkway leading down to the sauna, deck, and lake.

The view from the deck.

The living room area.

Another view of the living room area.

The kitchen area.

Another view of the kitchen area.

The loft over the kitchen.

Bedroom #1.

Bedroom #2.

The bathroom.

The dining area.

The view of the dock and the other side of the lake.

Alex and I made a deal with each other that we wouldn't discuss any changes that we want to make for at least a little while. You know, because of the whole $$$ thing. However, it's still fun to dream about the future so we already broke our rule and talked a little bit about pressure washing the decking and possibly adding a screened in porch over the side deck. It's all so very exciting.  

Oh, and just a random note. Up here in Northern Ontario most of us small city folk use the term 'camp' instead of 'cottage'. I refer to it as a cottage on the blog because I think that's what most readers would identify with. So in the future, if you hear me squealing, "I'm off to camp!" you'll know what I'm talking about.

:)