My family made one big move when I was a kid from one town in the Puget Sound area to another about 30 miles away. Back then it might as well have been to the moon - phone calls to my friends were now long distance so there were occasional letters but not too many calls. The plus side of the move was finding a house large enough that I didn't have to share a bedroom. I remember liking quite a few of the houses we looked at (and now I can think back to the neighborhoods where they were and see what a different life I'd have led from one to the other). There was one in a really great area with a wonderful view - we had to wait in the car on that one - when my parents came out they pronounced it "too much DIY." It still probably would have been the best place to land in.

The house they bought was unique but in a really pricey neighborhood (this was the "smallest house on the block" pricing plan). How is it that the neighborhood kids know that you don't really fit, that you can't afford everything they can? Anyway. That house was generally in good shape to move in but needed a lot of maintenance over the years. Mom moved out when she retired. A friend from school eventually was the buyer a couple of real estate transactions later and our high school reunion is coming up. If he attends I have a few questions for him.