House Hunters: Arizona Edition!

 I thought it might be fun to keep a photo journey of our house buying experience that not only lets us share the homes we're visiting, but also help us keep a record of the pros and cons of each place that we've seen. One of these homes may be in fact the one we buy! See if you can guess :)

Monday: Home #1

This home was more of a Mediterranean style, with a boxy exterior an open walkway up to the front door. It has a beautiful front courtyard area.

Inside was very much a blank slate - all white walls! There was an interesting southwestern style fireplace and a very unique layout. Two "masters" were downstairs, both with a walk in closet and attached bath.

The selling feature of this house was definitely the huge outdoor space. Because it's a corner lot, the yard is expansive, with plenty of room to put your own spin on it. The bougainvillea were beautiful and there was even a pond already in place (which was right up Ed's alley). And, of course, the beautiful pool.

The kitchen was a good size, with dual ovens and stone countertops. 

Upstairs was a bit odd, with a hallway that had shutters which could be opened to the room below (with iron railings in place for safety), and two small rooms upstairs. 

There was also an upstairs patio, which offered a great view. 

Pros: 

Backyard is huge and feels a bit private

Unique layout

Two master backs

Double oven in kitchen

Separate dining/living area

Location!! (far north in Awatukee, which is ideal) and very cute location

Cons:

Layout is a bit awkward

Bank owned, so it's sold as is

Needs a lot of work

Master downstairs/upstairs not as usable

High HOA fee (near golf course)

Monday: Home #2

This home had a very beautiful (in my opinion) exterior and was recently completely remodeled inside (a "flipped" home). It's currently unoccupied. 

You come into a very open formal living/dining area, with everything freshly painted.

On one hand, the backyard is gorgeous, with a huge blooming tree, a big space, and a very nice pool. On the very downside, the back wall is lower, and just beyond is a very busy street (Ray) with a shopping complex, including Target, just on the other side. 

 The kitchen, also newly done, is beautiful and an excellent amount of space. Love.

The master has a balcony and, if you look to the left, the view is quite pretty. Straight ahead is, well, the shopping complex and busy road.

The view from the bathtub of the pretty pool and tree, but also lots of cars.

Pros:
Would need very little work done - everything's remodeled
Very big indoor space that seems used in the right way.
Beautiful kitchen.
Big backyard space.
Fireplace in the family room.
Nice entryway/stairs.
Nice sized master bedroom/bathroom
Close to lots of stores

Cons:
Location! Very busy street in back, with lots of street noise and lack of privacy
A "flipped" home, so some of the workmanship might not be as nice as if it had been done by a family living there.
Already remodeled, so you are paying for that in the price, and it's not exactly how we would have done it.

Monday: House #3

This home is on the smaller size, compared to some of the others, and is 3 houses down from the edge of the subdivision (and a busier street) but the neighborhood itself is lovely. No HOA, so we'd have freedom of painting the outside. 

A huge selling feature of this home is that big, beautiful tree. It blocks the busier street both from the yard and from the upstairs and is just heavenly to look at. 

There's a nice outdoor patio for meals outside that we'd take full advantage of.

An interesting wet bar - not sure we'd keep this forever, but it does add storage.

 The kitchen is on the smaller size, but features beautiful countertops and flooring, and very nice cabinets. It also has a pantry, which makes the fewer cabinets less of an issue. We love the eat in kitchen nook and it's connection to the family room.

The fireplace we love. It's style is very us, and having it in the living room is a huge perk. The lighting in this room is great, and we also really like the windows off the dining room.

Upstairs is a very reasonably spaced master bedroom, with the vaulted ceiling. 

There's a great deck off the master, with a nice view of the very pretty tree. 

Pros:
Nice layout
Updated countertops in kitchen (kitchen in general very pretty)
Beautiful fireplace in living room
Right number of rooms
Nice office
Backyard space very pretty
Nice windows
Brand new dual AC units

Cons:
Near a busy street (less privacy and some street noise)
On the smaller size
Smaller rooms downstairs (kitchen, family room, dining room, living room are all a bit smaller than others we've seen)
Another street of homes starts perpendicular to the house (so headlights might sometimes shine in front windows)

Monday: House #4

I liked the added sign to the realtor post :).

The outside was nice and on a very quiet street. 

The banister and overall layout of the home was very nice, though carpets looked a bit worn and needed to be replaced. 

The family room, in contrast, was gorgeous. Beautiful new floors and a great size. 

No fireplace, but it's always pretty warm in Arizona anyways. 

 We also really liked the kitchen - the size was bigger than the last one, and the countertops were very nice. The appliances were older and would need to be replaced eventually.

Outside was a nice pool, but not much else. The back of the house backed up onto a very busy street. Upstairs the master had a deck but the view of the busy street made it seem pretty unusable. You could also see the very big loud dogs in the home next door - not a plus. 

Pros:

Great layout and overall space

New countertop in kitchen and new hardwood flooring in family room

Right number of rooms

Nice stairs

On a nice street in the front

Cons:

Located on a busy street, making lots of street noise and visually unappealing

Loud dogs next door

Needs new carpet throughout most of the house

Would eventually need some updates

So, that's it! Day one of our house hunt. One house we tried to visit had apparently been sold while we were on our way there, and another home that we really liked has an owner who's having second thoughts about selling, so we couldn't see it (we still might be able to tomorrow). So, would you make an offer on any of these? Do you think we made an offer? What do you look for in a house?

Becoming Dr. Lyon

This journey towards Ed's doctorate began a long time ago. In fact, as I've shared before, I met him his very first day here in Santa Cruz. I had just come back from a long run when the housing R.A. asked if I wanted to meet the new person moving into our building. I caught Ed just as he and his brother were moving in some furniture and we started chatting. And, we just kept talking. I couldn't believe my luck that such a good looking and seemingly normal guy was moving in right below me. Apparentely, Keven, Ed's brother, got a little frustrated that his brother had stopped to flirt while he was still moving Ed's stuff. At the end of our conversation, he invited me to go for a run (a good bet, since I was wearing running clothes at the time) and I gave him my phone number. 

(Ed right before he began his presentation, looking cool and collected)

After our amazing 7 mile run in Nisene Marks (though why I thought  7 miles was an appropriate first date length run...) I had a really good feeling about him. When we talked on the phone later that night, we talked so long that the battery finally gave out on my phone. At that point, I had the realization that I could just walk down the flight of stairs and actually talk in person. We talked for hours longer, until it was finally time for me to go home and to bed. As I was about to walk out, we kissed for the first time. And, from that point, we were inseparable.

(Delicious homemade pumpkin bread made by a woman Ed works with. She explained them by saying that "the smell of pumpkin makes everyone relaxed. It's aromatherapy!")

Now, I start this story of Ed earning his PhD here, because our blossoming relationship was also when Ed first started exploring this new career. I'd work on my credentialing homework while Ed read papers, both of us exploring a new field of learning. I have such fond memories sitting in his apartment while it was raining outside (this seemed to happen a lot that year), with a hot pot of tea and both of us poring over our work. 

Over that first year, we spent some of every day together, cooking dinner together at his place, buying groceries together, enjoying getting to know one another. By January of that year, we knew that this was something special and serious and that we were in this for the long term, and we began talking about living together when I graduated. 

  

His second year, he really got into doing research, working on his second year project and getting more involved in his research projects as well. He was no longer teaching at this point, and being a student really was his job. This was also the year Ed proposed. 

(Ed with three out of four of his committee - the people responsible for accepting or denying his dissertation defense. Jerome, the man on Ed's left with his arm around Ed, has been instrumental in Ed's PhD journey (and important in our life as well - he is the one who married us). Ed is his first graduate student to graduate, and it was a very proud moment for him.)

Ed's third year was when he had his qualifying exams, and had to convince his committee that is idea for his thesis was a good one, and that he was ready for the next phase of his education. Of course, he passed with flying colors and became a PhD candidate. The fourth year was more writing, and traveling, and researching. It was a tough year full of lots of hard work. But, we started seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. 

(Ed walking on a beautiful trail through campus on our way to lunch. I'd forgotten how breathtaking UCSC was and what a privilege it was to live here for a year)

This last year was more nerve-wracking than all the rest. The End was in sight and, with that, the prospect that very soon, our lives would be changing dramatically. We began talking in more earnest about all the places we'd love to live and then, as job openings began being posted, these talks became more real. Would we do well in Philadelphia? Kansas? Michigan? Colorado? What was important for us as a couple? Would we even have a real choice or would it just be wherever Ed got offered a job? Could we stay in the Bay Area? 

(One of the many deer all over campus that we had the joy of seeing)

Ed applied for about 40 positions all over the country and then we waited, and waited. He got lots of phone interviews at some desirable places (CSU Channel Islands) and some not so desirable (some small Jesuit school somewhere in the south). And, after flying out to Temple University in Philadelphia, Kansas State in Manhattan Kansas ("the little apple"), and Arizona State in Phoenix, ASU made the first move, offering Ed a great job. While there was some deliberation, especially after Ed got a phone interview at San Jose State, we knew ASU was the best choice for his career, and for us as a family.

With the future in sight and definitive, it's gotten exciting. Visiting Phoenix, getting a realtor, getting pre-approved for a home loan, applying for my jobs. In just a few months, our new life will begin. 

But first, Ed had one last step. He needed to defend is work. Prove to his committee and his university that he was ready to graduate. 

Which brings us to this past Thursday, in one of the presentation rooms in the education wing of the library. Seeing my husband in this pivotal moment in his career, getting to hear him explain in a confident, clear way what he had been discovering and creating in his work the past five years was such a privilege. It made me think about my own work and decisions as and educator and want to be an even better teacher. He did amazingly.

After his presentation was the most stressful part, the Q & A. For 45 minutes they asked him questions, at varying levels of difficulty, about his research, his findings, and his work. They asked him why he argued certain things, to clarify other points, and even his opinion on the best way to reshape the teacher credentialing program as a whole. They pushed him, as they are supposed to, and Ed did a great job of handling every question exactly as he should have. He has such a confidence about his work and you could tell, from the questions his committee asked that they had a lot of confidence in the importance of his work, too.

 After that, the committee retired to the next room to "deliberate" and less than 10 minutes later they were back, announcing that they had unanimously voted that Ed should receive his PhD. Even though Ed had told me there wasn't a chance they would fail him, I think we both still breathed a sigh of relief. The tension dissipated and the committee invited me to pull my chair over to their table and join in on the conversation. Everyone was so much more casual and relaxed. Trish, one of the committee members, started joking about how long it'd be until we had kids :). She shared a very cute story (that Ed denies wholeheartedly) about how a few years ago, when another woman had her baby at work most every day, Ed was so taken with her and talked about how he couldn't wait to have kids. However, first needed to come the degree, then the job, then the house. Then, he could have kids. Trish commented that, of course, all those things would be checked of the list very soon....

They talked a little more about next steps for Ed (he has to make some minor edits) and then it was time for lunch. We headed to a nice place on campus and continued conversations about what it would be like to be a professor for Ed among other things. It was great to hear more about what I can expect for my husband this coming year.

After the end of the meal, we said goodbye to two of his committee, and then headed to Jerome's house to celebrate a little more and to start planning our celebratory party. 

Jerome has so kindly offered to host a party at his home, and took us to the party rental store to pick out all the many details that go into a party, apparently. Thank goodness for Jerome's guidance, because neither Ed nor I were very good at picking out flatware or linens. 

Now, with a little over 2 months left and Ed's PhD all but finished. We're ready to start transitioning. To say goodbye to this area that we've called home these last 9 years. To soak in the bay area beauty by visiting as many special places as we can before we leave. To enjoy time with friends that we won't live near for much longer. And, to plan. To plan for our future home, our future careers. And our future life.

So, congratulations to my husband, Dr. Edward Geaney Lyon. I love you so much and couldn't be any prouder to be your wife. 

Woodside Fun

(You can check out my running blog to read the whole account of the hike, but needless to say, it was fun and beautiful)

Kort, Ed and I headed out on the 1st of April to enjoy the newly sunny weather (albeit soggy trails).

We took Kortney to Woodside, a new place for her, and told her all about the crazy home prices but beautiful scenery that this place abounds with.

A highlight of the hike was munching on some homemade chocolate chip cookies at our halfway point. I had no idea a bit of sea salt in the dough could add such a lovely extra flavor. These were by far the best (though perhaps only) homemade chocolate chip cookies I've ever made. I'm definitely keeping this recipe.

We also got to enjoy the beautiful flowers in bloom as we headed down the second half of the hike. 

We finally reached our car, a little more than 2 and a half hours after we began, for a very leisurely 4.5 miles. At this point, it was almost 2pm, and we were hungry. Our original plan was to head to a winery, but we knew food needed to come first. So, into Woodside we went. We found this bakery and cafe, which was perfect. Fancy enough to serve wine, which we decided was a better choice than hitting a winery separately. Ed, especially, was a bit tired after running 10 miles in addition to hiking 4.5, and was ready for food than home. 

Food, though, first. 

To start, they brought homemade foccacia, which was spectacular. Warm, fresh from the oven, and served with my favorite - olive oil and vinegar. The dispenser for it was very cool, with a glass shape like grapes suspended in the larger body, allowing the vinegar to rest in the interior while the olive oil surrounded it.

Kort and I each got a very yummy glass of chardonnay and satisfied our need winery needs.

Lunch was quite amazing. Ed had a somewhat deconstructed turkey pot pie. Instead of the soupy part being served in a pie crust, it was simply topped with a puffed pastry round. It was perfect for this crisp day.

Kortney and I both went for the burger. Served on another homemade focaccia role, and topped with a delicious creamy cheese and bacon, it was spectacular.

Sitting in the restaurant, we kept commenting to each other on the perfection of this day. 

To have been outside for almost 3 hours and then to be enjoying this delicious meal - there's little more one could ask for.

As the lunch crowd passed and the restaurant quieted down, Ed and I wondered quietly if this would be our last visit to Woodside. With just a little over 2 months left in the Bay Area, some of these perfect day trips will be it for us, to those places. At least for a while.

So, nothing for it but to live in the moment. And, at that moment, I decided what I needed to mark this occasion was a macaroon. It's been one of those things on my list to try. So, I did.

My pistachio flavored macaroon was amazing. Totally unexpectedly amazing. And the perfect cap to a perfect day.

Congratulations, Dr. Lyon!

Today, I had the privilege of seeing my husband defend his dissertation and take the (almost) final step of his 5 year PhD journey. I took (surprise, surprise) lots of pictures, so I'll share about the full experience later. 

For now, I am very happy to bask in the happiness of Ed's accomplishment and look forward to where this accomplishment will be taking us next year.