Oh, my goodness; we're buying another house!

A couple of weeks ago, Tom enlisted the help of three Clear Lake Shores friends, Tommy, Ray, and Ken, to help us to find some hidden treasures in our storage unit. We had accidentally (actually, the movers had accidentally) taken a couple of David's items from the rent house, and we needed to move stuff from the front of the storage unit to find them. A box bound eventually for the boat was also behind other hard-to-move items, and we needed the help of some hearty helpers to do the moving. T, R, and K were of great help, just another example of the kindness of friends.

When we returned the three musclemen to their homes at Clear Lake Shores, we passed several houses for sale, as always, but this time one caught our eye, as much for the sign out front boasting of an elevator as for the small size, neat appearance, and location on the water. Thus began an astonishingly quick decision and negotiation leading to what appears to be our purchase of the house.

Ronnie and Nancy (think the Reagans) Richards, current owners and sellers of what will be our house; they're as happy as we are about the turn of events.

Before we began our cruise, we bid on the house next door to this one, the brown one seen in the photo, but the owner of that house changed her mind. We almost bid on another, and, before moving into the Seigelman pool house, almost rented an inland house on the island. Yes, we've wanted to move here for years.

Clear Lake Shores is a small island the housing of which is a delightful combination of old, small,funky, ground level houses; new, extravagant, elegant mansions; and everything in between. But it is mostly the sensibility of the occupants that appeals to us: these are water people, mostly boat-and-golf-cart owners, families and retired folks, folks who make it a point to watch the sunset each night, flip-flop folks. We have good friends here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooM-RGUTe2E
The house is small, about 1700 square feet. It has a full garage with high shelves for storage of garage valuables should another Hurricane Ike hit. The living area is raised; Ike's surge brought water 4 feet up into the garage, but not anywhere near the living space. It has an elevator and a handicapped bathroom. A new roof and very-recently remodeled interior, almost all of which we are very happy with. The size of the yard (little bitty!) is perfect, big enough for a tomato plant and herb garden, small enough not to require much upkeep. Two bedrooms, two and a half baths. A great front deck upstairs, with ceiling fans to ease the summer heat and humidity and keep mosquitoes at bay, and a small outdoor sitting area downstairs, big enough for some of our (now stored) wicker furniture. A boat slip out front!

It was out of our price range, but not as much as advertised since we are willing to allow the Richards to live in the house for six months while they build a new house on the other side of the island. This will give us time to figure out our plans with the boat and our lives. Clearly, regardless of our decision regarding the boat, we decided to settle here in the Houston area, close to family, friends, and doctors. We have seen many a desirable potential habitat through our travels, but the Texas Gulf Coast has become home, and you know what Dorothy said.

Check it out on Google Earth: 639 West Shore, Clear Lake Shores, Texas.