We told the neighbors.

Well, Dennis told one of the neighbors, so then we had to tell all the neighbors so it wouldn't seem like we were hiding from them. I'd hate it if our fabulous neighbors learned the news from anyone but us.

So I guess that makes things that much more real. At least word is getting out that the house will be on the market - can never hurt to generate some interest early. We're half-hoping the neighbor's daughter and her husband will buy the house, so there's that possibility, too. If they're interested, that ball is rolling, at least.

In other news, Terry went out to the lot yesterday (with Dennis, and me, and Bud) to do a tentative layout of the house. It's a BIG house. We just came to realize how much of the lot is creek and woods - it's not like we're going to have a ton of yard by the time we're done putting the house, driveway, and car turn-around on the flat part of the lot. We're hoping the excavated dirt will help extend the "yard" a little bit more. And, of course, this layout is only tentative, pending the results of the test digs to make sure the land can hold the house. But it was still exciting to sortof see the spot that might one day be the front door and what our view might be like out of the living room or off of the back deck or whatever. (Naturally, I did not have my camera handy for this adventure.)

We also found out that test digs might start as soon as January 3 - sooner than the January 7 I was expecting. Actual basement excavation is slated for the week of January 7, weather permitting. Now THAT will be exciting.