In June Peter and I decided to buy a house in Ellensburg in preparation for the move home. The first place we made offers on was 22 acres in Badger Pocket with an unfinished house. The realtor was such a cunning runt we finally broke off negotiations. We dealt on a house suitable for catering with a nice yard that had a creek running though it. We couldn't agree on price. Then we dealt hard on a brand new house finished in 2006 but never sold. It was spectacular and had a nose bleed view of the valley. The bank refused to soften and we decided to take a break. The original price for Hidden Acres was $197,000. We broke off negotiations at $165,000 but the bank had lowered the price to $169,000 by that time. Yesterday the realtor called and said the bank lowered the price to $139,000. We offered $135,000 and the bank countered with 138,500 and we now own a house. When considering it last summer we had planned to gut and remodel before moving in. Because it's winter and a job of that magnitude is too difficult with our weather, I'll clean it up and move in. The first floor will remain static with the exception of making the powder room door open into the bathroom instead of out and bust up the horrible concrete counter and replace it with an island in the kitchen. I have an inspiration for finishing the downstairs walls and ceiling so I'll be busy while the snow is flying.