We've been actively seeking bids on a house remodel that would add a significant amount of square footage to our house, including that holy grail of things in an Alaskan household with children -- a rec room. The results? Won't be happening in this lifetime. Every bid comes in higher than the one before it. Although I'll wait til all bids are in to call it completely dead in the water, it is looking and feeling like a very dead fish.

The decision is such a bummer. We've talked for years about what to do with our house. It's slightly smaller than what we might want. If we want our kids to hang out at our house when they are teenagers, our current house configuration probably won't do it for them -- there's no place where they can get some privacy with friends, other than their bedroom. And the current layout isn't the most conducive for hospitality, which we'd like to do more of. So, we have looked at the financial benefits of moving vs. remodeling extensively and remodeling seemed the better option. Until now. We've dumped $2000 on an architectural design that seems completely out of the budget (that's a separate issue of unhappiness with our architect -- who should have known better) and therefore, worthless.

So where are we now? I think we'll probably go back to plan A. Do some deferred maintenance around the house that would need to get done if we ever want to sell -- finish the trim, get new doors for the inside doors, probably some sort of kitchen remodel, and if we are really feeling crazy, maybe a painter to add some pretty colors to the walls. Then, we will be closer to being ready to sell if something great comes on the market, but we don't have to be a in a huge rush. With housing prices so high right now, we don't need to rush into something, but we'll be closer to ready if the timing works out.