Monday, January 17, 2011
The Move to Maryville
I haven't posted on here in a few months, but that is not to say that those months have been relaxing or unproductive.
In early summer of 2010, Angela and I decided that the time had come for us to explore leaving Knox County. We certainly were comfortable in Knox - we owned a nice house that was relatively inexpensive, had a great office arrangement in Fountain City that was not far from the house, a wonderful church home at Central Baptist Church of Fountain City, and great and inexpensive daycare for the boys at CBCFC - but we both knew that the time was rapidly approaching where change would be necessary.
First and foremost, I did not want my boys to attend Knox County Schools. It simply wasn't an option. If we had remained in Knox County, I would have placed the boys in private schools, and tuition for those is equal to or exceeds what I paid to attend college. Perhaps Knox County Schools are all well and good for some folks, but I wanted Leo and Wil to have as good of an education as could be provided, because that is essential for their lives to be fulfilling. (Did you know that I have yet to have someone convicted of a crime in court where they had a 4-year college degree? In fact, I have only had one person convicted where the person had a 2-year Associate's degree, and that was just recently.) I wasn't convinced that could happen in Knox County, where more of the emphasis seems to be on administration and fiefdoms rather than on quality teaching and moulding the students into future leaders of America.
Second, Angela and I felt that there was a location where we were already part of a community, even if we weren't living there. Even with living in Knox County, we worked almost exclusively in the courts of other counties and were traveling nearly 400 miles a week for work purposes. With my work weeks topping 100 hours routinely in 2010, that doesn't leave much time for community activities close to home.
Third, I didn't feel that I was having any impact whatsoever on Knox County. Besides my tax dollars, I didn't feel as if I was making a difference there. Now, that's not to say that changes couldn't have occurred that would have rectified my impact, but it wasn't what it should have been or what I expect of myself.
Thus, in September, Angela and I started working towards finding a new residence in Maryville. Maryville's schools are incredible; it's like having private schooling in a public school system. In fact, I've known some children that have been educated in Knox County's private schools who have transferred to Blount County, and their parents have told me to a man that they feel their children have received a better education in Maryville. Plus, with the majority of my practice and the majority of Angela's practice being in Blount County, it just made sense to look "south of the river" for a new house.
After a long search (and some divine intervention), we found that house in Royal Oaks, a golf course community in Maryville. (No, I have no idea where Shaq lives.) It's much more house than I ever could have dreamed I would own, and from the desk in my office, I can see the hole on the 13th green. It may take a couple more months to get settled (moving, Christmas, both boys having birthdays, illness, and snow have made December and January tough months for settling in), but I feel that it will be worth it in the long run.
So, in any case, we are officially in Blount County now. (I hope that my decision not to run for State Executive Committe in the 6th District makes sense now to those who wondered why I decided not to run for the vacant position.) My political involvement is certainly not dead - not by a long shot. The right opportunity will come along - you'll just have to trust me on that front for now.
And this blog is not dead. Yes, I have been working almost entirely off of FaceBook for the past year or so, but I am committed to making this blog more active in 2011. Besides, 2010 wasn't much to write about, to be honest. 2011 - I have a feeling this year will be a bit more interesting...
Finally, I still have a home for sale in Knox County. It is just out of the Knoxville city limits (you can avoid paying city taxes by a couple of hundred yards), has nothing wrong with it (it was as maintenance free as any owner could ask of a home), is on a quiet cul-de-sac, is part of a great subdivision which goes all-out for just about every holiday (especially Halloween and Independence Day), and is a steal given that I have priced it about $13,000 below what I paid for it in 2007. Plus, you receive awesome representation in the General Assembly through Senator Jamie Woodson and Representative Bill Dunn. So, if you're feeling so inclined...
In early summer of 2010, Angela and I decided that the time had come for us to explore leaving Knox County. We certainly were comfortable in Knox - we owned a nice house that was relatively inexpensive, had a great office arrangement in Fountain City that was not far from the house, a wonderful church home at Central Baptist Church of Fountain City, and great and inexpensive daycare for the boys at CBCFC - but we both knew that the time was rapidly approaching where change would be necessary.
First and foremost, I did not want my boys to attend Knox County Schools. It simply wasn't an option. If we had remained in Knox County, I would have placed the boys in private schools, and tuition for those is equal to or exceeds what I paid to attend college. Perhaps Knox County Schools are all well and good for some folks, but I wanted Leo and Wil to have as good of an education as could be provided, because that is essential for their lives to be fulfilling. (Did you know that I have yet to have someone convicted of a crime in court where they had a 4-year college degree? In fact, I have only had one person convicted where the person had a 2-year Associate's degree, and that was just recently.) I wasn't convinced that could happen in Knox County, where more of the emphasis seems to be on administration and fiefdoms rather than on quality teaching and moulding the students into future leaders of America.
Second, Angela and I felt that there was a location where we were already part of a community, even if we weren't living there. Even with living in Knox County, we worked almost exclusively in the courts of other counties and were traveling nearly 400 miles a week for work purposes. With my work weeks topping 100 hours routinely in 2010, that doesn't leave much time for community activities close to home.
Third, I didn't feel that I was having any impact whatsoever on Knox County. Besides my tax dollars, I didn't feel as if I was making a difference there. Now, that's not to say that changes couldn't have occurred that would have rectified my impact, but it wasn't what it should have been or what I expect of myself.
Thus, in September, Angela and I started working towards finding a new residence in Maryville. Maryville's schools are incredible; it's like having private schooling in a public school system. In fact, I've known some children that have been educated in Knox County's private schools who have transferred to Blount County, and their parents have told me to a man that they feel their children have received a better education in Maryville. Plus, with the majority of my practice and the majority of Angela's practice being in Blount County, it just made sense to look "south of the river" for a new house.
After a long search (and some divine intervention), we found that house in Royal Oaks, a golf course community in Maryville. (No, I have no idea where Shaq lives.) It's much more house than I ever could have dreamed I would own, and from the desk in my office, I can see the hole on the 13th green. It may take a couple more months to get settled (moving, Christmas, both boys having birthdays, illness, and snow have made December and January tough months for settling in), but I feel that it will be worth it in the long run.
So, in any case, we are officially in Blount County now. (I hope that my decision not to run for State Executive Committe in the 6th District makes sense now to those who wondered why I decided not to run for the vacant position.) My political involvement is certainly not dead - not by a long shot. The right opportunity will come along - you'll just have to trust me on that front for now.
And this blog is not dead. Yes, I have been working almost entirely off of FaceBook for the past year or so, but I am committed to making this blog more active in 2011. Besides, 2010 wasn't much to write about, to be honest. 2011 - I have a feeling this year will be a bit more interesting...
Finally, I still have a home for sale in Knox County. It is just out of the Knoxville city limits (you can avoid paying city taxes by a couple of hundred yards), has nothing wrong with it (it was as maintenance free as any owner could ask of a home), is on a quiet cul-de-sac, is part of a great subdivision which goes all-out for just about every holiday (especially Halloween and Independence Day), and is a steal given that I have priced it about $13,000 below what I paid for it in 2007. Plus, you receive awesome representation in the General Assembly through Senator Jamie Woodson and Representative Bill Dunn. So, if you're feeling so inclined...
Labels: Education, Knox County Politics, Maryville, Relocating
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Interesting Times
It's time for a bit of personal reflection.
I have been about as stressed as I can remember in recent weeks. Between coordinating and effectuating a move to our new house, having the closing nearly fall apart only hours prior to its scheduled time, orchestrating the sale of our old house, watching after my more-pregnant-by-the-day wife and Boston Terrier (who is quite confused as to his new, bigger surroundings), making the necessary purchases for the home (new TV, washer & dryer, lawnmower, etc.), and all the while trying to keep the Firm from imploding has been quite a test.
But the light at the end of the tunnel is approaching. Things are starting to slowly come into place at home. The old house should close next week. We're one living room suit and one dining room table from having the new house completely furnished. And it only took one all-nighter at work this week to help me get caught up at the office. (It's amazing what a little Trans-Siberian Orchestra and actually seeing folders being filed can do for your spirits at 3:00 A.M.) Angela and I are looking forward to a nice trip to Nashville on Saturday for the Republican State Executive Committee meeting.
Plus, there is reason for real excitement just around the corner, because we are only thirty short days until...
IT'S FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE!!!
I have been about as stressed as I can remember in recent weeks. Between coordinating and effectuating a move to our new house, having the closing nearly fall apart only hours prior to its scheduled time, orchestrating the sale of our old house, watching after my more-pregnant-by-the-day wife and Boston Terrier (who is quite confused as to his new, bigger surroundings), making the necessary purchases for the home (new TV, washer & dryer, lawnmower, etc.), and all the while trying to keep the Firm from imploding has been quite a test.
But the light at the end of the tunnel is approaching. Things are starting to slowly come into place at home. The old house should close next week. We're one living room suit and one dining room table from having the new house completely furnished. And it only took one all-nighter at work this week to help me get caught up at the office. (It's amazing what a little Trans-Siberian Orchestra and actually seeing folders being filed can do for your spirits at 3:00 A.M.) Angela and I are looking forward to a nice trip to Nashville on Saturday for the Republican State Executive Committee meeting.
Plus, there is reason for real excitement just around the corner, because we are only thirty short days until...
IT'S FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE!!!
Labels: Firm Life, Football, Relocating, State Executive Committee
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Liveblogging the move?
I don't think so.
But we are closing today and moving over the next 24 hours, so VOLCon will have to wait.
Hopefully, everything will be back to normal by Wednesday evening. I look to provide a few more pictures of our new surroundings then, too.
But we are closing today and moving over the next 24 hours, so VOLCon will have to wait.
Hopefully, everything will be back to normal by Wednesday evening. I look to provide a few more pictures of our new surroundings then, too.
Labels: Relocating
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Help with my Laundry
So we are looking to purchase a new washer and dryer for the new house, and we have narrowed it down to two quiet models - the Bosch Nexxt 500 series and the Whirlpool Duet series.
Anyone have any experience that might help us?
The last pair that I purchased from Best Buy are staying with the soon-to-be old house.
I am intrigued about the amount of water and electricity saved by the Bosch model. It seems very eco-friendly. Anyone know where Al Gore stands on this choice?
Anyone have any experience that might help us?
The last pair that I purchased from Best Buy are staying with the soon-to-be old house.
I am intrigued about the amount of water and electricity saved by the Bosch model. It seems very eco-friendly. Anyone know where Al Gore stands on this choice?
Labels: Relocating
The Huddleston's are on the move
Two reasons for my lack of consistent posting over the past few weeks can be directly tied to our impending purchase of a new house and our eventual selling of our current house. I'm happy to report that both of those goals look to be coming to a conclusion very soon.
Our new location will be in the Wyngate subdivision, about a mile from Knoxville Center and the new Harvest Park Centre (with the new Target, Marshalls, Circuit City, and other stores).
As I mentioned in the past, our move is necessitated by our new baby boy (due date: Christmas Eve) and Slammin' Sammy, who joined our family in early 2005. With two new additions since we moved into our little house on Woodlawn Pike, the time was right for an upgrade. (Even if it is tough to give up my tailgate pad. I guess it's back to traditional tailgating for this Vol fan...)
I have heard that I was heading back to the 1st Congressional District to challenge David Davis in 2010, that I was moving to Blount County to run for General Sessions Judge, and a few other rumors. Obviously, none of these were true. Our family was obligated to stay in the 6th District - Tennessee's 6th Senatorial District. When Angela made a commitment to serve in her capacity as State Executive Committeewoman for the 6th District, we made that commitment for a full term. It would have been irresponsible to abandon her position after less than one year of service and particularly at a time when the SEC is busy choosing new officers.
When you are involved in politics, moving is a difficult prospect, because not only are you having to pick out that perfect house but you are having to run to the computer and see if said perfect house is in the correct district. Angela and I experienced this in 2004 when we moved from D.C. and were looking in the Seymour area for a house in 1st Congressional District. This time around, we were looking at Tennessee Senatorial districts to make sure that Angela stayed in the 6th District.
Does that mean that I am not running for office in the next few years? Perhaps. I have outstanding representation in the State House at our new home with Rep. Bill Dunn. State Senator Jamie Woodson is running for reelection next year and I suspect will be serving the 6th District for some time.
But there are a few other options. If I were to believe that an honest man could interject himself into the Knox County Commission and do some good without being destroyed by the forces of corruption that exist in Knox County politics, then there is a seat in the 7th District of Knox County that should be available (either because he runs for another county office or has become politically vulnerable). There are also the rumors that Congressman Duncan may be looking to retire soon. That would certainly be interesting, with many of the corrupt Knox County politicians trying to jockey for position and the ever-persistent rumors that Congressman Duncan would like to pass his seat to his son in the same way that it was passed to him by his father. In either case (facing corrupt local politicians or fighting a family dynasty that borders on a monarchy), I would certainly be interested.
In any case, I am so amazed at all that has happened thus far in 2007. I am blown away by God's blessings on our family. The miracle of a child on our first attempt. A new home for our family. Estimates of over 115% annual growth at The Huddleston Law Firm.
It certainly has been an amazing year - and we're not even to August.
Labels: Knox County Politics, Relocating, State Executive Committee
Saturday, June 16, 2007
House Update - Part Deux
Yesterday, I wrote that a buyer had put earnest money towards the house but that I was awaiting the signed contract before I declared it "sold."
Well, the deal has fallen through. The house is certainly back up for sale, and it has been shown already this morning.
If you are interested, let me know, because it doesn't look like it will be available long...
Well, the deal has fallen through. The house is certainly back up for sale, and it has been shown already this morning.
If you are interested, let me know, because it doesn't look like it will be available long...
Labels: Relocating
Friday, June 15, 2007
House Update
As several people have asked this week about the housing situation, I figure I should give an update.
As posted here earlier this week, we put our house on the market on the evening of Sunday, June 10th. For simplicity's sake, I arranged for the first set of showings for Wednesday evening. Within 72 hours of being on the market, earnest money was given (although I still haven't received the signed contract) by a prospective couple. I am still waiting for the contract to be returned before announcing that the house is officially "sold," but we are headed in that direction. I am still showing the house, though, in the event that the contract falls through.
Thus, I am not going to comment yet on where our new residence will be until everything is finalized with the contract. No need to put the cart before the horse.
Finally, regarding my sister's house (which was also referenced in this post), I understand that it will also be shown this weekend. It appears - as I had been told many times recently - that the housing slump that is effecting the rest of the nation is not cramping the real estate market here in Knoxville.
As posted here earlier this week, we put our house on the market on the evening of Sunday, June 10th. For simplicity's sake, I arranged for the first set of showings for Wednesday evening. Within 72 hours of being on the market, earnest money was given (although I still haven't received the signed contract) by a prospective couple. I am still waiting for the contract to be returned before announcing that the house is officially "sold," but we are headed in that direction. I am still showing the house, though, in the event that the contract falls through.
Thus, I am not going to comment yet on where our new residence will be until everything is finalized with the contract. No need to put the cart before the horse.
Finally, regarding my sister's house (which was also referenced in this post), I understand that it will also be shown this weekend. It appears - as I had been told many times recently - that the housing slump that is effecting the rest of the nation is not cramping the real estate market here in Knoxville.
Labels: Relocating
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Leaving KnoxVegas
Wanna buy a house?
For Sale By Owner
142 Woodlawn Pike
$109,900
Enjoy this modern South Knoxville home with 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, a front porch, and a deck for summer cookouts. Built in December of 2004, this home is only 2 ½ years old and is being sold by the original owners. Other features include:
· 1200 square feet of living space on the main floor
· 1200 square feet of unfinished basement
· Central heat & air (gas heat, electric A/C)
· Laminate flooring in the living room, kitchen, halls
· Carpet in the bedrooms and neutral colors throughout
· Low maintenance vinyl siding and accent shutters
· Refrigerator, dishwasher, range, washer & dryer, and microwave were all new at original purchase of the house
· Within walking distance of Neyland Stadium and the KAT bus line
At this asking price, this almost new home could be a great investment!
For more information, contact Rob or Angela Huddleston at:
Office: (865) 579-9177
MORE: Also, my sister has her place up for sale as she attempts to move herself and her two boys up to the Tri-Cities.
You can see the MLS listing through realtor Jennifer Bilbrey by hitting this link.
Labels: Relocating
