(I promise, this will be the first and last time I ever create glitter words.)

That's right, Pleasant Valley Ranch, the early years.

In late June, 2006 -- after the craziest month of financial circle running, hoop jumping, hair pulling and eye gouging, and between celebratory buckets of booze with his buddies visiting Austin from Tennessee, Errek bought a house. It was a damn cute little thing except that the foundation was unlevel, the roof was leaking, the AC didn't work, there was termite damage, the porch was cracked...actually everything was cracked. In fact, the house FAILED every single point of the inspection. But who is Errek if not a handy-man looking for a challenge?

And this is the story of that challenge.

The house, dubbed (by us) as "Pleasant Valley Ranch," is nestled at the bend of the Pleasant Valley arroyo just across the street from the H.E. Butts general store. It's 60 years old and according to the neighborhood gossip the former residence of Mr. Perez, who, sadly, left this Earth about a year ago. Apparently, he was a little bit senile and was known to just wander off. Not that his tendency to go on walkabout had anything to do with his death, it's just a neat little tidbit of the history of Pleasant Valley Ranch (PVR for short). But I digress, the point was, the neighbors used to all keep a close eye on Mr. Perez, much as they seem to be keeping a close eye on us. Errek is the palest face on the block, with the exception of the house next door where a bunch of redneck guys with no teeth cook their dinner in their backyard every night. This is their backyard.

Otherwise, the neighborhood is a close-knit Latino block with uncles and nephews everywhere. It's pretty cool. They seem to slowly be warming to Errek, Mr. Hernandez across the street nodded and waved goodnight last week. It's progress. But part of the reason for the curiousity among the neighbors is apparently the melodrama that took place prior to Errek's purchase. You see, when Mr. Perez died his three children argued about whether to keep or sell the house. It was two-to-one in favor of selling, and apparently the argument led to some of the children no longer speaking to one another. That's never good. The house was sold to an investor who kept it empty and then turned around and sold it to Errek within a year.

So, the house needs some love...and that's just what it's going to get.

Stay-tuned to track the progress from fixer-upper to fixed-up. Fun. Fun.

Next Chapter: Sold as-is