Mirror Shopping

Mike & I are on the hunt for a mirror to place over our mantel. Well, let's be honest, I'm on the hunt for a mirror and Mike is humoring me. :) He's actually meeting me at Hobby Lobby today on his lunch break--50% off sales call for drastic measures!! I had one picked out already, but he wasn't crazy about it. Here are some pics I grabbed with my cell phone:


He felt it was a touch too modern, and is probably right. We're both drawn to a more traditional style... so I'm really hoping we can find something we both love.

Here's the space back when we were painting:

Maybe something similar to these?




or maybe a different shape all together:



Hopefully something will jump out at us when we're shopping today!

When are you two going to have kids??

I swear to God people love to ask that question. I know they aren't doing it to piss me off but I'm more than tired of it. Guess what- we just bought a house. We're just now coming up on our 2nd wedding anniversary. There is NO rush! We enjoy our freedom. I love being able to stay up till 3 in the morning playing Wii with Mike. Or being lazy all day long in our pajamas. We want to travel (Japan with a baby? no thanks.), we want to be selfish. We're enjoying our puppy and can't imagine adding something even more demanding to the equation ( you can't crate train a baby! :) ) So to answer the question that everybody seems to be asking: We don't know! Maybe in 5 years or so. We're not even 30 yet. And stop asking. :)

We have tile!!

Both our guest bathroom and master bathroom had carpet when we moved in. Having tile installed was one of our top priorities, and yesterday it happened! First of all, WHO puts carpet in a bathroom? Gross. Secondly, please look past the hideous wallpaper- it will be down next week!

Before:


During:

more during:

after!

(notice the toilet was replaced too!)

and now the master bath:


during:


after:


notice I've already started removing that freaking wallpaper in here. country blue & mauve circa 1992. yuck.

the master bedroom

We're still unpacking! Here is a very rough draft of our master bedroom. I took these pictures last night after I hung the curtains. I still have a ton to do in here- hang bamboo shades under the curtains, recover the lampshades, attach trim to the curtains, put on the bed skirt and make some tablecloths for our bedside tables. whew! that's quite a list! Anyway, here it is so far:

I'm missing a pillow for the bed...must be in a box somewhere! :)

getting settled

My parents were here this weeken, we had a fantastic time. My dad taught Mike how to install a ceiling fan and my mom & I had a little project we worked on. Here are some pictures of the topiaries my mom & I made:







supplies: spanish moss, topiary forms, clay pots & paint! love them :)

some pictures...FINALLY!!

First off let me tell you about the house. It was built in 1992, it's 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and about 1500 sq ft. .These are a few pictures that I've taken:

the outside- can't wait to work on that yard! (and take down that horrid wreath! lol)


at the end of our street is Lake Avalon:

These houses are below ours. We do have a lake view though!



Here are some of the changes we've made so far-

We've painted Mike's office. A set of double doors open up to the office right off the living room.

We've painted the master bedroom:



we've started painting a part of the living room- the vaulted ceilings are a huge pain in the ass.


I'll take more pictures tomorrow!

Wallpaper is the devil

Sorry for the lack of blogging. We've been spending every day (& night) over at the new house. The previous owners had a deep love for wallpaper. Super fugly wallpaper that I am now having to strip off...layer by layer. omfg what a nightmare!! But, every time I start to lose it, I remember--- omg, this is OUR house! :) So far we've painted Mike's office, the master bedroom, and part of the living room (vaulted ceilings are no fun!), and I've stripped wallpaper in the entryway and part of the dining room. Today my goal is to finish painting the living room and start on the entryway. I promise to take some pictures today!

WE'RE HOMEOWNERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Woohoo!!! We closed earlier today and are absolutely thrilled. :) Tomorrow begins "project wallpaper removal"- not fun!! But it will all be worth it when it's over. I'll be taking tons of pictures throughout the entire process and blogging about it all non-stop!

I'm impatient

Our closing has been pushed until 1:00 pm tomorrow. Something about the termite inspection being delayed and the loan underwriter being backed up. Come on people, get your act together!! The sellers have already signed everything so hopefully everything will go off without a hitch.

We had our final walk through on Saturday and it went really well. The house looks so much better without all the seller's stuff. Keep your fingers crossed for us tomorrow.

301!

How did I not notice this? Yesterday was my 300th post! Just think of all the time I've wasted writing these little blog posts. This was originally a place for Mike and I... his interest lasted for about a month *insert eye roll here* but I've kept things going on my own.

I drove past our soon-to-be-home today, the sellers are STILL moving out. There was a huge pile of early 90's trashtastic decor waiting to be picked up by the garbage collectors. I can't wait to see that place without all of their crap in it! Get out already!! lol

We are still set to close on Monday but things could be pushed back to Tuesday morning. We're waiting on the termite inspection forms to be faxed over to the lender. Apparently even though the house has been on the market since September of 2007 the sellers just decided who they wanted to do the inspection. Another *insert eye roll here*. :)

It's Really Happening

Sorry I've been so quiet. I've definitely been down in the dumps over Blackie. :( We do have some good news to share though. Barring any major disasters, we close on our first home on Monday! Pictures to come shortly. We are so thrilled and excited. I hope you guys are ready for tons of house posts- I have tons of painting and decorating projects to tackle. Also wanted to say thanks for all your kind words over our loss, it means a lot.

A Eulogy for Blackie

Today at 4 pm my sweet little boy passed away. I am heartbroken. It was sudden and seemed as if he didn't suffer, but I am devastated.




Blackie came into my life on December 23, 2002. I was somewhat reluctant to have him. I've never been a "cat person" I preferred dogs. I thought cats were aloof and cold. I was so wrong. Since that day he has been a loyal companion, a sweetheart and a true best friend. Blackie was with me during hard times, lonely times and great times. He was a little lover, always wanting hugs and kisses- so affectionate. You can ask anyone that knew him and they would tell you he was definitely a mama's boy.




Blackie would start his days bright and early- around 6am, always sitting at the top of the bed trying to wake us up. He was hungry! :) He would annoy Mike (who was trying to enjoy his last few minutes of sleep) so Blackie would lay down by my head and wait patiently. Inevitably he would wear me down and I'd get up earlier than planned to give the little guy his breakfast. The rest of his day would be spent lounging on the ottoman (his favorite spot) or sleeping under a dining room chair. He would always find time to come climb in my lap and demand some attention.


Some of our favorite Blackie memories:

one cold January night he accompanied me to the library- in my coat pocket! He was a tiny kitten and loved going with me everywhere. No one had a clue. :)

He loved Mike instantly and would assault him with cuddles every time Mike would come to my apartment.

Last year we bought Blackie a cat bed. He refused to sleep in it unless it was upside down- he would only sleep on the bottom of the bed. What a little weirdo.

His insane love of catnip. We have videos on youtube that document Blackie's antics when under the influence.

We remember how he tried to act like such a little tough guy when we brought Pinkie home from the shelter. He hissed and stared her down. A mere 4 hours later we caught him laying with her behind the couch, grooming her like she was his baby.





His boyfriend the bear. Blackie had a true love for his giant bear and would lay in its arms everynight.





Rest in peace my sweet boy. I miss you terribly.


A few of my favorite cat quotes:

"The cat has too much spirit to have no heart." -Ernest Menaul

"There is nothing sweeter than his peace when at rest, for there is nothing brisker than his life when in motion." -Christopher Smart

"Who can believe that there is no soul behind those luminous eyes!"

-Theophile Gautier

Jack Bauer is all grown up!

Sorry to leave y'all hanging!

I didn't realize how long it's been since I've updated! The inspection went really well, only a few things we want fixed so we'll see what they say. Our lender on the other hand has been a total PAIN IN MY ASS!!! They were so terrible that we met with a different mortgage broker on Friday and are using him & Wachovia now. I don't want to get in trouble for slander (or is it libel? lol) on here but if you're curious I'd be more than happy to tell you who the asshole mortgage company is. :) So, our closing is set for July 14th and I'm excited!!!!!!!!!!! and scared!!!!!!! and just holding my breath until we have the keys.

House News!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We offered, they countered, we countered their counter & they accepted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol lol Confusing enough? Our inspection is in the morning, wish us luck!

Update on the house search

So we've found a few we're interested in (one in particular!) but I don't want to share on here yet. I just think showing pictures will make me love it even more and then something will happen and we won't get it. My parents are driving up Saturday morning to walk through it-- NO, we aren't having my mom & dad decide for us!! We value their opinion... and if Mike's mom was closer we'd absolutely have her weigh-in too. Sooo if all goes well, we will submit an offeron Saturday afternoon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My stomach is in HUGE knots, I feel so freaking excited but also want to crap my pants. Normal?? I think so.

Ready to be a homeowner

So we've been house hunting for a little while. Mostly on the internet and at a few open houses/model homes. We've gotten pre-approved for a mortgage (holy shit, we're adults!! people want to lend us a lot of $$!! It just doesn't seem real! lol) I met with our Realtor on Monday and we got a list together of our very favorite homes- we'll go see them next week. This whole process has been crazy and fun. I'm sure the closer we get to actually putting in an offer and all the negotiation stuff it won't be so fun. We'd welcome any advice from you homeowners!

JB's 12 & 13 weeks pics!

It's shocking how big JB is getting... here are his 12 & 13 weeks pictures:

hanging out with me while I pull weeds

playing at the park:

trying to learn how to "sit"

his first visit to Tanyard Creek, wet from playing in the water

13 weeks old!