tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71915227547640835102024-03-08T00:58:32.941-08:00Breezes from the CoastAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409210663843786623noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191522754764083510.post-91351192384860457502014-02-11T09:03:00.001-08:002014-02-11T09:13:13.309-08:00Never enough<span style="color: #f4cccc;">Never good enough: Do you ever feel inadequate? That no matter what you do, it is never good enough? Someone is always disappointed in you? And you let yourself down yet again? I'm having one of those weeks. Every task I try to start (or even finish) feels like it will take forever and there is always something more important that needs to get done. Responsibilities keep piling up until there is no chance I'll get them all done, so I get none of them done. For every small step up I take, I feel like I get thrown down a flight of a hundred stairs and have to start all over again. Maybe this is one of Dante's circles of hell.....</span><br />
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<span style="color: #f4cccc;">Never enough time: If only I could make a copy of myself - or several. One would sleep. One would go to work and knock out all these projects I can't seem to finish. One would work on the youth retreat plans and details - getting everything ready for this weekend. (That one would be seasonal.) One would be focused on Upward. (Another seasonal one.) One would be partying Thirty-one style with new friends and sharing the opportunity! One would probably be at home cleaning and getting the house into a manageable order - I mean picking out what I'm going to wear each day out of the pile of clean laundry on the couch is not how I envisioned I would be spending my 30's!! How many of me is that? And I still need a few more - one would spend time with Buddy (if he had an extra of himself that wasn't teaching, grading, coaching, sleeping) - we need some date nights/days/hours. One would make an effort to connect with friends that I've lost touch with. I mean, honestly, how does one person get it all done?!?!?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #f4cccc;">Never planned enough: And then there's the whole future issue - if I don't have time now to exercise or craft or read or do any of the other things I WANT to do, much less having time to do the things I NEED to do....how would I have ANY time to be a good mom (in addition to wife, friend, servant, coach, employee, etc)?? How will I be ready for any of that?? Can you be ready for any of that?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #f4cccc;">People say it's about time management and saying no.....neither one of which I'm great at. I like to know (or at least have a plan in place for) what's next......</span><br />
<span style="color: #f4cccc;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;"></span>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409210663843786623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191522754764083510.post-73703221369137177192013-12-11T08:47:00.002-08:002014-02-11T09:13:28.487-08:00<span style="color: #9fc5e8;">As much as I love to write, I definitely can't keep up with it every day....it's too time consuming, and frankly, I find other things way more important sometimes. But, once I take a break, all I want to do is come back and write......but I find the whole task daunting because I'm "behind". And the stress of that is overwhelming, so I wait longer and longer and never seem to catch up. So instead of trying to play "catch up", I'm just going to skip ahead and *try* not to look back.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8;">As much as I tried to get in the Christmas spirit this year, I find myself still having a hard time.....baking cookies helps (although Buddy's done the heavy lifting there), and reading books at night helps....but the cats destroyed our Christmas tree (and by destroyed, I mean the tree doesn't even look like a tree anymore), I never finished decorating (so boxes are still out in the hallway), and the weather here is being all sorts of crazy (which definitely doesn't help). I tried wrapping presents to feel "connected", but since I don't really have a tree to put them under right now, it didn't really help.Christmas music is slowly helping....but I think what I need the most is to see my family. Seeing Buddy's family at Thanksgiving was so great - it was a fun time that was relaxing and stress free and full of good food! Now I need that with my family! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8;">It's amazing how little things really mean so much this time of year. All the traditions we used to do - they just aren't the same without those original people. Like singing the 12 Days of Christmas on the way home from the candlelight service where we all take different days and sing them (with Dad doing the low 5 Gooooooooooolden Ringgsssssssssss) as we look at Christmas lights. Or having Christmas day stocking presents opened before breakfast but having to wait for breakfast before opening anything else. I'm so looking forward to seeing my family this year! Wish they lived closer.....</span>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409210663843786623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191522754764083510.post-30193310224724879982013-12-05T16:44:00.001-08:002013-12-05T16:44:32.922-08:00I'm dreaming of a white Christmas<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Some days all you need is a good nap. Some of my favorite memories of Christmas are falling asleep on Christmas afternoon with the sisters while watching a movie with the Christmas tree lights shining in the other room. Today, I could have used a good nap like that - bundled up under a blanket with my family all around me, and the smell of Christmas dinner cooking (or the smell of the leftovers from Christmas breakfast wafting through the room). I'm sure Mom didn't appreciate all the times we fell asleep and didn't help cook or clean-up, but I know she appreciates a good nap just as much as the rest of us. As I've gotten older, I find that naps are more and more desired and less and less actually achieved. If I actually get to find time to take a nap, I either sleep entirely too long or not enough, and I yet, I still crave that little bit of snuggle time with my bed (and my kitties)!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Day 4 cookies: Blockbuster (raisinets and popcorn) - definitely a strange combination, and a popcorn kernel busted a friend's tooth.......so definitely not making the list next year!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Book 4: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/If-You-Take-Mouse-Movies/dp/0060278676/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386290617&sr=8-1&keywords=if+you+take+a+mouse+to+the+movies">If you take a mouse to the movies by Laura Numeroff</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Love this series, and the Christmas(y) theme of this one was a perfect book for last night! </span>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409210663843786623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191522754764083510.post-25197710866042195112013-12-04T17:56:00.001-08:002013-12-04T17:56:07.592-08:00It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas<span style="color: #e06666;">Day 3: Fiesta Fudge cookies - definitely one of my favorites! I had some trouble finding Hershey Hugs this year and had to go with a mixed bag of kisses and hugs....so now to find something to do with those kisses.....</span><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666;">Buddy did the cookie baking last night, as I wasn't feeling well. They turned out so good! They even look festive! I spent a little time tonight decorating the house, and it's starting to feel a little more like Christmas. I'm not done yet, but a little every day is helping....here's hoping I can get it all done before the weekend so we can get a real tree this year to go with our fake one - yes we like to do two! As much as I really don't like being cold, I really think that would help with the whole Christmas spirit feeling....last weekend in Richmond definitely felt more holiday like than the weather right now here in Charleston.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666;">Book #3 was <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Little-Porcupines-Christmas-Joseph-Slate/dp/0439474833/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386208145&sr=8-1&keywords=little+porcupines+christmas">Little Porcupine's Christmas by Joseph Slate</a> </span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">It was alright - had a cute message, but I wasn't that into it. That might be because I wasn't feeling well - who knows. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666;">We are back to having "date night Wednesdays" - during Upward season, it's usually the only night we don't have something going on. A few years ago, we started alternating game night and craft night on Wednesdays, so we are trying to reinstitute that to have some fun time together where we enjoy each other and get some of our projects done. Tonight, I made one of those make it-bake it suncatchers for my office at work! Made me feel like a kid again, plus the turtle turned out really cute! And now that I have a window, I think it will help with the depression I seem to always find myself facing in the winter time. Coming home from work in the dark is hard! I'm trying to find joy in the small things and stay focused on those - never thought it would be that hard, but being an adult and having responsibilities really takes its toll. Having a few minutes each night with Buddy to snuggle and read something light hearted and fun is definitely helping! </span>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409210663843786623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191522754764083510.post-16568937997315803862013-12-03T12:50:00.002-08:002013-12-03T12:50:31.522-08:00The best way to spread Christmas cheer<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Last night, I "wrapped" my first Christmas presents - or rather, I supervised as the youth at Bible study wrapped presents for a family in need. Another small group at the church donated the money for the family, and our youth went shopping last week and wrapped the presents this week. It always warms my heart when so many of them show up for Bible study by their own choice - something they don't have to do and it's always "for them", and yet they come week after week to learn something new about the Bible and spend time with each other and do things for other people (sometimes who they don't even know).</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Since they know about our Christmas cookie tradition, they were disappointed that I didn't bring any extra cookies last night, but Buddy promised we would bring lots next week (a variety of what was left from this week). As to the offers to drop by unannounced to sample cookies - I informed them that they had to help decorate if they came by :) Either way, I win that battle!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Day 2: Melt in your mouth sugar cookies</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Definitely not better than the snicker doodles, but I didn't have any complaints with the lunch bunch. I was a little surprised that the sugar in the recipe was powdered sugar and not regular white or brown sugar.....but they were pretty decent. If I'd thought a little about it, I might have made these closer to the end of the month and decorated them....instead we went with vanilla royal icing - still good, but could have been cuter.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Our 2nd book was <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mooseltoe-Margie-Palatini/dp/0439330408/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386103585&sr=8-1&keywords=mooseltoe">Moosletoe by Margie Palatini</a>. Definitely a cute read - Buddy and I took turns with him reading the BOLD words and me reading the rest. He fell asleep about half-way through (it was midnight by the time we were ready for bed...) so I had to nudge him awake to read his words - but we made it!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So far so good - day 2 and still on track...now just to finish the decorating/sorting/cleaning/donating part of Christmas decorations....maybe I should really invite those youth over to help ;)</span></span>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409210663843786623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191522754764083510.post-67174762233180719912013-12-02T13:04:00.000-08:002013-12-02T13:04:23.619-08:00Christmas Traditions<span style="color: #b4a7d6;">I'm trying really hard to get into the season early and dive in head first - last year we waited too long, and it never really felt like I was ready for Christmas. This year, I'm going all in! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #b4a7d6;">So, to get started, we started our tradition of the 25 Days of Christmas Cookies/Baking! We never actually make it through all 25 days, but part of the tradition is just trying!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #b4a7d6;">Day 1: Holiday Snickerdoodles</span><br />
<span style="color: #b4a7d6;">Usually, I rely on Sharon to make the snickerdoodles (she is a way better chef), but since she's not in SC anymore, I decided to add them to my list this year (plus I had everything I needed at home without having to go to the store)....and they were great! It definitely helped get us into the Christmas spirit (along with some outside lights that Buddy put up and the fake tree that I put up - still not done with either, but it's a start). With 60 degree weather right now - the smell of baking cinnamon definitely helps it feel like Christmas! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #b4a7d6;">We also started a new tradition last year that we brought back this year - 25 Days of Christmas books. We read one each night before bed. I think it would definitely be fun with children, but for the time being - we read to each other and the kitties. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #b4a7d6;">Day 1: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Snowmen-at-Christmas-Caralyn-Buehner/dp/0803729952/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386017965&sr=8-1&keywords=snowmen+at+christmas">Snowmen at Christmas by Caralyn Buehner </a></span><br />
<span style="color: #b4a7d6;">Love this book - great art, and there is a fun activity to search for on each page!</span><br />
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409210663843786623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191522754764083510.post-50758683613090909732013-05-24T21:09:00.001-07:002013-05-24T21:09:22.005-07:00Another sleepless night<span style="color: #ffd966;">It's another sleepless night for me here in Charleston. For whatever reason, I haven't been sleeping at night. I think maybe it's because I have some weird sort of anxiety that makes me nervous to go to bed - I'm sure all my psychology friends will have something to say about that....Usually around this time, I would be passed out asleep, but lately, I just find my mind wandering about all sorts of things...see if you can keep up....</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffd966;">My sister is getting married in a week - I'm so excited for her! - but also relieved that the last Herrin wedding will be over (at least of the sisters). I find myself excited and nervous at the same time about weddings. I want it to be amazing for her, but it also makes me nostalgic for my own wedding, and I think about all the cute fun things I would do if I were getting married again. Not that I want to marry again or anything like that, but just the general idea of having a wedding is kind of fun - all the planning to have that really awesome fun day that's all about you! plus the cake...don't forget the cake....June is going to be a packed month full of weddings. A week after Rachel gets married, my cousin is getting married, and then two weeks later, a friend from college is getting married. I thought I was passed all the wedding seasons, but this year seems to be full of them. I have 2 other friends that are getting married in the next year too. Makes me feel young again, to be back in wedding season since the rest of my friends are all having babies.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffd966;">Am I a bad person if I don't know if I want to have kids? I feel like I'm at the point in my life where I should make this decision, but I just can't seem to decide one way or the other. Buddy and I have been talking a lot about adopting....but then there are all the hoops you have to jump through and all the questions of how old of a child, how many, do you want to foster first, etc? I mean, we all know how fostering works for us...we fostered a kitten two years ago (adopted her), then we fostered 2 kittens last year (kept them too). We are foster failures, so I can only imagine how much harder it would be to be a foster family for actual human children....which is probably why I can't figure out what I really want. I'm so scared it's going to change everything, and that I won't be happy......but then I feel completely selfish and like a failure. I am finally at the point in my life where I like who I am and my relationship and friendships and work, and I'm terrified of upsetting that balance with the unknown. </span>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409210663843786623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191522754764083510.post-40074918476010536572010-12-02T06:08:00.000-08:002010-12-16T08:41:01.352-08:00Christmas Time<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 255, 153);">It's that time of year again, and what better way to get into the holiday spirit than to bake Christmas cookies. This year, I've decided to try something new - Buddy and I are going to do 25 Days of Christmas Cookies! I figured, since Julie (& Julia) can bake through an entire cookbook in a year, and ABC Family can do 25 Days of Christmas, I can bake cookies for 25 days (plus there are a lot of recipes I want to try, and I really need to get into the holiday spirit). I'm going to put the list here and edit as I go, so there will only be one posting (with updates about how good). I might even put the recipes if anyone is interested :)</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 255, 153);">December 1: white chocolate macaroon - a new favorite! (still need to work on my drizzling)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 255, 153);">December 2: butterscotch fudge macaroons - a messy cookie, but delicious!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 255, 153);">December 3: orange marmalade drops - no good<br />December 4: chocolate chip - tried and true - best recipe I make<br />December 5: Ukrops Christmas cookies - Buddy liked it, but I wasn't a right fan<br />December 6: lemon-poppy seed - super easy and good!<br />December 7: peanut butter blossoms (really good if you like chocolate and pnut butter cookies)<br />December 8: spiced shortbread - definitely good!<br />December 9: raspberry thumbprint<br />December 10: gingerbread men<br />December 11: chocolate raspberry tassies - these are soooo good!<br />December 12: vanilla angel wings<br />December 13: vanilla and mocha angel wings<br />December 14: white chocolate cherry shortbread<br />December 15: cinnamon wreaths (so cute!)<br />December 16:<br />December 17:<br />December 18:<br />December 19:<br />December 20:<br />December 21:<br />December 22:<br />December 23:<br />December 24:<br />December 25:<br /></span></span></span></span>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409210663843786623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191522754764083510.post-48117024456297890272010-03-30T19:00:00.000-07:002010-03-30T19:11:30.325-07:00Halfway around the world<span style="font-family:Arial;color:#33ff33;">I left Charleston, SC, at about 6:30am Monday, March 29th to fly halfway around the world to visit my baby sister in Thailand. Lisa was supposed to meet me in Chicago and fly with me, but we hit our first snafu of the trip - Lisa forgot to mention to Mom to get the passport out of the safety deposit box, so she had to delay one day. Flying alone is fun and not fun at the same time. While it's nice to be able to relax and such, it's kind of a pain when you have to go to the bathroom or want to take a nap or walk at the airport. You don't want to leave your bags unattended, but having to carry them around is kind of a pain. No matter, I met a very nice couple on the flight from Chicago to Tokyo who happen to be missionaries in Chiang Mai, Thailand. They are curently living in the States, but we had a nice conversation about oh so many different things. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#33ff33;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#33ff33;">The flights themselves were not that bad - just LONG.....and since I didn't move around enough, my ankles now look like cankles from blood pooling. There were movies and food on the planes, but airplane food is just so-so, and while it's nice that they have movies, it really cuts into the sleeping time :)</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#33ff33;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#33ff33;">I flew into Bangkok, Thailand around 11pm local time (12 noon EST) on Tuesday, March 30th - almost a full day and a half after I left Charleston. Rachel and Kent met me at the airport, and we took a taxi back to her dorm. Did you know they drive on the opposite side of the road here? THe city (at least at night) didn't look that much different from big cities in the US except for the language on the signs.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#33ff33;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#33ff33;">The weather here is REALLY hot and humid (not much different from Charleston in August). The beds are hard, and the custom is to remove your shoes before you enter the dorm - I don't know if it's just residential areas or what. I'm sure I"ll learn some more of the customs. We heard/saw lots of roaming animals last night (cats and dogs). They were so skinny - we heard the dogs howling at night. I met several of Rachel's friends, although I"m not sure I'd remember any names other than her roommate Libra, Kent, and Clara who let us stay in her room. Thanks, Clara!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#33ff33;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#33ff33;">Rachel has gone to class, and I am still trying to get used to the time change. We will go out and find something for lunch in a couple of hours. Tonight, we had back to the city to pick up Lisa from the airport. How exciting to be halfway around the world!</span>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409210663843786623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191522754764083510.post-32594753715768360282010-01-27T19:18:00.000-08:002010-01-27T19:24:37.699-08:00<span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">So, the new event for January was the hockey game. Buddy and I went this past weekend to see the Stingrays play. I had never been to a hockey game before, so I was expecting something like the Mighty Ducks. I was completely shocked when the "fighting" that I expected turned out to be nothing like I expected. I was expecting just normal fighting that happens with games that the refs break up and the game keeps going. I was astonished when I saw that "fighting" in adult hockey is really just a brawl that is totally barbaric and the guys just beat each other up...and everyone watches and cheers. I felt a little sick to my stomach after watching it.....while I completely understand the need to hit things...I thought that hockey in an of itself with all of the wall slamming and "checking" was enough hitting....where does the desire to just beat the snot out each come from??? Other than that...the hockey game was fun. I think we might go back in February for Pink in the Rink night :)<br /></span></span></span>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409210663843786623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191522754764083510.post-36290393469720922112010-01-08T10:18:00.000-08:002010-01-08T10:24:46.336-08:00<span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Unpacking a box a night - check (still tons to go)<br />Reading through Bible in year (on pace) - check<br /></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Exercising 3x a week - oops...not this week<br /></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Missing my sister in Thailand - check<br />New goal - stop spending $ until Buddy is done with school!!! - working on it<br /></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409210663843786623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191522754764083510.post-60352838717462135752010-01-06T14:04:00.000-08:002010-01-06T14:08:06.410-08:00<span style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Things to do in 2010:<br /><br />1. Try something new every month<br />January - hockey game<br />April - Thailand<br /><br />2. Finish unpacking boxes - at least one box a night<br /><br />3. Read through the Bible in a year<br /><br />Other things I hope to do<br />*finish some craft projects<br />*craft night once a month<br />*keep house clean<br />*get organized<br />*get rid of stuff!<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409210663843786623noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191522754764083510.post-53672457832714466402009-11-03T12:47:00.000-08:002009-11-03T12:48:19.708-08:00<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We are officially out of the apartment! Now to deal with the termite situation.<br /></span></span></span>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409210663843786623noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191522754764083510.post-13143554733654800492009-10-07T18:49:00.000-07:002009-10-07T18:54:26.277-07:00<span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Another room is finished!!! (well except for the blinds that I broke) We had some great help tonight and moved 2 truck loads and 1 car load of furniture and boxes. So, it is starting to really feel like home. I know I will miss things about the apartment, but I'm hoping that the house starts to feel more and more like home. I noticed tonight that the house seems to have lots of spiders. We saw a black widow outside that Mike graciously killed and several wolf spiders that we swept outside. I think spiders are better than roaches, but I'm not really keen on having either in the house. This week has been hard to get things done, since I have had so many obligations after work. Buddy has definitely done more than his share this week with getting things finished. Hopefully, when we get back from Emory & Henry on Sunday, we'll have some time to work on the cabinet doors or our bedroom. I think I'm almost ready to start sleeping at the new place - once we get the bed there of course. I keep forgetting to bring the camera back over here with the computer...I'll try to work on that.<br /></span></span></span>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409210663843786623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191522754764083510.post-76974675215140568142009-10-06T13:35:00.000-07:002009-10-06T13:39:44.625-07:00<span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">We have finished the first bedroom - the guest room. It even has some furniture in it (ok, only a desk, but still). The craft room/2nd guest room is almost done. I have to vacuum and deep clean the carpets and make sure the last coat of paint looks ok. We did agree to paint each wall a different color - all blue/green shades. It actually looks pretty good. If I can get the carpets finished tonight, then tomorrow we'll have some help with a truck to move the sewing desk and craft table and the bed for the guest room.<br /><br />The master bedroom has been partially painted. Most of the walls were only previously painted one time, so they sucked up so much paint that they required a 2nd coat, even though we bought "one coat paint". Oh well - it is the next room to finish.<br /><br />The kitchen cabinets have been primed and the first coat of paint has been put on the back of the doors. These are going to take some time to finish.<br /><br />I did get a 10% off coupon to Lowe's, so we'll have to make our next trip really count!<br /></span></span></span>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409210663843786623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191522754764083510.post-15622037284152154132009-10-02T06:30:00.000-07:002009-10-02T06:36:26.744-07:00<span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 255);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We started off a little slow yesterday, but we still managed to accomplish quite a bit. After taking a car full of boxes over with us, we started out by clipping tree limbs off of the roof. We were about 1/3 of the way done when our neighbor came over and offered to let us borrow his pole saw - which made things much faster and easier!<br /><br />Then we took a break and went for 1/2 price drinks at Sonic on our way to find out about the trash and recycle bins and of course our daily trip to Lowe's.<br /><br />We also scrubbed the cabinet doors from the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room. What a task! My hands were shriveled and peeling from the water by the time we were done, but the cabinets look so much better.<br /><br />We also spackled all 3 bedrooms, and Buddy patched some holes in the walls. He fixed the light switch in the living room, so now we have a fan AND lights! We measured the 2 guest bedrooms and agreed on the paint, so today we will sand, vacuum, tape off those rooms, and paint.<br /><br />I did take some pictures of the "before", so I will try to remember/figure out how to post those soon.<br /></span></span></span>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409210663843786623noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191522754764083510.post-64589728616182890922009-10-01T06:51:00.000-07:002009-10-01T06:59:15.756-07:00<span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">So the first day of home ownership went well. We were pretty productive, although Buddy is much more of a worker than me. My legs started hurting in the afternoon - I'm not used to being on my feet all day. I did make it until the end of the day, but there was some whining and complaining.<br /><br />We reinstalled the GFCI outlets in the kitchen and 2 bathrooms with only one minor electrocution, but on the bright side, the breaker switches are now accurately labeled. We also replaced most of the lightbulbs with energy efficient CFL bulbs (this was my job as it was easy). We removed all of the kitchen cabinets and drawers and the hardware on them for cleaning and painting. I ran my first load of laundry (our volleyball shirts needed to be washed for tonight's game). Buddy replaced the toilet valve unit in the master bathroom, so now we have 2 working toilets!! He also swept out the garage, so now it is usable for the cabinet cleaning which is planned for today. We made another trip to Lowe's.....and even worked some coupon magic there. Which reminds me, I should probably look at the grocery ads for this week. We measured all the windows and blinds for replacements, although only 1 is really broken and 1 needs a turning handle. <br /><br />Day 2 awaits...<br /></span></span></span>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409210663843786623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191522754764083510.post-26905531799239232532009-09-30T11:35:00.000-07:002009-09-30T11:37:13.883-07:00<span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 102);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Officially home owners!!!! We closed today....it wasn't as bad/long as I was expecting. We've already taken a car full of cleaning supplies over and have started work. So far, we have taken off 1/2 of the cabinets in the kitchen and removed the 3 outlets that need to be replaced. Making progress! So exciting :)<br /><br />And yes, Buddy carried me through the threshold of our first home - so sweet!!!<br /></span></span></span>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409210663843786623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191522754764083510.post-7540410057033414322009-09-27T15:52:00.000-07:002009-09-27T16:00:58.127-07:00<span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">New updates on paint choices:<br />Master bathroom = Whale Song (sounds pretty, doesn't it?) - it's a blue color<br />Guest bathroom = Lady of the Lake (again, pretty)<br />Guest bedroom = (unofficially) Crushed Coral (very beachy)<br />Other guest room/craft room - currently considering Buddy's preference to paint all 4 walls a different color.....not sure about that yet<br /><br />Picking the paint colors has been so much fun......we are probably a little wilder than some, but we both really like the ones we have chosen so far!<br /><br />We have determined that the first room to be painted (which I may have already mentioned) will be the master bedroom. Then, the kitchen cabinets - which we may have to start with since we need to clean them and have them dry before we can actually paint them.<br /><br />Les has graciously agreed to let us borrow his ladder, so that's great news! Rachel and Kerry come on Friday to help us get started and so some painting. We are scheduled to close at 11 am on Wednesday, and then Buddy and I will start getting everything together. This weekend we purchased a carpet cleaner from Kohl's (great price!) and a chair that Buddy found at Goodwill to replace the ruined, falling apart blue Lazy Boy recliner that is so darn comfortable!<br /><br />We still have lots of packing to. I'm hoping to pack some of the important paperwork stuff tonight and get that out of the way. This is all a bit jumbled and random, but if you know me at all, then you know that's how my mind functions.<br /></span></span></span>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409210663843786623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191522754764083510.post-56614739620051853002009-09-25T07:16:00.000-07:002009-09-25T07:17:50.670-07:00<span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 204);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">We ordered the cute fork handles for the kitchen with a 10% off coupon from ebay! I guess you could say that's our first purchase for the new house. It was a great price too - $1.20 per handle. Can't believe we close on Wednesday!!!<br /></span></span></span>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409210663843786623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191522754764083510.post-59016466172691185642009-09-23T07:27:00.000-07:002009-09-23T07:38:17.786-07:00Endless Paperwork!<span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 255);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Did you know that you have to give your ss# for a sewer bill? That seems a tad ridiculous to me....plus they bill 2 months behind. So, while are taking ownership on the 30th, we will receive a bill in October for the sewage used from about the middle of July to the middle of August - when we weren't owners. I understand that it will all come out in the wash....but I don't think it's a very efficient way to do things. So basically, I can use tons of sewage in the last 2 months I live here and not have to pay for it....since someone else will be getting that bill. How silly!<br /><br />I was also asked to provide the copy of the check that cleared for our earnest money deposit. So, I got online, downloaded the copy of the check that had cleared, and faxed it to the mortgage broker. Then a week later, I receive a request from the lender to send an updated statement SHOWING the check had cleared. I have several problems with this. 1. If the check had not cleared, then why would it be posted to my account where I could print a copy of it. 2. They have the previous 2 months of statements from my accounts and the copy of the check that has cleared...which is more than enough information to show that there were sufficient funds in the accounts to clear the check. This is the same thing that happened with VCU when we were paying off the end of Buddy's school tuition. She wouldn't send the diploma until I sent her my bank statement. I sent a copy of the cleared check and the statement with everything EXCEPT the check blacked out (it's none of her business how much is in my account or other charges I've made as long as her check cleared). Needless to say, it was not enough information for her...so we had to wait until their bank said the check had cleared to get the diploma. Oh well - bureaucracy is everywhere!<br /><br />On a positive note, we decided what type of flooring we want to put down - 100% natural floating bamboo flooring - the cherry color. We've also decided that we need to wait a while before we do this since it will be expensive, and everyone we've talked to at Lowe's has given us a different answer about whether the particular one we like is actually a floating floor or not. So, we will continue to research this, but in the meantime, we have decided to only clean and paint before we move. Then we'll have to decide exactly what we want to do with the kitchen and flooring and when we can afford to do this.<br /></span></span></span>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409210663843786623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191522754764083510.post-19283283590716420992009-09-21T12:33:00.000-07:002009-09-21T12:44:25.505-07:00<span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 153);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Sorry about not posting yesterday - I had a migraine, and Buddy got home late. I think we have decided to buy our hardware for the kitchen cabinets and drawers from Ebay. Buddy found the cutest fork handles, so that's the current plan. I'm not sure if we will use them for all cabinets or just the drawers, but we can't order them yet until we know how many we need anyway. I found some cute fish ones for the bathroom. (Such a minor decision, but it was fun to look at all the choices out there!)<br /><br />I had to deal with some paperwork today, though. We had to decide on the insurance company and get a employment verification form filled out. The insurance has been a complete pain! First, we found out we had to get wind/hail from SC and flood from FEMA (which are purchased through insurance companies but should be the same price no matter what since they aren't really THROUGH the insurance companies). Then we had to decide on the amount of coverage and the deductible! Then we had to decide on the place to get our homeowner's through. I was very lucky not to have to deal with very much of this....Buddy did almost all of it!!! The biggest problem came with the flood insurance because we were told that it would be cheaper to assume the current policy and that it was currently being re-evalulated and would be even cheaper! (turns out not to be true!) The current policy was WAY expensive....so the re-evaluated policy was the same as a new policy. Needless to say, we went with a new flood policy through the same company as our homeowners so that we could get multi-line discounts. Long story short...we are using Nationwide since they were the cheapest for homeowner's (and we got multi-line discounts since we went through them to get our wind/hail and flood - which is not really through them). We still have to add on the jewelry rider (possibly a new policy with Nationwide), and for the time being, we are keeping our car insurance through Amica. It would have been nice to have it all through Amica, but they are not currently writing any coastal Carolina policies....but the car insurance was only a little more for EXCELLENT SERVICE!!!<br /><br />Next decisions to make: paint colors for 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, window treatments, furniture to purchase (if there is any money left)....and what to do about the kitchen??<br /></span></span></span>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409210663843786623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191522754764083510.post-67578431388762023262009-09-19T18:58:00.000-07:002009-09-19T19:01:26.556-07:00<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 102);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 102);">Updates on the house for today:</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 102);">kitchen colors have been chosen:</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 102);">walls = sassy peach</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 102);">cabinets = summer wish (yellow)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 102);">That's really all the decisions we made today. We spent a large part of today packing Buddy's clothes and getting rid of quite a few (yay!). I haven't been brave enough to really delve into my clothes - I'm not ready to get rid of that shirt that I haven't worn in 2 years but every time I try on, I love the way it looks on me....you know that ones that I mean. Maybe tomorrow.....</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 102);">I did spend some time today looking at cabinet hardware....no decisions yet.</span><br /></span></span></span></span>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409210663843786623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191522754764083510.post-16998436242164903162009-09-18T18:21:00.000-07:002009-09-18T18:26:43.836-07:00<span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 255);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">So color #1 has been picked: master bedroom=crocodile smile green (it's not as bad as it sounds....it's very calming.)<br /><br />Colors #2 and #3 have been chosen....although I don't want to give you too much information at a time, so we'll wait until tomorrow (since I have so many readers that actually follow this).<br /><br />It looks like all the house plans are coming along right on schedule....although sometimes it feels like things are going by super fast (and on other days...super slow). I guess that is to be expected. I am ashamed to say that one of the reasons I"m so ready to be done with this is to be done with our realtor. She has been a help for some things, but right now, we are on a completely different page. I want to know EVERYTHING that is going on (even those behind the scenes). I guess you could say I'm a micromanager...but hey....it's a lot of money! and it's OUR money (not hers), so I don't see anything wrong with wanting to know how things are proceeding and what the next steps are.<br /><br />Tomorrow.....colors chosen for the kitchen walls and cabinets....stay tuned!<br /></span></span></span>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409210663843786623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191522754764083510.post-27765671721599088202009-09-17T09:00:00.001-07:002009-09-17T13:14:30.092-07:00<span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">We are set to close on the 30th of this month. I can't believe we are buying our first home! It is very exciting (and intimidating), but I think the 2.5 years of looking/waiting will finally pay off!<br /><br />I'll try to keep this updated with the decisions we make and the work we are doing on it!<br /><br /></span></span></span>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409210663843786623noreply@blogger.com0