Kentucky

Mike and I took a day trip into Kentucky today. We had a great time; the weather was beautiful. I forgot how beautiful the country is, and how peaceful. It is also smelly. I forgot that too. But it was still relaxing and fun to spend time with my honey. There was virtually no traffic. That, I didn't forget.

Flea Market

First weekend of every month.
Good deals!
You don't find THIS in Virgina.
Super Flea Market

Meeting friends

One of the great things about moving back to Boonville is that I have friends here. Seriously, I didn't ever make non-work friends in Virginia so my usually miniscule social life waned away to nothing (ref: happy hour).

But yesterday I had lunch with April, and this evening at Aly's gymnastics class I ran into Perri ... she of the famous blog (see lefthand sidebar for linky) and her daughter Andi. We've been internet friends for several years, and now we've met for real. We'll be having dinner in the near future.

I'm baaaa-aaaack!

Our Moving Adventure

The only thing I was looking forward to about our move, besides the actual "getting there" part, was that I could tweet all about it real-time. Except Friday and Saturday were the two days that Twitter was down, so all of my updates showed up on Sunday over a period of five and a half hours.

Let's see if I can recreate it for you anyway.

We left Friday and we weren't on the road for 20 minutes before we had to stop and rearrange the van. Putting two kittens in the front seat in a cage and letting the dogs roam wild while the kids were wedged between suitcases was not a good plan. Graycie moved to the front and the kittens to the back. Soon they were loose, but we'll get to that a little later.

Mile 37: Stopped for food. I swear, Mike can't get in a car for a trip without stopping for soda and (gag) Corn Nuts in the first 30 minutes. The kids have apparently inherited this trait, so we stopped.

Mile 166: Stopped for a potty break. For the dogs. Small dogs come with small bladders. So do Mike's children.

No road trip is complete without a wrong turn. We missed the exit to I-64. Probably because I was shrieking at the children to wrangle the pets.

Mile 236: Goodbye, Virginia.

Mile 314: We almost run out of gas. Mike always fills the van so I never look at the gauge. This is a problem on a two-day road trip. You can't drive halfway to Indiana on a single tank of gas. The van has a 16 gallon tank. Also, gas is expensive in little po-dunk West Virginia towns.

Stopped in Charleston, WV for the night. Remember how I said the kittens were loose in the van? Picture me laying on the floor of the van with my feet sticking out of the sliding door in the hotel parking lot. Dragging Cricket from under Zak's seat by her head.

Mile 419: Goodbye, West Virginia

Mile 435: Wild turkeys on the side of the highway. We must be in Kentucky.

Mile 438: Stopping for breakfast at McDonalds. Zak thought we were at Burger King. Attention to detail, kid.

Mile 531: Lexington.

Mile 553: Traffic on I-64 is completely stopped. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?

Mile 607: Goodbye, Kentucky!

Mile 627: Stopping for lunch & gas. For the car. Gas for the car!

Mile 638: One lane construction & I'm a semi sandwich. Anyone remember this tune ... "We got a little convoy..."

Mile 677: Goodbye, Eastern time zone!

4 minutes from home and the cat poops. :gag:

Mile 703: Picked up the house key from Dad.

Mile 706: Home!!

DONE!

Mom just called. She has the keys to our new house!

This is the front of the house, obviously in the spring. I love the front porch and the dormer windows!

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The back of the house is awesome. You can see it from the highway. In fact, when we were driving randomly looking for a house, we passed this from the back and I said "holy cow, I guess those houses are out of the question." Ha! This is it!

God's hand has been in all of this. I am amazed at where we are.

Fastest close in the (mid)west

We were supposed to close on our new house in Boonville last Friday, but things didn't work out, so we went driving around looking for houses.
Saturday, we looked at three. Two were 'in town' and one was a couple of miles outside of town. The ones in town were built in 1900 and well kept but not our style. The other had a huge basement, almost three acres of land and a lake.
On Sunday, we made an offer on the lake house.
On Monday, our offer was accepted.
On Tuesday, the inspection came back with only minor things we could fix ourselves.
On Wednesday, the appraisal came back at $35,000 more than our offer.
Today, Thursday, we are signing the papers.
Tomorrow, Friday, the sellers sign.
THAT, my friends, is the fastest close in the Midwest.

God will provide.

Just a quick trip to Atlanta

Yeah right.

I was headed to Atlanta for a day when double disaster struck the team and suddenly I was a main presenter at the conference. Not only that, but my co-presenter was new to the material too!

Believe it or not, it worked out very well. "It" being the conference. The whole stay in Atlanta was less than fun. Why is it that the roads can't be parallel and perpendicular? We drove longer looking for a restaurant than we did eating at it, and even longer trying to make our way back to the hotel.

And now that I'm home, I need to think about packing. To move. Ick.

Fabulous Boon Vegas

I made it to Boonville, as did my sister. So good to be with family.

It seems that house #1 (across the street from where we used to live) is not going to work out. There is too much work to be done and the sellers are more focused on the cosmetic items than the structural issues. FHA won't fund the loan with the house in such a shape. We've wasted time and our own money on this and I'm just sick. Also because we'll never find another house this size in Boonville.

Once again, we'll trust God to provide.

I love my job

Mike and I had another one of those "life discussions" where we talk about where we'll be in 10 years or what would have happened to us IF.

I am a firm believer that God has a plan for my life. Yes, me personally. Mike sometimes calls it "God moving chess pieces around my life." I believe that we have choices to make, but that God will give us future choices to get us back on track if we choose the wrong one.

Do I think that working at PwC is what I'm supposed to do for the rest of my life? Nope. I think I'm supposed to be a teacher. But for now I am supposed to be at PwC and God is using me there.

I'm also a firm believer that God wouldn't put you someplace you hate. He doesn't give you more than you can handle. So, I want to thank God today for moving those chess pieces.

I had to drive to the client site today vs. working from my office. My client is downtown. That's is downtown, Washington, DC. So I drove downtown. And on my way to Eye Street (yes, it is really I Street, but we spell it out so it doesn't look like 1 Street), I passed the USAF Memorial, the Pentagon, the Jefferson Memorial, the Tidal Basin, the Washington Monument, the National Mall and the Capitol, the Departments of Agriculture (the USDA), Commerce, and Treasury. I crossed 16th Street with a glimpse of the White House and paid $18 to park. Along the way I saw 2,674 tourists and only slightly fewer business women in suits and flip flops.

How could I not love my job when it takes me into the nation's capital? This is a place where people spend their hard earned vacations. I get to visit a few times a month via a 20 minute car ride (ok, only when I leave after 9:00 am).

By the way, you'd be surprised by how many Washington metro commuters pick their noses. Do they think because they are in a car, no one can SEE them. Ew!

Superbowl Sunday

In preparation of opening our home to our church family, we have unpacked (or hidden) all boxes, bought new furniture, decorated the living room and set up an HD TV. All in the last week. So for those of you who have been clamouring for photos of our house, here is the one room you get to see, the living room.



Furniture from Value City Furniture, Plasma HDTV from Target, additional pillows and throws from WalMart. Mike went a little overboard with the extra pillows. The stripey ones came with the furniture and he bought the rest. We were thinking of moving the other couch in here too, under the other window.

I love the giant ottoman and round chair. The chair swivels to face the TV, fireplace, or bookcases. I know we have more books around here somewhere, most of them are probably in the basement room labeled "dad's office". We're also thinking of putting a desk under that other window.


The table is an old end table (actually from Mom's 1970's "corner unit") with a throw over the top. Aly let me swipe a lamp from her room and Pam got me the bowl of peacock eggs for Christmas one year.

So that is it so far. I suppose the dining room and kitchen are safe for photos, so maybe I'll take those next. Still some boxes in the family room ... and all of the bedrooms and basement. Maybe if someone would come VISIT me, I'd be motivated to unpack :)

'tis the season

I have been meaning to write and let you know that we are nearly prepared for Christmas. That's right; as of last Saturday, we have blinking lights on the back deck which can be seen from Rolling Road. No idea yet where my toothbrush might be, but the deck is festive. There's a Santa on the front door, but my makeup is MIA. Garland drapes the stair rail and the family room, but there's no dining room table yet. And Mike knows exactly where the two plastic Santas and the plastic lightup Snowman are, but we've yet to locate my Blackberry charger.

The punch bowl is in the van.
The van seats ... um, maybe in the garage.
Winter coats, in the closet. But only because we bought new ones.
Silverware? Nope, we're using plastic.

I know, I know, you want pictures. I have the camera AND the rechargeable batteries. No idea where the cord that connects to the computer might be.

Stay tuned. We'll get it all sorted out. Maybe during spring cleaning.

Its also the season for parties by the way.
The firm's Christmas party this year is at the Ritz. We'll be attending in festive partywear, and the kids will hang out in the hotel room.
Saturday night is a church get together - food and games. And next Sunday is the big family day at church.
But the event of the season is tonight. It's Aly's first slumber party. Yes, Mike gave permission, bought invitations and scheduled six fourth graders to spend the night amongst the box towers. Even though he did the shopping for the mini pigs-in-a-blanket and chocolate dipped bananas and chips and dip, he's still in big trouble for this one. You see, he has a football game tonight and basketball practice in the morning. *I'm* in charge.

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

I am alive. I think.

I have a house, but the moving boxes are stacked 8 ft tall in the living room.
I am done with work travel for a while, but the other Project Manager quit, so I'm back to double duty.
I have the cutest puppy, but she's sick. The vet gave her drugs and doesn't think it is serious.
I have a teenager, but he won't live much longer, because I'm going to kill him.
I have a daughter, but she's turning hormonal. I probably can't get away with two missing children, so I'll need another plan for that one.
I have a husband, but I never see him since he's pastoring AND coaching (and basketball practice is about to start).
I have a family, but they live in Indiana and I miss them.
I have internet friends, but they've probably forgotten me since I haven't been around.

Yep, I have issues, but I also have Jesus.
GWP: God will provide.

NJ or IN?

When I thought of my new manager training session in New Jersey, I did not expect winding country roads, huge farmhouses and cornfields. I thought I was back home again in Indiana, complete with spotty cell service. Well, I guess I have heard of a Jersey cow, right?

True to form, we had class till 6 and the wine was poured at 6:30. Classes are 8-6 each day, with mandatory dinners. Then I have to actually work. When do I sleep??

I was able to get a single bar on the phone by standing on the AC unit and sticking my arm out of the hotel window. I used those precious seconds to check on my family. According to Aly, yes, the house was full of furniture, but no, her bed wasn't put together. She thinks the waterbed was in my room and Zak said he hadn't looked in the basement to see what was down there. Dinner was planned for Silver Diner, once Dad got home from football practice, so I know Mike is at least alive.

I'm almost afraid to go home. God Bless my Husband. He's such a trooper!!

Volleyball: Win

The boys played well and Zak made some great plays.
He did take a dive and bruise his hip pretty badly.

Tonight we're having a slumber party at our new house. We're watching Harry Potter on the new big screen and the doggies are bedded down on the pillows and blankets. More moving tomorrow.

House: Purchased!!

We finally closed yesterday at 4:00. After Zak's volleyball game, we grabbed McDonald's and the doggies and went to our new house. The doggies and the kids were very excited. We're headed off to buy paint, desks, a TV, a bed for Zak and Heaven knows what else. I'm taking Monday off to move as much as possible. The movers will be here for the big stuff on Friday. We'll be in our new place in less than a week!

Updates: good news/bad news style

Do you like to hear the good news or the bad news first? I usually ask for the bad news, so the last thing I hear is good. Plus I'd get an ulcer worrying about the bad news while you told me the good news. So, I'll mix it up ....


Good news: I found my iPod. It was in my carry on bag, right where it should have been.
Bad news: I did not find it before we left for the Redskins/Lions game, so I couldn't nap in the car.

Good news: Traffic was practically non-existent, so we had plenty of time to tailgate before the game.
Bad news: The charcoal was wet. We couldn't grill out.

Good news: We had amazing seats at the game -- on the 50 yard line, 12 rows up, on the aisle, behind the Redskins, with our backs to the sun.
Bad news: The Lions stink and lost horribly so Mike was pouty and we left early.

Good news: Monday traffic on the way to the office was a breeze because of Columbus Day. Less than 30 minutes!
Bad news: Traffic on Tuesday was unbearable. An hour to get in the office and three accidents on the way home at 6 pm.

Good news: I was able to download VPN on Monday night, so I could get to my email.
Bad news: I had 1333 unread messages, and no internet access while VPN was running.

Bad news: We kicked of a new project on Tuesday and I found out 3.2 minutes before the call that *i* was going to present.
Good news: The presentation was great; I even got several congratulatory emails.

Good news: My director is back from vacation, so I don't have to be in charge any more.
Bad news: She has jet lag and a European cold so I'm not totally off the hook until she gets back up to speed.

Bad news: We didn't close on the house Tuesday.
Good news: We are set to close tomorrow; just waiting on the final closing amount and the time to meet the seller.

Bad news: The cable, phone and internet was disconnected today, even though we changed the date of our move to next Friday.
Good news: The very helpful customer service representative got a tech out to turn it back on in about two hours.

Good news: I remembered to add money to my Metro card to pay for the train ride the past two days.
Bad news: I did not have enough to pay for parking today and caused a major traffic jam in the garage when I had to back up and use the credit card lane.

Good news: Two days of meetings went well downtown and I accomplished what I needed.
Bad news: The mute button didn't work on my last call and the nation heard my rant against a belligerant participant.

Good news: Aly gets to do a cool collage project for a book report.
Bad news: It is now 8:00 pm and the project is due tomorrow.

Bad news: I haven't had time to update my blog.
Good news: I just did.

Grumpy Smurf: I hate Mortgages!

So, I mentioned in passing way back in May that we were buying a house, but I never got around to giving you the details, probably because I was paranoid that it would really happen. Well, given our current situation, I am still paranoid, but I need to vent over &*%^ing mortgage companies and the unbelievable amount of stress that goes into buying a house. And, I'm not even thinking about moving again yet.

First, the fun stuff, for those of you who don't care to hear me complain. We actually made an offer on the house months ago, and couldn't believe it when the seller agreed to (1) 'save' the house until we could close in September, (2) accept less than asking price and (3) pay $10K in closing costs. It was meant to be!! The details on the house ....

Only a couple of blocks from the house we are renting now, the first thing I noticed, and loved, were the "climbing trees" in the front yard. You can see one of them in this photo, but the best one is just out of the frame. I know the kids will be in that thing as soon as we have possession.

You know that homes in Northern Virginia are very expensive, and most were built in the 1960s; this one is dated 1965. We were lucky enough to find a home that had been kept up well, had recent improvements (new hardwood floors, new kitchen, new windows) and had a fully finished basement. This will be the largest house we've ever lived in, at 3616 sf, it is 1300 sf MORE than we have now, and even several hundred sf larger than our Greenwood house.

There are 4 bedrooms and 2 full baths upstairs (the Master Bath has only a shower, no tub). The kids' bedrooms are about 13x11 and the master is 13x14). There is a vented attic with a floor for storage. And Zak's room has a laundry chute that goes to the basement. There are two closets in the Master bedroom, and I promised one to Mike, because I'm taking the one in my office (11x11) too.

The first floor has the half bath, a sunken living room with fireplace (22x13), kitchen (11x11) with granite countertops (and all appliances including ceramic stovetop and double wall ovens), separate dining room (11x11), and a family room (20x12) with sliding glass doors to the deck. The first and second floors are all hardwood, except the family room is carpeted.

The basement is old fashioned tile, but newly laid. There is a 'rec room' with a cedar closet and lots of wall shelves. A second room will be Mike's office, with several storage closets and a door that opens to "garden storage" under the family room. The basement entry opens into a third area that has the water heater, furnace, washer, dryer, sink and workbench. I think there might be room in this area for the air hockey table.

We'll be putting our green couch in the family room, the black couch in the rec room and we'll get new furniture for living room. There is a one car garage converted from the original carport, so there's no entry directly to it from the house.

The back yard is huge (total property is 1/4 acre), and covered mostly with ivy. There is some grass, a storage shed, storage under the deck and fencing all the way around except for about 10 feet from the property line to the house (where the white truck is sitting in the photo). The property backs up to a road, and there's a privacy fence along the back. The current owner said there are lots of children in the neighborhood.

So this is a long post already, and if you've made it this far, I'm not going to go on and on about the mortgage company. Let's just say that we were supposed to close no later than 9/20. And we still don't have a firm time/date, though we've scheduled it 4 times now. I'm staying patient for now.

Why I love this city

There've been previous posts about how the DC area is different from the midwest, and those posts cover the good and the bad. But today on the train, I found the ultimate reason why living in a big city just can't be beat.
Here was the advertisement in the "Express" newspaper, which is a free publication handed out in Metro stations. I can usually read through the daily edition completely during my 35 min ride.
This one caught my eye. I've seen these kinds of studies before, but I'm sure the additional compensation noted resulted in jammed phone lines.

Now, I'm definitely interested in the dark chocolate, but then I thought, what if I was one who got the placebo? You know a placebo is supposed to look/feel/taste exactly like the substance being tested. What would that be? Mockolate?
Since we're talking about chocolate, have you seen the ads with Burt Reynolds as an M&M? Cute. You can Become an M&M yourself, online.

More boxes opened

Well, I finished Aly's room as far as I can take it. She has a few piles/bags to go through, but overall, her room is done. Actually, it was done yesterday.

Today we tackled my office. Mike put together my new desk that we got at Staples weeks ago. It is an L-shape with lots of room to work and scrap. We didn't install the shelf on top, but I reserved the right to add it back in later. And he only installed one thing backwards - the keyboard tray. Thanks Honey!

Next, Aly and I put my Target cubes back together. I previously had these arranged as a single tall tower with the extra panels inserted as shelves. Since I scraplifted a faboo idea from a friend at Memory Creators and moved my paper to priority mail shipping boxes, I can now configure them as actual cube shelves. The configuration looks a little like this, except it is three cubes high on the right. I didn't put bottoms on the lower cubes, or backs on the higher cubes, so I had enough panels to build an extra cube plus some shelves.
With the desk and shelves in place, it was time to open the boxes. Mike had moved most of the boxes out of the office to put the desk together, so it was easy to grab a box, bring it in the office and empty it. I also put the big bookshelf together and loaded it up with my audiobooks and other books.
I thought I would need to buy more storage cubes or something, but it looks like this arrangement will hold it all. I still have a few boxes to go. I need to reorganize the tools in the cubes. And hang my message boards and posters on the wall. THEN, you can see actual pictures.

Vacation Daze

Christmas is over and the blues are setting in. I'm not sad, just --I don't know-- anxious? It still doesn't feel like home.
The firm gave us the week off this week (this is in addition to 9 holidays, three weeks vacation and unlimited sick time), so my goal is to really get the house in good shape. Today is Aly's bedroom. We have to clean, purge and organize. It's not going to be fun, but my carrot is that my office is next. I have a new desk and I get to buy some new storage cubes for my scrap stuff.
After the girl's room is done. Sigh.