Brian and I had a wonderful vacation with each other. We get everything we wanted to get done and more. Well, almost everything. While we were in Charleston we were supposed to go on a boat cruise but it started raining so we decided to skip that. I was starting not to feel so great and have typically not done well on boats when the weather is bad so I didn't want to ruin the experience by possibly getting sick. So we still have to do that when the weather is nicer. We went on a carriage ride which was really fun and our horse, Mr. Bill, was the best. He had the best personality! Our carpets, wood and tile are so clean. Almost everything is put back in its place and we are settling back in to normal life.
We have purchased tickets to see the Trans Siberian Orchestra in Greenville for this upcoming November. We are really excited about that. We got the section we wanted as well! The key to Trans Siberian is that you dont want to be on the floor because it will be hard to see the stage and the people as they walk above you. This show is just about the visual lights as it is the sound. You also dont want to be to high or to far on the other side of the arena. You also dont want to be right on one side next to the stage. The musicians spend a lot of time on the stage but they also walk out into the audience a bit and if your right by the stage you will miss what they do in the audience. We think the best area is the lower level one block in from the stage. so not 101 but 102 in our case. We were in section 103 which was great especially since we didnt know what we were about to experience so we are very close to where we were before but just a bit closer to the stage so we can see them on stage better but not so close to the stage where we cant see what they do in the audience. We are SO excited about this trip. We love Trans Siberian Orchestra.
Work is going well. Exciting really but I will post about that when everything is all said and done. Monday was a bit rough as a first day back. Nothing really bad happened but it was a LONG day. We had mandatory overtime so i ended up with a 12 hour day. This week is flying by and there is mandatory overtime this Saturday and next so yay extra money!!! Brian's student loans will be paid off that much sooner.
We did come to the decision regarding extra money towards house vs student loans but that deserves a post in itself. I am pleased we came to a decision and can start working with that in mind.
I am starting to get ready for Christmas. I have all the Christmas cards ready I just need the letters and those will be ready to be sent out. I also have about half of the Christmas gifts that I just need to order. I still need to make the other portion and of course mail them out.
I started the photo book detailing the house being built but that book is going to be exhausting as the pictures have to go in a specific order and remembering the order and finding the appropriate pictures is draining. I have them organized by week but not by location within the week, hind sight is 20X20. I am going to work on that more after all Christmas gifts are ordered/sent.
Wedding album is back on hold as the two books my mom gave are not going to work. One is broken (I am hoping its a fluke and not to come of the books I have already made) and the other is partially full with more pictures of me! I am going to use the rest of that book to put random pictures I have been saving.
I think that is it....tomorrow I am hoping to post more about Mr. Bill and later this week about our house vs student loan decision.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Ahhh Vacation!
Brian and I are on vacation until 9.10.12! It is the first time either of us has been on vacation for so long! It is only Sunday so we do not feel like we are on vacation but come Tuesday it will start to sink in.
So what are our plans for the week?
Yesterday, Saturday, we hung blinds in the garage to save the epoxy and cool the garage which hopefully help lower the electric bill. We also made ribs, tea (which has been finished), went to home depot to get the blinds but also the paint we need for the bedroom, lowes to get a new filter for the fridge and the grocery store.
Today, Sunday, is a regularly planned Sunday. Brian plays his game all day while I watch tv and work on crafts. Today for lunch I am making Teriyaki pork tenderloin in the crock pot. I got this recipe and 4 others from a website. In one hour prep time you make 5 meals, freeze them and cook them frozen the day you want to eat it. So far every recipe has been good and very versatile, cheap and easy!
Tomorrow, Monday, we haven't really planned anything. Dishes, clean the bathroom and the linoleum and some organization.
Tuesday, 9.4.12, Mock Turkey Day with Mom and Dad. Mom and Dad are coming up and Brian and I are making Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and mouse. Mom and Dad are bringing salad and a vegetable. We still have the turkey from last turkey day so we are eating it now so I can have practice when Thanksgiving comes around.
Wednesday, 9.5.12, Brian and I both have dentist appointments and I have an ENT appointment. After that we are going to vacuum the carpeting and sweep the tile/wood floors. We are also going to move furniture around in preparation for Thursday.
Thursday, 9.6.12, we are getting the carpet, tile, wood floors, sofa, love seat, and the big chair cleaned professionally. We have built the money into our budget as part of being homeowners. We figure if we keep them cleaned and taken care of we wont have to replace them as soon as the house ages. We have also had so many construction workers in and out of the house and the house is newly built so we still have the construction dust in the carpet left over from the house being built. No matter how much I vacuum I wont feel the house is free from construction until we have professionals come in to get all that gook out. After the carpet/tile/wood/furniture gets cleaned Brian and I are going to Buffalo Wild Wings for lunch and eating all you can eat wings. They have all you can eat wings every weekday for lunch and Brian and I have always wanted to do it but we have always been working. After lunch it is Charleston bound! They are doing restaurant week and hopefully Thursday we will be able to get a reservation some where.
Friday, 9.7.12, hang out with Mom and Dad in Charleston. Help Mom paint, play with the puppies, just hang out
Saturday, 9.8.12, Leave Charleston after lunch sometime, go grocery shopping and head home :(
Sunday, 9.9.12, Regular planned Sunday as we get ready to go back to work on Monday
So what are our plans for the week?
Yesterday, Saturday, we hung blinds in the garage to save the epoxy and cool the garage which hopefully help lower the electric bill. We also made ribs, tea (which has been finished), went to home depot to get the blinds but also the paint we need for the bedroom, lowes to get a new filter for the fridge and the grocery store.
Today, Sunday, is a regularly planned Sunday. Brian plays his game all day while I watch tv and work on crafts. Today for lunch I am making Teriyaki pork tenderloin in the crock pot. I got this recipe and 4 others from a website. In one hour prep time you make 5 meals, freeze them and cook them frozen the day you want to eat it. So far every recipe has been good and very versatile, cheap and easy!
Tomorrow, Monday, we haven't really planned anything. Dishes, clean the bathroom and the linoleum and some organization.
Tuesday, 9.4.12, Mock Turkey Day with Mom and Dad. Mom and Dad are coming up and Brian and I are making Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and mouse. Mom and Dad are bringing salad and a vegetable. We still have the turkey from last turkey day so we are eating it now so I can have practice when Thanksgiving comes around.
Wednesday, 9.5.12, Brian and I both have dentist appointments and I have an ENT appointment. After that we are going to vacuum the carpeting and sweep the tile/wood floors. We are also going to move furniture around in preparation for Thursday.
Thursday, 9.6.12, we are getting the carpet, tile, wood floors, sofa, love seat, and the big chair cleaned professionally. We have built the money into our budget as part of being homeowners. We figure if we keep them cleaned and taken care of we wont have to replace them as soon as the house ages. We have also had so many construction workers in and out of the house and the house is newly built so we still have the construction dust in the carpet left over from the house being built. No matter how much I vacuum I wont feel the house is free from construction until we have professionals come in to get all that gook out. After the carpet/tile/wood/furniture gets cleaned Brian and I are going to Buffalo Wild Wings for lunch and eating all you can eat wings. They have all you can eat wings every weekday for lunch and Brian and I have always wanted to do it but we have always been working. After lunch it is Charleston bound! They are doing restaurant week and hopefully Thursday we will be able to get a reservation some where.
Friday, 9.7.12, hang out with Mom and Dad in Charleston. Help Mom paint, play with the puppies, just hang out
Saturday, 9.8.12, Leave Charleston after lunch sometime, go grocery shopping and head home :(
Sunday, 9.9.12, Regular planned Sunday as we get ready to go back to work on Monday
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Life with Bailey: Walks
Bailey loves going on walks. It is a bit harder on her now because she is not used to the heat but that doesn't stop her!
When Mom and Dad came up I had an opportunity to go on a walk with Mom and Bailey.
We finally got her out of my car and into my Mom's car so we could take her for a walk :) Benjamin was barking back at her from inside the house. Dad and Brian were happy when we finally got her out and on the walk.
When Mom and Dad came up I had an opportunity to go on a walk with Mom and Bailey.
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| She ran and got into the wrong car |
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| Started barking that she was ready |
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| Decided we were taking to long and that she would drive |
We finally got her out of my car and into my Mom's car so we could take her for a walk :) Benjamin was barking back at her from inside the house. Dad and Brian were happy when we finally got her out and on the walk.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
*yawn*
I think I am averaging every ten days or so with this? Sorry about that! I have a cute post centered around Bailey that I am going to put up this weekend but for now the boring stuff.
I am SO hoping I am not jinxing myself but the roof appears to be fixed! We haven't had a big rain storm so we wont know for sure until then but for now the roof is not leaking. The sprinkler system also seems to be fixed as well. I am so hoping this is the end of it so I can stop having to deal with the stupid builders.
I have been continuing to work tons of overtime. Tomorrow will be the first paycheck with the extra money so that will be nice. I am still enjoying my job. I always leave with the sense of being productive. I love feeling productive so this is working out well for me. The March cruise budget needs a lot of help :)
I am not going to the gym as often. It does clear my head but it also helps keep me restless and less focused in the afternoon as I am raring to go and the phones/work aren't as busy. With a less clear head I am more focused and tend to get more work done as I am focused on getting out of there. By the end of the day whether I have gone to the gym at lunch or not I am just raring to get home to do it then. Plus I just don't have time if I want to get home, get dinner on the table and hang out with Brian before bed.
We have a 9 day vacation coming up in a week. We were able to get the 4 days after labor day off so that makes 9 days of not having to go into work. I have never ever been off of work or school for 9 days....school mandated summer/Xmas vacations don't count. We have some things planned but not much. Mom and Dad are going to come up for turkey (my practice run of thanksgiving as I am hosting this year), Brian and I are going to get the carpet/tile/wood professionally cleaned and spend time in Charleston with my parents while the house dries out. We also have a couple doctors appointments. I hope to get my wedding photo albums. Mom was very kind to give me two more matching albums so I am thinking that will hold the rest of the pictures or *almost* the rest. I hope to also get my Christmas gifts well under way. I am sure Brian and I will start looking at each other and saying "now what?".
I won free movie tickets at work the other day! Not sure what movie we will see but we will definitely enjoy using them. The last of Brian's student loans come due this month so we are really in crunch time. I am hoping with taxes and my bonus that I should get (based on my production level at work and if I continue the way I am I should be fine with that) and all the extra money I am giving Brian we will pay off the smaller private loan. Once we pay off that student loan life gets easier. The big student loan is 25 years so we will pay it off at the same time as the house. We will pay more but wont stress about paying it off early, there are better uses for our money :)
Well that is about all for now. Coming up Feetie pajama's post and Bailey's post :)
I am SO hoping I am not jinxing myself but the roof appears to be fixed! We haven't had a big rain storm so we wont know for sure until then but for now the roof is not leaking. The sprinkler system also seems to be fixed as well. I am so hoping this is the end of it so I can stop having to deal with the stupid builders.
I have been continuing to work tons of overtime. Tomorrow will be the first paycheck with the extra money so that will be nice. I am still enjoying my job. I always leave with the sense of being productive. I love feeling productive so this is working out well for me. The March cruise budget needs a lot of help :)
I am not going to the gym as often. It does clear my head but it also helps keep me restless and less focused in the afternoon as I am raring to go and the phones/work aren't as busy. With a less clear head I am more focused and tend to get more work done as I am focused on getting out of there. By the end of the day whether I have gone to the gym at lunch or not I am just raring to get home to do it then. Plus I just don't have time if I want to get home, get dinner on the table and hang out with Brian before bed.
We have a 9 day vacation coming up in a week. We were able to get the 4 days after labor day off so that makes 9 days of not having to go into work. I have never ever been off of work or school for 9 days....school mandated summer/Xmas vacations don't count. We have some things planned but not much. Mom and Dad are going to come up for turkey (my practice run of thanksgiving as I am hosting this year), Brian and I are going to get the carpet/tile/wood professionally cleaned and spend time in Charleston with my parents while the house dries out. We also have a couple doctors appointments. I hope to get my wedding photo albums. Mom was very kind to give me two more matching albums so I am thinking that will hold the rest of the pictures or *almost* the rest. I hope to also get my Christmas gifts well under way. I am sure Brian and I will start looking at each other and saying "now what?".
I won free movie tickets at work the other day! Not sure what movie we will see but we will definitely enjoy using them. The last of Brian's student loans come due this month so we are really in crunch time. I am hoping with taxes and my bonus that I should get (based on my production level at work and if I continue the way I am I should be fine with that) and all the extra money I am giving Brian we will pay off the smaller private loan. Once we pay off that student loan life gets easier. The big student loan is 25 years so we will pay it off at the same time as the house. We will pay more but wont stress about paying it off early, there are better uses for our money :)
Well that is about all for now. Coming up Feetie pajama's post and Bailey's post :)
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Personal To Do List Update
Well at this point I am still supposed to be putting pictures away in albums. This has been a bit tricky.
I first had to wait for my parents to move down and get moved in enough to find the two photo albums. My mom also got me some photo dots to use to stick the photos to the book.
Well.....those didnt work well. They would stick to the picture but not the the book. After two hours the pictures were falling out of the book.
Off to Michael's we go! Fortunately I found some very sticky, clear adhesive photo corners that appear to be working. I will need a total of 16 boxes :)
So I have filled one album full of pictures.
Each page only holds 2 photo's and obviously I am using both sides of the paper but I am going to need more photo albums. That one photo album took 1 3/4 packages of photos and I had 8 packages total. Some were filled more then others. I am going to need to buy more albums except I believe these albums are on the expensive side so this project may not be finished on time..not because of time but due to needing to save for the photo albums.
I still have to go through three packages and write who is in the picture of them.
Oh well, it will get done! I may finish this second album and then move to the next item on the list while I save for more albums. Plus Christmas is coming up so I need money for that too.
I first had to wait for my parents to move down and get moved in enough to find the two photo albums. My mom also got me some photo dots to use to stick the photos to the book.
Well.....those didnt work well. They would stick to the picture but not the the book. After two hours the pictures were falling out of the book.
Off to Michael's we go! Fortunately I found some very sticky, clear adhesive photo corners that appear to be working. I will need a total of 16 boxes :)
So I have filled one album full of pictures.
Each page only holds 2 photo's and obviously I am using both sides of the paper but I am going to need more photo albums. That one photo album took 1 3/4 packages of photos and I had 8 packages total. Some were filled more then others. I am going to need to buy more albums except I believe these albums are on the expensive side so this project may not be finished on time..not because of time but due to needing to save for the photo albums.
I still have to go through three packages and write who is in the picture of them.
Oh well, it will get done! I may finish this second album and then move to the next item on the list while I save for more albums. Plus Christmas is coming up so I need money for that too.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
My painting :)
As you may remember my Gamma Kay used to paint. I have several paintings of hers around the house and I love them.
Yesterday I went to my own painting class with Vicki and Josh's mom Tammy. The class is in Wilmington which is about an hour away or so. The class is taught by a woman named Alexis and it was a ton of fun.
This was my first class and it was a ton of fun!! We all agree that the picture was not the best but I think it turned out well!
I can't wait to go back :)
Yesterday I went to my own painting class with Vicki and Josh's mom Tammy. The class is in Wilmington which is about an hour away or so. The class is taught by a woman named Alexis and it was a ton of fun.
This was my first class and it was a ton of fun!! We all agree that the picture was not the best but I think it turned out well!
I can't wait to go back :)
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Mom and Dad's House: The Outside After
Mom and Dad met a great gay named Trevis who is amazing! He willingly and maybe even happily cleared the jungle for my parents for a price that left us all speechless...happy but speechless! My parents will have to get used to things being cheaper in the South but we were all surprised by Trevis. Trevis is either going to love my parents or hate them at the end of this....my mom is very good at finding projects that need to be done :)
Trevis did an amazing job! See for yourselves!
We love the location of the house! They are in downtown Charleston, walking distance to everything but yet when you are at the house you are in your own little oasis. Could not have asked or better.
Trevis did an amazing job! See for yourselves!
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| Bailey! |
We love the location of the house! They are in downtown Charleston, walking distance to everything but yet when you are at the house you are in your own little oasis. Could not have asked or better.
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