Willy is definitely enjoying the new furniture.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Reflection
Reflecting on the past year, my life has seen a lot of changes. Having been recently divorced, I had moved to a new town. I was living in a rented duplex, and hating it. I had never hated anywhere that I lived. I hated hearing the grandmother next door yelling at her 13 year old grandson who lived with her and telling him what a bad kid he was. Every single time I talked to him, he was respectful and polite. He is really a good kid. The last time I talked to him before moving, I told him that he is a good kid and for him not to forget that, and never let anyone make him think otherwise.
I hated the constant flow of traffic in and out of our little parking area that we shared with the duplex next to us. I wondered if drugs were being dealt out of that apartment. I hated having to get out of my car and moved the toys the neighbor kids left strown everywhere just so I could park my car. I hated it when I would get home and someone would be parked in my spot. I hated the feeling like I was living in a hotel room, I never quite settled in. I kept telling myself it would only be a year.
Everywhere I drove, I looked at the For Sale signs, dreaming of finding my new home. Chris and I would drive around on the weekends looking at land, or homes in the country. I really didn't want to live in a subdivision. I think living in that duplex was making me claustrophobic. The county I live in borders a larger town (where I work downtown), so this county is growing like crazy. So many places for sale, but nothing seemed right. I found some land that I liked, and thought I could build a house, then we looked at the prices. $10,000 - $15,000 an acre, and even $26,000 for a portion of an acre! But, we kept looking. A friend in real estate told me I should go look at a new subdivision, I kept resisting, I told her cookie cutter subdivisions aren't for me. She kept after me, so one Saturday, Chris and I went to eat breakfast and headed to look at the subdivision. We passed a subdivision I hadn't really noticed before. We turned in and I fell in love with the subdivision. The houses were nice, and the lots were large enough that everyone isn't right on top of each other.
We came around a curve and I found my house! It turned out to be the best lot in the entire subdivision. It was a for sale by owner, I called the number, spoke to Bob who told me we could come at 3:30 that afternoon, they had someone else coming at 3:00.
So we made the appointment, and then drove on to the subdivision we started out to explore. Hated it! We waited anxiously for the appointmend time. The other people were still there, so we had to wait about 15 minutes.
When I walked in, I was even more convinced this was the place for me, for us. They even had some of the same furniture I had when I was married, even the same clock on the wall. Before we left, I told Chris I wanted it. He liked it too. He said for us to go home and talk about it. After about 20 minutes of discussion, we decided I should make an offer. When I called, Bob told me the people before us had already made an offer. I was crushed. He didn't know what the offer was, but was going to stop by their agent and pick up the offer and he would call me and let me know. I already knew what I was approved for at the bank. So, when he told me, I beat their offer. He accepted mine on the phone!
Everything went so smoothly with the loan, the home inspection, the whole process. The closing was so easy, even pleasant. Moving didn't seem hard at all. My landlord let me out of my lease 4 months early with no penalty.
So, in April, on Good Friday, I moved into my new home!
In July, Chris moved in.
We told both sets of parents who weren't thrilled because we aren't married, but they are sincerely happy for us and understand. They visit fairly frequently, our relationship with boths sets of parents remains close. We've formed a new family unit. Our parents now enjoy spending time with the other's parents, we've all gone out to dinner together and have enjoyed celebrating events together.
I've formed new friends through Chris, and he has formed new friends through me.
I've begun to get comfortable in my new life post-divorce. I love Chris with all of my heart, I am happier than I have ever been.
So, reflecting on my life over the past year, it has been a good one, a happy one, and I look forward to life getting happier and happier. So, even with all of the emotional changes, I wouldn't change the past year for anything.
I hated the constant flow of traffic in and out of our little parking area that we shared with the duplex next to us. I wondered if drugs were being dealt out of that apartment. I hated having to get out of my car and moved the toys the neighbor kids left strown everywhere just so I could park my car. I hated it when I would get home and someone would be parked in my spot. I hated the feeling like I was living in a hotel room, I never quite settled in. I kept telling myself it would only be a year.
Everywhere I drove, I looked at the For Sale signs, dreaming of finding my new home. Chris and I would drive around on the weekends looking at land, or homes in the country. I really didn't want to live in a subdivision. I think living in that duplex was making me claustrophobic. The county I live in borders a larger town (where I work downtown), so this county is growing like crazy. So many places for sale, but nothing seemed right. I found some land that I liked, and thought I could build a house, then we looked at the prices. $10,000 - $15,000 an acre, and even $26,000 for a portion of an acre! But, we kept looking. A friend in real estate told me I should go look at a new subdivision, I kept resisting, I told her cookie cutter subdivisions aren't for me. She kept after me, so one Saturday, Chris and I went to eat breakfast and headed to look at the subdivision. We passed a subdivision I hadn't really noticed before. We turned in and I fell in love with the subdivision. The houses were nice, and the lots were large enough that everyone isn't right on top of each other.
We came around a curve and I found my house! It turned out to be the best lot in the entire subdivision. It was a for sale by owner, I called the number, spoke to Bob who told me we could come at 3:30 that afternoon, they had someone else coming at 3:00.
So we made the appointment, and then drove on to the subdivision we started out to explore. Hated it! We waited anxiously for the appointmend time. The other people were still there, so we had to wait about 15 minutes.
When I walked in, I was even more convinced this was the place for me, for us. They even had some of the same furniture I had when I was married, even the same clock on the wall. Before we left, I told Chris I wanted it. He liked it too. He said for us to go home and talk about it. After about 20 minutes of discussion, we decided I should make an offer. When I called, Bob told me the people before us had already made an offer. I was crushed. He didn't know what the offer was, but was going to stop by their agent and pick up the offer and he would call me and let me know. I already knew what I was approved for at the bank. So, when he told me, I beat their offer. He accepted mine on the phone!
Everything went so smoothly with the loan, the home inspection, the whole process. The closing was so easy, even pleasant. Moving didn't seem hard at all. My landlord let me out of my lease 4 months early with no penalty.
So, in April, on Good Friday, I moved into my new home!
In July, Chris moved in.
We told both sets of parents who weren't thrilled because we aren't married, but they are sincerely happy for us and understand. They visit fairly frequently, our relationship with boths sets of parents remains close. We've formed a new family unit. Our parents now enjoy spending time with the other's parents, we've all gone out to dinner together and have enjoyed celebrating events together.
I've formed new friends through Chris, and he has formed new friends through me.
I've begun to get comfortable in my new life post-divorce. I love Chris with all of my heart, I am happier than I have ever been.
So, reflecting on my life over the past year, it has been a good one, a happy one, and I look forward to life getting happier and happier. So, even with all of the emotional changes, I wouldn't change the past year for anything.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Paintball
Tyler got paintball guns and all the accessories for Christmas. Here are a couple of photos I took of him getting his moves down.
(Love the new lens for my camera! Thanks again Chris!)
(Love the new lens for my camera! Thanks again Chris!)
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Good day
Yesterday, Chris and I had such a good day. Nothing special about the day, it was just relaxing. One of the most relaxing days either of us can remember in a long time.
I cooked breakfast, just a simple breakfast, but he said it was one of the best he's had in a long time. It was just bacon, potatoes with a little spice, some apple, orange and cheese slices, and a bowl of dried fruit and nut mix.
We took a mid afternoon nap. Went to get some firewood, and then went to eat at Red Lobster. Once we got home, I fell asleep while Chris built a fire. It was so warm and cozy...
I cooked breakfast, just a simple breakfast, but he said it was one of the best he's had in a long time. It was just bacon, potatoes with a little spice, some apple, orange and cheese slices, and a bowl of dried fruit and nut mix.
We took a mid afternoon nap. Went to get some firewood, and then went to eat at Red Lobster. Once we got home, I fell asleep while Chris built a fire. It was so warm and cozy...
Friday, December 21, 2007
Karina's Christmas Cookies
Every year, my friend Karina makes Christmas cookies. She is from the Czech Republic, and these are her traditional cookies. I am always amazed at how intricate they are. They taste as good as they look! Thanks Karina.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Gifts
We've been getting lots of food gifts over the past couple of weeks... some of them have some great food in them. The McTavish Shortbread Cinnamon sticks are wonderful! The toffee from Toffee to Go melts in your mouth! Nunes Farms almond caramel chews are fantastic! And Chris loves the Ferris Coffee & Nut cherry berry nut mix. And then there are all of the things I didn't list!
Christmas party
We had our office Christmas party on Saturday night. The weather was terrible! But the food and the company were good.
It's hard to believe that Christmas is a week from today.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Jessie
Dinner at Carrabba's was great! We had just left the restaurant when we got a call that Chris's father was in the emergency room with chest pain. We of course headed straight for the emergency room. It was about an hour drive for us. They ended up transferring him to Atlanta by ambulance. After several days of testing, they did a heart cath, he had 3 significant blockages. They put in 3 stents.
Chris and I had both commented that we thought he was a little quiet the other night at dinner. Turns out he was having chests pains then.
Chris went from the ER and drove to Atlanta to stay the night with him. I took Wanda home, and then picked her up at 6 am the next morning and drove her to Atlanta. I stayed about 2 hours and then drove 2 hours to get to work.
He came home from the hospital today. He is looking so much better!
Chris and I had both commented that we thought he was a little quiet the other night at dinner. Turns out he was having chests pains then.
Chris went from the ER and drove to Atlanta to stay the night with him. I took Wanda home, and then picked her up at 6 am the next morning and drove her to Atlanta. I stayed about 2 hours and then drove 2 hours to get to work.
He came home from the hospital today. He is looking so much better!
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Happy Birthday to me
Today is my 43rd birthday. Chris brought some wrapped presents home. Some for my birthday and some for Christmas. This picture is of the gifts... I am still wondering what is in two of them...
He didn't make me wait too long once we woke up. He got me a lens for my camera!!! I have been wanting one for so long, it is an EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM. I can hardly wait until I can get out and give it a try. I shot a few photos from the back porch, but I may have to take the camera with me when we go to my birthday dinner at Carrabba's tonight.
Thank you Chris.
He didn't make me wait too long once we woke up. He got me a lens for my camera!!! I have been wanting one for so long, it is an EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM. I can hardly wait until I can get out and give it a try. I shot a few photos from the back porch, but I may have to take the camera with me when we go to my birthday dinner at Carrabba's tonight.
Thank you Chris.
Digital scrapbooking
The latest craze in scrapbooking is digital scrapbooking. I thought I would give it a shot. I have Photoshop Elements 5, and tried a few times to figure it out, but got frustrated. I decided this morning that I was going to accomplish a simple page today. I did it! Above is the end result. (Yes I know I've used this photograph on this blog before, but it is so darn cute, and the journaling was super easy).
The danger for me is all of the digi stuff I can buy on the web! Oh no!! I have seen some really cute stuff, but bypassed it because I wasn't sure how I could use it. I'm almost sad that I figured it out with Elements, because I was thinking of upgrading, or buying a completely different program so I could try out digi. But now, I know I can do it with Elements... (but their new version has a really great feature for merging photos...)
So, a new hobby begins.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Willy's stocking
This is Willy's stocking. This is the first time I've had a mantel, so I was excited about getting stockings for the 3 of us. Now, I have to go out and start buying some stocking stuffers!
Groceries and DVDs
Yesterday I went to the grocery store to get the ingredients for taco salads which we were going to be having for supper. Why is it when you go in the store for a few things, you spend $131?
I stopped by Movie Gallery and rented Mr. Brooks, and Wild Hogs.
Supper was great! Chris's salad is always much prettier than mine, but it's because he likes all of the veggies. For those of you who don't know me and my quirky eating habits, I don't like vegetables. I also despise mustard, mayo, any dressing or sauce that is white or creamy. Don't worry, there are plenty of things that I do like.
So, our salads were vastly different, but very enjoyable to both of us. This is one of our favorite meals because we are having the same thing, but customized. I bake him one of those taco shell bowls, and I have my salad over Fritos Scoops.
After eating, we sat down to watch the movies. We watched Mr. Brooks first. Lots of twists and turns in it. Very full of suspence. Even Chris said that was the first movie in a long time that has made him jump. (at the end) I, on the other hand, was jumping and hiding my head behind the pillow throughout the movie. We both thought it was good.
Wild Hogs was cute, predictable, but good for some laughs.
I stopped by Movie Gallery and rented Mr. Brooks, and Wild Hogs.
Supper was great! Chris's salad is always much prettier than mine, but it's because he likes all of the veggies. For those of you who don't know me and my quirky eating habits, I don't like vegetables. I also despise mustard, mayo, any dressing or sauce that is white or creamy. Don't worry, there are plenty of things that I do like.
So, our salads were vastly different, but very enjoyable to both of us. This is one of our favorite meals because we are having the same thing, but customized. I bake him one of those taco shell bowls, and I have my salad over Fritos Scoops.
After eating, we sat down to watch the movies. We watched Mr. Brooks first. Lots of twists and turns in it. Very full of suspence. Even Chris said that was the first movie in a long time that has made him jump. (at the end) I, on the other hand, was jumping and hiding my head behind the pillow throughout the movie. We both thought it was good.
Wild Hogs was cute, predictable, but good for some laughs.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Water pumps and a wonderful man
Yesterday, Chris went out to the rental property I have because the tenant called and there was no water. After ruling out several minor things, he determined it must be the well pump! He arrived at that conclusion because of testing the wires and that there was nothing happening at the point where it should be happening. (His explanation is much more comprehensive than mine) I almost cried, I knew it would be expensive. I was on "vacation" (12 work phone calls fielded, and a water pump issue), so I got in my car and drove the 40 minutes to get there. When I arrived, the professional we called in was already there.
The well was drilled in 1985 and has worked without problems for 22 years, so I can't complain too much. After checking things out, they were able to drain the tank and re-pressurize it, and it worked! Chris changed out the switch and all is good!
Seems the company that put it in all those years ago, wired it in some convoluted fashion. They used interior wire when they should have used underground wire. I won't go into all of that, but no matter. It is working! The service call only cost $79 instead of the $1600 he told us it would take to replace the pump. Thank you God.
Chris is the wonderful man I'm referring to. He is amazing when it comes to this type of thing. I am so glad he is in my life for all sorts of reasons, and this is one of them. The best reason though is his heart. Thank you Chris.
The well was drilled in 1985 and has worked without problems for 22 years, so I can't complain too much. After checking things out, they were able to drain the tank and re-pressurize it, and it worked! Chris changed out the switch and all is good!
Seems the company that put it in all those years ago, wired it in some convoluted fashion. They used interior wire when they should have used underground wire. I won't go into all of that, but no matter. It is working! The service call only cost $79 instead of the $1600 he told us it would take to replace the pump. Thank you God.
Chris is the wonderful man I'm referring to. He is amazing when it comes to this type of thing. I am so glad he is in my life for all sorts of reasons, and this is one of them. The best reason though is his heart. Thank you Chris.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Buzzards
Yesterday, just before we were leaving my brother's house to go to the American Girl Boutique, I heard my brother call out to his wife that the buzzards were back. I was walking into the room about that time, so I looked out the window and could see the buzzards circling over the trees across the street.
Growing up in the country, buzzards are a common sight. My brother lives in a nice subdivision, but it is still undeveloped in some parts, so there is a large wooded area.
I commented, well, somethings dead then. He said, no they show up in large numbers every other year or so and roost there for a while. Bene' said it is cool to go out there and make a noise and watch them all fly away at once. I said, well, when they circle like that, there is usually something dead.
I hear a small voice "Daddy, they're circling, they're circling." I notice my 5 year old niece Anna Grace at the window staring across the street at the buzzards. So, my brother says to her, "There's nothing dead, they just fly that way."
Her response, "Well, how do they ever get anywhere?"
I could barely contain my laughter. I don't even remember his response to her.
Growing up in the country, buzzards are a common sight. My brother lives in a nice subdivision, but it is still undeveloped in some parts, so there is a large wooded area.
I commented, well, somethings dead then. He said, no they show up in large numbers every other year or so and roost there for a while. Bene' said it is cool to go out there and make a noise and watch them all fly away at once. I said, well, when they circle like that, there is usually something dead.
I hear a small voice "Daddy, they're circling, they're circling." I notice my 5 year old niece Anna Grace at the window staring across the street at the buzzards. So, my brother says to her, "There's nothing dead, they just fly that way."
Her response, "Well, how do they ever get anywhere?"
I could barely contain my laughter. I don't even remember his response to her.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
American Girl Doll
Today we struck out for Northpoint Mall, which is about 2 hours from my house. The reason for the trip was to go to the American Girl Boutique & Bistro so my nieces, Anna Grace and Katie Beth, could pick out their Christmas gifts from Bebe & Pops.
We (me, Bebe, Bene', Jess, AG & KB) had a great time. Choosing from all of the dolls and clothes was a tough thing for a little girl to do! Both ended up choosing Nicki who is the doll of the year. Doll of the year means they retire the doll and she is no longer available.
The boutique was amazing, and it was packed with shoppers. Even a few men braved it and were shopping. There is a Doll Hair Salon inside the store! The clothes and accessories for all of the dolls were just too cute!
They even have mini dolls so the dolls can have dolls. Shhh... don't tell, but I snuck in line and purchased something!
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
County Commissioners
Tonight was the County Commissioners meeting, a public hearing. Chris was one of about 7 employees who got up and presented their opinions within the 3 minute time limit. The meeting was all about the budget for 2008. With a surplus of 14 million dollars, the commissioners won't grant the Sheriff's office an increase in the budget to fill the 8 positions open for deputies. Neighboring counties pay so much more that the deputies are slowly leaving one by one.
The budget will be adopted on December 18th - hopefully some of the comments made tonight will help change their minds and they will allocate more money to the Sheriff's Office.
The budget will be adopted on December 18th - hopefully some of the comments made tonight will help change their minds and they will allocate more money to the Sheriff's Office.
Back to work
Monday - it was back to work. After a long day, Chris and I ate some of my mom's chili that I brought home. It was good and hit the spot. Chris ate his over rice.
Janet
Janet was a life long friend. She worked at the hospital in the radiology department. She died in July of 2001 of a cerebral aneurysm.
I was in Europe when I got the news, rafting down the Vltava River in the Czech Republic. I took the first flight I could to get home in time for the funeral. Seeing this plaque after the ceremony brought back so many memories. I miss Janet, so many of us do. Her mom and my mom were friends from the time we were both just months old.
Gingerbread Houses
This Photo by my brother 
After a little lunch, we got down to the serious business of making gingerbread houses.
Shopping Trip
The shopping trip was great! I spent $558.88! Yikes!
The outlet mall we went to was the best one I've ever been to. It is the North Georgia Premium Outlets http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=16.
I guess I got about 75% of my Christmas Shopping done.
The outlet mall we went to was the best one I've ever been to. It is the North Georgia Premium Outlets http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=16.
I guess I got about 75% of my Christmas Shopping done.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)