Sunday, May 20, 2012

It's Official! We're homeowners!!

We signed the closing documents on Thursday at 4pm, and were notified about 24 hours later that the funding went thru and the house was officially ours . . . good thing, since we had "officially" taken possession of it Thursday evening by taking the keys out of the lock box.  We immediately went to Lowe's and bought new front and back door hardware . . .
Zoomed: Kwikset Ashfield SmartKey Venetian Bronze Residential Single-Lock Door HandlesetKwikset Juno SmartKey Venetian Bronze Round Residential Keyed Entry Door Knob
a doggie door, a lawn spreader and some weed and feed . . .
 Extra Large Aluminum Pet Door Zoomed: Scotts Standard Lawn Spreader

Friday morning, we went over and got straight to work.  Robert started work on the doggie door.  There was a small door already there, but don't think Chili could even get his head thru it.  It was a lot of work, and I think it's going to turn into a lot MORE work, since we will need to replace the siding on the outside, and the sheet rock on the inside.


(gosh, wish I woulda taken a picture of the outside AFTER I cleaned up all the trash!!  LOL)



















At least I cleaned up the inside!  :)  We were planning on taking down the bead board stuff anyway.

While Robert worked on this most of the day, I trimmed the holly trees in the front that were WAY out of control and mowed the yard.  I also had to go to city hall to get the water turned on, and BACK to Lowe's to get a hose and sprinkler. 


Since we don't have electricity yet (doesn't get turned on until Monday), we don't have AC and no lights . . . so it gets pretty warm in the house, and can't work too late.  Robert was able to change the locks on the back door Friday before we left, but not the front door.

 Saturday, Robert went over to the house before me to get a jump start.  I went to Sears to buy a weed eater/edger.
http://s.shld.net/is/image/Sears/spin_prod_635817701?hei=600&wid=600&op_sharpen=1&qlt=90,0&resMode=sharp&op_usm=0.9,0.5,0,0

He changed the locks on the front door, and started taking the popcorn ceiling off of in the master bedroom.


This is definitely not a fun job!!

Still need some electricity, so we can vacuum up all the plaster from the ceiling.  After it dries, I rake it into the middle of the floor (carpet to be replaced, this is why we are doing this NOW)



























These flowers were waiting for me when I got there Saturday morning.  Guess they just needed to be uncovered underneath the holly trees . . .

The next project was the tree trimming in the back yard.  The lower line that that you can really see
crossing in front of the tree is the phone line.  Robert actually just yanked that down.  We don't use a home phone, so "project complete".  The higher line that you can barely see in this picture, is actually the power line.  It starts right here in the pic.



So, removing the limbs that were too close to the power line was VERY scary for me!  I'm not sure if Robert was as freaked out as I was . . . but during the process I was curled up in a ball, crying my eyes out on the deck for at least 3 minutes!!!  One of the limbs got caught up on the power line for what seemed like an eternity (even though, I'm sure it was only a couple of seconds).  We don't even have any electricity to the house yet, but I do NOT like even the chance of something happening.

Everything looks much better now, except for all the limbs laying all over the yard that need to be picked up!
The tree trimming wasn't the only traumatic event for the day.  On the way home, Robert had to slam on his brakes to keep from hitting someone, and Chili must have been hanging too far out of the back window . . . and somehow ended up being "ejected" from the truck?  Robert doesn't know how it happened.  He just knows that he looked back, and Chili was gone.  He stopped in the middle of the road, and found Chili.  He was pretty shaken up, and had a little limp, and was VERY scared to get back in that MEAN OLD TRUCK that threw him out, but Robert helped him into the front, and he layed his head on his lap the rest of the way home.  His face is a little scraped up, but he has nothing else wrong with him.  I swear that dog has 9 lives . . . we need to get him a seat belt or something!  We left him at the rent house today to get some rest.  Poor baby.

Today we returned to Lowe's and bought paint and a shop vac.  We are really warn out, so we didn't spend too much time at the house.  I painted some test swatches on the walls, fertilized the yard, and Robert took the popcorn off of the other bedrooms and the entry way.


Tomorrow, we'll have electricity . . . and can really get going.  Crossing my fingers that that AC works good!!

Monday, May 14, 2012

Blog Renovation . . .

Well, I obviously gave up on the picture a day thing about a year ago.  (but, they are still fun to look back at!)  So, after 6 months of pure torture trying to buy this foreclosure, and being about a week away from closing (GOD I HOPE THIS TIME!!!) . . I thought this blog would be a good place to keep track of all the before and afters, the dollars saved, the home-made projects, etc.

So, let's start with Sunday's project that bled into today.  We used to have a down comforter with a duvet cover.  I've had it for years, before I even met Robert (which was 5 years ago), so way past time to be replaced.  Plus, Robert hated it because it was too warm.  I told him I would hunt down a quilt . . and then in the winter I'd put a blanket into the mix and maybe even a down comforter folded at the bottom.  I shopped online Saturday night, and sadly realized I had champagne taste on a beer budget . . .there was NO way I was paying $500 for a quilt (or even over $100) when Chili, our Rottweiler, loves to jump up in the bed.  I went out shopping on Sunday thinking that I wouldn't have much luck, but the VERY first stop I made (Kohls) I found the PERFECT quilt!  It was $80, then with the 15% off I got it for $68.  That's my kinda deal.  They didn't have the shams, but didn't really want them anyway.  Then I was off to Sears, where they had pillows buy one get one free . . . so I got two king size pillows for $25, and 2 standard pillows for $20.  They are supposed to keep you cooler.  Then I got a set of tan sheets, and a pair of brown pillow cases (don't remember the prices on those, don't think they were on sale?)  Then, today I went hunting for some cute pillows at Target.  The white one was $20, and the blue one was $25.
Fieldcrest® Luxury Mop Decorative Pillow - CreamTarget Home™ Floral Applique Decorative Pillow
The blue one is way cuter than this picture makes it look.  The white stitching is really handmade looking.  So, here's the finished project.  I already had the throw, and all the other accessories.  

Sunday, May 29, 2011

May 30, 2011


Happy Memorial Day! This is a picture of my dad's dad and my mom's dad when they were serving our country! Felix left the service after World War II for a civilian life, and Don re-enlisted in the Air Force and didn't retire until 1971.

May 29, 2011


Like we needed the calories!! . . . but they were OH so cute, and perfect for Memorial Day weekend . . . I just HAD to make them. Now, if I could just freeze half of them and not eat them ALL this weekend!! Nahhhhhhhh! haha

May 28, 2011


Here's the latest video game. Was waiting a couple of weeks to buy used at a MUCH cheaper price, and got it Friday. Robert and I have to both play though . . . he has to get me thru the shooting scenes, and I have to get him thru the investigation scenes.

Friday, May 27, 2011

May 27, 2011


It's POOL TIME! Hey, man . . . don't judge . . . I'm on a budget! :) It was only $25 and it's PERFECT! Big enough for my floatie and for Robert to sit in the corner (if he even wants in? he didn't get in last year's pool much). We still have the stairs for last years pool, haven't knocked them down . . . just in case we wanna high dive! :)

Thursday, May 26, 2011

May 24, 2011


This Casey Anthony trial is SO interesting to me. Today was the opening arguments, and the defense dropped a bombshell by saying that Casey was molested as a child, and that Caylee drowned in the family pool . . . Can't WAIT to see this unfold!

[No picture for the next 2 days . . . personal journaling in my scrapbook]

May 23, 2011


Tornado season seems SO bad this year! I don't remember this many, with this many deaths, and the complete devastation that this year's tornado's are causing! This is a picture from the Joplin, MO tornado on Sunday.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

May 22, 2011


Happy Birthday Sweetie! Hope you enjoyed your relaxing day! I love you!

Saturday, May 21, 2011

May 21, 2011


Robert took me to get my library card today. Haven't been in YEARS! They have lots of books online, but I needed a library card to be able to access them. Even borrowed a couple of audio books to check out. Need some suggestions on what to get next . . . .

May 20, 2011


Chili cracks me up . . . he was camping out in this chair like he was a couch potato! I can't IMAGINE where he gets it from??

Thursday, May 19, 2011

May 19, 2011


Are kids the only voters on American Idol anymore? Haley should have TOTALLY won this year. Hopefully she'll be as successful as Chris Daughtry . . . I think they are both SO great! I just went and bought 4 of her songs on Itunes!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

May 18, 2011


Today was the last day of my first session of Weight Watchers at work. It started January 22nd, and I started online at home on January 1st. I weigh in at home on Saturday mornings, and at work on Wednesday's at lunch. I'm hoping that we have enough people to start another session at work, because I need the motivation. I still have a ways to go . . . . I've lost 9.4 lbs @ work and 14.4 lbs @ home.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

May 17, 2011


I'm not much of a basketball fan . . . but even I am watching this series. I hope Mark Cuban's team can finally go all the way. Mom used to work for Mark Cuban, so I can almost pretend like I know him! hehe

Monday, May 16, 2011

May 16, 2011


My beans are going gang busters! These started from SEEDS! Everything else is kinda . . . ehhhh??

May 15, 2011


OK, Yes . . . I am a reality show addict . . . and Boston Rob FINALLY winning Survivor after playing it 4 times is like the "pinnacle" of reality TV. You think Robert will move to Utah, and let me have another husband? You think it would be confusing to be married to Robert and Rob??

Sunday, May 15, 2011

May 14, 2011


I'm so sick of Lifetime TV! I've been in bed since Thursday after work, first with what I thought were just allergies, and then with a 103 degree fever. The bird feeder outside is like a little birdie buffet providing my only other entertainment.

May 13, 2011


75,000 miles on my car already. I haven't even had it 5 years yet. I need new tires soon, but other than that every thing else seems good so far (knocking on wood!)

Friday, May 13, 2011

May 12, 2011


This was in the back parking lot at work today. I don't think it's a "full car" though . . . it looks like a mock up for pictures or something, but we haven't gotten any emails on why it's there?

May 11, 2011


This was the radar right before my commute home! Yuck! It actually looks a lot worse than it was. It was really dark though.