House Dreaming

Since we’re sitting around waiting for something to fall in our lap, I figured I’d put together stuff that gets me excited. Whether it’s a brand new house, or a house we make into a home, I have been daydreaming about all sorts of things I can’t wait to have in my next house. I’ll give you some eye candy of what I’d love to have. Not sayin’ it’s gonna happen but this is dreamland so anything goes!

A glorious supply of natural light.

Preferably streaming into the kitchen where I can setup shop on the counter. You know for pictures of the gorgeous dishes I don’t prepare? Or maybe just my latest craft project. Just somewhere that I can take pretty pictures inside because my current house has almost nonexistent natural light. I either have to be by the dog nose smudged sliding glass door, or the dog nose smudged window behind the couch. Other than that, it’s the awesome 1980’s kitchen yellow cast lighting that basks my every subject.

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Big gorgeous granite countertops.

My favorite look is white/gray marbled countertops. But David doesn’t like them, and I’m glad because I can’t wait to have something that doesn’t stain. And I’d be getting those if he liked them. This forces me to get something darker, which my inner OCD cleaning lady (haha she’s hiding in there somewhere) will thank me for. The last three houses I’ve lived in have all had off-white laminate or corian counter tops. Dreamy right? Not. I am constantly scrubbing marker, red Gatorade rings, and stains off of this color. It’s like letting your kitchen wear a white shirt and eating hot wings. Ain’t gonna stay clean!

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A Garage

Lord have mercy. I cannot wait to have a garage again! I know a lot of people live without them just fine, but I’m not one of them that want to. Remember that air compressor and paint sprayer I got for Christmas? I still have not used it. As much as I can’t wait to break it out, do you know what a pain it is to have to bring that thing inside and clean it up enough to shove it back into a guest room closet where it’s sandwiched up against rugs and pillows I’ve been hoarding for my next place over the past year? Ain’t happenin’. It’s simply an outside/garage machine. Not to mention all my other tools that hardly get used because I just can’t get to them in the closet.

Oh, and I don’t even have to mention it being a perfect spray painting chamber. Ahhhhhhh.

I fully expect it to be looking like this as well!

Room for my junk treasures.

I have a lot of junk treasures. A lot a lot. Not like hoarders, (yet anyway) but like a person who likes to make a lot of junk crafty things and buy a lot of useless crap. That’s me! Right now if I don’t have room for more junk a new treasure it ends up being shoved in the closet. When we finally move, going through all that stuff is going to be like Christmas!! I can’t wait.

Oh and walls. Lots and lots of blank walls! My Dad says I need to live in a giant warehouse. With huge walls and lots of wall dividers so I have room to hang all my useless junk beautiful treasures. He understands my treasure loving tendencies, I am my Big Momma’s granddaughter!

An outgoing Mailbox!!!

Okay, I’m possibly a little too enthusiastic about this one. In my current place I have a mailbox, but it’s incoming only. And the incoming stuff pretty much can’t be bigger than a can of soda. Because it’s like a PO Box. So I have most everything mailed to my parents’ house. Anytime I want to mail something I have to drop it off at a USPS location or drop box. Sucky! The thought of having a mailbox that I can actually mail stuff out of…dreamy!

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A bigger laundry room.

Okay, so this one is getting a little greedy. Because thankfully, I have a laundry room in my little place now. But it is so awkward. It’s actually pretty large in the wall/storage area, but the washer/dryer themselves are hard to get to. It’s one of those things where you have to maneuver the door just right to open the other door and don’t pinch your fingers in between in the process. Forget about cleaning anything in there. And to feed the dogs you have to move the trash can to the top of the washer to get to their food bin and yada yada yada. Complaining, I know. I should just be happy I have one, but remember people, we’re dreaming here!

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A guest bedroom & bathroom.

Granted I don’t have a lot of guests, but it’d be nice that every time I went out of town and had my brother stay over, he could stay in the guest bed! Let’s be honest, the main reason this bothers me is the fact that I have to wash my sheets before and after. I hate washing all that bedding. And the worst? Putting a duvet back on. Ugh. So if I had a guest bed, it’d just be easier because I’d have more time in between and could always have it ready for guests. Instead of trying to do it the night before I go out of town.

Same with a guest bathroom. Guests could use guest towels in the guest shower. It would always be clean and I wouldn’t have to clean mine the night before.

I realize this all makes me sound extremely lazy and dirty. Just keepin’ it real folks.

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Oh What a Night

It wasn’t a fun one, in fact it was quite scary.

Last night we broke out the grill for the first time in a while. David cooked up some yummy chicken breasts. I went outside one time and found Moose going to town eating the old ashes and crud in the catch tray under the grill. I shooed her off and didn’t think anything else of it. Round two of having a lab puppy, you learn to not sweat a lot of what they eat because they eat everything. Rocks, sticks, grass, bugs, charcoal ash, remotes, you name it.

Well around 10:00 me and Remi were chilling on the couch watching Pioneer Woman’s cooking show (love that lady) and we hear Moose hacking down the hall. Although it didn’t sound like her regular hacking. It was a sound of trying to upchuck without anything coming out. And it went on long enough, probably 1 minute or so, that I started to get super worried because it didn’t seem like she could breathe. You know how that is when you’re trying to throw up, you can’t catch a breath until something finally comes out. Well, I even picked her up and did a Heimlich on her because it just sounded like whatever she was trying to get out, was stuck.

That did nothing. She kept doing that awful upchucking sound and finally got a little something up. Very little. This continued on for several more episodes and she kept throwing up from then on, but then the piles were huge liquid ashy stuff. Sorry, TMI I know.

I started to get even more worried and she’d turned to eating lots of grass out back to settle her stomach. Then she of course threw up a heaping mound of grass. So then I wouldn’t let her go outside because I knew she’d throw that up again, so instead she was crawling around whining trying to eat the carpet. She was doing the strangest whine though, not an “I’m bored and want attention whine, but one that sounded like she was in pain.

It was breaking my heart because I didn’t know how to help her.

She kept doing this swallowing thing too and was just sounding so raspy. At this point it’s about midnight and David is up too. It was off and on sleep and watching her until about 2:00 AM when it just seemed to still be getting worse.

I then googled about dogs eating charcoal ash and of course that’s not a good thing to do. I kept seeing stuff about a lot of it being toxic and then I realized this might be more than just an upset stomach. We called the two 24 hour emergency animal clinics and ended up taking her to the one closest to my house. We just wanted to get her checked out because she was having such a hard time breathing and we didn’t know if anything had gotten in her lungs.

We took her to the place and long story short, there wasn’t anything they could really do for her. They checked her vitals and felt around but she seemed okay from the outside. They offered x-rays and blood tests but by this point, she seemed to be doing better. We were there for about an hour and by the time we left, she seemed to have gotten it out of her system and was herself again.

Maybe she needed a change of scenery? Who knows. But it cost us a $120 field trip at 2 AM to make her feel better, which was worth it. We got home around 3:45 and were exhausted. David had to be at work at 7:30, but I decided to call in to go in later around 10 so I could keep an eye on her. She was her perfectly fine self this morning and I’m so glad she’s okay.

 

Tired Mommy and Daddy! And gosh she looks huge there!

She finally decided to get some sleep.

Now onto the semi-funny part of this story.

So we’d now been up for about 4 hours in the middle of the night. When we got home I went to let both dogs out back for one last potty before bed again.

I turned on the light and opened the back door for both of them to shoot out of the house faster than the ladies wanting the good sales on black Friday!

They went after a possum! David was in the bathroom and I yelled “David!!! Help!!!” because the last thing I need is the dogs getting bit by a possum with rabies. That is, if possums can transfer rabies. Nobody thinks those things through at 4:00 AM. We ran out after the dogs and I screamed at them to come and pulled them back enough and picked them up to find the poor little possum playing dead. He was just out enjoying the evening and all the sudden the light flips on and two big black blobs come all up in his business. And I’m sure I woke up all the neighbors with my hollering.

Then we all went to sleep and that was the end. Needless to say I didn’t get my run in this morning…

Crazy town I tell ya!

Couch to 5K Update

Well well well, would ya look at that. I haven’t quit yet.

It’s amazing! It’s crazy! It feels great to have reached my goal weight of 115 pounds!!

Except for that’s not really me, just my face, and I’ve only managed to gain weight. Save the “you’re gaining muscle” blah blah blah. Bottom line is, I seem to be getting’ fatter from working harder.

Sheesh.

I’m 6 weeks/2 days in to Couch to 5K. Tomorrow should technically be Week 7/Day 1, but instead it will be Week 6/Day 3 again.

Bummer.

For the very first time since I started the program, I couldn’t finish yesterday’s run.

I usually do it either early AM or early evening. However, yesterday I wanted to go somewhere with really flat ground since my 25 min straight run on the agenda would be a doozy. I didn’t want to make it any harder than it was. So we went to Lincoln’s track right down the road, at 5:00 in the afternoon, after we got done running some other errands.

Big mistake.

Even though we had nice weather this weekend, it was still in the low 90s. AKA hottttt.

I got warmed up and then started. Right away I knew it was gonna be hard to finish. I was struggling. It was just so darn hot and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. The turf (is that what you call the track rubber?) was baking and I was the cookie on top. Slowly melting away and spreading into a thin layer on the rack.

In this case, the rack was a cool bleacher in the shade only 20 minutes in. I only had FIVE minutes left. And I could.not.do.it. I wanted to, so bad, but I was on the verge of passing out and throwing up simultaneously when I launched myself onto the bleacher. Face down. Wondering why I don’t live somewhere that it’s cooler!

David stopped running earlier than me and resorted to sprints in the shade. When he saw me keeled over on the bench he dragged me over to the bathrooms and made me stick my face in the faucet. I sat there leaning against the cinderblocks and started crying.

I’d come this far and my biggest “claim to fame” yet with the program was that I haven’t had to “quit” yet. On any of the other days. Even the first time there was a 20 minute run, I did it with no breaks.

But today my body physically wouldn’t let me keep going. I wanted to walk the rest of the 5 minutes to at least finish, but Mr. Oh No You’re Not wouldn’t let me. So I sulked the whole way to the car, disappointed in myself.

David kept saying I did so good and I needed to be proud, but just knowing I only had FIVE MORE MINUTES left was killing me. By no means was this the last day of the last week, but I’ve only got three weeks left and I thought I’d be able to do the whole thing, “uninterrupted”.

Boo.

So, tomorrow, it’s a re-do of yesterday. I will be doing it first thing in the AM before Mr. Sun comes up to try and take me down.

Let’s hope it goes better!

Original unaltered photo found here.

House News (Or Lack Thereof)

Everyone has been so sweet in keeping up and asking about how things are going on the house hunt, so I figured I owe y’all an update.


The house I posted about recently that we put an offer in on, did not go through. Very long story short, we didn’t get it. I guess it just wasn’t meant to be.

After that, we were really gung-ho, just not sure which direction to be gung-ho about. Look harder? Or stop looking, give ourselves a break, and allow some time for new stuff to come up on the market? Well, we went with the former. The week that followed we went and looked at 4 houses in one night. There was one I liked a lot and it had a pool, but they were asking a lot of money for it and it still needed quite a bit of updating. The living room was livable, but very small for such a big house.

So we passed on it.

We are keeping our eye out for every option, including possibly building. I am most excited about this option, although it stresses me out to think about. But oh the planning, and picking colors and finishes, it’d be so exciting!

You know I’ll share once we got something in stone, but for now we’re just floating around in house land hoping to land on something soon. Especially with all this talk of rates going up after the election, that’s even more of an incentive to get the ball rolling one way or another.

Fingers crossed it happens soon! For our sanity.

Summer Happenings

Well, if you haven’t noticed, I was full speed ahead on my Summer 2012 Bucket List and then it kind of fizzled out. Not for a lack of want, but I’m starting to come to terms that the things that are left probably aren’t gonna happen.

Does it count if I do some of those things multiple times?? I think I’ve been to Big Easy’s now about 5 times since the first trip at the beginning of the Summer.

Anywho, there’s been some…

  

swimming…

awkward sitting…

some smooching…

 

lots of gel polishing…

and some tree picture taking.

And I know a lot more but that’s all I’ve got for now.

Oh! Hi Dolphins!

So, last weekend, I went scalloping with my fam!

We went to St. Marks and had a great time. The weather was perfect, the water was calm, and the scallop were abundant. We limited out within a few hours and spent the rest of the afternoon swimming, eating, and soaking up the sun. We had two other boats with us full of friends so we just boat hopped and enjoyed the beautiful day!

Chub in a bathingsuit. And flippers and gloves.

Tiny creatures.

Me and Momma.

Cole and his girlfriend Logan.

Pops.

While we were tootling to our next spot to drop the anchor the other boat that was a little further ahead hollered for us to “Hurry Up! Get over here!” so we did. We were in for a treat because 4 dolphins were swimming all around the boat. It was pretty darn cool! They were so close and SO much bigger than you think a dolphin is, until you are that close to them. I would relate it to a beluga whale size-wise.

 

No zoom. Right next to the boat.

I also got a short video. So, so neat!

Sandbar party.

After a full day on the water and some chill time on the sand bar after everyone was done scalloping, we headed to Riverside Café for some sea grub. Or yard grub for those that got chicken.

Shrimp and oysters were on the menu for my Dad and I. Oh, and jalapeno poppers. When the waitress set them down, we both grabbed one. It felt warm but not hot, simultaneously bit down, and instantly blew fire/spewed the contents onto the table. At least I did. That dang pepper had to have been 400 degrees temperature hot. Actually I guess it was the cheese that was on fire. Molten lava cheese + suburnt lip = bad news. Owie!

But we had a fabulous day and then got to come home and clean 10 gallons worth of those snotty little boogers. I can’t wait to eat them now!

Thanks Dad (& Mom) for a wonderful day!

Oh and PS – In case you haven’t heard via Facebook, I signed up, actually mailed my form and check, for my first 5K! I can’t wait. It’s at the end of October. And I get to wear a costume! No backing out now!

Remington’s Third Birthday!

From now on I’ll just skip over the “I’ve been a slack blogger jargon” and jump right in as if I haven’t missed a beat. Mmk? Mmk.

Today is Remi’s birthday.

This makes me sad. I can’t believe how fast three years have gone by. Yes, most of you are thinking, “it’s just a dog”. Well, like I said in this post, Remi is more than a dog. He’s my family.

But I’ll try and keep this light and celebrate my sweet pup.

 

We did a little shopping at Petsmart. With the big kid only because it’s his day! Moose stayed home.

  

Then we got him some doggy frozen yogurt. He thoroughly enjoyed it!

There’s almost butt crack in this shot. Don’t look. Except I pointed it out so now I’m sure you’re going to look. My bad.

Brand new baby.

We love you Rem!

The Blog Bug Comes and Goes

First off, thanks so much to everyone’s sweet words in response to the Hopeful House News I shared yesterday! I am absolutely awful at not getting my hopes up, so as much as I try, I figure spreading the word a little never hurts if people want to send out a few prayers. This is the first time I’ve shared about a contract although we’ve put in several, and I think if this one doesn’t work out I’ll really be devastated. But ‘tis life. If it doesn’t work out then it wasn’t meant to be. I can only keep my fingers crossed and hope for good news by 6:00 tomorrow!

Moving onward…I’m going to be all over in this post.

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Let’s see what else. Oh! I found out yesterday that it was 100% confirmed I’ll be traveling to Davis, CA in September for work. This time last year I went to Portland, OR. I’ve also recently been to Biloxi, MS. Next year as long as travel budget allows, I’ll be heading to meetings in St. Paul, MN and San Antonio, TX. Boy oh boy the places I’m going! I have to admit, traveling for work is not as glamorous as I thought it was. However, it is pretty cool that if I’ve got to do it, I’m getting to go places I’ve never been. Planes, trains and automobiles!

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A few weekends ago my Mom was at St. George Island with some of my family celebrating my Uncle Mike’s birthday. She tried to get me to come but I told her all week I couldn’t. I knew all along though I was going and I surprised her Saturday morning I spent the day with everyone and stayed the night too. We had a great time and it was so good to just relax and do nothing. Oh, and I am still peeling from that trip!

I have the coolest chair ever.

Momma and I sippin’ on Miami Vices.

Dinner in Apalachicola.

Appetizer. Yum.

First time paddle boarding!

You know I own this, right?

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My little Moo is getting awfully big. She is growing like a weed. I can hardly pick her up anymore. And she’s somehow worked her way into sleeping in the bed. For good. Last night I woke up and she was snuggled up next to me, head on the pillow laying on her back spread eagle. She’s just so darn cute I can’t say no. I’m a pushover.

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This past weekend we traveled to Auburn, AL for Nationals (softball). David’s team, Generations Church won the first two games by ten-run rule, and then lost the second two. We were out after that. Some friends of ours Jerrod and Alana rode with us so that made the 3.5 hour drive more fun. We did a heck of a lot of eating this weekend. Goodness gracious. It is one of my favorite things to do after all, but eating out 3 meals a day is not easy on your wallet. We had a really fun weekend though and squeezed in some shopping here and there.

We also stopped by Auburn’s stadium.

I was so adamant about keeping up with my C25K program while I was out of town that I was sure to pack everything I’d need to exercise…except I forgot my tennishoes. Really? Well, what’s a girl with a shoe shopping problem to do? Buy new ones of course!

And I know I already shared on Facebook and Instagram, but for my Dad who I know doesn’t have either of those, I have to tell you that I actually used the hotel gym! First time in my life. I was determined not to skip my run day. And I did it! Starting Week 5 today!

 

I’m but a blur.

I also picked up a few goodies from TJ Maxx.

Oh, and you know how a while back I got a Shellac manicure? Well, come to think of it you probably don’t because you read it once and forget it. But anywho, I LOVED it. I’ve been lusting after my own kit but knew they were expensive and didn’t know what kind I even needed and didn’t want to do the research. Well, my sweet friend Courtney texted me last week and told me I’d love the Red Carpet Manicure kit. It’s a Shellac kit with an LED light. I intended to try and find it online but got lucky in Auburn because there was an ULTA store that carried the kit! It was $80, not cheap, however, with the Shellac manicures going for $25-$35 a pop, just a few at home manicures with my kit will pay for itself. I just ripped off my acrylics so I’m letting my nails breathe for a little bit before I try it out!

And by breathe I mean not put gel on them. They are not safe from polish which was evident from my picture this morning of my “ring finger blinged nail” ;-)

Alana & Jerrod, our partners in eating crime all weekend. Alana is who cuts my hair. She is literally one of the sweetest people you’ll ever meet. I am so glad we got to spend lots of time with her and her other half this weekend!

 

I forgot to mention, it rained off and on through the first two games. Fun fun!

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Before we went out of town last weekend I gave my shower a much overdue cleaning. I found a homemade concoction on Pinterest of Vinegar and Blue Dawn Dish Soap. I mixed it up, started spraying, and then Holy Fumes Batman! It worked pretty good, but man I could hardly breathe. So I did what anyone would do. Pull out the big guns.

I got this respirator from a discard pile because they are no longer up to code. I mainly grabbed it for a mad scientist Halloween costume or to spray paint with, but it came in very handy for the cleaning fumes too!

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After a long year of waiting, I was finally able to donate blood again. Remember I got my tattoo in July 2011 so I’ve been waiting impatiently ever since to be back on the donor list. Yippee for saving lives!

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And lastly, Moosey Goosey has found her a new sleeping spot. Oh lordy. Poor David. Suffocatin’ and all.