a few pictures

Well, I had hoped to be writing that we closed on our house yesterday . . . but due to some problems with our lender and then the title company, it has been pushed back to this coming Wednesday. While it is a little frustrating, it has turned out a lot better than it was looking last weekend (when we all of the sudden had NO loan). Everything is set now & we will be closing Wednesday, if not Tuesday! It sure has been a long, drawn-out process, but it will be worth it!!

I thought I'd share a few pictures to appease you (& myself). You may have seen the outside picture on Bryan's blog, but the inside ones are all new! We had to go measure for flooring, so I went photo crazy!! Sorry for the bad quality, it was dark out and very few lights worked inside!!

Front: The roof and garage doors will be the first things to change on this house,with hopefully the columns not far behind!

Kitchen: We love the overhead lighting. Cabinets will be painted white, with hopefully a new sink someday! Oh, and the mini blinds WILL come down - they are all through the house - yuck!

Kitchen: A view of the peninsula bar thing (family room is to the right, laundry room & garage down the hall)

Dining Room?: It's gonna be big enough for Thanksgiving dinner! Imagine with dark wood laminate flooring. (Living Room & Basement doors to the right, master bath & bedroom straight ahead)

The fireplace: I like it more and more every time I see it!

Master Bedroom: Hard to photograph - has two windows and two big closets! Needs carpet :)

Master Bathroom: Needs just a little updating! Anyone in the market for lavender sinks? The toilet and shower are to the left, behind a pocket door.

Upstairs Bedroom: Quite large, with a cedar closet. Just needs paint and carpet!

Upstairs Bathroom Vanity: Looks like they started making improvements??

That's it for now - I'll try to get more pictures when it's actually ours & has better light! And of course I will keep you all updated as it changes :)

Other than that, we continue to be incredibly busy. I had two interviews last week at Nationwide, and I have one this week with Mercy Medical as a Spanish Interpreter. Please pray that I (& my interviewers) would make the right decision. I've also been getting all of my appointments in - eye doctor last week, dentist this week (ouch), and doctor next week!! I know, I know. . . but you weren't in Costa Rica with terrible insurance for two years like I was :) Bryan is doing well with his classes and football - they beat a pretty good team last night!! It was exciting - hopefully it stops raining by next Friday though!!!

Hope you're all well! Hopefully next time I write, it will be as a proud homeowner!

shopping . . .

for insurance policies! Yea, it's about as fun as it sounds!! We got word yesterday that our home had been appraised, that we just have to get estimates for fixing the roof and floorings, and that we will probably close on it next friday!! We are SO excited & more than ready to get in and start working. Knowing that closing is quickly approaching lit a fire under me to get our insurance figured out (must have it by closing). We were with State Farm (for auto), but due to prices, are shopping around a little bit with Allstate, Nationwide, and Erie Insurance. So far Erie is looking to be the winner. If anyone has any suggestions on other companies they've had good experience with, we are open to them!

What else?? Brad, Krystal, Jeremiah, Isaac, & Bryan's parents are all down in Myrtle Beach right now (yes, the same spot that Tropical Storm Hanna is headed towards!!), so we are all alone in the house. Dodger really misses them, so we've been trying to play some ball with him, give him the occasional treat, and even let him sleep with us a couple nights!! I haven't figured out if he understands when I tell him "They'll be back in a couple of days." Oh well, we are looking forward to having them back as well!

We've been super busy this week. Bryan started classes on Tuesday, so between that and football, he's always at the school. What a difference from working together every day!! Speaking of work, I'm still looking for a job. I'm hoping that next week will be the week I get some calls for interviews. For now, I've been taking advantage of my free time by getting things taken care of for the house, making important phone calls and running errands, and starting to work out again. I've started running and lifting (yay!) with an old track friend from Malone. The cool thing is that alumni can use the new Wellness Center at Malone for free. We've been in there quite a bit lately, and I'm proud of what we've done so far! We are both crazy sore, but I know that if we keep at it, it will go away! I just love having someone to be accountable to :)

Wellll, I guess that's about all for now! We will keep you posted on the status of the house! Maybe I'll even have some pictures to share next time :)

PS - Wish Bryan a happy birthday this Saturday!!! He's such an old man!