CRV or Rogue?

Looks like we are moving forward with getting a new car!! We will test drive both of these on Friday and possibly get it that day as well! I think I'm leaning more towards the CR-V based on how it holds its value and the features it comes with. Kinda scary that it is all moving so fast but exciting as well! First experience with going through a lease. I'm optimistic about how it will go through!

Moving on....

Change. That seemingly small word causes such a stir. It makes me happy, sad, stressed, anxious, relieved, scared, excited and thoughtful all at the same time. Here are the things on our plate at the moment:

-Thanksgiving. Normally my favorite time of year. This year - my sweet Grandma will not be here to celebrate with us. I'm still having a hard time accepting she is gone. I've been trying to understand why her death hit me so much harder than my other grandparents. I miss them terribly too. I think hers still hurts so much because it really came out of the blue and because there were so many disappointments associated with the timing of her death. Yes she was almost 90 but she wasn't sick - she still was in overall good health. Don't get me wrong - I'm glad she didn't suffer - but the sudden nature of it - still makes it feel like it happened yesterday in my heart. I miss her so much. I have a special tribute in mind though. I think she would have loved it. She and my Aunt and Uncle have come down to celebrate Thanksgiving with us for about the last 10 years. The last 3 of those Grandma has stayed for a few months after in what will definately be remembered as some of the most precious memories. We will be driving down to Athens on Wednesday to celebrate with John's family and head back this way to have dinner with mine.

-We are going to look at an apartment and possibly put a deposit down on one this evening. Pretty excited about this. 2br 1 bath - in a brand new building for a great deal and across the street from where we are now. Love me a fresh start!

-My house sells/closes on the 19th. What a huge relief that is!! We signed the offer and are proceeding with that. The inspector was supposed to go by today and what should he find but the water was disconnected. I called my former neighbors and they said the city was working on a water main and the water would be off most of the day! Of all days!! I hope we don't have to pay for a second inspection!!

-Before we go to Florida for Christmas, we knew we were going to have to either get my car fixed or get a new one. Well - the guy who usually gives me an employee discount doesn't work at the dealership anymore. It actually would be cheaper to get a new car/lease a new car than keep fixing this one. Lately it is always something with it. I talked with someone about a lease today. Pretty interested in pursuing that - even though you aren't building equity - I think right now it is the best way to get us in a reliable suv.

All these things are good things - but a lot of things to have swirling around in my mind right now. What is that song? I'm ready for a slow down...

Taylor is 1 month old today!!

I know I kind of spoiled this post by posting a few days earlier that she was almost 1 month old - but sweet little girl is officially 1 month old today!! Julie said she smiles now so I bet that is a lot of fun :) I absolutely cannot wait to meet her!!

Offer pending

So....many of you know the last offer fell through. For whatever reason the lady flaked out and wouldn't even call her own agent back. Oh well. My realtor called me today and said someone new put an offer on it. We countered. There it stands for now. Join me in prayer that this offer will go through. They want to close on 12/19. Would be a WONDERFUL Christmas present!!

I'm sick

Ugh - I just want to be at home asleep in bed. I hate being all achy and sniffly.

Almost 1 month old!! Time flies!!

So beautiful!!

Sweet Lil Punk'n

She looks like Julie here.

Look at those adorable dimples!!

Just checkin it all out...

Sweet dreams (here she looks more like Doug)

November 8th

Life is so unfair sometimes. One of my best friends lost her mom on Saturday. Saturday was also Grandma's birthday. I'm so sad for her. I know how devestated I still am at the loss of my Grandma. I just can't fathom losing your mom. It's not fair.

I met her just once at Bonnie's baby shower when she was pregnant with Maren. We were doing that silly game where you put a tennis ball in a pair of panty hose and tie it around your waist and use that to try to get another ball across the room. We did it in groups of 2 and her mom and I were a group.

My mom is going with me tomorrow to her funeral. She's so sweet to go all that way with me. It's a 3 hr drive and we are leaving at 7am. Yikes!

Keep Bonnie and her family in your prayers. Love you girl!

Face of an Angel

Isn't she beautiful? I absolutely love this picture. It is kinda funny too because it looks like her foot is up by her face and she is in some kind of contorted position but really those are socks on her hands to keep her from scratching up her beautiful little face. You can almost see those adorable dimples!! :) I can't wait until December when I can see this little miracle for myself!! :)

Uncertainty is the Only Certainty

Still waiting. My future is a big question mark.

History...Values have left the building

Wow. A day that will live in infamy. Kinda like Pearl Harbor... only this time it's an inside job.

Hopefully people will come to their senses and block his extremely liberal agenda one bill at a time. Aside from lowering taxes - what good does he promise to accomplish? He is right - anything is possible - or it was possible. The country that enabled him to rise this far is the very country he is trying to unravel.

God has a plan. Maybe it's kind of like when you let a child have his way so he learns the lesson the hard way. The only problem is - those of us who already get it - are punished too.

God, please help us. Protect us from socialism. Protect the babies who survive abortion attempts from Obama's support of infanticide. Protect those small business owners and those who were thinking of pursuing such an endeavor because now - they will be penalized greatly for their success. Protect us from the most liberal agenda to ever think about hitting the White House. Protect us from Obama's terrorist friends. Forgive those who put him in office. They know not what they have done.

The Promises of a New Day

What a day this promises to be. Top on my priority list is finding out probably this afternoon about the pending counter offer on my condo. Hope to get that all wrapped up today. Praying hard that comes through!!

Other prayers go out for this historic election. I know God is in control no matter who takes office. I pray that whoever fills those shoes works to the benefit of our great country and not to the detriment of it. Kind of a nail biting day for me and for our country.

Many more thoughts on the subject I have - but I'll keep them to myself and just say another prayer.

Lord, protect us and this great nation. You know who will be the next President and you know the challenges that lie ahead. Help guide our country in the way it needs to go and protect it from those who intend to bring it destruction. In Jesus name, Amen

Monday - still waiting...

Waiting waiting waiting. I just talked to the Realtor again. She said the buyer isn't stalling - just trying to get things in line. I'm chomping at the bit to get this in writing. The sooner we do that, the closer we are to getting it finalized. Please come back with an acceptance and soon!!!!

Still waiting

We are still waiting on acceptance of the counter offer. My Realtor expects that we should hear something tomorrow afternoon.

TECH WON TEXAS LOST!!! WOW!! :)

We just got home from watching the Texas Tech/Texas game. Wow! It was amazing. So many key plays and when the clock was about to run out...and it looked like Texas would win...Tech scored an amazing touchdown. Texas was knocked off their high horse!! Wow!! A&M won today too! I miss the days when they had this kind of excitement. I know it was possible - they won the Big 12 when I was there! We watched the game with a couple of John's buddies that are Texas fans - how the moods shifted from John being sullen and pouty to them being sullen and pouty - all within just a few minutes....:) It was fun I have to admit!
Gig Em Ags :)
Wreck Em Tech :)

Dual Loyalties

Normally - our house is divided on Football Saturdays.... John is a Red Raider (Texas Tech) and I of course am an Aggie (Texas A&M) (though it would be much more fun if the Aggies could get their football program to be a little more competitive....)

But today....we are all on the same team hoping that Tech beats the everloving stuffing out of University of Texas.

Go Red Raiders!! Saw 'em off!!

I GOT AN OFFER!

I got an offer on my condo last night!! We are countering this morning and hope to have a contract sometime today. Please pray it through with me!! I'm so excited! I just hope it pulls through!

I VOTED

Did you?

Waiting Impatiently

Got a call last night. Made my day. Got my hopes up. Supposedly I'll have an answer tonight. Until then - just anxiously waiting. Praying. Hoping. Planning. Praying some more. Trusting that God provides. I'll post this evening or tomorrow when I know more. I couldn't fall asleep easily last night. A million thoughts kept running through my head about how this possibility could impact me/us. Praying I'm not disappointed. Tick Tock Tick Tock..... Pray with me please.

EARTHQUAKES IN DALLAS!! SERIOUSLY??

Two minor earthquakes shook the Dallas-Fort Worth area overnight, waking residents, setting off car alarms and spooking pets. But no major damage was reported.

The U.S. Geological Survey says a 2.5-magnitude earthquake centered in the Grand Prairie area was reported at 11:25 p.m. Thursday. A slightly stronger 3.0-magnitude quake centered in the Irving area occurred 36 minutes later.
Law enforcement agencies across northern Texas said they received some 911 calls from concerned residents but no reports of damage.
Irving police spokesman David Tull said his agency received about 25 calls around midnight from people inquiring about the vibrations, which set off car and building alarms.
Grand Prairie and Fort Worth officials also reported no damage. "We just learned about it on the news this morning,” said Dawn Atkins, a Grand Prairie emergency dispatcher.
USGS geophysicist Randy Baldwin said the quakes, which lasted only a few seconds, most likely felt "like a lightly loaded truck passing by, kind of a sharp jerk and then a rapid vibration."
Irving resident Christine Laughland said she was sleeping when the earthquake woke her up. She's from California and wasn't too shocked by the vibrations. But she couldn't say the same thing for her dogs.
“They were barking hysterically because it was their first one,” she said.
Randy Owens, a Starbucks employee in Grand Prairie, said he didn't feel it but that it was the buzz among his customers this morning. "Many were saying they were surprised they didn't feel anything," he said.
Reports of the quake also came from Dallas, Euless and Hurst and Fort Worth, Mr. Baldwin said. Aftershocks could last several days. There is also a possibility of more smaller quakes in the coming days that no one would likely feel.

By ARLINDA ARRIAGA / The Dallas Morning News

How Our Family Has Changed....

Here is a compilation of pictures of our family through the years. The most recent addition being Miss Taylor Morgan Hart. Am I a proud auntie or what? :) So much fun....So much fun lies ahead too...Loving the memories....

Dream Nursery

Did I mention I had baby fever?

Of course any boy's room would have to be sports related. I kinda like the first picture better than the Cowboys one unless you could do the Cowboys set a little cuter.


I love these color combinations for a girl. John hates brown so that is out - but all of these colors are so fun!! :) I would have a ball decorating it!!

I love this kind of glider for the nursery. Functional and comfy!!

Dream Play Rooms

It would be fun to have a designated play room. Isn't this wooden kitchen set adorable? Maybe once we have the space John and I can try to tackle something like that. OBVIOUSLY there is not a need right now lol - just saying - maybe when we have the space the need will be there ;-)

Dream Laundry Rooms

Now some may think - who dreams of laundry rooms - but really - everyone has one - so having one that is as spacious and functional as these are would be fabulous!!!! I would love to have hanging space in the laundry room!!

Wouldn't this be cute to either paint on the wall or have hanging on the wall somehow?

Kickin it up a notch

138 days. 19 weeks 5 days. 2 big holidays. I've been working on it - but need to step it up a notch or 2 or 3. I wish that healthy food was as cheap as unhealthy food. We do the Isagenix shakes for breakfast and eat sensibly calorie wise - but we aren't eating the kinds of things we would be eating if I had the money to go buy fresh fruit and veggies all the time from Central Market. Just need to stay focused and increase the exercise portion. I'm cutting out sodas - even diet ones as of tomorrow. Water, water, water....maybe some coffee and tea thrown in for variety. Maybe after the wedding I can drink coffee more regularly - but I don't to make my teeth any less white for the wedding.

Beautiful little Taylor has given me baby fever. 4 1/2 months till the wedding - then - who knows - maybe we will have a bundle of joy next year or the year after. I need to be a lot further along on my goals before that becomes a reality...but I really don't want to wait. What a paradox. The only common factor is me stepping up my pace to really escalate my weight loss as much as possible.

John is so funny - he wants to have an even number of kids - so it's either 2 or 4 - I'm shooting for 4. I absolutely cannot wait - though after Julie's struggles - maybe I'm not as sure as I thought I was on the whole doing it natural thing. Will need to do more research....

What a year of changes - some very bad - some very good. More good changes to come...

My Niece is HERE!!!

Isn't she BEAUTIFUL?? From this angle she looks like Julie did as a baby. I can't wait to meet her!!

Taylor Morgan Hart was born today at 12:04 pm weighing in at 7 lbs 2 oz and is 19.5 inches long. She has dark hair and dimples. Mommy and baby are doing fine. Poor Julie is in a lot of pain and is sleeping now. I wish I was there. Sigh...

Whiny employees

I'm over it. I really am. You are adults. Please act accordingly.

Real life gets in the way sometimes...

No baby yet. We drove home yesterday. Very sad (wish I could have stayed). Very tired (we got home after 1am). Glad tomorrow is Friday. Hopefully we will have a happy, healthy mommy and baby soon.

We have some contractions

Julie had been having some contractions today and wasn't feeling very good. She felt like it would be pretty soon...but so far...nothing. I'm praying we are woken up in the middle of the night because we have to leave tomorrow morning :( I know there will be lots of time to love on her but I just wanted so badly to be here....Maybe we will be in for a sleepless night...tear....

Baby Watch Continues...

No baby yet....sigh....I'm glad we came but I'm hoping that she delivers before we have to go home on Wednesday. Very sad I will be if I have to go home before she delivers. Sigh....

Life's Ebbs and Flows

Yesterday we just had some sad news. One of my cousins and his wife were planning to adopt a 6 month old little boy from Vietnam. They found out yesterday that he passed away. They were so eagerly anticipating his arrival and are just completely devestated. Please keep them in your prayers. They were in the final stages of waiting for him to be ready to come live with them so they basically already considered him their son and are grieving as such. I pray that they feel the Lord's arms wrapped around them during this trying time....

On a happier note..Julie has another dr appt tomorrow... We are planning to head to Pcola on Saturday if all goes according to planned. Life is funny - it's full of hills and valleys and the birth of a new baby is just a reminder that there is always hope.

No more lurking! :)

It's time to speak up faithful readers!! Show some love and leave some comments. I know you are out there!! :) I can see you!!

Rambling (Wo)man

Another week has flown by. This was a whirlwind of stuff at work mixed with resuming our pre-marital counseling mixed with making wedding plans and anticipting the arrival of my niece.

This weekend - we have a cake testing with a different bakery. Then I'm moved on to a candle party at some friends house - then I really want to try to load some of my cds into itunes and sell them back to cd warehouse.

I sold a couple items on eBay and re-listed the rest. Those items that sold I need to get ready to ship.

Maybe we can go back to the storage unit and look for more items to get rid of or sell.

I found the apartments that I want to move into. It's literally across the street from where John lives now but so much nicer. Plus - no power lines surrounding the complex - just a safety precaution.

John's boss is on vacation next week. I'm hoping that my little niece can hold off a few days so that John can make the trip with me. For one reason - he really really wants to go - and for a second reason - that's sure a long drive by myself....Worth it - yes!! but long just the same.

I'm tired. This morning I got up early to take my car to the dealership. I still haven't heard from them. I hope whatever it is that needs to be fixed won't be very expensive.

Check Check Check

We picked out the tuxes that John, the groomsmen, ushers, and fathers will wear. Going to look pretty sharp, they are!

Yesterday I reserved a block of hotel rooms with the help of my good friend John C. and his Marriott colleague Mark. Very excited about the price and the service!

While I was messing with those hotel reservations, I happened to remember that I had some Marriott points saved up - so.....I reserved our wedding night hotel room for FREE!! :) Can't beat that, can ya?

I wish there were more freebies out there!! :)

Dear eBay

Dear eBay

I know we have had our issues in the past. I'm willing to overlook that to see if we can salvage our relationship. I currently have 6 items listed to sell. Please help them to have higher selling prices than I imagined. Thank you.
Sincerely

Former eBay franchisee

Someone has a case of the Mondays

Well - I was sadly disappointed with my runner. The paint I got was too hard and I didn't like the outcome at all. It was bumpy, too dark, and just didn't look like I imagined. If it doesn't look like I purchased it, then I don't want to use it. I guess that's a bit of the perfectionist in me. I went to Michaels yesterday and bought some softer, brighter paints. Sometime when I get the will up to do it again, I'll try again. I suggested not doing it at all but John didn't like that idea. I didn't know he was that into it to begin with. I think he felt bad for all the work I put into it and he could tell I was upset about it. Not the end of the world....just frustrating.

We did get something wedding related accomplished this weekend - we registered for the guy's tuxes.

I also grabbed a bunch of stuff from my storage unit that I am going to attempt to sell. Speaking of selling - I hope I get a positive update this week about my house.....It was a beautiful weekend - people should have been out and about house hunting!!!

Not as easy as it looks

Well it took me about 4 hours just to trace the whole monogram and just paint the M. I'm not that thrilled with the way it looks. The blue is too dark. The paint bleeds outside the lines. I lined it with a black Sharpie and it looks a little better - but I dunno. We'll see how it looks when the whole thing is done. We may just go runner-less. Sigh...Maybe I'm not as crafy as I thought :(

It's Aisle Runner Time!!

I'm about to go to Kinkos to print out my monogram so I can paint it on my aisle runner. Hopefully I can do as good a job as HeatherKJ. So off I go!! I'll take pictures throughout the process - but probably will post them all together. Stay tuned!!!