Moving Update

Less than two weeks until my Haughton closing and a little over two weeks until my Flint closing and thankfully, things are moving right along.  Jason and I went back to Louisiana this weekend to do more cleaning out, organizing,  and packing.  We tackled the kitchen this weekend and even in my small kitchen I was amazed at how many boxes we filled up and how long it took.  I am happy to report there are no more boxes to pack when we head back for one last weekend to prepare for the loading of the moving truck on February 10th.  This next weekend will consist of breaking down beds, “unwiring” all the electronic equipment, and moving all the stuff from the bonus room into the garage.  Of course, all work and no play is no fun, so this next weekend we will be spending some time with Cody and Courtney, which we are really looking forward to doing.  They are the #1 thing I miss most about Louisiana!

Progress…

My very empty closet (which was completely packed before)…

Celebrating Progress…

We had already packed up the utensil drawer, so we had to go digging for a corkscrew in order to celebrate our accomplishment. The only glasses that hadn’t been packed were Millennium Waterford champagne glasses.  We drank in style (while eating pizza on paper plates).

Move Preparations

Jason, Ashley and I went to Haughton this weekend to start packing for the move.  We had this weekend and then two more weekends to get it all done before my Haughton closing on 2/10.  We were quite productive this weekend with cleaning out closets and cabinets and I feel quite certain we will be able to knock this out in a couple of more visits.  I got up on Saturday morning and got in an 8-mile run to get the day started right and then the fun began.  We weren’t all work and no play this weekend though.  After making a Goodwill and recycling run, we dropped Ashley by her Dad’s and went out later to see our friend, Deke, officiate a game at Louisiana State University Shreveport.  After the game we went to Cheddar’s in Shreveport.  I would say it was a nice dinner but the service was so bad I actually had a nightmare about it last night.  We had the worst waitress ever and the kitchen messed up Jason’s order twice.  At least he ended up getting his meal free.  After that we dropped by the Kreid’s where Cody and Courtney were for Lauren’s 19th birthday.  It was really good to see them and visit for a few minutes.  The fun began again this morning and then we loaded up both cars about noon to head out to eat and pick up Ashley.  I feel like we accomplished a lot and Mama and Julie are going over on Wednesday to pack up my kitchen.  With what we got done this weekend and with them packing up the kitchen this week, I think we will be able to finish this upcoming weekend. 

Progress…

I couldn’t have done it without Jason – thanks so much babe!  Even with his current leg injury, he worked incredibly hard and helped me get so much done.

Home Sweet Home (Almost)

I went by the house today and took some more pictures and did some planning for when the house officially becomes MINE!  It is even prettier than I remembered and I am so happy about my purchase.  No buyer’s remorse here!  I can’t wait for family and friends to start visiting after we get settled in.  Brent says he is bringing the brisket for the outdoor barbeque so if you have ever had Brent’s brisket, you won’t want to miss out on my housewarming party.

Tentative closing is 2/14, sellers have until 2/17 to vacate the property, I will have to move everything in on 2/18 since I run the Austin Half on 2/19, so we will be looking at early March for our barbeque!  Get that brisket ready Brent!

Here are some better house pictures…first a shot from the road of the outside (the brick on the right side of the house is glazed/painted so it is all brick but has a very “rustic” look)

The dining, living, kitchen area are all open to one another when you walk in the front door.  This is a view when you walk in the front door (with a close up on the amazing fireplace)

Formal dining room off to the left of the kitchen and entry way

The magnificent kitchen area (see the built in table on the front of the bar – very cool)

The master bath shower and tub and a beautiful chandelier over the tub

One of these will be Ashley’s room – just not sure which one yet.  The other will be my guest room for all of you who plan on visiting.  I am hoping to have a queen size bed in there to make it a little more comfortable.

Ashley’s and the “guest” bathroom

The backyard and patio with a fully fenced backyard for dogs to come visit (we will borrow for awhile from Mama and Daddy)

I will keep everyone posted on this exciting time.  I received a call from my realtor in Louisiana today and we have a closing scheduled on 2/10 (as late in the afternoon as possible) so things are moving right along there.  Time to get busy packing!

New Home!

A lot has happened in the last week on the home front.  I received a contract on my house in Haughton on Sunday, January 8th and realized really quickly that I needed to get busy looking for houses in the Tyler area again.  Mary Ann, my realtor and I hadn’t really looked at anything since long before the holidays.  We set an appointment for Tuesday, January 10th to see some things that were new on the market.  I fell in love with a house in Flint, Texas the second I walked in the front door.  The problem – it was in my price range but the asking price was too much for the neighborhood so the negotiating began.  We put the contract in on Wednesday, January 11th and after some back and forth settled on a price we could both agree to on Saturday, January 14th.  The contract was officially signed by the sellers around lunch today, so in a week I sold and bought a house.  The closings aren’t scheduled until February but I am one happy girl and can’t wait to get into my new house.

I am going to post some pictures from the listing, so these may not be the best quality.  I plan on going to the house again this week to take some personal pictures and will update in a couple of days.  Until then, just a little about this gorgeous home…

It was the builder’s personal home just having been completed in November of 2011.  It is custom designed with wood floors in the formal dining room, the kitchen and living room all in one open area that has a 15-foot vaulted ceiling with cedar planks across the top. The fireplace is great!

It has 3 bedrooms and 2-1/2 baths downstairs with small bedroom/office/TV room upstairs. The kitchen has a built in table attached to the bar, granite countertops, stainless appliances, a gas cooktop, glazed custom cabinets, and will be perfect for fixing meals and not missing anything going on in the rest of the house.

The master has a beautiful trey ceiling and plenty of room for the new bedroom furniture I have been dreaming about for years.  The master bath is the perfect shade of blue and has tumbled stone floors and shower, a garden tub, two walk-in closets (which I am sure I will have no problem filling), and separate granite vanities. 

The builder says I will not find a more energy efficient home for the money and this home has been 5 Star Energy Star Certified by a third party (whatever that means).  I just hope this means lower electricity, gas and water bills so I have extra money to spend on furniture and my patio.  

The backyard has a large covered patio with additional open patio area and has tons of potential.  I have plans for this backyard!  Who wants to come to Flint for a barbeque once I get settled?

Thanks to everyone for all the prayers because this was definitely a God-thing.  This house was listed on the market only 6 days when I saw it the first time so the timing was perfect with the selling of mine just a few days before.  If all goes well, I will close on my new home on February 14th – happy Valentine’s Day to me!

Wedding Weekend Continued

When I recapped 2011, it was one short blog to cover the highlights of 2011, but I was unable to truly give the time and attention to the biggest event of the year – Cody and Courtney’s wedding. 

Rehearsal Dinner, Robinson Film Center

Wedding, Heritage Baptist Church

Reception, Shreveport Country Club

Post-wedding festivities, Superior Grill

May God bless Cody & Courtney’s marriage.