I LOVE Pollen..

and Weeds, Pet Dander, Maple, Oak, Dust and especially Pine Trees which also make me break out in hives!

Clearly, I am just kidding... sorry for the delay in postings but due to the fact that the DMV has barely had a winter, everything that I am allergic to is in full bloom: I can't see, hear, breathe...

I am sure that my husband has tried to push me out the bed in my sleep ... since I can't breathe, I snore LOUDLY! :(

Can't wait to find some relief.. be back soon.

Sneak Peek: Painting went up in Smoke!

Since moving in the home, we immediately decided that we wanted to paint our Master Bedroom and our Master Bathroom. As much as persons say that you shouldn't paint within the first year, I can not live in a Builders Beige Box -- my artist senses will not allow me to do so. So I will hold on to my chips and extra paint in case any touch ups need to be done.

So here is a sneak peek at some of the products that we decided to use:

Glidden Signature Interior Paint (in Wood Smoke)
Purdy Brushes
Shure-line Roller Brushes
3M Painter's Tape

We decided to go with Glidden Brand Paint in Wood Smoke.

I wanted to make the Cabinets pop and the Granite has flecks of brown and gray.

Here it is after I got a sample up on the wall. Now if you have a steady hand you do not need to tape off the whole room... in this instance, I only taped in tight squeezes and cut the rest in by hand.

What I have learned is that, as you know the paint dries a different color then when wet... so initially once the paint dried, we were super scared because it looked so dark in there. But we let it cure over night and realized the next day, it had lightened back up to the color of the paint chip. Now we love it!

We plan to use it again some where in the house... not sure which bathroom will get hit just yet.

Also since we picked a satin finish, I do notice that despite great coverage with the color, the satin sheen is dependent upon the strokes of my brush and roller... so second coat will be going up. But so far I am very pleased!

A picture of the walls completed coming soon..

10 Lessons Learned from Buying and Building a Home

We FINALLY closed on our house on March 2, 2012...

Talk about a weight off our shoulders

There were A LOT of things that we have learned along the way of having our townhome built, so much so that once we closed on our home we had to truly celebrate and get used to the fact that there wouldn't be a phone call coming soon inquiring about something that we need to submit or someone asking us for ... MORE MONEY!

So here are the lessons that we learned:

1. First step, read the HOA rules: If you are purchasing a home in a community that has a HOA, the best thing to do is to read the HOA rules. It may not seem that important however, after moving in and realizing how much you can not do is not the time to find out what your HOA rules are. In our neighborhood, our HOA is very strict. You can't plant a flower without prior approval of your landscaping plans. You can't install any type of walkway lighting, etc. at all... We actually read the HOA and was happy with it, however, for my neighbors who moved in and immediately installed walkway lighting and is now being asked to remove them... after you pay your first mortgage payment is not the time to find out that you can't live as freely as you thought you could (even in your own home).

2. Check out your Commute: Buying a home is exciting, but a long commute to work can be very draining. After driving 1 hour every day, both ways for the last 18 months to get to work, I am VERY appreciative that my commute has been cut to half at the most! Sometimes it is worth it to investigate your commute before you purchase. Because the money you tried to save by moving out of the city is now being spent on gas that you are using to be in idle on the highway because the traffic is horrible! and gas is way too high for that.

3. You don't have to accept what is always offered to you: When we were purchasing our home, the builder had a flyer made up of our home offering A, B, C, D.. when we placed a contract on it and selected our lot, we decided we really didn't want C so we asked for A, B and D on Corner Lot 23 for the same price... its a buyers market.. you can ask for whatever you want. And of course we got it and actually ended up with a credit back for what we didn't want on the house.

4. Be involved in the building process: I laughed at the time, but my husband spent almost every free day that he had at the home - watching it being built from the ground up. Now, I am thankful because when things were not being put in correctly, it could be immediately resolved without having to go back later and tear down walls.

5. Measure Twice, Cut Once: We had requested to have a bathroom linen closet removed to provide more usable space. Well, in watching the home being built we realized that with the piping that they had not made allowances. We brought it up to the builder as we were doing our weekly walk-thru's of construction. They admitted that they were operating on auto-pilot and had to go back now and cut through the cement and move the pipe and cut out the linen closet from the framing.. it was not costly to make sure that your contractors measure twice and cut once.

  

6. The grass isn't always greener: Make sure that you do not sign off on your landscape if you built in the winter until the spring. How can you know if your trees or grass is even alive if they were planted in the winter months. Keep this in mind when you are signing documents. Trust me, you would rather wait to sign off on this then having to pay to replant things later.

7. Too many Chiefs and unfortunately you are the ONLY Indian in this game: We started the mortgage process with the builders preferred mortgage broker who asked us for a ton of documentation. Then our file was transferred to the actual lender who then asked for more documentation. Then we were requested of even more from the underwriter and at times were sending stuff and emails to every person involved including now a forth souce, the settlement company... it was so overwhelming at times. But at the end of the day, unfortunately there are too many chiefs and we are the only Indian. Do what they say, or no house :(

8. The Invisible Man: The Underwriter. They will make you want to seek them out and put a hit on them when they are done with you. They ask and re-ask some of the most violating questions it seems. They will also be the one you want at the settlement table but will NEVER meet.

9. Timeline? What timeline.. more importantly who's timeline?: First you are given a tentative timeline as to when the house will be finished. Then once they start building that timeline goes out the window and it ends up just being finished when its finished. Luckily we had a mild winter where we didn't face too much delay. But, then you are given a date for closing... then its going to get postponed. TRUST ME, it will get postponed at least once. Plan for that. In the mortgage lending game, a closing can get postponed just because the documents won't be processed through the various departments fast enough and printed-- not because of anything you have yet to do. It becomes a true waiting game. You become anxious because you really just want to get the keys to your new house!

10. Down to the Last Day, the Mortgage Company can and will ask you for something else: The day of the closing, they asked us to stop and get a cashiers check for even more money to bring to the table but was never given an exact number. We get to the settlement company.. and they give us a refund.

Most of the process seems like mind numbing running around... but luckily, the end result is a beautiful home. So all the gripes and frustration go out of the window when you hear "let me get your keys and cut you a check!"

We are truly blessed and thankful that God has allowed us to become first-time home owners this year.

The Debut of Google Friend Connect on this site!

Usually, I don't really push how you can connect with this blog but since I have some other options for ways that you can follow this blog.. may as well post.. especially since I just added Google Friend Connect to my sidebar.

I initially didnt put my Google Friend Connect in the sidebar for a number of reasons. But as persons have visited my blog, I was wondering if I was making it easy for my non-blogger readers to come back. Seeing how easy it was to just click, sign in and press done on other blogs,  I figured it was time to debut my Google Friend Connect as well. 

I hope for the 2000+ persons who have read this blog over the last two months that its not too late and that some of you are still with me. But, I was trying to figure out this whole blogosphere and streamline ways to bring information to you in wonderful ways ...

So, if you are out there and you are reading and want to stay connected here (TRUST ME, you Do! I have SO much more in store to post... countdown to settlement = 1 day away) then go ahead scroll down and connect!

I would truly appreciate the love!

Thanks again,

Went to Join a Gym and Ran in the Opposite Direction

So, we are in the process of purchasing a new home. I swear there have been so many lessons from buying a newly constructed home, but more on that later... but, with new homes in new locations come trying to visit the neighborhood as much as possible to learn where all of your "new" favorite amenities will be..

One of our New Year's resolutions were to lose weight. Here is where we started back in January:

We have each picked realistic Weight Loss goals (at least we think they are).. and its always easier to have someone else to look at and say.. hmm, I would be happy if I were their size.

To remind you of my goal, I want to look like Serena Williams.

Here is another visual of what I am going for: afterall she to me isn't stick figure and still thick in the right places.. works for me!

My husband decided that his goal would be more along the lines of Tyler Perry in the Movie Good Deeds.

Heck! I will even take a little bit of Gabrielle Union's size, like I used to be when hubby and I met about seven years ago..

But for now.. that's where we are...

So we went looking for Gyms that would be closer to our new home and decided we would go check out some of the bigger gyms that are in the area because we were so spoiled by our last gym, despite me not going for a while. But our old gym was what I liked to call the WalMart of Gyms! It had everything!: multiple basketball courts, rock climbing wall, racquetball courts, loads of free weight equipment, cardio equipment, two group excercise rooms and a spinning room, two indoor pools, an outdoor pool, hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms AND even offered hot pilates and massages, towel service, kids play areas, a beauty salon, juice bar and MORE!

I mean REALLY?! Where could we find something like THAT anywhere else.

So we attempted to at least find something close.

We pulled up at one place, very optimistic. I won't name the gym because it goes downhill from here. We walk in and escorted to a sales person who wanted to give us a tour. Half way through the tour I was unimpressed. Not to mention before we began the tour, he tried to sell us on how much he knew about fitness because he had been in the fitness industry for over 10 years.. followed by him saying "Yeah, I used to work at GNC before here." Sir, you have experience in retail, not fitness.. but I digress..

After sitting back down at his desk after going through the gym in about 10 mins... he didn't get the hint that we were "just looking" and proceeded to try to sell us from all kinds of angles.

Him: "So I hear you say its the fee that is the reason why you are not joining?!"

Us:" No, sir, we do not live on this side of town and we still belong to our previous gym."

Him: "So, let me give you some free passes for around the time you want to join!"

Us: "we haven't told you that we want to join."

After a good ten minutes, the fake smiles were out the window.. it kinda got pointless, we had no free passes to try out the gym... at least last time we looked at a gym they gave us free passes and 2 free sessions with a personal trainer!

Lets just say that we won't be joining there.. PUSHY GYM SALES FOLK!

But what do we hate more then PUSHY GYM SALES FOLK??

PERSONAL TRAINERS!

So first, I must spread some Sunshine to Marilyn at The Artsy Girl for posting this one! I thought it was so funny that I had to share...

Trust, we get plenty of offers to have personal trainers, but after my first stint with the freebie guy.. and watching (yes, you read that right) my husband work out with one at the dream gym.. this is exactly how he felt, so yeah, I pass .. for now.. running in the opposite direction because this would be my exact sentiments!

Dear Diary.....A Woman's Week At The Gym!

This is dedicated to everyone who ever attempted to get into a regular workout routine.

..........................

 Dear Diary,

For my birthday this year, I purchased a week of personal training at the local health club. 

Although I am still in great shape since being a high school football cheerleader 43 years

ago, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try.  I called the club and

made my reservations with a personal trainer named Christo, who identified himself as a

26-year-old aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing and swim wear.

Friends seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get started! 

The club encouraged me to keep a diary to chart my progress.

________________________________

MONDAY:

Started my day at 6:00 a.m.  Tough to get out of bed, but found it was well worth it

when I arrived at the health club to find Christo waiting for me.  He is something of a

Greek god -- with blond hair, dancing eyes, and a dazzling white smile.  Woo Hoo!!

Christo gave me a tour and showed me the machines...  I enjoyed watching the

skillful way in which he conducted his aerobics class

after my workout today.  Very inspiring!

Christo was encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was already

aching from holding it in the whole time he was around. 

This is going to be a FANTASTIC week!!

_____________________________

TUESDAY:

I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door.  Christo made me lie

on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air then he put weights on it!  My

legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made the full mile.  His rewarding

smile made it all worthwhile.  I feel GREAT!  It's a whole new life for me.

____________________________

WEDNESDAY:

The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the toothbrush on the counter and moving

my mouth back and forth over it.  I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals.  Driving was

OK as long as I didn't try to steer or stop. I parked on top of a GEO in the club parking lot.

Christo was impatient with me, insisting that my screams bothered other club

members. His voice is a little too perky for that early in the morning and when

he scolds, he gets this nasally whine that is VERY annoying.

My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, so Christo put me on the stair monster. 

Why would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete

by elevators?  Christo told me it would help me get in shape

and enjoy life.  He said some other crap too.

_______________________________

THURSDAY:

Butt hole was waiting for me with his vampire-like teeth exposed as his thin,

cruel lips were pulled back in a full snarl.  I couldn't help being a half an hour

late-- it took me that long to tie my shoes.

He took me to work out with dumbbells.  When he was not looking,

I ran and hid in the restroom.  He sent some skinny witch to find me.

Then, as punishment, he put me on the rowing machine-- which I sank.

___________________________

FRIDAY:

I hate that jackass Christo more than any human being has ever hated any other

human being in the history of the world.  Stupid, skinny, anemic, anorexic,

little aerobic instructor.  If there was a part of my body I could move

without unbearable pain, I would beat him with it.

Christo wanted me to work on my triceps.  I don't have any triceps! 

And if you don't want dents in the floor, don't hand me the darn

barbells or anything that weighs more than a sandwich.

The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and nutrition

teacher.  Why couldn't it have been someone softer,

like the drama coach or the choir director?

________________________________

SATURDAY:

Satan left a message on my answering machine in his grating, shrilly voice wondering

why I did not show up today.  Just hearing his voice made me want to smash the

machine with my planner; however, I lacked the strength to even use the TV

remote and ended up catching eleven straight hours of the Weather Channel.

________________________________

SUNDAY:

I'm having the Church van pick me up for services today so I can go and thank GOD

that this week is over.  I will also pray that next year my husband will choose a gift

for me that is fun-- like a root canal or a hysterectomy.  I still say if God had

wanted me to bend over, he would have sprinkled the floor with diamonds!!!

.................................................