Day 2 on the House Hunt

Hi, I’m back with more on the house hunt. I have learned some more things.

I don’t want a condo. It was mentioned a couple times that I look into them. I went to look at a few today and they are just glorified apartments and I don’t want to purchase an apartment. They are ok to rent…but not to buy. Half-plexes might be an option, I saw the outside and would like to see the inside of one that might work. It is on a corner and the two halves are painted different so they look like two different houses. On this one they only shared a wall in the garage, which might work. If I have to share a wall, that is the best option.

Today I saw a house that I really like and am looking into putting in an offer. I’m not sure how this actually works, but we will see. I need some numbers run and some questions answered first. I am keeping it all in God’s hands. There are a lot of variables in today’s market and I need to keep my options open. However I would be just fine with this one.

I will probably be going out next week again to see some more houses and we will see what we can find.

Published in: Uncategorized on July 29, 2009 at 12:54 am  Leave a Comment  
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Day 1 on the House hunt

Well, I guess it isn’t the first day that I have house hunted, but it was the first time that I went out with a realtor. It made this process seam more real.

Mom and I went with a realtor to look at 5 houses and none felt like home. In each one it was what can be done to make it something that I could live with…I guess I haven’t found the one yet.

So now, I continue to look online to find some more options…What an adventure this is!

Published in: Uncategorized on July 23, 2009 at 10:30 pm  Leave a Comment  
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House Hunting

So many of you know that I am currently looking for a house to buy. While it is very exciting, it is very scary. It has been quite a learning experience even up to this point of just starting to go out and look at houses.

So far I have learned:

  • I don’t like chain link fenced yards or duplex/apartment-villes
  • I don’t like carpet
  • I tend to only look at houses on-line if they have lots of pictures
  • Houses can be deceiving – they look like they might work but underneath they are hiding lots of problems
  • There are a lot things that I will have to buy that I never had to think about before – like lawn mowers, a fridge, vacuum, hoses, broom, trashcans…(and the list goes on and on)
  • That I can live with less that I originally thought – especially if I am paying for it all
  • When I make my list of things that I will have to purchase, there are many comforts and not needs that get crossed off the list

The list could continue for quite a while and I am sure that I will continue to learn many more things than I ever thought necessary.

I have some stuff packed away, I will have to go through it so I don’t duplicate or needlessly spend money. However, I bought a table and 4 chairs today, they were a steel, $67 for the set. Then I went with mom to Pier 1 and got some dishes, cute ones. :-}

I am going to look at houses with a Realtor tomorrow, again it is scary and exciting. I don’t know what to expect really. Or even how to do this. But it can’t kill me, cause lots of other people make it through alive. 🙂

This is all on house hunting for now – more to follow as the adventure continues.

Published in: Uncategorized on July 22, 2009 at 11:17 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Errand Day

I’m up and dressed; my list is made. Off I go!

Drop off tablecloth and red sweater at the cleaners, the little Asian man says “Thank you very muchee.” check

To the post office, one package to Oakhurst and one package to
Arizona. check

Next the OUTLETS, Legg’s etc here I come. check (it’s personal)

Lunch at Mel’s, I like the Chili burger, no onions please. check

Oh, look, Pier One, hmmm, not on the list, stop anyway! New pillow to go with one I bought last week, more placemats and napkins, rest of Margaret’s placemats, wreath of stars for the front door, I love it,
3 cute little shopping bags in their own storage bag, I’ll use one for gift wrapping. I might have found the nite stands, dresser, and head board for guest room when Emily moves out. No rush Em, but you know, a mom has to be prepared.   add to list   check

Office Max, it’s in the same parking lot. Pencils with erasers that haven’t petrified and a key board for the lap top, so I don’t get writer’s cramp.  check

Batteries Plus, finally, I”m remembering to get a battery for the
camera Mom gave me. Maybe I can learn to do the picture thing on the blog, since now I can take relevant pictures. You don’t want to know how long it took me to figure out how to spell relevant correctly. Thanks Mom. check

Barnes and Noble is next, Happy Birthday Acacia, Rainbow fairy
books, Hope by Lucado for Mary, Creative Journal Writing and The Art of Thank You for me. check

Last stop Safeway, cat food, tp, cards, snacks, gift card, Happy Birthday, Courtney, sweet 16 on Saturday. check

A Subway – dinner check

Home again, home again, jiggity jig

Published in: Uncategorized on July 21, 2009 at 6:10 pm  Leave a Comment  
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While waiting on the porch…

I have been waiting on the porch, for such a long time.
What have I been doing while I’ve waited?
I have been very busy.

1. I checked the driveway, yes, free from poison oak and stinging nettles
2. I checked the porch foundation, yes, secure and constant.
3. I swept down cobwebs of discouragement,regret and disappointment.
4. I washed the window to keep a clear vision.
5. I kept the steps de-iced with warmth, forgiveness and compassion.
6. I sat on the porch chair and prayed.
7. I washed the steps with tears.
8. I was watchful, even when busy, glancing out the window.
9. I paused often, listening for a knock.
10. As I looked down the road, I looked up.

The best part of waiting on the porch was opening the door and saying,

“Come in! I’m glad you’re home!”

Published in: Uncategorized on July 17, 2009 at 12:48 pm  Leave a Comment  
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What did I learn?

After volunteering at the Crisis nursery for the first time?

-how can I leave them

-play dough is fun to play with

-if they are sad, you have to hold them

-cream cheese is better than crackers to 2 year olds

-please, sit by me until I go to sleep

-when you paint from your heart, you paint your dreams

-it’s important to have your own pillow and blankie

-if you are a silly monkey and tease the alligator, watch out

-read me a bed-time story

-where’s my mom

-if you help pick up the toys, you get a sticker

-we all have to go to the bathroom, again

-is it Friday yet

I am thankful for the family I am blessed to be a part of.

Published in: on July 11, 2009 at 8:18 pm  Comments (2)  
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Margaret’s 10 Good Things about Staying Home

Margaret

1. Sleeping in.
2. Time to read.
3. Playing with the kids.
4. Blogging.
5. Getting all the laundry done.
6. Not having to eat in the van.
7. Actually having time to do the cleaning that gets put off – like dusting.
8. Long, hot showers.
9. Having time to go through boxes/closets/the pantry and cleaning them out.
10. Having time to breathe.

peace…

Published in: Uncategorized on July 11, 2009 at 3:14 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Another Journey

This is an exercise in writing. Writing is something I’ve always wanted to do, but always been hesitant, my great fears raise their hoary heads, what will she look like, what will people think, it’s not good enough, others can but not me.
Well, I just took a deep breath, let it all out , holding my nose I’m jumping in……

This exercise tells me to take a quote and just start writing, I don’t know where I’ll end up but surely the journey will be interesting, (the “U” is in journey because this time you are invited.

Both abundance and lack exist simultaneously in our lives,
as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend … when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that’s present-love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us pleasure – the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth.
Sarah Ban Breathnach

What do I have abundance of—in material things—cloth, yarn, books, audio stories. What is abundance; where do I draw the line? If I have more than two towels, one to use and one to wash is that abundance – it isn’t lack for I have some…I guess I’ll have to look up abundance.

I have abundant grace; there is always enough grace, especially if I reach out for it. I am loved abundantly, regardless of me, by my heavenly Father and my husband.

I try to see where is the lack – yes there are things I don’t have, but put on a scale-side by side-I am so blessed. I have more than two of everything, except a husband and one is enough.

Am I tending the secret garden of abundance? Am I nurturing, pruning, fertilizing, weeding or do I take my abundance for granted?

I have a choice, Isn’t that powerful? I can choose to focus on abundance not on what I imagine as missing. Are those things really missing or are they just hidden in a corner of the secret garden where it is sheltered and the most tender of plants grow?

“the abundance that’s present” I have today. What a present!

“The wasteland of illusion” how often I get bogged down in the desert land-the barren land of the “Isn’t”. Lift up your eyes! Don’t choose to try to bring to life a wasteland when a secret garden is right at my doorstep of the present.

Abundance n. – great plenty; more than sufficient quantity (see abound)
Abundant adj. – very plentiful; more than sufficient; ample; rich in something
Lack n. – the fact or condition of not having enough; shortage; deficiency

Whew! What a ride! Are you still there in the backseat? Are you carsick yet?
NO, we are not there yet!

Published in: Uncategorized on July 11, 2009 at 9:47 am  Leave a Comment  
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“not-written-down” to-do lists

For fun, starting today, make a list of what I did today:
I worked on green washcloth
I worked on Quilter’s Journey 2 quilt, replacing name pieces
I quilted 1 hour on baseball quilt
I cleaned out under the sink in the kitchen-yuck!
It’s noticing little moments of time to see the month.
At the end of the month let’s go to _______ and compare notes.

Published in: Uncategorized on July 1, 2009 at 1:49 pm  Comments (2)  
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What did I do?

As I was reading mom’s list, I was thinking to my self, what have I done this month. It just seams like a big whirl wind. I made a dress, went through finals and graduated college, did a bag of alterations, went to Mexico to help the saints for a week and finished a few dish cloths…I think that is it, deffiniately not everything that was on the ‘not-written-down-to-do’ list…Maybe next month will be better.

Published in: Uncategorized on July 1, 2009 at 12:03 am  Leave a Comment  
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Volunteering

I passed my TB test and the background check (I wasn’t too worried). So I start volunteering at the Sacramento Children’s Home -Crisis Nursery next Friday evening, July 10th. I am looking forward to this new “adventure”. This is something that I have wanted to do for a long time and the time has finally come.

Published in: on June 29, 2009 at 10:33 pm  Comments (1)  
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