In the Meantime...

Things have settled a bit around here. Thank the Lord. Seems I can catch my breath this morning.

The phone number thing eventually worked out--after spending 2 hours with the phone company glued to my left ear. Our house number will be re-installed when we move in the new house, and our business number is forwarded temporarily to my cell phone until we move in. And we can keep both phone numbers. Yay!! They found a solution and made it happen.

We did close on the sale of our old house, so now I guess I can make the transition from saying "old house" and "new house". We're homeless for another week. Meaning, I'm not responsible for a mortgage payment. We found out yesterday that paper pushing mortgage documents takes longer than anyone likes, so we won't be able to close on our house until July 31st at 1:00 pm. We'll move in right after that.

We are not, nor do we have to be, homeless. :0) Both dh and my parents live in town, as well as our grandparents so we had plenty of options to choose from. We decided on my parent's house because they have 2 extra bedrooms and 1 extra bathroom for our family to use. Dh's parents have 2 extra bedrooms, but we'd have to share one bathroom between the six of us. Certainly not a bad thing--if we had to do that. We don't, so decision made.

In the midst of this "meantime", we still are doing what we've got to do. I'm at the gym today with the girls, and we have a guest coach. That's another post for another time, because I'm so hyped about who God sent our way!! Dh is trying to work everyday without needing too much info from me because all our office is packed in boxes. He's also doing the sound for our YMCA's play this weekend "Back to Mayberry 2". Tonight is his final practice, but that has proven to be a looonnnggg one. Needless to say, he's not getting all his sleep.

Moving + Sound engineer + Too Little Sleep = Tired + Stress

Not a good equation. Sunday afternoon will be spent sleeping, I'm sure :0)

This is NOT the Way It Is Supposed to be Happening

Well, I just heard from the lawyers, and we'll be closing on the sale of this house tomorrow morning.

My realtor tells me that I won't be closing on my new house until Friday or early next week.

I'm crying.

I realize this isn't earth shattering, and there are definitely worse things to be shedding tears over, but it all came down on me just now.

My original realtor went to Boston, MA for two weeks last Thursday--which means she won't be back until next Wednesday. (She conveniently forgot to tell me this fact.) So, she had another agent work with us for one day before we were handed off to the broker. And the broker was mighty confused when the paperwork hit her desk.

Now what seemed so simple and straightforward has literally stopped.

I have the phone glued to my left ear discontinuing my utilities, and trying somehow to move my phone service from one place to another with an unknown lapse in residences. {Sob, sob} It wouldn't be so bad if it was just my home number. This is our business line, and we can't afford not to have it working.

Or worse: lose this number altogether.

Talk about expensive. Letterhead, business cards, advertising, phone book listings, etc.

My mind is running away with it all while I'M ON HOLD!!!

Sigh. I AM trying to take deep breaths and pray and let Jesus take care of it. I am trying, I am trying, I am trying.....

The New House

Finally!! I got some pics uploaded. I don't know what was going on the other day when I couldn't get anything to post.

Anyway....here's my very-soon-to-be new house :0) It's a split level English Tutor style house built in 1987. I fell in love the minute I walked in.

And, as promised, my new kitchen. Everything stays. It's not as big as the one I have in my soon-to-be old house, but it's still big enough. And has a convection microwave--something I don't know anything about. :0) (If you do know something about these things, clue me in!)

We are waiting to hear from our buyers and their bank to set a closing date. The buyers have told us they want to close on Wednesday morning, but sometimes bankers have other ideas. BUT, I do think we'll be moving into our new house by the weekend. It's going to be a wonderfully, busy week!

Now Where Are Those Indestructible Bracelets? (and my girdle...)

Yippee!!

Not only did we find us a house, but we put in an offer, they counter offered, we counter offered, they accepted, we signed, and now we're off. :0)

We are soooo excited. I want to post a picture of our new house, but I don't have a good one of the front. I do have one of the kitchen, but that just doesn't show the whole picture, ya know?

Anyway...I called our buyers this morning to see if they have nailed down a closing date, and we're waiting on the appraisal report that should be back to their bankers by mid-week. Then all goes to the attorney, and--are you ready??--it is possible we could be closing by late this week.

Egads, Batman!

That really floored me. I expected to be closing on next Friday. Like, the 25th. Care to guess how much packing remains?

I'm going to find my Wonder Woman outfit. I just hope it still fits. I haven't worn it in ages ;0)

This Is In My Front Yard

(No, that's not my house in the background)

House Update

I heard from the couple who want to buy our house. :0)

I had really been praying, asking God for this whole process to go through. If these weren't the people, then there were no prospects. And that was discouraging to me. So, about Tuesday, I determined that I was going to live my life and do what I had to be doing. Coaching basketball, teaching a great class on Wednesday nights, and finishing the painting in the office.

Focusing on that instead of the anxiety of the other really helped this week.

When I got home from basketball practice Thursday afternoon, there were two messages on our answering machine. One from the couple in Madison, MS, and one from a new person who wanted info on the house.

I immediately called the Madison couple. Turns out, the bank approved them fairly quickly. (Can I tell you that my face just lit up at that info??) But, they are having to wait on the school board here to finalize his contract so the bank can have that in hand. The school board will meet by July 10th. Hopefully sooner. (As in, next week would be great!)

I was honest with them about the other caller, and they were honest with me and said they really want our house. It's just a matter of waiting.

So, while I'm waiting, I'm looking at houses for sale. You know, it's so hard to find a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, decent house with 10 acres and a pool and a lake convenient to both school and church and shopping for around $100,000. Ha, ha,ha!! :0)

Ahem. Anyway.

Thank you for your continued prayers. We are so blessed to be able to petition each other, and even more blessed to be the one lifting our sister up before the Lord.

Buyers of the House

Obviously my mind was running faster than my fingers on that last post about the buyers of the house. A couple of irl friends were confused, and you might have been, too.

Mandalyn and her hubby are NOT buying my house. I was telling her all the info about the people who are very interested in the house, and where we are in the buying/selling stage, and that's when she said that getting pre-approved shouldn't take very long. Only about a couple of days. The couple looking at the house is moving here from Madison, MS. He got a teaching job at the school that's about 3 miles from my subdivision, so this location would be perfect for them.

So. There we go. So sorry to mislead you.


Changing gears now.....basketball practice starts tomorrow. I've heard that some girls are so excited about starting practice-we'll see how many show up with a good attitude. A few girls went to a basketball camp last week, so I'm anxious to hear about their experiences. After not seeing some of these girls since the last of January, it will be nice to reconnect.

Ok, that's it for now. I'm off to shower and go get some trim paint. And some boxes. I think I'll start packing by faith. ;0)

More Painting

Just wanted to show you the newest re-do in our by-faith-soon-to-be-sold home:

The truest maroon-for us MS State and Texas A&M fans, Lisa-on the right is the old color, and the brown khaki on the left is the new color. (I finally got smart and decided to take a picture of where I stopped for the day to show the contrast.)

I am asking for a short breath prayer (you know, a sentence or two prayed very sincerely?) on my behalf today, if you will. I told you that I showed the house to a couple this past Monday. They called yesterday to let me know that he got the job here in town that he interviewed for, and they are very interested in the house. They went to the bank to start the pre-approval process yesterday. Mandalyn tells me that they should know something in just a couple of days, so I'm hoping that I'll know something today. And, I hope they'll make an offer on the house!!

Here's another picture of our newest "family member". My daughter had been calling him Smokey, but just the last few days just calls him Cat. So, I'm not sure what his name is! But, what I do know is, he meows, she comes running :0)

I Don't Know What Title to Give to This List...

My son did just fine at the golf tourney last week. While he didn't place in the game, he did win the chipping contest. He won some kind of fishing game, which he takes to work with him during the day :) I wonder how much work is being done, or how many fish are being "caught". Ha!

He's been going to work with his dad for about two weeks now, trying to earn some money for summer activities. So far, so good. I can tell his energy level has gone way up! And, he's earned enough money to go to Atlantafest which is one of his most favorite places to go with the youth group.

On another note, we finished up the spot in the backyard this past Sunday. Here's a pic for ya:


That's not sand anymore, but the newest load of sod. We've been watering it and it's beginning to take. Here's a close up of what's in the planter:


Some kind of grass and lots of impatiens, maybe? Or petunias? I'm really not sure, and didn't take the time to look as we were planting. All I knew was, they had to get in the dirt. And here they are. I have to say, I like this spot now. I keep my blinds open more now :) (That would be the window in the master bedroom you see in the first picture.)

I showed the house yesterday morning. I'm praying hard for this to go through....

We also have a new friend hanging around.

My daughter has the biggest heart for stray animals. She begged and begged her daddy to let her feed him, and he finally gave in last night. That cat has been eating ever since ;0)

And, last but NOT LEAST, be sure and stop by tomorrow. I've got a giveaway for you!!

See you then!

Stuff That Is On My Mind

Tonight, I start teaching a new series at our church called "Five Lies That Ruin Relationships: Wrong Beliefs Produce Wrong Behavior". I chuckled when our pastor asked me to "teach" this--it's a video series by Chip Ingram and there are questions to follow up--but after watching the first session this morning, I'm no longer chuckling.

I know now why I'm teaching.

I have been slack on attending Wednesday night classes. And God wants me to hear all of this, so what better way to get me to church on Wednesday night than to let me facilitate it? I got that loud and clear.

Moving on....

I've had a couple of realtors drop by wanting to list my house. And wanting to do a free market analysis. We've also had a handful of calls. I think these are the nosey people who want to know how much we're asking. No takers for tours of the house. Everyday is a mind battle for me.

Moving on again...

My favorite picture of the beach that I haven't shared with you yet:


My hubby, Doug :0), made this for me. By the jetty, the water somehow had made this 8 foot wall out of the sand, so he decided to make this instead of a sand castle. Some older ladies walked by and just loved it!! I told them that I had thought about it, and decided that maybe I should keep my hubby. ;) They laughingly agreed. We do have a picture of us in front of his masterpiece, but you couldn't read our names if I posted that one.

Psst.....I think he loves me.

Update on My Friend's Daughter

Just wanted to thank you for your prayers for my friend's daughter who had heart surgery this week. She is doing absolutely great!!

She spent only one night in ICU before being moved to a regular room. She had her chest tube taken out yesterday, and started walking the halls. God has certainly touched her in a miraculous way.

********************************

Back at the home front, I'm pricing all my clutter for a garage sale tomorrow. I sure will be glad when this over.

I also bought "For Sale by Owner" signs that will go into the ground tomorrow afternoon!! I'm so excited. My daughter is not. She's asking not to move because this house is special to her. I told her that I know moving is scary-especially since we don't have a house in mind-but if we always stayed where we are, we would never grow. I'm not sure that line of reasoning is helping, but I hold her, she dries her tears and we move on. I also tell her that our house isn't sold yet, so she still has at least another month here.

Well, friends, until next week.....

Git 'Er Done

A very popular Southern redneck saying. I don't use it at all, so it's kinda funny that this is what title entered my head.

Anyway.....

We are getting alot of things done around here. I wanted to show you before and after pictures of the master bedroom paint job. I hope you can see the new color. We definitely went more neutral and picked khaki green.

Before--a red color:

After--Khaki Green:

We also got a dump truck to deliver a load of sand so we could spend our long weekend doing some much needed yard work. Saturday, we shoveled sand into a wheelbarrow, and wheeled it over to the back of our house that used to be a deck. It was just a huge square of pebbles. Today, we finished putting the sand out and bought all the sod I could find locally. Here's our stopping point for now:

That big square in the middle is where dh is going to build another planter box with the deck wood that is stilled stacked up by our back fence. Just like this one, only larger.

Ok, it's lightening here, so I gotta shut my computer down. House rule. See ya soon!

P.S. Oh, before I go, I'm heading east tomorrow to be with a friend who's daughter is having a hole closed in her heart. Please put them on your prayer list. Thank you!!

Yes, I am Back from the Beach...

...and that means that R&R is OVER!

I've hit the ground running-after a Sunday afternoon nap :0)

Let's see....

I've finished painting the master bedroom. Now we have to get all the furniture back into place.

I gave the kids their to-do list for the garage area. They did that, now it's time for mom and dad to get out there and help with the bigger stuff.

I'm still collecting for a major garage sale next Saturday. Everything must go! Ok, ok, not everything, but alot ;0)

I've spent a good bit of time at the school where I'll be teaching next school year. Signed my contract and found out that I'll be teaching 7th grade math, 8th grade pre-algebra, 7th grade Bible, 8th grade Bible, and 11th grade Bible. I'm very excited. I {heart} math and {heart, heart} the Bible. What better book to be studying than the Bible?? The math teacher that is leaving took me through her files, and left me a wealth of information. I'm so very grateful!! And, yes, I'll still be coaching both girls' teams.

Today is kind of a regrouping day. I've got to pick up lots of things laying around the house and find a place for them. My son is a little under the weather due to allergies, so we're staying indoors. Maybe, just maybe I'll get to catch up on my blog reading.....

April Showers Do Bring May Flowers

These are what I'm waking up to these days. Mmmmm........they smell so good!

There's a New Restaurant in Town

The name is French, but there's no way I can even begin to tell you how to pronounce it. Or where it came from. Or what it means. I only hope it's not offensive. If it is, please, someone tell me so I can shut this place down!

Did you notice that menu?? (You weren't expecting French cuisine, now were you?)

And, the best part is, it's all profit. How, you may ask? Mom goes grocery shopping, daughter sells the groceries to whoever will buy them. Plain and simple. It doesn't get any better than that. (If mom was smart, she'd start demanding to recoup her costs. But how in the world do you recoup your cost on a 75-cent smoothie?)

Then, with true Southern hospitality, you're left with:

"Come back now, ya hear?"

A Wonderful Surprise!

Just look what God gave us!


This motor home is about 26 years old, but it runs very well. As with any older vehicle/home, it could use some fixing up inside, and we have many ideas on our to make it ours.

This is really a blessing to us, because we love to go camping, but since we only had a tent, we had to keep an eye on the weather. And getting ready to go out took me a whole day to pack up in containers that were racoon proof.

But, not now.

There is one glitch. Or, I should say, a few glitches. We're up to two dead, and can hear a third scratching in the ceiling. I hate mice! With a passion!! The RV has been outside this past winter in the country so I understand why the mice took shelter here, but now, their death certificates have been written in poision.

Prepare to die, little disease-carrying vessels. You and I can't live in the same space, and this RV is MINE! I'm declaring war on you!!

Because You Asked...

...here are the pictures of the carpets I got from my parents. (they're like mini-me's. you could have ordered the bigger area rug to match this small sample, but now you can't.)

at the front door (my second favorite.)

at the back door. You really can't see it in this picture, but there is a blue stripe running through it that matches the wall color perfectly.

at the kitchen sink. This is my favorite one.

was at the side door into the kitchen, but I replaced it with the carpet below that has all the squares on it. This is my least favorite one, but the colors match so well. I don't like all the leaves. I feel like I need to rake. (maybe I'll just bring it out in the fall.)

Will be used later. When the kids have destroyed my other ones. ;0)

A Lazy Sunday Afternoon

I'm sitting in my living room alone. All I hear is the ticking of the clock. And the occasional wind gust.

How heavenly.

The dh and I went to lunch with friends today. This is the first time in a long time that we've eaten out on a Sunday afternoon. We went to local Mexican place, and, due to the shortage of tables, divided into 2 groups: men and women. Blogging got to be a topic of conversation. I've been trying to hint around to one of the women at the table that she needed to start her own blog. She doesn't know what blogging is, but she is one great writer! And she keeps me in stitches!! She did write some blog addresses down on her napkin, so hopefully she's surfing this afternoon to try and figure out the blogosphere. (If she is: {wave} hey!! what do ya think??) If I find out she's created her own blog, I'll be sure to let you know. I'll give her some linky love, and point you gals in the right direction of some sure-enough laughs :0)

Today is one of my bestest friends in the whole wide world's birthday. Click over and tell Mandalyn happy birthday. I assure you that she's alive and well, and the pregnancy is progressing, and her hubby is working at his new job. They are just traveling so much between home and work and keeping up with 2 toddlers.

My dad and mom gave me some new carpets to put around the house. They own an interior decorating store, and I get lots of benefits. :) These that I got are small samples of large area rugs, but they've been discontinued. So, I'm using them in front of my doors and other places. When I feel like it, I'll take some pics for you and post them so you can rejoice in my good family benefits. ;0)

Let's see....what else.....what else.....

I'm coming up empty. That just means one thing. It's time for me to get back to being alone and eating my cookie dough and watching college basketball.

Aaahhhh. Sweet.

Too Close for Comfort

This week, my dh got a call to go work at a local animal sanctuary. I had no idea we had one so close, much less what they give refuge to :0) Here's a hint:

They have two fences that separate you from the tigers. Dh had to go through one of them the first day. He said that as he was working, he heard a tiger come up stand behind him on the other side of the second fence. He said he could hear that tiger breathing, and he was praying, "Jesus, please don't let that tiger growl, 'cause if he does, I'm gonna jump, and that tiger's gonna think I'm playing with him...oh, please, Jesus, please." The tiger didn't growl or anything, and so my dh didn't have to run, thank you God!!

This may seem stupid to you, but I like to remain naive about my dh's job's hazards. I know about them, I just choose not to think about him doing any of them. But, I've been a little on edge when I think about him having to go past the first fence into the tiger's cage.

He came home with more pictures, but they're on his phone, and I don't know how to download off of there just yet. This animal sanctuary also has lions, wolves, common house cats, and this cute little thing:

Now, why couldn't his work have to be done by the miniature ponies?

Class Is Back In Session, And That Cast Has Got To Come Off!!

Today, my kids started back to school.

Yep, you read that right. :) It's so hard for me to do school during basketball season that we take a huge break from December through February. A homeschooling advantage if there ever was one.

HOWEVER, due to today being President's Day, and all their friends are out of public/private school, I only made them suffer through math and language. Well, only my daughter suffered through the two. I was selfish and didn't make my son do his Algebra 1 today. I'd have to write too much for him!! :)

The sun is shining here today, and they were bouncing off the walls to go outside. Right now, they're out playing b'ball with the neighborhood kids.

We are heading into town in a few minutes to get the cast cut off my son's arm. Yay!! I can't believe it's been 6 whole weeks since his bike wreck. I don't know what I'm going to do now that I don't have to wrap his arm in a garbage bag before he showers everyday.

Ok. Ok. You got me. I DO know. I'll eat another Millionaire just for being a good mommy to have done his dish duty and his Algebra writing while his arm was healing. ;)