First Homeowner's Saturday

Today is our first Saturday as a homeowner. We have done homeowner-y things. Bryan got up early and went to Shelby Farms for a long run. I slept in some and then got up and read in the living room for a while. After our showers we got dressed and straightened up (i.e. moved any unpacked boxes to the guest room, our current catch all). Bryan's friend from high school and college came by on his way in town with his wife to see the place and then we had lunch. Talked about homeowner-y things because they are in the process of buying a house. Then we went to a local lighting store that is going out of business to browse for potential light fixtures for the house. (Didn't see anything that really jumped out at me.) My sister-in-law told me that West Elm opened an outlet next to the Pottery Barn outlet (one of my very favorite things about Memphis) so I was dying to go. We cruised through West Elm, Pottery Barn, and William Sonoma. I seriously considered getting a stainless steel Kitchen Aid mixer as it was 30% off... but decided to wait. Bryan has been wanting a fire pit for the new back yard patio, so we went to Target to purchase on we'd seen last week. We also got baskets for the bathroom shelves and I found a super cute Thakoon dress. I also purchased over-the-door hooks for our towels in the bathroom. We treated ourselves to Jerry's snow cones (yet another thing to love about Memphis) and came home to put the fire pit together. I had to do most of it because Bryan was on the phone. We are now at a local cafe because the new house does not have free internet. Tonight we're going to have some friends over for smores over the fire bowl.

Every year I feel like I should have a resolution... which of course will never come to fruition. But I still feel the urge... although now that I think about it, I don't think I had any for the last few years. I was watching a cooking show this morning while we were waiting for the friends to come by. And I thought about the year of crockpot cooking or the living Oprah website and how they committed to doing something everyday for a whole year. I don't think I have the passion to commit to something like that right now, especially if I don't have a precise goal. But I would like to try to cook something new that I normally wouldn't try at least once a week.

When it comes to cooking, I often refuse to try things if there are too many ingredients, too many steps, or require ingredients that I've never used before. I'd like to branch out and at least learn some new skills and dishes. So I will try to put aside my fear of complicated dishes or fancy ingredients and embrace my culinary potential. I'll let you know how it goes.

We're In!

We've signed our names about a 100 times and now we're officially homeowners.

When we told people we were buying a house many of them asked us if we were scared. I wasn't for a second. I was sad to leave my cool apartment, but never scared. I was slightly worried that we would move in and then I would think, what the heck have I done?! But instead, I wake up in this charming old house and am insanely happy. I'm happier than I thought I would be and I love the house more than before. Buyers remorse my ass!

Even though we haven't unpacked all the boxes and still have stuff at the apartment, we threw our first party for New Years which was a lot of fun.

I am so thankful for ability to purchase our first house and to be so happy with it.

So Close

So, we close in the morning. Only hours away. Tomorrow I become a homeowner.

Paint colors chosen. Check.
Possessions packed. Check.
Ready to move. No.

It wouldn't be so hard to move if I didn't absolutely love our apartment. It is THE coolest apartment ever. Or at least in Memphis. We took it two months before we needed it simply because it was so cool. Its my first place away from home and our first home together. Yes, we've outgrown it, but I still love it. And it kills me to see everything packed up.

Don't get me wrong, I'm very excited about our new house and seeing it become our home. But there is something bittersweet about leaving this place. So excuse me if I don't burst at the seams with excitement over moving.

Our First Christmas

From Holidays 08

Well only 7 days til we close on the house and I haven't even packed one box yet. I'm avoiding it at all costs. The boxes we have accumulated are hiding under the table or in our storage area, so all traces are hidden.

I am really bummed that our first married Christmas is overshadowed by the move. We originally asked for a closing date in January, but the seller wanted it at the end of the year, and as long as she was taking less than she was asking, we were pretty much okay with that. Now I take it back.

All the presents are wrapped (besides the one that has yet to arrive) and nestled under our lovely tree. Tomorrow night is the Baddass's family meal. Which means I'll race home after work and prepare two dishes. I made one ahead tonight and it took great self-will to not eat it. It looks amazing, if I do say so myself. Who can resist a warm rum cake?

But seriously, the Baddass asked if we could go to the mall on Saturday to get some Christmas cheer. I suggest we sing a loud for all to hear, but we do that all year round and doesn't provoke Christmas spirit in our house, just a reckless merriment. I felt bad for him, so I agreed. However, circling the mall parking lot for about 15 minutes without any luck only aggravated us both, so we went to a bookstore we had a gift card for. I sat and read my favorite magazine while the Baddass shopped for a gift for friend. Then we had a fabulous lunch at P.F. Chang's. Tonight I suggest we watch Elf. Nothing fills one with Christmas cheer better than Elf. Well, maybe A Christmas Story or Christmas Vacation, but I do not own those on DVD (yet!) so we watched Elf and drank spiced rum.

We also had my parents and grandmother over and got rid of two remaining desserts. Definitely a score for my waistline, especially at this time of year. It was also probably the last time we will entertain at our apartment when it looks normal and not halfway packed. However, at this rate, I could entertain for the rest of the week and it will remain the same. Bwahaha.

Our first married Christmas is overshadowed by the move though. We can hardly focus on one thing and it makes me feel like an ADD child. I hate the feeling I get when I think, "if I can just get past Christmas..." I love Christmas and I wanted to enjoy it make it extra special this year. But I guess there is always next year...

Paint

So things are still gung-ho regarding the house. We close in a little over a week. I have started full swing on paint colors today. I even forked over a little money to use this handy-dandy thing on the Behr (the paint brand) website where you can upload a picture of your own room and then paint the colors on there... its pretty cool in concept, but I keep having issues with it. And the most annoying part is the colors look WAY different when they are painted on. Like five shades too bright and light. Which has me really confused. But we're going to want to start painting once we close so we can get most of the painting done before we move in. And I still have absolutely no idea what color to paint our bedroom. What goes well with brown, wood, and hunter green? Anything in the purple family is out.

Christmas arrangements, buying a house, and freezer burned food give me a headache.

Birthdays

The Baddass made sure I was a spoiled Birthday Girl this week.