Here We Go...or not

We were supposed to have a meeting with our builder today to go over the house plans. The permits have already been applied for, and we just needed to okay everything on the blueprints. Or so we thought. Apparently, someone wasn't quite on top of things because after the city gave them the green light to go ahead with construction, they (the city peeps) mentioned, "Oh, yeah. You can't have two homes with the same elevation within 4 houses on each other." Oops. So our saleslady Sheryl called us yesterday to notify us that a) our meeting has been postponed, and b) we needed to do something about the elevation.

Well, upgrading to the next elevation costs $2000+. This elevation gets you more peaks, 2 small windows, and more stonework. But since it's not our fault, and they didn't catch the mistake in time, they are eating the cost. Yay! Only problem, I hate the front window in Elevation B. It's dated. With that gross semi-circle window-lette at the top of it. And it seems smaller than the window in Elevation A (our original). Here, you see for yourself.

ELEVATION A (BIT FLAT, BUT NICE WINDOW)

ELEVATION B (HIGHER PEAKS, BUT GOOFY BIG WINDOW)

Well, I complained (Me? Complain?) to Sheryl, she called the builder. He was nice enough to agree to swap out the window, so we will have a one-of-a-kind front exterior. Neat! I'm sure they are annoyed with me. Because I was 100% willing to change lots so that I could keep that window!! And that meant they'd have to take out more permits for the new lot. Oh, well.

Let me open Photoshop....

Here's what our unique front will look like.

ELEVATION W(ILSON)

Ahh. That's better. (And I heard the builder tell Sheryl that he absolutely will not do this again for any other house...)

Lame-O

WOW! I finally clicked on my blog tonight and realized just how long it has been since I updated. Sad. I could never be a real blogger. I'd lose all my readers within days of abandoning my blog.

Since I last wrote, we have sold our house and moved out completely. We are glad to be done with all the hassle of repairs and buyer requests. *sigh of relief*

My brother Ray has been kind enough to let us take over two rooms of his house and push him into the one remaining bedroom. It's tight, but it's really not that bad (yet). We are trying to buckle down and save as much money as we possibly can during the time that our new house is under construction. Hoping to be able to have wood floors installed before we move in, so we are back to living in the cave and pinching pennies. (Worth it, though!!)

The three of us headed out to Paris this weekend to spend some time with my mom and dad, and as usual we had a great time. We packed a lot into 24 hours: Aaron and Mike decided to go out last night and shoot at the hogs that are such a big nuisance. Unfortunately, the spotlight that they took ran out of juice and they ended up getting lost in the woods for a couple of hours. Luckily, they had their cell phones with them, and we were able to guide them home. (I am sure my mom's neighbors were cussing us out, wondering why the hell their neighbors were honking their truck's horn incessantly!!!) Both of them were a little muddy and cut up by brambles, but it was nothing a little Crown Royal and Corona couldn't cure!!

Today, all 5 of us decided to go on a hike into the government land behind their place. It is hunting season, and Mom and I were worried about being shot at. Of course, the men poo-poo'ed us and talked us into going. It was a beautiful day, and so nice out in the woods that we soon forgot all about our silly wiles....until we stumbled upon a hunter dressed in all his camouflage, crouching in the trees with his rifle. Needless to say, we were a little unsettled and glad that 1) we don't walk like Indians and were making a lot of noise and yucking it up; and 2) that he wasn't trigger-happy.

Thank goodness for small miracles!




I got a chance to visit with my Grandma Rosie this weekend, too. She is getting ready to undergo a round of chemotherapy, and I enjoyed the time we had together, shopping at a few antique stores. She showed Juliana how to crochet a hat. Now, I expect that Juliana will have 5 new hats by the end of the week!

Almost There...

After weeks of having the house on the market (driving us CRAZY), we finally had an offer on it this week! It was kinda low, so we countered back, they countered, and we countered again.....so hopefully, we will have a contract on it by the beginning of next week. Wish us luck!!!

On the down side, construction is starting on our street, starting Monday. They are going to be widening the road and building new sidewalks. We aren't going to be able to even drive or park on our street AT ALL. With no paved alley or back drive, it's going to be a huge pain in the butt. Our house will not be able to be shown.....who wants to buy a house that they have to walk a 1/2 block to get to??!! So, this offer couldn't have come at a better time.

In with the Old....

On Saturday, we were preparing for an open house, and Aaron made a last minute run to the grocery store for flowers and cookie dough. As fate would have it, there was a garage sale across the street from the store, where Aaron happened to spy some great, antique furniture---the kind we drool over in antique malls and at Canton, our absolute favorite style of 1940s, real wood beauties. Dodging traffic, and his home-selling duties, Aaron ran over and inspected the furniture and asked about the price. It was too good to pass up, and he ran back to the Kroger to withdraw money from the atm and called me to come see it.

I was a bit hesitant to go since we were frantically trying to finish preparing the house (i.e., cleaning the mess we created throughout the week), not to mention we had just talked about tightening up our budget this month after totally blowing it last month. But my curiosity got the better of me, and Juliana and I drove over to meet him.

As soon as I drove up, I fell in love with it!! And budget be damned; we bought everything on the spot. 6 pieces for $200--how could I say no?!

1) a 5 ft tall highboy:

2) a 4 ft. tall chest of drawers:

3) Two nightstands: (one will be used in the guest room)

4) and this bad boy: a 5 ft. long, 3 ft tall dresser with a great big mirror that mounts behind:(This one is very depressed that I didn't have the energy tonight to move him out of the dirty garage and into the guest room.)


Our bedroom looks sooo cozy and warm now. I tried to take pics of it all put together, but I don't have a wide-angle lens that would capture all three walls. But, you get the picture!

Wedded Blitz {REVISED}

My cousin Dan was married this weekend.



His mom and sister-in-law Kathryn did soooo much work to make it a beautiful wedding. They really did a great job. The plan was to have the ceremony outside on the dock, but it was raining ALL week long and almost didn't happen. But the weather cooperated at the last minute and Danny and Katie were able to get married on the lake.

Being an avid boater, we have-expected the bride and groom to tear off their dress and tux and speed away on water skis. That didn't happen, and I have to admit, I was more than a little disappointed.

But they both looked gorgeous and happy, so all in all, the ceremony was very nice.

The party afterwards was the best time I've had in a while. Lots of Mike's Hard Lemonade (my preferred bottle adult beverage), spumanti champagne, Messina Hoff wines, and good beer. Bless you, Robin & Eric, for splurging for the good stuff! Aaron was in heaven as the bartender for the evening. The spirits flowed like...well, wine... And everyone was so laid-back. I enjoyed my cousin Brandon the most. He's a hoot. Especially when he's had enough to cause alcohol-poisoning. Alas, he did pay for it later. (Yeah, I heard you in the shower, cuz, and it sounded like your lungs were detaching from your chest-al cavity.)

My aunt Tammy took a great picture of my poor, unsuspecting daughter in the midst of all the revelry, and all you can see is her head hovering over a table overflowing with empty bottles. It's a hilarious picture. Does that make me a bad mom? If she would email the picture, I could post it
right
about
HERE

OH, LOOK!! SHE DID SEND IT!!! HERE IT IS:



Juliana got to go shopping for a dress the morning of the wedding, and she chose this great little number. It's so hip and teenager-y. Love it!



My Gramma was looking particularly lovely this day, and I'm so glad I got a nice picture of her.

This is the perfect opportunity for me to praise all the ladies in my family for their momentous accomplishment: I think we all kept our heels on until the end of the ceremony. Brandon kept stepping on my bare feet when we were at the "cool" table, talking and... reveling. He made a comment about my bare feet, at which point my aunts, his wife, and I all raised up our bare feet in a unified, rebellious gesture of solidarity. Shoes and Heinz women are like oil and water!

By the end of the night, Dan and Katie were definitely loosened up and ready to start the real post-wedding celebration, I'm sure!!

The newly-weds departed on the ski boat (not on skis, however, much to my disappointment...) with a great fireworks display.

I'm sure there were more fireworks later that night, but that's none of my bee's wax...

She's No Victoria's Secret Model...

My dogs are in need of serious therapy.




She's got issues.

I terrorize these poor, defenseless babies quite frequently.

Whenever it rains, these unappreciated, mistreated divas have a tendency to want to tinkle all over my nicely polished hardwood.

They don't want to get their feet wet.

Or their heads.

I bought a couple of pairs of panties for Lola and Gidget to wear when it rains for now on.

The panties were not a hit.

Even though they had ruffles.

And were patriotic.




Since Gidget was just spayed a couple of days ago, she was spared the humiliation of trying them on and having her picture taken.

Lola just had to suffer alone.




I think she is beginning to exhibit homicidal behavior.

Notice the baleful stare.

Straight into the lens.


This could get ugly.

My New Motto