Home Ownership

So it's been a while since I've posted.  I guess it was fun for a while then it sort of wore off.  So, I'm here to start up again.
I closed on the house on Friday and quickly moved on Saturday with the help of 4 very great friends who worked their tails off!  I couldn't have done it without them.  I went quite smooth actually.  I still have some things to move from the apartment, and clean that yet, but that will get done later this week and weekend.  Of course, there is still a lot of unpacking to do here!  In due time I guess.  There's so much to do - I'm not one that likes to wait for any of that, so it's kind of driving me nuts.  I guess I will learn some patience.  
My first priority was... setting up the living room and getting the tv/internet going.  I'm canceling my cable and cable internet.  I bought a digital tv antenna and that works great.  You can watch most shows on the internet anyway, so why should I pay for cable?  I then went to Sprint and got their 4G wifi hotspot.  Works great, and it seems faster than the cable I had!
I slept on my air mattress the first night (or tried to anyway).  The cats were going crazy exploring and all that.  And it was freezing.  Because I put priority on tv I didn't know where the extra blanket was.  I wasn't about to get up and see what awaited me downstairs in the dark.  (I'm a bit of a scaredy cat - who knows what the cats were getting into).  
After my sleepless night, I decided bedding was a priority and set up the bedroom on Sunday.  I slept much better last night - in fact I don't think I moved, I had the heavy blankets and one cat on each side of me.  I think they're a bit timid yet in this house as well.
Today after work I made what will be one of many trips to Home Depot.  Priority today was weather proofing materials:  window insulator film, water heater insulation cover, outlet insulation, air conditioner cover, caulk, foam, and what else...hmm...
Oh, so my first home improvement project:  replacing the standard lightbulb in the back porch fixture to a compact fluorescent that will go on at dusk and off at dawn.  A bit of a safety thing for me I guess.  Success!
Second project on the list tonight - install the dryer vent cover.  Failure.  Wrong size pipe.  Back to Home Depot later.
Third project attempt - wrap the water heater with insulation.  Failure.  Some pipes are in the way so I need some additional advice, and just didn't feel like putting in that effort tonight.
Fourth project - pushing some steel wool into some cracks to help keep the mice out.  Success (at least getting it in there, we'll see about the mice later)  I will have to do some more in daylight with some caulk and foam to complete this task.
Speaking of mice... I'm really afraid that at some point I will come across one.  After the above projects, I headed back down to the basement to search for evidence of mice.  None found, but let's be honest, I didn't look that closely for fear I would find something, and knowing they're there may just be worse for me than letting them be in peace as long as they stay away.  So, I turned on the dryer, just incase they were in there.  Nothing so far.  We shall see.  Wishing me luck on that front!


Will keep you posted on progress on unpacking, setting up, decorating, and all those adventures!

House

So it's been a while... quite a while.  I just haven't been up to blogging for some reason.  Anyway, the summer went by quite quickly.  Fall is quickly approaching, and the crisp air put me in the mood for two of my favorite fall comfort foods:  chili, and sour kraut casserole.  Yummy!  So, I've made them both today.  Now, what will I eat first?  hmm...


Anyway, I've been house hunting.  I know, I really wasn't expecting to, or even planning on buying a house, but when you see rates at 4.25% and the housing market depressed, price-wise, not emotionally :) I started to think it may be a good idea.  Especially because I could essentially buy a home for what I am paying in rent, or in my case, less.  


I've looked at dozens and dozens of houses, and I think sniffing so many basements filled with musty air, mold, and whatever else has put my allegies into hyperdrive, and I've since been battling a sinus infection that just won't go away.... it's exhausting.


So, I went looking last weekend, and added a new listing to my see list last minute.  It ends up it's what I've decided to go with.  I put an offer in earlier this week, and followed by accepting their counter offer!  (they countered with what I was expecting, and fully prepared to pay) They are paying all of my closing costs, and a home warranty too.  The city of St Paul is contributing 2% down payment assistance through a first time homebuyer program (it's been more than 3 years since I owned my house in Texas, so I'm a born-again first timer!)  


The inspection was next.  They wanted it very quickly in case I backed out they could still put it on the market this weekend.  I did inspection the very next day.  Nothing very out of the norm, for a house that was built in 1914.  Mechanically and structurally very sound.  Just a few minor things to take care of - I asked them to do, and they agreed.


So, after all that, we were scheduled to close Oct 15.  But, I asked if I could close Oct 8 instead, because Thomas is supposed to be here that weekend, so that would be great.  So, we're shooting for Oct 8.  Oh boy, that's less than 3 weeks away now.  didn't I just move last year at this time too?  Well, at least this one will be ours and can do whatever we want!  


Here she is... 

More to come later.  I've got the "oh my, I have to get so much stuff now" syndrome.  The list is already long:  new toilet seat, cleaning supplies, shovels, rakes (a big beautiful oak tree in the back) hoses, lawn mower, snow blower, a kitchen island, plus some work to do on the house like an exhaust fan in the bathroom, additional electrical outlets in the bedrooms, and.... 

Not to mention furniture... until Thomas moves in in June, I have furniture for the bedroom, and living room.  Oh well, that will come in due time.  More updates later!

Goal update

My mood has been up and down lately.  And now I feel like a cold is coming on.  I just took a great hot bath, hopefully I can sleep well tonight!


Anyway, it's time for a goal update.  It's my 6 month mark since I started my debt reduction plan.  Drum roll please... after 6 months I've managed to pay my debt down by 11.1%!  That is so close to my 15% yearly goal, that I should be able to reach my stretch goal of 25% within 12 months.  Woo hoo!  It can be done.


I'm happy, but a bit disappointed too because I could have exceeded 15.6% but I ended up having to use one of the cards I paid down because I lost track of my disposable spending money.  I guess I shouldn't be too hard on myself for that though, I just need to continue to focus and pay closer attention in the coming months.  


How are you doing with your goals?

Basil Basil everywhere!

So... a few weeks ago I was at my sister's house and she made an omelette with fresh basil.  Yummy!  So, I bought a basil plant.  I've never really used basil, at least fresh basil so I had no idea what I would do with it... but, it does smell good!
On Sunday I made cheese tortilini with grilled chicken, sauteed with fresh basil and other veggies from the farmers market.  I mixed that with roasted red pepper and sun dried tomatoes.  I was so great, and healthy fresh too!  
Tonight... after working out I wanted something lighter.  I had a can of albacore tuna on multigrain toast (with extra fiber), avocado slices, and you guessed it... basil leaves!  It was surprisingly delicious.


What to create next?  Basil in my oatmeal for breakfast tomorrow?  Nah. 

Optimist's Creed

So I've been struggling lately with trying to stay positive.  I think I may have been trying to do too much, and have let things get to me.  I recently watched "The Secret" which is based on the book, and deals with your attitude, outlook, and such.  I have much to learn, but I'm starting - I even have an app on my iPhone that includes a new message every day or a new technique to help harness your positivity.  Here is a creed to live by and try to recite daily... I will start and let you know how it goes:


I promise myself:

To be so strong, nothing can disturb my peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person I meet.

To make all my friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make my optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work for the best

and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of 

others as I am about my own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the 

greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile

to every living creature I meet.

To give so much time to improving myself that I

have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,

and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of myself and to proclaim this fact to the world,

not in loud word, but in great deeds.

To live in the faith that the whole world is on my side,

so long as I am true to the best that is in me.

Jolly

Tonight was night two of volunteering at the shelter.  A few of the same families were there, but there was one new family, and two of the families from the other night were moved into the more "permanent" shelter - which is good because it will give them better access to counseling, career help, financial planning, etc.


Tonight was another busy night - no duck duck goose, but I did play chase for quite some time.   I got some decent exercise! Those kids sure have a lot of energy.  We also played "kitchen" with the play-doh, where we made "pizzas" and "waffles" and all sorts of other good stuff.  The little boy from the other night wanted me to make him a robot - so I did!


I also learned how to play real dominoes - apparently I have been doing it wrong, or playing a different version my entire life.


So, tonight I volunteered with my friend Mollie and her friend Holly.  Well, the kids decided that Brad just didn't work well with that, so they affectionately dubbed me "jolly."  It was all in fun - and I made the most of it and had a good time with it all night.


A few of the girls colored again - and at the end of the night gave me the following pictures:

The one above says "I name Jolli."  Very touching - both girls were great singers - singing songs by Hannah Montana and Justin Bieber tonight.  It was cute.


I've gotten so much from this experience and have learned a lot about life, love, faith, hope, and fear.  Other things too I'm sure I'll come to understand over time.


I will probably do this again - and recommend if you have the chance, you try it too!

Project Home

Tonight I did something very difficult but very rewarding at the same time.  I volunteered for Project Home, which is an overflow homeless shelter for families sponsored by the Saint Paul Area Council of Churches.  
I wasn't really sure what to expect going into it.  The only thought I had was from a recent movie we watched at movie night called "Where God Left His Shoes".  An amazing movie about a family who becomes homeless and the difficulties they face living daily life - somehow they work through it as a family, and are stronger for it.  I highly recommend it - with a box of kleenex next to you.  Let me know what you think if you see it.


Anyway, I arrived early and one of the coordinators for Project Home met me at the location - we had a chance to talk a bit, then when the others arrived we went inside and began setting up cots and air mattresses for each family.  We were expecting 3 families (4 adults and 10 children) and then another family was added (1 adult 1 child), so we ended with 5 adults and 11 children!  


We prepared some snacks for when they arrived and went over some rules for the evening - the coordinators leave the volunteers and "residents" there.  The families started to arrive and seemed to know the routine.  They each got some snacks and began to eat.  We had some games on one of the tables and one of the little girls walked up and started poking at the play-doh in a ziploc bag.  She asked me what it was and then if we could play.  I said I'd love to play, but thought she should finish up her snack first!


After what seemed like a few akward moments, people started to move around and interact with the 3 volunteers.  I started working with a few of the girls picking out crayons to color with, and found just the right picture for them!  One of the little boys who was probably 3 was very lively and full of energy.  He grabbed my thumb and just wanted to walk around the hallways - he sure did love to talk!.  Although I really didn't understand much of what he said, it was important for both of us to share that time together.  I hope he got as much out of it as I did.


The night went on, and we played tic tac toe, made lots of things out of the play-doh, played "Sorry!", and even "duck duck goose."  I haven't been on the floor running around like that in quite some time!  It was good for me to feel like a kid again.


But then I remembered I'm an adult, and as I look into the eyes of each of these kids - it set in.  As innocent as they are, as much promise as they have for their future, they have no place to call home.  They are shuttled from place to place to place.  I can't help but think what more could we do?  What would these families do if they didn't have a place like Project Home to help?  Would they be subject to foster care and taken from their families - or be placed in regular shelters that could be much more dangerous and not a place for children.


I will be returning to volunteer on Thursday night once again and will probably see some of the same families.  The kids will again be full of life, full of energy, and just looking for some sense of normalcy in a world that is anything but.


As I get ready for bed tonight, I am grateful for what I have and am very humbled. I will no doubt see each of their faces as I close my eyes - haunted by their reality, but hopeful for their future.