Saturday, November 10, 2012
We have taken over.
Good morning all! Just a quick update! I have possession of the house! More updates later!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are cleaning & painting like mad people. I am taking pictures and will upload soon!
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Running from the darkness
Just a quick note from me today.....as you know I am new to the running world and did not run at this time last year. So this Daylight's Savings Time might prove to be more difficult than I realized. At first I figured if I wear reflective gear and am really mindful of cars then I would be okay running in a little bit of darkness. Today I started my run at 5:25 PM (after Tuesday pilates!). The sun was setting and for the first 5 miles it was fine. Then the last 2 miles (Probably a bit after 6PM)....it got really dark. I stayed on the sidewalk thinking that would keep me safe from cars. Little did I realize.....I CAN'T SEE IN THE DARK. I can't see the sidewalk. I can't see the holes, difference in cement levels, or the twigs in the way. It doesn't matter what I wear or how careful I am with cars....MY EYES CAN'T SEE IN THE DARK. And if your eyes can't see, you are just asking to step on something or come down on your foot in the wrong way. In fact, on the last mile I may have stepped on an cat or a leaf or something. It definitely could be felt under my shoe and it made a crunchy noise. So I don't know what my plan is.......sometimes I can't run right after school. So we'll see. How nerdy would it be for me to get one of those miner-hats and wear that on my head so I can see the sidewalk?
On the housing front, I set up gas and water/electric today. The gas was easy! I just set it up over the phone. The water/electric I had to go in and fill out an application. The worker-lady asked me if my heat was gas or electric. I had no clue. I nearly called my dad. I must have had a clueless look on my face because she said, "Oh, I can look that up on the computer from past records." Thank goodness for that. Between that and dropping the city-issued garbage bags everywhere, I think I made a fabulous impression! :)
On the housing front, I set up gas and water/electric today. The gas was easy! I just set it up over the phone. The water/electric I had to go in and fill out an application. The worker-lady asked me if my heat was gas or electric. I had no clue. I nearly called my dad. I must have had a clueless look on my face because she said, "Oh, I can look that up on the computer from past records." Thank goodness for that. Between that and dropping the city-issued garbage bags everywhere, I think I made a fabulous impression! :)
Monday, November 5, 2012
Running versus a runner
Today I am feeling a little overwhelmed by housing things. Yesterday my dad (lead project manager....he designated himself) went over to my new house to get one cabinet door. The sellers are still living there but we wanted to get the cabinets figured out. My dad took a vacation week and spent the day experimenting with the cabinet door. More on that later.
Additionally, I really started to realize that I am going to LIVE in this new house. Like all the time. I will have to leave my house 3 minutes earlier for work. All my running routes are going to need to be re-routed. Khloe will need new dog-walking paths. I have to SLEEP there. And oh my gosh, I am going to have to buy EVERYTHING to stock a refrigerator and kitchen. Do you know how EXPENSIVE that is going to be?! I am not going to think about it. Maybe I just won't eat.
To add to my stress it now gets darker earlier because of daylight's savings time. STUPID IDEA. All day at school I was stressed as to how I was going to get my run in. So instead of talking about housing, I will talk about running!
I DID get my run in today. 7 miles in 66 minutes. (I am not fast, I know!) Before I dive into this running post, I want to clarify that I don't consider myself a runner. Runners are those people who run a 6 minute mile and are really thin.
In high school and college, I had very little interest in exercise, running, or sweating at all. People that knew me in high school would never think I could or would want to run 7 miles. By some strange shift in the universe, I joined the Y in spring of 2011. I would usually go and do the elliptical. I was quite happy with that and was seeing weight loss results and feeling better about myself. Well then one day in December 2011 ALL OF THE ELLIPTICAL MACHINES WERE TAKEN. CRISIS. I didn't know what to do and was in a time crunch, so by some happy mistake I got on a treadmill and decided to walk. Well after a while, walking got boring and I increased the speed. I WAS RUNNING. It was a miracle. The next day, I tried it again. And again, and again. You get the picture. When it got nice out I started to run laps around the soccer fields outside. 4 laps was 3 miles.
And then my life kind of fell apart and I needed an escape, an outlet, something to take my mind off of things. So I ran. I ran and ran. I cried while I ran. I prayed while I ran. I planned while I ran. And sometimes I just ran with no thought at all in my mind. I ran all summer, gradually increasing my mileage. I even entered and won awards at several 5Ks. Running provides a challenge, an escape, a way to accomplish something and I love the feeling of my heart beating out of my chest. Running provides a lot of peace in my life. I love running. Never would I think that those words would leave my lips. Still through all of that, I don't consider myself a runner. I just run. It's my therapy and peace and time for me. I love it.
For anyone who wants to try running, I think you should. It doesn't matter how far you go or how fast (or slow in my case....) you run. It's about doing it and finishing. No matter how slow I run or how much I am dreading it, that feeling as I take off my iPod and get a drink of water never changes. It always surprises how GOOD I feel. Almost like,this is what I was meant to do.
I am nervous as the winter months come....I love running outside. I hope I can keep up with it. I have bought some cold weather running gear and am hoping that keeps me motivated. I must mention the pants that I found at Target that are simply ah-maz-ing. Running pants by Nike cost like $60+. I found these at Target for $27.99. I have bought 2 pairs. I love how they fit, how they keep me warm (but not too warm), and I love that they make my legs look skinny!
Here's the link for the pants....you just might fall in love with them and become obsessed with finding more pairs. I am currently on a nationwide search for size mediums.
http://www.target.com/p/c9-by-champion-women-s-cold-weather-running-tight-black/-/A-14115161#prodSlot=medium_1_3&term=c9%20by%20champion%20running%20tights
Additionally, I really started to realize that I am going to LIVE in this new house. Like all the time. I will have to leave my house 3 minutes earlier for work. All my running routes are going to need to be re-routed. Khloe will need new dog-walking paths. I have to SLEEP there. And oh my gosh, I am going to have to buy EVERYTHING to stock a refrigerator and kitchen. Do you know how EXPENSIVE that is going to be?! I am not going to think about it. Maybe I just won't eat.
To add to my stress it now gets darker earlier because of daylight's savings time. STUPID IDEA. All day at school I was stressed as to how I was going to get my run in. So instead of talking about housing, I will talk about running!
I DID get my run in today. 7 miles in 66 minutes. (I am not fast, I know!) Before I dive into this running post, I want to clarify that I don't consider myself a runner. Runners are those people who run a 6 minute mile and are really thin.
In high school and college, I had very little interest in exercise, running, or sweating at all. People that knew me in high school would never think I could or would want to run 7 miles. By some strange shift in the universe, I joined the Y in spring of 2011. I would usually go and do the elliptical. I was quite happy with that and was seeing weight loss results and feeling better about myself. Well then one day in December 2011 ALL OF THE ELLIPTICAL MACHINES WERE TAKEN. CRISIS. I didn't know what to do and was in a time crunch, so by some happy mistake I got on a treadmill and decided to walk. Well after a while, walking got boring and I increased the speed. I WAS RUNNING. It was a miracle. The next day, I tried it again. And again, and again. You get the picture. When it got nice out I started to run laps around the soccer fields outside. 4 laps was 3 miles.
And then my life kind of fell apart and I needed an escape, an outlet, something to take my mind off of things. So I ran. I ran and ran. I cried while I ran. I prayed while I ran. I planned while I ran. And sometimes I just ran with no thought at all in my mind. I ran all summer, gradually increasing my mileage. I even entered and won awards at several 5Ks. Running provides a challenge, an escape, a way to accomplish something and I love the feeling of my heart beating out of my chest. Running provides a lot of peace in my life. I love running. Never would I think that those words would leave my lips. Still through all of that, I don't consider myself a runner. I just run. It's my therapy and peace and time for me. I love it.
For anyone who wants to try running, I think you should. It doesn't matter how far you go or how fast (or slow in my case....) you run. It's about doing it and finishing. No matter how slow I run or how much I am dreading it, that feeling as I take off my iPod and get a drink of water never changes. It always surprises how GOOD I feel. Almost like,this is what I was meant to do.
I am nervous as the winter months come....I love running outside. I hope I can keep up with it. I have bought some cold weather running gear and am hoping that keeps me motivated. I must mention the pants that I found at Target that are simply ah-maz-ing. Running pants by Nike cost like $60+. I found these at Target for $27.99. I have bought 2 pairs. I love how they fit, how they keep me warm (but not too warm), and I love that they make my legs look skinny!
Here's the link for the pants....you just might fall in love with them and become obsessed with finding more pairs. I am currently on a nationwide search for size mediums.
http://www.target.com/p/c9-by-champion-women-s-cold-weather-running-tight-black/-/A-14115161#prodSlot=medium_1_3&term=c9%20by%20champion%20running%20tights
Sunday, November 4, 2012
The Housing Journey
So I just bought a house.....
Yep. I am totally crazy. I have lived with my parents for the past 2 years since college graduation. Most would hate it. I don't. I love living with them. Really! I especially love the fact that it's free and that occasionally someone does my laundry or puts gas in my car.
Anyway, this whole "Marjory buys a house thing" started in the Spring. It started with a major life change. Have you ever thought your life was going down one path when suddenly that path ends? I'm not talking about a subtle ending where there is a nice pond and some woods and it's okay that the path ended because the scenery is beautiful. I'm talking about an ending where there is a concrete wall and you are not getting around it. The concrete wall is ugly. The journey you were on is over. You have to choose a new path. This new path is different than you ever expected. It's harder. Scarier. Unexpected. But I have found that this path does have its joys. One of those joys being that I am better, stronger, and smarter. I am not interested in the old path so here I am at a new path. This path means LIVING YOUR LIFE. So in living my life, I realized it's time to be a big girl and move out of my parents' house.
Rent....I did it in college. Renting in my small town is about $400+ a month. Many of those places don't allow pets. Did I mention I have an ah-mazing dog named Khloe? I am mildly obsessed with her and couldn't even think of not living with her. Well that's when my dad started saying I should buy. Interest rates are low. Houses are cheap. Blah, blah, blah. My dad is a shop-a-holic so I didn't really listen. But then my aunt started to do some research. She found this program where teachers get a lower interest rate. Then she started calling places in town. I do believe she disguised herself as "Marjory's legal council" but whatever... Eventually she found Amerifirst where Coley---the guy there, not sure of his title---introduced us to a program from the USDA (yes the U.S. Department of Agriculture) where you can have NO MONEY down. Being a single teacher this program was MEANT FOR ME!
In the meantime, we (me, my mom, and my dad) had looked at lots of houses. Like 10. Some were a ton of work. (My dad is pretty handy, so we weren't scared of a little work). Some were out of my price range and lovely. Some were okay but didn't speak to me. Some didn't have a good enough backyard for Khloe. I told you I am obsessed. In September, a good family friend told me to call this older couple in town who were thinking of selling their house but hadn't listed it yet. She said it needed a little work but that it had a fenced in backyard. We went over to take a look! Mind you, this is no realtor....so it's just me and my dad and Sid (the seller) going through this house! I fell in love with the house! The house was perfect for me and K-dog and the PRICE WAS RIGHT.
So I did what all normal people do, told them I would think about it. Then I went for a run. In my running, I sorted out if this is what I wanted and that I wasn't making a rash decision. After 4 miles, I knew it was right! So Coley---he really is amazing---got the process started and on November 2nd I walked into his office as a single 25-year old teacher and signed papers to buy my first house. All by myself. I nearly took a picture.
Over the last few weeks, I have been accumulating lots of things for my new house. I do appreciate the finer things in life, but usually can't afford them. It has been a combination of my shop-a-holic father looking for deals, researching DIY projects on Pinterest, and going to lots of auctions. My goal in all of this is to pay cash (no credit card debt for me--yet!), get quality items, and to get things I think are pretty....Khloe and I like pretty things.
Big purchases are as follows:
-Caned-back chairs (local used furniture shop)---$60 for 2.
-Bed (local furniture shop)---bought the floor model and saved $300!
-Coffee table, side table, buffet, dresser, chairs, miscellaneous home items (auctions)---auctions are my new favorite thing.
-Bedframe (IKEA)---Ikea isn't that expensive so it was like $160
-Sofa (local furniture shop)---bought the floor model. I do still have one more payment to make on this. I get paid tomorrow though!
-Chandelier (Lowe's)---Originally $99, it was marked down to $25 when I pointed out to the salesman that there was a light pink (hardly noticeable) mark on it. I also smiled at him. He said, how about $19 and I said YES. I will be smiling at salesmen a lot more if it saves me money. Who knew?
-Vacuum (Meijer)---Originally over $200, got it for $98. My dad found it on an end cap at the store and scoped it out for like a week!
-Paint (Sherwin Williams & the Anderson's in Toledo)---We are painting the Kitchen cabinets (more on that journey later) and cabinets require a mega-expensive paint (according to my pinterest research!). My dad found a coupon for Sherwin Williams paint and so we used that. The Anderson's at Toledo had some Pratt & Lambert (if you know paint, you know that's good paint) on clearance because the labeling had changed. Again, dad found it. I bought it. My dad's pretty good at this stuff....
-Fabric (JoAnn's)---We (and by we, I mean my mom) are making curtains for the kitchen and reupholstering a couple of chairs. Upholstery fabric was 50% off and we had a coupon for 25% off. Mega savings.
So basically I feel like I am blowing all my money. I do realize that these are INVESTMENTS and not just a new pair of Puma flats (my favorite shoe to wear to school) or a new running shirt (Champion brand at Target & Nike are very tempting!!!!). I don't love parting with my money though....
Immediate projects that we will be working on in the house are:
-A good clean! Windows, shampooing carpet, etc.
-Reupholstering chairs & creating chair cushions
-Painting kitchen cabinets & kitchen walls. The kitchen cabinets are currently a festive red, white, and blue. Seriously. Pictures later.
-Painting my bedroom
-Painting/refinishing/doing something with all the furniture I bought at auctions
So there's my update. I promise not every post will be this long. And it won't be about my house all the time either. Sometimes it might be about running, eating, baking, teaching, life, etc. That's why I am new to it all. This is a new journey. A new path. Let's see how it goes.
Yep. I am totally crazy. I have lived with my parents for the past 2 years since college graduation. Most would hate it. I don't. I love living with them. Really! I especially love the fact that it's free and that occasionally someone does my laundry or puts gas in my car.
Anyway, this whole "Marjory buys a house thing" started in the Spring. It started with a major life change. Have you ever thought your life was going down one path when suddenly that path ends? I'm not talking about a subtle ending where there is a nice pond and some woods and it's okay that the path ended because the scenery is beautiful. I'm talking about an ending where there is a concrete wall and you are not getting around it. The concrete wall is ugly. The journey you were on is over. You have to choose a new path. This new path is different than you ever expected. It's harder. Scarier. Unexpected. But I have found that this path does have its joys. One of those joys being that I am better, stronger, and smarter. I am not interested in the old path so here I am at a new path. This path means LIVING YOUR LIFE. So in living my life, I realized it's time to be a big girl and move out of my parents' house.
Rent....I did it in college. Renting in my small town is about $400+ a month. Many of those places don't allow pets. Did I mention I have an ah-mazing dog named Khloe? I am mildly obsessed with her and couldn't even think of not living with her. Well that's when my dad started saying I should buy. Interest rates are low. Houses are cheap. Blah, blah, blah. My dad is a shop-a-holic so I didn't really listen. But then my aunt started to do some research. She found this program where teachers get a lower interest rate. Then she started calling places in town. I do believe she disguised herself as "Marjory's legal council" but whatever... Eventually she found Amerifirst where Coley---the guy there, not sure of his title---introduced us to a program from the USDA (yes the U.S. Department of Agriculture) where you can have NO MONEY down. Being a single teacher this program was MEANT FOR ME!
In the meantime, we (me, my mom, and my dad) had looked at lots of houses. Like 10. Some were a ton of work. (My dad is pretty handy, so we weren't scared of a little work). Some were out of my price range and lovely. Some were okay but didn't speak to me. Some didn't have a good enough backyard for Khloe. I told you I am obsessed. In September, a good family friend told me to call this older couple in town who were thinking of selling their house but hadn't listed it yet. She said it needed a little work but that it had a fenced in backyard. We went over to take a look! Mind you, this is no realtor....so it's just me and my dad and Sid (the seller) going through this house! I fell in love with the house! The house was perfect for me and K-dog and the PRICE WAS RIGHT.
So I did what all normal people do, told them I would think about it. Then I went for a run. In my running, I sorted out if this is what I wanted and that I wasn't making a rash decision. After 4 miles, I knew it was right! So Coley---he really is amazing---got the process started and on November 2nd I walked into his office as a single 25-year old teacher and signed papers to buy my first house. All by myself. I nearly took a picture.
Over the last few weeks, I have been accumulating lots of things for my new house. I do appreciate the finer things in life, but usually can't afford them. It has been a combination of my shop-a-holic father looking for deals, researching DIY projects on Pinterest, and going to lots of auctions. My goal in all of this is to pay cash (no credit card debt for me--yet!), get quality items, and to get things I think are pretty....Khloe and I like pretty things.
Big purchases are as follows:
-Caned-back chairs (local used furniture shop)---$60 for 2.
-Bed (local furniture shop)---bought the floor model and saved $300!
-Coffee table, side table, buffet, dresser, chairs, miscellaneous home items (auctions)---auctions are my new favorite thing.
-Bedframe (IKEA)---Ikea isn't that expensive so it was like $160
-Sofa (local furniture shop)---bought the floor model. I do still have one more payment to make on this. I get paid tomorrow though!
-Chandelier (Lowe's)---Originally $99, it was marked down to $25 when I pointed out to the salesman that there was a light pink (hardly noticeable) mark on it. I also smiled at him. He said, how about $19 and I said YES. I will be smiling at salesmen a lot more if it saves me money. Who knew?
-Vacuum (Meijer)---Originally over $200, got it for $98. My dad found it on an end cap at the store and scoped it out for like a week!
-Paint (Sherwin Williams & the Anderson's in Toledo)---We are painting the Kitchen cabinets (more on that journey later) and cabinets require a mega-expensive paint (according to my pinterest research!). My dad found a coupon for Sherwin Williams paint and so we used that. The Anderson's at Toledo had some Pratt & Lambert (if you know paint, you know that's good paint) on clearance because the labeling had changed. Again, dad found it. I bought it. My dad's pretty good at this stuff....
-Fabric (JoAnn's)---We (and by we, I mean my mom) are making curtains for the kitchen and reupholstering a couple of chairs. Upholstery fabric was 50% off and we had a coupon for 25% off. Mega savings.
So basically I feel like I am blowing all my money. I do realize that these are INVESTMENTS and not just a new pair of Puma flats (my favorite shoe to wear to school) or a new running shirt (Champion brand at Target & Nike are very tempting!!!!). I don't love parting with my money though....
Immediate projects that we will be working on in the house are:
-A good clean! Windows, shampooing carpet, etc.
-Reupholstering chairs & creating chair cushions
-Painting kitchen cabinets & kitchen walls. The kitchen cabinets are currently a festive red, white, and blue. Seriously. Pictures later.
-Painting my bedroom
-Painting/refinishing/doing something with all the furniture I bought at auctions
So there's my update. I promise not every post will be this long. And it won't be about my house all the time either. Sometimes it might be about running, eating, baking, teaching, life, etc. That's why I am new to it all. This is a new journey. A new path. Let's see how it goes.
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