tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33826661682650675172023-11-16T05:11:14.527-06:00Tree Stars are FallingSarah C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17139208179562907917noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382666168265067517.post-77012824570819637692012-09-04T16:04:00.003-05:002012-09-04T16:04:52.087-05:00Forging Family<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm writing again! This time with company:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://forgingfamily.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Forging Family</a></span><br />
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<br /></div>
Sarah C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17139208179562907917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382666168265067517.post-31340243795218390532010-12-03T09:45:00.002-06:002010-12-03T13:38:11.010-06:00Still Alive<span style="font-size:85%;">I miss blogging. Now that I'm not buying a house or planning a wedding I'm afraid my day-to-day is hardly worth documenting. But who knows...maybe I'll find a good reason to ease myself back in.</span>Sarah C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17139208179562907917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382666168265067517.post-85010861932877364832009-11-26T10:08:00.006-06:002009-11-26T10:22:43.407-06:00Giving Thanks<span style="font-size:85%;">Thank you, from our wedding, in bullets:<br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-size:85%;">For loving us</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">For being there</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">For speaking up</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">For supporting us</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">For taking care of the details</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">For taking incredible pictures</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">For giving the best hugs (repeatedly)</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">For that hug you said came from my dad</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">For coming even though you weren't comfortable</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">For expertly taking over set up and for staying to help clean</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">For commenting on your 4 year old's widening view of what makes a family</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">For proving to us just how big our family truly is. Thank you.</span></li></ul><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QjvtxF4Kp0QyNzLs-3rCktYcwfHgK0qIpFfVFiFFNQbEjIgDQIYSztoVkFaNrPNjp0MztnbcSulEwUWMngtuRo7CVBCND1ROBt0e9Lo21skovQmhca4HPbQpjXs3PxgVKR2r1LaGTKQ/s1600/SarahDiana-1322sm.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QjvtxF4Kp0QyNzLs-3rCktYcwfHgK0qIpFfVFiFFNQbEjIgDQIYSztoVkFaNrPNjp0MztnbcSulEwUWMngtuRo7CVBCND1ROBt0e9Lo21skovQmhca4HPbQpjXs3PxgVKR2r1LaGTKQ/s400/SarahDiana-1322sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408448225014626482" border="0" /></a>Sarah C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17139208179562907917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382666168265067517.post-35156226133570112872009-11-22T21:38:00.002-06:002009-11-22T21:41:17.514-06:00Newlyweds...again<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGyV3bMnLDZqnkFEUd4Zx5v3SezclFywwPfRhUYOUA9E2m_OoJVy5LfzhGe3ttq9853DefhnI5LPjA31rPy9gGWS0kLBpwoNQmFqDnluFXGcjLQlapXI5dyjAijJHszYXW63WB2mObu1U/s1600/dcfall+036.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGyV3bMnLDZqnkFEUd4Zx5v3SezclFywwPfRhUYOUA9E2m_OoJVy5LfzhGe3ttq9853DefhnI5LPjA31rPy9gGWS0kLBpwoNQmFqDnluFXGcjLQlapXI5dyjAijJHszYXW63WB2mObu1U/s320/dcfall+036.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406330234294454898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Last Monday we drove from DC (where we stayed) to a little town in Connecticut. There were narrow streets, tall trees, red bricks with white trim and a sweet older woman in the Town Clerks office who lit up when we said we were there to apply for our marriage license. We filled out our paperwork, held up our right hands to swear all the information was true then headed to a little park nearby to be married. We found a kind, slightly kooky officiant on the internets. She'd had a computer melt-down and so led us through our vows thanks to gmail and my black.berry. It felt so different from what we experienced the Saturday before. We worked for a year for what we had last Saturday. Surrounded by our families and friends, flowers, decorations and the results of lots and lots of work. It was incredible, hectic, fun, emotional and completely unforgetable. Monday in Connecticut was just us, the Rev. and those hum-drum legalities everyone takes for granted. I'm so thankful to have had both experiences.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAvAyhMvrrIqHEnh72cy22hyphenhyphenG8a35Uk4hgX9yvpgdXiY0IUlW6JM_GydlETjFlqSrdjTvnIFs1WlnVM9GkPdhsDyDVV_pF762GR_K6X2yWEUU1eRlGdzI6yRNoTP9fM2M8NQXyzx2nGk/s1600/dcfall+044.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAvAyhMvrrIqHEnh72cy22hyphenhyphenG8a35Uk4hgX9yvpgdXiY0IUlW6JM_GydlETjFlqSrdjTvnIFs1WlnVM9GkPdhsDyDVV_pF762GR_K6X2yWEUU1eRlGdzI6yRNoTP9fM2M8NQXyzx2nGk/s320/dcfall+044.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406330682238039074" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">So now we've been married twice. Once in the eyes of our friends, family and any higher ups who may be watching then again in the eyes of the state of Connecticut. I can only hope and pray that someday it'll spread. The queers will take over and eventually our marriage will be legal everywhere, without question or exception. Until then, we'll busy ourselves with wills, power of attorney documents and name changes.<br /></span>Sarah C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17139208179562907917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382666168265067517.post-83681687858442024652009-11-15T17:23:00.004-06:002009-11-15T17:34:56.581-06:00Honeymoon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiy4mp-9EH5lO8b6-NCFfw6ddUq8iPXOGHtf8G2nh7b8pxcCsLwHpRT3X54qUhUllp_mQe0gSnzc3AhdIk7CWGbhn2VbDYX2_Nb1gLBj0ocGALNVZhJVnUhATUT4q9KvOoPT9VOGYv1U/s1600-h/dcfall+022.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiy4mp-9EH5lO8b6-NCFfw6ddUq8iPXOGHtf8G2nh7b8pxcCsLwHpRT3X54qUhUllp_mQe0gSnzc3AhdIk7CWGbhn2VbDYX2_Nb1gLBj0ocGALNVZhJVnUhATUT4q9KvOoPT9VOGYv1U/s320/dcfall+022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404477849886163090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">I lived in Maryland from age 15-18. I wasn't thrilled with moving or being on the other side of the country from everything and everyone I've ever known. But one thing I did love about this part of the country was autumn. We're back here now, in DC, for our honeymoon. Strangely, we're here not just because we'd wanted to visit DC together, but also because I have a professional conference at the end of this week which makes this trip financially possible. The trees are incredible, the weather is beautiful. I couldn't imagine a better time to visit this part of the country (except possibly when the cherry trees bloom). Tomorrow we head to Connecticut for wedding #2 - the legal version.<br /><br />As for wedding #1, I'm still wading through amazing pictures and trying to put it all into words.<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">[picture by me]</span></span></span>Sarah C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17139208179562907917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382666168265067517.post-66747131517225459662009-11-09T21:26:00.004-06:002009-11-09T21:34:51.220-06:00Hitched<span style="font-size:85%;">We got married Saturday. It was perfect and amazing so that I can hardly stand to write about it. I will though, soon, so I don't forget a single moment (as if I could).<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://marysledd.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/camp-ben-wedding-austin.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 413px; height: 309px;" src="http://marysledd.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/camp-ben-wedding-austin.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Photos by <a href="http://marysledd.com/">Mary Sledd</a>...certainly more to come.<br /></span>Sarah C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17139208179562907917noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382666168265067517.post-80227161970219155842009-10-06T10:27:00.003-05:002009-10-06T10:49:36.358-05:00Almost There<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYJlkDOqJTsP1EZNmD24GJVlvVps_RuJwAdi8GfSSSx-v6S73D4PGJwNBXpWsxSLlmcICakECTfbQdTAub7j9qi4LJMMGUSWMW_LD1sOFtKn1hy5C2rBm14DyL14pESjUVPI5E1ZJoN8/s1600-h/IMG_2209.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYJlkDOqJTsP1EZNmD24GJVlvVps_RuJwAdi8GfSSSx-v6S73D4PGJwNBXpWsxSLlmcICakECTfbQdTAub7j9qi4LJMMGUSWMW_LD1sOFtKn1hy5C2rBm14DyL14pESjUVPI5E1ZJoN8/s320/IMG_2209.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389513786510173442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">We're mostly moved in. Most of our furniture and boxes are at least in the proper room. Most of the discarded packing paper has been bagged up and tossed in the garage. Most of the blinds have been hung. I'm mostly happy with our new house. There's almost enough cabinet space and almost enough natural light. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Everyone warned me of buyers remorse. And sure enough, after a few days of <span style="font-style: italic;">this is our house</span> euphoria, remorse has set in. I drive by blocks and blocks of old houses on my new commute and they make me a little sad. Even the ones that are a bit run down have enormous trees and countless windows. They probably have original wood floors, weird nooks in the kitchen and cabinets and telephone shelves built into the hall. Of course that's along with their cast iron pipes and shifting East Austin foundations.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Then I remember that our house doesn't require fixing. The yard is great big and Dog already loves it. Dog and Little Cat also love thundering up and down the stairs. We've met our friendly neighbors across the street who told us about the <a href="http://www.localharvest.org/farms/M15256">farm</a> we can walk to for fresh veggies, eggs and milk. I'm quite sure the remorse will fade as we get everything unpacked and all the empty boxes go the way of craigslist. I'm a certified nester and when my nest is in disarray I am too.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Picture: Big Cat feels about the same way about moving as I do. She spent almost 2 days in that cabinet.</span>Sarah C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17139208179562907917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382666168265067517.post-52863960322871914322009-09-29T16:39:00.002-05:002009-09-29T16:47:59.692-05:00Done and Done<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbF65HDX39I-_8lJ4KXhnm3f6rGfJB12Nb2lH_lrbI5Qh2dgCOxseE4kGuVV2dQN67ofXlW8tnbNs6901jkOL1mqmSEFK-Kmvyg189T9w1GQg3xsgW22kHxD3GzSgTcab3sCFBbgRc2U/s1600-h/IMG_2187.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbF65HDX39I-_8lJ4KXhnm3f6rGfJB12Nb2lH_lrbI5Qh2dgCOxseE4kGuVV2dQN67ofXlW8tnbNs6901jkOL1mqmSEFK-Kmvyg189T9w1GQg3xsgW22kHxD3GzSgTcab3sCFBbgRc2U/s400/IMG_2187.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387007615257370018" border="0" /></a><br /><br />As of about 1:30 this afternoon we are officially homeowners.Sarah C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17139208179562907917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382666168265067517.post-88428477309684107912009-09-22T16:05:00.005-05:002009-09-22T16:46:34.397-05:00Adoption Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3632/3369726384_b1a7648757.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3632/3369726384_b1a7648757.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">I watched a family being born today.<br /><br />Just after Spring Break of 2008 a giant, fussy 6 month old girl joined my infant class. She was restless, overfed and developmentally behind. Along with her foster family, we got to know her and over the next year and a half we watched her grow into a noisy, joyful and incredibly opinionated toddler. She went weekly to visit her birth mother who worked desperately to earn back her daughter. In August 2009, to everyone's surprise, birth mom and dad gave up rights to their little girl. I cried when foster-dad shared this news. Cried over all that birth mom and dad overcame and the maturity it took to acknowledge where this little girl belonged.<br /><br />Today was her adoption hearing. Mom, dad and big brother beamed, cried and squirmed while little miss ran circles around the courtroom visiting laps and squealing at the attention. The room was filled with family, friends and caregivers all dabbing eyes and sniffling as the adoption lawyer talked about her forever home. After formalities, the judge brought big brother and new little sister to the bench where they banged the gavel and became a real live family.<br /><br />The best part, a new middle name specially picked by big brother: Sunshine. Happy Adoption Day little miss Sunshine.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mickwatson/3369726384/">flickr: Travis County Courthouse</a></span><br /></span>Sarah C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17139208179562907917noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382666168265067517.post-42265104557737351782009-09-15T11:46:00.004-05:002009-09-15T12:01:37.441-05:00Almost Autumn<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSwxpRqIzELhdOm-8qM-mB5A5FhhODDB7PmQoAck3av3sOSvzu3bQPzMExL_KSf28LQ3FKjyA1z_snx6JRtCKmBubqSaH9XrGedi8l75BY67I5JLM6zMBr6GiYJbhhUyIAZCIiO-5ep8/s1600-h/IMG_2177.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSwxpRqIzELhdOm-8qM-mB5A5FhhODDB7PmQoAck3av3sOSvzu3bQPzMExL_KSf28LQ3FKjyA1z_snx6JRtCKmBubqSaH9XrGedi8l75BY67I5JLM6zMBr6GiYJbhhUyIAZCIiO-5ep8/s400/IMG_2177.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381739499734591746" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">I took a walk this morning. It was cool and overcast and that perfect kind of weather that threatens fall. I know it's a fluke, and it will be back in the 90's before the week is through. But this morning, in the pre-autumn breeze, I mailed our wedding invitations. Handfuls at a time into the weathered blue mailbox outside Nau's Drug Store where <a href="http://marysledd.com/">Mary</a> and I used to get burgers and bill them to <a href="http://www.sleddnursery.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Sledd Nursery</span></a> across the street.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KWW46_rNGYH8vwOW-NHnzaSUruTSJi6hUL36Rm6w8srSr5EHkpLrUGf2ewfqp7Hh2DK0zDIpEfDFY7gxFjc9362WRIY22lnvDPNwxzXgudPWzJRKo28ax4bbgE7h-zvXxiSJg5yhe8o/s1600-h/IMG_2179.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KWW46_rNGYH8vwOW-NHnzaSUruTSJi6hUL36Rm6w8srSr5EHkpLrUGf2ewfqp7Hh2DK0zDIpEfDFY7gxFjc9362WRIY22lnvDPNwxzXgudPWzJRKo28ax4bbgE7h-zvXxiSJg5yhe8o/s400/IMG_2179.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381740246994389698" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Then I walked back to work, slowly, and opened my office window to let in a little early fall.</span>Sarah C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17139208179562907917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382666168265067517.post-35666010903387168992009-09-10T11:37:00.002-05:002009-09-10T11:48:07.732-05:00The View<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNyGbdLXZRxDe2JJO31GcaPjaaHpc2Tit0A8k5S3eW1XV2AOf_KxZcn_oSO-88rGgkI7L2cJMhoFhs-qoy_pTnO8V9mdTBS6o3mAnJUvYGgga4yn7yVTXXN6JasfTB_6Nn6hCXdZX804/s1600-h/IMG_2161.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNyGbdLXZRxDe2JJO31GcaPjaaHpc2Tit0A8k5S3eW1XV2AOf_KxZcn_oSO-88rGgkI7L2cJMhoFhs-qoy_pTnO8V9mdTBS6o3mAnJUvYGgga4yn7yVTXXN6JasfTB_6Nn6hCXdZX804/s400/IMG_2161.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379879178880662930" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />After months of fighting with old homes we gave up. It's obviously not the right time for us to buy a project house. Almost overnight we shifted to the opposite end of the spectrum. We are officially buying a brand-spankin'-new, never been lived in house. We've both spent a few days mourning the idea of what we wanted. We're now working harder than ever to think of what we can do to make this new house a home and how we can make sure it reflects who we are. It's really the practical decision and we're increasingly excited about it. We never imagined we'd have so much space or such a large yard. The location is remarkably convenient and there are real live trees that are more than a year old. The particular subdivision we're moving to kept as many of the original elms and oaks as they could. We have two slightly scraggly native elms (as pictured above, the view from our bedroom window) and a large, bushy persimmon. <br /><br />This is the epitomy of a family home.<br /></span>Sarah C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17139208179562907917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382666168265067517.post-58854642586681248172009-08-30T11:29:00.009-05:002009-08-30T12:08:32.093-05:00Practice Bouquet<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwidcZt3pb-fvTmEzEgZIQW7KblNu1mS42jDLBNOnlxTdHnhIHQv34E5gf8gzfPRVw1BZTOBxStjJ73KT2e70PcEFijxWy18ZcDzkmIp-rFmCOCJYSzS-WQTyhPSA0hO72Gcuh75kcWw/s1600-h/arnoskys.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwidcZt3pb-fvTmEzEgZIQW7KblNu1mS42jDLBNOnlxTdHnhIHQv34E5gf8gzfPRVw1BZTOBxStjJ73KT2e70PcEFijxWy18ZcDzkmIp-rFmCOCJYSzS-WQTyhPSA0hO72Gcuh75kcWw/s400/arnoskys.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375804418962023538" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Yesterday we drove out to <a href="http://www.texascolor.com/">Texas Specialty Cut Flowers</a> to pick up flowers for our bouquet practice run. The farm has a market every Saturday where they sell their flowers and produce</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> along with things like raw milk cheese and goats milk lotion from neighboring farms. This weekend everything was self serve. There was a cash box and a calculator and a big sign requesting that people respect the honor system. We did, of course. We picked our two big bunches of flowers, a Mexican Coke (read real suga</span><span style="font-size:85%;">r instead of high fructose corn crack) and left our money in the cash box. Because it was self serve we were limited to mixed bouquets, instead of individual flowers. </span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCK-HzCcI6jFOixUATuFNxNHuYer7A216m9yFKkst5GyhWWN2HcwNl4cbjHo3c2R5TZ_d71PlmdNc4fi5HvaPzZ9SOw25UMmN7mJMNbv2c0r5Iq-Erwrv7I9FduCYQ1rNN7hZYFaKlWt0/s1600-h/kittyhelp.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 102px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCK-HzCcI6jFOixUATuFNxNHuYer7A216m9yFKkst5GyhWWN2HcwNl4cbjHo3c2R5TZ_d71PlmdNc4fi5HvaPzZ9SOw25UMmN7mJMNbv2c0r5Iq-Erwrv7I9FduCYQ1rNN7hZYFaKlWt0/s400/kittyhelp.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375804582533634082" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">With the help of the kitty, I separated all the flowers and cleaned off the leaves. Then I just used lots of floral tape and worked in a circle just like the DIY ladies on you.tube told me too. The bouquet I made yesterday is more the size what the bridesmaids will have and includes zinnias, coxcomb, pampas plume and some little spikey purple things. I'm quite glad we ended up with the mixed flowers. I never would have considered coxcombs (they look like fuzzy brains!) but the color and texture really mix well with zinnias. I'm actually surprised at how structured and solid it ended up. I can't wait to make the real bouquets! All 8 of them...yikes.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5niqKbKofnpfkItPuLZdBE02l8LS8ybyBVo8d8ZIVZ3EAvYIS7TObGDb9B8haYl5NeLUO1jbHsSBCyFOl6fGGRPDwdZwphNokptf5A3bF0xSc0fhkCAbCYYVqUp4_eoc0oTm5GXCXiw/s1600-h/bouquet.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 103px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5niqKbKofnpfkItPuLZdBE02l8LS8ybyBVo8d8ZIVZ3EAvYIS7TObGDb9B8haYl5NeLUO1jbHsSBCyFOl6fGGRPDwdZwphNokptf5A3bF0xSc0fhkCAbCYYVqUp4_eoc0oTm5GXCXiw/s400/bouquet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375804759066786402" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgZxgrUdnpVREHOA2rEfO6BNbaY_M35hcK1bcAhgJdQt1wy5Dbf7aDR_zcz53c4bcZxsNlLsgqrfXuYngJ-ULOwa9E7CMAU4AHCZY8b6FUnVpmtD8FDlasC8Nk8eecfKuvbMrtMa2eVc/s1600-h/bouquet.jpg"><br /></a>Sarah C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17139208179562907917noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382666168265067517.post-66544888838461027502009-08-27T12:15:00.004-05:002009-08-27T12:26:03.863-05:00Here Again<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlcvfqmPGhu-YhIY2EruGZyEHRsD1i3D15H8wldgowyShLcyipCrL-qZJDXc_ZQc2PsANlRrS5Cv9KjlS-W906_1tSMUoyDBhtqUienE56fSTmpWL-k45tk9Gxy4k-mF9YJKlfPQWUWg/s1600-h/IMG_2081.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlcvfqmPGhu-YhIY2EruGZyEHRsD1i3D15H8wldgowyShLcyipCrL-qZJDXc_ZQc2PsANlRrS5Cv9KjlS-W906_1tSMUoyDBhtqUienE56fSTmpWL-k45tk9Gxy4k-mF9YJKlfPQWUWg/s320/IMG_2081.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374695707978033714" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">This is what the back patio on the potential house looked like yesterday afternoon. I'll save everyone from having to view the lovely stagnant water that is currently residing in the abandoned septic tank that the plumber unearthed yesterday morning. Though I have pictures of that too. For posterity, of course. And proof. This would be the very same septic tank the seller swears up and down is not in fact a septic tank and also swears that it has been filled with dirt. If by dirt they mean dirty water then they're right on. If not...then we have a problem. The house also failed the static plumbing test which means there's a leak somewhere in the sewer pipe. Awesome. Seems that putting cast iron plumbing directly into concrete is a really fantastic idea...until it isn't. Especially when jack-hammering up the middle of the living room floor becomes the only solution. Fortunately the plumber thinks the leak is above the slab, probably a drain trap from one of the showers which requires much less jack-hammer action to fix. This is assuming the sellers are willing to approve the work. Their agent is on vacation all week (!!) and our option period ends Monday. It's a shame this process is so horribly boring.</span>Sarah C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17139208179562907917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382666168265067517.post-8559787337398948972009-08-21T14:22:00.004-05:002009-08-21T14:44:02.001-05:00Progress<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfyJLIkVdWztxSJxjVacqsyVJY2QRtXhlGoRtPljHoHD3dmxHkmmtpqPvHMajKtpI6kLFgLaL8MXnSp-BXPNRPLRg-ad5m31s0ALNsP0N1twO3wSDCuitFu_3I6SMhG-A5HPoBIe91i8/s1600-h/IMG_1853.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfyJLIkVdWztxSJxjVacqsyVJY2QRtXhlGoRtPljHoHD3dmxHkmmtpqPvHMajKtpI6kLFgLaL8MXnSp-BXPNRPLRg-ad5m31s0ALNsP0N1twO3wSDCuitFu_3I6SMhG-A5HPoBIe91i8/s320/IMG_1853.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372504864563481042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Things seem to be progressing on the house front. As expected, the FHA appraisal came in well below the contracted price. Amazingly, the sellers are taking it and we've actually come to a negotiation that will work for everyone. I was beginning to think that wasn't even possible in the home buying world. So we'll do final inspections next week and pray that we don't find something that wasn't found in the other 2 inspections done earlier this year. Our projected close date is September 15th, and since I hear that closing is even more stressful the the rest of the process there will be no collective sighs of relief. Not yet. Until then we'll busy busy ourselves with packing and working on our list and trying not to loose all touch with the rest of the world.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">It's easy to get so sucked into the vortex of wedding planning and home buying and "<span style="font-style: italic;">omg we have so much to do!</span>" that we forget about those people around us who make us happy. </span><span style="font-size:85%;">This weekend we're beach bound with friends (and 2 of my favorite almost 2 year olds) after game night with other friends. We'll recharge our batteries with IBC Root Beer, board games, sand castles & sunshine and we'll be ready Monday morning to resume the maddness. </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Picture: Our soon-to-be long hallway</span></span>Sarah C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17139208179562907917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382666168265067517.post-51443423568625157862009-08-17T14:24:00.006-05:002009-09-14T12:41:54.230-05:00To Do<span style="font-size:85%;">We're reaching that critical count down oh so quickly. It's been almost a year since I started devouring wedding blogs. The first of which was <a href="http://apraciticalwedding.com/">apracticalwedding.com</a>. It was so gratifying to watch Meg through her final countdown, maintaining her perspective and having a grand ol' time. I can only hope to stay so zen in the coming months.<br /><br />Here's my current 'must finish by the end of August' list:<br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><strike>Finish the invitations </strike> (thanks to assembly line style help from Al & Angela 9/12)<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Design and make the programs (so far this has involved lots of cursing at both Photoshop and my printer which has suddenly decided that it's anti-cardstock)</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><strike>Reprint the RSVP inserts which have the wrong website address...oops</strike> (also thanks to help from Al & Angela)<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Finish my organza flower hairpiece</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Finish the organza flower corsages</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Finish bridesmaid oak leaf necklaces</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><strike>Make a trip out to the <a href="http://www.texascolor.com/">Arnosky's farm</a> when it is actually open and get flowers for a bouquet trial run</strike> (<a href="http://ssarahtops.blogspot.com/2009/08/practice-bouquet.html">done!</a> 8/29)<br /></span></li></ul><span style="font-size:85%;">Diana has her very own to-do list:<br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><strike>Stamp all the velum envelope liners</strike><br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Finish ripping all of her million CD's so she can make the song list for the day<br /></span></li><li><strike><span style="font-size:85%;">At least figure out if not purchase</span></strike><span style="font-size:85%;"> and have altered </span><strike><span style="font-size:85%;">clothes for the big day </span></strike><span style="font-size:85%;">(yay! done 8/19)</span></li></ul><span style="font-size:85%;">And finally we must:<br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><strike>Write the ceremony</strike></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><strike>Finalize the text for our wedding certificate</strike> (emailed to Steph who's making our gorgeous wedding certificate)<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Complete premarital counseling</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Finalize details for wedding #2 in Connecticut</span></li></ul><span style="font-size:85%;">Ok. Maybe it will be our 'must finish by mid-September' lists. We'll see. Unfortunately there's a whole different set of lists in the works for September so we'd better get to work!</span>Sarah C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17139208179562907917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382666168265067517.post-34669033498118801492009-08-13T10:02:00.004-05:002009-08-13T10:28:08.184-05:003rd Times a Charm<span style="font-size:85%;">Or 3 strikes you're out?<br /><br />We're officially under contract on a new house. Part of me feels that we shouldn't count our chickens before they hatch, but they're not being counted so much as documented. This blog is as much for me as it is for the 3 other people who read it, so I want to document as much of this process as I can. We're fulling expecting to have appraisal issues again (darn you FHA) but hopefully this time we can work it to our advantage. The home itself is wonderful. Built in 1961, orange brick, oozing with old lady charm (ie: pink tile in the bathroom). It's begging for a few coats of paint and new flooring but otherwise fits us perfectly. And so we begin that painfully stressful countdown of the option period, where we throw money at inspectors and beg the sellers to fix just one more thing. And maybe, just maybe this time we'll make it to closing. Hopefully I won't spiral into complete insanity between now and September 15th.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhryJtI8edCAZGjnp3ixZxqKcGy7wvjb_NrN8jAsBuxNv7_iCKY1zoLqafv49rDJg348TZl0wiSW4bOevXAS6BLwVeU7vTQZbV4aoChE88MX3zs6vQakNpbDQ7OAfT4WOyMollttGBdww8/s1600-h/IMG_1881.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhryJtI8edCAZGjnp3ixZxqKcGy7wvjb_NrN8jAsBuxNv7_iCKY1zoLqafv49rDJg348TZl0wiSW4bOevXAS6BLwVeU7vTQZbV4aoChE88MX3zs6vQakNpbDQ7OAfT4WOyMollttGBdww8/s320/IMG_1881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369470010148017906" border="0" /></a>Sarah C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17139208179562907917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382666168265067517.post-14201882106033552962009-08-11T14:10:00.006-05:002009-08-11T14:38:01.479-05:00Sunday & Pens<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2028/1809722779_db4ea6e996.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 356px; height: 237px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2028/1809722779_db4ea6e996.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Since my dad passed away, Mom has spent much of her time rearranging and recovering and buying new furniture. The first thing she sent home with us was Dad's arm chair. I don't think she could stand to see it empty. Since then she has been slowly going through the condo passing on Dad's belongings. We've come home with several computers, a few hard drives, a modem and a printer. Once we move we'll be inheriting 3 7-foot bookcases and Dad's enormous sci-fi/fantasy first edition collection that currently resides in them (which we'll most likely sell the majority of). By no means do I think she's trying to erase him...I think this is her way of grieving and removing some of the day-to-day reminders (not to mention, she doesn't need 5 computers when she won't use PC's anyway).<br /><br />I'm getting used coming home with boxes of Dad's left behinds....but I wasn't prepared for Sunday. Mom finally went through the desk in Dad's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ham_radio">Ham</a> Shack (N5UJ). My box included things like the cardboard kaleidescope I made him when I was 9 and the brass Texas Bicentenial belt buckle he wore anytime he wore blue jeans. It also included about half of his large pen collection. He treasured his pens. He used to tell me that he wrote too hard so using a fountain pen forced him to write gently. He always had one in his front shirt pocket. Always. He went through years of trying different pens to find the one he loved. His favorite for the last few years was a vanishing tip retractable fountain pen. I have two of them now. Along with the first fountain pen I remember him buying and several my Grandmother gave him when he started collecting. Maybe it's time to start caring about what I write with just as much as I care about what I write. Maybe I need to force myself to be more gentle and more intentional with my words. Maybe I still miss him an awful lot and wish he were here to guide us through this stressful home buying experience.<br /><br />Instead I'll write with his pens and hope somehow I can channel a bit of his wisdom through the bright blue ink.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />flickr: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kukkurovaca/1809722779/">Namike Vanishing Point</a></span><br /></span>Sarah C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17139208179562907917noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382666168265067517.post-71273468823210052009-08-09T22:13:00.008-05:002009-08-09T23:01:35.337-05:00Operation Invitation!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7LTqABFUKD2QsOpGWZO0orvKkOgjhNhXxV2tYmEsGtv5fYLlnJsLp68DtWwMet5FIJac83-qZvckTwLhRBQ_o5R5UGl1x4Qmrr8rC3l9d_Cmbis0uG-xH3idEcW5HjjZY2wnMhJAy-I/s1600-h/oppinvite.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 245px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7LTqABFUKD2QsOpGWZO0orvKkOgjhNhXxV2tYmEsGtv5fYLlnJsLp68DtWwMet5FIJac83-qZvckTwLhRBQ_o5R5UGl1x4Qmrr8rC3l9d_Cmbis0uG-xH3idEcW5HjjZY2wnMhJAy-I/s320/oppinvite.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368171467652767666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Operation Invitation! I resolved, on Saturday, that I would finish all the evil stamping and embossing that was making me crazy. And then I realized I didn't have enough velum (I can honestly say that's the first time I've ever had that problem). I've done everything I can do up to finishing the envelope liners...the official light</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> at the end of the tunnel. Now to wait until Ho.bby Lo.bby marks pack</span><span style="font-size:85%;">aged scrap booking paper half off. Here's the bits and pieces thus far:<br />- printed on our home computer on cream linen textured card stock then layered onto dark brown linen card stock<br />- the leaves are stamped in colored ink then embossed with clear embossing powder<br />- the envelopes are cream linen and lined with clear/white velum stamped with the same leaf stamp as the invitations<br />- the RSVP cards are just an insert with the website address of our 'website' where people RSVP as well as my phone number and the street address of the wedding location</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">- the back of both the invitation and RSVP insert is stamped with acorns in clear ink then em</span><span style="font-size:85%;">bossed with clear embossing powder<br />Texture is really big for both of us and since we couldn't do letter press or raised print we relied on heavily textured paper and the clear embossing of the stamps. I'm thrilled with the results. They're very autumn a</span><span style="font-size:85%;">nd very tactile.<br /><br />I also realize that I mentioned the save the dates a while back but never posted them. I designed them in Ph.otoshop using one of the engagement portraits by <a href="http://marysledd.com/">Ms. Sledd</a> then printed them through overnightprints. They have a shiny UV coating on the front and rounded edges. They were mailed in cream colored envelopes with different colored specks (they were on clearance at Offi.ce M.ax).<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfxdRrQQQqfxqNgANemxB9fkYN5z_5g7axymaENsd0FjKjWyOwUkC9i_tEB0kewEVSIYLo3cWwGrp0MAjsEwZG3ePXeBHbPkjDBbu_pGsCCKX-mQSt9FOlqGoPRPpMrTLy0nXtYIFBKw/s1600-h/savethefrontback.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 125px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfxdRrQQQqfxqNgANemxB9fkYN5z_5g7axymaENsd0FjKjWyOwUkC9i_tEB0kewEVSIYLo3cWwGrp0MAjsEwZG3ePXeBHbPkjDBbu_pGsCCKX-mQSt9FOlqGoPRPpMrTLy0nXtYIFBKw/s320/savethefrontback.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368171728311562690" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">After managing to remove embossing powder off every inch of my body, we headed down to Zilker Park Hillside Theater for the Music Man. For the first time in a month it was below 120°F</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> and breezy. We got sandwiches from Thundercloud and enjoyed a great production. Wonderful free stuff like that makes me so happy to live in Austin. However...I've been whistling <span style="font-style: italic;">76 Trombones</span> all.day.long.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZQA_Mn05rKn_cLYo_taXnTlI9QNWLxs_1sA8wwUlglJKMvXVjurTHVLTht_m3zWPNiXiJSRm15Sk6oSF1kyKVKXCul_LP8_irQTZ_rV4ZvJ0XlEnC9a23NI4WNMHEGgHThM83AQkcRM/s1600-h/music-man.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 124px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZQA_Mn05rKn_cLYo_taXnTlI9QNWLxs_1sA8wwUlglJKMvXVjurTHVLTht_m3zWPNiXiJSRm15Sk6oSF1kyKVKXCul_LP8_irQTZ_rV4ZvJ0XlEnC9a23NI4WNMHEGgHThM83AQkcRM/s320/music-man.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368175181339102946" border="0" /></a>Sarah C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17139208179562907917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382666168265067517.post-4836694446537870772009-08-03T15:24:00.000-05:002009-08-03T15:37:03.802-05:00Changing GearsWe have officially walked away from the contract on the Gordon house. As wonderful and amazing as that house was, there were inspection and appraisal issues not to mention the seller and the sellers agent were amazingly difficult to deal with. We're hoping the 3rd time's a charm. We went out hunting on Sunday and found another very similar home that we're doing our homework on and will hopefully submit an offer this week. We definitely seem to have developed a distinct taste that we weren't so aware of the beginning. Three times now we've gravitated toward nearly identical houses that have the following things in common:<br />1. Built in the 1960's<br />2. Ranch style (wide with a lower roof line)<br />3. Red/orange brick or limestone<br />4. Big trees<br />5. Nearly quarter acre lots<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizF0XhRT6pLXL289WoeYk3dFbTfjSSQjh4Fd-7lcvLq5Cf-xVn6foGfJPP7PsSEHGZ38skAw7wXYxINE8nQL2bEl6gCwMCztiFmil6uQ3ZR9o0IdK3wIC9bfn-Qq3ihVfj0sdhQDMlq0E/s1600-h/IMG_1847.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizF0XhRT6pLXL289WoeYk3dFbTfjSSQjh4Fd-7lcvLq5Cf-xVn6foGfJPP7PsSEHGZ38skAw7wXYxINE8nQL2bEl6gCwMCztiFmil6uQ3ZR9o0IdK3wIC9bfn-Qq3ihVfj0sdhQDMlq0E/s320/IMG_1847.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365838915298201010" border="0" /></a>In between house hunting and more house hunting we've been switching gears back to wedding planning. We're just over 3 months away from the big day and have a lot to do! I spent much of this weekend covered in ink and embossing powder (that effing stuff gets <span style="font-weight: bold;">everywhere</span>). Here I am stamping oak leaves on to the velum envelope liners for the invitations (please ignore the mess behind me, we've started packing and that bookcase has become the catch all for things to pack). Hand making your own invitations is an incredibly good motivation to have a very small wedding. Too bad I didn't realize that before I sent out the save the dates which I designed on photoshop and printed through <a href="http://overnightprints.com/">overnightprints.com</a> so were far less work. I'm really proud of the finished product though, assuming I ever complete more than just the prototype.Sarah C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17139208179562907917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382666168265067517.post-16539305314678463802009-07-26T11:36:00.000-05:002009-07-26T11:48:29.570-05:00A Day Off<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSydn84XlbCWSe3y6-b8R1-eDjvh0Ui8zCKRH3vGPzjc3NWI_O_V5roZERIG4o5d0dnFbPtww151hzr-vIGmHf_88rhurjTj87Msn2mvkBUv0Pk4ys8eKNbHxsY49n-t0Bv3WiDbqprAI/s1600-h/tori+003.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSydn84XlbCWSe3y6-b8R1-eDjvh0Ui8zCKRH3vGPzjc3NWI_O_V5roZERIG4o5d0dnFbPtww151hzr-vIGmHf_88rhurjTj87Msn2mvkBUv0Pk4ys8eKNbHxsY49n-t0Bv3WiDbqprAI/s320/tori+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362810602895333506" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Since we've officially been granted an extension on our option period, we've met with every possible contractor and inspector and our Realtor has helped us to come up with a list of requests, we decided to take yesterday off from caring about the house. We got all dolled up and went to see Tori Amos at the <a href="http://www.thelongcenter.org/">Long Center</a>. It's my first time going to the Long Center and I must say it was beautiful. We had great seats for a spectacular performance and the view of down town from the terrace was incredible. After a wonderful show we went to <a href="http://kerbylanecafe.com/">Kerby Lane</a> south for queso and a sandwich. Quite the perfect date night.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVYhJqXmL76vSHzeu__xJ-vt1qBabrnSUKpH3M6koMfk7TUf3TfIeuFa_Yp8QP-WWz1XT5ZYZ1YGe52VpQA0MB6nqtnpKvhSagwSri33jJPX0mVJ-o2yDf3FAdv3Hco4Zfavb58GgQNA/s1600-h/IMG00091-20090725-2238.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVYhJqXmL76vSHzeu__xJ-vt1qBabrnSUKpH3M6koMfk7TUf3TfIeuFa_Yp8QP-WWz1XT5ZYZ1YGe52VpQA0MB6nqtnpKvhSagwSri33jJPX0mVJ-o2yDf3FAdv3Hco4Zfavb58GgQNA/s320/IMG00091-20090725-2238.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362811424900574178" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">And now we go back to waiting for a response from the seller on our requests (demands?).<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzHURK30TTEGDtsKKUILZxpg-fGe5FOZgRyJomCFwYCQBpxPQa0niE7CALHSyFtiX5vxzyZHiKt0slnsukDeld2KF2zvH4nXFRN-mC-deoewxKstSSOpxhD7kny7vZpprYH55nzSAlRSg/s1600-h/tori+009.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzHURK30TTEGDtsKKUILZxpg-fGe5FOZgRyJomCFwYCQBpxPQa0niE7CALHSyFtiX5vxzyZHiKt0slnsukDeld2KF2zvH4nXFRN-mC-deoewxKstSSOpxhD7kny7vZpprYH55nzSAlRSg/s320/tori+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362810819486550162" border="0" /></a>Sarah C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17139208179562907917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382666168265067517.post-60494934873720254382009-07-22T17:00:00.000-05:002009-07-22T17:23:34.290-05:00Inside Out<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ibZ0gOPmTrEN_fDUHp3MKjhsvQphJmPBKJn7JMHEBP9uKD_EagwvvSMFAXyXQisAsXbYVHmtINfrNRBvjYXmkyzMTnB0aA5ABT05Zvj-s0fnBUb0c5pRtg-_ZgmYB6AYM9e2TBF4FM8/s1600-h/july+009.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ibZ0gOPmTrEN_fDUHp3MKjhsvQphJmPBKJn7JMHEBP9uKD_EagwvvSMFAXyXQisAsXbYVHmtINfrNRBvjYXmkyzMTnB0aA5ABT05Zvj-s0fnBUb0c5pRtg-_ZgmYB6AYM9e2TBF4FM8/s320/july+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361413395205736018" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />I can now say I've seen the inside of a sewer pipe. Specifically a sewer pipe that contains a big fat root from the lovely tree in the front yard. I've also seen an ancient roof with hail damage and rotten plywood. And last but not least, I've seen exactly what an exterior electrical panel should <span style="font-weight: bold;">not </span>look like. We knew there was a problem when 4 consecutive people (2 building inspectors and 2 licensed master electricians) took the cover off, cocked their head to one side, stared for about 5 minutes before shaking their heads and saying "what the HELL did this guy do?!". The only good news...no termites!<br /><br />Now for negotiations. If seller-man won't at least bring the electrical work up to code and replace the roof (or give us back the money to do it ourselves) then this house may not be ours after all. I mean really, who wants to buy a fire trap with a leaky roof and a clogged toilet? All the cosmetic stuff is amazing...new wood floors, tile and carpet, new cabinets and appliances, new light and plumbing fixtures. But what good does that do it when it's charred and soggy. Very little, I'd say.<br /><br /></span>Sarah C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17139208179562907917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382666168265067517.post-14883752795282400922009-07-20T11:47:00.000-05:002009-07-20T12:13:40.982-05:00Learning Curve<span style="font-size:85%;">We had our official home inspection Sunday morning. It was nerve racking waiting to see what all is wrong. This was also the time everyone came to check out the house. At one point D's dad and the inspector were up on the roof bouncing up and down while my mom wandered around measuring things. My dear friend Amanda came by with her son, Ronan - who's almost 2. He inspected the big sticks in the back yard and made sure to check all the doors for us (don't worry, they work). Amanda's dad is a building inspector and he provided a 3rd (4th? 5th?) opinion for us along with an idea of what work needs to be done. Fortunately, it's a pretty solid little house it just has some electrical issues and could really stand to have a new roof due to past hail damage.<br /><br />On Tuesday we'll have a hydro-static plumbing test and termite inspection as well as meet with a roofing company and an electrician to get bids on the work that needs to be done. I feel lik</span><span style="font-size:85%;">e I'm learning so much through this process, but it's still really overwhelming. I don't want to miss a single step and end up with a really expensive problem. I'm beyond excited about starting completely fresh with D in a house where we'll hopefully live for a long long time. <br /><br />How about a half-bath today?<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3dighyphenhyphenjPul6qPWDULFTMORJCkXcAQ_yEcb6pGpo0w_vqA1RsLMNoJ2cRgzOYNJNuYXoTnJkUZrc5zti5v2zmqRRFttQSmjaF7xuz7TX5llp-mB2GK_6AS3A8MmCk5-ItriCiDynk_gU/s1600-h/IMG_1761.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3dighyphenhyphenjPul6qPWDULFTMORJCkXcAQ_yEcb6pGpo0w_vqA1RsLMNoJ2cRgzOYNJNuYXoTnJkUZrc5zti5v2zmqRRFttQSmjaF7xuz7TX5llp-mB2GK_6AS3A8MmCk5-ItriCiDynk_gU/s320/IMG_1761.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360591596470352210" border="0" /></a>Sarah C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17139208179562907917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382666168265067517.post-1456491988654687102009-07-17T15:44:00.000-05:002009-07-17T16:37:48.887-05:00Progress<span style="font-size:85%;">So after a full week of pulling our hair out we have a contract. Not a full house yet, just a contract...but at least that's something. Inspections are schedule for this weekend and hopefully in 30 days - give or take - we'll have a real live house of our very own.<br /><br />Now to tease with another, though slightly less obscure, picture. Enjoy...</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7d416wY9qD6OMnuj4eCjGdtSBtZm5ETS44DycSwe_eTHUMtm1mUxVfyV2-_nD_x2xsIQLGJreGWtCoMk_IFn-s9vyJ9hpXv0KOB2HaY1T7W9bQpnD6Kbasm20fC6JiOH6DYr3OYp3-s8/s1600-h/IMG_1746.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7d416wY9qD6OMnuj4eCjGdtSBtZm5ETS44DycSwe_eTHUMtm1mUxVfyV2-_nD_x2xsIQLGJreGWtCoMk_IFn-s9vyJ9hpXv0KOB2HaY1T7W9bQpnD6Kbasm20fC6JiOH6DYr3OYp3-s8/s320/IMG_1746.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359533699712156962" border="0" /></a>Sarah C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17139208179562907917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382666168265067517.post-82177432462302542282009-07-13T15:34:00.000-05:002009-07-17T15:51:04.412-05:00Tick Tick Tock<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/28/60496147_3330a11d13.jpg?v=1161767291"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/28/60496147_3330a11d13.jpg?v=1161767291" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">So we're a whole 50 hours away from our offer and we still have no word from the seller. Our Realtor called on rant-mode about how unacceptable it is to hold an offer this long with no response and that she was going to call and demand a response immediately. Here! Here! Of course that was 3 hours ago. So much for immediate.<br /><br />This process definitely helps me understand why people by new homes. You sit down and negotiate the features of your house like a new car. There's no one waiting to outbid you and no seller holding out for the best offer. But we want an old house. With trees and a story and neighbors who've been there 40 years. Silly us for being so picky.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >picture: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwr/60496147/">Flickr squared circles - clocks</a></span>Sarah C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17139208179562907917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382666168265067517.post-80698760958145961442009-07-11T13:23:00.000-05:002009-07-17T15:50:58.028-05:00Fingers Crossed<span style="font-size:85%;">Alright World, please keep your proverbial fingers crossed. We just submitted an offer on a fantastically wonderful little house. Out of pure superstition there will be no pictures until we know more. In the mean time...enjoy the back yard in all it's ginormous glory.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguc7hyphenhyphenvqOiEEv2hW0LUAJKbMMt3NfZ7C0DTI2F0bRYGYoz50Q0MERQdbB55qrVLHSv6pjVkwvAhD6A3-8PHuJ2BhO_IHFVHniLVA0FCSKZJ9nU5KMoM6Xje8wLcO4G1wHhwge1yiBkYAM/s1600-h/gordon+009.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguc7hyphenhyphenvqOiEEv2hW0LUAJKbMMt3NfZ7C0DTI2F0bRYGYoz50Q0MERQdbB55qrVLHSv6pjVkwvAhD6A3-8PHuJ2BhO_IHFVHniLVA0FCSKZJ9nU5KMoM6Xje8wLcO4G1wHhwge1yiBkYAM/s320/gordon+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357271548439770930" border="0" /></a>Sarah C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17139208179562907917noreply@blogger.com0