House Inspection

We had the house inspection yesterday. Sadly, everything they told us Matthew pretty much already knew BUT! at least no one could say that it wasn't professionally done. Good news afterwards. The house was kept in great condition and we have practically a new heating and cooling system in the home-- and an energy efficient one at that! phew! That was most definitely a sigh of relief. We thought for sure there had to be something wrong with the house.

The house inspection also gave us the opportunity to check the house over again and figure out how things are going to go when the remodeling starts. Popeye normally has to say at least one time when we're discussing stuff that he's going to leave me at home next time, but I think deep down he appreciates my ideas :O) (at least we use some of them, so I figure that supports that theory anyways!) Anyway, I took pictures so I'm hoping to post them sometime soon so you'll be able to view a before and a long away 'after'. -Olive

My Mother's Dilema

My mother, bless her heart, has had her identity stolen. Okay, not really stolen, more like borrowed. Someone used her name to write a not so nice article about a fire department in another town that, in all honesty, none of even know where its at! She's gotten a few phone calls about the article from people in the town and she's had to explain that it was not her. The editor of the newspaper is supposed to write a retraction note in the paper so no one is trying to beat down my parent's door, but from what we can gather the paper is only put out once a week. So we're praying no one was THAT offended that my mother will have to issue a restraining order in the next week :O)

A House

We have a house! So, we're not really closed on the deal yet but we're well on our way to getting it. It's a 'little' one-story brick home that needs what you might call a lot of TLC. The inside is all wood paneling, no drywall so that's fixer upper #1. It's a 3 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath, so making it a 3/2 is fixer upper number #2. And lastly but not so cheaply is a very small kitchen that needs to be a bigger kitchen, fixer upper number #3.

It's a rather big home, though, with almost 2,000 square feet. It really has a whole lot of potential and Popeye and I are both REALLY excited for this project to sink our fingers into. Popeye has really missed not having stuff to do around the house this past year since we were living in an apt, but this will no longer be a problem (well, for awhile anyways). I'm looking forward to stripping the cabinets and revarnishing them in the laundry room and picking out paint colors. It's a really great opportunity for Popeye to put to use some of the knowledge passed down from his dad and for me to learn how to do some of this remodeling stuff around the house! I may just have to wear a tool belt :O) I'll be posting before and after pics on here as things hop along so you can see the progress. -Olive

Time With the Fam

After my bro's graduation, Popeye flew back home and I got to stay two more days. No matter how you look at it, when you fly back home you can never have truly 'restful' days. They are ALWAYS packed with things to do and people to see. It often feels like to me that some of my closest friends and family get shortchanged--especially my family! However, it was as relaxing of a trip as I've taken yet. I saw both sets of grandparents at graduation, visited the library, played the marble game with my grandpa, went shopping my my mom and two sisters, had ice cream with a good friend to catch up, and went to VBS. Overall, an awesome trip! It was sad to leave, though I looked forward to seeing Popeye again! I'm not sure how I would have made it if he hadn't showed up halfway through!

My Bro's Graduation

My bro graduated on Sunday! It was strange being back at my old high school though fun to show Popeye around a bit too. Popeye's brother and new sister-in-law came to spend the day with us which was fun to see them there, though it was a packed house at the open house afterwards that sadly we didn't get to spend much time with them! However, three cheers that there was no tripping, stumbling, or falling at the graduation ceremony! That's always the scariest part of the day! -Olive

Surprise

Popeye surprised me! I had flew to IN for my bro's graduation and BF's personal shower. I got back from the personal shower at 10:30ish at night. I had just gotten off the phone with Popeye and he seemed anxious to get off the phone. When I walked through the door at my parent's house, tired and ready to go to bed.... there he was. Sitting in my parent's family room eating McDonald's with my little sister. He flew up for my brother's grad and is going to have to fly back bright and early Mon. morning but he came. And he brought a mustang ;o)

-Olive

Work Trip With Popeye

We made it home safe. Popeye had the two day training in Atlanta with his company. While he was at training all day, I got to do whatever I wanted... as long as I didn't need a car. While somewhat stranded, it was relaxing.

Day #1: Ate breakfast and watched HGTV (the 24-hour home decorating station!), worked on the computer, learned about patio layout on HGTV, sat in the hot tub, worked on my scrapbooking, fell asleep watching HGTV. Sounds like a stressful day, huh?

Once Popeye and -B (his coworker) made it back we went out to eat at Olive Garden. I've been craving that place for awhile but the once closest to us is ALWAYS busy. It was delicious! We shopped at the outlet mall for awhile and headed back to the hotel.

Day #2: Woke up WAY too early, got dropped off at Lowe's where I put some of HGTV's lessons into action, walked over to Target where I spent 3 Hours! walking around the store.. picking up something to buy... and putting it back about 20 minutes later after I had talked myself out of buying it, Bed Bath and Beyond huge sale!, Ross's where I bought some carry-on luggage for my trip up to see my family this upcoming weekend, walked a whole lot more. By 1 o'clock I ended up at a book store to sit down and read some home decorating books and then on to reading a few chapters of a fiction book until they showed up. Phew! My feet are sore!

Popeye and I are home now and we just got done playing two very exciting games of Dutch Bliss. I love that with this many people we can play in teams with no problem! It's so time for bed though. Tomorrow we hope to take one last look at the top three homes on our list to finalize which one we want to put the offer in on! YEAH! Either way, I'm getting painting ideas ready in my head :O) -Olive

They're Back!

Popeye's family is back from their trip and they sure are glad to be home! They've been gone for little over a week and I definitely don't blame them. It's good to have them back. While I love spending time with just Popeye, the (big) empty house was a little too quiet. It's time for bed though... well, for them but me too! Popeye has training in Atlanta Monday through Wednesday and his company said I could come too! YEAH! (oh the perks of not having to work!). So tomorrow we'll be heading out with -B, another coworker of his. -Olive