WE GOT IT!!!!

Phew! Today we are officially home owners. Which also means, like most of America, really, really, really in debt. We are now looking forward to the remodeling and trying not to get too excited due to the upcoming trip to the midwest. The most we intend to do before then is new locks on the doors and pulling up the carpeting for our return... but that hasn't stopped me from looking. I'm scouring the papers for discounted/slightly used items that would work! We WILL do this in a reasonable amount!!!

Well, anyway. You'll be glad to see that I'm FINALLY putting up pictures. It's a little late coming but now you'll be able to see what we're up against! Not horrible, but we're ready to sink our teeth into the project... and pick out a color for the walls other than white!!!! I'm ready to see the colors of the rainbow!!! I'll post some pictures as we go and then of the finished product later for a comparison sort of thing!!! YEAH!!!

-Olive

Date Weekend

Popeye has worked the last three weeks straight trying to make enough overtime cash to remodel our hopefully upcoming kitchen without taking out a loan. Due to this, I haven't seen a whole lot of my wonderful husband so we made it pretty much a date weekend. We stayed out late Saturday, doing random errands. Then on Sunday night we went out again, getting some ice cream at Dairy Queen and looking at some cars in local dealerships (a favorite past time of my hubby). It was a catch-up weekend as well as a getting-us-through weekend, as he plans on working the next two weeks in a row before we head to the midwest to visit the fam and go to a wedding. Ahh.... I love finding time for just the two of us. -Olive

Oh Where Is July 15th?

We've passed! Hallelujah, Amen Brother Ben! We've passed our termite inspection and on to bigger and better things- paperwork! In fact, we've turned that in as well. We're really just sitting and waiting on our big beautiful house to be ours. I'm not really sure how long this will take but we're supposed to close on July 15th, a beautiful sunny day, high 90s with just a slight breeze and no bugs or mosquito-like-birds (or is that bird-like- mosquitoes?) Anyway, its real hard just sitting back and waiting. I'm driving Popeye to the end of his hair-- whatever will be left after he pulls it all out.

The deal-O is, I think I'm going to snap... jump right into that deep end. I can't say I've ever had a fabulous patience but God continues to test me on this issue and each time, boy, I think He shakes His head when He sees I've started back at the beginning. As I explain it to Popeye (in order to shed a better light on the subject) its really not a patience issue but rather a get-r-done sort of attitude. I'm productive and used to high levels of activity and working to accomplish a goal. I don't do procrastination very easy. Well, he might somewhat believe me. Either way, say a pray that no one has snapped by July 15th and that we all still have our hair (despite stress or otherwise!).

-Olive

"Busi"ness Work

Me and the girls have been working extremely hard recently on our new enterprises. We're starting out own business which we hope to set up at an upcoming festival and sell our wares (along with a highly raved about website in which anyone can also purchase our fine products). What are they making you may ask... well, let me tell you. We're designing beaded clips for your hair, beaded AND cloth watches, along with other various branches of the business that we're planning on going into once we make our mark in the world. The name of the business is Wild Flowers. Somewhat fitting since we will be working on diversifying our wares after a trial period of time. I will post the website address once it is fulling up and running for all those who will flood our bandwidth with orders and requests.

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

A Reccommended Blog

I was recently made aware that there is another couple more 'happily-ever-after' than Popeye and me. In fact, their blog sounds like its going to be inspiring and educational all in one. With that, I highly recommend that you bookmark this upcoming blog address for your personal enjoyment and reading pleasure. :O) I'm sure the Bahlers will not disappoint you!

http://bahlersmorehappilyeverafter.blogspot.com/

First Year Anniversary

Tuesday was the day marking Popeye and my first year wedding anniversary. We decided to hold off until the weekend b/c of everything else that was going on. What did we decide to do, you might ask?! We bought season passes to Wild Adventure, an 'amusement' park in Valdosta. We can go back now all year long (and bring friends w/complimentary friend tickets) ! Popeye's brother even came with us and bought season passes! Today we went to the water park portion. They had water slides, a wave pool, lazy river, and some huge playground contraption for little kids that shoots water out everywhere.

The best part of the day though wasn't even the water park or one of the many rides there. It was the bridge you cross over after riding the wettest log ride I've ever seen. The bridge passes right over where the boats fall and if you're standing there, you get BLASTED with a wave of water that beats even the ride! It was amazing! Popeye, his brother, and I stood there and experienced that for at least two turns! A refreshing afternoon in the heat, but for when we don't feel like driving there--there's still the water hose outback :O) -Olive

Officially Moved Out

So today we are officially moved out of our apt.... that has a pool.... that's open due to the fact its 90 degrees and extremely humid here. Somedays, when I step outside I think we were a little crazy to move out until we had to but, God provides and his parents have a hose hooked up outback :O) It's a little sad to see the apt go. It really starts to feel like home after awhile, though I'm admittedly glad the first leg of moving is over... and that any more moving we have will be going DOWN two flights of steps instead of up them! Once we have our new address I'll send out an email to everyone. If you could, everyone please pray for a quick and speedy deal/closing when our Realtor gets back. :O) -Olive

Scary New Realization

So with the moving comes a lot of unexpected 'chores'. Popeye and I don't get the paper at our apt. Never really thought about it much. He sees CNN at work during his break and I listen to Fox News now and then during mine- enough to keep up on things. So when I started packing up the plates and needed newspaper.. let's just say I have to pay for boxes, I'm NOT paying for newspaper. So...... I went 'dumpster' diving. When I say dumpster, I mean recycling ben which I try to reason in my mind as being cleaner than a dumpster but regardless the dishes will all be washed when they come out of storage.

The scary realization however is that I loved looking through what I got. (Mind you, I NEVER when in daylight. It was usually close to midnight and I just grabbed what I could and left!) I actually found some GREAT stuff. For instance... some lady threw away a 'gift card' that had been sent to her for $10 off at Kohls during a short time frame. The next day was the last day it was good and it just so happened I had to go anyway. The 'gift card' had no minimum purchase required (just the kind I love!). I ended up walking out of Kohls with a new shirt and belt and a present for someone at a whopping $.49. Thanks to 'dumpster' diving.

Not to mention all the great coupons I find in the paper (which I'd get if we bought the paper anyway) but I didn't have to. And... slightly old but completely good catalogs that I don't mind sitting back and glancing through briefly for free.

Okay, so Popeye would probably not want to me to make this a regular habit. And true, it's a little embarrassing to admit that yes, I really enjoyed it and its very, very tempting to go back again. Interestingly enough to say, the bag lady Halloween costume from long, long ago was apparently NOT that far off. -Olive

Memorial Day Week

What a crazy weekend it was to start the week off with. We flew up for Josh Lindberg and Bethany (now Lindberg)'s wedding in Leo, IN. It was very beautiful by-the-way. Getting there and back was the.. we'll call it 'couple bonding' part. We drove four hours to Atlanta, GA, flew to Chicago Midway, drove 3 1/2 hrs to Leo. Then reversed that coming back a day later. Phew. It makes me ever so slightly cringe thinking about it but my bum contests the most. Poor Popeye drove all of that but 1 hour, in which I drove b/c he was really just too tired to keep going.

It was a sad parting on Sunday as Popeye's brother and sister-in-law moved to the midwest. We're going to miss them but they're family... they can't go to far without coming to visit. We do wish them the best and pray that God blesses their new job and home!

This week though has been good, really. We've found 'the house'. For those that don't know we have to be out of our little apt at the end of the week. We got evicted... okay, just kidding. We're moving in with Popeye's parents until we find and close on a house. (We're buying a house.) So we've found 'the house' and when our realtor gets back from his holiday we're going to put down an offer. As it goes, if we can't work anything out, we'll go to the next one on our list and make it 'the house'. We're motivated :O).

Seriously though, its a great house. Three bedroom, two bath, two master walk-in closets which I would need 1 1/2 of them :O). I'll post a picture if we actually get it for ya'll to see. It's been crazy trying to get everything packed away (phew, who needs the YMCA!) and stored (I didn't know we had that much stuff). That's been my job this past week, since I quit working at BudK a week-and-a-half ago. Decided to really try to make a go of it with photography and invitations (see my online portfolio at rlstudio.squarespace.com ) I praise the Lord for Popeye's many brothers. They swooped in and bam! the apt was emptied and everything big hauled to storage.

Other exciting news... Popeye got a job promotion. He's now management and loving his new job. It's challenging in different ways than before though at times he thinks he will miss working with his hands more on the machines themselves. I'm proud of him that they recognized his God-given talents and promoted him.

On less than exciting news, no baby come October. This actually happened in April but for those who don't know... a quick update. Popeye and I have been so thankful for everyone's prayers and cards. We're staying very positive for a family in the future and God really has provided on so many levels. His grace really is sufficient and I really pray He was glorified through it all.

So that was a not-so-quick update on our lives. I'll try to sit down at least once a week if not more to post you on the happenings of Popeye and Olive Oyl. May God bless your day! -Olive

Starting This Blog

Now, not that our lives are interesting but Popeye and I have a lot of friends and family all over the place and honestly, my memory isn't that great. I forget who I've told what to and who really wants to know what's going on. Simply, if ya'll want to know you can just read this blog since neither Popeye or I likes phones much or are real reliable communicators. This way no one gets left out.

Of course we'd still like to hear from you guys.... feel free to email us or call and just tell us what's going on with you. I can't guarantee a speedy response or... maybe even a response at all but, we get to hear what you're up to!