Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Take a Deep Breathe...
Today marked a rather upsetting day for Toby and I. We found out we will not be closing on the 31st for our current house in Waynesburg. This wouldn't be a big deal, but if we don't close on time, we have til June 11th to remove all our possessions from the garage in our house in Morgantown. And there is a chance the Morgantown house owners will not want to wait around for us.
I am a nervous wreck and must remember one thing- Everything's Copacetic!
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Boxes, Boxes, and more boxes!
After many countless hours of packing and boxing, we are officially out of our house in Waynesburg! Well, all of our belongings are in our new house's garage and we cannot move in until next Friday. The only thing in our Waynesburg house is an air mattress to sleep on (borrowed from my dear friend Kori), a TV, and minimal food to survive on for four days.
My wonderful parents came down last night (Friday) and we loaded the moving truck and it took 4 hours. Then, this morning, my parents, Toby, sister Kara, and Toby's friend Mike moved the belongings from the truck into our house in Morgantown and it only took 40 minutes!!! We kicked butt! Everyone loved the house and Toby and I are very eager to move in on the 1st.
We have been through many obstacles in this whole process (and most of them are silly obstacles that people can take care of with common sense!).
I am hoping to get one more post done before the end of the month, but if not, please excuse me! It's been a crazy month!!!
Sunday, April 29, 2012
197 Eastgate Drive
I know I am cheating on my blog by doing 3 posts in 1 day, but I must meet my resolution!
The lack of my blogging is due to my CrAzY life! With Florida and Kori's shower over, now is the next chapter in my life. As soon as we came back from Florida, our house in Waynesburg SOLD! YEAH!! However, this created a panic on finding a house in Morgantown, or at least an apartment to move into until we found our dream home.
Well, luck was with us, and we found our dream home! It all happened so fast, but Toby and I instantly fell in love! Its a ranch style house - I never thought I would like ranch houses, but I am a fan- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, walk- in closet, double decks, 2 car garage, 1525 square feet, and 1925 unfinished square feet in the basement. The basement is what sold Toby and I on the house. It is humongous! It is studded and ready to be finished, which would be a nice project for us. Quick frankly, we did so much work to our Waynesburg house (installed hardwood floors in downstairs, refinished hardwood floors upstairs, painted every room), that I cannot imagine us moving to a house and not doing anything. Toby already has huge plans for the basement, being that it will be his "Man Cave" with a bar and big TV in the future.
The house is open concept and has a beautiful kitchen! Stainless steel appliances and breakfast bar. The basement has 3 rooms- one big open family room, an under the garage storage room, and a room that I anticipate to be an "In-Law Suite". If Toby and I have a baby, I know my parents will be down all the time! (:
We only have 1 curve ball- after the house was inspected, the craw space under the basement has potential for mold growth, which is very strange being that the house is brand new. We have asked that they take care of that problem and give us some type of warranty. We haven't heard back from them, but are assuming they will agree to our request.
Here it is- the future Swango residence as of June 1st! Let the packing begin!!
The lack of my blogging is due to my CrAzY life! With Florida and Kori's shower over, now is the next chapter in my life. As soon as we came back from Florida, our house in Waynesburg SOLD! YEAH!! However, this created a panic on finding a house in Morgantown, or at least an apartment to move into until we found our dream home.
Well, luck was with us, and we found our dream home! It all happened so fast, but Toby and I instantly fell in love! Its a ranch style house - I never thought I would like ranch houses, but I am a fan- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, walk- in closet, double decks, 2 car garage, 1525 square feet, and 1925 unfinished square feet in the basement. The basement is what sold Toby and I on the house. It is humongous! It is studded and ready to be finished, which would be a nice project for us. Quick frankly, we did so much work to our Waynesburg house (installed hardwood floors in downstairs, refinished hardwood floors upstairs, painted every room), that I cannot imagine us moving to a house and not doing anything. Toby already has huge plans for the basement, being that it will be his "Man Cave" with a bar and big TV in the future.
The house is open concept and has a beautiful kitchen! Stainless steel appliances and breakfast bar. The basement has 3 rooms- one big open family room, an under the garage storage room, and a room that I anticipate to be an "In-Law Suite". If Toby and I have a baby, I know my parents will be down all the time! (:
We only have 1 curve ball- after the house was inspected, the craw space under the basement has potential for mold growth, which is very strange being that the house is brand new. We have asked that they take care of that problem and give us some type of warranty. We haven't heard back from them, but are assuming they will agree to our request.
Here it is- the future Swango residence as of June 1st! Let the packing begin!!
My Best Friend's Wedding
No, not the movie- My best friend of 22 years, Kori, is getting married in August and I am her Matron of Honor. Last weekend, we had her bridal shower and it was utterly fabulous! Prepared mostly by myself and Kori's sister, I must say I am relieved that it is over.
I had been planning this shower since October, and with the help of Pinterest, got some great ideas. The shower had an "Old Meets New Theme" being that Kori and fiance Andrew dated way back in Middle School. I had done some antiquing and eBaying. We had vintage table clothes and potted herbs as the table arrangements. Favors were a test tube filled with homemade bath salts and a tea bag- with a note saying to relax with a bath and enjoy a cup of tea! Gifts included antique ring holders, perfume bottles, tea cups, candles, Fiesta tea cups with saucer, bath salts, and homemade jellies.
The menu was simple: Chicken Salad croissants, Veggies, Fruit, Cheese, and a variety of Trifles for dessert (S'mores, Heath Bar, Raspberry Cheesecake, Strawberry Cheesecake, and Banana Split).
We kept the games simple also. At each place setting was a picture of Kori and Andrew with thought bubbles. Guests were to fill out the thought bubbles and Kori picked her favorites. While the gifts were being opened, guests played bingo, filling out their bingo board to the gifts she thought Kori would get.
Overall, everything went great (minus the rain and forgetting cups!). Kori appreciated it all, and I believe all the guests did too!
Now, I have another friends shower to do in June. It never ends!
Below are a few pics:
I had been planning this shower since October, and with the help of Pinterest, got some great ideas. The shower had an "Old Meets New Theme" being that Kori and fiance Andrew dated way back in Middle School. I had done some antiquing and eBaying. We had vintage table clothes and potted herbs as the table arrangements. Favors were a test tube filled with homemade bath salts and a tea bag- with a note saying to relax with a bath and enjoy a cup of tea! Gifts included antique ring holders, perfume bottles, tea cups, candles, Fiesta tea cups with saucer, bath salts, and homemade jellies.
The menu was simple: Chicken Salad croissants, Veggies, Fruit, Cheese, and a variety of Trifles for dessert (S'mores, Heath Bar, Raspberry Cheesecake, Strawberry Cheesecake, and Banana Split).
We kept the games simple also. At each place setting was a picture of Kori and Andrew with thought bubbles. Guests were to fill out the thought bubbles and Kori picked her favorites. While the gifts were being opened, guests played bingo, filling out their bingo board to the gifts she thought Kori would get.
Overall, everything went great (minus the rain and forgetting cups!). Kori appreciated it all, and I believe all the guests did too!
Now, I have another friends shower to do in June. It never ends!
Below are a few pics:
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| Lemon Hand Scrub (Thanks to Pinterest!) and an antique ring holder was just one of the many gifts guests had to chose from. |
 |
| A few of the potted herbs that were on the tables and given as door prizes. I found some very unique herbs- Apple mint, Thai basil, Hot spicy oregano, and the usuals- dill, parsley, sweet basil, rosemary, lavender. |
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| The place settings with utensil containers made by Kori's sister. |
Toby Popped His Cherry
While we were in Florida the first week of April, Toby's cousin, Wayne, convinced him to get his first tattoo. And surprisingly, Toby accepted! I have been asking Toby for years to get a tat and he always refused.
So, Toby and Wayne got matching shamrock tattoos. Toby created the design and since it was his first, Wayne said he would get the same thing. I couldn't let Toby get one without me, so naturally, I got one too. I now have 4 and already have plans for more. LoL.
Toby and Wayne's tattoo
My new collection- The date is our wedding date. I've always loved dandelions in that stage. To me, it reminds me and youth and making wishes. I wished for the man of my dreams many times, and on 9-26-09, my wish came true!
So, Toby and Wayne got matching shamrock tattoos. Toby created the design and since it was his first, Wayne said he would get the same thing. I couldn't let Toby get one without me, so naturally, I got one too. I now have 4 and already have plans for more. LoL.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
New Year Resolutions Update
As the third month of 2012 comes to a close, I would like to reassure myself of meeting my new years resolutions:
1.) I will maintain a healthy lifestyle.
With this beautiful weather we have been having, I have been walking/running 3-4 days a week. I am also loving the Nike Training free iPhone app. It allows you to target certain areas and gives a wide variety of work outs. Yes, I have had maybe 2 weeks throughout this year of not exercising, but we all can have a break. I have been eating good, with the usually once a month gorge on chocolate (Thank you Flow....LoL.).
2.) Once a month, I will donate to an organization of my choice.
January- Money Donation to Relay for Life for our 2nd grade fundraiser.
February- Money Donation to the Empty Bowls Project of Monongalia County (a school fundraiser as well)
March- 2 1/2 bags of clothing and shoes donated to the Goodwill
I have not donated to the Cameroon Football Organization yet, but I do plan on it soon. Actually, the founder and I have talked about fundraising activities for my school next year.
3.) I will pay off my credit cards.
Capital One and Discover balances are down by 70% then they were in December. I would like to extend this goal to our Care Credit card too. Thanks to my lovely cat Ziggy for needing a teeth cleaning and tooth extraction, that bill has gone up.
And this last goal is just for this blog:
~I will post on my blog at least twice a month.- So far, so good!!! (Except for February! Hey, its a short month!)
On another note, no house news for us. :*(
Heading to Florida next week for Spring Break, so more posts to come!!
1.) I will maintain a healthy lifestyle.
With this beautiful weather we have been having, I have been walking/running 3-4 days a week. I am also loving the Nike Training free iPhone app. It allows you to target certain areas and gives a wide variety of work outs. Yes, I have had maybe 2 weeks throughout this year of not exercising, but we all can have a break. I have been eating good, with the usually once a month gorge on chocolate (Thank you Flow....LoL.).
2.) Once a month, I will donate to an organization of my choice.
January- Money Donation to Relay for Life for our 2nd grade fundraiser.
February- Money Donation to the Empty Bowls Project of Monongalia County (a school fundraiser as well)
March- 2 1/2 bags of clothing and shoes donated to the Goodwill
I have not donated to the Cameroon Football Organization yet, but I do plan on it soon. Actually, the founder and I have talked about fundraising activities for my school next year.
3.) I will pay off my credit cards.
Capital One and Discover balances are down by 70% then they were in December. I would like to extend this goal to our Care Credit card too. Thanks to my lovely cat Ziggy for needing a teeth cleaning and tooth extraction, that bill has gone up.
And this last goal is just for this blog:
~I will post on my blog at least twice a month.- So far, so good!!! (Except for February! Hey, its a short month!)
On another note, no house news for us. :*(
Heading to Florida next week for Spring Break, so more posts to come!!
Friday, March 2, 2012
The Joys of Teaching
As March approaches, I realize how much I have been neglecting my blog. But as my students and I celebrated Dr. Seuss's 108th birthday today, I had a delightful day.
In school, my 2nd graders have been learning about the continents. When I was in college, I went to a training that taught different things using movement and song. We learned a continent song that teaches the locations of the continents on a map. I taught this to my students and they instantly (and hopefully forever) remembered where they were located on the map.
For a final assessment on the location of the continents, students were to trace a template of each continent, label it, and glue it onto a paper in the correct location. The students were given no resources to use, just their previous exposure to the song. I was so pleased as I walked around the room to see the students singing the song and doing the movements to find out where to glue a certain continent.
Teaching is a rough and time consuming job (I know, we get the summer off. But all summer long, I am doing things to prepare for next school year. And no, we don't work 8 hours a day 5 days a week. We usually work 10-12 hours 6-7 days a week!) but the reward of seeing something you taught them, is more rewarding than any money can buy!
In school, my 2nd graders have been learning about the continents. When I was in college, I went to a training that taught different things using movement and song. We learned a continent song that teaches the locations of the continents on a map. I taught this to my students and they instantly (and hopefully forever) remembered where they were located on the map.
For a final assessment on the location of the continents, students were to trace a template of each continent, label it, and glue it onto a paper in the correct location. The students were given no resources to use, just their previous exposure to the song. I was so pleased as I walked around the room to see the students singing the song and doing the movements to find out where to glue a certain continent.
Teaching is a rough and time consuming job (I know, we get the summer off. But all summer long, I am doing things to prepare for next school year. And no, we don't work 8 hours a day 5 days a week. We usually work 10-12 hours 6-7 days a week!) but the reward of seeing something you taught them, is more rewarding than any money can buy!
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