it's about to be real...

In the mail today, I got information from my new HOA on all the policies for the neighborhood.  It's quite a bit, but hopefully it will give me some insight into whether we can paint the outside of the house, or if we have to get approval...

I have my Vegas trip coming up in TWO DAYS, and I could not be more excited to spend time with Drew and blow off some steam in Sin City!  At the same time, time is winding down until closing (10 days!), and I will be making several phone calls tomorrow to get things scheduled!

DAY SIXTEEN: a picture of someone who inspires you...

Taylor Swift...

Her lyrics and artistry are so inspiring.  Not to mention, she keeps an incredible journal/video diary that is outstandingly interesting and motivational.  She has phenomenal taste and style, and she is beautiful.  Damn her... =)

just a picture today...

DAY FIFTEEN: a picture of something you want to do before you die...

Write a book...and have it be a bestseller!

13 days!!!

holy moly, 13 days from closing... i still have so much to get done!
*call the alarm company
*call cox cable
*have utilities switched to my name
*schedule carpet cleaners
*have brandon look at my AC unit and fix my pool equipment
*sign the final paperwork
*make the down payment
*buy cleaning supplies
*buy paint
*have appliances delivered
and that is just the beginning...

DAY THIRTEEN: a picture of your favorite band or artist...

John Mayer...hello!

DAY FOURTEEN: a picture of someone you couldn't imagine your life without...

Drew Snider, my life would be so boring without him =) 

full steam ahead!

MY LOAN CAME BACK FULLY APPROVED WITH NO CONDITIONS! basically meaning, there is almost nothing that can get in the way of our lovely move in date!  i'm still feeling very overwhelmed by all that needs to be done and set-up.  however, I am very much looking forward to being in this house finally!

DAY TWELVE: a picture of something you love...

 i love Vegas...

i particularly love gambling...especially craps!

we're getting there!

hip, hip, hooray!  the appraisal was done today and it came in at $121,000!  so that means, smooth sailing all the way to closing!  I can't believe I have finally arrived at this point...it seems so surreal.

DAY ELEVEN: a picture of something you hate...

LAUNDRY! if it came like this with a maid it wouldn't be so bad...  i waste countless hours of my life with a washer and a dryer, not to mention the folding and hanging...UGH!

burning a hole in my pocket...

Purchased my new washer/dryer from Home Depot tonight, and got another smoking deal!  All that I really "need" to make the house livable now is a new King bed; trust me, a full is definitely not enough room for myself and 2 puppies!  I was contemplating a Queen mattress, but a King isn't that much more and appears more worth it...we shall see!

DAY TEN: the person you do the most effed up stuff with...

Mr. Jaren Longmire... don't know what it is, but he brings out the "cray cray" in me!

hello kitchen!

I went and put the down payment on my brand new, beautiful GE appliances today!  I think having black appliances in the kitchen will make it look SO much nicer and newer.  Originally, I was looking at Sears' Kenmore sale going on this weekend, and found a really good deal on them; but they didn't have free delivery, and their installation fees were double that of Home TV & Appliance.  All in all, I spent about $70 more than I would've at Sears for WAY nicer appliances...woop!

In other crummy news, I spent half my day in the ER with a weird abdominal pain...this better go away by VEGAS and moving day!

DAY NINE: a picture of the person who has gotten you through the most...

my momma.  not only did she sit with me in the ER all day, she has put up with my "emotional basketcase" moments as she calls them for 24 years...thanks mom!

thank god for president's day...

A big shout out to George, Abe, Thomas and the others; thanks to you fine men I found myself a smoking deal on some kick ass appliances!  Will be headed back to Home TV & Appliance (formerly The Maytag Store) to purchase my GE fridge, range, microwave and dishwasher; then, over to Home Depot to buy my washer/dryer--also by GE.  Life is good right now, especially since both do layaway and can hold off delivery until move-in!

DAY EIGHT: a picture that makes you laugh...

diddles for jefferson! 

decisions, decisions...

DAY SEVEN: a picture of your most treasured item...

my abercrombie jeans... ♥

so much to do!

ok, so I got my steam mop for the tile in the house (whoo-hoo!) and I've gone back to not replacing the carpet... ugh, this waiting is killing me!

DAY SIX: a picture of a person you would love to trade places with for a day...

Katie Holmes; umm, hello, married to Tom Cruise! I think yes...

reminiscing...

revelation one: i am going to be replacing carpet in this house; i've accepted it.
revelation two: this house is not going to be ready in 9 days...

DAY FIVE: a picture of your favorite memory...

so, it's a three way picture tie, but Vegas 2010 was DEFINITELY the best trip I've ever taken in my life.  i can honestly say, this was the most fun i have had since i graduated from college, and I will always be thankful for the memories and laughs that were created here...

getting used to this...

I promise there will be more interesting topics this weekend, as I tackle the President's Day sales in search of a mattress, kitchen appliances and a washer/dryer!  Also on this weekend's list, is hitting up Kohl's to round off kitchen necessities and possibly bathroom accessories... oh, and a Shark steamer mop!

DAY FOUR: a picture of your night...

tonight was my mom's birthday! we celebrated at the cheesecake factory!

busy

I cannot explain how exciting it is to get a phone call or an e-mail every day about this house! It makes me feel like it is actually moving along at a pretty steady pace!  The appraisal of the home was ordered today, and we should have that back by the beginning of next week...if it appraises higher than the purchase price, then it should be smooth sailing!

After having some times to think about the home since seeing it yesterday, I have realized just how much time it is going to take me to get all settled!  I don't think I can pull this off in 9 days, but I will surely try!  Lots of cleaning and painting to be done, and a few repairs... we may get 75% of the way there!

DAY THREE: a picture of the cast from your favorite show...

Grey's Anatomy, how I love you... 
I do miss Burke, Izzy and George though!

inch by inch...

so today we completed the home inspection! I finally feel like this whole house thing is going to actually happen...we are getting closer by the day!  Overall, the whole thing went over quite well, and the house needs no major repairs.  Obviously, a few minor/cosmetic things are needed, but the main thing that "needs" to be repaired is the pool equipment; apparently the lovely dogs these people own have chewed the knobs and casing off of this thing until it is non-existent... which means $$$ from me!  Luckily, this should be pretty basic repair work according to Mike the Inspector Guy!  More to come on this as the work actually gets done...

In other news, it's day 2 of the 30 day picture challenge!

DAY TWO: a picture of the person you've been closest with the longest...

Ms. Amanda Fruzynski
She is my one great girl friend who stuck it out with me through high school and college, plus the best roommate I could have ever had, not to mention many other things!

jumping on the blogging bandwagon...

In an effort to keep myself from going completely insane over this next month waiting for my house to close, I've decided to do a blog challenge.  After following my friend Venessa's blog, I became inspired to turn my little piece of the internet into something more than a boring recount of my home buying experience (plus, the fun part will begin after March 11!) therefore, I am going to do a 30 day picture challenge!

DAY ONE: a picture of yourself with 10 fun facts...

one) i LOVE margaritas (as if you couldn't tell from the picture!)

two) i used to live in Japan

three) i have two lovable and adorable puppies - Barkley & Mia

four) i have a serious addiction to online shopping                            

five) my favorite place in the world is the Las Vegas strip

six) i have an overly emotional attachment to Grey's Anatomy 

seven) in my 2nd life, i will be an interior designer, not a therapist

eight) my favorite flower is a daisy...simple yet pretty

nine) i have a love/hate relationship with carbs

ten) I'M A SOON-TO-BE HOMEOWNER

second time around...

So I met with my wonderful friend Tom tonight to sign my loan paperwork (again!) for my lovely little house on Orchid at my favorite little sports bar--Zipps.  I signed all of the remaining real estate paperwork yesterday, and scheduled my home inspection for Valentine's Day!!!

When reviewing the SPDS report--which is basically a full disclosure from the seller about the property--I was very pleased at what I found.  First and foremost, no reported scorpions! Now, this doesn't mean I don't have them, but at least they haven't made their way inside the house or have been seen!  Also, I found out why the carpet was in such good shape...a flood!  Apparently, the fridge broke back in late 2009 and flooded the entire house; therefore, all the carpet and tile were replaced, plus drywall repair!  Very nice for me...

it's finally here...

After exactly 2 months from submitting the offer on Orchid, we have FULL APPROVAL!  I have been waiting for this day for 11 months, and it is finally here!  Our official COE (close of escrow, i'm so fancy with the acronyms haha) is March 11!  I am overjoyed I can close on this house a full week earlier than expected!  Once I know more details I will post again, but that's all I have for now!

I hope I win in Vegas...

a new shed of light...

And with a new month comes new hopes!  I found out today, a new closing date for my lovely house on Orchid.    I also found out what the hold-up is on this whole long mess!  Luckily for me, I have some very committed and persistent sellers; they have offered extra money to the bank and mortgage company to ensure that the sale goes through and offer an extra incentive to move forward... this is definitely a rare and unselfish occurrence in this market!

The "plan" thus far is to have a full approval from the bank and a release from the mortgage insurance company by the end of the week, or at the latest, early next week with a closing date of March 18! My guess is it's going to be more like the 25th or later...but I hope I am wrong!

Thank God this is taking place after Vegas and not before... stay tuned!