Approximately 65% of the population are visual learners, including myself. If I just hear something, I pretty much can't guarantee that I am going to remember it. My brain is definitely stimulated by visual images. Yes, I just wrote that. (nerd-alert!)
That being said, I put together a before and after photo album to look at the first pictures of each room (from when we bought the house) to now (when we're selling the house--sad!!) I can't stop looking at it... When you see something every day for 2 and a half years, changes sometimes don't stand out as much. When I just look at the first pictures of the rooms, and now the latest pictures, I just can't believe it.
Here is the album-I posted it on facebook too. If you want to see the pictures larger, just click on the album and it should take you to picasa. Hope you enjoy!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
SURPRISE!!!
I did it! I surprised my Mom! I couldn't get anything past that woman when I was a teenager! I guess I needed a few more years under my belt to outsmart her! :) We had a great time at the party and everything went off without a hitch!
Enjoy the pictures!
Enjoy the pictures!
Friday, March 20, 2009
Here it is!
Here is my pride and joy... our first wonderful home. I am so sad to sell it- I LOVE it. I love the open floor plan, my new kitchen and bathrooms, the quirky neighborhood, the small-town feel when you are just 4 miles from downtown, and all of the trees.... It's wonderful. If you know anyone wanting to live in an older neighborhood in Dallas, please send them our listing! It's going on the market this coming week!! Here is a sneak peek:
Monday, March 9, 2009
News! (On the Down Low...)
If you read my post with 25 things about me, you saw that we have some news... Well, of course the first thing people say is, "Are you pregnant?" Nope! Zach got an amazing job offer... One that he absolutely could not refuse, and it's in Beaumont, TX!!
Yep! Beaumont, TX! I had never been there until about 2 weeks ago, and I was so pleasantly surprised at how cute it is! There are some really great areas with older homes! YAY! It reminds me a lot of College Station (which I LOVE). Small city, no hustle-bustle, no fear-for-your-life every time you get on the road, plenty of restaurants and things to do, and the people are SO friendly! Every neighborhood we drove through, people smiled and waved. I LOVE IT!
Zach was offered a Project Management position with a Construction Company, and he is starting out building/renovating 3 schools for Beaumont ISD! How cool is that! It is a HUGE career move for him, because it is hard to switch from Residential to Commercial construction, and he did it within 2 months of getting laid off! God is so good!
The reason why I said it is on the down low (hush-hush if you don't speak ebonics :) is because my principal asked me if I could wait to make it public at school. If it was to get out, he might not have the chance to fill my spot with whoever he wants to. I would hate that, because my team members are awesome, and I want the best person in there as they can possibly get. I could not have asked for a more amazing group of people to support me in my first year of teaching. I am TERRIFIED that I am going to get a job in a school where the administration stinks. :( In this way, I am SO SO sad to be leaving my school. Kids are great, Teachers are great, and Administrators are great...
So... If you are connected to me on Facebook, please don't post anything related to the move... I want to respect my Principal's wishes. If you are not aware of the education field, Teachers are on contract for a full year. I wouldn't break my contract and leave in the middle of the year, so I will be staying in Dallas while the house sells and joining Zach in June. So, you probably now understand our rush to get the house ready to put it on the market? :) When he got laid off, all of his leads were out of town, so we knew there was a strong possibility we would be moving. He went ahead and got started, and we are SO glad he did!!! Final pictures to come soon!
We feel so blessed to have such a great opportunity, but please come visit us! We don't know anyone in Beaumont yet! :)
Love you all! Thank you so much for your prayers and support--
Yep! Beaumont, TX! I had never been there until about 2 weeks ago, and I was so pleasantly surprised at how cute it is! There are some really great areas with older homes! YAY! It reminds me a lot of College Station (which I LOVE). Small city, no hustle-bustle, no fear-for-your-life every time you get on the road, plenty of restaurants and things to do, and the people are SO friendly! Every neighborhood we drove through, people smiled and waved. I LOVE IT!
Zach was offered a Project Management position with a Construction Company, and he is starting out building/renovating 3 schools for Beaumont ISD! How cool is that! It is a HUGE career move for him, because it is hard to switch from Residential to Commercial construction, and he did it within 2 months of getting laid off! God is so good!
The reason why I said it is on the down low (hush-hush if you don't speak ebonics :) is because my principal asked me if I could wait to make it public at school. If it was to get out, he might not have the chance to fill my spot with whoever he wants to. I would hate that, because my team members are awesome, and I want the best person in there as they can possibly get. I could not have asked for a more amazing group of people to support me in my first year of teaching. I am TERRIFIED that I am going to get a job in a school where the administration stinks. :( In this way, I am SO SO sad to be leaving my school. Kids are great, Teachers are great, and Administrators are great...
So... If you are connected to me on Facebook, please don't post anything related to the move... I want to respect my Principal's wishes. If you are not aware of the education field, Teachers are on contract for a full year. I wouldn't break my contract and leave in the middle of the year, so I will be staying in Dallas while the house sells and joining Zach in June. So, you probably now understand our rush to get the house ready to put it on the market? :) When he got laid off, all of his leads were out of town, so we knew there was a strong possibility we would be moving. He went ahead and got started, and we are SO glad he did!!! Final pictures to come soon!
We feel so blessed to have such a great opportunity, but please come visit us! We don't know anyone in Beaumont yet! :)
Love you all! Thank you so much for your prayers and support--
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Go with your gut!
The work continues... The stager first told me that we should neutralize the kitchen, but when she saw it in person, said she liked it blue. However, I just had a gut feeling, and asked Zach to try painting a spot in the kitchen the neutral color just to see what it would look like. It really opens up the kitchen!!! The pictures I am about to post TOTALLY do not do it justice... here ya go anyways!
And here's what's new with the bathroom... starting to come together!!!
I survived!
Well, I survived my first administration of the TAKS test. It was frustrating as hell, to be blunt and completely honest. To watch a kid turn in something you know could have been better, and worse- not be able to say, "Nope! You still need to go back and make some corrections!"... just plain stinks!
However, as much as I can get on a soapbox about the insanity that is TAKS, I have come to the conclusion that it is just a part of teaching that I have no control over. Sometimes it's not really worth the headache to get fired up about it. Sometimes. :)
I focus on the things I do have control over and know that I am working my hardest. That is the most rewarding part in the end anyways.
I am reading The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo to the kids right now, and it is SUCH an amazing book! It is so cute, funny, witty, and can easily appeal to adults and kiddos. I highly recommend.
Ta Ta for now! I'll post pictures of the ever-evolving house soon.
However, as much as I can get on a soapbox about the insanity that is TAKS, I have come to the conclusion that it is just a part of teaching that I have no control over. Sometimes it's not really worth the headache to get fired up about it. Sometimes. :)
I focus on the things I do have control over and know that I am working my hardest. That is the most rewarding part in the end anyways.
I am reading The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo to the kids right now, and it is SUCH an amazing book! It is so cute, funny, witty, and can easily appeal to adults and kiddos. I highly recommend.
Ta Ta for now! I'll post pictures of the ever-evolving house soon.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Confession!
I confess... I have to go to school today to finish covering my walls for TAKS on Tuesday, and I am TOTALLY avoiding it. This is my 3rd post, so enjoy! :)
This is the start of the Master Bath- new double vanity lights! (I didn't know my husband was an electrician??!)
This is what my bedroom looks like right now... (not as bad as not having hot water!)
We are finishing out a vanity cabinet ourselves- Here is the granite, paint color, and faucet. The stain is going to be A LOT darker. :) I can't wait!!!
The soon-to-be-grouted tile floors:
He has to finish the house this week, so Zach is working like crazy. I am so blessed to have such a talented and hard-working husband. He is truly amazing!
This is the start of the Master Bath- new double vanity lights! (I didn't know my husband was an electrician??!)
This is what my bedroom looks like right now... (not as bad as not having hot water!)We are finishing out a vanity cabinet ourselves- Here is the granite, paint color, and faucet. The stain is going to be A LOT darker. :) I can't wait!!!The soon-to-be-grouted tile floors:He has to finish the house this week, so Zach is working like crazy. I am so blessed to have such a talented and hard-working husband. He is truly amazing!
Wow!
I am in love with the kitchen. I am sorry for my ranting about the backsplash-It has grown on me and doesn't really look bad. The stager came yesterday and originally told me via email that we should neutralize the blue paint in the kitchen. When she saw it in person, she changed her mind. We have to touch up parts on the wall that got blemished from demo-ing the countertops and backsplash, but otherwise the kitchen is pretty much done! I am so excited!
25 Things about Me- the craze!
There is this craze on Facebook where everyone is doing this 25 things about me and then tagging other people. It has been interesting to learn new things about some of my friends, or just laugh at some of them because I know it's true. I thought it would be a good post. Maybe I'll do one for Zach next time. So, here are my 25 things (I even added a few new things):
In no particular order...
1. I am a Texas Aggie, tried and true. Even when our sports teams are not good. The traditions, the people, College Station, everything.
2. I don't trash talk. It literally makes me really angry. It's just a thing.
3. I love music. I feed off of it. I sometimes think that I was supposed to be born earlier than 1982. I love music from pretty much any genre, but especially 70's and 80's. Don't stop believin'.
4. I am suuuper sarcastic. Sometimes too much. It doesn't come across well in type. :) It sounds funny in my head. I have realized there are definitely people who don't get sarcasm. Wow- seriously, chill out. :) JUST kidding! There it goes again!
5. I love to laugh. It's pretty easy to make me, too.
6. I love Will Ferrell. I love anything silly.
7. I love quoting movies. Many times, people I am talking to (including my husband!) don't catch the quote and I feel silly. The human torch was denied a bank loan.... (see #6)
8. I absolutely despise cold weather. I LOVE warm/hot weather. I love Texas.
9. I thought my taste in movies would broaden as I got older and more mature. WRONG! I have a hard time paying for anything that doesn't make me laugh. I can't pay to see a movie that is going to make me cry or sad. Silly Comedies and Romantic Comedies (*with happy endings) are about it...
10. I can't believe I didn't put this sooner. I am horrible mother! My dog Sadie is my life. I love her more than anything (except Jesus and Zach :) Something about having someone meet you at the door and be so excited to see you no matter if it has been 5 minutes or 5 hours. It is the greatest feeling in the world.
11. I am in my 5th job and 2nd career since college. Yep. Serious. I think I'll stick with this one. If I could go back in time and major in education, I don't know that I would. I know that sounds crazy, but I wouldn't want to miss the life experience I got in the business world.
12. As per #11, I am a 4th Grade Teacher. I sincerely love it. It is the hardest job I have ever had in my life, and I feel the most responsibility with it. It's not a 7-3 job like most people think. But the flexibility is one of the greatest parts! I love kids, too. :)
13. I do not have a DVR. I KNOW!
14. I LOVE birthdays! Not even just my own! I love to make a big deal out of them! I think you should celebrate yourself at least once a year. I have realized not everyone feels the same way about this. sad.
15. One of the things I have learned in life that nothing is more important than relationships. I value my friends and family so much.
16. There is nothing that uplifts me more than praise and worship every Sunday at my church. I could have had the worst week in the entire world, and walk out feeling like I can accomplish anything (with God's help!)
17. My drive to school in the morning is my favorite part of the day. It's my "me" time. I listen to Gene and Julie on Lite FM. They make me laugh, AND they actually play music too. Good music. (see #3) It's the perfect amount of time to relax and think about the day ahead.
18. I am a complete and total perfectionist. It drives me crazy sometimes. And probably other people too. Sorry about that :)
19. I want to be a home stager on the side. I love to watch HGTV shows like The Unsellables, Get it Sold, and Designed to Sell. I think it's hilarious that people can't get past changing a room from neon green to tan. It's funny. *post-thought: I don't think I could keep the sarcasm from seeping through, so I'll just enjoy watching the TV shows.
20. I am totally ADD. I cannot focus on one thing for very long. I have to make a list to clean the house so I can check things off, or I will get off track and go do something else. Weird, I know.
21. As soon as I started cooking real food after college, I discovered I have a severe sensitivity to chopping onions. It stings my eyes SO bad! One time, I put Zach's swimming goggles on and a hair clip on my nose. It worked. I can be pretty resourceful.
22. Zach is the greatest thing that has happened to me. He balances me out, and I do the same for him. I can't wait to see what's in store for us. It's weird to think how I fall in love with him more and more the longer we are married.
23. I love to dance. I grew up dancing and still dance when I can. Even if it's just when I clean the house. :)
24. I love working on the computer. I love playing with photoshop and designing different stationary and invitations. I really love fonts. It's kind of an addiction.
25. I love to take and look at pictures. I almost always have a camera with me.
26. God is taking Zach and I on a new adventure this year. I'm not pregnant, but stay tuned for the news...
If you read my blog, and you have a blog, I tag you! :)
In no particular order...
1. I am a Texas Aggie, tried and true. Even when our sports teams are not good. The traditions, the people, College Station, everything.
2. I don't trash talk. It literally makes me really angry. It's just a thing.
3. I love music. I feed off of it. I sometimes think that I was supposed to be born earlier than 1982. I love music from pretty much any genre, but especially 70's and 80's. Don't stop believin'.
4. I am suuuper sarcastic. Sometimes too much. It doesn't come across well in type. :) It sounds funny in my head. I have realized there are definitely people who don't get sarcasm. Wow- seriously, chill out. :) JUST kidding! There it goes again!
5. I love to laugh. It's pretty easy to make me, too.
6. I love Will Ferrell. I love anything silly.
7. I love quoting movies. Many times, people I am talking to (including my husband!) don't catch the quote and I feel silly. The human torch was denied a bank loan.... (see #6)
8. I absolutely despise cold weather. I LOVE warm/hot weather. I love Texas.
9. I thought my taste in movies would broaden as I got older and more mature. WRONG! I have a hard time paying for anything that doesn't make me laugh. I can't pay to see a movie that is going to make me cry or sad. Silly Comedies and Romantic Comedies (*with happy endings) are about it...
10. I can't believe I didn't put this sooner. I am horrible mother! My dog Sadie is my life. I love her more than anything (except Jesus and Zach :) Something about having someone meet you at the door and be so excited to see you no matter if it has been 5 minutes or 5 hours. It is the greatest feeling in the world.
11. I am in my 5th job and 2nd career since college. Yep. Serious. I think I'll stick with this one. If I could go back in time and major in education, I don't know that I would. I know that sounds crazy, but I wouldn't want to miss the life experience I got in the business world.
12. As per #11, I am a 4th Grade Teacher. I sincerely love it. It is the hardest job I have ever had in my life, and I feel the most responsibility with it. It's not a 7-3 job like most people think. But the flexibility is one of the greatest parts! I love kids, too. :)
13. I do not have a DVR. I KNOW!
14. I LOVE birthdays! Not even just my own! I love to make a big deal out of them! I think you should celebrate yourself at least once a year. I have realized not everyone feels the same way about this. sad.
15. One of the things I have learned in life that nothing is more important than relationships. I value my friends and family so much.
16. There is nothing that uplifts me more than praise and worship every Sunday at my church. I could have had the worst week in the entire world, and walk out feeling like I can accomplish anything (with God's help!)
17. My drive to school in the morning is my favorite part of the day. It's my "me" time. I listen to Gene and Julie on Lite FM. They make me laugh, AND they actually play music too. Good music. (see #3) It's the perfect amount of time to relax and think about the day ahead.
18. I am a complete and total perfectionist. It drives me crazy sometimes. And probably other people too. Sorry about that :)
19. I want to be a home stager on the side. I love to watch HGTV shows like The Unsellables, Get it Sold, and Designed to Sell. I think it's hilarious that people can't get past changing a room from neon green to tan. It's funny. *post-thought: I don't think I could keep the sarcasm from seeping through, so I'll just enjoy watching the TV shows.
20. I am totally ADD. I cannot focus on one thing for very long. I have to make a list to clean the house so I can check things off, or I will get off track and go do something else. Weird, I know.
21. As soon as I started cooking real food after college, I discovered I have a severe sensitivity to chopping onions. It stings my eyes SO bad! One time, I put Zach's swimming goggles on and a hair clip on my nose. It worked. I can be pretty resourceful.
22. Zach is the greatest thing that has happened to me. He balances me out, and I do the same for him. I can't wait to see what's in store for us. It's weird to think how I fall in love with him more and more the longer we are married.
23. I love to dance. I grew up dancing and still dance when I can. Even if it's just when I clean the house. :)
24. I love working on the computer. I love playing with photoshop and designing different stationary and invitations. I really love fonts. It's kind of an addiction.
25. I love to take and look at pictures. I almost always have a camera with me.
26. God is taking Zach and I on a new adventure this year. I'm not pregnant, but stay tuned for the news...
If you read my blog, and you have a blog, I tag you! :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)