30 May 2011

The Weekend in Review

The house is a disaster, we are exhausted, Max is adjusting (slowly), and we are currently sprawled out on the couch amongst the remains of packing material and pictures in need of hanging. The couch and I have been best buds all day as I haven't left it other than an occasional trip to the kitchen to feed Max or peer out the window to make sure my hardworking husband isn't passed out of heat stroke. My lazy day is courtesy of a badly swollen appendage J.R. and I are now not so affectionately referring to as my "shrek foot." It seems the clan of fire ants that were (and I say were because J.R. played exterminator for the day) inhabiting our yard, were not so thrilled with their new tenants' invasion, and decided to take it out on my foot.

Aside from this small misfortune, we had a very enjoyable weekend spending time with my dad and slowly beginning the unpacking process. Max was a huge help as always...
Inventory Stickers



He also managed to multi-task as my dad's shadow most of the weekend:)

I have to admit I was glad my dad was here for other reasons too. Trips to Home Depot are not my idea of a good time, but my dad was more than happy to study the lawn mower aisle with J.R. while I wandered around looking at mirrors and lamps. We emerged with a new mower that they both seemed pretty happy with:

All three of us really loved having my dad around, and look forward to his future visits (that will be in the winter when the average temp is not above 90 degrees according to him). I miss him already...
Love you Daddy!

24 May 2011

A Tuesday Funny

I have to share a picture from a blog I found this evening. If we ever decide to adopt another canine child, I am afraid Max will assume the position of the dog on the right-hand side, no matter the size:)

The Alpha Dog
This makes me sad, but I can't stop laughing at it at the same time!

Since I am so proud of us, I will brag just a little while I hopefully still have your attention :). J.R. and I participated in our first boot camp class at the gym we have joined here. The former mixed martial arts fighter turned instructor kicked our butts. Luckily, we made it through the grueling hour and are ready to attack it again next week!

20 May 2011

We made it!

We are now officially residents of Texas once again! The movers came last week on Thursday and packed up our entire townhouse, loaded it Friday morning, and by 2pm that afternoon we were saying our goodbyes!
I wasn't extremely sad about leaving PA or the townhouse, but I must admit I shed a few tears knowing I was leaving my favorite little guy and his mama.

After we closed our garage door for the last time, we made the nine hour trip to Nashville to stay with my sis and her husband. It was nice to unwind, and after the guys went to bed I think we stayed up until almost 3am drinking wine and talking with her tivo-ed "Bethenny" in the background (not sure I completely understand the appeal of this show, but haven't watched it or Real Housewives ever...and do not plan to in the future, lol). The next day we drove three more hours to Memphis, and stopped in at my best friend's house.

I love my friend so I try not to blame her for being a cat lover:). She wanted some pictures taken of her little monster, and Celia held true to every stereotype I know about cranky little felines. I followed her around the house waiting for her to get comfortable with me, only to realize she had her own agenda, and modeling for me wasn't part of it. But.....(see Amber, I have a "but") she is a beautiful cat, even I have to admit that, and she gets bonus points for letting me pet her without trying to scratch my eyes out!
 

Later, we spent a very sleepless night in a downtown Memphis hotel. I have neglected to mention that throughout the entire moving ordeal, our usually perfectly laid back pup, had what I can only equate to a human panic attack. That night, with the culmination of the movers coming a few days earlier and packing up his tiny little world, the nine our drive to Nashville, staying in a strange place the previous evening, being carted to another new house, and then finally a new hotel room, Max was extremely uneasy, so much so that he ended up sleeping in bed with J.R., while I took the other queen bed. Yes, we really love our "kid"!
This was his worried little face the entire trip!
The next day (my birthday to be exact!), we spent driving the rest of the way to The Woodlands. Around 8:45pm we pulled into our apartment complex, ready to be out of the car! We hung around the apartment for a little while, trying to help Max acclimate to yet another new environment and then went to an H.E.B. (Here Everything's Better) grocery store to get a cake:). I had also requested a chocolate covered strawberry (my new favorite!), and luckily they had both! Although it was a loooong day, I enjoyed my small celebration with my two boys!

I had a nice little birthday haul as well, including my first pair of really nice sunglasses from my hubby, a hand-painted hairbrush from Seattle and Pandora charms from my mother-in-law, and a cute little outfit for the warmer TX weather from my sister! I feel so loved!

Our townhouse officially sold on Tuesday (we had a wonderful Realtor who I am so grateful to for getting it sold so quickly!), and we did our final walk through for our new house yesterday afternoon. Did I mention how excited we both are to have a "real" home and a yard for Max?:) In fact, last night J.R. and I (thanks to my gentle persuasion:)) dropped by a Ross to pick something up for our new mantle! Since we couldn't find a painting we liked, I thought these would be a great start:

My dad is flying in next week to help us move in and I cannot wait to pick him up from the airport! Hopefully we will find some time to just relax and enjoy the nice, sunny weather (it hasn't rained once since we've been here and I am loving it!!!). Happy Friday everyone!

02 May 2011

First Trip to The Woodlands

Well, our townhouse is in "sale pending" status at the moment, and we couldn't be happier! I continue to cross my fingers daily, hoping and praying that everything goes smoothly from here on out. Thanks to a pending sale, we were able to house hunt in TX this past weekend. We found a BEAUTIFUL home! 
 I love this door!

 Still waiting on appliances...
I am still pinching myself that this will most likely be our new home in a month!
For the first time I actually feel motivated to decorate!

I also have to make mention of the fact that it was so nice to leave the rainy, cold weather in PA for the sunny, 80 degree temps in TX! We spent a lot of time outside, exploring The Woodlands. It can be relatively hard to find your way around the city, as they have tucked most of the commercial buildings behind tons and tons of trees, and the signage is displayed lower to the ground, but I love it. We toured the downtown canal area by boat one night.



 J.R.'s office is located in this building on the waterway!

 By day, this is a splash pad for kids--very entertaining!!
    Overall, I think I am going to like living in Texas again. I am a southerner at heart, and no matter how hot it gets there, and how much I will miss PA in August, I am meant to be in a warmer climate:). 
Family and friends, please come visit us here--you will be welcomed with open arms!!!

I am back in PA now, and although I was enjoying the weather,I missed this guy like crazy!


On another note, I am still turning out baby hats left and right for whomever wants them:). I just mailed some to my sister for her friend's shower this weekend. I went a little overboard (again) and made six different hats. Since I don't know the mommy-to-be, I am hoping that one of the styles/color combos will appeal to her:).


 I am really digging the yellow, gray color combination right now for some reason!
I finally figured out how to make a newsboy cap!