Sold!

It's official! Today we accepted our second offer on the house. It came in late yesterday, was very fair and we are happy with it. I still can't get over how quickly things happened but I'm grateful and know there is some reason for it all.

Now comes the fun part of an inspection and house hunting but we are that much closer to our new home. Stay tuned!

I Recommend

I used to pride myself on how much I was up on all the latest music trends and great bands to come along. Something happened to me in recent years and I'm definitely not in any kind of music loop anymore. However, thanks to my husbands love for Sirius satellite radio, I have been able to keep up somewhat recently. One of my fave bands of the moment is Vampire Weekend. Their album of the same name is an awesome soundtrack for summer and definitely deserves a listen. I challenge you to not want to BBQ and drink margaritas after one rotation!

On another note, since I'm asked often by friends and family what movies I've seen lately that were worth watching, I've added the 'I Recommend' section to this blog. While my music interest has fallen to the wayside at times, my love of all things movies certainly hasn't. Hopefully it will help some of you out on the way to the video store or theater. I'd love to hear from you if you agree or disagree on picks as well :)

Engaging Weekend

This weekend was certainly a memorable one. At first we thought there would be absolutely nothing to do besides finding some time to enjoy the beautiful weather and prepping the house for showings but it turned out to be bustling with activity. We had fun dinners and laughs with friends on Friday and Monday but the real excitement came Saturday when we found out, rather spur of the moment, that John's best friend Rocco was going to propose to his girlfriend Lia. We were all told to gather that night at a bar called Plush to welcome them and celebrate their engagement. Rocco proposed to her in front of both their families at what was supposed to be a dinner to celebrate his graduating Friday with his Masters in teaching. We heard she was very surprised. They looked elated and we couldn't be happier for them both. I can't tell you how much more I enjoy weddings now that ours is done and now doubt theirs will be a great time!

Here are John and I with Lia and Rocco on our wedding day. Congrats again to the happy couple!

It Happened...

We got an offer on our house in just five short days. It wasn't a great offer and they want us out of our house much quicker than I'd ever imagined, but it's an offer nonetheless. John and our realtor are working on the counter today. We'll have to see what they come back with later on. Lots of waiting, lots of stressing (on my end). Looks like this long weekend we will be spending the majority of our time searching diligently for our next home. I'll definitely be attending yoga class tonight in the hopes of clearing my head and stretching out my tense body.

Quality Car Time

Duke and I are blogging from the car today (thank heavens for wireless). We are in a parking lot just a few blocks from our house. Why you may ask? Well, we have two showings of our house tonight. Since Duke can't be there and it's pouring rain outside, we can't do much but sit here and wait.

Today will mark the third showing since the house went on the market Saturday and we have two more tomorrow night. We couldn't be more pleased but are truthfully a little shocked. You
just never know what will happen when you play the real estate game. I'll tell you one thing though, if this keeps up I'm going to have to find more things to do for Mommy and doggie time!

Let The Games Begin

Our house went on the market Saturday. It's officially for sale, sign in the yard and all. I find this to be a very exciting time, though I'm not thrilled about keeping my house completely clean and clutter free daily! The downside came when John and I took Duke out for a drive Sunday to look at potential new homes. I just can't get pumped about any of them. It was very depressing. I think it had to do something with the fact that it rained heavy all day, but I can't get over what you get for more money. It's so blah. Nobody updates anything and some neighborhoods are just, well, boring. Nothing is going on in them. You can get a great house, but who wants to drive 15 minutes to a grocery store? I like convenience living and we are limited in areas to choose since we work on opposite ends of two different counties. So alas, the search will continue. God willing we sell ours in a timely fashion and some beacon of hope shines down on a new one that we will feel good enough about purchasing. Afterall, we'll be in this one for years to come!

Best Foot Forward

Last night I stopped in at Old Navy to pick up some much needed work shirts. Just boring polo's as let's face it, I sell windows for a living. While there I happened upon these for the bargain price of $5


I thought they were really cute but now as I glance down at them on my feet, I'm not so sure. I think they were better in white but I gravitate towards darker things. I'll be wearing them to a family function today so I can get some opinions. Lord knows my east coast Aunts will tell you what they think, even if you don't care to know!

Ouch

I know this is going to come across as way too much information, but my 'monthly friend' makes me the clumsiest person on earth. Seriously, I've tested this theory over and over again and each month it proves itself true. Yesterday while pumping $3.75 per gallon gas into my tank I wrapped up by dropping the heavy metal spout first on my knee, and then my foot in one simultaneous motion. Not only did I spill droplets of gas onto my favorite jeans, but my left leg and foot throbbed most of yesterday. Then today I tripped on the curb walking into our office building causing me to drop all the papers I was carrying everywhere. I came five seconds from sobbing uncontrollably. At least I know why!

We Looked Like Giants

When I got home from work last night I immediately ran to our computer to download the new album 'Narrow Stairs' from my favorite band Death Cab for Cutie. This was the first time I ever downloaded an entire album from them this way. I feel a tad strange without the actual CD in my possession, but I-Tunes tossed in a few videos which I can now watch thanks to my new I-Pod (a wedding gift from my husband!) so can't complain too much.

When I first moved to Seattle the boyfriend of a girl I knew was a total music nazi. He mentioned to me that I would probably really like Death Cab and I took his word for it and walked over to Sonic Boom Records in Fremont to purchase my first of many of their albums. It was love at first listen. Since then I've seen them 6 times in concert. One time while at the Crocodile Cafe at a show with my pal Kyle in downtown Seattle, I actually came inches from Ben Gibbard, the lead singer. He was there performing with his side project The Postal Service and I might have imagined it, but to this day I swear he smiled at me.

One of the nicest things about being a Death Cab for Cutie fan over the years, was that it helped introduce me to my dear friend Vanessa. She and I bonded over our love for 'indie' music and especially DCFC while working together. I'll always be grateful for that. Today Vanessa celebrates her 31st birthday and is currently living in Seattle. You can't get any more special than that. Happy Birthday Imam :) I'll be visiting you soon!

Memory Lane

Lately I've been eating entire bags of these...

in one sitting. I am telling you, the Ranch flavored ones are addicting. Anyway, I nearly chocked on one today during lunch when reading on Perez that there was going to be a live action movie made from Fraggle Rock!

It's not that this is shocking, because these days it's rare to see anything original from movie studios but I was kind of excited about it. This is where it gets scary, though, because as a 28 year old, I won't actually go to the movies to see this (I WILL rent it) but that all the stuff from my youth is coming back. I nearly peed when the New Kids on the Block announced their reunion tour and they are bringing back Beverly Hills 90210, but does this mean I'm getting older or what? I do realize that what was OLD is new again and that takes some getting used to. Still, I'm not sure I'll ever stop getting somewhat giddy over the things that I loved as a kid bringing a smile to my face today.

Reading is Fundamental

Considering the fact that I'm on the PA Turnpike for 60 minutes each day followed up by Rt 202 for another 30 (minimum) I really should purchase more books on tape. There is only so much NPR that a person can take, especially day after day of it. Recently I began the memoir 'Audition' by Barbara Walters which I think would be better enjoyed listening than reading. This is because I feel like Barbara is talking to me in her writing. She has little asides to all her stories which go a little something like "and let me just tell you honey" or "of course you know how I felt about that". It's as though we should be having girl talk over coffee. It's kind of odd, but I'm still looking forward to the details about her many famous interviews.

Before starting 'Audition' I breezed through the new memoir from Augusten Burroughs, 'A Wolf at the Table'. While it wasn't his usual comedic approach to his life, I found it totally refreshing. In it he details the relationship with his father which, while dark, gave tremendous insight into what happened in his home life that led to his earlier books. I really enjoyed it.

I'll tell you, though, that I'm completely salivating over the thought of the new David Sedaris book FINALLY coming out June 3rd. He is my absolute favorite. I find myself reading slower than usual so that I can take in every hilarious story and anecdote. I can't think of a better way to spend my lazy summer days then with him!

Happy, Happy

Happy Mother's Day goes out to my wonderful Mom who means the absolute world to me. She has been so supportive over the years and is always there to listen. This past year she helped me plan my wedding though we are miles apart and got on airplanes to visit us even though she is deathly afraid. She has always loved my siblings and I unconditionally, no matter how torturous we can be sometimes! I owe so much of myself to her. 

Love you Mom!

Happy Graduation Day to my dear friend Adrienne who is getting her Master's Degree today, my cousin Nicholas who received his Bachelor's Degree from the great Arizona State Thursday and my pal Kyle who gets his degree in photography Monday. Congrats you guys! I wish you all the best in whatever the future holds for you.

Our Home

After taking some time to really think about it, John and I have decided to put our house up for sale in the next few weeks. We have decided it's time for a little more room and it would be nice to shave at least ten minutes off my hour long commute each day. It definitely isn't an easy decision to make as we have put so much time, effort and love into our first home and it holds many memories. I am very nervous about searching for a new place once we have a buyer for ours but excited, too!

Music Monday

Last night John and I went to see the hilarious comic/folk/rock band Flight of the Conchords (my wedding present to John). They were great! It was such a laid back show and we had a ton of fun. The duo are from New Zealand and their awkward humor is fresh and original. Their show on HBO is one of our faves.



Check them out here singing the tune "Business Time". It will make you an instant fan!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGOohBytKTU

Yoga for Dummies

Last night I started back with Yoga for the first time in five years and let me just tell you, it was no walk in the park. About the only thing I really like about Yoga is the stylish and comfy clothes (seriously, I swear by wearing Yoga pants on long flights) but when the very nice fiance' of one of John's friends asked if I'd be interested in taking some classes with her, I felt good about joining. About 30 minutes into the 90 minute class, the 105 degree heated room started to get to me. I grew up in Arizona but can't say I ever just sat outside in that weather unless a pool was nearby. Maybe it was that or the funky poses but I felt like I might throw-up. Our teacher was very patient and told me to just stay in the room and lie down on my back and see if I could rejoin at some point. It helped and I did a few minutes later. It did feel nice to be doing something healthy for my body. As most of you know, I don't do ANY exercising aside from riding my bike in the nice weather. The only pre-wedding regiment I had was trying not to stuff myself with food daily. So I go back Saturday and we'll see where it takes me. Hopefully at the very least to a full class work-out!