My Regular 6-Week Post

Since I am averaging a post every 6 weeks or so, I am obligated to write something here. Nothing much has gone on. Just bought a house. Like to see it? If I could find my camera after the move, I would take some pictures and show you. Shannon may have it, but since she is currently on her way back from CentriKid camp, I can't ask her. But it is a really pretty home. Come by sometime. Just not in the next week or two as we still have boxes everywhere. But by mid-August, it will be more hospitable.

Flood of 2010

The flood of 2010 that ravaged Nashville affected our new home build. The home, in the community of Riverwall on the Harpeth, was a riverside lot on the aforementioned Harpeth River. It was nearly complete, and we were hoping to close by end of May. According to our neighbors, we got about 4 ft of water in the home. Here is a link to pictures of the day after with the builders going through and gutting the bottom floor. You can look at them individually or choose the slideshow option on the left. We meet with the builders on Monday to talk about next steps.

Target is Amazing

I have never shopped at Target much until recently. When I was in Dallas, a Target store was just 5 minutes from my apartment, but it was not the type of store I would patronage as a single guy in my 20s. I have spent most of my married life and all of my time as a parent in Springfield which is Target-less. There was a Target about 25 miles from where we lived, but I figured Wal-mart is basically the same so why make the drive.

In Orange Beach, there is a Target much more accessible, and now that I have visited it few times I know it is waaay better than Wal-mart. Unlike Wal-mart, Target looks like it has actually put some thought into its selection and choices, especially in the houseware and home sections which are prime areas for families. Their choices complement each other, and they are fairly stylish. We still shop Wal-mart, but it really has more an organized flea-market feel. Cheap, but also, well, cheap.

But just so you know that I have not become some super sissy bragging about the container section in Target, I also got Super Mario Kart for my Wii and a Slip-n-Slide for Jacob in my recent Target visit. I am still a big kid at heart. I just now like my pillows and window treatments to match.

Its Official - We are Homeless

We officially closed on our home today. Originally scheduled for May 19th, but the paperwork had gotten delayed several weeks due to some government agency backlog. Our buyers actually moved in at the end of May and have been paying rent to us until we closed. Got everything notarized this afternoon and then put into the FedEx overnight delivery to the title company.

This is the official closure on our time in Springfield. Of course, our friendships made there will remain and continue, but we have truly moved on. Shannon and I were talking in the car today that we actually did it. We dreamed and prayed for a a few years about moving to the Gulf and near a beach area, and we have done it. No turning back now nor do we want to. This is an exciting time. I don't know how long this season of life will have us here, but for as long as God has does have us here, we will enjoy it and strive to do His will.

Our Piano

Shannon inherited a small grand piano from her parents. It was the same piano that she practiced on as a child as she learned how to play piano. Since her parent's death, my parents have been gracious enough to keep the piano as we did not have room for it in our Springfield home.

Our new home in Orange Beach has the layout which allows us to have a piano. Today Modern Piano Moving company delivered our piano. I took pictures of the sequence of the movers taking the piano out from the truck and then into our home. It was quite impressive to watch just two men move a 800 lbs. grand piano. Also some real cute photos of Shannon and Ava at the piano.

Happy 7th Anniversary

Today was our first full day in OB, and it was lovely. It was especially wonderful as it was our 7th wedding anniversary. I am truly blessed to have Shannon. She is an amazing wife and my best friend.

Shannon and Jacob went to the beach for about 2 hours today and had a blast. The whole family later went to our community pool and had a good time there. Ava is really taking to the water in terms of not be scared of it and enjoying playing in the water. Later, we met our friend (and my realtor agent) Steve Smith and his family for ice cream. Just a really nice day.

Tomorrow the real world comes crashing back down. No matter if you live near the beach or not, work is still work.

We Are Here

Made it in to Orange Beach last night. Unloaded today. Will leave tomorrow to pick up kids and spend night at my parents.

Next week when we recover a bit I will share more. Little too tired now to type much. But I do want to say we are absolutely thrilled to be here. I can't believe - we are actually here!

Moving Schedule

Packing tonight. Loading tomorrow. Driving Wednesday. Moving in Thursday. Driving back Friday to get Jacob and spend night with parents (who will have Ava). Stay on Saturday. Drive back with whole family Sunday. New life in Orange Beach Monday.

We're Packing

Almost one week until we move so we have to get into packing overdrive. Having the yard sale, btw sold over $700 in the two days, helped both in removing many items as well as giving us a head start in sorting. The kids are with relatives today so we can go uninterrupted in our efforts. I expect we will get quite a bit done today.

Yard Sale Update

Including pre-sales when we opened up to friends last night and today, we have collected over $600 dollars plus gave away many things we no longer needed before our move. We have sold our leather couch, chair and ottoman, Ava's old bedding and clothes, coffee table, extra long twin bed, lawn mower, patio furniture, unopened bags of multch and lots of others stuff. And we have plenty of stuff left for tomorrow's sale. Shannon has done a great job getting it all together, and I am very proud of her.

Yard Sale on Friday and Saturday

We are having our big pre-move yard sale Friday and Saturday morning.Shannon said something about it on Facebook and opened it up to our friends this evening. We have already sold over $200 worth of stuff so far. Lots of stuff still available. We have our armoire, extra long twin bed, every day dishes, weedeater, tools, coffee table, lots of kids stuff and tons more. For those interested, come on by.

This is our second ever yard sale. You may remember our first experience as domestic retailers.

Homes for Sale

In our little cul-de-sac, we now have 5 homes for sale or lease. Our home is pending. Our neighbor is thinking about selling or leasing his home. That leaves 5 homes which as far as we know are not on the market. Going out in our neighborhood, there are at least another 5 homes for sale, only one of which has sold.

We were quite blessed to get our home sold and sold as quickly as we did. Especially with this glut of homes coming up for sale, at least in our immediate area.

My Neighbor Mr. Blue Fitch

Two years ago, I decided to put up a birdhouse behind the house. I was so excited. I was so excited and talked about it so much that for Christmas that year, Shannon gave me a blue fitch Christmas ornament. She thought it symbolized my year. Looking back, I am not sure exactly why I was so excited. I think I must have thought birds were going to flock to me like Mary Poppins.

Through all of 2007, the birdhouse stayed empty. But I was not discouraged. I thought I might have gotten it up too late in the Spring for nesting birds. But then 2008 came and went without any feathery friends taking residence in my free home.

Then two weeks ago I look outside and saw something flying from the birdhouse. Could it be? Yes! A couple of blue fitches, just like my ornament, had made a home in the house. I presume they now have a nest with some eggs because one of them, the daddy I presume, is the only one I now see. He occasionally flys up to the birdhouse with some food but otherwise stays in the area keeping watch. In one of the pictures below you can see the dutiful husband with an insect in his beak. With my task complete, I feel I can now leave this home in peace.

Moving Update

Many of the To-Do list of moving items are getting checked off. We have completed our home inspection and agreed with the buyers the repair list. Not finished fixing all of them, but none are major. Do need to get some spraying done in our crawl space and termite inspection but we several contractors to choose from on that.

I have reserved a Uhaul moving truck. Also arranged to get Shannon's small grand piano moved from my parents' home, who have been keeping it there since her parent's death, to our home in Orange Beach. Found a very reputable company (they only move pianos and organs) to do it for just over $1000. Not big on paying a $1000 for anything, but given that a Uhaul rental for that distance costs nearly $500, it is actually a good price. No matter. We are excited to have a piano in the home now.

The appraiser came by today to get the home information and do his work to show the mortgage lender the home is properly valued. No problem there; just a formality.

After we finish the remaining repair items...we pack. The part I least look forward to. I did get boxes today. We have a month until we move (head out on May 20th) so we have plenty of time, but I can it slip by if not careful.

Much still to do, but so much has been done. I am still a little shocked at the speed of the whole process, but obviously very, very excited.

I replaced my sink faucet

Others may not be particularly impressed, but I am quite proud of myself that I was able to replace my leaking faucet from the kitchen sink. Thanks to some encouragement from my Dad I felt I could do it, and it was not too hard. Feel free to call me for all your simple plumbing needs. Here are the before and after photos.