Jul. 23, 2008 - Getting Settled

This place is so fun!  The movers came last Thursday and moved the furniture in.  Paul was able to come straight here from work and have all the beds and things already set up.  The first night was awesome.  We kept asking each other, "Are we really here? Are we dreaming this?"  It is just amazing how the Lord worked this out for us.

The kids get up early to go play with the goats and they love the trampoline and swing set that the owners left.  I love going onto the screened porch in the mornings with my coffee and Bible and watching the cows.  The sun rises over the field -- it's just beautiful!

My mom came Saturday and worked her magic.  She is great at decorating and arranging furniture.  Thanks Mom!

There are of course some issues with a 100 year old home.  There is no dishwasher (except me and the boys) and the downstairs bathroom is the size of a closet -- a really small closet.  Speaking of closets, our master bedroom doesn't have one.   So while this is a very fun experience, it is not perfect.

The closing for our other house was pushed to next Wednesday.  We have to replace the door knob on the front door and add hand rails to the steps of the sun room.  The FHA appraiser requires this.   I don't know how we're going to get this done, so please pray it works out with little stress.

Corey

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Jul. 16, 2008 - I'll Be Back!

I have plenty to do today getting ready for the movers to come tomorrow.  So I don't have time to post about Luke and Julia's birthday.  I will do that when we are moved and the internet service is running.  You never know how long that might take.  I'll miss you all!

Corey

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Jul. 14, 2008 - Three More Sleeps

We measure time here in numbers of sleeps until something happens.  We have three more sleeps until we move.  All of our boxes have been moved.  The professionals are coming Thursday to take the furniture.  We have Cheerios and PB&Js to eat.  

After the house is empty, we will still have a week before the closing to clean, clean , clean.  We also want to pull the weeds in the flower bed, and mow the grass one last time.   

Now, about that farm.  We were delivering some boxes the other night and decided to take a look in the goat pen because the owners have had hens in the goat barn before and we want to get hens when we move in. 

Those goats are really cute and the cows are interesting to look at, but... poop was everywhere!  This did not excite me.   I know animals have to "go", but OH! MY!  I think I'll stay in the garden.  

Another thing, there is a greater need on the farm for play clothes.  Here in the city, my kids can go out and play and maybe get some grass stains from playing ball in the yard.  And of course, they get sweaty.  But there, they get DIRTY!  The driveway is gravel, and it is too fun to "fall" out of the hammock onto the sand below.   And there must be an unspoken rule that no shoes are allowed in the country, because my kids remove them as soon as they arrive. 

Needless to say, this is going to be a MAJOR transition for us!  I have a lot to learn about farm life.  There is joy in the journey :)

Corey

By the way, check out my "after" meez on my sidebar.

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Jul. 10, 2008 - Wow!

We had a home inspection Tuesday.  I was concerned about the results because our house is 58 years old.  We have had a ton of work done here, but there are still problems.  The inspector found a laundry list of problems and work that was not done to code :(  -- By the way, we paid "professionals" to do this work for us, we did not do it ourselves, and it was not to code .  Anyway, the buyer looked over the list with his realtor and decided that he is getting a great deal on the house and is not asking us to fix ANYTHING!!!  What a blessing from the Lord!  My realtor said she has never had anyone that didn't have a repair list. 

So far, so good.  Please pray the rest of the process goes smoothly as well.  We will be moving next Thursday and closing on the 25th.

 Juliestew, it is not in Easley, but still close :)

thelordismyshepherd, we have no idea how to take care of these animals.  We don't have to take care of them, their owners will. However, we would love to learn and maybe add some of our own animals in the future.  There is a small garden there also.  I can barely keep a house plant alive, but will be learning how to grow a garden.  I forsee a HUGE transformation in the near future. 

Corey

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Jul. 3, 2008 - PICTURES!

We are so blessed to be asked to be caretakers of this property :)

Back of House

"Smoke House"

Place for Paul to work

Isaac and Julia going to see the goats

Have a great 4th everyone.  I'll be packing!   

Corey

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Jul. 3, 2008 - Going By Today

I'm meeting a friend today to swim and have lunch.  On the way back I will stop by our new place and snap some pictures.  We are all so excited about this move!!  I'll post the pics ASAP

Corey

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Jul. 2, 2008 - Progress

We have a closing date - the 25th.  The termite inspector was here yesterday and is preparing his letter - no current activity.  The home inspector will be here Tuesday.  I'm praying that will be a good report.  The gentleman from the moving company is coming by this morning to give us an estimate.  I don't know when the appraiser will be here. The attic is packed.   I'm begining to pack items we don't use daily.

This is the ninth month that our lives have been in limbo.  I'm so happy to see the end of this chaos is near.  Praise God I'm not in the middle of the school year! 

Corey

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Jun. 30, 2008 - Happy Birthday Mom!

Saturday was my mom's birthday.  My sister and I took our girls to the NC mountains to visit with her and had a "Girl's Day".  I snapped a couple of pictures with my cell phone in the car.  

My sister on the left and me

Mom, Julia, and my sister's daughter

Thanks for stopping by.  Now I have to go pack.  If you don't know why, look here.

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Jun. 27, 2008 - IT SOLD!!!

They accepted our counter offer this morning!!  It has been a long 8 months.  Remember the wonderful housing opportunity I told you about?  It's unbelievable!! 

Earlier this month, our realtor (and friend) inherited her mother's house.  They are currently living in a house they inherited from her husbands grandmother.  (What an ordeal )  They want to move to the mother's house, but don't want the 100 year old farm house on 11 acres to be lifeless.  So they asked if we would rent it from them so that they would know that it would be taken care of and not "trashed or smoked up".  The rent is to cover taxes and insurance and is very cheap!  Another great benifit is that there is a huge four bay building where Paul can work!

I'll post pictures as soon as I can.  There are cows and goats and a garden.  I have no idea how to take care of any of that, but it looks like I'm about to learn.  What a journey that will be!

Praise God for His timing!  WHOOO HOOOO!!!

Corey

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Jun. 25, 2008 - "offer"

We got a low-ball offer from the guy.   What do I expect in this market though?  We will counter tomorrow.

Corey

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Jun. 25, 2008 - Still Waiting

Each time my realtor calls she says, "It's not bad news, and it's not good news."  However, each time there is the hint that things are going well.  Yesterday, she said the bank is waiting on one more form about rental history and they will be ready.  I think this sounds great! 

Then she always says, "If we don't hear something by the late afternoon, it will be the next morning."  How many days do I have to anticipate a call before this is done?  I feel like my life is on hold.  It is diffucult to work around the house, all I want to do is try to get my mind off of it. 

Yesterday, I was in one of these moods where I just wanted to watch TV to pass the time.  I turned on "Little House on the Prarie" and Almonzo was upset with Laura for not appreciating his hard work all day by not having a decent meal on the table and not paying attention to him.  I quickly realized that I had better figure out what's for supper!  Nothing like a little conviction to get you working :)

I'm on phone watch again today, although I'm not expecting a call until late afternoon.  I can't wait 'til the contract is written and I can tell you all where we are moving :)  I'm sure you can understand my not wanting to jump the gun again and it not work out.

Thanks for all your comments and prayers!

Corey

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Jun. 23, 2008 - Loooooong weekend!

We were supposed to know Friday if the gentleman trying to buy our house was approved by the bank.  However, the lady at the bank decided to take Friday off and not let anyone know.   So, I spent the weekend trying to stay busy and not think about it.  Not an easy task.  We should know today and have a contract this evening.  If he wasn't approved, it is back to the beginning yet again.  How disappointing that will be.   

I'll update as soon as I know!

Corey

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Jun. 18, 2008 - We May Have A Buyer!!

A young man and his roommates came to see our house Monday night.  They LOVED it!!  The one guy would buy the house and rent to his roommates.  Our house is perfect for that.  Our basement is practically an apartment.  It has its own kitchen, dining area, living room, two bedrooms and a bathroom.  He is waiting to hear from the bank. 

Another person is scheduled to see it today between 11 and 1.  

Also, we are excited about a housing opportunity that was shared with us earlier this month.  (more about that when we sell)

Praying for God's perfect will.

Corey

*** UPDATE:  The bank has to send his loan application to the underwriter to be sure they will approve the loan.  Bank says application is looking good, but with new regulations, it's best to be sure before writing contract. 

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Jun. 4, 2008 - Look What I Got!

Our eating habits have been changing over the past few years.  The Lord has blessed me with a friend that has been educating me about the harms of processed foods (among other things).  Many of you know that I hated being in the kitchen, so trying to get someone who eats out ALL the time, or makes boxed meals if at home, to cook from scratch is a joke! 

Since January, the most change has occured.  I learned (through a very expensive RV experiment) that I don't hate being in the kitchen -- I hate being in the kitchen alone. 

Previously, my idea of baking was place n bake cookies.  My only knowledge of how to bake from scratch was what I could remember from the fable "The Little Red Hen". 

Well, look at this!

It's a Wonder Mill.  It turns wheat to flour.  Before, I didn't even have flour in my house at all.  Now I make my own.

And I make muffins

and granola bars

and cookies, but I don't have a picture of those.  The kids love to help and they eat it!  Of course, I do put chocolate chips in everything.

Corey

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May. 23, 2008 - Julia's "Haircut"

Julia got a trim :)  She had her hair shaped up once as a baby because of the thin places they get, but this is the first time the length has been cut.  I was apprehensive about having it done, and it was long overdue.  Now that it has been trimmed a little, it will be easier to really cut in the future.  As you can see by the pictures, there isn't a big difference.  Just a little off the straggly (is that a word?) ends.  My friend Kimberly is the one who cut it.  We were in her garage.  She cuts friends and family at home instead of at the salon.  It seems like we've had many "firsts" lately, I'm glad to have a place to record them.

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May. 22, 2008 - Funny Pic

I was looking through the pictures on my cell phone and found several that Julia had taken.  Some were unrecognizable, some were of the floor, many were closeups of her face :), but I thought this was cute.

She's proud of her latest pedicure.

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May. 22, 2008 - Luke's Work Update

Luke had a great time being with Dad and the guys at work.  Paul said he did well.  It will take time for him to learn everything, but he has an excellent teacher.  Paul plans to take him at least once a week.

I am very proud of Luke and the young man he has become.  Working with daddy is like a rite-of-passage.  He's leaving the constant attention of Mom and gravitating to his father.  Our family dynamic is changing and that's a good thing, although it is another reminder of how quickly time passes and our baby boys become men.

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May. 20, 2008 - Luke is Going to Work

My oldest son Luke is going to work with Daddy.  He will be turning 12 this summer, the age I was when I began going with my father to work.  Luke didn't look thrilled to be getting up at six this morning, but I think he's excited to go.  Paul finishes cabinets with his brother Jacob and another helper.  It is not an easy job, but they make it fun.  I can't wait to hear how the day goes.  I snapped this picture as they were heading out this morning.

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May. 15, 2008 - Ba-NANA Pudding

My mom lived with us for too years before recently getting married. (Just kidding Jennifer -- two years, just making sure you were paying attention)  She now lives about an hour away.  My daughter misses her terribly.  Julia has been asking Nana if they could make banana pudding together.  Early yesterday, Mom had a doctor's appointment, then came to our house -- with ingredients.   Julia was surprised to see her.  They made ba-NANA pudding together.  It was the highlight of her week.

In the afternoon, after Nana had gone, Julia was playing with some toys saying, "This is George, this is Nana, and this is Julia."  I asked, "Where's Mommy?"  She pushed all the other toys aside (except George, Nana and herself) and delcared, "Mommy's not here."  That made me feel great!  

Mom's "house" downstairs is still furnished like it was when she lived here.  This is quite confusing for Julia who constantly asks if "Nana's coming home when she's done with that?"  I assume "that" is George.    She's too funny.

I guess it will be easier for her to understand when we move.  Or when Nana's stuff is not in the basement anymore.  

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May. 13, 2008 - Lake Lure

Part of my Mother's Day gift was a trip to Lake Lure.  Mom suggested that we meet there to drop off Julia to spend the night with her.  They had an event that day called Lure of the Dragons.  Different groups raced paddle type boats for charity.  I forgot my camera (of course) but I snapped this with my cell phone.

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