Home Sweet Home

Erin just went to sleep and Jared is working the Atlantis Mission so I finally find a second to post some photos. I know most of you don’t care what my upstairs bathroom looks like, but this is our family portal so if I don’t get detailed I’ll have mothers after me. All the boxs are gone, but the walls are still bare (and blue, ugh). The fun part is just starting.
All right here are the photos for all you nagging people :)

I know the façade of the house is Ugo! For all you land arch’s out there, send your ideas this way! Do the Tuscan firs stay or go? We are going plant shopping this week.

Entryway

Dining Room

Living Room

Kitchen

Master Bedroom

Master Bath

The wall paper has got to go!

Master Closet

Em's New Business Office

View from office

no back neighbors, community greenspace

Upstairs Bath

Family Game Room

Erin’s room looks like the guest room but with another window, she was sleeping when I was taking photos.

Backyard






Street

The Story...

We finally took the leap and purchased our first home on Aug 25th. I always said I would never, EVER do three things when I purchased a house:1.) live in suburbia 2.) live in a flood plain or by the water (21 feet elevation, the whole city is a flood plain) 3.) I would never live where a homeowners association restricted my pink flamingo and gnome usage. I managed to fail to meet the criteria on all three. But after a year of searching we found the best possible scenario for our family. The buying process went smoothly until the week of closing when things got a little hairy.

We first looked at the house back in April and then put in an offer in mid June. The owners were in the process of building a house and the week they accepted our offer they cancelled the house they were building; hence, they were homeless. We had our apartment contracted until Aug 31 so we agreed on a two-month closing to give them time to find a house.

We purchased the house because it has some character. We looked at over 30 houses and probably about seven floor plans. But moreover we purchased it because the owner was completely anal and the house was in very good structural condition, which is hard to find around here. It is still odd to me, but housing is practically a disposable commodity down here. The humid weather, blazing temperatures, and tropical storms create a prime condition for mold and general material deterioration. And frankly, its quick-build suburbia, houses are not built to last and people come to Houston to work, there a large turnover. Anyway the inspector told us this house was one of the best taken care of houses he had inspected in a long time and that was our buying point.

We were set to close on Friday morning at 9 am, giving us all day Friday and Saturday to move before the flight window for the shuttle opened on Sunday. Everything had gone smoothly…..and then the downward spiral began.

We received a notice from the sellers that they were taking the weekend after the closing to move out. They fabricated up some story and stated that we said that they could have three days after closing to move out, even though it was never mentioned and never executed in the contract. After they threatened to not sell the house (with some colorful language added) we settled on the terms they could have all day Friday and until 10 am Saturday to move out.

This put us in an awkward position, since we would be closing on the house and they would continue to reside in it for 24 hours and we would carry the liability if anything would happen (a.k.a they decide to burn the house down).

We did our final walk through the morning of the closing and the owner got very nasty with us, that we were “stealing” his house. As we did the walk through we found several contract breaches and decided to let them slide after his comment about possibly punching large holes in the wall. Frankly ,our goal at this point was not to piss him off as he seemed a bit shifty. The closing went well and the frustration just turned to bizarre.

I arrived at the house at 10am Saturday and let out a sigh of relief that all walls were still intact. I walked up to the front door of MY HOUSE only to find the sellers had hired a skin-head moving crew to move their spa (complete with KKK tattoos, shaved heads and wife beaters, it just seemed so stereotypical). After the skin-heads left, our posse moving crew pretty much helped the sellers load up because it was after 1 pm and they still had major items to move. Its was a bit touch and go, but we finally thought it was over….

And here’s the kicker, we went to rewire a 220V (which the seller was bound to do. And he did, but then ripped it out because he was mad). We found out he had stolen the breakers out of the fuse box. Who steals a breaker? How childish are we (this is why we were being very patient with him, so he did not go postal on us). I asked him if I could have my breakers back and he smiled and said to go to Lowe's. Someone looked at 5 different hardware stores and could find them nowhere. That was my limit - he stole my pool table, he breached the contract, but after a day of moving in 95 degree weather and rain I wanted to do laundry and I was ready to fight.

I called his wife (ironically she was the nicest woman) and about an hour later he was standing on my front door step with his head hung low reluctantly handing over the breakers. He looked like a beaten kid that stole something from a candy store and his mom was making him apologize and return the item.

And on top of that they did not mow their yard for over a month. The thing was a jungle, it was almost waist deep on Erin. I contemplated bailing it, but then I thought the homeowners association would frown upon round bales :)

I can’t say the seller was a horrible guy, no one really has their best face forward with the buying/selling process, it becomes an emotional trying time, especially for people like him that think the world is out to get him.

The first week in our new house was a little turbulent with the insurance company loosing the check from the title company and not telling us we had no insurance for the first week. Besides the drug paraphernalia I found in the flowers beds and the random motion lights that we can’t find a switch for life is adjusting back to normal and we are slowly settling in. Lowe’s has become our new hangout spot, it becomes almost a nightly adventure (and a pricey one for that matter).

Erin loves the house, more than anything I love the space. If you have not looked at our site for a while, flip back a few pages for photos of Erin. She is growing and talking up a storm.

And you all of you Northern folk, come down and visit. Or if you are ever in Houston you are more than welcome to crash at our house (as long as we know you and your not some random person reading this). I will start posting more regularly again.

Until next time...

Angeltalk Greeting Cards

This is a project I worked on as a graphic designer earlier this spring. The product just launched this week.

Check it out...

www.angeltalk.com

The Adventure Begins….

Well I finally started seriously packing and now I know I waited to the last minute. I have no room to put boxes. Utilities are transferred; uhal is reserved; now we are just waiting to sign on the dotted line Friday.
So far this is what my living room looks like….

Good ol’ Cubs

Minute Maid Park

Erin and Kylie enjoying the game

Last Monday night I pulled out my 1980’s polyester Cubs jersey from the back of my closet and headed into the city. We went with a bunch of friends to the ASTROS vs. CUBS game at Minute-Maid Park. It was NASA night so we got $5.00 tickets; they were in the nosebleed section, but still not bad seats. We almost got bull pin seats, but figured on one of us would be running Erin down the corridors most of the game.

One of the female astronauts sang the National Anthem and was very good. Then the shuttle crew threw out the first pitch, lets just say they were blessed with brains and not athletic ability. I have converted to being an astros fan (We’ll be living down the street from Brandon Backe)…until the Cubs come to town. Must be something in our Midwest blood that we still root for our beloved underdogs. And I was not the only one; Houston is made up of northern transplants. One day we’ll take over and Houston will become the new Minneapolis - minus the bitter winters and lilac trees.

I was so surprised that Erin sat through most of the game. The first hour she was just overwhelmed with all the people and the sounds. She lasted until the fourth inning before I took her out to get a funnel cake. While we were out we ran into the Astros mascot - a large non-ferocious looking bunny. Nothing says we’re going to pummel your team into the ground like Peter Cotton Tail hopping down the first base line.

Erin and I made it back to our seats for the fifth inning on. We had to keep an eye on her because she kept trying to drop animal crackers down the g-string of the scantily clad dressed woman in front of us. The woman kept turning around and at us and all I wanted to say was “Dude, we would have a problem if you decided to wear clothes in public”. But then again baseball games always attract the interesting people.

The Cubs ended up wining 3-0 (Ya!) and the game was over by 10p.m., perfect for the little ones.

Here are the pics....

The Countdown Begins

Star ship enterprise flying over League City. This was the sunset a few nights ago. Texas may not have much, but they have beautiful clouds.

Sorry about the lack of posts lately, my free time has been greatly inhibited due to work and the moving thing.

We are T-12 days until we close on the house. And yet I haven’t packed a single box. I am still working on a large catalog project for a company and am hoping to be completed with all projects by Thursday. (Its more of a panic furry to hit a deadline.)

Then starts the arduous journey of packing. I think I haven’t started yet because frankly I hate packing. But I have started to de-junk the apartment. I have found myself in a throwaway mood. Things I have held onto for years are getting chucked faster then the City of Houston shoots down mass-transit options.

Erin is growing up so quickly, she has decided to self-potty train. On one hand her proactive approach is great, on the other she thinks it gives her a license to run in the buff.

We have hit our first “bumps” in the house buying process. My realtor forwarded me an email Thursday saying the owners were moving the 25th and 26th. That poses a problem since we are closing the 25th and moving in the 26th. For some reason they were under the impression after they handed the keys over they had three days to move. And to make matter worse they are closing on the house they are buying the same day. They have had this house lined up for over a month. Why close the same day? They are nice people - just idiots.

We purchased our first appliance this weekend at the Sears scratch and dent. Never mind there was a murder a few blocks away the night before we picked it up. Not a great neighborhood but an awesome place for frugal people who are willing to dodge a few bullets to save a couple hundred dollars. We got our fridge at 50% off and the dents are on the sides, it looks really nice, and we didn’t get shot.

Our new fridge

We’ll my postings over the next few weeks will be few and far in-between. Check in every now and then, but I have a feeling my posts will consist more about ranting and frustrations than photos.
Until next time
Princess Erin…. Erin is into this new fashion phase right now. She is very adamant about what she wears. She always demands that she wears her sunglasses on her head. I couldn’t figure out why until I realize that’s where my reading glasses are most of the time.
Do everyone’s child sleep like a jumper who’s parachute failed to deploy?
Princess Erin strutting her stuff again

Texas baby….Its starting…..
Erin loves playing with her blocks. Its now a daily ritual.
GODZILLA !!!!!! Erin &Kylie playing beauty shop. Kylie is not so happy about the new hairdo Erin gave her.
This is one of my new favorite photos.

She was hiding from me that day guilty of some mischievous deed.

Opposing sides……

Here are a few new photos showcasing the many sides of Erin. -Ready for the pool -

Erin dressed herself, I was just the embarrassed mother walking behind…

What did the children's museum give her?

Overall it was a long week. I have been busy working on a re-design of a luminaire catalog for a company that fabricates light fixtures for the refineries. Its been a good gig and now I am fully knowledgeable about commercial luminaire hardware. But on that note I’m ready to be done, its about as exciting as it sounds.
Until next time…..

I’m a survivor….

I returned from YW Camp last night bruised, stiff, but happy. We had a great time. Dianne and I were unit leaders over eight energetic teenage girls. We were stationed at a Boy Scout camp in Louisiana. It was four days of primitive camping, although a central mess hall provided all our meals.

The weather was beautiful considering its mid-July. We had between 65-98 degree temperatures with 70-80% humidity everyday. Each day we had certification in first aid, nature, severe weather, orienteering, etc. I taught one nature course and it made me realize how much I miss working with kids and the environment.

Dianne and I at the special program
The great thing was there was a lot of down time and a wide variety of activities. Dianne and I hung out at the C.O.P.E.S. course – a high ropes course. The first day I did the climbing wall and zip line in crocs (bad idea). The second day we did the friendship ladder. It’s a cable and wood latter with the rungs appx 5 feet apart and the height of the rungs extended in the middle.
The latter was not connected at the base so it’s continually swinging as you and your partner are attempting to climb up. When we reached the top we walked across a cable and the repelled down. I was okay until I got to the little 15” platform you jump off – I’m not sure if I made the mistake of looking down or realizing I was a looking at the top of a long-needled southern pine, which I know grow upwards of 100’. I was not nearly that high, but the thought made me shutter. However, I took the plunge off the platform before my logical side kicked and the “stupid idea” button in my brain started flashing.

Charlissa & I teaming up on the "friendship ladder"

My dentist and I discussing if he let me fall how much reconstructive dental work would I get for free.

Swinging on the high wire

Dianne and Cherise getting ready to climb & Em attempting to climb in crocs....

The rest of the week Dianne and I decided to keep our feet on the ground and became shooting sharks at the gun and archery ranges. We had great girls that did not complain about the heat and were excited to participate. They cracked me up all week. They are all in that trial and error stage of life. Its almost as if their brains work on schedules set by child labor laws – 20 hours a weeks maximum. I watched as one of our book smart brainiacs attempted to hurdle a cable fence at the archery range with a hand full of sharp arrows only to catch her knee on the top cable and nearly impale herself. I watched as they chased water moccasins and became pyros around the campfire. It took a legion of angels this week to bring everyone home with all limbs intact and in good health.

It was fun, but like everyone else after four days without air-conditioning and a good shower I was ready for the comfort of home.

So in closing all I can say is “wait on” sister……”wait on”

A Camping we will go....

I am off to girl’s camp in the bayous of Louisiana. Provided I survive the heat, alligators, copperheads, and 200 screaming insane teenage girls I’ll post next week.
Until then…..

Houton Oddities

So I gave up on the book blog, haven’t had much time to sit and read the last few months. I decided some months ago that it was time I stop the Houston hatin’. I am not saying that that Houston is a beautiful city by any means or the dream place to live but I started to do something I have not done in a long time – random exploring. I know, there always a chance of getting shot when wondering around large cities aimlessly, but I have started seeing the city in a different light. My new blog is www.houstonoddities.blogspot.com (it’s also on the side bar under Emm’s Houston photo blog)

Take a look. You have to see the beercan house…..tacky. Scroll to the bottom of the new blog - it was my first post but in reality should be on top.

Oh and by the way, I have this nice guest map sitting up in the right hand corner, I would like people to sign it.

New Shoes

Erin got new shoes this week - she loves not to wear them....

Downtown

Saturday Kate, Jared, Erin and I headed downtown. We went to the zoo (it poured rain) and then to the Unity Festival at the outdoor amphitheater. The choir was not great, but Erin digged it. Then Monday Kate, Erin and I hopped on the lightrail and went to the downtown district. We toured the plazas and went through the underground street maze. Because Houston is so hot, they sunk their streetscape underground. Now there are miles of underground tunnels lined with restaurants and specialty shops that connect the downtown districts.

Erin dancing a gospel groove at the Unity Fest.

Kate at the Beer Can House

Kate & Erin at the Petting Zoo

Emm Downtown at Main Street Square

Em & Kate and some random ducks....