Obsession List

My freshman year in college, I met my soulmate. Not Shawn. My other soulmate. We were destined to be besties, BFFs, sistas from anotha mista, etc. We actually lived about 15 minutes down the highway from each other in the Houston area, but met for the first time in college at OU when we joined the same sorority. She definitely brought out the mature in me.

 

 

I have TONS of memories with Lauren, most notably creeping, shutting down date parties, dancing to "pump it" in the car, dancing to "honky tonk badonkadonk" everywhere, and quoting every line to scandals continuity skits, even though we were pretty much the only people who thought they were funny 4 years later (YOU WISH). But one thing I recently remembered was Lauren's "Obsession List". She would occasionally write a list of things she was currently "obsessed" with. I was usually near the top of her list, somewhere behind Katie Couric and "creeping". Anyways, I don't typically "obsess" over things, but lately there have been a few things I think about/check/watch multiple times per day, and they would be excellent candidates for my "obsession list". So here they go in descending order:

 

3. Big Bang Theory

I DVR every episode aired on TV, which is like 8 episodes per day, so the DVR is always full of Sheldon, Leonard, Howard, and Raj. I think I've finally caught up and seen pretty much every episode, so I'm not spending quite as much time (cough, 2 hours a day) trying to watch the episodes before the DVR deletes them to make room. If you're unfamiliar with TBBT, it's a show about 4 extremely nerdy scientists who love comic books, star wars, and super heroes. One is lactose intolerant, one lives with his mom, and one has selective mutism around pretty women.  One of the guys is particularly entertaining because he's incredibly literal and doesn't understand social norms, sarcasm, or humor and lacks even a smidge of humilty or regard for other people's feeings. He is obsessive about his routine and loves to talk about how smart he is. But he's not crazy, his mother had him tested. ;)

 

2. Jen Hatmaker

Jen's Blog

I was introduced to Jen when we read her book, 7, in our small group. I just finished her book, Interrupted, saw her speak recently at a church in OKC, compulsively check her page on facebook, and read every blog post half a dozen times. My explanation of how wonderful she is would not come close to the reality of her awesomeness, so all I'll say is, reading her material will make you want to donate 90% of your stuff to poor people, have cookouts with the homeless, adopt babies from foreign countries, and grow your own veggies right in your backyard. She is hilarious and honest and genuine and imperfect and I'd give her a thousand bucks if she'd be my best friend. (sorry Lauren) But seriously, she's changed the way I think about Christianity and love and church and Jesus and sometimes I want to punch her in the gut for knocking me off my cruise-control, suburban living, American dreaming course, but mostly I want to hug her for it. "Girl crush" does not even come close.

 

1. My Husband

Taking time to help me with the dishes.

 

Ok, I deserve an eye roll and a "gag me" for this, but I just have to brag on my man for a little bit. Currently, Shawn is in the middle of a residency to become certified in sports physical therapy and get his doctorate in PT. The residency is very intensive and consists of lots of reading, posting on online message boards, group projects, 200 hours of observing an athletic trainer or PT at sports events, lots of hours (not sure how many) observing someone who is already certified in sports PT, and a handful of weekend intensive courses (as in 8-5 sat and sun). All of this is on top of his 40-50 hour work week, building a house, and attending our regular church activities. And even with all of this he makes time to spend with me and help me around the apartment. Now I know that lots of people are busy. Probably even busier than Shawn. But the most impressive thing about all of this, is that despite how busy and tired overworked he is, he never complains. He doesn't talk about how busy he is, how much he has to get done, how he never has time to relax or do things he wants to do, or anything like that. He just gets his stuff done and is patient with me as I look at him with my "close that computer right now and come watch Big Bang Theory with me" eyes.

 

 

So theres the top three, folks. And I definitely use the word "obsessed" as an exaggeration. Except for my number 1. I should probably tone down the enthusiasm for that one. So back to the point of this blog... the house! It's done! We close in two days, and we will be living in our very first home in five. Here are some pictures with everything done except a deep clean and installing the blinds.

 

 

 



If everything goes according to plan, we'll be homeowners on Wednesday! Thanks for taking this journey with us, and keep checking back as we post updates on moving in, getting settled, and life in general. 

 

 



Two weeks away!

Tomorrow marks two weeks until our closing date, assuming everything goes according to plan.  I have to say, I'm getting a little anxious about home ownership. We're going to have a lot of responsibilities that we've never had before, like taking care of a lawn, having to fix things that go wrong on our own dime, and waayyy more square footage to keep clean. And I'm no Suzy home-maker, as shocking as that may sound. Not to mention the daunting task of signing our life away on a very large loan.  I know it will all be fun and totally worth it, but it's just something different and new. It's like Sheldon from Big Bang Theory says, "There’s a lot of harm in trying something new! That’s why we test out drugs and cosmetics on bunny rabbits." Love that guy. Anyways, if you've been keeping up with the blog, you're probably wondering how the heck the house can be done in two weeks. I'm actually REALLY behind on posting pictures, so here are some from a few weeks ago:


Kitchen, cabinets stained

Master bath, LOVE this tile and different kind of stain on the woodwork

Guest bathroom tub.

 

Guest bath cabinets and lighting.

Dining area.

Living room, with stained fireplace and light fixure.

They've also poured the concrete, laid the sod, finished the tile, and put in the backsplash. The only things left are the carpet, landscaping, and some decorative tiling in our shower. They also have to finish the heat and air, electric, and plumbing and get all of that inspected. Then they'll do some touch ups, we'll have it inspected and appraised, and then it will be ours! Our very first home! Stay tuned!





 

Disaster in Another House of Houcks

In many families, the connotation that comes with the term "in-law" is not usually a positive one, but I quite possibly have the BEST in-laws ever. We just spent the weekend with the Houcks for my sister in law's wedding. The morning of the wedding, I woke up early because we had plans to decorate the venue before brunch. I was sort of on auto pilot, which is never a safe mode to presume at 6:00 am when you're not in a typical environment. While reaching for the toothpaste, I knocked a bottle of pink finger nail polish off the shelf and sent it flying into the bathtub where it shattered EVERYWHERE and created a horrific mess. On the morning of my sister in law's wedding. In my mother in law's house. Where I had 30 minutes to get ready. Knowing what a BEAR nail polish is to get out of anything, I immediately panicked. I tried to wipe it up with just a wet paper towel (genius), which of course just smeared pink into the tub, creating a bigger mess and ruining my wedding mani. Next I tried finger nail polish remover, which seemed to work, but I didn't think I head nearly enough remover or time to get it cleaned up myself, so I woke up the solver of all crises having to do with beauty products, my husband Shawn. Together (through tears and dramatic "I've ruined her tub, she's going to hate me" ridiculousness), we dissolved the remaining mess with fingernail polish remover, bleach, and a scrubber brush that everyone should have in their stash of cleaning products. This situation doesn't seem like that huge of a catastrophe now, but at the time I was consumed with worry that I was going to create stress for my mother in law on the morning of her only daughter's wedding. But naturally, when I confessed and apologized through melodramatic tears, she hugged me and told me not to worry and that it was really no big deal. Best in laws ever. Plus it made for a funny story as we were all setting up for the big event. That story, and the one that involves me nearly renouncing my position as bridesmaid because I didn't have cash at a "cash only" alterations shop 15 minutes before closing on the night we were driving to WF. But that's another story. (A big thanks to my friend Kayley for bailing me out of this particular predicament!!).

In house news, we have a closing date! The date is October 24th. There's still a lot to do, but the guys are working around the clock (working sat, sun, and until 6:00 most weekdays!) to get it done. I'm kind of behind on the pictures, but here are a few from a while ago.

 Shawn and I shopping for granite. This turned out to be lots of fun! There were rows and rows of slabs. Made for a fun game of hide and seek. Can you find Shawn????

 

The trim guys did all of the woodwork in like two days! They did the fireplace, the kitchen, the closets, the bathrooms, the baseboards, and the crown molding.

 

Shawn apparently did not get enough opportunities to play hide and seek as a child. Can you find him in this picture?

 

Our latest adventure was on Sunday when we spent an eternity picking out all of our light fixtures. And I mean ALL of them, which included 8 flush lights, 5 ceiling fans, an entry fixture, a dining room fixture, 2 coach lights, 2 up lights, and two vanity lights. And I didn't even know what "coach" or "up" lights were until this experience. This has truly been an educational experience!

 

I'll try to get some recent pictures up soon, because they are moving at warp speed! It's been a little harder to get into the house to take pictures because they've been painting, tiling, and pouring concrete, which of course requires some dry-time. Here is the latest picture of us in front of the house with some of those lovely in-laws I was talking about. :)

 

 Shawn and I with Shawn's mom, Grandma, and Papa Bob

 

Had to throw this in here. Shawn with his birthday presents!

 

Have a great week!

Making Progress

Aahhh, sorry it's been so long since we've blogged! Let me just tell you how crazy the last few weeks have been in a montage of photos...

 Megan's bachelorette party in Ft. Worth...

 

 Lake trip with friends Allie and Cody...

 

Trip to Colorado for Shawn's residency and to visit family...

 

 Lake trip with Mom and Dad Houck

  

In house news, we're making some serious progress!! We've had to make all kinds of tough decisions on brick, cabinets, tile, and carpet. Here are a few pics we took along the way:

 

 Our brick arrives! (Can you find Shawn??)

 

Our plumbing and electric inspections pass on the first try and our JETTED tub comes in!

 

And in even MORE exciting news, they finished the brick and stone and put up the sheet rock in less than two weeks! We have been blown away by their speedy progress and will most likely be in our new home in 5-6 weeks! Here is the most recent picture:

Our cabinets should be coming in in the next few days, so we'll be able to start posting pics of the inside very soon. In the mean time, we'll be agonizing over the tough decisions of solid carpet versus flecked, dark carpet versus light, etc. etc.

 

Have a great week!

 

 

 





We have walls! Well almost....

Sorry folks, been away for a while and as you can see we are up and moving on the house!! Brit and I have been so anxious, we thought about just moving right in but figured we probably should wait until they at least finish the roof.  Last few weeks have been scorching out here (tomorrow the high is 111!) so big thanks to those guys working out there day in and day out.

Here is a preview looking at the kitchen from the living room.......

Stay tuned for more updates as the plumbing, walls, and brick all will be coming soon!

The loneliest number

Yesterday I got back from a work related trip to Hot Springs, Arkansas. I was really looking forward to the trip. I'd heard Hot Springs is really pretty with lakes, hiking trails, and great scenery. Plus my meals and hotel was paid for, so I thought, "What a fun get away! I'll go to my class during the day, enjoy good meals, and check out the town/hiking trails/scenery during my free time." So this is how I spent my first night on my own:

Ridiculous, right? I should probably stop watching so much Law and Order: SVU. And Criminal Mind. And Without a Trace. The vicitims on those shows are always girls in their 20s who are all alone and without a chair to stop a serial killer from breaking down their hotel door. Good thing I had a chair. Once I got a grip over my wild imagination and mental images from the forementioned shows, I braved the hiking trails of Hot Springs. With a sharp edged rock in hand.

It turned out to be an okay trip, but I definitely realized I'm not as independent as I thought I was, or as I'd like to be. But since I got through it without getting lost or abducted, I suppose each time will get easier. I still plan on taking my honey with me whenever possible!

(Shawn and I at the Grove 4th of July celebration)

Speaking of my honey, here is the latest on our new place:

Plumbing AND a foundation! We hope to have some wood in the picture next time... 







Breaking Ground

Hmmm, how to start a blog? I hate to admit this, but I'm a little behind on the techno times. The only device I own that begins with an "I" is my lime green Nano that I've had for almost 7 years. I'm doing good to check my facebook every once in a while. I don't have a Twitter, mostly because I don't understand #whatevertheheckthismeans and am too busy (ok lazy) to figure it out and set up an account. I guess the latest thing is Pinterest, which I am likely going to become addicted to in about 4 months when I have a new house to furnish and decorate. Which is an excellent introduction to the purpose of this blog.

A few monoths ago, Shawn and I were anticipating our first anniversary and the end of our contract with our apartment and decided that we were ready to buy our first house. We fell in love with a very specific neighborhood and were determined to find a house there. Unfortunately, the neighborhood is fairly new, so few houses were for sale and we couldn't find a new one that fit us. Sooooo we ended up picking a builder, a floor plan, and a lot:

So that's where we began. When we started telling people we were building, we usually received one of two responses:

1) How exciting!! That's going to be so much fun!

OR

2) Oh gosh, I've heard that's stressful. Good luck.

Sooo, I decided to blog about it. I'll post pictures as the house goes up, throw in a few Houck updates for our nonfacebooking family members, but most importantly, will invite readers to give advice and opinions as we begin selecting brick, carpet, paint, and all of that fun stuff, because that is not exactly my specialty. And as a bonus to my first blog post, here is an updated picture of the progress:

Now how exciting is that?! Ok, I now realize it's not that exciting, but it took a while for them to get started, so I will be a little overly enthusiastic about a 6 inch concrete outline of the house for now. Plumbing is next! Now THAT is something to look forward to!!