So, not too much new to update since last time. We are still waiting for the RIGHT home buyer to come along and fall in love with our place. We've been lucky to have good traffic coming through - which has been encouraging. The hard and frustrating part is that we've had a few 2nd showings, and one couple that actually wrote up an offer and then decided last-minute not to submit it. I remind Dan (and myself) that everything happens for a reason. Maybe we are actually lucky that they bailed then rather than far down the path of negotiations or inspections, you know? But we are really hoping for the best - and soon. Seriously you have no idea how hard it is to keep your house in such pristine condition!! Makes me want to strangle someone with a sponge mop.
Anyway, Dan and I are spending next week finishing up our jobs and packing up. Lots of people to say "see ya later" to as well. I don't like goodbyes since they seem so final!! I'm not looking forward to that part because it's so hard. We don't have any family here, so a lot of our friends have become like family. Plus, going through this sort of thing before, it's usually around this time that you start questioning the decision to move - even though you know it's the right thing.
So, lots of tears and hugs, but also excitement to see what the next chapter of life will bring! And if I don't get the chance to see you before we leave, we'll see ya later!!!
Friday, March 26, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Ending one chapter, starting another!
Hi everyone -
Sorry I've been a slacker in keeping this updated, but things here have been more than crazy to say the least!! Actually more like life-changing. Which is exciting and scary as hell all at the same time!
To sum it up in a nutshell, we are packing up and moving to Delaware on April 3. I know, what you are thinking - "Dela-where?!" I have to say that I never thought in a million years that I would end up living there, but everything aligned and it looks like this will be what's best for us and our family. Dan loved growing up there, and we want our kids to have a great childhood as well. It's funny because being from New England, I think that Delaware is "south" and that I'm becoming a "southerner." Which Dan likes to correct me and say we aren't going to be southerners, but mid-Atlanticers. Okkkkk people down there still have an accent and love NASCAR so whatever. In my book, anything below Jersey is the south.
On top of moving, I've accepted a great new job offer down there which I am really excited about. It's providing me with the opportunity to work on the client-side of marketing vs. the agency side (which I've done for the past 10 years). The only down-fall is that I now have to dress more corporate for work - and say goodbye to my endless supply of designer "work jeans" (tear). Oh well, I guess it's finally time to grow up and dress like a real businesswoman. I guess it gives me a great excuse to go shopping!! Anyway, Dan is getting transferred to the Philly Sports Clubs - so he can continue to do the job he loves for the same company.
So, I went in and gave my 2 weeks' notice on Monday at work and my last day is on March 29th. We are going to spend the rest of that week packing and then are moving on April 3rd. Everyone keeps asking us if we sold the condo, and the answer unfortunately is no : ( We've had some great traffic coming through, but so far no bites. This is the one last piece of the puzzle that we need to resolve. In the meantime, we are going to rent a townhouse down in DE while we look to buy a house. We aren't in a rush - especially since we need to sell this condo first. But everything was set into motion for our move by our new jobs down there starting on April 12th.
And so the craziness continues as on top of getting ready for the move, Dylan came down with his first cold. He had a fever of 101 yesterday and we took him to see the doctor. Of course they said it was just a common cold and to give him Tylenol but it breaks my heart to see my little guy sick!! He already seems like he's doing a little better today. Oh yea, and on top of all that, our fridge broke. We paid a repairman $75 to come and tell us that we need to buy a new one! So that was great. AND on top of all that going on, we have to buy a new fridge, moving companies coming at various times to give us quotes, and I have to do a variety of drug tests and fingerprinting for my new job. So I guess we are beyond craziness at this point.
Anyway, I will try to be better at keeping this updated as things progress!! xoxox
Sorry I've been a slacker in keeping this updated, but things here have been more than crazy to say the least!! Actually more like life-changing. Which is exciting and scary as hell all at the same time!
To sum it up in a nutshell, we are packing up and moving to Delaware on April 3. I know, what you are thinking - "Dela-where?!" I have to say that I never thought in a million years that I would end up living there, but everything aligned and it looks like this will be what's best for us and our family. Dan loved growing up there, and we want our kids to have a great childhood as well. It's funny because being from New England, I think that Delaware is "south" and that I'm becoming a "southerner." Which Dan likes to correct me and say we aren't going to be southerners, but mid-Atlanticers. Okkkkk people down there still have an accent and love NASCAR so whatever. In my book, anything below Jersey is the south.
On top of moving, I've accepted a great new job offer down there which I am really excited about. It's providing me with the opportunity to work on the client-side of marketing vs. the agency side (which I've done for the past 10 years). The only down-fall is that I now have to dress more corporate for work - and say goodbye to my endless supply of designer "work jeans" (tear). Oh well, I guess it's finally time to grow up and dress like a real businesswoman. I guess it gives me a great excuse to go shopping!! Anyway, Dan is getting transferred to the Philly Sports Clubs - so he can continue to do the job he loves for the same company.
So, I went in and gave my 2 weeks' notice on Monday at work and my last day is on March 29th. We are going to spend the rest of that week packing and then are moving on April 3rd. Everyone keeps asking us if we sold the condo, and the answer unfortunately is no : ( We've had some great traffic coming through, but so far no bites. This is the one last piece of the puzzle that we need to resolve. In the meantime, we are going to rent a townhouse down in DE while we look to buy a house. We aren't in a rush - especially since we need to sell this condo first. But everything was set into motion for our move by our new jobs down there starting on April 12th.
And so the craziness continues as on top of getting ready for the move, Dylan came down with his first cold. He had a fever of 101 yesterday and we took him to see the doctor. Of course they said it was just a common cold and to give him Tylenol but it breaks my heart to see my little guy sick!! He already seems like he's doing a little better today. Oh yea, and on top of all that, our fridge broke. We paid a repairman $75 to come and tell us that we need to buy a new one! So that was great. AND on top of all that going on, we have to buy a new fridge, moving companies coming at various times to give us quotes, and I have to do a variety of drug tests and fingerprinting for my new job. So I guess we are beyond craziness at this point.
Anyway, I will try to be better at keeping this updated as things progress!! xoxox
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Not fast enough!
Seems like there is a ton going on going right now. Some things are moving forward at lightening speed, when others could never move fast enough.
I am really excited about our house going up on the market! Lots to do between now and the open house on Sunday. Not to mention we have The Home Depot guys putting in carpet upstairs at some point. There's been a ton of coordination with a ton of people but I am determined to project manage the hell out of this! It was funny because my new neighbor at work was like "I love how you just tell people how it is and that it will be done!" She def. doesn't know me very well yet!
Came home to Dan who did everything on his "list" to make the house beautiful. I was really proud of him because he even managed to work with the real estate agent to take pictures this afternoon while taking care of the babe. So now I get to spend the next couple of days cleaning like a madwoman to ensure the house is "staged" and ready!
On a separate note, am I the only one who is sick of American Idol? I used to like the show, but I think at this point I'm just over it. Same old crap, different year.
More later....
I am really excited about our house going up on the market! Lots to do between now and the open house on Sunday. Not to mention we have The Home Depot guys putting in carpet upstairs at some point. There's been a ton of coordination with a ton of people but I am determined to project manage the hell out of this! It was funny because my new neighbor at work was like "I love how you just tell people how it is and that it will be done!" She def. doesn't know me very well yet!
Came home to Dan who did everything on his "list" to make the house beautiful. I was really proud of him because he even managed to work with the real estate agent to take pictures this afternoon while taking care of the babe. So now I get to spend the next couple of days cleaning like a madwoman to ensure the house is "staged" and ready!
On a separate note, am I the only one who is sick of American Idol? I used to like the show, but I think at this point I'm just over it. Same old crap, different year.
More later....
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
That's life I guess....
Ok so I've been meaning to update this for the longest time now. And who's the dummy who decided to start a blog when I only had about one week left after having 3 months off?! No one told me life would get this crazy once I went back to work, but I guess that we kind of did it to ourselves. Oh well, that's life I guess.
So needless to say, a ton has been going on here - more than I could possibly write. But I went back to work last week after having about 3 months off. It was so great to be able to spend that time with my son - especially the last month or so. So you can imagine how it was such a rude awakening to be thrown back into the thick of things. It was so hard leaving my little guy (and best shopping buddy) after spending every waking day with him for the past 3 months! I've never wanted to be a stay-at-home mom, but last week I wanted to. I never thought it would be that hard to leave him. I basically went home every night after work, cried and begged Dan to let me quit my job! (although that that will never happen thanks to a mortgage and student loans) Needless to say, I am lucky to have a job and every day has gotten a little bit easier. I still hate the fact that I get to see him for about an hour a day and it's usually during his "crankypants time" - lucky me!
On top of going back to work, we decided that it was finally the right time to put our condo up on the market. We originally bought our place thinking we'd be there for 2 years tops, and then with the money we make off the sale, be able to buy a nice single family home. So here we are 5 years later thanks to the economy tanking and we are still going to lose money on it. Just hoping to lose less. I guess hindsight is 20/20 because no one really saw this coming. We saw a few comparable condos on the market at the price we wanted to sell for (of course we think our condo is better than those), so it will officially be listed as of Friday, 2/26. But now we have the "fun" of going through the list of fixes and things that need to be done before then! Not to mention the cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning that should be done. Not that my house is dirty in general, but there's always something that could be cleaned. And especially having pets - gotta love the endless supply of hair!
Anyway, we are really hoping that the right buyer comes along and that the $8K tax credit will help. We always say that someone like us 5 years ago will come along and fall in love with the place just like we did. But I guess we'll have to wait and see!
That's it for now. More later....
So needless to say, a ton has been going on here - more than I could possibly write. But I went back to work last week after having about 3 months off. It was so great to be able to spend that time with my son - especially the last month or so. So you can imagine how it was such a rude awakening to be thrown back into the thick of things. It was so hard leaving my little guy (and best shopping buddy) after spending every waking day with him for the past 3 months! I've never wanted to be a stay-at-home mom, but last week I wanted to. I never thought it would be that hard to leave him. I basically went home every night after work, cried and begged Dan to let me quit my job! (although that that will never happen thanks to a mortgage and student loans) Needless to say, I am lucky to have a job and every day has gotten a little bit easier. I still hate the fact that I get to see him for about an hour a day and it's usually during his "crankypants time" - lucky me!
On top of going back to work, we decided that it was finally the right time to put our condo up on the market. We originally bought our place thinking we'd be there for 2 years tops, and then with the money we make off the sale, be able to buy a nice single family home. So here we are 5 years later thanks to the economy tanking and we are still going to lose money on it. Just hoping to lose less. I guess hindsight is 20/20 because no one really saw this coming. We saw a few comparable condos on the market at the price we wanted to sell for (of course we think our condo is better than those), so it will officially be listed as of Friday, 2/26. But now we have the "fun" of going through the list of fixes and things that need to be done before then! Not to mention the cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning that should be done. Not that my house is dirty in general, but there's always something that could be cleaned. And especially having pets - gotta love the endless supply of hair!
Anyway, we are really hoping that the right buyer comes along and that the $8K tax credit will help. We always say that someone like us 5 years ago will come along and fall in love with the place just like we did. But I guess we'll have to wait and see!
That's it for now. More later....
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Reality Bites
While growing up, the movies were a place that we always went to escape reality. And as we got older (especially into our teenage years), we would always choose the romantic movies where the main characters would go through many trial and tribulations, but in the end, true love prevailed and all was right with the world.
In the romantic dramas and comedies, the story was always pretty much the same - guy meets girl. It takes half the movie for them to realize they should be together, they finally get together, they fight, break up, and then get back together for good at the climax of the movie. And it ends showing that they live happily ever after, holding hands forever in the sunset. There's something to be said about my favorite movie of all time being "Shakespeare in Love"!
As we get older at some point, we get a reality bitch slap to discover that this isn't how things really work in the real world and love is nothing like it is portrayed in the movies. We often find out the harsh way that there is no man out there would would ever do some of those romantic things in real life either (like write about "our love" in a notebook or save our lives from a sinking ocean liner). I remember seeing some of these movies again when I was older, and thinking that people making these movies are living in a fantasy land, and wondering if anyone was ever actually going to make a real movie that portrays real life?
Well, these past year, Hollywood must have heard me. I love dark comedies, but have noticed an abundance of more darker romantic comedies coming out. And now I've had the reality bitch slap of the fact that they portray real life almost TOO much! Talk about depressing! Did anyone see "500 Days of Summer"? Looked great in the previews, but after watching it (by myself) I wanted to jump off a bridge. Not to spoil anything, but at the end, I left with the feeling that there was no such thing as real love. At the beginning of the movie, the narrator actually says "This is a story of boy meets girl. But you should know up front, this is not a love story." I should have taken the hint then and shut it off...
Then this past weekend we went to see "Up in the Air" which got excellent ratings and is nominated for Best Picture at this year's Oscars. I mean who doesn't want to see George Clooney in action? It was a good movie, however, talk about harsh reality!! Not to spoil again, but takes him forever to realize he actually feels love for someone only to have it all blow up in his face. Once again I left the theater feeling depressed! (This time Dan was there from preventing me from jumping off the bridge - HA!).
So needless to say, I want my "Happily Ever After" back! I want to leave a romantic movie with that good feeling that there is such thing as real love and it can conquer all! Maybe that's the aspirational part of me that I only knew growing up? I have enough harsh reality in my everyday life, thanks.
All that being said, anyone want to go see "Valentine's Day" with me?
In the romantic dramas and comedies, the story was always pretty much the same - guy meets girl. It takes half the movie for them to realize they should be together, they finally get together, they fight, break up, and then get back together for good at the climax of the movie. And it ends showing that they live happily ever after, holding hands forever in the sunset. There's something to be said about my favorite movie of all time being "Shakespeare in Love"!
As we get older at some point, we get a reality bitch slap to discover that this isn't how things really work in the real world and love is nothing like it is portrayed in the movies. We often find out the harsh way that there is no man out there would would ever do some of those romantic things in real life either (like write about "our love" in a notebook or save our lives from a sinking ocean liner). I remember seeing some of these movies again when I was older, and thinking that people making these movies are living in a fantasy land, and wondering if anyone was ever actually going to make a real movie that portrays real life?
Well, these past year, Hollywood must have heard me. I love dark comedies, but have noticed an abundance of more darker romantic comedies coming out. And now I've had the reality bitch slap of the fact that they portray real life almost TOO much! Talk about depressing! Did anyone see "500 Days of Summer"? Looked great in the previews, but after watching it (by myself) I wanted to jump off a bridge. Not to spoil anything, but at the end, I left with the feeling that there was no such thing as real love. At the beginning of the movie, the narrator actually says "This is a story of boy meets girl. But you should know up front, this is not a love story." I should have taken the hint then and shut it off...
Then this past weekend we went to see "Up in the Air" which got excellent ratings and is nominated for Best Picture at this year's Oscars. I mean who doesn't want to see George Clooney in action? It was a good movie, however, talk about harsh reality!! Not to spoil again, but takes him forever to realize he actually feels love for someone only to have it all blow up in his face. Once again I left the theater feeling depressed! (This time Dan was there from preventing me from jumping off the bridge - HA!).
So needless to say, I want my "Happily Ever After" back! I want to leave a romantic movie with that good feeling that there is such thing as real love and it can conquer all! Maybe that's the aspirational part of me that I only knew growing up? I have enough harsh reality in my everyday life, thanks.
All that being said, anyone want to go see "Valentine's Day" with me?
Friday, February 5, 2010
How Come My Eyelashes Don't Look Like That?!
Ok so I'm sure all of you have seen the bizillions of mascara commercials on TV - especially on TLC and channels geared towards women. The models all have perfectly long, and volumized lashes with no clumps or smudges. And of course there are a million different kinds out there to choose from. Over the past year, I'm also sure you've noticed that the eyelashes on celebrities have become SIGNIFICANTLY larger as well. Of course most celebrities have teams of people working on them, and their own make-up artist to spend hours gluing their eyelashes on beautifully and perfectly each and every day. After having a few Halloweens where I attempted to glue on false eyelashes and getting glue in my eye, on my contacts, glued my eye shut, etc., I decided that this probably wasn't the best way for me to go.
Seeing all the commercials on TV for all these innovative mascaras, I decided to try to find the one that would make my lashes just as amazing as the celebrities - without the falsies. I first fell for the one with the vibrating wand. It looked so easy on TV and the model's eyelashes looked so FAB! So I spent the $10 on it and tried it out. Of course only to find that it did the exact same thing as my old mascara and I was $10 poorer. Not to mention the vibrating thing sort of wigs me out a bit. Same with the vibrating razor - don't waste your money on that one either.
Then I saw a commercial by Rimmel for mascara called "ultimate" that was supposed to make your eyelashes look just like the falsies - well that's what the packaging said anyway. Apparently the "secret" was in the type of brush. I have never bought Rimmel before I decided I would try it out. Only to spend another $10 for a mascara that once again made no noticeable difference. Flush that $10 down the toilet.
I then decided that it wasn't a mascara that was going to make my lashes long and voluptuous, they key was the lash curler. So I went to Sephoria to look for a good one - only to find that they were anywhere from $20-30 and you could get the same exact thing at Target for $3. So off to Target I went and got a new one to try out. Yes, it did make my lashes longer - but it only lasted a few minutes and then they were right back to normal.
Then last week I was getting my hair done and asked the make-up artist for the salon what she would recommend. She told me about Maybeline Stiletto mascara and said it worked great for just about everyone. So off to Target I went again to spend yet another $10. I do have to say that it did make my lashes longer and seemed to work a bit better than my old mascara. But the jury is still out on that one if it was a good use of my $10 yet or not.
So what does all this mean?? It means ladies, don't fall for all the ads telling us that we can get the same lashes as the celebrities simply by using their mascara! Believe me - it will save you about $50 and 10 trips to Target! May as well just face it - our lashes will never look like that!!
Seeing all the commercials on TV for all these innovative mascaras, I decided to try to find the one that would make my lashes just as amazing as the celebrities - without the falsies. I first fell for the one with the vibrating wand. It looked so easy on TV and the model's eyelashes looked so FAB! So I spent the $10 on it and tried it out. Of course only to find that it did the exact same thing as my old mascara and I was $10 poorer. Not to mention the vibrating thing sort of wigs me out a bit. Same with the vibrating razor - don't waste your money on that one either.
Then I saw a commercial by Rimmel for mascara called "ultimate" that was supposed to make your eyelashes look just like the falsies - well that's what the packaging said anyway. Apparently the "secret" was in the type of brush. I have never bought Rimmel before I decided I would try it out. Only to spend another $10 for a mascara that once again made no noticeable difference. Flush that $10 down the toilet.
I then decided that it wasn't a mascara that was going to make my lashes long and voluptuous, they key was the lash curler. So I went to Sephoria to look for a good one - only to find that they were anywhere from $20-30 and you could get the same exact thing at Target for $3. So off to Target I went and got a new one to try out. Yes, it did make my lashes longer - but it only lasted a few minutes and then they were right back to normal.
Then last week I was getting my hair done and asked the make-up artist for the salon what she would recommend. She told me about Maybeline Stiletto mascara and said it worked great for just about everyone. So off to Target I went again to spend yet another $10. I do have to say that it did make my lashes longer and seemed to work a bit better than my old mascara. But the jury is still out on that one if it was a good use of my $10 yet or not.
So what does all this mean?? It means ladies, don't fall for all the ads telling us that we can get the same lashes as the celebrities simply by using their mascara! Believe me - it will save you about $50 and 10 trips to Target! May as well just face it - our lashes will never look like that!!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Giving this a Whirl!
I've been contemplating starting a blog for a long time now and talked to some about it. I enjoy writing and thought it would be a great way to chronicle life. But there's just something really scary about putting yourself out there on the web for everyone to read. Your words out there forever. I know I can adjust this with security settings, etc. But when reading other people's blogs, I can't help but feel as if I was intruding into their life somehow. Don't get me wrong, my life is pretty much an open book, but there's something scary about your words being written instead of spoken. And you never want someone who you think is your friend reading it and in reality hating on you. So hopefully I don't have any of those "friends."
So I decided to give this a whirl and write this blog for me. When asked what my theme was going to be, I didn't have anything really specific in mind. I'd like it to be about the trials and tribulations of juggling life - being a mom and a wife, while working full-time, trying to have a life, while still staying fashionable and FAB! So if anyone does read this, hopefully you will get something out of it someday. Whether it is laughing at life or sympathizing with me I'd love to hear your comments/thoughts/feedback.
That's it for now...will write more later.
PS - if you do read this and then see me, please do me a favor and don't say you "know what's going on in my life because you've read my blog!" Thanks.
So I decided to give this a whirl and write this blog for me. When asked what my theme was going to be, I didn't have anything really specific in mind. I'd like it to be about the trials and tribulations of juggling life - being a mom and a wife, while working full-time, trying to have a life, while still staying fashionable and FAB! So if anyone does read this, hopefully you will get something out of it someday. Whether it is laughing at life or sympathizing with me I'd love to hear your comments/thoughts/feedback.
That's it for now...will write more later.
PS - if you do read this and then see me, please do me a favor and don't say you "know what's going on in my life because you've read my blog!" Thanks.
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