A Little Bit of Halloween

I have always had a very high love for Halloween. I am not really sure where this stems from, but it goes hand in hand with my love of scary movies. I guess it has something to do with the thrill. Or maybe it is the array of adorable decorations that the stores so successfully display to entice me to buy. It also could be that this time of year is my favorite. I love the smells, colors, and the weather. Yes, I am one of those crazy people that enjoys cold and snow. I love my scarves, boots, sweaters, and gloves.

So, in order to really get in the Halloween spirit, I spent the weekend getting my home decorated. I even have some fun orange lights on either side of my garage which are pretty dang awesome if I do say so myself! 

This year is super fun for me because it it my first year being put up my own decorations in my first house. I was out on my own last year, but had just closed on my house right at Halloween and couldn't put anything up. Yay for Halloween! Now if I could just decide what to dress up as.

5k...No Biggie!

So I have run my very first 5k. I was a little apprehensive about it as I am not a runner and have really not been doing so good at training for my half. However, upon completing my run I must admit that I really enjoyed it. That is a huge accomplishment for me. Those that know me know I am not at all into running....like not at all. I finished in just under 40 min and felt great! It actually makes me a little more excited for my half coming up next month. I must get outside though and train my lungs to like the cold air. That was the only thing that kept me from running the whole thing. Anyway, here is before...

during....

and after....

Probably helped that this run was a fun run...it was a lot of fun getting blasted with color as we ran. I am definitely ready to do more runs and am excited to participate in my first half...I shall let you know how that goes!

Run as Fast as You Can!

Some time ago you may recall I set out to do a marathon with a co-worker. Yeah...that never happened.  I kind of gave up on it not long after I declared I was doing it. I hadn't really given it much thought until one day at work a friend of mine asked me to run a half marathon with her (not the same co-worker or employer). Mind you, I am not a runner but for some crazy reason I decided to go for it. Time passed and I kind of thought this might end up like the last time. You see, I am motivated by competition; if I don't sign up soon after I decide to do it, then I probably will lose interest and not do it. That and the fact that I am cheap and wouldn't want to pay for something and then not follow through. So my logic was that we would actually need to find a half and sign up so that I would feel some pressure. Again, more time went by and I was only half heartedly preparing. Well, progress has been made people! We both registered and paid last Friday and I have since been going full force with training. I now have until Oct 26 to get ready for the Haunted Half! I even bought this little number so I would have no excuses...

I am bound and determined to finish this!! Here goes nothin'

Quite the Project!

Howdy friends! Wow, where has the time gone??? I have neglected my blog for too long. To fill you in, not too much exciting through the beginning part of the year and then May was spent with two back to back business trips to Kansas City, MO and then to Orlando, FL. Yes, Florida was very pretty and I was excited as I have never been. Sadly, I did not get out much to enjoy my surroundings as I was in meetings all day. Sadness.

In other news, I have taken on the task of finishing my backyard. When I purchased my home in October the backyard was not finished but I figured I could easily handle it on my own. Fast forward to spring and boy did I severely underestimate the amount of work this is going to take. I have gotten a few bids and rather than pay the exorbitant amount they want to charge, I have resolved to doing it myself...with the help of Mom and Brother! This my friends is what I am working with...

Oh, and this is not even the worst. We had weed whipped the weeds quite a bit at this point. These pictures also do not show the rocks mixed in nor the receding ground where dirt has run off and slipped between the rock retaining wall on the other side. But, isn't my puppy cute? I should mention I got her in April and she is a cute little handful of crazy!

 



Anyway, I am hoping that I can soon fill you in with pictures of the completed project. Maybe this year, maybe next. Only time will tell!! 

Firey Red Roxy

 Meet Roxy...

On Jan 1 I decided to trade in my Rav4 for this cute little red Jetta! I did so because my little Rav was just costing too much money in gas due to poor gas mileage. I am in love with my new car and especially love my heated seats when it's 4 degrees out!

New Home

Ok, this is super super late but I figure better late than never. I am going to try and make a more conscious effort to document my life so I can always remember the little things that each year brings. So, without further ado:

I was finally able to close on a home in West Jordan in October after months of looking and 2 other failed escrows. I was so relieved to finally have found something. I am absolutely loving it and feel so blessed that I am able to do this on my own. Below are are some pictures of my new place. Enjoy!

Stressed Much???

Yes, I have been on stress over drive these last few months and it has wreaked havoc on my life. Results of stress = loss of sleep, increase in weight and, more recently, pains in my chest! Why you ask...well, first I got a new job, then I got another new job via promotion(more responsibility, and going on three months doing my old and new job simultaneously), and then as if that is not enough let's add buying a home in the mix.

You may recall my previous post from a couple of months ago; that home is not the one I will hopefully be moving into soon. Due to some lovely FHA guidelines and that particular HOA, I was unable to purchase that home. That deal lasted 2 weeks and then I was out on the hunt again. Success on home number 2 with almost the same features and only a couple miles away. Best part is it was way less money which was an added bonus. So, weeks later and nearly $500 of out of pocket costs for an appraisal, I lose house number 2 for a super low appraisal. At that point I was on the verge of defeat thinking this is not my time! I gave it one more chance and found a single family home for the same price, but bigger square footage and double garage. It's been nearly a month since the offer was accepted and I've been on pins and needles the entire time waiting for appraisals and paperwork to get done. Given the unique situation of the home I was buying, 2 appraisals were needed.    Through all of this, I was also trying to find someone to take my lease so I wouldn't have to pay ridiculous fees. As of today I have my apartment leased and the 2 appraisals have come in great! The bad comes in the fact that today was supposed to be my closing day...nope...here I sit waiting for another week or so. I have to be out of my apartment this weekend so will be moving my stuff into the garage of the home and then living out of a bag until I can get to my stuff.

Phew...what a life! For the sake of my sanity and apparently now my health, I hope things calm down fast!!