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Monday, December 31, 2007
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Basement
The basement has been done for a couple weeks, but i have not had the time to take or post any pics, so here they are.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Christmas Success!!!
Well, we are still alive and kicking after hosting Christmas for our families at Casa Zumwalt. Everything went smoothly and everyone had a wonderful time. Food was good, drinks were tasty, and company was fun. And it was a beautiful day. Michelle and I even took a walk and were getting hot. It was nice to open the windows and smell the crisp December air.
Mitch and I enjoyed cooking and being the hosts. The last of our guests are gone and Mitch works today. I have cleaned a bit, but mostly I have been detoxing from the holiday fun.
Now what...clean-up, but that can wait until Friday. First a day of watching movies on the couch with the hubby tomorrow and just relaxing.
Mitch and I enjoyed cooking and being the hosts. The last of our guests are gone and Mitch works today. I have cleaned a bit, but mostly I have been detoxing from the holiday fun.
Now what...clean-up, but that can wait until Friday. First a day of watching movies on the couch with the hubby tomorrow and just relaxing.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Sunday, December 16, 2007
A Night Out
We have been so busy with work, the house, and other general events in life-we decided to treat ourselves to an evening out. It is always nice to go out around Christmas because everything is decorated and it is so fun to bundle up in the cold.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Painting is Nearing the End
After a little over three weeks, mission-painting the basement is nearing the end.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Holiday Vacation and Kelly Days
Tomorrow is my last day of work for two weeks. The benefit of working for a private school is that we get two full weeks off for the holidays. Woo-hoo!!!
And Mitch's scheduled "kelly days" are here on Friday. One of the benefits to this whole 24 hour shift thing is every few weeks Mitch gets "kelly days" to balance the work hours, which means he will have 7-10 days off every few weeks. It's a beautiful thing.
I know, I know-why more time off when you only work every three days anyway, don't know. Just the way it is.
So, we both will be off together until Mitch goes back to work the following Thursday. What does this mean. Shopping and errand running in the middle of the afternoon with no crowds on weekdays. Wine nigths on weeknights. Going to lunch and to see a movie with no one else around. Perhaps, a lazy day watching t.v. by the fire.
We can finish painting the basement. Decorate the Christmas Tree and clean for the holidays. Start planning our first Christmas in our new home with both our famillies as guests...yep, I am cooking.
Friday here we come!!!!
And Mitch's scheduled "kelly days" are here on Friday. One of the benefits to this whole 24 hour shift thing is every few weeks Mitch gets "kelly days" to balance the work hours, which means he will have 7-10 days off every few weeks. It's a beautiful thing.
I know, I know-why more time off when you only work every three days anyway, don't know. Just the way it is.
So, we both will be off together until Mitch goes back to work the following Thursday. What does this mean. Shopping and errand running in the middle of the afternoon with no crowds on weekdays. Wine nigths on weeknights. Going to lunch and to see a movie with no one else around. Perhaps, a lazy day watching t.v. by the fire.
We can finish painting the basement. Decorate the Christmas Tree and clean for the holidays. Start planning our first Christmas in our new home with both our famillies as guests...yep, I am cooking.
Friday here we come!!!!
Monday, December 10, 2007
Congrats Jeremy
Congrats to Jeremy on completing his first semester at college. We are very proud of you. Oh, and Happy Hanukkah to him, too!
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Let It Snow
We are experiencing our first snow of the season. WE love the SNOW!!!
Snow days when you were younger always meant a time to go sledding, make snowmen, and have snowball fights. Around noon, you would go in for tomato soup and a grilled cheese to warm up, and off you were again.
As you got older it meant a whole day to get into mischief, as well. Mitch let me know they had the best contests of taking one another down in the snow...
Snow days when you were younger always meant a time to go sledding, make snowmen, and have snowball fights. Around noon, you would go in for tomato soup and a grilled cheese to warm up, and off you were again.
As you got older it meant a whole day to get into mischief, as well. Mitch let me know they had the best contests of taking one another down in the snow...
In college, snow days meant you had that extra day to finish your paper or your reading assignment. Well, at least that was how I used them because I was a dork about my grades.
I still love snow days because as a teacher I will get the day off. As my husband used to point out, when he worked for the government-snow days are not great for everyone because most people still have to go to work. I sympathize with this, but that is a major advantage to being a teacher. Today we got out 2 hours early, love it. So, snow days have now become an excuse not to be at work, and still get paid. My regrets to those who still have to go to work on these days, though.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Painting
This Thursday our new carpet will be installed. So, what does this mean. Well, one would think it would mean this weekend we could put the basement back together. Oh, no-that would be simple and sane. Nope, I called MItch this afternoon and informed him we would be painting this weekend. I have always been a fairly spontaneous person, but I have gotten a little better over the years.
However, I sat there thinking-why in the world would we move everything back in place and paint a year or two from now- if it is already out of the way. Just do it now.
I know the reasoning is overwhelming.
So, the big question from the hubby was why I did not think to do this the past three weekends, when there was no carpet and painting would be easier and less hassle. Well, that would have been too easy and too predictable:)
So, this Friday night after work we will set out to Lowe's to pick out colors and spend the weekend(which is supposed to be cold, so it is good timing) painting. I am psyched!!!
However, I sat there thinking-why in the world would we move everything back in place and paint a year or two from now- if it is already out of the way. Just do it now.
I know the reasoning is overwhelming.
So, the big question from the hubby was why I did not think to do this the past three weekends, when there was no carpet and painting would be easier and less hassle. Well, that would have been too easy and too predictable:)
So, this Friday night after work we will set out to Lowe's to pick out colors and spend the weekend(which is supposed to be cold, so it is good timing) painting. I am psyched!!!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Holiday Host
The Host and Hostess
As we get closer to Thanksgiving, Mitch and I are obviously thinking about Christmas. Since we are in our new home and have plenty of space to sprawl out family-we have decided to have our families here for Christmas Day. A little crazy. This means cleaning the house, guestrooms need to be prepared, decor needs to up, and we need to figure what to feed everyone. But, we think it will be fun being the host and hostess. And since Mitch has had so much time off and with great recipes from the firehouse, he has become quite the Mr. Mom-so dinner I am not terribly worried about. I just want to get the basement back to order. Christmas is almost here!!!
Monday, November 5, 2007
The Holidays
The beginning of November means so many things...
That crisp feel in the air, the one that lets you know winter is beginning...although it has been pretty warm so far. But, I am holding out for the change in the weather. The start of the decorating of houses(although we find X-mas decor before Thanksgiving a little annoying) Conversations of where and when you will spend time with your famil\y for the holidays. Crazy shoppers-they are out, because the stores are announcing their deals-ALREADY! You know longer need an excuse to have a fire burning whenever you want. You can add that extra blanket to your bed, making it even more a sanctuary that is hard to tear yourself away from on Sunday morning. It is time to start thinking about what to get your loved ones for Christmas. We always get a little giddy this time of year. Something I thought would pass after I was an adult. But, it still is a magical time for us...so I guess that makes me fell lucky. Holidays, here we come!
That crisp feel in the air, the one that lets you know winter is beginning...although it has been pretty warm so far. But, I am holding out for the change in the weather. The start of the decorating of houses(although we find X-mas decor before Thanksgiving a little annoying) Conversations of where and when you will spend time with your famil\y for the holidays. Crazy shoppers-they are out, because the stores are announcing their deals-ALREADY! You know longer need an excuse to have a fire burning whenever you want. You can add that extra blanket to your bed, making it even more a sanctuary that is hard to tear yourself away from on Sunday morning. It is time to start thinking about what to get your loved ones for Christmas. We always get a little giddy this time of year. Something I thought would pass after I was an adult. But, it still is a magical time for us...so I guess that makes me fell lucky. Holidays, here we come!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Bored
I hate feeling stuck. We can't finish cleaning the odds and ends left in the basement, until the basement backroom is cleared. We can't clear the backroom until the new carpet is put down. Which will not be at least for two more weeks. I had begun some framing projects before the flood which are all trapped behind shelves, tables, and chairs in the beackroom. So, in short, I can't accomplish any projects I set out to do ebfore the incident.
So, we decided we had to cancel our Halloween Party set for this Saturday. I am bummed because we are big Halloween people, but it seemed bad timing to try to still do the party. A lot of people were looking forward to coming out, but most of our friends have already seen the house-so a few more weeks for a housewarming won't be so bad. We will reschedule soon.
So, we decided we had to cancel our Halloween Party set for this Saturday. I am bummed because we are big Halloween people, but it seemed bad timing to try to still do the party. A lot of people were looking forward to coming out, but most of our friends have already seen the house-so a few more weeks for a housewarming won't be so bad. We will reschedule soon.
Monday, October 22, 2007
The Flood
Isn't it funny that when you think you just about have your house organized, something pops up to remind you that things are never done. Our three month old, brand new, finished basement flooded. Warning, long story.
This past Saturday I awoke around 9am to a strange smell. I could not figure out what it was, so I got up and went downstairs to find the hubby. He worked the day before and usually will sleep on the couch or go down to the basement when he gets home at 6am. I followed the smell down to the basement where my husband lay in slumber...how I have no idea because the smell was awful. I rounded the corner and saw water everywhere, completely soaked into the carpet and about an inch high.
I started screaming for the boy to get up, and ran to our finished bathroom, where I found water coming up from the shower drain. How I had no idea at the time. The hubby woke up groggy and ran to shut off the water, which did nothing. We started moving things out of the way of the water and began throwing water out the back door.
It was about 20 minutes into this that we both realized this was raw sewage and not a random overflow. We called the Sanitation committee, the developer, a plumber, and our insurance company. The plumber got there first and took us out to the street where we found an overflowing sewer, backed up to the rim.
This past Saturday I awoke around 9am to a strange smell. I could not figure out what it was, so I got up and went downstairs to find the hubby. He worked the day before and usually will sleep on the couch or go down to the basement when he gets home at 6am. I followed the smell down to the basement where my husband lay in slumber...how I have no idea because the smell was awful. I rounded the corner and saw water everywhere, completely soaked into the carpet and about an inch high.
I started screaming for the boy to get up, and ran to our finished bathroom, where I found water coming up from the shower drain. How I had no idea at the time. The hubby woke up groggy and ran to shut off the water, which did nothing. We started moving things out of the way of the water and began throwing water out the back door.
It was about 20 minutes into this that we both realized this was raw sewage and not a random overflow. We called the Sanitation committee, the developer, a plumber, and our insurance company. The plumber got there first and took us out to the street where we found an overflowing sewer, backed up to the rim.
By then, the water had stopped-which the plumber kindly told us was because people had finished their morning showers and toilet duties, ha, ha, ha.
Someone from sanitation showed up and found that someone, probably a contractor for the building in our community had closed something they should not have-causing the backup. Since we are the lowest point on our street, we got the run-off. ( We found out later our neighbors basement flooded as well.)
So, that evening Service Master came out to steam the basement and rip up our new carpet. It pained me to watch. They have to scrub everything and steam anyting that got touched by the water. They did a great job.
At about 10pm that night was finally rested. At this point, all we could do was laugh. Any intial anger or frustration was gone, and we fonldy have been telling people about our"poopy basement." Our insurance is paying for everything and will be going after the guilty party, whomever is responsible for the backup. Plus, we get a new carpet, which is kind of nice since the intial move in added some dirt marks.
The only regrets are I had just finished the basement-furnishing, pictures hung, shelves organzied, dvd's and cd's alphabetized (yep, I am a dork) and bar stocked. But, things happen and it is a funny story.
Someone from sanitation showed up and found that someone, probably a contractor for the building in our community had closed something they should not have-causing the backup. Since we are the lowest point on our street, we got the run-off. ( We found out later our neighbors basement flooded as well.)
So, that evening Service Master came out to steam the basement and rip up our new carpet. It pained me to watch. They have to scrub everything and steam anyting that got touched by the water. They did a great job.
At about 10pm that night was finally rested. At this point, all we could do was laugh. Any intial anger or frustration was gone, and we fonldy have been telling people about our"poopy basement." Our insurance is paying for everything and will be going after the guilty party, whomever is responsible for the backup. Plus, we get a new carpet, which is kind of nice since the intial move in added some dirt marks.
The only regrets are I had just finished the basement-furnishing, pictures hung, shelves organzied, dvd's and cd's alphabetized (yep, I am a dork) and bar stocked. But, things happen and it is a funny story.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
The Move
I sat here the other day and though about the craziness of our move...and then thought I would send a shout out to all those who helped.
A special thanks to our dear freinds the B family for letting us crash in their home for three months. Although it felt like camp most of the time, we know it must have been hard to have houseguests for an extended amount of time...so love to them.
My mom, of course, for letting us stash what would not fit into the storage units at her house.
The hubby's brother and dad for helping with the heavy stuff that I gave up on during the move to the storage unit...hee, hee. Jeremy for his efforts in a pre-moving day event...your car was most helpful. Jenn for organzing my kitchen, because it was the one thing I did not want to do. All the folks who came out to visit the house while it was under construction, that one was just for fun-but thanks all the same.
And all those who came out on moving day. It meant so much to us that so many friends supported us and the wieght of all our belongings that day. Had it not been for the 15 people here that day, we would have never been able to get in the house in a record 2 hours...THANK YOU!!! Especially, to all those strong firefighters, who lifted the heavy stuff. And thanks to the hubby's parents for supplying food that day. Nicole and Fred for keeping us laughing when we thought we did not have a moving truck..ha, ha. A special thanks to Big Hoss Bloss, for her trucker skills...long story.
Monday, October 15, 2007
The House
I thought I would post some pics from the new house. We have been here since July and I think we are just getting used to living here. We used to live in Centreville, Virginia-but are about 15 minutes further out now in Aldie, at the edge of civilization. It is crazy what a few miles can do. We are amazed by how quiet it is here and how at night we can see all the stars without the lights from local stores drowning them out. It is, also, beautiful to see the mountains as we drive down our main road to our house.
The hubby and I find it humurous that 20 years ago Centreville looked the way our new neighborhood looks now. We can remember when Braddock Road ended at our community, Little Rocky Run. Since we both lived in C'ville the better part of our lives, we are having a great time exploring our surroundings and finding new routes to take to get places. And, just like 20 years ago every new road built or widened, every new shopping center and every new restaurant is exciting. This is the end of the road...
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Welcome
We have created a family blog as a way for friends and family to keep up with us, since our schedules tend to get hectic and because we have so many loved ones scattered around now. Mitch and I plan on sharing the duty of keeping this blog updated...
A little about us(for those who don't know)
Mitch and I met in high school and have been together ever since. I teach in Reston, Virginia as a Kindergarten teacher. Mitch left the hum drum of the daily desk job and became a firefighter in 2006
We recently got married in 2005. We just celebrated our second anniversary. Here is a picture of us before we left to enjoy a yummy anniversary dinner at the
Bavarian Chef.
We had planned on going on another trip together for our anniversary...the previous year we spent an amazing week in Mexico on the Mayan Riviera. (Favorite picture from our trip below. )
But, we splurged last February and decided to build a house. We just moved in this summer.
So, like I said before-this will just be about the crazy things we think day to day, the crazy mishaps and blessings in our lives, and random sharing from yours truly.
WELCOME!
A little about us(for those who don't know)
Mitch and I met in high school and have been together ever since. I teach in Reston, Virginia as a Kindergarten teacher. Mitch left the hum drum of the daily desk job and became a firefighter in 2006
We recently got married in 2005. We just celebrated our second anniversary. Here is a picture of us before we left to enjoy a yummy anniversary dinner at the
Bavarian Chef. We had planned on going on another trip together for our anniversary...the previous year we spent an amazing week in Mexico on the Mayan Riviera. (Favorite picture from our trip below. )
But, we splurged last February and decided to build a house. We just moved in this summer.
So, like I said before-this will just be about the crazy things we think day to day, the crazy mishaps and blessings in our lives, and random sharing from yours truly.
WELCOME!
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