It is snowing today- so beautiful but too windy to really play in. Hopefully better playing day tomorrow. It is about 28 degrees out there. Solomon is hoping and probably will get no school tomorrow due to snow...
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Christmas Program
Here is a picture of Cyrus singing in the Christmas Program at the church today. He is the cute guy in the red shirt about in the middle of the picture. He had fun...
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Happy Birthday to Me!
I celebrated my birthday [December 10th] by going to the Art Museum with the boys followed by dinner at Red Robin [exciting right].
Then we had a family dinner out Friday night at the Berlin Inn Restaurant which was quite tasty german food. The downside is that the Friday night traffic in December made a 15 minute trip [normally] to the restaurant took an hour [not joking at all] but thankfully the boys took a quick nap in the car [about an half hour each].
I had received my birthday present early. Dan and the boys picked out a beautiful camera for me- a Nikon P80!!!!
and he got a deal going shopping on the Saturday after Black Friday. Got me some neat accessories too such as a tripod so we could take our "official Christmas family photo":
and that was the reason why I got it early but what would I have to brag about for my "official" birthday blog post?
Raise your tea cup or whatever you drink while you browse online and *cheers* to my 28th year!
Then we had a family dinner out Friday night at the Berlin Inn Restaurant which was quite tasty german food. The downside is that the Friday night traffic in December made a 15 minute trip [normally] to the restaurant took an hour [not joking at all] but thankfully the boys took a quick nap in the car [about an half hour each].
I had received my birthday present early. Dan and the boys picked out a beautiful camera for me- a Nikon P80!!!!
and he got a deal going shopping on the Saturday after Black Friday. Got me some neat accessories too such as a tripod so we could take our "official Christmas family photo":
and that was the reason why I got it early but what would I have to brag about for my "official" birthday blog post?
Raise your tea cup or whatever you drink while you browse online and *cheers* to my 28th year!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
New House
Very exciting news today- our offer was accepted and we have bought [pending paperwork] our first house!
Monday, December 8, 2008
This "buying-a-house" business takes up a lot of time... I have fallen behind in cooking, cleaning, schoolwork, and everything else. Even Christmas decorations is late for me this year.
First an update- the first and second offer we put out there had sellers [both were foreclosed/bank-owned] responding with a counter-offer of about $20,000 higher than the listing price with the knowledge of the 6-9 other offers so we backed out as we didn't want to get into a bidding war and the cost of the place that needs instant work/repairs shouldn't be that high in our opinion.
So we changed our tactic. We were not going to look at any foreclosed homes- I don't care what the deal is- it simply takes a longer process to move in and there was always work that needed to be done and with Dan's deployment date looming closer and closer, it wasn't work the "deal" we could get. Then a sweet little detail happened- the mortage interest rate dropped from 6% of when we started the house hunting process to the current 5%- whoo hoo- and that allowed us to have a little more money for the house purchase price. Then we discovered a couple of tax abatements in the area- mostly on new houses. This simply means that you pay very little taxes until certain year which works well for us since Dan's income will increase more than enough to pay the higher taxes when it is time and we could put more monthly money into the house cost. So all said and done- we looked at 8 houses Saturday [mind you Dan was almost done being sick but still with a cough, Solomon's cough is still lingering probably due to his asthma, and I had gotten sick] but at least it was sunny outside. Most were 10 years or newer properties.
We narrowed it down to two and wrote out a pro and con list and decided on "the one" which we made an offer yesterday...
Their acceptance would make it a great Birthday gift for me ;) and I would finally get caught up on my chores and to do list- time to celebrate Christmas and then to pack be moved in January!
*** If you live in Portland and interested in buying a house click here. We really enjoy working with him and would recommend him!
First an update- the first and second offer we put out there had sellers [both were foreclosed/bank-owned] responding with a counter-offer of about $20,000 higher than the listing price with the knowledge of the 6-9 other offers so we backed out as we didn't want to get into a bidding war and the cost of the place that needs instant work/repairs shouldn't be that high in our opinion.
So we changed our tactic. We were not going to look at any foreclosed homes- I don't care what the deal is- it simply takes a longer process to move in and there was always work that needed to be done and with Dan's deployment date looming closer and closer, it wasn't work the "deal" we could get. Then a sweet little detail happened- the mortage interest rate dropped from 6% of when we started the house hunting process to the current 5%- whoo hoo- and that allowed us to have a little more money for the house purchase price. Then we discovered a couple of tax abatements in the area- mostly on new houses. This simply means that you pay very little taxes until certain year which works well for us since Dan's income will increase more than enough to pay the higher taxes when it is time and we could put more monthly money into the house cost. So all said and done- we looked at 8 houses Saturday [mind you Dan was almost done being sick but still with a cough, Solomon's cough is still lingering probably due to his asthma, and I had gotten sick] but at least it was sunny outside. Most were 10 years or newer properties.
We narrowed it down to two and wrote out a pro and con list and decided on "the one" which we made an offer yesterday...
Their acceptance would make it a great Birthday gift for me ;) and I would finally get caught up on my chores and to do list- time to celebrate Christmas and then to pack be moved in January!
*** If you live in Portland and interested in buying a house click here. We really enjoy working with him and would recommend him!
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Simple Rules for Christmas
Keeper of the Home is hosting a very special Christmas Edition of her Living Simply Saturday Series...
Years past it was easy to keep it simple around Christmas time because we didn't have very much money to go overboard with. Especially after having kids, I did noticed how stressful the holidays can truly be with many mothers working in overdrive to deliver this "have-to-be-perfect-in-every-way" Christmas and I didn't want to get caught up in all that so we (in)formally came up with some rules to keep it simple...
1: Prioritize what is important to you and make a plan without wearing yourself down, loosing sight of what could be a very joyous holiday.
2: Christmas tree is important to us. We tried a new tradition of going to a tree farm and cutting down our own tree this year and loved it. I like to put up the day after Thanksgiving but since we travelled for Thanksgiving, it didn't get put up until yesterday...
3: Food- Two years ago we got a free tree and spent a little more on the dinner, trying out Prime Ribs which was a hit especially with Dan. So this year, we are trying out the Aged Prime Rib from Gartner's and this seasonal favorite usually sells out, I had Dan call today to reserve it for our dinner. It comes in 12-14lb cuts so we'll have them cut it to a 6lb for our dinner and the rest will be cut up into (yummy) steaks. Now I love to cook so planning the menu, trying out recipes, and all that really excites me and doesn't take away from the joy of Christmas for me. Christmas Eve is Chocolate Waffles for breakfast and a very simple lunch consisting of: Polish and Bratwurst sasuages, potato latakes, applesauce, and German Red Cabbage.
4: Shop online- this is a great time-saving tool and usually a great source of deals. I really recommend checking out Etsy- all handmade items and at great prices.
5: Christmas Events- it can get really busy if you try to do 2-3 Christmasy events each week in the month of December so limit it to one a week. Focus on the family and friends around us with a board games and some hot chocolate or cider.
6: A lot of families bake for the holidays. I don't but this is a tradition that Dan's family participated in and since it rates so high on his Christmas memories- I am actually adding this tradition this year. I'll let you know how it goes.
7: Christmas Cards- never did them before but I found a really simple and beautiful way of doing them so I am almost done with them and soon will be on their way...
8: Decorations- It takes me about an hour to decorate the tree and everywhere else so that is keeping it simple.
9: Stop the obession the consumerism of Christmas by giving. Food Banks need food especially this year, help someone with their decorations [elderly], make and give out Christmas cards [soldiers and nursing homes], and think about giving to charity instead of gifts [Kiva is a very fun way to give].
10: Money causes a lot of stress so think about cutting down on the budget, do a couple of the Free events in your area for the holidays, use supplies you already have to make Christmas decorations, and focus on family time...
Years past it was easy to keep it simple around Christmas time because we didn't have very much money to go overboard with. Especially after having kids, I did noticed how stressful the holidays can truly be with many mothers working in overdrive to deliver this "have-to-be-perfect-in-every-way" Christmas and I didn't want to get caught up in all that so we (in)formally came up with some rules to keep it simple...
1: Prioritize what is important to you and make a plan without wearing yourself down, loosing sight of what could be a very joyous holiday.
2: Christmas tree is important to us. We tried a new tradition of going to a tree farm and cutting down our own tree this year and loved it. I like to put up the day after Thanksgiving but since we travelled for Thanksgiving, it didn't get put up until yesterday...
3: Food- Two years ago we got a free tree and spent a little more on the dinner, trying out Prime Ribs which was a hit especially with Dan. So this year, we are trying out the Aged Prime Rib from Gartner's and this seasonal favorite usually sells out, I had Dan call today to reserve it for our dinner. It comes in 12-14lb cuts so we'll have them cut it to a 6lb for our dinner and the rest will be cut up into (yummy) steaks. Now I love to cook so planning the menu, trying out recipes, and all that really excites me and doesn't take away from the joy of Christmas for me. Christmas Eve is Chocolate Waffles for breakfast and a very simple lunch consisting of: Polish and Bratwurst sasuages, potato latakes, applesauce, and German Red Cabbage.
4: Shop online- this is a great time-saving tool and usually a great source of deals. I really recommend checking out Etsy- all handmade items and at great prices.
5: Christmas Events- it can get really busy if you try to do 2-3 Christmasy events each week in the month of December so limit it to one a week. Focus on the family and friends around us with a board games and some hot chocolate or cider.
6: A lot of families bake for the holidays. I don't but this is a tradition that Dan's family participated in and since it rates so high on his Christmas memories- I am actually adding this tradition this year. I'll let you know how it goes.
7: Christmas Cards- never did them before but I found a really simple and beautiful way of doing them so I am almost done with them and soon will be on their way...
8: Decorations- It takes me about an hour to decorate the tree and everywhere else so that is keeping it simple.
9: Stop the obession the consumerism of Christmas by giving. Food Banks need food especially this year, help someone with their decorations [elderly], make and give out Christmas cards [soldiers and nursing homes], and think about giving to charity instead of gifts [Kiva is a very fun way to give].
10: Money causes a lot of stress so think about cutting down on the budget, do a couple of the Free events in your area for the holidays, use supplies you already have to make Christmas decorations, and focus on family time...
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
8 Things
Here are my favorite 8s...
8 Favorite TV shows:
1. Life
2. NCIS
3. So You Think You Can Dance
4. Gilmore Girls
5. Boston Legal
6. Bones
7. Firefly
8. Food & HGTV Channels' shows
8 Things I did yesterday:
1. We put an offer on the house [the actual paperwork part]
2. Walked through the house again before doing paperwork
3. Made lunch
4. Did a homework assignment for class
5. Rearranged the toys in living space [need to make room for Xmas Tree]
6. Did two loads of laundry, ran the dishwasher, vacuumed and dusted.
7. Took the kids out to pizza for dinner- $14 for a extra-large Hawaiian
8. Hung out with the kids...
8 Favorite Restaurants:
1. Sinju Sushi
2. Hoda's
3. McCormicks
4. Elephants Delicatessen
5. Typhoon!
6. Cracked Crab [sadly not in Portland]
7. Pizza Schmizza [where we get our pizza and deserves to be on the list because it would top the kids' list]
8. Chez Loma [Coronado, CA]
8 Favorite Movies:
1. Better Off Dead
2. Die Hard series
3. Little Women
4. Braveheart [and Last of Mohicians]
5. Steel Magnolias
6. October Sky
7. Chocolat
8. Mystic River
[Movies is a hard list to do top 8 or so of- would be better to sort by genre]
8 Things on my Wish List:
1. That the bank accepts our offer on the house
2. That we get enough funds/help to do a couple of needed repairs/updates
3. Completly remodel the kitchen [through Ikea] with new pots, pans, & knives.
4. To be blessed with baby #3 [and better health this pregnancy]
5. For Dan and I to both have laptops [for better communication when he is deployed]
6. To go on a family vacation before Dan is deployed
7. A great dog for the family [also want 3 chickens]
8. Good health and happiness for my family and friends
8 People I Tag to Play Next:
Whoever would like to!
Thanks L for the idea!
8 Favorite TV shows:
1. Life
2. NCIS
3. So You Think You Can Dance
4. Gilmore Girls
5. Boston Legal
6. Bones
7. Firefly
8. Food & HGTV Channels' shows
8 Things I did yesterday:
1. We put an offer on the house [the actual paperwork part]
2. Walked through the house again before doing paperwork
3. Made lunch
4. Did a homework assignment for class
5. Rearranged the toys in living space [need to make room for Xmas Tree]
6. Did two loads of laundry, ran the dishwasher, vacuumed and dusted.
7. Took the kids out to pizza for dinner- $14 for a extra-large Hawaiian
8. Hung out with the kids...
8 Favorite Restaurants:
1. Sinju Sushi
2. Hoda's
3. McCormicks
4. Elephants Delicatessen
5. Typhoon!
6. Cracked Crab [sadly not in Portland]
7. Pizza Schmizza [where we get our pizza and deserves to be on the list because it would top the kids' list]
8. Chez Loma [Coronado, CA]
8 Favorite Movies:
1. Better Off Dead
2. Die Hard series
3. Little Women
4. Braveheart [and Last of Mohicians]
5. Steel Magnolias
6. October Sky
7. Chocolat
8. Mystic River
[Movies is a hard list to do top 8 or so of- would be better to sort by genre]
8 Things on my Wish List:
1. That the bank accepts our offer on the house
2. That we get enough funds/help to do a couple of needed repairs/updates
3. Completly remodel the kitchen [through Ikea] with new pots, pans, & knives.
4. To be blessed with baby #3 [and better health this pregnancy]
5. For Dan and I to both have laptops [for better communication when he is deployed]
6. To go on a family vacation before Dan is deployed
7. A great dog for the family [also want 3 chickens]
8. Good health and happiness for my family and friends
8 People I Tag to Play Next:
Whoever would like to!
Thanks L for the idea!
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