So sorry for the delay in posting about our weekend!!  It was crazy busy, as you can imagine, and I haven’t had internet access at the house.  Here’s the scoop…

Friday:  Charles and I got up early and headed to Goldsboro to do our final walk through at 11 am.  Everything was fine, except the porches which have begun to droop even more (which was expected).  The basement door and windows had been repaired from the break in, and our fence had been mended.  After lunch, another stop by the house, and a few hours of painful waiting, we headed over to our lawyer’s office a little before 3 pm.  Although there were a few bumps in the road, the result was us closing on our new home!!!!  We immediately headed over to Park Avenue, where Charles’ parents’ surprised us with champagne, and lots of pictures!  Our next door neighbors, who also happen to be good family friends, came over to help us celebrate.

After celebrating, we headed over to Charles’ grandfather’s house (where we will be living until the house is ready) and unloaded a few things.  Then it was back to Greensboro to prepare for another full day!

Saturday:  We got up early, picked up the U-haul, loaded it (many many many thanks to my wonderful brother for his help!!!), and were back on the road by 11 am.  We met our cousins, Michael and Mary, and began the unloading process (many many many thanks to yall too!!).  Then it was showers, dinner, and drinks with some new friends.

We are completely ecstatic that the house is FINALLY ours!!  We weren’t sure we would ever get here!  We are next on the list for the painters, plaster guys, and carpenters, so work should be starting soon!  Many more posts and pictures to come.

There are so many major changes going on in our lives right now that it’s hard for me to wrap my head around it!  In one day, I will be finished with my current job in public accounting.  In two days, Charles will take his last exam and be finished with law school.  In three days, we will become the proud new owners of a 1902 house.  In four days, I will move by myself to a new city (as Charles prepares to move onto campus to cram all summer for the bar exam).  In six days, I will start a new career.

This is arguably the biggest “shake up” week of my entire life (so far)!  In that spirit, I’ve compiled a few of my favorite quotes about change and pursuing what’s most important in life.  Happy Tuesday, everyone!

I’ve read post after post and blog after blog of people who are excited for this weekend’s big holiday…CINCO DE MAYO!  There are so many cute decor ideas, margarita recipes, and pictures of taco bars floating around out there.  Pedro say ole!

Now don’t get me wrong.  I love Cinco de Mayo!  (To be fair, I love any reason to decorate and throw a party.)  But if you live in the South and love all things southern like me, you should be way more excited about another “holiday.”  Tomorrow is DERBY DAY!!!

I love love love the Kentucky Derby!  And over the last few years, we have made it a family tradition to have a little derby party.  We even bet on the horses and then have fun yelling cheering at the TV for those glorious 2 minutes.  Two years ago, I celebrated with my brother and his best friend at our parents’ house while dog-sitting.  We dressed up (me in my sundress and big hat, and the boys in their bow ties), played golf in the front yard, smoked cigars, ate yummy derby food and drank bourbon, and then had margaritas on the deck (it was Cinco de Mayo, after all!). 

Last year, derby day fell on my brother’s graduation, so I hosted a little derby pre-party before the graduation celebration.  I made baby hot browns, country ham mini biscuits, chicken salad, and mint juleps.  There was plenty of bourbon too, of course!  We all placed our bets, threw on our derby hats and bow ties, and cheered for our horse! 

But the best derby experience was when we went to the Carolina Cup in South Carolina a few years ago.  We got a bunch of friends and made the trip to Camden.  Thanks to our many years of tailgating experience, we did it right.  We had a tent, music, ladder golf, corn hole, and of course, derby food and drinks!  We had an amazing spread of chicken salad, pimento cheese, sausage balls, brownies, lemon squares, mint juleps, and Arnold Palmers!  Ok, so maybe it’s not all “traditional” fare, but it was good for traveling!

My ultimate goal is to get to the Kentucky Derby one day.  But until then, I can’t wait to host a derby party at our new house!!  Hopefully by May of next year, it will be looking good and ready for a party! 

Have a super “holiday” weekend!!

By the way, here’s the recipe for the hot browns, which I totally recommend!!  http://www.southernliving.com/food/holidays-occasions/kentucky-derby-day-party-00400000043969/page9.html

I “worked from home” yesterday, and was more productive than I’ve been in weeks!  Funny how that works out.    Check it out:

1.      Discuss plans with the contractor

2.      Set up an appointment with the electrician

3.      Set up an appointment with the HVAC company

4.      Set up an appointment with the alarm system company

5.      Take a couch nap

6.      Check on the status of our stolen pipes

7.      Call the clinic I go to about a billing issue

8.      Begin packing up the apartment

9.      Go through old magazines, and mark out names/addresses to donate them

10.  Go to yoga class

11.  Look for jobs for hubby

12.  Clean out closet and take a load to Goodwill

I’d say that’s a pretty productive day, considering that was my list for the entire week!  I talked at length with our contractor and he is very excited to be working with us and can’t wait to get started!  He even started checking things off the list yesterday, like applying for permits, ordering supplies, finding a fence repairman, etc.  I like this guy!  He is on top of it…which anyone who knows me knows that excites me!!  All of our books and DVDs are packed away, along with some other random items (including the gold dinos).  I ended the day with a yoga class that left me feeling refreshed, if not sweaty!

Also, I never told you the story of the stolen pipes…the quick and dirty of it is that someone kicked in the door to the basement and stole our copper piping, while the water was running.  Luckily, Charles and I dropped by to check out the yard and heard water running (thanks to the window that someone had busted out).  We discovered a foot of water in the basement and a completely shot hot water heater.  So we filed a police report and the bank is deciding if they want to fix it themselves or give us the money to do so.  We’ll see!  I’m just glad we happened to go by the house that day.  It could have been a lot worse!!

Countdown to closing:  9 DAYS!!!

Happy Friday, folks!  I’m so glad it’s finally here.  This week has seemed to drag on and on!  I think it’s this very confusing weather we’ve been having.  Can it please just be warm and springy already!?!  Unfortunately, this weekend is going to be cool, rainy, and gloomy.  BUT, I’m going to see My Fair Lady at our local theater on Saturday, so I’m excited about that!

So we got the news yesterday…we are OFFICIALLY scheduled to close on May 10th  at our lawyer’s office.  That’s only 2 weeks from today!!!  I could not be more excited!!  Stay tuned for lots of updates and stories…the real ride is about to begin! :)