Our 'Ol Virginia Home

We bought our very first home in Virginia back in 2004. It was near the height of the real estate market there in suburban Virginia. It was so stressful buying your first home, let alone competing against at least 10 other people for the same house. We got the house and did basically no upgrades except for painting the kitchen.

Hollie...I don't know if you remember what it looked like before a NIGHTMARE!

Anyway, we heard from our old agent Joe who said our house was back on the market - in foreclosure :-( We sold it for $315,000 and the market has tanked so bad that it is for sale now for $145,000! I can't believe that we made $60,000 on our 11 month investment on that house and today it is worth nothing! I don't know why I'm sad about it. Maybe I'm upset about the color they used to paint the master bedroom.

http://matrix.mris.com/Matrix/Public/Email.aspx?ID=27195293782

The Washer & Dryer

Greg also bought me a new washer and dryer. Apparently our "laundry fairy" keeps complaining about the Montgomery Ward Washer & Dryer that the previous owners had left. I had to wash the clothes 2 or 3 times to get them cleaned and the dryer...forget about it. It would be more efficient to use a hair dryer.

These are AWESOME! We have a very narrow laundry room, so I couldn't get a front loader. These 2 are just as efficient as the front loaders. You have to buy special laundry detergent for them! I went out to Albertson's and spent $18 on detergent, where I usually spend about $10. I'll be going to the commissary from now on for that. If you use regular detergent, you will have so many suds and the soap won't wash out becuase you use only 20 gallons or so of water, whereas your standard washer uses 40. This washer will do a king size blanket or queen comforter!!! That was my main thing. I had to be able to wash my own comforters. You know how it is with dogs. They seem to mess up the bedding 1 hour after you get it back from the cleaners.

Yeah! I love my new appliances!!

Our latest addition...

Today we introduce our newest member... a new fridge! The one that came with the house was soooo old....1999 was the last time the water filter was changed in the ice maker! I think it was sucking so much electricity. Whenever the fan or whatever was running that thing shut down, it sounded like a giant diesel truck shutting off. It shook everything in the house!

I went to Sears hoping to find the one we had in Tennessee, but this one is better! The salesman Mr. Tucker was the best! The fridge was delivered today by some amazing guys. They brought in the fridge through the front door with the fridge in these straps that they had around their shoulders. It wouldn't quite fit through the front door, so they opened up the doors of the fridge while they brought it in. Amazing.

Wow! I feel so lucky! My husband is the best :-)

What's in Your Soda?

So there I was…at the Shell Station on 2319 4th Ave E, Olympia. I've never been to this shop, but decided to stop on in. I had a hankerin’ for a fountain diet coke. It really does taste better than in a can or bottle. I can also put in a lot of ice which I do enjoy.

I’ve heard the talk about how unsanitary the ice machines are in these places, but my love of ice overcomes the fear. So I grab a cup, fill it with ice, and then decide on the spur of the moment to get Sierra Mist. I pull the little lever to release the liquid and I notice it’s slower than a normal fountain and then there is no bubbly-ness. Again, not too odd. Then it happened….

Two ants came out of the spigot. Guess they needed the sugar more than me. After being completely grossed out, and a few dry heaves later, I returned the ants and the drink to the cashier thinking this is the kind of guy who would have ants for pets. He didn’t seem surprised but asked if I wanted a different kind of drink. I said “are you kidding me?” and walked out.

I then went to my usual “I need a fountain drink with ice” gas station located on Plum & State and oh so yummy. No bugs. Nice clean environment. The only thing that catches my eye are signs everywhere that say you cannot use food stamps to buy wine, beef jerky, soda, or lottery tickets.

Should I call the health department or something? Or is this something that falls within the "acceptable" parameters for an establishment with food? Probably the latter, but I'll google and find out.

Welcome Home from work, Mommy!

The boys left me a present this afternoon when I came home from work...thank goodness they are going to Doggy Daycare tomorrow! Yes, I know it could be worse. They only get into the trash when one of us forgets to empty it out after a "tasty" (i.e. meat and/or fish) meal.

No book report on The Shack

Okay, I cannot finish up The Shack. I'm trying, but it's not looking so good. I can't believe I can't finish it. It's not because I don't "believe" it or whatever. It is just slowing down too much. I think I need to stick to my "no brainer" reading.

Go Vols!

Finally I can watch the Vols play on TV. They are gonna smoke the Florida Gators!