That's TODAY...

Building a house is a long and drawn out process filled with debate and compramise.  The planner in me makes it buch more entailed and sometimes more overwhelming too.  After 5 contractor bids, 3 financing comapnies and many debates it feels as I am no further in the game. That's today, I know tomorrow I will feel differently, but that's TODAY! 

Saturday Morning Plans....

Isn't it funny how sometimes the best of plans evolve into an adventure.  I'm sure my dear husband is not in agreement of my calling it an adventure.  After setting our plan for our Saturday the night prior.  We woke this morning, warm weather, had a good cup of coffee, took the pups for a walk, chatted with the neighbor- a good start right. So here's where the adventure started...
We live in a "tiny" apartment.  Coming from a 4 bedroom house with a full attic and basement, 522 square feet is TINY!  It's an apartment- temporary, but doable for us while we get settled, find work, and build our new home.  WELL for weeks now I've been "complaining" about the condition of the carpet- needs a scrubbing to freshen it up a bit.  My dear husband agreed to take on the task with me this Saturday morning. 

MOM....

My mother is my hero, every day in every way. There is not a day that passes that I do not think fondly and lovingly of her and all that she is.  There is no catagory in the realm of "momdom" that best fits her.  A kind, loving, genuine, unselfish, devoted and fun soul from the inside out. Throughout all my life she has shown her strength, by far the strongest of any I know. 

Grandad...

OK I just thought I'd share some bits of fun.  I really had a great childhood.  Lots of fun with my siblings, friends and family.  I'll try to share a bit along as it comes to me. 
To start things off, I'll start with a Grandad named Axthle.  The name sets the stage and says it all.  Granddad was to say the least, a "character."  He spent his life as a truck driver for International.  He was quite proud of his work and all the people he had gotten to know all along the east coast. 
He was an extremely outgoing person and a HOOT to grow up with.  After retiring,

A Perfect Plan...

As I have stated before, I am a PLANNER.  Our moving trip was just another opportunity to do just that.  Day one began at 6am with breakfast with our beautiful children before we shuffled off.  Daughter, Maddison started us out with "snack bags" filled with our favorites.  DORITOS were most definately on the menu- I'll fill you in later on that note. 
Our caravan of 3 vehicles, 4 drivers and 2 dogs left Meadville, PA at 8am right on schedule. 

Leading up to the Move...

After weeks of packing, one gigantic yard sale & a pile of donations for the church rummage sale, we packed a 26' Penske truck to the brim with our entire life's treasures.  We enlisted the brother-in-law, Dan and father-in-law, Lynn to help us make the 1,500 mile trek from Pennsylvania to Texas.  On loading day,

Good Friends!

Texas has been great!  We love the weather, San Antonio City, and our new home here.  I say this after stating my disdain for cold weather and SNOW. 
However, I would be fibbing if I didn't let you know that it was  difficult to leave our children, families, neighbors and good friends!  The word "leave" is not fitting here,  I like to call it- giving everybody a new vacation spot!

Why Texas...Really?

The first question we are asked on a daily basis- WHY TEXAS?  Flip (my husband Philip is and has always gone by this nick name) & I did not make our decision to go or where to go lightly.  I am a PLANNER and we both almost always over-anaylize each and every one of our decisions.  We talk about and debate every possible aspect and scenario before we make  the smallest of decisions.  I guess you could say that's the part we enjoy. 

Where To Start...

As I begin this blog let me first tell you that I was born, and lived all my life in Pennsylvania.  A beautiful state, experiencing all 4 seasons.  With those wonderous seasons came 4 months of cold, freezing rain, slush and SNOW.  Now that snow was beautiful- on Christmas Day.  After months it got to be TOO much for me!  In 40 years