Fading Into Fall

The summer flew by for us. We have been crazy busy as you may have guessed by my rather lengthy blog absence. 

We are currently working on enjoying what is left of the warm weather, atop the RTD. This is what our perch views have been like as of late. 

It may be a far cry from the Tetons but, I am trying to enjoy it for what it is worth. 

The summer synopsis is coming soon!

Dang, You're Old

Happy birthday America.

We will be celebrating today in Charm City.

With our favorite pooch. 

And some special guests. Hint...

Happy Fourth!

Growing Through Life

A few years ago, if you would have told me that my first house would be in this state, this city, I would have told you well... probably something not very nice. Even though my heart will always be in Jackson, Wyoming. I am trying not to be too crabby about it. 

Crabs are for eating, not for being. (or having but, thats another issue all together - ew!)

After 6 months of living in our house and 10 months after we started this project, we have finally been able to convert to our permanent loan. Just a few days ago we made our first true mortgage payment (at least in my mind as previously, we had been making payments to our construction loan). 

So, this bad boy, the property, the finished product, belongs to us. 

It may not look like much to some. Heck, it may look like a castle to others. What really matters is that H and I well, we like it a latte! 

The Wire (s)

The wire saga has finally come to an end. You first read about it here. Then again here.

A brief recap: The wires that were hanging off of the side of our house had to be hooked up to one of the electric poles on either side of our house. Sounds simple enough but, this couldn't happen until our neighbors signed the waiver that said wires could cross the plane of their property.

Until the wires were taken care of the appraisal was pushed back and so was our ability to convert from a construction loan and into a permanent loan.

We needed the owners of two houses next to us to sign off on the waiver. The electrician failed to obtain the signatures during the (actual) construction phase so Mr. C asked that we get involved and be "neighborly". Unfortunately, the task wasn't as simple as knocking on the door and asking for a cup of sugar. Both houses are rented out so tracking down the owners was our first hurdle. (Thank goodness for the internet and a girlfriend who knows her way around it.) Getting the owners to return a phone call or respond to a letter was a whole other saga and physically obtaining the signatures was the worst. One out of three of the property owners was particularly awful to deal with. But, after I established contact and after Mr. C bribed each and every one of them (seriously! this is what our world has come to?!) we finally were free and clear to have the electrical company, BGE, come out and do the install. 

Here is an old picture of  what the wires looked like for the past 6 months. 

Now, the view looks a little more like this. 

Wait. Where'd the wires go? Confused? Yeah, well, apparently the wires were installed on the "wrong" (South) side of the house because the signatures that we received were from the neighbors on the North side. 

So BGE came, scoped the scene, said "nope", and left. The electrician had to come back to move the wires from one side of the house to the other. 

Another request that BGE made was to make provisions so they could get their 25ft ladder out the back of our house. With the tiny back patio and a fence something creative had to be done. So Mr. C cut out a gate in the (once solid) privacy fence.

The gate opens up into the neighbor's back patio. No need to ever open that thing again so we have since put locks on it. It's not exactly what we wanted but, hey, it got the job done. 

Not only did the wires near the roof have to be moved but so did the electrical box.

After this mess...

... was all cleaned up.

And moved over.

BGE was asked back out to the house and the wires (finally) were installed.

Three cheers now, HIP HIP HURRAY!

It is hard to believe that this seemingly simple task could've been so drawn out and frustrating. 

If I were to share any advise to fellow renovating, home owners, I would say to get going on projects that involve neighbors, city permits, electrical companies in the beginning of the renovation process, (& by get going, I mean full court press). You never know what kind of snags you may end up with along the way.

Never thought we'd be so happy to see some wires in the air.  

 

 After all, where else are the birds supposed to sit in Charm City?

Help! I've Fallen...

... and I am trying to get back up. Clearly, I have fallen off of the posting train. My apologies if any of you out there are still reading (or trying to).

What the heck happened? Well...

Frustratingly, all things house related (wires, electricity, closing, etc) took a serious halt through the December and most of January. In the past week we finally powered through all of that nonsense. (I will divulge details & pictures soon.)

While we were waiting to move things along on the housing front the holidays came and went. Actually, right before the holidays was my birthday. Disclosure: I do not make a big deal about my birthday and prefer everyone else follows suite. The people out there who insist force others to participate in their "birthday week" (or month-yikes!) make absolutely no sense to me. You are not that cool "princess". But, for that night H did just that, he made me feel pretty special. He took me out to a fancy, French restaurant here in Charm City that was beautiful and delicious! 

He also surprised the hell out of me by giving me this bad boy.

I have been dreaming of a big-girl camera for a couple of years now but, had no expectation of receiving one anytime soon. SPOILED! Thank you H! xo

This is where things started going downhill for me. I am pretty sure it is a combination of a lot of things but, here are the top three: 

• First, I.MISS.MY.FAMILY!!! & I.MISS.MY.FRIENDS!!!
• Second, I finally understand why so many people out here dislike winter. It is because east coast winters suck: Cold. Grey. Dirty. Dark. Rain. = Blechh!                                   NOT like J Hole: White. Soft. Fluffy. Activity-filled. Beauty=Amazing!
• Third, I have not been exercising. At least not more than a walk a day with Miss Maui and a day (maybe two) at the gym. We all know that exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. 

Then came Christmas. I was having a particularly difficult time getting into "the spirit" this year (see reasons above) and was hoping to have a little help in that department when we traveled town to Lynchburg. I fondly refer to H's home town as "Pleasantville" and the past few years we have spent Christmas there with H's family. It has been great, we have shared a lot of laughs, and had an all around good time. 

Little did we know, this year, Christmas was canceled in Pleasantville. (For a multitude of reasons that are not mine to divulge.)

After that (not so fun) trip we decided to spend a quiet, uneventful night at home for NYE. Which, would have been perfect had we not gotten into a tiff at 11:58. 

Lesson: Breathe. Then live, learn, & don't sweat the small stuff.

Into 2013 we dove, trying to make the start of this year better than the end of last. It has been slowly but, steadily progressing in that direction. As soon as this awful football season is over (7 hours and counting) I am hoping to start focusing on my goals and what will make me happy. In case you're wondering, this is how I feel about living in Baltimore while the dirty birds are in the Super Bowl.

My new approach at turning things around for myself is this: Perspective is instrumental. Energy is powerful. Align those two in a positive way and (sing it with me now) every little thing is gonna be alright!

Relish The Good Times

Before the "Super Storm Sandy" came along, we were invited to a weekend at the Bay. 

Where the days were spent with this view in our sites.

Our realtor, turned BBFF, James and his partner Greg hosted H, Maui, and myself at their home away from home. Their beautiful house is down the road from where the movie, Wedding Crashers was filmed. Gorgeous!

The first morning we did a quick tour of the local farmers market.

Have you ever seen cranberry beans? They are so pretty.

Things got a little hot and spicy.

 Especially at brunch when we dove into this scrumptious treat.

Then we enjoyed the first of two boat rides on their new to them boat, Relish.


There was a little bit more lounging in the yard.

Another boat ride took place once a few more of our friends showed up and a dance party quickly ensued. 

E and G may be giving dance lessons at a club near you soon.

The big pickle made an appearance. Get it? Pickles... Relish?  (also, this IS the most innocent pickle picture taken) These newlyweds, aka JohnNott, were truly relishing their time on the boat.

While the rest of us were having a dance party on the motor boat H had possibly the most exciting thing happen; a neighbor offered to teach him how to sail a 'Laser'. 

He has since volunteered to sail on a recreational racing team. Teach a man to sail and, err,  you may never see him again.

After a night out on the (nearest) town and a beautiful breakfast in the gazebo we headed back to Charm City. H, Maui and I had a great weekend with some of our new friends. 
Thank you for being the hosts with the most: James, Greg, Gertie, and Ossi.

P S. Thankfully, Relish the boat, and James and Greg's beautiful home were all safe from the wrath of Sandy.

Oh, The Weather Outside Is Frightful

"Frankenstorm" Update:

It's raining. The wind is picking up. Right now, it is blowing at about 30-40 mph. All in all, its not too bad, yet. 

Before I left for work this morning, my weather app's map looked like this.

Yes, I said 'before I left for work', I work at a major hospital that is open for business. However, I was sent home almost immediately because, the path of Miss Sandy has changed. She was once reported to be heading north and striking NJ/NY with the majority of her force. The silly girl decided to detour and hang out in Charm City for a while. Super. Thanks girl.

Yesterday, the city was preparing for the hurricane and things looked like this around here:

The Coast Guard was docked in Fells Point and hard at work in the Harbor. 

 

Dump trucks full of sand were lined up along the Harbor.

Where citizens could bag their own sand to protect their homes.

Lower level doors had been taped off with plastic barriers and sand bags put in place. Many windows had been boarded of buildings that sat on or near the water. 

Basements windows and entrances were covered with plastic and sand bags.

Storm drains were covered (in some places) with duct tape. Classy Baltimore.

Back to today, Monday: 

We aren't too concerned with flooding as we live about a half mile or so from the water and up hill. Oh, and we don't have a basement. sorrynotsorryaboutthelackofmancave

The temperature has already dropped into the 40s and H just reported to me that it is snowing in the Harbor. 

So far we have power. The Governor is saying that wont last for long. 

This tree in our back yard, that on a good day drapes and hangs over power lines may pose a problem. 

Or perhaps the bigger problem is that when Sandy makes landfall, tonight, the winds are expected to be at or around 90-100 mph (meaning she will then be classified as a category 2 hurricane). She is expected to stay, unwelcomely, for 24-36 hours.

We are all home now, safe and sound. Mr. C even wrote us an email saying, if we have any problems that he and his crew are on standby and will be available to help if any house related issues arise. 

Also, we have plenty of booze to keep us entertained so, don't feel too sorry for us yet. 

Girls Night In

Moving 2,000 + miles away from the majority of my closets friends a few years ago was then, and continues to be difficult for me. Finding new friends the older you get is also more difficult than one would imagine. Especially, since H and I never seem to stay in one place. 
It's hard to hit a moving target!

I would say the most difficult part about being in a new place is the lack of a local support group. Sure, I am making friends here in Charm City like my BBFF, James. And I'm not sure I could have survived here on the east coast this long without the love from H's childhood friends (and their wives) and my family that is (kinda) nearby. Especially, my cousins B and C! Love you girls! 

But, it's hard to replace those friends who have known you since you were a wee lassie. 

So... last week when my friend from home, Megs, came up with the brilliant idea to stay connected by having a girls night in via Skype with a few of our bestest girls, I jumped on it! 

This foursome that once was all in one spot is now sprinkled all over the country and missing each other dearly.

I don't always love technology. (Sometimes I'd rather spend my days in a cabin in the mountains with nothing but a good book and some sweet company, maybe that's what retirement is for). But, for now, thank goodness for the internet and video chat!

That was the best 2.5 hours of laughter I've had in a while! Love you beautiful ladies!

Traveling Fools

We are very much enjoying our new home however, it hardly seems like we've been here at all! H and I have been traveling fools as of late (hence the hiatus in posts). 

First we went to Pittsburgh to meet this little angel. 

This is my cousin B's baby, you first heard about him here. It was heaven seeing Jack and my sweet family and some of our Pittsburgh friends. 

While we were there I got the call that my friend who was going to watch our little Maui-kinz the following weekend no longer could. So, my generous Aunt J suggested we just leave our pup with them for the next 10 days or so. "It will be like dog camp!"-she proclaimed. They have a dog and a granddog so there are lots of toys and tennis balls lying around, a huge back yard, and a pool. So, "Dog Camp" it was for Maui.

With heavy hearts (just mine really) we left Maui behind and headed back to Charm City for a short week of work. The next weekend we flew (rather miraculously-it's a long story which, I care not to re-live but, none the less, THANK YOU to H's parents and H's good friend Jud-man!) to Jackson Hole, WY, my home. 

Yes, it is still my home because 'home is where the heart is', and so much of my heart is still swallowed up by those big beautiful mountains.

This quick trip "home" was to watch one of my very best, most beautiful, and always inspiring friends get hitched! 

Here is a sweet moment during their ceremony in which each of their brothers sprinkled rose peddles on the opposite siblings head. It symbolized something very touching but, I was too busy sobbing to hear what exactly. Don't worry, they were tears of joy because my dear friend has met and married such a wonderful match. Plus, who doesn't like a man in uniform?

I loved how colorful...

...and personalized every last detail was.

After an all too brief trip in the Hole which, I didn't get to spend nearly enough time with my family nor get to see all of my friends, we headed back Maryland.

The following day, exhausted from an emotional weekend, traveling, 3 hours of sleep,  and about ten hours of work I made a trip to the other side of the state where my amazing Aunt J's sister lives and where I was going to pick up Miss Maui. Seriously, aren't these people amazing?! They hold an impromptu "Dog Camp" for us AND bring the dog to me! I'm still so stunned and so grateful to have family like I do! 

Just when you think they can't get any better, they do; my amazing Aunt J and Uncle B out did themselves and surprised me with my cousin B and baby Jack (and dinner)! Wahoo! 

So, I got a little more quality time with this guy.

After dragging Maui away from my family and their "Dog Camp" (seriously, she barely recognized or acknowledged me) we headed home to finish out another short week of work before we headed down to the other "-burg". 

H and I hadn't been to VA since June so, we thought it was about time we got our butts down there to see some friends and family.

Our friends hosted a great barbeque so the crew could get together, catch up, and meet a few new family members.

H has four couples he's been friends with since childhood who now have children of their own and all within the last year. These kidos are pretty successful baby makers because I haven't seen a group of better looking babies. I didn't get a group shot but, I imagine Chelsea over at A Page In Our Book will post one soon. I did manage to snap one of H and his BFF's babe, Grant.

These two even share the same birthday which, is so sweet of Matt and Chelsea to have planned that.

So, after another drive home and here we are, whew. Hoping to unpack again and stay that way... at least for a few more weeks.