To bid, or not to bid...

So we have found one house that we really think has promise. The only thing is that it is not cheap.



It is a 3br/2bth house in Grapevine with great potential. The kitchen at this present time is not very large, however, I think there are few improvements Joe and I could do if we could get in there. I think what we are struggling with is finding something we will enjoy, that is a good value and we won't be wasting our savings away -- but countering that with what we would like to have. Maybe a better title for this post would be: Balancing your wants vs. your needs: Your Forever Home vs. your Starter Home.

Ugggh...so I think we are going to make an offer...significantly less than what they are wanting and see where it takes us. Joe and I have our magic number where it wouldn't be reasonable for anything above that. So at least we have that in our mind. Any ways...we'll keep you posted.

The Great House Hunt

It's official. We are looking for a house! So Joe and I have been searching and driving by houses for the past month or two. But yesterday, we actually went out with a realtor, spoke to several lenders and went inside a couple for our first few showings.

I am so excited about having a house. I get to paint what I want. I get to put things on the wall, number of holes be damned! I get to plant stuff. And most importantly Rufus (my awesome little black civic) can go inside a real garage!!!! (He is totally stoked by the way!)

I must admit I am also scared to death. Houses are expensive. Interest is rediculous. And nevermind the fact you think everyone is going to take you for all your worth (because in some small way, they really are...). But we're motivated...lease runs out in January. Now wouldn't that make a fine birthday gift?

So we're looking around Grapevine/North Richland Hills at the moment. So get your search engines going and let us know what you see! I mean the faster you find us our dream home, the sooner the "Happy New House" party will be! =)

Aaahhh, the beautiful beach

Well, we had a blast. Feeling a little silly for leaving at 6:45 in the morning on Saturday, while everyone else on the trip was leaving later and supposedly getting there just an hour or two after us, I was redeemed!! We got to the beautiful, white sandy beach hours before everyone else got there. Joe and I snagged the room with a view, went for a swim, scoped out the shell scene and were relaxed for hours before our fellow vacationers joined us.

The weekend consisted of lots of food and drink (LOTS...a whole pick-up bed FULL of Wal-Mart bags). Fun swims in the ocean -- it was so calm and clear and you could walk about 50 yards before it got really deep. We saw wild dolphins put on a Sea World caliber show!!! We went crabbing with a sand castle bucket. We went on baby sea turtle watch. We stalked deer. We went sailing. And I only got stung by jelly fish five times! And best of all...I didn't get a sun burn!!! SPF 50 ROCKS!!



So if you are ever looking for a fun, remote beach spot I totally recommend Cape San Blas and the fun coastal town of Apolachicola a few miles down the road!

Labor Day Vaca!

We're going out for a little bit of end-of-summer fun this weekend with the O'Briens. The kids are flying and the 'rents are driving...isn't that nice...but we're all headed for Cape San Blas, FL. Can't wait to sink my toes in the sand, watch the sun set, go swimmin' and who knows what else.

I'll let you know how it goes. Pray for safe, easy travel!

Tagged by Lyd

The Rules:
1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.
2. Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog (about their 8 things) and post these rules.
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

1. I have an insatiable love of chips and salsa. Love it. Love it!! I can eat it for a meal. I can eat it for breakfast. Lydia and I have experimented with perfecting the do-it-yourself salsa. And I must say we made a quite tasty recipe! We'll sell it to you if you ask nicely. My favorite chips and salsa at the present time, would have to be Anamia's of Coppell fame and La Suprema from good 'ol Nederland.

2. My husband and I had chemistry together from the very beginning. We met our sophomore year at Baylor in Chemistry class and it has been a fun joke ever since. I am so madly in love with him and thankful that God made me stay on the vet route for just a bit longer for me to meet Joe.

3. I do not like leftovers. I never have and probably never will. They don't heat up right, you just had them and, more importantly, I usually forget about them after I put them in the fridge. However, this helped many other people along the way. My roomie and best bud Lydia LOVES leftovers...so she was well-fed! Joe is a boy and gets hungry at any random time, so poof, there is food I totally didn't remember.

4. I won a coloring contest when I was little and I got to dress up and get my face painted like a clown. That was lots of fun! I also won another coloring contest in Kindergarten at the Southeast Texas fair! Who know you were in the company of such a great artiste!

5. I love to read. And even more, I love to read a good sci-fi book. I got this from my dad. I love the inventive scenery, transportation and circumstances. However it is hard to come by good stories some times, so I usually rely on my dad's stock to keep me going. Speaking of...I need to steal some more books when I'm down next.

6. I love animated or "kids movies." I guess maybe it's the fantasy again, but I really love it when people use their imaginations or get to be goofy and enjoy life. Too often, as with the news, adult movies are filled with violence, sex and bad language. Give me something to laugh and giggle at any day! And just remember -- "Fish are friends, not food!"

7. I pick at the edges of my fingers constantly. I don't know if they are "hang nails," slivers of skin, or just my arch nemesis, but I can't leave them alone. Any time my hands are free I am flickin' away. This is a habit my family does not like!

8. I too sing in the car. After years of choir and band, I love music - plays, church, concerts, movie soundtracks and the radio. So on my drive to work or wherever, I love to sing. Sing with the music, sing off pitch or just hum along. I like it. And Joe even sings with me too! Sometimes we like to play "Name that Tune" and I usually win! teehee!



People I'm tagging: Emily, Brianna and Joe (don’t hold your breath for Joe)

New Hairsies!

"It's about dang time!" is probably what the poor hair lady's scissors said when they saw my sad head o' hair. After growing it out for my wedding, having one less than stellar haircut and growing it out again for Dina's wedding I finally decided enough was enough!!!

With the helpful referral from my sis-in-law, I took the plung and called Tangerine, a local salon in Coppell. I had a mission, I knew what I wanted and it didn't involve
long hair! So when my lovely stylist Kendra asked what I wanted to do today, I promptly said, "Whack it off!" ... "Please!" =)

So here you see it! My new fun summer haircut in my awesome do-it-yourself pictures. Because when I got home, my hubby was nowhere to be found. Little did I know the evening would involve us staying up until 1 a.m.!!! trying to get his poor truck to start. Turns out it was the battery, and we headed off to Wal-Mart. Joe said it couldn't be the battery, because last time we died we were with John and Lydia in Waco. Now ok, how long have we all not lived in Waco? 2, 3, 4 years? =) But it's all fixed now and we can ride around and show off my new 'do!

 
(Rockin' the new hairsies!)

 
(And from behind...)

 
(And to the side...)

Taaaadaaa!!!

Bugs...bugs...bugs...

Well, last night we had our second venue change for the Tarrant County Blue Thunder baseball season of foreverness! =)

We went to the Lewisville Lizards' home field in...Argyle...kind of like Lewisville. Well, it kinda is, if you don't mind the 20 mile detour! It was a nice park, but then the sun went down and the natives came out to play. Thousands, millions, perhaps of creepy crawlies!!! Grasshoppers, beetles, moths, waterbugs, stinkbugs, don'tknowwhatitis bugs, frogs and who knows what else.

I'm fine with all of this, unlike some other baseball fans, who the only time they were screaming during the game was when one of these nice creepy crawlies crawled into their lap! BUT when we were walking out and the grass was more black than green from bugs, I do have to draw the line!

So if you're interested in boning up on your insects, join us at Integrity park located on 114 and 377/347? in Argyle!!

Baseball Booboos and Big Debates

Well this past week has been interesting for two reasons.

1. Baseball is winding down and getting crazy. We played a really nasty team the week before and even their fans were rude. So that wasn't as fun of a baseball time as I usually like. Then this past week Joe was faced with something new -- hitting a batter. As part of baseball, if they throw at your guys, you're supposed to throw at theirs. Now as humans, we're all about getting even, but it doesn't always work the way we want it. And in baseball, yeah, so it's part of the game, but do you have to do it? Why is it part of the game? Something the O'Brien household is figuring out.

2. Big Debates - As part of baseball, Joe has gotten to share his testimony and bit o' knowledge about God with his teammates. It has really been a blessing and just crazy how God can take the simplest things and direct it to Him. And with that, comes in one of his Christian teammates who believes in Calvinism - or where there are those "elected" or already chosen who will go to heaven. This has caused quite a debate between the to guys, and has also spilled into our family/friend discussions.

It's a tricky topic as how do we know God's ways? If those who are going to be saved are already predetermined, why are we charged with spreading the gospel? And on and on and on...

Would love to hear your thoughts!

My Best Friend's Wedding...

Well, I got to partake in one of my best friend's wedding this weekend. No I didn't try to sabotage anything; no nasty e-mails, no inhalation of helium, maybe a few annoying cousins...but...it was a lot of fun!

Congratulations Dina and Kyle!

Busy, busy...

Sorry for the draught of posts. It has been one wild and crazy summer. Between baseball games, weddings, family and no Internet. I have been a bad blogger.

After this weekend...much to blog about.

Hope everyone is having a great summer!

Always look on the bright side of life...

Ok, so the play was absolutely HILARIOUS!!!

The play was a birthday gift to Joe from his parents, so Joe and I, his parents Jim and Holly, and sister+fiance - Sarah and Adrian, loaded into the family pickup - closed the doors tightly so we wouldn't pop out and headed off to the play.

We enjoyed a scrumptious salad, so-so dinner buffet and great desserts at the Crystal cafe on the backside of the theatre and then on to the play.

It was great. Some things were obviously changed from the movie, but what a silly, fun night of entertainment. Lancelot was flaming, Camelot was a mideaval Las Vegas, dead people sang and danced, cows flew, bunnied killed, there was a three minute interlude about Jews on Broadway AND it also included audience participation.

I also got to see my sister and several other friends who happened to go on the same night as us.

The best line of the evening??
"Well, sir, I'm part Jewish...on me mother's side." - Arthur's page
"Well, why didn't you tell me sooner?" - King Arthur
"Well, you see sir, it's not something you just go and tell a heavily armed Christian." - Arthur's page

A night of "Ni!"

Yea! It's here...it's here!! Tomorrow night we get to see Spamalot, the popular Broadway adaptation of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. I am very excited and I'll let you all know how it was.



This weekend was a very soggy time for the Tarrant County Blue Thunder, but as it stands, the are the only winning Texas baseball team! Yea! Go Joe and Co.!

Under the weather and through the woods...

Well, I have been out of commission or running on one cylindar for the last week or so with a bit of an icky cold. I even went to the doctor and they did nothing except perscribe a Z-pac. The best part was when she said "Well, your tonsils don't look swollen." And I responded with, "Well, yes, that makes sense...I don't have any." Hmmmm....what are they teaching these kids in med school?

So anyways...I am happy to report I am getting better with a nice cough that had descided he wanted to stay for a bit longer.

This weekend, we kick of the Summer of Weddings 2007 with Joe's cousin, Amy. We're taking the fam that's not going to the rehersal dinner on Friday to one of Joe's games, so if you're around and looking for something to do, come on out for a bit of baseball and save me from the in-laws! Just kiddng!

I'm itching for an excuse to get everyone together again. Let me know if you have any ideas!

Date nights!

Date nights are great.

Joe and I went on a nice date of dinner and a movie. We split a hamburger at Chili's and enjoyed SpiderMan 3 (with tickets we got as a Christmas gift). We laughed, we hugged, we goofed off, we ate too much popcorn and we told the other one how much we love them. What a great night.

And with that begins our summer of the ball. Starting Friday at 7 p.m., we have 12 straight weekends of baseball madness with the Tarrant County Blue Thunder.

And with that...I can't wait for the next date night!

My DNA?

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Our new furniture

 

Look at our fun bed that Joe's parents got us. We stained it and put it together and it is great! Maybe one day we'll get bed tables to match!

About Me...

Advanced Global Personality Test Results Extraversion |||||||||||| 43% Stability |||||||||||||| 53% Orderliness |||||||||||| 46% Accommodation |||||||||||||| 56% Interdependence |||||||||||||||| 70% Intellectual |||||||||||| 50% Mystical || 10% Artistic |||||||||||| 50% Religious |||||||||||||||||||| 90% Hedonism |||| 16% Materialism |||||||||||| 43% Narcissism |||||||||||| 50% Adventurousness |||||||||||| 43% Work ethic |||||| 23% Self absorbed |||||||||| 36% Conflict seeking |||||| 23% Need to dominate |||| 16% Romantic |||||||||||| 43% Avoidant |||||| 23% Anti-authority |||||||||||| 50% Wealth |||||| 30% Dependency |||||||||||||| 56% Change averse |||||||||| 36% Cautiousness |||||||||| 36% Individuality |||||||||| 36% Sexuality |||||||||||| 43% Peter pan complex |||||||||||||| 56% Physical security |||||||||||||||||||| 90% Physical Fitness |||||||||||| 44% Histrionic |||||| 30% Paranoia |||||| 23% Vanity |||||| 23% Hypersensitivity |||||| 23% Female cliche |||||||||||||||| 63%

Take Free Advanced Global Personality Test
personality tests by similarminds.com

.......................................................
As seen on Lydia's blog. I'm not sure? Who knows? What do you think?

BearBall 2007

Thanks guys for an awesome time this weekend. It was so great to see everyone. Can't wait to do it again next year!

BearBall Location

Hope you are excited about this weekend's festivities.

When: Saturday, May 12
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Where: Andy Brown West

We have decided upon the fields of Andy Brown West in Coppell after a tour of local fields. After considering distance, thugishness, and park amenities, we have decided that this would be a great place for BearBall Numero Uno. There are two sandlot fields, plus a large park space (if fields are already taken) and can be easily accessed from 121 and 635.

We're also moving up the time just a tad to accommodate one of our players who has to actually pitch in a real game later on in the day. If you can't make it by 10, we'll see you at 11:00 a.m.!

What to Bring!
Glove
Bat
Shoes
Baylor Shirt

For Food:
We're going to make a chicken/burger run!
Bring $5 and we'll take an order at the field and go pick up food for the bunch.
We will also have a cooler available to put your water/drinks in.

Directions:
363 N. Denton Tap Road
Coppell, TX 75019
Phone: 972-304-3541

From Fort Worth:
Take 121 to Coppell
Exit Denton Tap and turn right (south)
Take Denton Tap untill you see the park on your right
OR
Take 121 to 635
Exit 365 going east
Exit Belt Line and turn left
Go down Belt Line/turns into Denton Tap
Park will be on your left

From Plano/Richardson:
Take George Bush to 35
Exit 35 and go north to 121
Go west on 121 to Denton Tap
Exit Denton Tap and go left (south)
Take Denton Tap untill you see the park on your right

BearBall Update - THIS SATURDAY

Yep, we're still on for this weekend and beautiful weather!

Location

To come tomorrow. We're working on a Central location for our E. Dallas, Flower Mound, Fort Worth and Beyond friends!

Shirts

I'm sorry I failed you, I didn't have time to make them. Life's busy. Please don't hate me!
BUT!! I have another idea that I would like to propose. Our church is selling shirts to raise money for an organization called "Water is Basic" that has already raised enough money to purchase a drilling rig and one well for the war-torn area of Sudan.

www.waterisbasic.org

The shirts are on sale for $15 (reg. $20) each, and are really cool. A brown color with yellow water jugs.
I know it's a little steap, but its a great cause that Joe and I will continue to support and could be a great way to spread the word. Let me know if you are interested and I'll get an order ready. Otherwise no biggie!

Food

Three options here.
Option 1 - Brown bag - everyone bring their own food and we'll have a picnic
Option 2 - Assignments! Each player(s) is in charge of bringing certain item
Option 3 - We make a Sam's run and every body brings $5-10 bucks (depending on what we get!) and we share and grill out!

Things to Bring!
1. A smile
2. A glove
3. A bat if you have it
4. Tennis shoes
5. Baseballs (I'm sure we can cover that), Softballs, kickballs?, volleyballs?
6. Food - to be determined soon!
7. Sun screen - let's all be safe!

Blogger issues! Ok, I don't know if it is Safari or my computer or what - but I don't have the buttons to post links, to bold or anything besides just straight text. Anyone know what's up with that???