We've Only Just Begun

Home Ownership! It changes you overnight. All the sudden Home Depot is my favorite store and I'd rather buy patio furniture than back to school clothes. Who am I? We took possession of the house on Sunday and made the last minute decision to stay at the house this week to do some painting before we move everything in on Saturday.
Don't be afraid of my paint sample on the wall...it's going to look great!! (I hope).

Staying the night here before we move our stuff in has proved to be the worst idea ever. We worked basketball camp during the days so we dedicated the hours of 4PM-3AM to home improvement. It was slow at first as we bought the sample sizes of paint and tested out colors. We didn't really know where to test them at or what to do...but we put some on the wall and didn't hate it so it must be okay. Right?

There was also a lot of cleaning to do. I'm sure this is typical, but I'm growing to loathe the previous owners. I fondly refer to her as "Dirty Dawn." I swear she hadn't dusted in YEARS. Dust bunnies the size of actual bunnies. Cabinet doors deceptively being held together by DUCT tape. Yes, that's dirty. Not to mention that they let 2 trees DIE between the time we closed and moved in. (There will definitely be a follow-up post on this...including pics).
So far we've done phase 1 of cleaning followed by painting baseboards, most of the kitchen & living room, and the fireplace wood work.





Almost done...
I'm so thankful for friends in the KC area who are also on this wonderful journey of home improvement! DeAnna and Chris helped us discover, in addition to the tree incident, that Dirty Dawn also let poison ivy grow in her yard and the trees in back have some sort of scabs or some STD sounding name. Josh and Emily graciously loaned us just about everthing (remember we're living out of suitcases on a blow-up mattress here!) and helped us paint! I've pretty much put Josh in charge of our painting project from now on. They do great work. Thank you so much friends for your help and advice!
On with the journey! Don't worry, I'll keep you updated!

Keeley's Hit Disney World!!

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My RockStar Husband

As we gear up for Disney World, Matt and I decided to do some shopping for new clothes to help us beat the heat at the parks. Took advantage of some great summer sales and got a lot of cute tanks and shorts to wear. (Including festive red, white, and blue digs for the 4th of course!) Getting new clothes to wear on vacation always makes me that much more excited for vacation! Like I said, hit some huge bargains, but as I was reviewing the receipt I noticed one item that was quite a bit more expensive than the rest. Enter, Matt's rockstar belt.

I got 2 whole outfits for the cost of this belt. But it was pretty cute seeing him show off his belt to his friends last weekend. They were a little too encouraging of this purchase. (Mostly Mitch).
Definitely an impulse buy.
I'm thinking RockStar belt + Airport Security = Highlight of Vacation

Seriously?!

I went to the dentist today for my 6-month check up and cleaning. You wouldn't think this would be note-worthy enough to center a blog post around...unless you're me. I somehow have the most eventful dental check ups ever! (Well, not EVER. I'm sure Kylie has some stories...) If you recall, last time I had a cleaning I then had to return to the dentist for FOUR follow-up appointments to have TWELVE cavities filled. So I wondered what the heck could possibly be wrong this time. I'm a huge skeptic of the dentist. They pry open your mouth so you can't talk or ask questions and then speak in some other language to each other saying things like "the distal mesial 4 is a 5" or something like that. Sketchy. However, they did educate me on some things today.

1. My gums are in danger. I'm apparently having an allergic reaction to Colgate toothpaste causing crazy inflammation of the gums.
2. I'm a "violently vigorous" brusher and I'm wearing away the gum and BONE tissue and have some nearly exposed roots. Really?
3. I have (and this is a direct quote) "blister-like mounds" on the back of my throat that I need to "keep an eye on." That sounds totally disgusting!!
4. And finally, I have a clogged salavary gland/duct causing a large bump under my tongue that I've never noticed before today but am now practically losing sleep over.

WOW! I have some crazy ailments...or a crazy dentist? Or...maybe I'm not allergic to the toothpaste and my gums were just inflamed because I don't floss regularly but I did floss right before the appointment. Isn't that what everyone does? I will try to get on the flossing bandwagon (again) but who REALLY flosses regularly? Come on, be honest.

Packin' It Up!

I commented to Matt the other day that I HATE moving. He just laughed. Then he told me about how I "boycotted" packing for our last move 2 years ago from Manhattan. Apparently I insisted that he pack everything. I do not recall this...but it definitely sounds like something I'd do. Hey, if it's not my idea to move, I shouldn't have to help pack, right? Makes sense to me. Well I'm not necessarily boycotting packing this time, but I can't say that I've been a main contributor. According to Matt, I've packed one box and taken the magnets and pictures off of the fridge. But who's keeping track? I lack direction in packing and become easily frustrated. And I don't want to take things off the walls yet. It's just not time. But I guess it is time. Because in 3 days I'm going to Disney World!!!
You know what...I never said I hate packing...I said I hate moving! And that is true!!

NYC!

Many pics from the recent trip to NYC! It really was a blast! The tour guide said that we wouldn't really appreciate the trip until we got home and rested up. She was exactly right. I just look at the pics and think, that was so cool!!!

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House Hunt Finished!!

We bought a house!

Nice multi-level deck and yes, a hot tub!

Coming Soon: 86 the kid's toys and insert a festive little fire pit and seating area here.

Yep, the yard is stinkin' huge. I'm quite nervous about how we will adjust to being home owners...we've never had a yard...and now we have a pasture!


Here's that darn kitchen. This is the house that was previously featured on the blog due to the hated woodwork. But I will deal. And we will paint!

Here I am with Realtor Bob thinking..."man I'd love this house without that nasty woodwork." I've had a hard time seeing past the seller's furniture, etc. Let's just say...we do not have the same taste...at all. So the next indoor pics will (hopefully) come in a "before and after" segment.
So anyone knowing anything about home improvement in the Olathe area can come help me paint cabinets in a couple weeks!
Also new news...we're not just buying a house, we are buying a house in Matt's beloved Olathe. The winds of change blow us East! Matt is now an assistant coach at MNU, his alma mater, and I'll be teaching middle school FACS in the DeSoto district. A summer of fun and exciting transitions! (Amidst all of my fun vacations of course!) The best part is being closer to Emily (practically a neighbor now--yea!!), DeAnna, Jamie, and many more!
P.S. I promise NY pics tomorrow! :)