104 Biscayne Circle

The floorplan:
Front door opens to the stairwell and hallway. To the left is the dining room, to the right a large living area with fireplace. Towards the back of the house on the right, the amazing sunroom/screened porch. To the back on the left, the Kitchen and garage door. Garage includes a workshop!

Upstairs to the right: master bedroom. Straight ahead to bathroom, left to two smaller rooms, and straight ahead to a bonus room (could also be 4th bedroom) complete with full bath, above the garage.

The Yard:
Amazing/large front yard, as shown in picture above. Back yard includes more trees, a swing set, ground cover in many places in lieu of grass, and a ditch-like area that was once a construction easement (but no more!)

The Neighborhood:
Walking trails lead to Bond Park and many more trails, within 1/2 a mile. Closest intersection is High House and Davis - with a grocery store, and a great frozen custard place. Cary is also sometimes called C.ontainment A.rea for R.elocated Y.ankees. Although we're not yankees, I suppose in some ways perhaps we fit the bill!

Deck? Check. Sunroom? Yep! 3 bedrooms + bonus (aka 4 bedroom if needed). Culdesac lot.

Great deal. We will need to build some fencing, but the rear of the yard and neighbors on both sides have fences.

Of course, before we can finish the deal, there's inspections galore (general, radon, termite) and securing a loan (crossing my fingers for 5% for 30 years). There's also the rent-back (the current owners are renting the house back from us for 3 weeks after we close).

It's exciting! But still lots to do. One thing we can cross off of the list? Driving around and looking at houses! Yay!

I'm very glad to be under contract!

Houses...

There's the floor plan, the neighborhood, the yard. There's the freeways, decks, and sun rooms. There's 3 bedrooms and 4 bedrooms, there's bonus rooms and no bonus rooms. Small rooms, big rooms. Windows and doors. Staircases. So much to consider!

And yet, we'll be buying a house here soon. I can feel it (well - that, and the fact that our lease expires in about two months...)

I think we've zoned in on a neighborhood. There's still lots to choose from, though. The overpriced house that maybe we'll make a low offer on and they will decline? The "small rooms" house where we may not be able to fit all of our current furniture in the master bedroom? The house we would have to build a bigger fence, that is huge? Perhaps one of these will be ours - soon.

Between now and then, there's finances to consider (and what rate we might get on a mortgage), and there is packing that we could start on (but haven't yet bothered).

It's a crazy life - indeed. But I feel blessed to be able to even afford a house! And further blessed to look forward to sharing a new house with my new husband. :)

Brownies

What was your first thought - - -

Warm, fresh from the oven, ooey-gooey chocolate?

Or cute girls in uniform selling Girl Scout Cookies?

Run!

Austin marathoners and half marathoners - YOU ARE AWESOME. Congrats to everyone on finishing and accomplishing something so HUGE!

Lately, I've been thinking of all my running buddies. So many good times (and good runs, and good meals) we've shared. These people are incredible.

I am very proud of the fact that I have run a marathon. In fact, I have run TWO marathons - - which, I figure, not many people do not say. Of those that have run marathons, they typically run 1 marathon - or 10+ marathons. The number two is what may be a little odd.

In my experience, the first marathon is awful - but exhilirating. When you finish, you've accomplished something big. But the second one? I'm not sure why I was compelled to sign up. Somehow, Orange Zest kept me running. And honestly? As tough as the first one was, the second one seemed insurmountably more difficult.

I ran the Austin marathon in '07 and in '08. My "single" years. I've never ran a marathon while married, oddly. I am not certain whether a full marathon is something I will ever tackle again, to be honest.

Somehow, this seems a little scattered - even for me. However, I think that's consistent with where I am now. Scattered seems to be a good word for it.

These days, I'm doing more thinking about running than actual running. Maybe I'll get back into it.

Inspiration

The toughest part of writing a blog is getting the inspiration to write it!

Recently, however, I've found two new blogs. And they have given me some new ideas.

My friend Kyle - a personal trainer who owns his own business - has a fitness blog.
Kyle's blog

My friend Jody - a 71 year old who recently took 3rd place in her age group in the 3M half marathon - has a blog associated with the Austin newspaper.
Jody's blog

These are some tough people - both mentally, and physically. They are very inspirational, and both help others in unimaginable ways with their efforts in personal training.

Anyhow, one way that Jodi ends each of her blogs is with three "logs" - a "Toughness" log, a "R&R" log, and a "Training" log.

Although I haven't been doing what I should on the "training" side of things, I think tonight, in honor of Jody, I'd like to end in the same spirit:

Training log: Walking Kobe around the block+ to help him rebuild strength
R&R log: Blogging while watching Biggest Loser, lunch with friends
Toughness log: A "successful" house hunting trip - even if we didn't find a house!

Get your shoes on!

Yes, my friends, it is time for a walk!!

Kobe went to the vet on Friday, and he has made a lot of progress. While at the vet, he was even trying to stand on only one of his back legs so he could scratch his ear. He didn't quite make it, but he did make the effort!

The vet was very pleased with his progress so far, and said that he will continue to improve over the next few weeks. Although he's still supposed to remain constrained most of the time (so he can't jump on/off furniture and he can slowly build back up to normal activity over four weeks), he can be out roaming around - - and he can start taking walks again!

I only wish that I could be more like my dog - and LIVE for walks.

Now, I do enjoy taking walks... However, I think a walk to Kobe (especially after having been on a strict bed rest routine for four weeks) is more like how I would picture new socks for a year, a $5000 shopping spree, or guilt-free desserts for a month! (I tried to work in starbucks, too, but it didn't work out this time. Maybe next time)

So - off we go - Kobe and I - for a much earned walk!