Can you believe it is already Halloween?? It seems like this year has FLOWN by. Before we know it, it will be Thanksgiving and then Christmas and then 2009!!

I have been extremely busy working on my house. The painting is done, except for the bathroom. The floors are installed and I got new carpet in the bedrooms. The only big thing that I need to do is finish the tiling in the vanity area and my closet. But other than that, the house is coming together beautifully. I found some amazing deals on furniture. I found a chair that was in the AS IS section of a local furniture store. It was regular $484 and I got it for $99. They said there was a "scratch" on it, but I had 3 people look and we couldn't find a mark. One salesman said that sometimes if people order them and change their mind, instead of restocking them they will say something is wrong and mark it down. I went back to the store a few weeks later and actually found a couch to match! It was regular $799 and I got it for $299. I did find a minor scratch on the leather, but it wasn't noticeable. They both look great with my dark wood floors. I got a new bed and ordered my bedding from Target. I absolutely love it. It is black and white damask. I found some adorable bird wall art and put it above my bed last night, and it looks so cute. I have already started hanging pictures on the walls and it feels so good to have my own "place". The kitchen looks great too with all of my antique cameras, film, books and photography supplies. I found an estate sale by my house with tons of stuff and it was so cheap. If I am patient, I can find some great deals on things. I'm just decorating a little as a time (as my budget allows) and eventually it will all come together.

I really love my new house. I didn't think I would like it this much, but I do. I was very hesitant about moving out, but I really like the freedom and the fact that I am making something of myself. I want Zoie to know that I am doing everything in my power to make our lives the best possible. I want her to be proud of her mommy and that I am trying to give her everything she deserves.

I will attach some pictures of my new house this weekend, hopefully. Below are a few pictures of Zoie from Halloween and the pumpkin patch.

I guess that is all for now. I hope everyone has a safe and "wicked" halloween!

Lots of Love,

My New HOUSE!

So much has happened over the past few weeks, and I have gotten behind on my blogging. I will try to catch you up on the latest.

I closed on my house on September 29th. There was a delay in the closing since I tried to get a loan through my credit union since they had a cheaper rate, but I ended up sticking with the current mortgage broker. They thought I was taking out another loan, so a red flag was thrown and we had to wait for them to give the all clear. I had to write a letter of explanation and everything, but it ended up working out and they handed me the keys at 4:30 pm!

I have already painted the living room, kitchen and utility room in a Camel color. We painted over the yellow in the top of Zoie's room white, and painted my bedroom and vanity area white as well. The white isn't covering very well though, so I am going to have to put another coat or two on my room and the vanity, but Zoie's room is done and looks great (except for the flooring). The spare room (aka my craft/computer room) is a nightmare in itself. We got the puppy dog/basketball wall border off and dad started to primer it last night. The blue is so dark that it is going to take a LOT of coats to get it covered. We ripped up all of the carpet in the house too, as that was the cause of the smell. It was a putrid, wet-dog smell and a sour smell in the whole house. It took your breath away when you walked in! I decided to go ahead and pull it all up. I am going to put down wood laminate in the living room and kitchen, and put down new carpet in the bedrooms and tile in my vanity area. It will be a little expensive at first, but I'd rather move in with most everything fixed now than have to do it after I move in with my furniture.

So the house is coming along nicely. Home Depot delivered my refrigerator and microwave on Saturday morning at 7:45 am. I didn't want to put them in the house until after I fixed the flooring. I still have to get a storm door for the back door and fix the broken seal. I also need to get some more blinds for my room and put up door stoppers on all of the doors. We have bleached the bathroom and the mold in the windows, and once we get the back door fixed it will keep water from coming back into the living room. We are going to bleach the floors where the mold was growing under the carpet before we put down the new flooring, so that way it will be clean. It wasn't AS bad as we had thought, but it was pretty bad. I think once we get it cleaned up it will be a lot better. We are all sick now because of stirring up the mold and dirt and dust and dog hair from the carpet. Our allergies and sinuses are a mess, but once we get it clean it should be a lot more sanitary. It was something that had to be done though before I could move Zoie in.

But I guess that is really all that is going on. I've just been spending every day at the house trying to get it fixed up to where we can move in next weekend! I still have to finish packing, but I wanted to wait until I got it ready before I packed away everything. This week we are going to finish painting and put down the flooring. We are going to hopefully start moving in next Saturday. I'm really excited and I will post some pictures soon of the progress. I forgot to take "before" pictures of the living room when it was white, but I got some of it being painted.

living room & kitchen

Zoie's room (before and after painting)

My room (before and after painting)

Computer/Craft Room after we took down the border (before painting)

I will keep you all posted. :)

Have a great week,