Just Checking In...

Just wanted to let everyone know we made it to Florida with no problems. Settlement on the old and new house went smoothly and are now a thing of the past and we are making progress with unpacking all the boxes. PODS was a great way to move and although I hope to never move again, I would definitely use them again. LOL!

We got our temporary tags for the car yesterday and will probably get our licenses taken care of tomorrow. Not to rub it in or anything, but the temps here have been in the 70's and 80's and I'm LOVING IT! Just too busy to really enjoy it with trying to get the house in order. I'm currently working on my sewing room and am quite happy with the room size. It is smaller than in the old house, so I was afraid that I'd either be cramped in so much I couldn't move or that everything would have to be stored hither and yon. Luckily that isn't the case and with the exception of the larger yardage pieces which will go on a shelving unit in our huge master closet, it looks like it will all fit with room to move. LOL!

I'm typing this on Chris's laptop on the dining room table because we still have to purchase new furniture for the office. We found desks, etc. we like and just have to measure the room and where we want to place them so we know if the arrangement will work and what pieces we will ultimately purchase.

TTFN,
Suzy

A Baltimore Christmas

Now that Thanksgiving Day is behind us and it is Black Friday, which officially kicks off the Christmas holiday season, I thought I would share with you a quilt I designed in EQ yesterday. Of course it is Christmas-themed. I call it "A Baltimore Christmas."

This will probably be my last posting for awhile. We hit the road tomorrow for my sister's and leave for our Florida journey early on Sunday morning.

TTYL from the Sunshine State,

Suzy

Happy Thanksgiving!

There are many things for which our family is thankful. Much too many to enumerate.

I hope you and your family have a wonderful and memorable Thanksgiving. Enjoy not only the food, but each other.

Blessings,

Suzy

Killing Time

Ok, ok. So I'm a bit bored in this empty house with nothing but a mattress, two TVs and two computers (hubby's lap top and my PC). I thought I wouldn't have time to blog with cleaning and all, but we got a phone call from our realtor yesterday informing us that the buyers are having professional cleaners come in to clean the house before they move in. Yeah, I know it sounds like I'm a slob or something, but I'm really not. In fact, some who know me would say I'm obsessive compulsive about my home and its cleanliness. However, the wife is pregnant and due in about 5 or 6 weeks and is now on complete bedrest, so I guess they just want to do it their way. Which is fine with me, because I was going to sparkle up the place, but hey, it's all good!

So what am I doing to kill the time? Well, since I'm really not into TV all that much except a few shows during the evening hours, I decided to play around with my EQ program again. Here is the result of today's fun.

I actually came up with a name for it already, too. I call it "A Butterfly In My Garden." If you have a minute, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Echoingly yours,

Suzy

Decorated in Early Empty

...also known as I'll be MIA for awhile.

The house is empty, the furniture and boxes are packed and loaded in the PODs (which are being picked up today) and cable and other utilities will be shut off shortly. Our last day in NJ is Friday, we drive to my sister's home in PA on Saturday for a Thanksgiving/Farewell get-together, and plan to leave from there early Sunday morning. We are very excited for our next adventure (driving to FL) and you probably won't hear from me until we are set up down there. I don't know how long that will take, but if I get a chance in between the chaos of setting up the new house, I'll be sure to update you all on our progress.

Onward to the next adventure,
Suzy

Takin' A Break

Notice anything different? Uh, yup. I redesigned my blog with the help of "The Cutest Blog on the Block." Figured I needed a break from all the packing, so this is the result. So whatcha think?

Suzy

(*Sings*) Oooohh, I'm Packing My Life Away

Eddie Rabbitt may have been driving his life away, but I'm packing mine away. My house is now in official chaos. We are also putting out furniture at the end of the driveway with for sale signs on it, as weather permits. So far we've sold our kitchen dining set. We have plenty more where that came from, though...but the weather has not been cooperating. In fact, as I type this it is POURING outside! Ugh!

We are hoping to have a moving sale this coming Saturday (with a raindate of Sunday) and our POD is being delivered on Monday, the 17th. YIKES! Where is the month going??? *running around the house flailing her hands in the air*

If you're wondering about the nicely lined up boxes in the picture's foreground, let's just say that they are there to keep out our cute little, loveable doggie. She has a weird fetish for all things paper -- newspaper, toilet paper, xerox paper, magazines....she just loves to shred it to pieces. Love her, BUT! Let's just say I've had to rewrap a few things... Not to mention the one time she stole a toilet paper roll from our bathroom and our bedroom looked like a toilet paper blizzard! *chuckles* Gotta love her! :o)

Amidst all the chaos,

Suzy

Happy Halloween!

Halloween Graphics

So Far, So Good

First, I want to thank everyone for taking the time to leave such sweet messages on my blog. It feels so nice to have you all beside me as we take this journey. Hugs all around!

We had the inspectors come out to the new house today. All went extremely well and nothing needs attention. So far, so good. :o)

We will spend the rest of our time in Florida just enjoying our family and soaking up the sun. We return to NJ on Wednesday when the real craziness will begin -- sorting, packing, selling, donating. I'm definitely not looking foward to that step in the process, but it's a necessary evil. LOL!

Wish you were here,

Home Sweet Home!

We did it! The sellers accepted our offer and we have bought ourselves a house. We are now under contract with a closing date of December 4. Happy Birthday To Me! What better present than a beautiful new home!

Check it all out here:

The House (Specs: Brand New -- Never Lived In; 4 Bedroom (Master has large walk-in closet w/pocket door); 3 Bath, Eat-In Kitchen w/Nook and Breakfast Island (and largest pantry I've ever seen), Laundry Area, Great Room (huge!), Formal Dining Room, Screened-In Patio (that we are going to make even larger), 2-Car Garage. All exterior yardwork and maintenence -- including painting, mulching, fertilizing, weeding, replacing dead/damaged shrubbery/trees, etc. is done by Association! We also back to an empty park-like area and have the sidewalk walking path next to our home that meanders across 3 miles of walking bridges, waterviews, lakes, fountains, beautiful landscaping, etc.)

The Community
http://www.lennar.com/New-Homes/Florida/Melbourne/Heritage-Isle-Estates?WT.mc_id=YAHO_SEM_Corp_PaidInc_&WT.srch=1

We are overjoyed as we did not have to compromise on any of our dreams. God was truly looking over us helping us find this amazing place within our budget and timeframe. :o)

Looking forward to our new life and lifestyle,