~Fin~

September 9, 2017 
 

It's been 400 days since "The Great Exit."  There's no turning back now.  At the very least I'll be here 5 years (terms of the down payment assistance).  Truthfully, my heart is full and there is no urgency to look elsewhere at the moment.  

This summer many significant events have taken place....

*Judith and Yolanda came into my home, cooked dinner and dessert, served me and cleaned up.  What a treat!

**Allie and I went to Austin to see comedian Kev On Stage along with EJ Speaks and listen to spoken word.  Inspiring and hilarious!

 ***My mom, Charles and Imaunii have been to visit.  And Naysia came back home. The visit was a relaxing one.  Most of our days were spent at Old Faithful, either working, watching movies or sitting outside.  The Monday they were here I hosted a small dinner party.  Some friends came over to meet my family.

****In the same week we witnessed an eclipse and Hurricane Harvey ravaged my new home state.  And for the first time in my life disaster preparedness was a very real thing! 

*****Survived a made up gas shortage 

Folks has been asking why is the blog coming to an end?

It's been fun, but time consuming.  I spend most days trying to examine every single detail with the thought that whatever I'm doing could become an entry.  I think, at times, I haven't been able to just enjoy for sake of documenting it.  Perhaps if something life changing takes place I'll write about it.  But for now I want to bask in the moments to come.

So what's next??

I need to focus on my career, health and my role at Pearl Street Church.  I also need to hunker down with Tenaysia as she works on her life plans as an adult.  I'm hoping to travel later this year  or early next year to see my family, get back into writing my pen pals, and bake more.  I'm planning on some low key gatherings at Old Faithful.  And of course continue to explore this great state and tackle some home improvement projects.  Who knows...mayhap I'll even meet the man God has set aside for me.

Thank you for tuning in as we've come to know this city, make friends, and live life.  There is still much to learn and see and so many of you who've yet to visit.  I look forward to hosting you.  In the meantime, keep us in your prayers and catch us on social media.

With Love,
Tx2

#tx2_Oldfaithful

Yes, I named my house.  It was built in 1952.  Constructed before my parents were born it's "seen" a lot.  It has strong bones, it offers security, it's quiet and peaceful, it's reliable, it's faithful.  And most importantly the presence of the Lord is here. 
In a very short period of time we made our mark on our home. Here are some of the highlights that have taken place since moving in:

• The move was unorganized but blessed.  One of our old neighbors gave us his truck keys two nights in a row--with no questions asked--so our late night trips would be more effective.
• GG mowed the grass right away.  
•  Naysia and I removed the popcorn ceilings in the living/dining room and painted the entire room with Anne's help. Black and white pictures up and new furniture purchased.  Rudy the electrician removed the funky light fixture, installed a ceiling fan and recessed lighting.
• A co-workers son, Jason, replaced the tile in the kitchen and installed new baseboards to match the ones in the living room.  Charles replaced the kitchen faucet and worked on the windows.  Painted in it's entirety. Yolanda helped paint the cabinets, the top cabinet doors were removed and co-worker Mary's granddaughter Ashlie helped to un-pack the kitchen. New stove and fridge purchased. 
• Painted part of the hallway and managed to break the thermostat while hanging hall pictures.  Hall closet painted, Jason installed extra selves and Rudy installed a light.
• Naysia's bathroom painted. Linen cabinet painted, Charles repaired window and replaced shower head
• Guest room set up (COME SEE ME)
• Naysia's room looking well lived in
• My room unpacked
• My bathroom linen cabinet painted, Charles caulked all around as the bugs love this space, replaced the shower head and he also repaired the window. Rudy installed new vanity lighting.
• Ashton and Sabrina helped to clear some of the left behind clutter from the backyard/garage and the patio is perfect for entertaining with Edison lights strung all across.  Ashton has since returned to take care of the yard and we've made plans on what will happen next.
• And probably most importantly, my mom has been here.  Which means it's gotten the best deep clean it will ever have.  But the best part of her visit were the beautiful, life filled words of love and happiness she spoke over my home. 

I've put together a list of projects for the future, after all I  have the next 30 years to get them done.  But at the moment we are slowly rearranging and enjoying being at home.  

 

Happy Move-Iversary

August 5, 2017

It's been one of the most exciting years of my life.  While I am still uncertain on the reasoning behind this assignment, I'm grateful to have moved away from all comforts of life in Arizona and establish a home in Texas.

What better way to celebrate than by having a House Warming Party!  

The preparation expectation and the outcome were wildly different.  If you know anything about me and my love of hosting, you can imagine my nights were long and I declined most offers of help that guests extended.  I wanted everything to be perfect.  I wanted everyone to be comfortable.  Mostly I wanted everyone to feel loved and appreciated.  After-all, everyone in attendance has played a tremendous role in a blessed first year.

In attendance were my Adante family: Anne, Lisa and Jason, Yolanda, Allie, and Carrie. And my Pearl Street family: Amy and her crew, Jennifer and her family, Stephanie and her family, Priscilla and her crew, Jessica and her little ones, Judith and her family.  I was really hoping my Arizona family would have made it, that would have been the icing on the cake!

Judith has been a source of encouragement since last year.  She has been praying us up and it was only fitting that she prayed the blessing over the meal, my home and my life. 

Everyone wrote their favorite scripture in the garage, we had Dominoes pizza, and there were 3 different salads to choose from.  Sugary drinks and cupcakes were available to enjoy.  There was a group in every room.  Seasoned women in the living room, chatter in the kitchen, families on the patio.  The kids enjoyed the slip n' slide and water balloons. 

It warmed my heart to find my Adante fam had wandered into the empty guest room but sat on the floor in a circle like a they were in summer camp talking life.  And I couldn't help but laugh when I found one of the kiddos comfortably resting in my bed.

I much enjoyed walking folks thru my small home, explaining who's who in the photos, where some of my treasures came from and plans for the house.  Repeatedly my guests shared just how good Old Faithful felt.  

As the night came to a close, Amy encouraged me to open the gifts. It was really hard not to cry as I opened the gifts and read the cards.  Flowers, pitcher and lemonade makings, wine glasses/decanter, yard flag, candles, air fresheners, gift cards and wall hangings that depicted the Lord's presence in my home.  It left me speechless.  

Bags of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies were available as parting gifts...along with a scribbled note to express my appreciation for their love and blessing.

I didn't expect the gifts, I didn't expect the number of attendees, I didn't expect the Love expressed.  I cried myself to sleep that night as I replayed the party.  Definitely an anniversary to remember. 

Destination Dellview6: Ultrasonic

Flashback to Fall 1997.  I was with child.  The ultrasound appointment was scheduled and none of the people closest to me were able to attend.  The reasons were all valid, but it was an appointment I did not want to have on my own. 
I climbed on the table, the cold gel was applied to my tummy, and I was in awe of what I saw on the screen.  I had attended the ultrasounds of friends and loved ones before, but this was mine. An inner praise took place as the tech pointed out the healthy organs of my daughter.  
No cell phones, no FB, no SnapChat or FaceTime.  No hand to hold, no one present to share the experience with.  Just me and my Heavenly Father sharing a pivotal moment in time.  I went home and cried tears of fear, excitement and joy. 

June 21, 2017

I couldn't sleep.  I woke up before the sun and sat in front of the mirror at my tired, old, sleep deprived face.  And wondered, what in the world am I doing.  Buying a house...that's something responsible adults do.  But the date was upon me and there was no turning back now.  To be honest, I had no clue what all the closing on a home entailed.  Every Google search said something different and this far into the game it would be foolish to change my mind. 

I spent a considerable amount of time on my make up, wore something that might look decent in a photo but would survive the work day, and even brought some heels to change into.  

The closing was scheduled for 3pm.  I left work about 230pm, stopped at Starbucks, applied a fresh coat of lipstick and changed my shoes.  The only person in town dearest to me was not at all interested in attending.  Her reason, "Mom, this is your house, not mine".  I didn't know if I should have been insulted by the statement, but I was sad.  It was an appointment I did not want to have on my own.

I arrived just before 3.  The waiting area was comfortable.  I watched the TV but wasn't really paying attention, I felt like I was going to vomit.  Before long Toni came from the back.  As we exchanged pleasantries I realized she looked nothing like the photo that accompanied her email signature.  She sat the head of the table, I sat to her left.  The sellers lived in California and had already signed the day before.
   

She poured out numerous ink pens, most of which we didn't need.  She wasted no time jumping into it.  About 10 pages in my realtor arrived and I was relieved to see a familiar face across from me.  Signature, after signature, after signature.  It seemed it was never going to end.  An inner praise took place as we signed the last page.

As she went to make copies of all the documents, Mr. Paris asked what I was going to do next.  With my life or that day in particular, I asked.  He was just wondering about the day.  Told him I was going to go home, tell my daughter about the appointment, make a couple phone calls and then cry.  He laughed, said he'd never known anyone to have a scheduled meltdown.  

My question for him was when would I get the key.  And the answer was an unexpected one:

Funding still had to be approved, hence the reason Toni was gone for so long--she was  scanning it all to the bank.  At that time of the day there was a chance I wouldn't have a true green light until the following day. 

My heart sank and I was on the verge of crying. That morning I was convinced that the emotional roller coaster was over.  My mind was in overdrive, wondering if I had made a financial mistake over the last 6 weeks that would put an end to this dream.  

Mr. Paris insisted everything would be just fine.  If the green light was that day he'd call me with the key code.   If not, he'd bring the key to work the next day. Toni came back with the mega folder of Eland Drive related paperwork, we bid adieu and Mr. Paris and I went our separate ways. 

I took the long way home.  No hand to hold, no one present to share the experience with.  Just me and my Heavenly Father sharing a pivotal moment in time. 

Naysia was on the couch waiting for me.  I told her every little detail.  Just after 5pm I sent an email to Mr. Paris, assuming that at that time of day an answer about funding wouldn't take place until the next day.  After a short string of texts he fired back with this.... 

 

I went to my room made a few phone calls, prayed, cried tears of fear, excitement and joy. 

Soon after Tenaysia and I went to our new home.  

We had a Burger King picnic on the beautiful wooden floors, met our neighbor GG, Yolanda stopped by and the night was restless as I thought about how I would never forget the day.  

My social media post read as follows, "Dear friends. Brace yourselves for pictures of new tile, painting projects, lawn mowing shenanigans and before/afters. Because, bless the Lord, I just bought a house."

What a way to kick off the summer. 

Destination Dellview5: Emotional Rollercoaster

I love amusement parks.  I like rides at Disneyland because you don't really see what's coming.  The highs are disguised by cute animals or abominable snow men.  Unlike Six Flags or the state fair.  It's all right before your eyes.  The anxiety sets in as you stand in line.    Your head tilts all the way back as you see the roller coaster peak among the clouds. The reason for the high pitched squeals are warranted. Your body trembles as you struggle to put on the safety belts.  The overpriced treats you enjoyed will likely come up.  There is no happy music or furry creatures. I hate roller coasters.

The emotions felt on Millennium Force, Kingda Ka, or the Superman ride must certainly pale in comparison that took place on this home buying sudden extreme changeableness.

Forty-seven days.  1,128 hours filled with feelings I've never felt before. Forty-seven days from the time the offer was accepted until the key was in my hand.  I won't go into all the detail--mostly because the majority of it has been pushed out of my mind...replaced with peace.  But here are some of the pivotal moments

1. House inspection completed by Mr. Powell (no coincidence).  As a retired firefighter his concern was mostly safety.  A sizeable amount of repairs noted but nothing that would heed moving forward.  Nice guy who gave me a family discount :)
2. Emails thrown back and forth about what Mr. and Mrs. R were willing to have repaired.  The major concern was the water heater.  ( I ended up needing a new one after the closing...GRRR!)
3. I forgot about one little detail, the earnest money.  I was able to move some things around to come up with it.  Most amazingly an unnamed person blessed me with a monetary gift--in addition to someone else loaning me some cash.  Talk about speechless.  At this stage I began to question my worth--that's a blog for another time. 
4. The earnest check was picked up by a runner but never cashed.  A couple weeks go by before anyone realizes its MIA.  Turns out the check was mailed back to the address on it, IN ARIZONA!!!!  Who carries a checkbook anymore.  Took time off to run home and get back to work in time for a runner to pick it up.  This time I made doubly sure it reached it's destination.
5. The down payment assistance was approved, money went missing, money found. 
6. Over a million amendments signed
7. Anxiously awaiting for the appraisal and when I received it, it was like reading Chinese.  My ultimate  concern, does it match the asking price.  And if not, what happens next. 
8. Oh, I never wrote the check for the option period.  Mail it to the house address....wrong, the owners are in California, send it there. 
9. The closing date is a moving target.  Changed about 3 times.
10. Will the repairs be made in time???  
11. And the question that took forever to answer, what are the closing costs and how much will my mortgage be?????    Stop the ride!!!!!!!

47 days, 67, 680 minutes later

1. Earnest money and option check were cashed.
2. The MIA check made it to my mailbox.
3. The owners put in a generous amount toward the repairs.
4. The appraisal was perfect. 
5. Down payment assistance came thru
6. I had to take zero dollars to the closing. 
7. My mortgage is less than the last 3 places I've rented. 
8. There were a small group of folks who knew about the Eland Adventure and I cannot begin to thank them enough for praying me up and thru this season.