Short Sales Take a LOOOONNNNGG Time

Here it is weeks and weeks later, and still working on trying to get my offer accepted. I was excited at first, then I didn't think much about it . . . Now, I'm trying to become enthusiastic again. I pretty much lost that enthusiasm during the wait. Perhaps I can regain it if the offer is accepted.

Gained Weight Over Last Year

One year ago, I moved myself and my children to a new place, got a new job and started graduate school. I recently graduated with a second masters degree which was the intention, oh, and of course, I've been looking for a house, too. But a side effect of all of this was that I dropped my exercising, and changed my eating habits, AND GAINED 25 LBS!!! Yikes. Here's me just a couple of months before I moved. It's not full body, but you can see that I'm not exactly fat.
And here's me after the year. So now I need to fix my body back up!

Here's an interesting video on handling hormones with exercise. I'm going to try it. I've been doing hour long exercising which sounds like it was exactly the opposite of what I should have done!

Front Door

I think that the front door should be beautiful. Here is maybe my dream front door, at least for the house that I've offered for.

It can be found at http://www.abbyirondoors.com/in-stock-iron-doors-entry-doors.asp

Flooring

I've been doing more research on flooring for the house. It currently has terrazzo tile that has had carpet over some and has some horrible tile laid over other parts. I had originally thought of bamboo flooring, but laying wood over terrazzo is tricky for several reasons. Then I thought of using concrete flooring made to look like marble. But finally, have decided that perhaps getting the original terrazzo reconditioned would be most economical, safest and also beautiful with throw rugs over it. I found a site of someone who does it right here in this area and is on Angie's list, too! Here's the link:  http://terrazzorestoration.com/index.html

The image above is from his website.

Garage Accessories and Storage

This site sells storage items for gear like bikes, skates, skateboards, helmets, etc.
http://www.armorpoxy.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=sportsholders

There are also garage storage cabinets and such.

Garage Floor

I would like to do something like this for the garage floor of the house. Emma and Remy can help me with it, then they will know how to do it also.

Hey, this would be a great activity for a chemistry lesson. Have to research that.

Martha Stewart Living Palamos Collection 6 Pc. Chat Set - 1-10-905-CSET at The Home Depot

Martha Stewart Living Palamos Collection 6 Pc. Chat Set - 1-10-905-CSET at The Home Depot

Okay, here is a reasonably priced outdoor patio set that I like the looks of. Would it fit well on my back patio? By the pool?

Home Legend Horizontal Toast 5/8 In. T x 3 3/4 In. W x 37 3/4 In. L Solid Bamboo Flooring (23.59 sq.ft./cs) - BAFL24TO at The Home Depot

Home Legend Horizontal Toast 5/8 In. T x 3 3/4 In. W x 37 3/4 In. L Solid Bamboo Flooring (23.59 sq.ft./cs) - BAFL24TO at The Home Depot

I like this bamboo flooring and it's only $1.99 sq ft.

3-Stage Makeover: Cozy Sunroom

3-Stage Makeover: Cozy Sunroom

I really like the colors and the furniture and the window treatments in this room. I also like that they used blown glass decorations in the room.

I'm going to use these ideas when I'm looking at garage sales for furniture. I think I would replace the coffee table with a bamboo one, though, and a couple of bamboo side tables, too. I like a bit more of an island beach theme.

The images here are all from the website above.

Quick Refreshes Using Paint

Quick Refreshes Using Paint

I decided to start storing things that inspire me for fixing up my new home. The colors are awesome here and there are directions for stripping and painting furniture.

Image is from the site linked above.

Offering for the House

Now comes the exciting part. I did some research on what it might take to repair all of the absolutely necessary repairs to the house we are considering. There are LOTS of repairs. The ad for the house said "well-maintained" but it is absolutely not. Oh, it's not completely falling apart, but there is major work that needs doing, like a new roof, termite extermination, new electrical . . .

Anyway, we like the neighborhood and are going to offer for it anyway. If the offer is not accepted, I will simply keep looking. We WILL find something that we like, and are able to get, I know.

Saving Energy

I definitely want to do energy-saving remodeling. The wiring needs to be re-done, new windows are needed, new air conditioner and heating system, insulation . . . all of that should be energy efficient. I'd really like to check out solar panels for heating the pool in the winter.

The picture here is of the inside of the house seen from the front toward the back. You can see the windows are across the back.

The door at the back should be replaced, I think, too, in order to make the most of the light in the back. I think it faces east/southeast.

I'm putting more energy saving pages here. See the links at the very top of the page.

The House that We Are Looking At

Today we looked at a house that needs lots of work, but has much of what we are looking for in a house.

Remodeling the House: Roofing

 This is the type of roof that I want. The video shows how to do it. The website is at http://www.novik.com/

Still Looking

Once or twice each week, my children and I drive up and down the streets looking for the perfect house for us. It doesn't need to be too big, but not too small. Some space for making art and for hanging out. A pool would certainly nice with a comfortable back yard, but not a big yard. None of us want to do yard work. But we do want pets, so there has to be enough room for them.

I can imagine a street with shady trees, a fenced back yard, a park nearby for jogging . . . nice neighbors. We're not asking too much are we???

Our Search for the Perfect Florida Home

This is the start of our search. We have a certain area that we would like to live in and we would like to have a pool. The price needs to be QUITE reasonable as we would like to have a bit of money each month with which to explore this area. It does take money, you know!