8 Months

Yes friends, building a 1500 sq. ft. house takes 8 months to build in the mountains. Mountain life is somewhat slower than big city life. People move slower, traffic is slower, building a house is slower. Who knew it would take that long!

November 21 isn't a definite date. All we know is that we are close, and the more we go past that day, the more money we will owe. Isn't that fun! I don't even know what will happen is we go over the contracted date of 11/30. So no plans can be made as far as Thanksgiving and moving. If we don't get the house the 21 we don't want to go back to back to Memphis. So we might not be in town for Thanksgiving which stinks...but our friends have invited us over. So it might be we move the last week of November. Who knows...only time will tell!

I did some math this morning and figured we only had 19 days left in between coming back from Thanksgiving or moving and Christmas. I told the girls that we might not be getting a real tree this year. When we get back with a truck, it will just be complete and total chaos. We have three little 4' Christmas trees that we will probably get out. The girls each have their own, and I have a s'more tree. I collect S'more ornaments, that's about it!

But, yesterday our fridge and oven were delivered without flaw. I met the builder as well and went over a few things. He said to push back the lock date one more week past the 21st just to be sure. I told our lender and she said to wait 10 days and we will go from there. It has been super stressful over this lock and spending extra money that we didn't want to spend...but what can we do! Anyway, the dishwasher and microwave will be delivered today. All the inspections go down tomorrow. Then its just a matter of getting it done. The girls toilet is in as well as their light fixtures. Our toilet and light fixtures aren't in yet. Final coat of paint is being applied. Still haven't painted fireplace, installed water heater, a/c, stairs to deck and back, paint deck, outside light fixture, stone around capstone, numbers, and sidewalk. I was talking to the Lowe's guy yesterday and he was asking when we would move in...and I told him and I said I don't think we will make the 11/21 cut off date. He said he thought the same thing when he built his house and then boom they got it together. I am not sure about ours though...seems like we have been at this stage for weeks now. So only time will tell!

Looking into kitchen, bar, pendant lights.

Kitchen prior to fridge and oven. I am going to be putting up a back splash and under cabinet lighting shortly...facebook monies!

Ella Kate's room...I thought they were getting fans, those will come later. Michael said they probably don't need them, but I really like being cold while sleeping!

Girl's vanity and toilet. I called it a commode yesterday and Addison fell out on the floor laughing at that word. She knows toilet or potty.

Vanity with light.

Our vanities.

Shower. While speaking with the builder yesterday, he asked if we liked his $1500 mistake...and I said Oh yes, but we are spending that money saved on our lock rate! So everyone looses!

I asked about this...due to code they have to have access above garage. So it will be easy to put in the stairs to access it. It will be a long set of steps cause our garage is super tall!

Oven in...well not flush on the wall, they left it out so they can hook up the gas.

Fridge in...super glad we went with counter depth instead of full size...that thing would have stuck out and looked ridiculous! It sticks out maybe 2" but its not that noticeable.

Kitchen!

The House.

Oh the house. Its so almost finished. We had flash lights for Halloween and after we finished in our neighborhood we looked in our windows. All faucets, fixtures, light switches, outlets are in. The air conditioner and water heater are in the garage. The only thing the house lacks to us is air vents and returns, painting the fireplace, and the decorative piece under the bar, painting the front door, touch up paint, light fixture outside, house numbers, stairs to the porch, and a good cleaning.

The oven came in yesterday, and should be delivered tomorrow. I am going over there to sign off. We had our lock rate expire which is going to cost us a good chunk of change. The builder will have to sign off on the new date...which 11/21. So hopefully they can get it done. I hope so because if this one expires, then we might owe more money. So close though! I am hoping to take some more pictures tomorrow.

The builder will have us do a walk through and then the lender should flip our construction loan into a mortgage...we are praying that everything goes as smooth as possible. No surprises!

On a different note, we took the girls to a traditional Methodist service Sunday, complete with communion. We like this service better, but the time is at 10:55 and we don't like going in the middle of the day! But I think we might stick with it. So communion...and Addison. Addison was all about the bread, the preacher handed her a piece and she ate it...she refused the grape juice, so I drank hers. Addison asked if that was all the bread she got...I said yes. When we got back to the pew, she asked if that was lunch...and why did I drink that blood. Good times. We taught Ella Kate how to read a hymnal. Its been a long time since we have been to a service like that...Hope Pres was just so different!

We are going to be joining soon, not next week...its a big money week next week. So maybe the weekend of my birthday...if we aren't camping. We were planning to be in the house in sleeping bags!

I interviewed with Snow Creek (Michael's company) yesterday. All went well and they are just figuring out the formalities, computer and desk basically. I will be working in the maintenance department pretty much doing whatever they want me to do. He said with my skill level and many years in the field there is potential for me to work all over the place. It will hopefully become a full time job next fall when Addison gets herself in school. So for now I am looking at working 3.75 hours a day...I also told them that the last several years at Adsit I worked from home...so we might work something out like part time in office and at home. So that is good news for us! As we are burning through cash monies with the house, rent, and now this loan lock thing!

Halloween 15'

We had two little witches for Halloween.

We decided to go to our house and take pictures on our porch instead of the apartment. We trick or treated around our neighborhood, although it took us almost 2 hours to hit 10 houses...all our neighbors got to meet the girls and talk with them and us. We really like our neighbors...we lived in Arlington for 11 years and hardly knew anyone...we know all who live here and the people moving in! Its great! Our neighborhood has around 40 houses, but its one street, a triangle with only one entrance. Some even came out to the next house with us...a progressive trick or treating type thing!

But before we went out for the night, our church was having an Around the World Fall Festival. They gave each kid a passport and we visited 12 countries and they got to do various crafts, games, tasting, and readings at each station. It was fun and the girls had a good time!

This was USA...popcorn, bluegrass band, and a hayride!

France had a face painting station...EK got a bat...

and Big Tiny a spider web with spider!

Antartica had peguins, snowballs, hot chocolate, and see how long you could stick your hand in ice...EK: 60 seconds, Addison 14.

I don't remember which one this was but they did a cake walk. Both got a cupcake! EK won first, then Addison!

You can't go anywhere in Asheville with out a Bluegrass band! Love it!

Listening to music.

Friday night, Halloween Eve, we went to one of Michael's runner friends house for a party...the girls made a new friend! Addison wanted to take it home with her.

At our new neighbors house, he took this picture and sent it to us. They have adopted our girls...their grands live in France! They are leaving today I believe, to spend the holidays in France...they won't be back until February.

Michael's creation!

Busy Week

Just gonna get down to it...we had a busy past week and my parents came to visit! We have a date on the house, I don't like it but there is nothing I can do. Builder will be finished 11/21 and last I heard modification will be on 11/27...Black Friday which doesn't make any sense. Was hoping they would get all of this mess squared away before Thanksgiving...now we don't even know if we can go home for Thanksgiving. Yesterday was a big mess with our lender...girl has an attitude, terrible customer service skills...and her company is going to be getting a review from me. But we are excited...just disappointed in the date.

Last Friday Addison had an art show at work. She had made a campfire (on paper), acorn, bats, cats, apples, and spiders.

They have started locking our house, and our neighbors told us where they hide the key...but there was no key. But one of the realtors sent me a picture of the counter-tops!

They look great! Our appliances were suppose to be delivered last Monday...got a phone call at 7:00am from the delivery guy saying that the oven had a large dent on the side of it...so large he could fit his entire hand in it. He said we could keep it or they would take 10% off...really? They ordered a new one. Should be in next week and we will set up another time. You'd think they would take a look at it once it made it to their store. Whatevs.

So I picked up EK from school and headed back to the apt. to wait on my parents to get in town and Michael to get in from work. We all visited for a minute and headed down town to Pack's Tavern. We had a great dinner and the girls headed back to the hotel to spend the night with them. Michael and I popped in Burial for a quick beer and headed home.

Saturday was a BUSY day for my parents and the girls...they went to Bryson City to catch a train for The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown! We didn't see them at all that day! They all had a blast and the girls came home with a mug, a pumpkin, and another pumpkin with a cat inside of it. They also went tricker treating as well!

We are taking the girls on the Polar Express December 5th...got a bit of another hiccup again because Ella Kate's orange belt test is the SAME DAY!! Had I known I would have picked a different date...belt test is from 10-11...train departs at 1...we have an hour and 20 minute drive...so we will be hauling it. Yay!

So while they did the Pumpkin train...Michael and I set off on a difficult hike. Only 6.5 miles, but man what a view! We hiked Looking Glass Rock Hike. We have seen it on several other hikes, including John Rock...where you look out at Looking Glass (John Rock is where Addison lost her blue bottle).

This is us on John Rock with Looking Glass behind us.

On Looking Glass, look at that color!

Looking towards John Rock, just can't get far enough to the side.

Fall is amazing here. I have no words to describe it.

It was a fun hike, we made it in record timing. The guide said it takes almost 2 hours to make it to the top, we made it in 1:20...and 45 minutes on the way down. I ran down the entire way. Apparently we are power hikers...and I like running down hills. Michael suggested I take on a race. I don't know about that. I climb slower...and just depends on my knee on the way down. I might just run on my own. Who knows.

After hiking we went to Catawba Brewing to stink up the place and meet up with the Dodds. I had to get some "presents" that they were keeping for us to give to my parents. We headed over to their house and hung out for a while and headed to Asheville Pizza and home.

Sunday we met my parents and kids at church...then we drove along the BRP, north side. Beautiful. I was going to take them to Mt. Mitchell, but the color in the higher elevations is done. We turned around at Craggy Gardens, which was also done and headed to the Folk Art Center. After that my parents took the girls to get yogurt and Michael and I had a block party to attend.

Our neighbors threw a party and invited everyone on the street. It was a great turn out and all the neighbors are wonderful! There are two other young couples, neither with children...not sure how young they are...appear to be our age, but like I have mentioned before, we are YOUNG parents here...it is wild. Seems like most people have kids in their late 30s, early 40s. They were shocked we had a 7 year old, let alone a 4 year old. But we are looking forward to moving in and more neighborhood gatherings!

After dinner we headed to the Moose Cafe and ate with my parents and headed on home.

Monday we headed to Cashiers, but it was raining...went to a few stores and ate at the Cornucopia and headed back to the hotel. We met up with Michael and ate at Papas and Beer, our mexican joint we like.

Tuesday we headed to Black Mountain, my parents loved it! I knew they would! They have a good bit of unique stores. We ate lunch at the Trailhead...hit a few more stores including a 30,000 sq. ft. maze of a furniture store where I found some good looking couches. Just need some measurements and a paint sample before I figure all that out! We headed back into town and we left my dad at the hotel and headed to the movies to see Pan. Pan was fairly interesting, its the beginning of the whole story...Hook and Pan were friends...who knew! Hopefully there will be another that lets us know how they became enemies! We ate dinner at Sierra Nevada, said our Goodbyes and headed in for bed!

It was a great visit! It will be a whole lot better when we are in the house so we can visit more, and not eat out as much! We were definitely spoiled!

Fall Weekend!

Busy weekend with Fall Festivals and Corn Mazes!

Friday was a low key night. Michael was going to be running Pitchell...which is a fun run of 67 miles from Mt. Pisgah (south leg of BRP) to Mt. Mithell (north leg of BRP). The race however started at 12 midnight. He had to leave around 6:00 so the girls and I watched movies. I got up early Saturday morning due to a cat wanting food, I was watching a movie on TV and I got a text from Michael asking if I could open the front door, he didn't have his keys, and that he was quitting. He said it was too soon (three weeks out from the Bear 100). He said at mile 4 his legs just weren't right. He ran 30 miles and went back and got all his stuff. Our plans without him for the day were going to Costco in Greenville, SC and to EK's fall fest at school. So now Michael was going. However he was super tired and slept a good bit during the trips.

So we got all ready and headed to Costco to replenish our meat supply, and get some stuff for the new house. Costco is my favorite store ever...so we were all pretty excited to be heading back to one. Sams Club just doesn't even come close to Costco! So we got the things on our lists and we mowed down hotdog combos and pizza and hit the road back to Asheville. Getting into Asheville during leaf season is a bit of a nightmare. As soon as I passed airport road I said I should have got off on that exit. It was bumper to bumper and stop and go all the way back to our normal exit. Lesson learned. While at Costco we got Aladdin and we put it on when we got home. Michael napped. After the movie we loaded up and headed to Ella Kate's Fall Fest. Fun was had by all. They did two bouncy houses, played cornhole - Ella Kate was kind of good, two of them were set up and she got all the bean bags in the hole, but they were on the other cornhole game, so that was amusing! - also played bingo, rubber ducky game, and a few other games. They mowed down cotton candy and Ella Kate won a cupcake on the cake walk. They gave Addison a tiny cupcake for being a good sister.

Addison's face after eating blue cotton candy...had a blue beard! Ella Kate in the background eating Addison's leftovers.

She is on!!

and off!

After the festival we headed to a little Mexican joint near our new house. It was pretty good, cheap...and they were super nice! We headed to the house after eating to check it out. Last week the driveway was poured, garage painted, and now there is a hole in our garage ceiling that we aren't sure about.

Garage door painted as of yesterday, front door is still white.

Aren't sure about the hole. We read on the upgrade sheet that stairs for attic were an upgrade. We just figured they would all have them...weird. So we are not sure what this is for...if they had to cut a hole to install garage? Mystery hole.

I was walking from the back to the front to get back in the van...doors were locked on the house...and a new neighbor asked if we were the new neighbors and I said yes. I talked to them for about 20 minutes while Michael and the girls were in the car. They are retirees from France. They are headed back there in mid-November to wrap up some final ties. I told them about us and said Michael was asleep in the van. Then another neighbor walked over and introduced himself...another retiree from California. So Michael got out of the van and we talked to everyone for about 30 more minutes. They were tickled to have Ella Kate and Addison as neighbors. They told us about the rest of the people who moved in as well. The people across the street have kids as well, not sure if boy or girl. They also told us that they keep the key to the houses in the white box and that we could be able to get in now that our house was locked. They are temporary locks. So that was fun! They were all super nice! We are having a neighborhood party next Sunday from 3-5. So that will be fun to meet the rest of the hood.

I picked up the mailbox key last Friday. I was told that they are having a meeting this week to discuss a timeline on our house, and that they would let us know. I haven't heard anything yet and will be firing emails tomorrow to find out any update. All he told me last week was earlyish November. Argh. Just need a date. Gimme a date peeps! The stove and fridge are being delivered next Wednesday, a week from today.

Anyhoo...we went home and to bed. Church on Sunday morning. Michael has been trying to form a running plan on his weeks off. I told him if he wanted to run Sundays we could go to the 10:55 service and have a big Sunday lunch like back in the old days of living with our parents. Bust out some casseroles and chicken parm. He thought I was crazy, but said okay. Plus the kids can see how a traditional church service works!

We are also changing his running weeknight run to probably Tuesday...we have been wanting to go to church on Wednesdays to eat and let the girls go to small group. Michael and I will be going to one as well with the preacher, so that is fun. Our first night is tonight.

We got home after church and headed to Eliada Corn Maze. Ella Kate was pumped because they had everything that Addison got to do on her fieldtrip and she got to do it all too! Corrugated slide, cornbox, hayrides, spider thing, cow train, and 4 corn mazes!

The slide and my finger! Boo!!

Love a good cornbox! I did laundry yesterday...corn everywhere!

Two of the mazes were for kids...Ella Kate read Jack and the Cornstalk and Spookley the Square Pumpkin to get through the maze!

Both of my girls have at some point bit it at the corn mazes...Ella Kate was Addison's age when she fell into a mudpuddle and boohooed...Addison was holding and walking around with 3 ears of corn..I told her to put them down, but she knows best...end result...tripping, throwing corn, screaming "MY COOOOOOORN!" and boohooing...Mom turns around, laughs, take pictures, and said "Told you so!" Good Mom.

Surrounded by Pisgah National Forest!

Cow Train.

Had a fine time! We are looking forward to the weekend...my parent's arrive Friday! So far they have plans on taking the girls to the Peanuts Pumpkin Patch on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad Saturday!

Will update on the house situation if we find anything out!