Everyone always told us that it would be expensive to own a home. And you so you sit down and look at the cost of the mortgage, down payment amount, utilities, etc and you think okay, we can do this!
In the past two weeks, Justin and I have had a running joke that we can't seem to leave a store paying less than $100 for the stuff we had to have. Whether its Costco, Target, Lowes, Linens and Things (going out of business sale), and then another trip to Lowes, we couldn't seem to lower the final tally. Seriously, it is ridiculous how much paint, brushes, screws and bath mats add up to! Obviously, I expected the Costco run to be expensive, but it was a new personal record at $400 ($100 spent on the TV wall mount, but our TV does look awesome over the fireplace)! Yesterday I finally broke the record when I went into Petsmart for a second kitty litter box and then into OfficeMax for my wireless network thingy and came out under $100 both times.
Seriously, I need to start working so I will stop spending money! For all you of you out there that own a home I am sure you are nodding and smiling and my innocence. And for all my friends that are considering buying, or just got married like Rochelle and hope to have the money for a down payment, don't forget about the no interest credit card for all these purchases! It really comes in handy!
Hope you all are having a wonderful day!
PS--Another first for me: I mowed our lawn. Of course, our little electric lawn mower couldn't complete our whole yard! That is okay though, I think the wild rabbits that live in the back yard appreciate that we have the overgrown yard in the neighborhood!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
The Big Move
So, in addition to not having lived outside of California, I have also never done a cross-country driving trip. My parents had both done those sort of trips as kids and were very resistant to the idea. I now know why.
First, while this is a large and diverse country, after about the first hour of driving through a state, you pretty much know what the rest of it will look like. For me, I have never been a super excited to drive long distances. Or really drive in general. I know there are many who enjoy driving as a leisurely activity, but for me, it is more of getting from point A to point B. Even when you include fun stops like stopping in Blue Earth Minnesota for the 60 foot tall Jolly Green Giant statue, I just can't handle sitting in the car for 10 hours a day. I just got stir crazy.
The Jolly Green Giant Statue was great though. We also took a more Northern route and stopped at Crazy Horse Statue and Mount Rushmore. If I can ever get my camera fixed, I will be uploading pictures here of our adventures.
I have to also send out a BIG THANK YOU to Matt and Jason who drove with Justin and I to Ohio so that both of our vehicles made it safely. These guys had endless enthusiasm for the road and the adventures of our trip which made it a fun way to travel. Although, I can't say that I want to do it again any time soon.
After being in Ohio for the week, unpacking boxes, painting walls and organizing our new home, we journeyed back to Ca for a wedding. Being the planner that I am as well as an animal advocate, our 2 cats didn't journey with us in the car but were brought back to Ohio on the red-eye flight after the wedding. The wedding and catching up with friends was glorious. Our 6 hour layover in Oakland that gave Justin and I enough time to see all our parents again was lovely. What was not as much fun was the actual airplane trip with the cats. Although our 2 cats are full siblings, they have very different personalities. Indiana Jones (aka Indie) is the fat, loving one. Quigley is the lithe active one. On the plane though, Indie became the escape artist and chewed through the carrier in 3 different spots! Justin and I ended staying awake the entire flight and took turns trying to quiet him down and keep him in the carrier. At this point, all my veterinary friends are saying, but Becky, didn't you have any sedative on hand? Point of fact, I did have ace on hand and was pretty liberal with it, unfortunately as my vet buds can confirm, it doesn't always work as well as it should. Quigley slept soundly and stirred for landings and turbulence. Indie was a basket case.
Well, this is a basic start for me on this whole blogging thing. I hope to hear from all of you soon and be able to send more interesting posts as I am inspired.
Love and hugs from OHIO!
First, while this is a large and diverse country, after about the first hour of driving through a state, you pretty much know what the rest of it will look like. For me, I have never been a super excited to drive long distances. Or really drive in general. I know there are many who enjoy driving as a leisurely activity, but for me, it is more of getting from point A to point B. Even when you include fun stops like stopping in Blue Earth Minnesota for the 60 foot tall Jolly Green Giant statue, I just can't handle sitting in the car for 10 hours a day. I just got stir crazy.
The Jolly Green Giant Statue was great though. We also took a more Northern route and stopped at Crazy Horse Statue and Mount Rushmore. If I can ever get my camera fixed, I will be uploading pictures here of our adventures.
I have to also send out a BIG THANK YOU to Matt and Jason who drove with Justin and I to Ohio so that both of our vehicles made it safely. These guys had endless enthusiasm for the road and the adventures of our trip which made it a fun way to travel. Although, I can't say that I want to do it again any time soon.
After being in Ohio for the week, unpacking boxes, painting walls and organizing our new home, we journeyed back to Ca for a wedding. Being the planner that I am as well as an animal advocate, our 2 cats didn't journey with us in the car but were brought back to Ohio on the red-eye flight after the wedding. The wedding and catching up with friends was glorious. Our 6 hour layover in Oakland that gave Justin and I enough time to see all our parents again was lovely. What was not as much fun was the actual airplane trip with the cats. Although our 2 cats are full siblings, they have very different personalities. Indiana Jones (aka Indie) is the fat, loving one. Quigley is the lithe active one. On the plane though, Indie became the escape artist and chewed through the carrier in 3 different spots! Justin and I ended staying awake the entire flight and took turns trying to quiet him down and keep him in the carrier. At this point, all my veterinary friends are saying, but Becky, didn't you have any sedative on hand? Point of fact, I did have ace on hand and was pretty liberal with it, unfortunately as my vet buds can confirm, it doesn't always work as well as it should. Quigley slept soundly and stirred for landings and turbulence. Indie was a basket case.
Well, this is a basic start for me on this whole blogging thing. I hope to hear from all of you soon and be able to send more interesting posts as I am inspired.
Love and hugs from OHIO!
In the Beginning
So I will fully admit that I am not the world's greatest typist or writer. And with a soon to be very hectic schedule, I can't guarantee a regular posting. My hope is to use this as a way to keep in touch with all my friends and family, wherever they may be (California, Georgia, Europe or even Korea).
Here is a quick summary of recent events: After graduating vet school and getting married, I have continued my veterinary training in the realm of small animal surgery (ie dogs and cats only). About 2 weeks ago, Justin and I moved from California to Ohio. Actually, just outside of Columbus Ohio. Next week, I start my new surgery residency at a large private practice in the area.
This is the first time that Justin and I have lived outside of California. I believe the next 3 years will be a time of many firsts: driving in the snow, learning about thunder storms in the summer, surgical training, emergency surgery, and of course The Ohio State University.
Here is a quick summary of recent events: After graduating vet school and getting married, I have continued my veterinary training in the realm of small animal surgery (ie dogs and cats only). About 2 weeks ago, Justin and I moved from California to Ohio. Actually, just outside of Columbus Ohio. Next week, I start my new surgery residency at a large private practice in the area.
This is the first time that Justin and I have lived outside of California. I believe the next 3 years will be a time of many firsts: driving in the snow, learning about thunder storms in the summer, surgical training, emergency surgery, and of course The Ohio State University.
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