Here we go....starting the new year right!

So, it may seem that I have been slacking, but I haven't! I was without internet for a while, and I have definitely been busy.....

First and most importantly we moved into our new house. We have now been in here over a week, and we are mostly unpacked and sorted, have a few pictures on the walls, and we are very happy!

In the past few weeks we have been all over the place. Chris took some time off so he could help pack, move and unpack the house. Unfortunately he goes back to work tomorrow, it has been really nice having him around. He is also sad that he had to shave off his facial hair, he was enjoying his rough manliness! hehehe

About a week and a half before we moved Chris and I spent the day in Atlanta. We went to the Atlanta Boat Show, which was interesting. There were only two yacht companies there, and because the show was in the events centre (which is ridiculously large) they didn't have masts or rigging. So we spent a few hours walking around looking at speed boats, some rather fancy launches, and lots of flat lake pontoon party boats. After that we went to Ikea to look at curtains.

We decided that we wouldn't put on a show for the neighbours, we would put up some curtains. Over here the most common window covering is white metal or faux wood horizontal blinds. So I wanted to have something different, a little less....clinical....a little more.....warm and welcoming. I really wanted some curtains and roman blinds, but we couldn't find roman blinds in our price range. We got our curtain rods and bedroom curtains at Ikea, as well as some rolling blinds. Then we went to Target for the rest of the curtains. Having them up really makes a difference, and I am really happy with all of them.

We were really surprised at how the little things we needed really added up. For having a brand new house built, it was lacking in so many things. We went to every store in town, and some online ones, looking for bathroom hardware. Who would have thought that towel racks, toilet paper holders, and hooks could be so expensive??? Not me until I looked around....it didn't help that Chris and I couldn't agree on a style, but sorted now....

We signed on the house on the 17th January 2007. And that was a real experience. Chris and I were both really nervous that day, it was something so new for us both and we weren't sure what to expect. We went to our builders' lawyers office and quite soon our realtor and mortgage broker arrived. They obviously have closings all the time and were very chatty, which relaxed us. It seems that because we used a VA military home loan only Chris' signatures were needed, so I sat there and tried to take it all in as he signed a million pieces of paper. They gave us a folder of copies, that I have yet to peek in....oh, I almost forgot! Robin, our mortgage broker, called us on the morning of closing and told us that our closing costs would be $500 less than we were expecting. So that started the day off really well.

When we were almost finished with all the paperwork they explained to us that when our deed gets sent out to us we can take it back to the lawyers office, pay $10, and get my name put on the deed. That way if anything happens to Chris the house automatically comes to me, free and clear! Nice....

Also our mortgage payments are less than we thought they would be, and we don't start paying until March. Which is how we managed to move out of our rental early, as we are still signed up there until the middle of February. Anyhoo, where was I...?? At the end of closing, we started to write a check for our $200 bathroom window and our contractor told us not to worry about it! Apparently he made so much money on our house it was no problem....wooohooooo!!

Afterwards we went and got some lunch, and drove to our new house. Chris had already packed a load of things in the truck that morning, so we ate our lunch in the new house and unloaded. We did 3 loads that day, which ended up being all of the boxes we had packed. The next day we did about 6 or 7 loads and spent our first night in the house. All that was left in the rental was the bottom of our bed, the washing machine, the BBQ and 2 bikes. It's amazing how much you can fit in a suburban!! We even drove out and picked up our fridge with it!!! hehehe

For the next few days we unpacked, arranged and settled in. Charlie has been completly freaked out by the whole process. He didn't like loud noises or new things in the first place, but us moving all of his things was not fun for him. We left him at the rental house for most of the first day moving and every time he came inside he wandered around looking lost. So we decided to move him over to the new house and he ran in, saw all of "his stuff", sniffed everything and seemed much happier. We haven't got the backyard fenced in yet, but the screenroom is a good Charlie hangout. He has learnt that if he runs on the wood floors he slides, and he is not a fan, so he gingerly walks everywhere. It's quite fun to watch! hehehe We didn't realise that he didn't like the kitchen, so with the new one being open he likes to run away whenever we open the fridge. He certainly is different.....!!

We have noticed that with everything set up in it's place, and us starting to be organised, that we are slightly lacking a furniture. So there are things planned, like a new bed for us and some comfy chairs for my reading area.

We have already had people over for dinner, and a few more for drinks on Friday...all warming up for our house warming on the 17th....which is going to be a really good time! hehehe

I have tried to take lots of pics, but more are sure to be coming....Enjoy and Happy New Year!!! Anna xxxxxxx