odors

You know how there are certain odors that when you smell them it takes you back? Like the day before we started school in Bartlesville. Our cat, Toby, got sprayed by a skunk. And then ran through the house. So anytime I smell a skunk it reminds me of being SOOOO nervous about starting high school. And not having any friends. Then I tried to cover up the smell with some expensive home spray my Mom had. It was vanilla. Bad idea. So now anytime I smell vanilla I gag a little.

Well, one of my new neighbors likes to smoke. Mary Juana that is. In the evenings. So everytime I go out in the backyard in the evenings I smell it. It's not all the time, but it's frequently. I'm pretty sure I know which one it is. Not that he leaves his porch light on, but I think I know. And pretty sure he's not using it for 'medicinal' purposes.

So the first time I smelled it, we were in London. Laura and I were staying in a really small hotel room together. It was Spring Break of my freshman year of high school. Mom had taken us on a whirlwind tour of Europe in 8 days. Most of it seen through the windows of a tour bus. But it was fun. But now everytime I walk in my backyard it takes me back. It was a good trip and I have good memories but the smell, not so much. But at least I can smile.

And if you need to relax, you know where to come in the evenings. . . .

the house

So I bet you're wondering why I haven't been blogging. Well here's why:

I've been here 6 weeks and it feels like home already. Laura came down for about 4 days after I moved in and really helped me unpack. She and Ed worked on the front porch and had it done and the flowers planted while I was at work.

This SCHLAGE is SOOO cool. It took Ed and I 3 days to figure out how to program it, but it's so nice to take the dogs for a walk to meet Kylie and Cal at the pool and not worry about taking keys with me. I'm gonna have these on all my houses from now on.


If you didn't know about the fencing incident while it was going on, bless you. I had the fence in my contract, but the builder wouldn't put up the fence until after closing. Because they said they've been burned in the past about fencing and then the house doesn't close, yada yada. Well the mortgage company wouldn't close without the fence being up. So, 1 day before we were supposed to close, the fence is taken out of the contract. It was crazy!! But I'm glad I waited because Dad talked me into putting up a picket on the sides, which I love. And it makes the yard seem bigger and not closed in. And Doc talked me into putting it behind the window to the dining room, leaving more room in the front yard. And the fence people talked me into two gates, which I also love. So in the end I love having to wait! Good things come to those who wait.

Entry

Study

Dining Room

Living Room, with Bentley in the corner

Living Room, from the kitchen

Living Room

Kitchen, from the Living Room

Kitchen

Door from the garage is on the left. It's a strange area. I'm still working on it. The kitchen also doesn't have an island, something I'm working on. I feel like I need more workspace, so I'm thinking about talking with a carpenter about building me one.

Pardon the flip flops

Back Porch

View from the back porch

And lawn I don't have to mow. Well, beyond the fence.

Kid's bedroom

I'm calling it the kid's bedroom because I'm hooking up the Wii and having toys in here. So the adults can hang out in the living room. I also hooked up a VCR because of all the kids movies I have on VHS. :)

Guest Bedroom

Guest Bedroom #2 (AKA Storage)

I know that it seems like I have a ton of space and really don't need 4 bedrooms, but I'm hoping to not move ever again. So hopefully I can find a man and some kids to help fill it up. :)

Laundry Room

Guest/Hall Bath

Master

Master, and yes the dog crates

Master Bath

and Jaccuzi tub

excuse the mess

Master Bath

and shower

I am so blessed. Thank you all for your prayers about moving. I'm so glad to be 5min away from work. And closer to Ed. And enjoy being so close to the Easterwoods. We've been visiting the neighborhood pool frequently. Come by sometime. Just give me a head's up to pick up the underwear!

tim

This week has been hard as we've dealt with the death of Tim Cardwell. Tim was our music minister at FBC when I was in high school. He was also the father of Bryan and Brent Cardwell, two of my high school friends.

He was the best youth choir director, ever. He took us to Washington, D.C.; Colorado; San Francisco; and Orlando, Florida. All 50 of us. He was our fill-in youth director too when we were in between youth ministers, which happened frequently.

He was the guy's church softball coach, who occassionally got kicked out of the games.

He was the guy who wore the BAYLOR class ring and when he wasn't getting things done, it would be used on counters to get people's attention.

But beyond that, he was our friend and role model.

And I think I'm taking it so hard because it hits so close to home. I told my friend last night that I'm too young to be losing my friend's parents. But I guess this is life. And we need to make the most of the time we have. For we aren't guaranteed anything.

The old group is getting together for his Celebration Service next week to sing 'Wings of the Dawn.' Tim would like that.

We miss you buddy and we'll see you again!

And to Bryan and Brent, I'm praying for you guys. . .

rebecca

My bestest PA friend, Rebecca, is pregnant. And having twins!! A boy and a girl. Asher and Abigail. They are scheduled to arrive 8-9-10. Isn't that fabulous? I asked if they could be born at 11:12am. Her doctor said no.

Today we had a shower for her. We had a 'two peas in a pod' theme. It was SO cute. We even had goodie bags with doublemint gum!! I was so blessed to help with two fabulous cooks and one lady with one eye for design. (I've been packing and moving so I just made bread.) We had a great time and I can't wait to meet Asher and Abigail.

Congrats Rebecca!!

finally moved

Well, I finally feel like life is getting back to normal. And I can blog again. Well, in between unpacking boxes. I got my computer back up and running this evening and feel so free! And the internet is up as well. So here are some pictures over the past few days.
Can't wait to have everyone over. The pool is less than a mile away. And nachos de cortez can be ordered for pickup to go with the margaritas. (If you haven't had them, they are fabulous--from Compadres here in Owasso--my co-worker Mandee introduced me.)

That's what you'll get if you come and help unpack!!

waiting . . .

So after lots of rain, like 6" in one day last week, and other troubles with the builder, don't get me started, I'm still living with Dad. Hopefully if all goes as planned we're closing Thursday at 4pm. Please keep it in your prayers. Not really sure why this is all happening--I haven't prayed for patience recently. . . . But trying to stay positive.

So, prayerfully, we'll be moving in Friday morning. So if you're out and about and wanna come by to unpack, just come on up to Owassy!!

And I'll try to get some newer pictures on here once we close!!

i'm gonna be a (real) aunt

I've been biting my tongue for weeks to tell you all that Laura and Jonathan are expecting!! I consider myself an 'aunt' to all my friend's kids, but this time I'm related and I'm 'really' an aunt!!

(I asked if I could call it Cletus the Fetus and was told no. Same for chicken fry, as in chicken fried rice. Guess I'll just wait to teach it 'pull my finger' and all the other wonderful things I've taught my other nieces and nephews: Wet Willy's, medical terms like syphyllis, etc. Their parents love me!!)

We're so thrilled at the new edition to the Schmidt/Teal Family coming in December!!!

You can see pictures & read more about it here: http://teamteal.blogspot.com

So exciting, isn't it?!?!