Went to the storage unit last night. I was grabbing some totes, & I turned around and saw it. For a split second I thought, "I don't remember bringing a rope in here." I used the flashlight on my phone to confirm what I already knew. The rest of the boxes will be going in plastic bags for a bit.

Today was fun. Had a blowout. Then I couldn't get the spare lowered. A tow I called a towing company, and he was nice enough to let me know I put the small end in to lower the spare. I should have turned it around and used the big end. I feel like an idiot. A complete idiot.

I got rear-ended this morning - not bad. For a split second, I thought she screeched her tires long enough, but no. She bumped me. Luckily, I drive a pickup. She knocked the dust off my bumper. Her license plate is mangled & her bumper may be cracked. This wasn't in my top 10 ways to start today.

Who ordered the extra large side of muggy this morning? I broke a sweat just walking out to the truck this morning. It's below 80 degrees, but the humidity is back, and it brought reinforcements. *Pant-pant*

I really thought Cliff bumped his head when he dropped off the sparkly backsplash. But the more I saw it and the more I smiled, I knew it was right. Now that it's installed ... OH MY WORD! It was really the right choice!

Looking at backsplash, and I'm at a loss. Cliff found a backsplash that he thinks may work. I saw it and it's a little sparkly. If I'm being honest, it made me think of a friend who is also an incredible creator - and it made me smile. So I may have found my kitchen backsplash.

Countertops are installed. I know we started with the countertops in regards to color, but it amazes me how the countertops just solidifies everything.

I will say I know the guest bathroom may be the darkest room in the house, but ... I kinda don't care.

The kitchen, the window sills, and the baseboards.

You ever receive work emails that just unload on you, accusing you of things that, well, they've done all along, and you're honestly just struggling to keep your head above water? I hate to use the "R" word, but it's almost time for retirement. I'm worn out.

The shower is coming along nicely. And the front door and side door are HUGE! 42" (called a 3-6) wide and 8' tall.

I finally saw Grandmother's and Granddaddy's bathtub refinished. My reaction was ... More than I expected. I think it caught the guys off guard. I was able to choke out that the tub was my grandparents ... Which caused them to relax a bit. But I never realized THAT was why it was a claw foot!

Jack is ready to work on the flooring. Gotta admit, I like the color and the contrast with the wall color.

The good news is that I found the tile for the shower. I thought the tile was kind of powerful. I picked it out as a fantasy. It's just a tad over budget. The floor will be the rock in the lower right in front of the tile. The tile is 24" x 48". It'll probably run between $1000 to $1500 extra.

Made it out to the country today. I know there's been a lot of rain out there but it was pretty stinking dry! The rivers were full, but still in their banks. They've gotten 2 costs of primer on the interior walls & with 2 coats of paint. There are some corrections to be made & a 3rd coat left.

You ever have one of those days where there's just so much stupid flowing, and you want to tell people to pace themselves because it's only Monday? Just me? Okay.

I nearly went to the country yesterday to check on things, but the rain hit, & I decided the smart move would be to stay in Bryan. Today I looked - roads are closed due to flooding. Even if I COULD have made it out there I wouldn't be able to make it back. I got lucky staying home this weekend.

My boss walked in my office yesterday morning at 8:35 and handed me a pink post-it note. She wrote, "How about we do your evaluation at 9?" No, the irony was not lost on me - giving me a "pink slip" in regards to my evaluation. Long story short - I'm employed for another year! *whew*

I was a lot smaller, a lot stronger, and a lot more flexible 20 years ago. The kitchen sink cabinet was also A LOT BIGGER! But I'm relieved to say the kitchen faucet has been replaced, and it does not leak. I may just be lazy for a bit, now.

Dear cat, Deliberately moving your tail under foot as I'm trying to step over you (because you refuse to move) WILL make me fall. Standing there, screaming at me as I'm falling as gracefully as I can, scratching my leg and knocking everything off the table DOES NOT HELP! AT ALL! Sincerely, Me

I'm feeling kinda icky after meeting with Jack yesterday. He said they came out last Saturday to a smoldering fire in front of the house. I told him it was nasty and full of plastic. He didn't know who did it. The trespasser also left some big burned out lightbulbs. I feel kinda violated again.

Got a couple of messages from the builder. We are doing a slightly rounded entry that separates the living area from the bathrooms and bedrooms. And we are putting a 45 degree angle on the entry for the office. It will handle overflow from the living room.

I met with Jack today. He said I did good with the countertops. He was afraid I was going with a countertop with the gold flecks in it. We've also decided on rubbed bronze faucets. He's getting those ordered, now. And a potential light grey for the walls. But the wall color is subject to change!

Walking in, turning to the left is the dining room and the kitchen. Then the living room to the right and turning back to the front door. Walked over to the office and through it, then back to the living area, to the hallway, and finally to the guest room.

I was a little shocked when I walked in today. And NOT just because the builder texted me about 30 seconds after walking in. I forgot he has camera EVERYWHERE!

It amazes me how much changes every time I come out here. #Home

I think things are progressing nicely. The windows should be installed this week - starting tomorrow. It's really taking shape. Walking around, everything seems so close together. But I think it will feel "bigger" once the interior walls go up.

Jack said he wanted to get the metal walls up on Thursday. I told him I was more concerned with their safety than getting the walls up. Which one happened? A) The weather kept them from putting up the metal walls Thursday and Friday. B) The walls are really Transparent Aluminum.

I slipped out to the country after work.

Well, the builder hit the water line, so I had to call the water company and have them drive out to either shut off the water or patch the line. I've also just paid for kitchen appliances. Now I've got to look at coughing up 1100 for the electric company to get electricity back out there. 🤦‍♂️

We're getting the hail best out of us.

Rest, my friend. You've earned it. I hope you knew how much better my life has been because of you. I know this isn't "Goodbye," but rather, "Until we meet again."

A briar bush decided to reach out and shake hands with me this afternoon.

waiting for the last truck, and I figured the quickest way to make it show up would be to come back home. And it worked - I met the last cement truck about a mile from the house.

I know it will look bigger once the concrete is in place, and as a whole, it's HUGE! But I'm trying to visualize the inside of the house, and it feels tiny. Even though it's half again as big as the house in Bryan.

The builder said they finished the digging & started filling the hole. They had filled the hole about halfway at 3 this afternoon. He's planning on pouring the foundation later this week. He also said the metal should arrive on Tuesday - a week from tomorrow. It's all moving so fast, now!

It's finally started! It's also going to take a while at this rate.

Also, my builder is going to try to get the old bathtub refinished. If he can, we will use it in the guest bath. If we do that, the guest bath will only have a bathtub. But what a bathtub! It's just an old claw foot tub that you can lay down in. #RespectingThePast #NotStuckInThePast

Talked to the builder today. Because of the weather this week they will begin digging on Sunday. I'm ... in disbelief. I can't believe it's happening. But ... WE'RE BUILDING A HOUSE!

I went out to Grandmother's & Grandaddy's to clean things up a bit. Jack, the builder showed up with some help to trim some trees. It looks like we break ground this week! (Provided the weather cooperates, that is.)

I went out to Grandmother's & Granddaddy's yesterday to meet with the builder. We were able to figure out where I want the house on the property. It's getting pushed back so there's a lot more front yard and a bit less back yard. Also, 70 feet isn't quite as far as I thought. That's a good thing!

It's done. I've closed on the building loan. I'm trying really hard to look at the pieces and not get overwhelmed. (But if I look at it as a whole, I get paralyzed.) We had a meeting with the builder yesterday to make sure everyone was on the same page.

It's official. I close on my building loan at 10:30am Friday. I feel like I need a few days for things too just stop. However, I fear Friday is simply going to engage the warp engines.

Received a notice from the bank, along with a Closing cost disclosure. The disclosure has been signed and returned. We are supposed to close on the 24th (a week from Friday) if I can get the day off. I'm torn between a shot of bourbon and breathing in a paper bag.

The appraisal has been delivered to the bank. I've signed off on it. So I think things are moving forward. 🤞

I found a box in my closet. When I opened it it was full of clothes. I reached in and grabbed a shirt, only to realize something was wrapped inside of it. I think this is some of the China tea cups from Grandmother's sister, Aunt Ann. I thought it was all destroyed in the fire.

I just deposited money in my account to pay for the appraisal of my property. I feel like I'm inching forward on this project.

I feel like I'm making marginal process filling up the storage unit. I took some more totes in tonight and I'm trying desperately to go UP with the storage - especially with the plastic totes.

Not trying to throw a teaser out, but ... I just received an email from my contact at the bank. She wanted to know if I could give her a good time to call and discuss some good news. My response was, "Whenever is good for you!" My fingers are crossed and my hopes are way too high!