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We had our home inspection yesterday and it went off without a hitch! With the exception of a couple of shingles that need trimmed, and some metal flashing that needs put up on one part of the roof... We're Good!!

Ahhhhh..... Relief!

Closing is set for the 15th of July, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that everything goes according to schedule. The next month is going to be SOOO busy!!

I'll get some decent pictures posted once we've had the chance to get in there and clean things up a bit (the sellers didn't clean anything when they left... grrrr). For now... this picture from Steve's phone will have to do.

Here she is!

I think the yard is going to be our biggest project this year. The neighbors have been nice enough to keep it mowed, but it's really going to need some work.

Those tacky gold light fixtures are going to have to go at some point too, but I have to remember... One thing at a time.

OMG, OMG, OMG...!!!

As my mom used to say... "I don't know whether to scream... cry... or throw up!"

I am thrilled and terrified all at once.

Steve and I found out today that the bank has accepted our offer on the house we want!!!

So... If all goes well (inspection, closing, etc.), we should officially be homeowners sometime in the next month or so!

Part of me is thinking, "YAY!... I can't wait to get in to my home!!"

The other part of me is thinking, "Holy crap!  I'M A GROWN UP!!!"

Keep your fingers crossed for us.

Pedaling for a Cure!

In this day and age, every single one of us know someone who has been directly affected by Cancer. It's a scary reality. Family members, friends, co-workers... Men and women... Young and old... Cancer does not descriminate.

Luckily, the United States has some of the best cancer research facilities in the world... The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (a.k.a. "The James") being among them. Despite the fact that groundbreaking research performed at The James is beating cancer every day, a desperate need for additional funds and resources remains. Fortunately, we can all help!

In 2008, NetJets Inc. (the company that Steve and I both work for) joined forces with the director and CEO of The James as well as the LIVESTRONG movement to take a stand against this terrible disease. This is where the idea of Pelotonia was born.

Peloton, by definition, is "a principal group of cyclists in a race". Pelotonia, is a grass roots bike tour with one goal: To end cancer. On August 28th-30th, 2009, a group of NetJets employees (including our President and CEO, Richard Santulli) will join Lance Armstrong and other cyclists from across the country to do just that. This bike tour will start here in Columbus, OH, and will consist of a 2 day, 180 mile round trip ride to Ohio University in Athens, OH.

Now... I haven't spent any good quality time on a bike since I was a kid. I don't even own a bike at this point in my life. The last time I was on a borrowed one, it was ugly. That being said, I do plan on volunteering for the event. On the other hand... Steve has a bike, and I'm proud to say that he will be riding (and I will be cheering him on) in this noble fight for a cure!

At this point, Steve has signed up to ride the 50 mile ride, and has to raise $1000 in order to participate. However, he really wants to be able to participate in the full 180 mile ride, and is hoping to be able to raise the $2000 required to do so. I know that money is tight for all of us, and that many of us already have charities/organizations we contribute to. However, if you're interested in helping Steve, you can click the link below to view his rider profile and make a donation. *No amount is too small!*

Steve Jones Pelotonia Profile

Steve's personal goal for the Pelotonia is to raise $5000. He and a few of his co-workers (who are also riding) are trying to think of something a little crazy they can do if they each reach their personal goals. They were thinking of shaving their heads, but for obvious reasons, that's not a very far fetched idea for Steve. Suggestions are welcome... Let the brainstorming begin!

It's Official... Kinda!

As of 1:30pm yesterday afternoon... Steve and I are "in contract" on a house we love!

Part of me is really excited, and part of me is really nervous. I don't know which part is bigger right now.

The house we found is a short sale, and if things go our way, we will have gotten a smokin' hot deal on it. It's a newer house in a nice neighborhood, and it's the first house we've been in that actually feels like it could be "home"... That's a really good feeling! I've tried so hard to not get my hopes up, and not let my heart get set on this house. I know this is not the only house in the Columbus area that we could possibly be happy in. But as each day passes... it gets harder and harder to not let my emotions play into it.

The house itself is in phenomenal shape. The interior paint is nice, the carpet is almost brand new... There is not a single thing that would need to be done right off the bat. I already know what my favorite room is... I can imagine the Monster running around in her new back yard... I even know the perfect spot for a great big Christmas tree.

Ugh... This is the pits!!

Since it's a short sale, we still have a few hoops to jump through. The seller has accepted our offer, but it's all in the bank's hands at this point. So for now, we sit and wait.

And wait.

And wait some more.

I feel like a kid at Christmas. Only it's a few months before Christmas, and my parents have just set the biggest present ever right in front of me... unwrapped... and told me that I can't touch it. I can only look at it. And at any point, the nosy neighbor kid could come running through the front door, only to steal the present right in front of me.

Now I know why I've been so content as a renter up to this point in my life.

I Think I'm Weird...

... Or maybe I'm just..... what's the word..... Atypical, maybe??

Over the past four weeks, Steve and I have had the "Where do you want to get married?" conversation *at least* a half a dozen times. The conversation usually lasts a while... ideas are tossed around... concerns are voiced... and eventually I think we just get a little overwhelmed and give up. After all... we have plenty of time to get this done.

I ask him what he wants.... He says he wants what I want... I lovingly remind him that this IS his wedding, too... and around and around we go. The conversations are fun, but we just end up laughing our butts off, and we don't really get anywhere. Even the date is up in the air at this point!

I think I've realized that the reason it's so hard is because I'm just not a typical bride. Even the word "bride" sounds a little foreign to me. I'm not really into big, poofy dresses... I'm not a fan of ballroom receptions... and I'm not one of those girls who has been planning and dreaming of her wedding day since the age of 10. I'm just not. (Although right now I'm kind of wishing I was because it would make this whole wedding planning thing a heck of a lot easier!)

See. I'm weird.

I know it'll get a little easier once all the dust settles, and I know things will eventually start to fall into place (like I said... we have lots of time). But, right now... I kind of feel like I've just entered the Twilight Zone.

I sure hope they offer tour guides here....

Seriously?... Already??

I've been engaged for 2.5 weeks...

The stress has begun...

I am overwhelmed...

Enough said.