Updates

Wow.  We've been here a month now.  It's so hard to believe.  =)

We have our 30 day on Friday.  I can't believe it.  (it's more like a 45 day...but that's okay)

We have kept a list of the things we found.  Most things are little, but still a nuisance.  We'll see what happens.

My sister has her pre-con next week!  Tentative close date of Dec. 8th.  This is good.  Because our family from Germany flies in the 17th.  This gives them a little time to get moved before they arrived.  I'm STOKED!!  Praying that this can done in time and we have good weather and there are NO hold ups!  Fingers crossed guys!  Please!

Other than, that, all is well!

First Electric Bill Is In

I went out to the mailbox today and our very first electric bill awaited me.  I was apprehensive.  But I had a figure in my mind and as long as it was around that figure, we'd be okay.

Now keep in mind the following:

We moved from a 1900 sq ft house to a about a 2700 sq ft house. 
We moved in the HEAT of the summer where at least half (if not over half) of the days were the heat index was over 100 degrees
We keep our thermostat set at 73 degrees, upstairs and down, all the time.

I also am still waiting for my Energy Star Certification Certificate to send in for my discount rate.  So this bill did not have that on there.

So....  I opened up the bill, hoping to see the figure I had in my head.  When my eyes found the figure I gasped!!  I couldn't believe it.  Someone had to make a mistake.  I checked the dates.  They for exactly 30 days.

I ran in and checked what I had paid last year.  I glanced at the new bill again.  The difference was....

*drum roll*






































-----------------------------------
$50!  IN OUR FAVOR!!  My bill was $50 was LESS than at my old house!!!  And again, I'm still awaiting my Engery Star discount!!!  WOOT WOOT!!!   My last house was 10 years old.....but we increased size!  LOVING Energy Star Homes!!!

Now if the water bill could only be so good.  LOL  I doubt it.  We have had all our moving laundry, and blankets, and towels, plus running the sprinklers on the sod (3 of them)......  We'll see.

I am one happy customer right now!

For Tasha: Speakers

For my other readers, Tasha had a question concerning her surround sound speakers.  You can view her blog here:    http://countdowntomyryanhome.blogspot.com/2011/08/center-surround-sound-speaker.html

I wanted to post a picture of my speakers to show her what I was talking about.

You can see 2 of the three speakers on the wall.  One
is behind the tree.  lol 

ceiling speaker behind couch but before kitchen

Other ceiling speaker (again, please ignore all the
floral stuff.  I am preparing for my sister's
bridal shower.  I'll have to post regular pictures after the shower.  lol)

Another view of wall speakers

I know that wall speakers aren't for everyone.  But after speaking with several people in the business, and not wanting to pay for the upgraded directional ceiling speakers, this was the option for us.

P.S.
I love being able to sit at my island, blog, and cook dinner.  *contented sigh*

Potential Milan Owners....

Did you know there was an option to add yet ANOTHER bedroom to your house?  YUP! 

I know that you can turn the loft into a 4th bedroom (we did that).  That is an option.  But that is NOT what I'm talking about.  After talking with some of our neighbors, we found out you can put a master bedroom downstairs!

Someone in the area has an elderly relative living with them.  In order to accommodate them, this is what they had done:

Instead of living room/study, hall closet, and dining room; they made that whole area a down stairs master bedroom complete with closet and private bath!   Now I'm not sure of costs.  But I do know it was done.  =) 

I thought I would pass this little tid bit along, in case any of you were considering the Milan, but needed a bedroom on the main level, I wanted you to know it can be done.  =)

Happy Building!

Neighborhood News

Good Saturday to you all!!

I gotta tell you, I REALLY love my house and my neighborhood.  I love living here!   And the fact that one of my sisters is moving just up the street now makes it even better!!

My baby sister may not live here, but she likes to ride her horse over this way.  She was a big hit last Saturday.  On of my neighbors had a large cookout, another one had some kind of get together as well, and of course I was having a small one for the first pre-season NFL game of the season!  lol

So when she showed up on her horse with her dog, all the kids swarmed!  lol  Her horse is HUGE.  And beautiful.  Great Grandson of Seattle Slue.  =)  He's tall and gorgeous.  lol  But do to an approaching storm, she had to hustle back, breaking the children's hearts.  lol  I had to explain that she'd be back another day for a visit.  I love that I will have one sister up the street and another that can visit when she is with her horse.  =)  We even keep carrots here now for him.  lol

My kids loving playing with the kids on our street too.  They seem to be feeling at home now too.  =)   They love that they have friends now.

In neighborhood news, construction is going on like crazy!  A Naples is going in across from me.  That will make my street almost all Naples and Milans.  lol 

The Naples and Rome seem to be the most popular models to build in here right now as far as I can see. Followed by the Milan. We do have 2 Dorsey Halls and my sister's will make 3.  We also have one Verona, a Raveena, and a Canterbury.   Our neighborhood offers 12 different models total.  Lots of variety to chose from.  I am amazed no one has built a Venice yet!

Also in neighborhood news, there may be an issue with the new developer according to rumors.  Something about the developer wanting to hike the prices up on the lots.  And both WF and Ryan do NOT want that.  So whether or not they continue to be the developer, or everything goes back on the bidding block remains to be seen. 

My little stretch of road where my driveway is was suppose to get paved.  Remember that?  Well, it's still crush and run.  =/  I emailed our PM and he said the company who was suppose to do it has pulled out.  >=/  So now they have another company in talks with them and bidding it out.  He is hoping it will get done soon.  We'll see.

The people we've met so far have been incredibly nice.  I'm looking forward to meeting more.  =)

So that's what's going on over here.  Hope ya'll are doing well.

Driveways

Since starting the blogging process, I have noticed that driveways vary just as much as our houses do.  Some are asphalt, other cement.  Some need sealed, others do not.  I thought I would shoot some pics of our drive (and other random stuff, sorry) to share what ours is like.

I am going to put a little flower garden under the morning room
windows I think.

Our driveway

we have built in sections and joints

The joints/seams are built in for Cracking.  Any cracking of
our driveway should take place in these seams as the
years go by.  We'll see.

sidewalk made the same way

flower in my front flower bed

Home sweet home

new wreath

So anyway, that's that.  Some random pics and driveway pics.  If people down here pour driveways with seams and joints made to do all the cracking over time, I don't understand why other cement companies don't do the same thing?  Huh.  Different regions, different ways of doing it I guess.  I do know since I'm in the south, we don't seal driveways down here.  No real reason for it when you only get one winter storm a year.  lol

Anyway, that's my updates.  Happy blogging everyone!

Well, whatdya know!

After yesterday's shenanigans, NVR came through.  My sister is going to be my new neighbor!!!  She is APPROVED!  =)  She's a street over and we'll be able to see each other's house.  I don't know who is more excited...  Them?  Me?  Or our kids!  lol

I'm stoked!!

Now hopefully they can get in and settled before "the Germans invade".  lol  I know that sounds horrible, but honestly, it's said with so much love!!  I can't wait for my sister to tell them that when they come that:
1.  They'll be staying in a brand new house and
2.  They'll be able to walk to my  house!! 
I have every confidence in our PM here to get their house built, built right, and in time.  He rocks!

I'm so freaking excited!!!!