Yes, yes...another post...

So the previous post was supposed to go out WEEKS ago!  I got busy though and had to deal with some work and home issues.  Yes, you read right...issues.

So, going from a home that was fresh, new, and just built to a three level townhouse built in 1996 brings all kinds of fresh issues to deal with.  A couple I have had to deal with since moving in officially December 30:

• Leaking new dishwasher (previous owners did not hook it up correctly)
• Washing machine (and dryer) leaked water all over the "basement" first floor carpet - company hired to hook them up during relocation did not hook up the cold water line correctly to both and water leaked everywhere!  (I fixed myself thank you.)
• Leaking shower diverters (replaced upon moving in)
• Gas insert fireplace crapping out on me (in the winter but it is warm enough that I am not going to worry about it until this fall)
• Dry rot (did I buy a boat?  No just a house with a lot of wood trim that was not maintained)
• Leaking living room windows (hired out a company to fix)
• Leaking living room windows...

Wait, did I just type-stutter?  Nope.  Back in April during a very strong and windy storm, I was sitting on my couch - one I had designed and built in Dallas prior to moving - enjoying my laziness and dreaming of paint magically making its way onto the walls when I started getting misty...and not because I was crying.  All three of my very large front windows were dripping water.  So I called in a company on reference from someone I know in DC and off they came to remove and re-caulk my front, second floor windows (along with replacing some facia boards that had dry rot).  All good right?  Yep, until we had a storm this week on Tuesday and the floodgates opened up yet again through my "fixed" windows.  After a bit of strong discussions with the company that came out previously, they were back out today fixing my windows so fingers crossed.  This time they stripped and caulked both the 2nd and 3rd floor windows completely so hopefully we will stay nice and dry.

What else has been going on?  Well, this Texan had to deal with several car issues this winter that also had to get fixed on both the autos:

• Land Rover had a plug in the radiator go out causing the engine to overheat - I thankfully did not do any damage but stopped driving on the way home and had to get towed.  Long day.
• Foolishly decided to drive the mini on a quick errand before going out of town during a snow storm and slid all over the road hitting the curb and evidently shaking things up.  Local mini dealership across the road fixed her right up while I was out of town.
• Rover's drivers side windshield wiper stopped working during a heavy rainstorm...while I was driving to the airport on the tollway in rush-hour.  Scary ya'll...I won't tell you how I made it to a parking lot in our office nearby as I know it was dangerous but I had to get off the road people and somewhere I could catch a cab to the airport.  Windshield wiper still broken.

All of the above happened all during the same time period and all while I was on the travel I talked about in the previous post.  It was crazy people.  Meanwhile, I am down to only like 10 boxes left in the house (the boxes in the garage for garage stuff don't count) and those who know me know that is a miracle in itself.

No pictures in this post but trust me the next few will be totally pic heavy with the upcoming travelmania.  Meanwhile, I am going to go play with the new 22 ft ladder I bought today and start hunting up a tarp from the garage boxes to use tomorrow night for the outdoor Journey/Steve Miller concert.

Take it easy ya'll!

Shelley

Moving On Up....

So, this is my first post in a new blog dedicated to all the activities in my life.  Frankly, I was encouraged to create this blog when a co-worker was the recipient of some of the craziness that is my life.

To start off with, here are a few recent facts about me:

·      I started a new job with my company

·      Said new job required me to move from my home city of Dallas to the DC area

·      I had to sell my house

·      I had to find a new home

·      I have the opportunity to travel to more places than I used to!

Let’s start with the house.  I found and subsequently bought a three-level town home in the suburbs of DC.  Everyone tried to tell me to buy closer into the city but for what I could afford, I would be living in a one bedroom tiny place with no outside space or garage.  And for a Texan like me, that would just not work. After all, where would I park my two (you heard me) cars?  So I settled on a town house built in 1996…and boy does she look it design-wise.  The good news is I like to tinker around the house and so I see projects everywhere!  The bad news is funding and plain time in the city to get things done.  That and I am just lazy…putting that right out there.  So those faux-green stone Formica countertops in the kitchen and cultured stone countertops in the bathrooms will be with me for a while. Other things I can do in the interim I will accomplish (promise) and post on here.

As to the travel…well that is off to a roaring start here in 2014!  Thus far, I have traveled to Dallas, Dubai, Las Vegas, San Antonio, San Francisco, St. Louis,  and Seoul.  You virtually heard me…all that since January 1.  The travel does not slow down much going forward with Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Taipei, Anaheim, and NYC coming up in June alone.  Things I have learned along the way:

·      I will never again book long haul travel in coach if I can help it.  That is just torture plain and simple

·      I still cannot sleep when flying but put me on the ground in an airline club and I can easily drift to sleep.

·      I thank the day that I chose to sign up for an airline club…especially one that offers really nice shower facilities.

·      There is nothing like being able to shower and freshen up after 14 hours on an airplane.  Seriously.

·      Patience is a virtue.

·      Never let me loose with a credit card and luxury duty-free.  I now have a purse I refer to as “The Mortgage” for obvious reasons.

I simply love to travel and even being up 36 hours straight traveling to a destination cannot get me down.  I have had the opportunity to travel to two new continents this year – Africa and Asia- and look forward to continuing the discovery.  Each of the travels so far and those yet to be are giving me the opportunity to visit places that may not have been on the top of my travel list but have been extraordinary in their own ways.

Now some pictures:

The New Homestead in DC

Me Hanging with a Blond Camel in Dubai at the Waldorf Astoria!

My view of Seoul from the Conrad Hotel...this city was amazing and so were the people!

 I am excited to continue on this journey and see where my home DIY and travels take me.  Happy 2014 ya'll!

Shelley