The Rest of the Story

I guess I should fill y'all in on what went down last week, huh? I might have put it off a little longer if my friend Julia hadn't asked about it over on my facebook page. I forget sometimes that there are people out there that are sort of paying attention to my life..and they don't live near me...and I don't talk to them on the phone on a regular basis. SO..here is...the rest of the story..

*Anyone else hearing Paula Harvery in their heads? No? Just me? Alrighty then.*

I guess y'all already know about the whole putting the house on the market and having a full price offer less than 24 hours later? Right. Ok, let's skip ahead a day to last Thursday.

We reached out to a few different places in town to get pre-approved for our next home. I mean, we signed the contract to sell our house on Tuesday..I guess we needed to get to the whole buying a new home part. Wwwwwhhhyyy weren't we already pre-approved before we even had a for sale sign in our yard? Good question. And I don't have an answer. We just assumed that we would be approved.

As it turns out we weren't approved. For anything.

The fact that we were turned down wasn't so devastating...it was the fact that we were turned down AFTER we had signed the contract to sell our house. I don't really want to go into the reasons why we weren't pre-approved. It's enough to say that we understand the situation and what we need to do to correct it. But on Thursday, all the understanding in the world didn't change the fact that we couldn't get into a new home and as of May 20 we had to be out of this home.

I never cried so much in one day. I cried until I had nothing left to cry. Until my eyes were red and puffy. What had we done? I texted our realtor..what were our options? Could we back out of the contract? No..she says. We could rent..if we could find a landlord that would allow all FIVE of our pets. We could move in with the in-laws. None of these things are exactly life-ending, but as I sat on my couch in my living room I couldn't help but think how we screwed everything up. How could we be ok with going from owning our own home to living with our in-laws? We couldn't be...even though we would have survived.

I went to bed that night with a heavy heart. I had Lola and Squeak in bed with me and I cried on them because I felt like I had even let them down. They depend on us to keep them safe and secure and we were about to rip their home away from them. What a complete failure of a pet mom I was.

The next morning my realtor sends me a text...'Are you ok?' and I had to answer her honestly..No...we were NOT ok. A few hours later she asks if she should reach out to the buyers realtor and ask if there was any way that we might be released from the contract. Um..Yes! Of course! Hurry, do it fast! And thank God...the buyer did let us out of the contract. I don't know what our realtor told their realtor, and I don't care. All I know is that Whitney Hull, who almost bought our house, is a saint of a woman.

Today, my message from the Universe was this:


Appreciating what you already have, Jinny, is how to get more of what you don't.

Tallyho,
The Universe

And, I have never appreciated this little house more than I do right now. It's like we bought it all over again. And even though the things that annoy me about this house are still here, I have a whole new respect for the idea of 'home'.

I dreamed a dream..

*Anyone else hear Susan Boyle in their heads? No? Just me?..Ok then*

So, a lot happened last week. Some good, some bad, and some down right ugly. It was a roller coaster ride, and as Jeremy put it..'probably the second worst thing that has ever happened (or almost happened) to us'. But, I don't really want to talk about that right now.

Instead, I want to talk about the crazy dream I had last night. A dream that involved a wedding, funny faces, and bloggers that I have never met face to face (This is not the first time I have dreamt about bloggers..I had a dream about Jamie Lovely a long time ago..I'm creepy like that).

*eh..hem*

It all started with going to a wedding. A wedding of someone I did not know, but apparently a lot of other people did because the church was packed. I ended up standing/sitting against the wall. And who did I end up sitting next to..the one and only Pioneer Woman and her oldest daughter. Turns out it was the Pioneer Woman's cousin that was getting married. You would think that since they were family they would have been saved a spot in a pew..but no, they were on the floor with me. So, out comes the bridesmaids..and the bride. Except they didn't come from the back of the church. They came from a side door and right down our aisle, which was on the end of the pews..not the middle aisle. And Heaven forgive me if the Pioneer woman DOES have a cousin like this but the girl was sort of short and squat, with pock mark scars on her face and one black tooth. AND her dress was strapless but I'm pretty sure she was wearing a bra with straps, except they were off her shoulders and sort of half stuffed into the top of the dress.

No, I am NOT kidding!

Anyway, despite her looks she..the bride..seemed to be happy as punch that she was finally getting hitched. After the wedding, the reception was outside. I think I was suppose to get a ride home with the Pioneer Woman but she and her daughter ran off to make people laugh doing this funny face:


NO, I am NOT kidding!!

I ended up in the van of Happy Texan and her crew. She seemed more than happy to give me a ride. But she didn't take me home. She dropped me off at a gas station that was a few blocks away from the wedding/reception and I ttthhhiiinnnkkk my car was there.

This was about the time I woke up, so the details are hazy.

How crazy is that? What the heck does it all mean?

I'm Homeless!

Ok, not really. Or..not yet. The realtor put the sign on our yard late Monday night. By Tuesday evening we had a full price offer on the house. *blink blink* Not what we expected at all. I mean, I guess it's GREAT that it didn't take forever to sell. But in less than 24 hours? Really? Talk about being thrown into the deep end.

We are suppose to close (i.e. have our shit packed and OUT) on May 20. In the mean time we have to find another house to live in! So, if I fall off the face of the the blogsphere for a bit..don't worry. I'm just sleeping in my car..which doesn't have any internet access.

Just give me a home..where the stray cats do not roam

This year is certainly going to be one for the record books. Besides celebrating our 10 year anniversary and going to Hawaii, I'm also turning 30, and...AND we are buying a new house.

We've talked alot about moving. Should we stay or should we go? There are advantages to both. We have talked about moving. Moving to Colorado, Pensacola, Dallas, Austin, Hawaii (ha ha..kidding about that last one...sort of). But, when we really talked about it and put it all on the table, it is better for us as a family to stay here. I hope to move some day and maybe experience another city, but right now is not the time.

That doesn't mean we aren't moving.

I want out of those house...in a bad way. We bought this house probably seven years ago. We were like 22 years old. BABIES! We were just babies..what were we doing buying a house? lol. I'm kidding. This house has served us well in our early adulthood. It was just the right size, in just the right location, for just the right price. We cut our teeth on this house and learned alot..mostly by making mistakes. But even though our family hasn't grown (people-wise..animal-wise we are at our limit) this house seems to be shrinking. Basically, we are out growing this house. It's time for a 'grown-up' house. It's time for a privacy fence and a two-car garage. It's time for a utility room and a pantry. It's time for an actual guest bedroom and a second bathroom. It's time for us to find the perfect house to host holiday parties and backyard barbeque's.

So, I called and made an appointment with a local realtor on Sunday. She is coming here to this house..to look it over. *blank stare* Is it normal to feel like I need to empty rooms out? To clean the baseboards with a toothbrush? To deep cleaning our furniture? There is something very revealing about letting someone in your home to evaluate it. It makes me feel very vulnerable. Like she is going to find all my dirty little secrets if I let her look too close.

Her visit might go something like this...

Her: This living room is a nice size.
Me: Please don't look at the un-even baseboards. We put them in ourselves. We didn't know what we were doing. We were babies!

Her: Let's have a look at the kitchen.
Me: Please don't look at the cracked tile on the floor. We put it in ourselves. We didn't know what we were doing. We were babies!

Her: The hardwood floors are lovely.
Me: Please don't look in any corners. We have five animals. FIVE! You have no idea how hard it is to wrangle the dust bunnies in this house.

Her: This room is an interesting shade of green.
Me: My husband did it! It's all his fault. *smacks Jeremy on the arm*

*groan* What are we doing? Selling a house is hard and we haven't even started yet.

Funky Vest, Revisted

A few months ago I posted a picture of my cute little vest. I was a little lost about what else to wear with it besides the white shirt/tank. Someone suggested a blue shirt maybe, so I decided to give it a try.

From work:


To play:

Hawaii - The Food

On our first morning there we stopped at the Kalaheo Cafe and Coffee for breakfast. We liked it so much we went back three more times. It wasn't a big place, but it was pretty popular with the locals and tourists alike. Between us we had their South Shore Breakfast (two eggs any style, hashbrowns, and toast), Sweetbread Frenchtoast with fresh pineapple on top, the Bonzo Burrito..Sautéed Ham, peppers, mushrooms, onions and olives scrambled with two eggs and wrapped in a burrito with cheddar and Monterey jack topped with salsa & sour cream (it was BIG), buttermilk pancakes (the short stack..twice), a bowl of fresh fruit, a toasted crossiant, and a side of ham. lol. The food was delicious, the coffee was delicious (with free refills), and the atmosphere was laid back.

Next, we have the Puka Dog. It was a place that kept popping up again and again as I researched our vacation spot, so we had to go. Jeremy declared it the BEST hot dog he has ever eaten! It's very simple. You pick your sausage, polish or veggie, then you pick your garlic lemon sauce, and THEN you pick a tropical fruit relish (they had mango, banana, coconut, pineapple..). They hand squeeze the lemonade...we watched them do it..and it is super refreshing. We stopped here twice..just because it was so dang good.

We had dinner at Poipu Tropical Burgers (no website). The hostess left a little to be desired, but our waitress was friendly enough. I enjoyed my burger...can't even remember the name..but it had this chili sauce on it that was delicious.

Another place we went to more than once, Pizzetta. Our waitress the first time was great! The margaritas were yummy and on special. We had half a hawaiian pizza (canadian bacon and pineapple) and half El Greco..I think..which was roasted tomatoes and artichoke hearts. Both were mouthwatering good. OH, and we got the Hot Crab and Artichoke Dip as a started. I couldn't stop eating the stuff..it was like crack. SO good!!

Of course, when I saw the white truck parked on the side of the road with writing all over it we HAD to stop (I actually made Jeremy turn around and go back). My friend, Jen, told me it was a must eat place. It's called Savage Shrimp and it's a mobile eatery. You order out of the back and they cook it up for you right there. The garlic shrimp plate was finger licking good...literally. You should have seen us going to town on that peel and eat shrimp.

Brennecke's Beach Broiler was a little pricey for the looks of the place, but still good. It's across the street from Poipu Beach park, the water view is so-so but the evening sky view is great! All the seating is upstairs, so if you catch a sunset for dinner it's worth it. Our waitress was hilarious and engaging, even with a large crowd of people to take care of. I had the pork nachos..which were listed as an appetizer but it was big enough for two people. The pork was out of this world. Jeremy had the Charbroiled Ono & Wasabi Shrimp. I nabbed one the shrimp (there were only two, but jumbo ones) and it was so good. Our friend, Bobby, told me that if we had the chance to try the Ceviche (in HI, not at this specific place) that we should...so we did! I know I keep saying this but..it was SO good! lol. I would go back just for that. Actually, I might try and make some here at home.

And, of course, we had our anniversary dinner at Tidepools at the Hyatt. This was by far the most expensive meal of the trip, but for the service, quality, and scenery..it was worth it. We had the Ahi Sashimi which melted in our mouths. The Sweet Corn and Hawaiian Vanilla Bean Soup..are you kidding me? So good! SO GOOD! I had the Macadamia Nut Mahimahi..wonderful. And Jeremy had the Ginger Soy Glazed Hawaiian Sea Bass..the papaya-coconut-lime sauce was finger licking good too..but I didn't lick my fingers, because that just not what you do in a fancy place like that. We had dessert..duh...pineapple cheesecake. *can you see my eyes rolling back in my head from over there?*

We had some shave (not shaved..apparently) ice at Koloa Shave Ice. They talk a lot about how it's different from normal snowcones..but, really, the snowcone stands over here on the mainland HAVE caught on to the whole shaved, not chipped or crushed, ice. So, hawaiian shave ice is basically a huge snowcone. But what does still make it different from home is they serve it with ice cream on the bottom. Either way, usual or unusual, it was yummy and refreshing.

Everything we ate in Hawaii was amazingly good. Maybe the scenery just makes everything taste better? The breeze? The sun? I don't know..but everything was good. We didn't have ONE bad meal, not one. Makes me want to go back..but just for dinner.

Stupid Magic Eight Ball

On Tuesday we went to the grocery store to fill up our vacation fridge..meaning there was nothing in it. I have a system while grocery shopping, the list is organized by how we move through the store. I know it sounds a little crazy, but it helps us stay on track and not forget anything.

ANYWAYS, this is NOT about our shopping habits. We were more than half way done with the list, on the pet supplies aisle. And Jeremy finds an unwrapped magic eight ball sitting on a shelf next to the cat litter. OOOkkkaaayy, kind of strange. I don't think they even sell those at this grocery store but whatever. So Jeremy picks it up and tells me to ask it a question.

I ask, 'Will I have a baby this year?'

We haven't really been trying. It's been put on the back burner, as discussed by us. So, its not like the topic has been on my mind or something that we have been really striving for over the last several months. It was just one of those questions that I ALWAYS ask with something silly like this. When I make a wish on an eyelash or blow one of those puff ball weeds. You know..stupid things like that. I always wish for a baby. lol. Well, the magic eight ball "says" that it is certainly so. lol. Okay, magic eight ball..whatever you say.

And here we are four days later and I started. *sigh* Again, it's not been something we have been working on. Honestly, I haven't thought about it much lately (which is really good for my sanity). AND, it's a stupid toy anyway..not exactly hardcore proof, right?

But still...not cool, Universe. No cool at all.

Aloha!

We are back! And trying to get back into the swing of things. I have stories to tell! And pictures to show.