BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER....

[SWA]

Hi there...

Ok...here we go....

This first pic is of our well going in. It's off to the left side of where the house will soon be.

The second pic is of the portion of land that's been cleared "so far".

About an acre.... still a good ways to go...but it's a start.

The "bare spot" there, is where the house is gonna be.

 

[SWA]

Some "surprises" were revealed as we "go in there".

This is a beautiful Magnolia. One of a gazillion. This one though is much bushier than most, but still needs some serious nurturing. So we've gotten some fertilizer pegs from Home Depot and started feeding that baby right quick.

We hope it will spread out to be a nice shade tree in a year or two. It stands about 35 ft. tall, just needs to "fill out". (Gosh, I feel like I'm talking about feeding up a horse.

)

Anyways, if anyone knows anything about "pruning" Magnolia trees, I'd be grateful for any pointers. (hmmmm sounds like clipping a horse now...

), but we wondered if we clipped off the top, would that help the lower portion to soon spread out better? Or would that hurt it if we did that?

The second surprise, and I was super excited to see this one!

A Maple Tree.

Where'd THAT come from??? This thing was tucked away and unseen because of all the pines and magnolias. Once we got in there....WHOA, COOL!!!! It's all scraggly right now, because it was practically smothered from the others...but same as the pretty mag mentioned above, we hope to nurture it too! It stands about 25 ft. tall. And awesome start for a potentially beautiful tree in years to come.

Wonder how many more we might find tucked away in there as we work our way in further...

 

[SWA]

This next group is of the HOUSE!

[SIZE=14pt]GLORY HALLELUJAH!!!! [/SIZE]

The front, and along came the back...and

BADDA BING, BADDA BOOM...WE HAVE A HOUSE!

EDITED...oops...forgot to attach the pic...

 

[SWA]

Of these first few pics, I wasn't able to be there for the special occassion. I was busy having my noggin' tinkered with.

So hubby took these for me so I could still see our "new beginnings."

Here are "The House Builder Guys".

(OUR HEROES!)

Well...before hubby showed me the pics, he said something to the effect of..."Here they are...but don't be upset".

I was like..."HUH? What now???".

 

[SWA]

Well.....

It turns out, the builder manufacturer made a bit of a "BooBoo".

Two of "em.

One "Bad BooBoo", and one "Good BooBoo".

As you walk in the front door into the living room...there was "supposed" to be a fireplace on that wall. Only...there wasn't a fireplace. There was this huge entertainment center down the whole length of the wall.

That was the "Bad BooBoo". I had for so long, (since the conception of the idea of a new home), envisioned a cold wintery evening (if that's possible for Florida), for this coming Christmas Season, all snuggled up on the couch, (well, we still have to get furniture first...we ain't got nair'n fer the time being...but anyhoo..

that's a whole other thread's worth to go into

), and all cuddled up with a really good book (only ONE that fits THAT bill

) whilst I'm sipping a yummy cup of hot cocoa in front of my cozy-wozy fireplace.

Oh and there's marshmellows in my cocoa too!

And, as I'm finishing up my scriptures for the night...I'm inching my way over to the fireplace to toast us up some yummy S'MORES!!!

Well...turns out that bubble got popped real quick. Funny...That seems to happen just a bit much.

That fireplace was put clear out in a whole other room?

Oh well...

such is life, LOL...prayerfully, we just keep on a rollin' right along.

After the week I had already, with my noggin' tinkering and all, I was just so grateful and immensely blessed to at least still have "a" fireplace. Especially, too, while that same week, so many other families along much of the rest of the Gulf Coast was enduring much graver misfortunes by the wrath of Hurricane Katrina.

Heaven have mercy.

I do remember though, making a sort of "in passing" comment to hubby, "Gosh, wish they could just take out the ET center and put in a fireplace where I had dreamed of it being." Thinking to myself...not likely, but at least we have one, so that's good enough.

So, that was our "Good BooBoo".

But, hubby did call "the house builder guy boss" to let them know of the mix up. They offered to take that whole house out, and have a new one replaced. We have worked and worked and worked to get "this far", we wasn't about to say take it out and start over again.

So, hubby just told them...no, that's ok, we will GLADLY keep what we have!

And that was that...or so I thought...

The Lord and those "Unanswered Prayers"...Glory Be!

 

[SWA]

Oh....speaking of "BooBoo's"....

Here is what my hubby is quite fondly (just a tad over zealous with it too, I might add, LOL), referring to as "PAY BACK TIME".

Yep....all those references I made of his "Mr. Zipper Neck" over the last five years...well, now he says I'm "Mrs. Numbskull".

Ok...

so I had it coming.

It's ok...we've agreed on a TRUCE.

So it's all good.

OH...and HOLY COW....where'd FIVE WHOLE YEARS fly off to???

Oh...TALK ABOUT HAVING A "BAD HAIR DAY"....

Hey...whatchoo laughin at???

 

[SWA]

Annnnyhoo....

As the days go by, I lose track of time of day...and night, what month even.

Well, turns out the clock n' calendar rolled around to be OUR ANNIVERSARY.

I was in NO WAY up for getting all gussied up and going out on a date with hubby. Thankfully, hubby was feeling the brunt of the long day of work too...well, not thankfully for him that he was hurting after working all day, but thankful that he was just as welcoming the idea of "sitting this one out" as I was. So, we spent our 17th Wedding Anniversary here at "Rented Paradise", and ordered in for Pizza Hut.

Well, over "dinner", we got to talking of the house and all, and how was it coming along. I wanted to go see, as I hadn't even seen it yet, other than those cherished pics hubby had take for me so far.

He said, well, if you're up for it, let's go for a drive.

WOO HOOO... I had ONE HUMDINGER of a HEADACHE, but by golly, I wanted to GO SEE OUR HOUSE!

So...here I am seeing our new HOME SWEET HOME, for my very first time! WHAT AN AWESOME DAY!!!!

(Oh, please forgive my scraggly wardrobe of T's and Sweats"...they were comfy at least...oh...and FORGET you saw that head of hair...er....HALF a head of hair, anyhow...

)

MY HEART IS SINGING....

 

[SWA]

Well, I was trying to get a good look inside way up there.

And BOY HOWDIE...WHAT I SAW.....

OH MY GOSH!!!!!

One Totally Awesome "UNANSWERED PRAYER!" Glory to the Lord above!

They took out that gigantic entertainment center, and NOW I HAVE MY DREAM FIREPLACE!

[SIZE=14pt]PRAISE THE LORD! [/SIZE]

Hubby said the the manufacturer company up in Georgia spoke to the "house builder guy boss" here in Florida, and they agreed it was their "BooBoo", and without question, wanted to do whatever would "make it right". So then they called hubby, and he said..."Well, she did mention she would've just liked a fireplace in the room that we planned for it.

So...now we have TWO FIREPLACES.

I'm sorry...but, THIS kind of stuff, NEVER HAPPENS TO ME...I must of died and gone to heaven...

I was FLOORED when I saw that! All I could do was BAWL with PURE HAPPY!

My only regret is that my Dusty wasn't able to have been there to share such a special day with us. This was our very first Anniversary spent, that it wasn't all three of us together to share the day for our family.

His 20th Birthday just passed too. This was his very first birthday...we weren't TOGETHER to celebrate. <sighs> Three more weeks, then he graduates boot camp. Then he'll be home for 10 days. We've MUCH to catch up on and make up for!

Ok....I have a couple more pics...but WHEWDOGGIE...I'm feeling it hit me for some snoozer time.

I need a nap. I'll finish whenever I get another chance to post some more.

I'm saving THE BEST, for last.

 

[REO]

Oh Tanya! My heart is filled with happiness for you! Your dream is coming together for you at last! WHOOO HOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

I love all the trees! And I like the entertainment center and the fireplace you got.

I've seen some really nice fireplaces that are gas or electric that you can add to any room! Sure, it's not real fire, but they look pretty & cozy! Something to hang stockings on!

MY GOODNESS HON, what happened to your poor head? {{{{Hugs}}}}

May the blessings keep rolling in for you!

 

[rabbitsfizz]

Good GRAVY Tanya all the poor guy did was let a fireplace get put in the wrong place- there was no reason to slap him up alongside the ear'ole with a two by four

 

[OhHorsePee]

I'm happy for you!

Fran

 

[Steph_D]

Oh Tanya, it's finally YOUR TURN for some blessings! I'm so glad to see the big one coming to pass!

Golly, I had to take a second look at your "incision", they really cut you up good, didn't they? I'm so glad that it's done and you got to see your house

 

[Triggy&Blue&Daisy Too]

Congratualations on your new unboobooed house and my yes poor Tanya what happened to your head? Owwwwch! Hope you feel better soon.

 

[ChrystalPaths]

Oh Tanya, I got all goosebumpy for you. Bless your heart. It's going to be perfect! Congratulations.

 

[crponies]

This is so great! I don't know where I was in April but I missed that post before about you even being able to buy a place. This is wonderful! I love the fireplaces, and I totally agree with your choice of reading.

 

[MyLilShowGirl]

Ah, thats awesome! I am glad you got what you wanted, and more!!

The house is looking great!

-Kris

 

[C & C Farms]

Congratulations on your new house...its beautiful!

 

[Sterling]

Tanya, everything is looking good and falling into place!! Congrats and wishing you and your family the best!!

 

[susanne]

Congratulations, Tanya!

As for the Magnolia, don't ever top a tree...it will stress and weaken it. For now, let it luxuriate in its newfound light...it may well fill out on its own. Do a Google search on tree nurseries in your area, and find one that specializes in Magnolias. Get their opinion on the best fertilizer for your new friend and what you might do to encourage it to fill out.

BTW, I consider all of my plants to be my pets, so the comparison between trees and horses is quite apt!

 

[Marty]

Tanya! How perfect it all is. You really deserve so much to be happy. I can hear your excitement.

I love those double wides and surely would trade this house for one in a New York minute if I could. Talk about closet space galore and I'll betcha you even have a garden tub, right? They are really nice and I love the way your's is nestled so cozy there. I'm so happy about the fireplaces too.

You're nesting! You are really finally nesting! Home Sweet Home atlast.

Now, where's the horses and what are your barn plans?