Ru-dudu

Ru ate my new flip flops today. That made me sad. I went to my house and did some research this afternoon. Mike stayed home while painters came over to paint a few things around his house. Mike is in his bonus room laying hardwood floors. He thinks it is going to take a few more hours. He had to rent power tools from Lowes, so he doesn't want to have to rent them for an extra day. Things are coming along nicely, and he and Ru should officially be moved in by the end of October. His house is covered with drop cloths right now, but after the painters are done, the house should almost be ready to show.

I started a scrapbook for Mike and I. I was going to wait and give it to him as a wedding gift, but I was too excited about it and gave it to him as an engagement gift instead. He really liked it. We are busy lately, but we are happy. Knowing that all the work we are doing right now is to ensure things for our life together in the future keeps us going. His mom is taking me to a bridal expo tomorrow to start looking for vendors for the wedding. Very exciting!

For Sale

At a Glance

· Located in Birkdale Village

· 1 1/2 story Saussy Burbank Bungalow

· 3 bedroom/2 bath

· Detached 2 car garage

· Hardwood Floor throughout downstairs

· Honey Maple Cabinets

· Updated light fixtures

· Spacious attic storage

· Fenced in backyard

· Gas fireplace

· Recessed entertainment nook (up to 50 inch TV)

Neighborhood Amenities

· Large pool

· Tennis courts

· Planned activities

· Walking trails

· Ponds

· Steps away from shopping

This well-built (2002) Saussy Burbank 3/2, 1580 sq. ft., 1 1/2 story Bungalow is located in the popular Birkdale Village area, close to luxurious shopping plaza and movie theater. Spacious corner lot overlooks two small parks on two sides. Upstairs master bedroom suite with walk-in closet, reading nook, and small bonus room. Master bath complete with double sinks and garden tub. Designer paint color schemes throughout the house make it warm and inviting. Beautifully landscaped and lighted front and backyards. Numerous updates including crown molding, updated lighting, smooth top stove, in-cabinet microwave, hardwood floors, wired for surround sound, window treatments, and more.

Recently engaged couple looking to consolidate houses and sell quickly! We are willing to work with your realtor. For more pictures, go to
http://worksmartlivehard.com/

Currently For Sale by Owner. If you are interested in seeing this home, contact Mike with the contact information below. Thanks!

Cell: 704-728-2098

Home: 704-655-2514

E-mail: mw99nd@gmail.com

Key Words: For Sale by Owner, FSBO, Home for sale, Huntersville, NC, North Carolina, Charlotte, real estate, Birkdale Village, Cornelius

I Love My Fiance!

I almost said, "I love my boyfriend!" to Mike this afternoon, and I realized, wait a minute, he isn't my boyfriend anymore! Heehee. I love him sooo much, and we couldn't be any happier right now. I am staying at my house tonight, and he is working on his room at his house tonight. It feels weird to not be together tonight. I will be glad when we don't have to commute between houses anymore. Oh well, everything is good in the world.

It's Official!

Mike Proposes
Originally uploaded by pamela_j_karr

We went to Savannah this weekend, and our moms were there to witness our engagement. Check my flickr album for more pictures (and even more coming soon). Just got back in town, so we are off to bed.

I am so happy!!

Perspective

Today was a very stressful day; I felt like I was letting everyone down. I get stress from my PhD program because I am not dedicated full-time to research. I get stress from work because we are understaffed with way too many demands on our team. I get stress from my friends and acquaintances when they think I should be doing something different/better. I feel like I never have time for myself lately. No pedicures, no time to exercise. Gaining weight because of added stress; tired all the time. The cats are hissing, and the dog is crying. More items pile in my inbox. More bills.

But then I have to take a deep breath, and I just take a look at Mike. He loves me so incredibly much, and I am so incredibly happy. Putting things in perspective, life is good. I am stressed. I am spread too thin. But I am lucky, and I am happy. I will not let all the demands I have on me ruin this - the best - time in my life.

Mike's titanium ring came in the other day, and he has been stressing that my ring would come in too late and ruin his plans (which I don't know but have some guesses). He is so adorable. But, my ring came in today. He is horrible at surprises because he is so excited himself, so he showed it to me. It is absolutely beautiful Yeah, but he won't let me actually touch it yet (too funny).

He was being really supportive today, and it really helped me out a lot. He is a lot tougher skinned than I am (since I am not tough skinned at all). I cry when I am sad, upset, angry, frustrated, anxious, eh I am a crier. I make him a crier sometimes, but he is generally pretty even-keeled. He is perfect for me. Life is so much better these days because I feel like I have found someone who is truly there for me. I don't feel like I am in this all alone.

Still have to remind myself to take deep breaths. My heart still pounds too fast sometimes, and I just want to hide under the covers. Life can be hard, but there are some things in life that just make everything worthwhile.

The house is quite. The Ru is actually sleeping instead of crying tonight. The cats have probably made their way into bed. Mike is asleep with the help of some earplugs. We are off to Savannah tomorrow. His mom is riding down with us so she can meet my mom. I miss my mom, and I am excited to get to see her tomorrow. I am also looking forward to introducing her to Mike.

Savannah

We are meeting mom and Watson in Savannah for the weekend next weekend. Mom was telling me to tell Watson over the phone about "our good news," and I said that it wasn't official yet . . . Watson said, "Well, dear, this young man isn't toying with your emotions now is he?" It was soo funny. Watson is a hoot.

We will probably meet them around 11:30 AM which means we will have to get up pretty early. Mike already knows that I will fall asleep on the way there. He got us hotels with his points so mom wouldn't complain that we were spending too much money.

I wasn't feeling that great today. We were supposed to pick up the hardwood for my floor today, but Home Depot didn't have it in stock. It worked out though because they are going to deliver it tomorrow. Mike will have to be here because I have to go in to work tomorrow. We had breakfast at Panera then went over to some older gentleman's house to look at some left over Brazilian Cherry hardwood he had. Mike is going to buy it to finish out this little room he has upstairs in his house. Then Mike dropped me off at my place because I left Pearl here. I napped then did some research.

Yesterday we went to Carowinds with Matt and Amy. Matt doesn't like riding roller coasters or spending money, so I don't know if he really had fun or not. We had fun. It was nice out, not too hot, and we got to ride on some nice rides.

I am trying to sell a whole bunch of stuff on Craigslist, some mine, some Mike's to make room in my house. I think we will be fine, but I hate clutter.

Mike is on his way over, and I am just goofing off for the rest of the night. Sweet dreams!

No Fair

Okay, Mike has already e-mailed all of his friends and announced our engagement. I was trying to wait until it was official, but it isn't fair that he is already telling everyone!! He bought my ring about 3 weeks ago, and it should be coming in any time now. He is still supposed to surprise me with a proposal, but we have already been making plans to get married on 08/08/08. I am completely excited and very happy that I found him. He is also fixing up his house to sell and will officially be moving in the beginning of November. Chris is moving out sometime in October, and he will probably move to Greensboro area to live closer to his girlfriend.

So, here is the site where we are planning our wedding:


You will hear more shortly, but I just had to spill the beans. Sigh. Patience was never a virtue of mine!

Frazzled

Well, I got a frazzled boyfriend back from Amsterdam. I guess Ra, Ru, Scuro, and I didn't help matters much last night because Mike didn't get as much sleep as he needed. He gets grump-py when he doesn't get enough sleep. Talking about sleep, Ra is under the papasan chair snoring away right now. I still haven't gotten a decent lunch in yet. I have a meeting at 5:30 PM, and then I am heading to Mike's for the night. I ate a whole pack of dried apricots so I am extremely rgular right now . . . Anyway.

Thank you, God

Life is so awesome. This is the best time in my life, and I am so thankful that God has given me all these things he has. I heard some really exciting news from Kim and Tony tonight, and I am so happy for them! Mike and I are doing really well. Life is good; God is good! My biggest challenge right now is not letting myself worry about how things could possibly go wrong.

Wow

I actually got some research done today. I always have to do more, but it feels good to have some behind me. I have to go to bed soon because I have orientation for work 2 tomorrow. I have to get all my paperwork and what-not ready. I have a stack of papers on my desk about 9 inches high that I have to go through and find it. Sigh. Maybe they will turn me away at the door for failing my drug test. Mike and I forgot, and he made a steak and spinach salad with raspberry vinegarette, poppyseed dressing the night before.

Dogs are a lot higher maintenance than cats. I feel guilty because Ru seems so bored. Three animals in one house seems like a lot even though there is more than enough room for all of us here. I think we all (Mike, Ru, Scuro, Ra, and me) will have to adjust to living under one roof, but hopefully it won't be that hard. I think it will be hardest on Scuro since she still hasn't really warmed up to Ru.

Mike doesn't get home until Wednesday night. I made him promise not to look at naked people while he is in Amsterdam. He called me tonight and will call again tomorrow. He sounds worn out and tired from all the travel. Personally, I couldn't do it.

Pump It Up

Amsterdam

Mike loves me. He used a calling card to call me from Amsterdam today. I could tell he was really sleepy, but he missed me and wanted to hear my voice. I love him so much. My life is so much better with him in it. I worry about him when he is traveling because I don't know what I would do if he didn't come home safely to me. I pray that God takes good care of him when he is gone and that he comes home to me safe and sound. Amen.

I took Ru to training at PetSmart this morning. I took a nap at Mike's place and did some shopping today. I didn't get much research done. Tomorrow will be a research day.

Here is my fall schedule:

Monday, Tuesday - work
Wednesday - work 2
Thursday - research
Friday - work, seminar

Here are some upcoming events:

9/15 - Carowinds
9/22 - Savannah so Mike can meet Mom and Watson
10/6 - Mike and I visit Kim and Tony in Chicago for my birthday
11/3 - Sheepdog trials
11/22 - Thanksgiving at Kim and Tony's

Whoa, Barry Manilow looks a lot like Rod Stewart.

Anyway, I am going to get busy goofing off tonight so I can be productive all day tomorrow.

Home Depot

Home Depot is coming over today to measure the house for hardwood floors and new carpet. I have been staying at Mike's house lately. He is getting his house ready for sale, and he and Ru are going to move in here in November. We would live in his house, but it is a little too small for all of us (Mike, Pam, Scuro, Ra, and Ru). And he will get more of a profit margin on selling his house than if I sold mine. Chris said he is going to move out by October 31st.

Mike checks my blog on occasion, and he says I must be happy because I didn't blog that day. It is true that I tend to blog less when I am happy. Things are going really well, and there should be some good news in a few weeks.

Mike actually washed Job yesterday. He hadn't been washed in years! Now he smells fresh and isn't covered with cat fur. He is a happy teddy bear now.

Joel

Congratulations to Joel - he is getting married! He always had to do things before me - I remember he took the GED test so he could say he graduated high school before me. I am happy for him though because he deserves to be happy.

Fresh Cornish Hen

Pam, up all night. Sigh. Mike is going to yell down the stairs in a few minutes to check if I am all right once he realizes I am not beside him in bed. I was fidgety getting to bed, and I woke up feeling acidy in my throat. The muscles in my legs are kinda tight because we did some pilates/exercises before bed. So the culmination of these factors woke me up. I should be able to get to bed now that my email has been checked, and I have blogged.

I have never been very good at the whole "grin and bear it" mentality in life. I am an idealist by nature, and I tend to want to fix things if they are broken. Right now, I feel like I am spinning my wheels a bit with school. Work is going well. Mike and I are awesome. I think we are both a bit stressed because combining two lives into one can be a challenge. Two houses, three pets, stuff like that. But that stress is a good stress because it is a sign of good things.

. . .

Back from surfing the Internet. Getting sleepy. Going back to bed.