Happy Birthday!!

To my house. I can't believe that it was one year ago March 26th that I signed the papers to close on my new home. I still have lots of boxes to unpack, and things to change or decorate the way I "think" I want things to look. Its a lot harder to do this stuff on your own. Ya know how sometimes when you're married, you dream of a time when you don't have to consider any one elses tastes or lifestyle and you could decorate your home just the way you want. Well - I am in that stage of my life...I can make all my "own" choices. Only problem...I loved making a HOME for Paul and I, and he really liked the "majority" of my tastes. I decorated my home in Buffalo for "our" lifestyle and for that house. He did so many wonderful things to that home of his own..he remodeled the kitchen, the living room, the upstairs bathroom, added a shower to the basement, etc etc. But he left the furniture choices to me and the general colors and "decor". But here in Florida...not many of those things that I had in Buffalo seem to really fit here and I really don't know my NEW style or in what direction I want to take this home. When I get my tax refund this year, I think I'm going to buy at least one new piece of furniture and create around it...probably what I need the most is an entertainment center wall unit. Wish me Luck! Next yr when the house celebrates its 2nd Birthday...I'll bring y'all inside the place.
**My son in law did take you on a tour of the insides house back in January 2010 - remember
this You Tube Video ;-)

graphics credits: all graphics from various pccrafter.com collections that I own.

A place to dine for.....

When I lived in my home in Buffalo, we didn't have an eat-in kitchen. Paul and I and the girls..usually ate in the living room. Or sometimes we did dine at the beautiful colonial cherry dining room table that we inherited from Pauls' mother. So a kitchen set wasn't something that I brought from Buffalo. The new house has a small 9x9 space for a table and I have been looking at sets for the past few months. Sets were either too big, too expensive, didn't suit the space or my taste... But over the weekend my daughter and I went to look at a set she thought would be just right. When I saw it - I wasn't so sure. But then I spotted an inexpensive set that had a tea/coffee cup cut out on the chairs. I thought....ummmm, I collect teapots, this set appears to have a teacup on it..maybe its calling my name. The price was right, the size was right..so I signed my name on the order and it was delivered today. I still need to spruce up and add more personal touches throughout the house. Gotta get all of my teapots out and figure out how to display them, it will mean more shopping for shelving units etc. etc......it never ends. I now at least have a place to "dine" and take in the view of my yard.

Its not easy being green

We haven't been getting much rain here in Florida. So my little man made pond is slowly drying up..but still has some water to support the fish. I walked around the pond taking lots of photos from different angles. Got a few of 2 butterflies - fluttering by. My view of my backyard is very relaxing and is trying its best to stay green.

Closed on the House..its Mine!

and the Banks of course ;-)

Won't actually be eating and sleeping here till probably end of April or early May. Just have way too much stuff to sort through and set up and figure out where I want it all in this place.

But I've got lots of time...and no other plans...but maybe should check my calendar, if I can find it.

The Landscaping is done...

The countertop and appliances -
well except for the refrigerator that "I" have to buy yet, are in

it's getting closer and closer to being ready to move in...YIKES!! I still keep thinking about those 2 PODS that have been in storage for 6 months and the 200+ boxes in them, plus my furniture, etc. Oh goodness, what have I gotton myself into. I am expecting to Close on the House on March 25. Then have the PODS delivered the next day, and movers come and unpack them - or put the stuff "inside" the house. Then it'll probably take me a month to sort through it all and actually be living in the house on my own.
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It will all make April a busy month for me:
I have to go to Buffalo just after Easter - for the Burial Service of my older sister (she passed away in January in Colorado Springs, CO - her husband wants her back home where their story began). Not looking forward to returning home for such an occasion. She will be buried in the same cemetery that my husband Paul, and my paternal grandparents are in. It will be 2 yrs on April 19th since Paul passed away. I can't believe it still...this grieving process is such a long and sad road to be on.

All this house stuff sure does keep me pre-occupied though, and I'm just hoping that finding my New Normal..is getting closer every day.

NewHouse 1 month to go (21 photos)

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. These are pictures I took on Friday. I will close on the house by the last week of March.
Click here to view photos

Cupboards, Driveways & Sidewalks - Oh MY

are in- went out to the house today Feb 10 to check on things...lookin good ;-)

here's front of house with driveway in and the sidewalk

Kitchen Views - cupboards look nice in person

Here's a pic of my countertop selection no. 2
(my no. 1 choice isn't available currently)
Looking at a end of March for a closing date.
But I probably won't be fully moved in till end of April or
early May.

Walls are up...

in my new home

Haven't posted anything new about the house in awhile. Still trying to get myself put back together after my older sister's passing on January 11th. Thank you to all my online friends who have sent wonderful cards, and sent prayers upwards for me and my family.

My house is really in the home stretch now. Only glitch so far : I had to order a new counter top pattern. The one I selected is on back order and they don't know when it will be available so the builder asked me to select something else...Uggggghhhhhh, I really liked what I had originally picked out. Hopefully I have selected a wonderful "2nd" choice.
Here's some photos of the rooms just after the drywalling was done a couple weeks ago.

Looking through the front door

Mariah standing in front of island/sink area of kitchen/family room

in the living room area or I might use this area to put my Cherry Dining room set
In the Garage.
The Driveway was put in last Friday.

New House is coming along...

as you can see on this You Tube video that my son-in-law uploaded from his phone. Amazing these new technologies...makes connecting and sharing of information so easy-peasy.
I now have roof shingles going on and windows and exterior doors.

Its been cool here in Tampa Florida these first days of January...and all my "sweaters and warm stuff" are packed in storage. I am glad I'm here versus back home in Buffalo...but at least in Buffalo - I had gotten used to "layering" and had plenty of turtlenecks etc. Seeing the Bills game (Woo-hoo we won!) on Sunday versus the Colts with the Snow coming down and covering the field, brought back lots of memories (my husband and I were season ticket holders for 20 years) but also made me feel "colder" without all my winter Bills gear on...
it was only about 52 degrees for a "high" on Sunday and breezy...so the wind chill was "chillin" My dd and dsil went to the Tampa Bay Bucs game and had gloves, hats, and warm jackets on.

Here's a pic of me and the kids with their other grandma who is visiting from Texas - we went out to the Tampa Lowry Zoo to see the Christmas Lights and Zoo at night. *I have 4 layers on ;-)

I have a roof over my head...

Or at least the start of one...on my new home. They are coming right along. Its exciting and also a little nerve wracking - thinking about this new phase of my life. Having a new home built is a HUGE undertaking for this ole gal. But I'm sure Paul is happy for me and will be watching over me always.
The back of the house

Thanksgiving - all about Giving Thanks

I am a very blessed woman, for that I am Thankful!!
This year I spent Thanksgiving with my older daughters family (who I live with till my new house is built) at a Time Share Resort - Bonnet Creek - located in Orlando FL, that we booked for 4 days 3 nights. The kids had a great time in the pools and game room, plus they flew paper airplanes off the balcony (we were on the 13th floor) to one of us waiting below. My younger sister and her husband came from Jacksonville to share the day of feasting with us...and they cooked up a major portion of the "feast". They brought the Turkey & all the fixings, plus a Pecan and a Pumpkin Pie. We contributed a Ham, Rolls, Cheesecake & Carrot Cake. For all of that I am Thank - FULL!
Mariah made napkin wraps

for our dinner table


Where we "waisted" our tummies out

For Dessert we had a nice selection too


One Happy Family!



The Building Process for My new home is getting underway - For this I am Thankful.



I am still trying to figure out my New Normal Life without my sweet Paul - but I am thankful that I have the opportunities that lie ahead of me, family and friends that Love and Support me

For Florida...it was a bit on the cool side on Thanksgiving Day - when my sister and I went out to sit and watch the kids in the pool - we needed sweatshirts and an extra towel ;-) But I'm not complaining, nor were the kids.



Slip Sliding away at Bonnet Creek, Nov 2009

and Splish Splashing

Let's Get It Started.....

Went out to see if anything has been started on my new home lot..but there was only the SOLD sign up. The kids enjoyed seeing the property and ran around the small pond. Met one of the neighbors and she told me its a great neighborhood. Will check back in about 3 weeks to see if there's any building in progress. There were 2 cranes visiting the neighbors yard to the left of my lot. There will be lots of wildlife around for me to see living in this area of Florida.

Me with the Sold Sign on My New Lot

Mariah and Josh by the small pond which is stocked with blue gill

The visiting cranes

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It wasn't pretty - But we got a WIN!!

I don't think the Buffalo Bills are going to ever be a playoff team for a few years - but I do like to watch them and they will always be my HOME TOWN Team!

Moving to Florida has been an adjustment (and not a bad one ;-) ) for me - but I every so often need some comfort viewing - and a win is a win is a win...so I DO Enjoy "that" when it happens.

Other news -
I have bought my self a NEW HOME!! Its going to be Built in a gated community named Waters Edge - located about 11 miles from my daughters home in New Port Richey. It should be ready to move in late February or early March 2010.
Read all about it at http://teas2dine4.com/watersedgelot.html

Had a good October Florida Fall weekend - went out to dinner at one of my favorite spots - Carraba's and its also one of my daughters family's faves too. We celebrated that my grand kids had straight A's on their first report cards this year, and my purchasing of the house. It was a really nice evening out. There was even a classic car show outside the restaurant.