Monday, July 27, 2015

13 Years later and it’s finally for sale!

13 years ago (almost to the week) I bought my first home. A condo close to USF. My dad said it would be a good investment. I felt like such a grown up. But now, 13 years later, I have a family with one more on the way and NEED to sell it so that we can get into a bigger space.

So if you know anyone looking to relax in sunny Florida PLEASE pass on this listing to them. It’s close to the city and all that it offers, but located on the river at the end of a road so it’s quiet. So quiet that some nights I hear the frogs!

http://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/2101584870_zpid/1_pnd/28.048651%2c-82.369266%2c27.97477%2c-82.480846_rect/13_zm/1_fr/?view=map

And here are some extra pictures that I took to wet your appetite.

IMG_0344IMG_0345IMG_0346IMG_0347IMG_0348IMG_0349IMG_0352IMG_0350IMG_0351IMG_0353IMG_0354IMG_0356IMG_0359IMG_0357IMG_0358IMG_0360IMG_0361

It’s a 2/2 2nd floor unit with 1271 SF. Walk in closets, lots of attic and storage space and a screened in patio.

It’s been a great place to live, but it’s time to move on.

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

HERE WE GO AGAIN!

2/23/15
I am shocked.
Beyond shocked. Floored. amazed completely and utterly surprised.
I am pregnant.
when my period didn't come the day it was supposed to, or the next day or the next I finally took a test.  I had spotting earlier in the week, once, so i thought "that's it, I'm not pregnant" And just started the waiting game.
Well i am. When i went back into the bathroom after the 3 min and saw that second line i burst into tears. I honestly couldn't believe it. I really didn't think i'd get pregnant again, and i was OK with it. I was shaking i was so surprised. I told charlie and when i asked her what was in mommy's belly she said  a baby.
When Adam got home from work an hour or so later i told him. He looked a little confused as he crawled into bed. It wasn't the reaction i was expecting since he didn't feel good, but he's excited and happy.
I actually told Tara first because i was so freaked out and Adam didn't answer his phone. she's excited. Heck i'm excited. I'm nervous, scared, but i'm definitely excited.
I love Charlie so much, and i think the thing that worries me the most is how i can spread that love. but i'm sure i'll be able to do it. :)

Right now i'm feeling good. Gassy and bit crampy my breasts feel heavy but that's it. Oh and i'm tired, but i'm always tired. Also i'm super hungry all the time and i can smell anything from a mile away.
Lets hope these next 4 weeks go smoothly.
2/25/15
At work today i'm feeling a twinge queesy. almost like i have nerves.
but i am still very very apprehensive about this pregnancy. i think it's because of the spotting i had a week ago...Adam said call your dr. if you're worried. But you know, what is my Dr. going to be able to do... So as of now i'm just holding tight and hoping all goes well! i will call my dr. soon to schedule the apt...but i'm still just not convinced this is the real deal...

3/9/15
6 weeks and the queasiness is kicking in. Nothing bed binding, but it's annoying non the less. like i could be sick at any min. This whole thing is still so surreal. I go see the dr. tomorrow. Adam has a meeting so I'm going solo. So different this time around. But new job and new responsibilities i guess. It still really hasn't sunk in and when i do start to think seriously about it and having another child it does kind of freak me out. But i know we'll adjust and do fine and love # 2 just as much as we do our Charlie girl. The dr. office called to let me know they got the first round of blood tests back and it was high with the HCG levels...so i'm def pregnant. I've told Stephanie, Felicia, Tara and accidentally Alyssa and Leah-and possibly Josh. oops. My parents are visiting...so i think i may tell them after i see the dr...but we'll see. I'm just wishy washy about this whole thing.  I guess after i see the little bugger it will get real really fast :)

3/27/15
8.5 weeks. So after being drop dead tired and queezy all day long i woke up this week feeling completely normal. It didn't even hurt when i took off my bra. So of course I worry that something is array. I really really don't think i will be ok/comfortable with all this until after our next appointment at 10 weeks. The first dr. apt confirmed my pregnancy and put me a few days ahead of where we calculated. We will stay with the Nov 1 due date however. I did take another test this week, Stephanie said to do it to help me feel better. But i just think back to my first pregnancy where i didn't know for 3 weeks that i had miscarried! I didn't even have any signs other than the little bit of blood on the TP.
So as happy as we'll be to have another child I just can't get excited until i'm a little further along. I still don't believe it. Especially when I'm feeling this normal!
We did tell my parents when they were down here and they are so excited, but under strict orders to keep mum! Joseph and Jen know as do Jimmy and Monica. We will tell Adam's dad after our apt on the 8th. Then I guess we'll see if we let the cat out of the bag.

5/2015
17.5 weeks. This pregnancy has been super easy. Like I said before after 8 weeks I've felt fine. But since then we've gotten to see our little bugger on the big screen (and he measured way bigger!) Yes, I said HE. It's a boy. Nuts, crazy and so lucky that we will get one of each. My due date is now moved to the 26th of October, so baby will come around the 20th. So far all is well and progressing smoothly. Fingers crossed it continues this way for the next 22 weeks. The name game has begun and I think it will be a long drawn out game...kind of like these NHL playoffs! ha ha ha


Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Project Pie: Weeks 18 & 19

I’ve been slacking on the pie posts. We have continued to make pie, but I’ve been lacking the enthusiasm in this whole pie project. Maybe it’s because the holidays are coming up. The next 4 weeks have a lot for us: thanksgiving, Charlie's bday, my bday and Christmas. So I’m a little distracted.

But on week 18 Adam found himself in the chapter that held both Pumpkin and Pecan pie. So he decided to make both. Yep, he made two pies in one week. hr_0840_534_043__0840534043009The pecan pie was so good our daycare provider asked if he’d make her one for her thanksgiving dinner. The pumpkin pie was also good, but I’m not a huge pumpkin pie fan so I’m not a good judge. Adam said it was good. Tomorrow he’ll be making more pecan pies. hr_0840_534_562__0840534562009Last week I was on refrigerator pies and since Publix had a sale on fresh raspberries I chose Raspberry Chiffon pie. IMG_2055

I asked Adam to make my crust since he’s really good at it and I didn’t feel like making one (and my lack of enthusiasm).  The pie itself was pretty simple. Just a lot of cooling and chilling and things like that. I really enjoyed licking the spoon too…it was yummy!IMG_2056IMG_2057IMG_2058IMG_2060

When it was finally ready to eat I was pleasantly surprised how much it tasted like my grandmas go to Christmas dessert: Raspberry Fluff (insert grandma “do you know how expensive raspberries are getting? I don’t think I can make it next year” but she did)

IMG_2061IMG_2064

The pie probably could have been a little more set. I may have not cooked the Jell-O as much as I should or got it hot enough, but it was still edible without making a huge mess and we all enjoy it!

This week I reminded Adam it was his turn to make a pie and he’s on Ice Cream… I have a feeling we might be skipping this week since he’s already making pecan pies! Besides I’m pretty sure an ice cream pie would be perfect for Charlie’s Birthday week!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Project Pie:Week 17

I got to chose the cream pie this week and my choice?

S’moreIMG_1899It looked pretty easy to make so I tackled it one morning before I left on a business trip.

I bought the crust (I know I’m such a cheater) And I planned to use the Hershey's bars Charlie got from trick or treating so there wasn’t much I needed to get.

IMG_1863IMG_1865

Well of course when you think something will be quick and easy, It never is. First off one of my yokes broke. So I was trying to get yoke out of my whites. Second I realized as I was mixing in the vanilla pudding we had at the house the word “regular” was italicized and it made me think, what do they mean. Well one quick glance at my instant pudding mix box I realized that in 1978 they probably had a choice…cooktop pudding or instant. So 15 minutes later I’m still stirring and waiting for my mixture the thicken. In the end I figured I could deal with it when I got back from my trip and thicken it up with some tapioca.

IMG_1864

Flash forward 2 days I get home and the pudding is pretty think and chilled in my fridge. So I decide I’ll just use it and I assemble my pie and start to beat the egg whites.

IMG_1893IMG_1894

And I’m beating and beating and beating. While I’m beating I see the Tips section for making meringue. 1. Use room temperature eggs (pulled mine right out of the fridge) 2. Any small amount of yoke could ruin the meringue (we all know how that went) IMG_1895

Finally after a good 20 min my whites formed stiff peaks and I was able to get the pie in the oven. Then I cooled it before I put it in the fridge to chill.

IMG_1896IMG_1898

Charlie went to bed and we cut into it looking forward to some gooey goodness. It wasn’t really gooey, you call it runny. IMG_1902

Overall the flavor was there. But the chocolate and the marshmallows hadn’t melted at all. And because there were only chocolate pieces some bites didn’t even have any. The pudding mix basically took over.  In the end I couldn’t finish mine and Adam though it was ok, just not the S’mores taste he wanted.

So will we make it again? Maybe, but with a lot of tweaking!!

Next week Adam is going to skip ahead so that Pumpkin Pie falls on Thanksgiving week. 

Friday, October 31, 2014

Happy Halloween

We’re off trick-or-treating with our little Elmo!

IMG_1760[1]

We hope you all have a safe, fun and candy filled night!

BOO!!

(and no I did not dress like this to go trick or treating with little kids!)

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Project Pie: Week 16

Wow. 16 weeks of pie and my pants still fit!
This week brought us back to the beginning and fruit pies. Adam chose French Crunch Peach pie. IMG_1780
Peach pie is my all time 2nd favorite pie (behind blueberry) And this recipe is one for the books. It’s not as good as mom’s but it’s good!
Of course he made the perfect crust.IMG_1779
Mixed it all and up and dumped it in.
Charlie helped with the topping:IMG_1782
IMG_1784IMG_1785
Baked itIMG_1786
And ate it warm!
IMG_1787
mmm good!
Crunch on top isn’t too overpowering and the egg gives it bit of a custard flavor, but it all works well together. It’s not too sweet so adding ice cream is a welcomed topping.

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Project Pie-Week 15

I had ice cream pie this week and since my folks were in town I thought I’d let them choose. So my dad picked out a mocha pie. I nixed that since adam won’t touch anything coffee and decided on Banana Split pie. Dad was fine with the choice.
IMG_1723[1]
First thing, I didn’t feel like making a pie crust so I bought a gram cracker crust. The rest was pretty simple. Just a lot of waiting for things to freeze.
IMG_1717IMG_1718IMG_1719
When it came time to do the chocolate topping (at 10pm) I found out that in fact I didn’t have a bag of marshmallows like I thought I did. So we just used Hersey's syrup. (I know I’m really failing on this easy pie)IMG_1720
But mom and dad both liked it!
Dad didn’t want to share. I only cut one piece because it wasn’t quite set yet.IMG_1721
Adam and I thought it was ok. It was easy, but it won’t be going on the “top 10” list.