Adjusting to Alabama

I apologize for the lack of recent posts . . . and that there are no pictures in this post. I don't even know where my camera is, really! But, the good news is that we are here and moved and happy.

I was so freaked out about moving that I did a ridiculous amount of research on movers. I don't know what is worse, moving or worrying about the movers travelling 800 miles with your stuff! Well, it turns out that moving is worse because the movers did a decent job. Not 100% perfect, but good enough that I haven't yet called to complain. I didn't say I wasn't going to call and complain . . . but I haven't called yet which means they did a decent job.

Once the movers "moved" our stuff into the new house, we had help from my parents, my brother, and all my aunts. And although I suspect most visits these days are to see the baby (who is almost 1 y'all!) this time they really came to help - and help they did! A week after the movers left we have one level completely organized (well, nearly) and one level in pretty good shape! So a giant THANK YOU to everyone who helped!

I have missed out on so much to discuss since I have been a slacker about the blog . . . but I can tell you the most Alabama thing that has happened so far . . . so inbetween the movers packing us up in Baltimore and the arrival of the furniture in Alabama I decided that I HAD to paint Connor's room and the adjoining bedroom. Originally Connor's room was pink and the adjoining room was a green apple color. So, Connor's room took 2 coats of "Cakestand Blue" - who has a blue cakestand anyway? But I absolutely LOVE the color!! Since the adjoining room is functioning as our office at the moment -- I just couldn't live with the apple green. So, I painted it a boring buttercream color (also love it!). As I was painting away on day 2.5/3 of painting the doorbell rang (which scared the crap out of me since I had never heard the doorbell ring) and my roller snapped in half! So, looking pretty scary/ scared I went to the door. It was the mailman. He promptly introduced himself. "You must be Mrs. Moorhouse, I'm Snapper, your mailman." Luckily someone mentioned that our mailman might be named Snapper - otherwise I truly would have laughed out loud! {Snapper has his own sports television show for local teams - so he is "well-known" in the community}. Snapper proceeded to tell me that he would take care of getting any mail addressed to the prior owners to them but if one or two pieces were accidentally delivered on Saturday (his day off) I should just put them in the mailbox for him on Monday and he would take care of it! WHAT? This guy is really nice and making my life easy! Where am I? Oh, right, Alabama. He continued to explain how mail delivery works and if I have any questions or concerns about my mail delivery, I should just leave him a note in the mailbox and he would stop in and discuss the matter with me. REALLY? I was in shock! I was also sooo sad that Colin wasn't home to hear this! I mean, THIS IS THE SOUTH! Or maybe this is just our super cool mailman. In any event, Snapper doesn't know that we are just so happy to actually have our OWN mailbox - rather than a shared box, 6 houses down, that requires a key to open and only fits a TINY amount of mail. Our own mailbox and a nice mailman! So far, so good . . .

Countdown to Closing . . .

So we are supposed to close on the new house tomorrow - although I am still silghtly hesitant that something will go wrong. I have spent the past week completing administrative tasks to get us ready for the closing/ move. Today I have had to follow up with ALL of the people because nothing that I requested to be done has been done. So annoying! There are so many unemployed people and yet some people that have jobs don't do their job!

Part of my weekend was shopping for a new washer/ dryer because apparently no one here leaves the washer/ dryer. Now, to me, I am thrilled to leave my washer/dryer because who wants to have to pay to move it?? So, I was looking forward to purchasing the cool front-loader washer/ dryer for our new place. I did some research and found out that you have to keep the door to the washer open until it is completely dry inside otherwise mold grows on the seal. Now, who wants to have to do that? especially with kids/ pets? does anyone have a front-loader that you like and doesn't have this "mold" issue? I am probably going to just have to constantly dry the inside of the washer because the space we have doesn't allow for a top loader. Comments apprecaited! Thanks.

Happy Father's Day!

We are enjoying the lake and wonderful weather!!!



So I waited to buy Father's Day cards until we got to the Lake. I went to this fancy neighborhood grocery store. Shocking - they didn't have a section for Father's Day. That said, I did find appropriate cards. Colin's has a baby eating breakfast "Snap, Crackle . . . Poop". I am not sure which category that falls in (it was under birthday but didn't say Happy Birthday). My dad's card is a congrats card for new parents - but didn't say Congrats on your new little one - just discussed the "benefits" of fatherhood. So, I got lucky.

Playing Catch Up

So, I have slacked off with the blog recently -- mainly due to the fact that we are busy and tired. But, I must be better about it. I must confess I have been following my other favorite blogs but not updating my own (which is terrible!). Anyway, we are safely in Birmingham (not forever) but for a few weeks. Connor is starting to adjust (i.e. he is starting to sleep a little better at night) to central time and the HEAT. I love it (high of 96 today)!

Connor is now 10 months old (as of this past Sunday) Hard to believe I get to start planning the 1st birthday party(ies) soon. I think we are going to have to have 2 this year (at least). I am thinking I want the theme to be The Very Hungry Caterpillar. There is an adorable cake pan from Williams Sonoma that I love. At 10 months, Connor still isn't walking but we think it could be any day (preferably he will wait until we are moved and have baby gates). He knows peek-a-boo and initiates it. He loves to read books and play with blocks. He waves hello and good bye. Here are a few pics of Connor at 10 months in his new monkey shirt from Auntie Cathy. He is shaking the Cheerios like a maraca.





Before we left for Birmingham, we got together with Connor's cousin Brandon and family for dinner. Of course we all had a great time. Connor enjoyed playing with Brandon's toys and his godmother.



We believe we are going to settle on our new house on the 30th (I say "we believe" because in our world, what can go wrong - sometimes does). Assuming all goes as planned, we will own two homes by July (yippee).

In other news, our friends Laurel and Troy welcomed the arrival of Miss Mia earlier this month. Congrats!

MOVERS . . . soliciting comments

Okay people! I need mover recommendations ASAP. If you have used movers that are great - or terrible PLEASE let me know! THANKS.

Countdown to DTV

There are only 9 days left until I can finally escape from the constant reminders in commercials and on the news that networks will broadcast in exclusively in digital (not analog)! Seriously, is anyone else sick of these "reminders"?? The "TRANSITION" was supposed to occur back in February (and I was sooo looking forward to that day). Then, just as the day approached . . . Congress granted an extension - in case someone wasn't AWARE of the transition day. In case someone wasn't ready for the transition!! After months and months of reminders - who wasn't ready??? I mean, come on people! I only hope that June 12th is the day that the transition occurs and we can STOP THE MADNESS! (Thanks for letting me vent)

Our House

We have a contract on our new house! Although this isn't the first house we put an offer on . . . it is "ours" assuming nothing goes wrong with the inspection, insurance, etc. I am a little afraid of jinxing it with a post . . . now we just need to sell our house here. The shutters have been painted to match the door (chocolate brown). It is certainly big enough to entertain guests for any of you that want to come and visit!