We have officially started the move! The moving company arrives tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. Yikes! So I have been working this week on separating each room into Pittsburgh-bound, storage-bound and trash. It is through this, I have started to reflect a little bit. Here is what I have learned:
1 - Movers will pack for you too! Who knew? They also insure what they pack and not what you pack. Pack away Mayflower!
2 - A 'for rent' sign in your yard brings a lot more attention than an email, word of mouth or an ad in the paper.
3 - That if you are going to ask Home Depot to match paint, don't take the vent cover, take an actual chip of paint. The vent cover color will be darker.
4 - Following up on that, don't do the full blown touch up job on the whole house until your tester spot has completely dried.
5 - That boxes you have moved 4 times without ever opening are probably safe to toss completely, but opening them first gives you peace of mind.
6 - That furniture is JUST furniture. Its okay if there isn't room for your bed and dining room table at your new home.
7 - That trying to watch everything on your DVR and eating all the food in your cabinet should NOT be goals before the movers arrive, even though they feel best.
8 - That selling a car can literally be done in a matter of hours.
9 - That renting an apartment takes less time.
10 - That it is your best friends and family that points to all the reasons you should go, not stay.
11 - That moms find packing all of your new china and keeping it in your old bedroom at their home therapeutic.
12 - That if you are going to have to move states away for a few years, doing it with the person you love most somehow makes it special.
Okay! I am sure I will have more after tomorrow...
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
brrr...
Every day this week, it has snowed in Pittsburgh. I like snow - its pretty, not particularly fond of the temperature of snow...basically, to me, snow is okay. So far, it has stayed in the 30s, so the temperature hasn't been terrible. In fact, I think Dave's friends from Kansas said it was 8 degrees in KC. Insane. I must also applaud the keeper of the roads up here. There is so much snow on the ground, but nothing (no ice, no snow, hardly any water) on the roads. They have this cold weather thing down to a fine art. They have snow plows, chemicals, etc. Very impressive.
I overhead another Texan up here talking yesterday: "It is not that people in Texas don't know how to drive on ice - NO one can! Its just that people up north have an entire state department managing their roads." Interesting point I thought...although I know my Kansas friends and family will laugh at that statement.
Today, we wake up and I can barely breath it is so stinking cold! I am thoroughly confused as the sun is out and beautiful! I have yet to see the sun here until today actually. I get to work and on my computer, the temperature reads 0 degrees, feels like - 10 degrees. I honestly thought my computer was not properly connecting to the internet. Seriously? We are now at 7 degrees, feeling like - 3 degrees. So is that the choice? Warmer (and I say that loosely) with gray, overcast skies or 'no one should ever have to experience' freezing weather with a gorgeous sunny, clear sky? Hmm...I'm debating.
I overhead another Texan up here talking yesterday: "It is not that people in Texas don't know how to drive on ice - NO one can! Its just that people up north have an entire state department managing their roads." Interesting point I thought...although I know my Kansas friends and family will laugh at that statement.
Today, we wake up and I can barely breath it is so stinking cold! I am thoroughly confused as the sun is out and beautiful! I have yet to see the sun here until today actually. I get to work and on my computer, the temperature reads 0 degrees, feels like - 10 degrees. I honestly thought my computer was not properly connecting to the internet. Seriously? We are now at 7 degrees, feeling like - 3 degrees. So is that the choice? Warmer (and I say that loosely) with gray, overcast skies or 'no one should ever have to experience' freezing weather with a gorgeous sunny, clear sky? Hmm...I'm debating.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
25 Random Things...
So I think I did a list of 5 quirks a while back. So here is a more 'in-depth' version of that list.
1 - I love regular Coke and do NOT like Pepsi.
2 - I am secretly nervous when I make coffee at home for Dave and me because the way he makes it is SO good!
3 - I really like picking out work supplies! Pens, notepads, clips, staplers, all of it!
4 - I have worn the same makeup since high school. No eye make up other than mascara and concealer. I really need some help with this! ;-)
5 - I am extremely hard on shoes! I have no idea and I wish I knew how not to be.
6 - 4 websites I check every morning: www.people.com, www.msnbc.com, www.usmagazine.com, www.foxnews.com
7 - Some of my favorite down time: In the airport right before you can board, but once you have gone through security. There is really nothing you can do but wait, get a good gossip magazine, maybe a snack.
8 - I am trying to incorporate more color in to my wardrobe. My uniform of black, gray and white is getting old.
9 - Do you spell gray/grey for the color? I prefer 'a'.
10 - People who know me best know I don't really like to dance in front of others unless there is a big crowded dance floor. Learning "Single Ladies" at someone's house - SUPER hard for me.
11 - I am secretly pumped about my new laptop in Pennsylvania because it has a finger scan to logon. No, you don't have to use it, but do I? Of course.
12 - My sweet friend, Lucia, at work told me about riding the Duquesne Incline. She said that sold her on Pittsburgh because it is a fabulous view of all the rivers coming together. I am hoping Dave and I can ride it before we leave this trip! http://incline.pghfree.net/
13 - Dave and I counted 31 Pittsburgh Steeler jerseys being donned by fans in the Pittsburgh Airport yesterday. Go Steelers! Although, we did opt out of the parade today.
14 - Natural gas work in Pennsylvania is complicated for me because they have the state, counties, cities, municipalities, townships and boroughs. What?!
15 - I love glassware and dishes to a fault. I get this from Lindsey! ;-)
16 - My mom's mom, Mimi, and I share the same birthday.
17 - I adore babies, but my heart literally skips a beat when I think about having my own. Pretty sure I just need a little more time with Dave.
18 - I love that one of the policies of the Pittsburgh office dress code includes - no open toed shoes without a pedicure.
19 - I could eat sushi and pizza 7 days a week - but not together.
20 - I will never get out of bed at the time I intend to, ever.
21 - I get really nervous when I have to make phone calls for work. Not really sure why - guess I am afraid I will come across dumb.
22 - It slightly bothers Dave that I love to watch Snapped when we go to bed at night. For those of you who don't know, that is a show about real women who have killed their husbands.
23 - I really like for all shower curtains to be drawn and Dave prefers them open.
24 - I will only order a grande or venti sized coffee from Starbucks and will NEVER drink more than a tall would allow for. (David fed me that one over my shoulder).
25 - I am off to look at the apartment (for the first time!) David picked out for us to live in and to sign the papers to rent it.
Will tag people soon!
1 - I love regular Coke and do NOT like Pepsi.
2 - I am secretly nervous when I make coffee at home for Dave and me because the way he makes it is SO good!
3 - I really like picking out work supplies! Pens, notepads, clips, staplers, all of it!
4 - I have worn the same makeup since high school. No eye make up other than mascara and concealer. I really need some help with this! ;-)
5 - I am extremely hard on shoes! I have no idea and I wish I knew how not to be.
6 - 4 websites I check every morning: www.people.com, www.msnbc.com, www.usmagazine.com, www.foxnews.com
7 - Some of my favorite down time: In the airport right before you can board, but once you have gone through security. There is really nothing you can do but wait, get a good gossip magazine, maybe a snack.
8 - I am trying to incorporate more color in to my wardrobe. My uniform of black, gray and white is getting old.
9 - Do you spell gray/grey for the color? I prefer 'a'.
10 - People who know me best know I don't really like to dance in front of others unless there is a big crowded dance floor. Learning "Single Ladies" at someone's house - SUPER hard for me.
11 - I am secretly pumped about my new laptop in Pennsylvania because it has a finger scan to logon. No, you don't have to use it, but do I? Of course.
12 - My sweet friend, Lucia, at work told me about riding the Duquesne Incline. She said that sold her on Pittsburgh because it is a fabulous view of all the rivers coming together. I am hoping Dave and I can ride it before we leave this trip! http://incline.pghfree.net/
13 - Dave and I counted 31 Pittsburgh Steeler jerseys being donned by fans in the Pittsburgh Airport yesterday. Go Steelers! Although, we did opt out of the parade today.
14 - Natural gas work in Pennsylvania is complicated for me because they have the state, counties, cities, municipalities, townships and boroughs. What?!
15 - I love glassware and dishes to a fault. I get this from Lindsey! ;-)
16 - My mom's mom, Mimi, and I share the same birthday.
17 - I adore babies, but my heart literally skips a beat when I think about having my own. Pretty sure I just need a little more time with Dave.
18 - I love that one of the policies of the Pittsburgh office dress code includes - no open toed shoes without a pedicure.
19 - I could eat sushi and pizza 7 days a week - but not together.
20 - I will never get out of bed at the time I intend to, ever.
21 - I get really nervous when I have to make phone calls for work. Not really sure why - guess I am afraid I will come across dumb.
22 - It slightly bothers Dave that I love to watch Snapped when we go to bed at night. For those of you who don't know, that is a show about real women who have killed their husbands.
23 - I really like for all shower curtains to be drawn and Dave prefers them open.
24 - I will only order a grande or venti sized coffee from Starbucks and will NEVER drink more than a tall would allow for. (David fed me that one over my shoulder).
25 - I am off to look at the apartment (for the first time!) David picked out for us to live in and to sign the papers to rent it.
Will tag people soon!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Prep work...
Okay, so I don't really know if you can get settled before you move somewhere...but I am giving it a try! I think girls (particularly) do much better in new situations when they know where they will live, where the best grocery store is located, how far they are from friends and family and of course, what shopping is available.
So I have been working on that...
I thought it was funny that my mom and my mother-in-law have both told me about specific stores they know I love. My mom told me about the Anthropologie and my Janie emailed me about the DSWs (3!) in Pittsburgh. So sweet and really encouraging! I hope that doesn't come across materialistic...its just that those places make it feel not quite so foreign.
Here are some updates on what we have found:
Living - Dave went to the Flats at Southside Works to visit with the property manager yesteday. This is an apartment complex we like. There is commercial shopping on the first floor - i.e. H&M, BCBG, Puma, Z Galleries and a Carribou Coffee. The following are some pictures Dave took of the floor plan we like.
So I have been working on that...
I thought it was funny that my mom and my mother-in-law have both told me about specific stores they know I love. My mom told me about the Anthropologie and my Janie emailed me about the DSWs (3!) in Pittsburgh. So sweet and really encouraging! I hope that doesn't come across materialistic...its just that those places make it feel not quite so foreign.
Here are some updates on what we have found:
Living - Dave went to the Flats at Southside Works to visit with the property manager yesteday. This is an apartment complex we like. There is commercial shopping on the first floor - i.e. H&M, BCBG, Puma, Z Galleries and a Carribou Coffee. The following are some pictures Dave took of the floor plan we like.
Grocery Stores - We found that they have a Whole Foods not far from the apartment. So that is exciting...I will probably use the Giant Eagle mostly as I have heard it is the best 'all-inclusive grocery store. (it drives me CRAZY you can't get cokes at Whole Foods/Central Market). Apparently, they even have a super store that is like Market Street in Lubbock (all yummy prepared things/great produce/flowers like Central Market with the not so good for you chips, cokes and cookie sections) - LOVE THAT!
Distance from Family and Friends - We would be just a short 25 minute drive from the airport! Or 20 hours to FW, 25 hours to Lubbock and only 16 to Wichita!
Here is a map of Pittsburgh...
A - our Apartment (hopefully!)
B - the closest DSW Janie found
C - the Airport!
D - the Cheesecake Factory (our parent's favorite!)
E - our Office
F - Anthropologie (thank you mom!)
G - Whole Foods
View Larger Map
It is about 5 miles from A to B. So everything is fairly close and accessible! I was shocked to learn the city has a population of only 300,000! If you know anything about Pittsburgh, please pass it along! Of course, it will be adventurous figuring it out as we go...but any heads up beforehand would be much appreciated!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Pittsburgh, here we come...
Well I have some news! David and I formally accepted an offer this week with our company to take temporary positions up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They have two unique opportunities there and we are thankful they have asked us to each head up one (David will be HBP (Held by Production) Acquisitions and I will be Municipal Acquisitions). David will be leasing/negotiating the deep rights in 3-5 counties. In other words, there are several smaller operators up there who have drilled short wells. Dale would like to negotiate a deal with them to get the deeper minerals by offering royalties, helping with their production costs, etc. It will be a great opportunity and interesting for Dave to learn about Joint Ventures, Farmouts and Joint Operating Agreements as a result. I will be working directly with Chesapeake to help put together bids to lease the municipality and state owned lands. I am excited about that because I have done some of that here and look forward to doing more of it in a different play.
We are definitely saddened by the fact that this requires us to move to Pittsburgh temporarily. We love our family and friends and honestly, are brought to tears by the thought of leaving you all or perhaps becoming further away than we already are (Dave can attest to this...it is often). We envision this project lasting 2-3 years...so we look forward to being back in Fort Worth before too long! We will also be frequent visitors for the many celebrations this year!
We will probably start traveling back and forth in the next two-three weeks. I envision we will be up there permanently by mid February. While it is difficult, we really look forward to a few years pre-children of just Dave and I on this adventure. We pray that it will strengthen our marriage and be a time we always look back on with fond memories.
We would love to have visitors up ANYTIME! For those of you who enjoy snow, maybe sooner than later! Those after my own heart, will probably want to want until summer. ;-) We ask that you keep us in your prayers as we go through this transition & hope to talk and see you all soon!
We are definitely saddened by the fact that this requires us to move to Pittsburgh temporarily. We love our family and friends and honestly, are brought to tears by the thought of leaving you all or perhaps becoming further away than we already are (Dave can attest to this...it is often). We envision this project lasting 2-3 years...so we look forward to being back in Fort Worth before too long! We will also be frequent visitors for the many celebrations this year!
We will probably start traveling back and forth in the next two-three weeks. I envision we will be up there permanently by mid February. While it is difficult, we really look forward to a few years pre-children of just Dave and I on this adventure. We pray that it will strengthen our marriage and be a time we always look back on with fond memories.
We would love to have visitors up ANYTIME! For those of you who enjoy snow, maybe sooner than later! Those after my own heart, will probably want to want until summer. ;-) We ask that you keep us in your prayers as we go through this transition & hope to talk and see you all soon!
Christmas with Addison
we were very lucky to get an addison visit in right after christmas! she is getting SO big and we just love her sweet smile. she is talking up a storm...DOGGIE! ball. car. dadda. DOC! Mia. please. love her!
love snuggling with her when she crashes in my arms.
the next morning, we celebrated christmas again. she got lots of doggies and loved showing uncle dave.
mom got her some wellies...i thought they were SO cute! she loved them!
she CRACKS up with her daddy. it is so sweet to watch.
hanging out with aunt marianne.
her fave is Doc! they both adore each other and LOVE dogs!
cracking herself up.
she is so funny. loves hugging mom like a koala bear. she thinks mom's hair is hilarious because there is so much of it.
i love you sweet niece!
Christmas
Well this was a special first Christmas for us! We started off Christmas Eve with just each other. We thought it would be fun to exchange gifts, drink champagne and enjoy our first Christmas together in our home. It was really fun!
Then we headed to my Aunt Carol's where we had dinner with my family. It was really fun! We had dinner, went to Church and then played Scene It! It was hilarious and the kids won, again. ;-)
Then we spent the night at Mom's and celebrated Christmas morning there. Marianne and I have never had matching Christmas pajamas until this year ;-) It was actually funny and they were really comfy! We had a great morning filled with lots of laughs!
My brother Mike, made this awesome book that chronicled my stepdad, Terry's football career at TCU. It was so cool! Old newspaper clippings, ticket stubs, etc.
Here is Me, Terry and Marianne.
Dave and Me
Then, we reconvened for a delicious dinner with Tom and Bernadine. After dinner, we all went to see Marley & Me. It was a GREAT movie and the perfect way to wind down the holiday festivities.
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas season!
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