The Wait Is Over!

Ahhhh, I can finally share the GREAT news!!

The bf and I finally got the word from the underwriter-we are approved for first our home loan!!!

I have been waiting for this call since March. From the constant back and forth with the loan counselor, from things looking good then bad, and now the approval we were waiting for.

We started looking at townhomes back in March. Our thought is that even with a home, we would have a yard which is constant up keep along with money. Right now with the bf still in school, we wanted a place that we could own, not one that would own us on the weekends. Thats how we decided on a townhome.

I immediately fell in love with our community as soon as we drove in. It has town homes, single family homes, a few pools, clubhouse, gym, even an elementary school. The community itself sold it. Then the prices along with the options to customize it OUR way and build it from the ground up was an offer we couldnt turn down. We thought it over for maybe a week and then put down our deposit. Ever since we have been paying off debts and saving our pennies. At this point, the house is in the dry wall phase. There are projecting closing on August 17th! This all seems surreal. We picked out our appliances, our cabinets, our floor-everything for our first home. I'm so excited and I'm so relieved to finally enjoy the process!!

Still Waiting...

After finalizing everything with the loan counselor, all we are waiting for is the go ahead from the underwriter. She agreed everything looks good, and we just needed the final approval. So, as it sits, I'm playing the waiting game. Putting everything I have into savings, living off as little as possible, all in hopes that in August I will be closing on a home! The suspense is killing me!

Other than sitting on pins and needles, I had one glorious week off. Minus the few days of smoke (thanks a lot wildfires) I thoroughly enjoyed floating in the pool, sleeping in, and enjoying one or multiple margaritas! It was so nice to take a step back from work and just enjoy my days of having nothing to do. I also got to spend some much needed time with the bf. We celebrated our 3 year anniversary last Wednesday! I really cant believe we have been together 3 years. I woke up to breakfast in bed, which I've never had before. It was followed by a day of being little kids of Dave & Busters, lunch out, then a fancy pants dinner on the water at Charthouse. Overall, a great time. The whole week did my good. The bf and I reconnected, I soaked up some sun, and I feel rejuvenated in general.

I guess for this week I will go back to waiting...

A Glimmmer of Hope

Well, today brought a little bit of good news!

I heard from the company I'm applying for a home loan through. I have been working on my debts and have paid alot off in the last few months. I re-submitted all my information about a week ago and today I finally heard back. As long as the FHA didnt change any guidelines that effect me, then my numbers look good and I could be approved for the townhome we want! I should be getting the phone call tomorrow to go over everything, but today was a step in the right direction.

Its surreal to think that in a few months I could be a homeowner. It's so adult sounding. Since March (when we started looking), this has been weighing on my mind, and it so so stressful. I've been having headaches and feeling anxious. All I really want is a decision one way or the other, a place the bf and I can call our own. Keeping my fingers crossed!!

Time Off & Future Plans

Well, spending time with friends was great! Between the bbq and going out, it was much needed to catch up. I think having the time off worked was much needed too. I've been feeling pretty burnt out lately and having time away couldnt have come at a better time.

Speaking of vacation, I actually have a short week this week and then I'm off for an entire week. Back in January when we picked our vacation, I took my first week in June for the bf and I's 3 year anniversary. We planned on going to Chicago, but we are trying to save money for a new place, so that trip got cancelled. I think I'm just looking forward to having a week with no real plans..no work, no getting up early, just relaxing, and hopefully lots of tanning!

Other than that, I'm just trying to figure out future plane. Saving for a new place has been quite the undertaking. I've paid off all my credit cards and my car is about a few payments away from being paid off. I'm excited for how much I've accomplished financially, but nervous for what lies ahead. A potential mortgage is so adult sounding. No official news yet, just taking things day by day and within the month should have some news one way or another.

Hoping to get through the work week and on to vacation! Woohoo, happy (almost over) Monday!

Working for the Weekend

Ahhh, I really need to get better at this. I promise this is my last post about what a slacker I am!
I guess I just dont have much excitement going on. Or if I do, its not "finalized" so I'm not ready to write about it yet! (cross your fingers, for big news!)

I'm staying extremely busy with work and working out. I joined a new gym last week and I really like it. I also really like the extreme discount I got. I'm running a 5K this saturday though. It's my first race since the River Run, so I'm looking forward to it.

I guess I just cant wait for this weekend because some amazing friends are coming! Sometimes you just need people you love around, and its one of those times! I'm looking forward to having time off and spending it with people I care about. Only a day and a half of work stand between me and my extra long weekend.

Ok enough random post

Its Been Awhile

So, its been a while.
After the GRR I took a break from running and working out. I felt I needed an deserved it. Plus, after all your energy and focus has been on something like that, you sort of deflate afterwards. I needed time to relish the moment and come down from all the training.

Now, after all that, not too much is going on. Continuing with the trainer (not for much longer), not really worrying about the running right now, just more on working out. I feel rejuvenated and inspired to keep living this way and make the push to be exactly where I want. I'm starting to feel happy with myself and thats a place I havent been in years!

Besides that I've been having a bit of a pity party for myself. Alot of my friends are getting married, moving to new places, having babies, and I've felt stagnant. I feel like I'm stuck in the same position, trying to move forward, but getting nowhere. I'm kind of in the process of buying/building a town home. With loans the way they are these days, nothing is guaranteed, so I havent wanted to blog about it and get my hopes up. The process is more than stressful and crazy, and truthfully I dont know that it will go through. I have decided that whatever happens will happen. I'm genuinely excited for the people in my life, and I know things will happen for me when they are supposed to!

GRR Recap

Well I survived yet another Gate River Run.

I was nervous getting up that morning, but stayed calm and had a good breakfast. Once we got downtown I hit that bathrooms then spent my time warming up and trying to shake off the nerves. Once we lined up, I immediately had to pee again. I wasnt sure if it was nerves or if I really had to go. Either way, thats all I could think about. I knew I wasnt going to stop along that race at the port a lets, so I had to run through it.

Starting out the race I was pissed. This year walkers were supposed to start 5 min after the runners, or atleast further back, but I spent the entire first mile or so dodging people walking right into the middle of the road. I mean did they not get the memo?! As I got more furstrated I realized I was wasting alot of energy getting mad, when I needed to focus it and save it for when I needed it.

At mile 2, I hit the Main Street Bridge, and I felt great. I got through the first 5 miles with no problem. My mom, Marie, and I talked the entire time. I even stayed a little bit ahead of them. I kept to my plan and stopped at the water stations along the way so I wouldnt have to at the foot of the Hart Bridge. I saw a friends mom betweenmile 6 and 7 and it gave me the boost that I needed. Right about mile 7 on that long stretch, we all agreed it was almost time for the 'Green Monster' so my turned on our ipods. I put on my running beidge and rounded the corner with the bridge in sight. I was so determined when I got to the foot of it, and I just told myself to take baby steps and not to rush going up, so I wouldnt get winded. I keot running and waited for it to get hard, but it never did. With each step I felt stronger, like I was making up for last year. I finally ran exactly like I wanted to. I wasnt dragging to the finish, I was running this bridge and the last mile of this race exactly like I had hoped for in my head. I even had enough energy to sprint to the finish.

Last year I ran the race in 1:58, and I made my goal which was under 2 hours. This year my goal was 1:45, but a friend said to try for 1:50. Well I met in the middle. My time was 1:47, 11 minutes faster than last year! And I truly feel like it could have been faster if I wasnt dodging walkers half the race. Either way, I ran the race I wanted to and I was thrilled with the outcome!
I enjoyed the free beer after as well-Cheers to another GRR!!