Update and Giveaway!

So thanks for hanging with me...we're in the midst of another move...yes, another. But this time, let's hope it's for awhile as we have found our dream home. Once we're settled in, I'll have to post some photos, but we are knee deep in painting and basement remodeling, so it's a bit of a mess.

Just wanted to say hello and tell you about the AWESOME giveaways going on at the Mom of 40 Toes blog...she reached 5000 followers - AMAZING!!! So go check her out...you won't be sorry. And enter one of the fantastic giveaways she is hosting...like this one - from one of my favorites, Gardenhouse.

Once I'm all settled in, I promise you I'll be hosting some fun giveaways of my own...so stay tuned my friends!!!

Ciao - off to pack more boxes!

And the winner is...

...could it be you? Did you enter HGTV's Dream Home Giveaway? Be sure to watch the giveaway special on Monday, March 15th 8/7 C. The giveaway had over 40,640,000 entries - wowsers!

Here are a few of my favorite Dream Homes from HGTV from years past:

My number favorite is the Tyler, TX house in 2005. It is the largest of the Dream Homes with a second house on the lake. I seriously would have dreams about this house during the contest as if I was already living in it - I knew it inside and out. *sigh* Oh, the memories...

Tyler, TX

I also loved the 2008 Dream Home in the heart of the Florida Keys as well. Remember this kitchen with that gorgeous tile? Who wouldn't want to live in a town named Islamorada (meaning 'purple island') with palm trees in your yard? I've only lived in the Midwest, so palm trees excite me. Seriously, love them.

Islamorada, FL

Another favorite is the 2006 Dream Home in Lake Lure, NC. This house had great outdoor space with picturesque views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and a really, really cool craft room. Love that shake siding detail. Nice.

Lake Lure, NC

What was your favorite HGTV Dream Home? Come back here on Tuesday the 16th - I'll be sponsoring a fun giveaway for you! No, it won't quite be a house...stay tuned!

(Images courtesy of HGTV.com)

Long time, no see...we're back!

Where does the time go? Well, last you heard we were packing up, had sold our house and moved. We are settling in...but not too much as we're unsure of whether or not we'll have to move because of a job offer. There are a few things in the works, some local or close where we would not need to move in the short term...and some are quite distant (out-of-state) to where it would behoove us NOT to unpack the non-essentials for every day living. So, we wait. And wait. And wait. Hoping some news will arrive much sooner than later...but for now, here is where we are holding camp. We love our Craftsman bungalow home and we are so blessed to have the world's best friends (old and new) - especially the builders who are renting this beauty of a model home to us. It is wonderful to be so close to family again and in familiar territory - we're sure going to enjoy it while it lasts. Updates to come once we hear more, I promise!

SOLD! SOLD! SOLD!

We cannot believe it. The house has sold in 8 days. We accepted an offer yesterday and are elated! We had multiple parties interested with a possible secondary offer to our accepted offer and a crazy, chaotic day of showing the house from morning through evening. We have mixed feelings to be leaving our home, but are soooo excited about what the future holds and our new adventure of where we may end up. Thank you to all for the wonderfully supportive emails and all the prayers - they sure did help! Eight days in today's housing market is more than we could ever expect - plus the offer was a full price offer, so we are truly blessed.

Here's the slideshow of the property again:

Now all we need to do is find a job for the hubs. And I'm not opposed to finding a job again too - we just have to line up care for our daughter during the day. Who knows, maybe I have a future back in real estate or staging (or a combo of the two)!?! I'll be keeping you updated on any new developments - again, thanks for all the support!

Hello Strangers! Where in the World Have We Been?!?

Well, some of you have emailed me since I haven't posted in quite some time...and I wanted to give you an update on what has been going on behind the scenes here. All is well (thanks for the concerns), but quite busy. At the end of July, my husband's company identified positions they were eliminating with their corporate restructure and unfortunately, his position was one of them. It is sad - I know so many people, many with families, that are in the same situation that we are now in.

Soooo, in addition to looking for new employment, we have decided to put our house up for sale so we can easily relocate to wherever we find new employment. It's been a little crazy trying to get a house prepped to show in two weeks...with a very active toddler. The sign went up in the yard today and the listing is online locally here, so it is OFFICIAL. Yikes. Talk about mixed feelings and emotions. At the same time we are sad to be packing up and moving from our house here that we love, love, love, we are very excited as to the new journey we now will begin in pursuit of finding our next home and work.

If you know of anyone who is interested in a very well-maintained character home that is 2.5 blocks from a wonderful park (lots of gorgeous mature trees, outdoor heated pools, lighted tennis courts, tons of kids gym equipment and outdoor pavilions), please let me know and I can send you more information. The photos of our house can be found to the right on the moving slide presentation. Feel free to take a peek and leave us a comment in this post- we would love to hear from you!

Lastly, if any of you know of a position for a Marketing Communications professional (5-10 years experience) with project and product management experience in a CPG (consumer packaged goods) or creative environment (the hubs also has graphic design skills) - PLEASE email me or leave a comment (seriously) - we are open to relocating within the US. Thanks so much!

Hopefully I'll be able to keep a semi-regular blogging schedule, but I'm not making any promises...I forgot how much work it is to prep a house, prepare for a move and still have a somewhat normal life with a family - yikes! Wish us luck!