The Great Purge Marches On

In an effort to be ready to move in a mere 25 days, I have committed to taking stock and clearing out one kitchen cabinet per day. On Saturday morning (before 7 am no less), I tackled the two cabinets that store dry goods and function as our pantry. First I cleared out all of the expired goods, which were about 8 cans and jars total. Then I took stock of what I could use to make meals in the next 4 weeks and, combined with what's in the freezer and the fridge, came up with dinner menu. (Please excuse the spelling. Ironic, I know; the English teacher that can't spell!)

Up for this week are chicken enchiladas, split pea soup, and Mediterranean tuna noodle casserole, as well as some chili that my mother-in-law is graciously making us. I am committed to buying only the ingredients we desparately need to complete each meal, which will most likely mean tweaking recipes slightly to use what we already have so nothing goes to waste and we don't have to move it. Perhaps these variations will prove to be even better than the original recipes I have been using for years!

It's a busy week for me. I am back to work today after a glorious 3 weeks off, tomorrow we have our home inspection, and for those of you familiar with the BTSA (otherwise known as the bane of the new teacher's existence), I have my mid-year check due on Friday. Agh! One day and one item on the checklist at a time. Hey, at least tonight's dinner is already fixed. Yay for leftover chicken enchiladas!

Give 'Em Your Best

Well folks, it turns out that we are in the middle of a bidding war. I know some people love the thrill of an auction - whether live, silent, or just ebay - but I am not that person. We got a call from our agent today explaining that there are two other offers on the house, and we needed to submit our highest and best offer by 3 pm today for consideration.

"Okay, we're still in the running," I thought. "No problem." Not quite. Turns out that Ryan did not answer his phone or respond to my panicked texts for 45 minutes. And we only had two-and-a-half hours until the new offer was due. So what's a girl to do? I drove out to his job with two possible counter offers in hand. (Thank goodness he had told me where he was working; he is a carpenter, so his location can change daily). He was up on the roof and looked more than a little surprised to see me.

Long story short, we agreed on a new figure and got the paperwork back to our agent with a half hour to spare. Now the waiting begins...

How about a closet update? I pulled about 50 items from my closet. 15 or so I am going to donate to Goodwill, and the rest I am going to consign at The Wardrobe. I even already called and made the appointment! They take 25 in-season items at one time and split the profits 50/50.

Here's my pile of winter items to consign all ready to go for next Friday's appointment: 2 leather jackets, 2 suede jackets, 2 sweater coats, 2 dresses, 2 pairs of black boots, 1 purse, 4 skirts, and the rest are sweaters, shirts, and tops.

I also have a pile of spring/summer clothing just waiting to go to The Wardrobe when the seasons change. (Found in the bags in the basket in the first photo.)

I didn't take a before photo (too embarrassing), but here's what the closet looks like now.

There's still much to purge, but 50 pieces was a lot for one day! Not sure what's up next for the great purge. Any suggestions?

Enjoying the View

Christmas, a distant speck in the rear view mirror by now, left us largely unscathed except for a stomach bug I can't seem to shake. (Could it have anything to do with the massive amounts of food we have been surrounded with? Perhaps.) Santa was quite good to us this year. I kept telling family that we are not wanting for anything, except a house...

Well, there's exciting news in that department as well! We went to look at five homes on Christmas Eve, and we were quite taken with the last house we saw: a 3 bedroom, 2 bath 1950's ranch with a 1980's addition. It's up on a hill with stunning 180 degree views from the living room, back bedroom, and porch. 

In a move that shocked me, my stoic guy - who is deliberate in every move he makes - decided he wanted to make an offer! So we did yesterday. We will not hear back about our offer until Wednesday at 5 pm, and until then I will be a nervous Nelly. We are thinking it will go to some all cash buyer who will update it's stuck-in-the-70's look, but we are holding out a little hope that it could be ours. I just keep telling myself, "If it is meant to be, it will be." Literally. It's my mantra right now. 

If by some miracle our offer is accepted, things will move quickly; it is a 30 day closing. I am having a seriously hard time wrapping my mind around the fact that there is a (slight) possibility that we could be moving in a month's time. We have been in our current house in 6 and a half years, and while we moved in with almost no furniture or stuff (besides way too many clothes), now we are packed to the gills. So, since I have another two weeks off work and since the new year is approaching, I have made it my mission to purge. Yesterday's project: the hall closet, specifically the shelf that houses our wrapping paper. (I did not think to take a before pic. I will try to get an after shot up today. It will still look sad.) Today: my closet! Wish me luck.