A Sight for Forgetful Eyes - Ryan Homes Build

I had a weekend-day off and as a family we had nothing planned - finally! So as a spur of the moment thing, we drove to Maryland to visit the Ernest Hemingway model. I did not realize this model existed until reading through Brandon's blog [building with Ryan Homes - Park Place] about the journey of building an Ernest Hemingway alongside his wife. Literally the only blog that I can find in regards to an Ernest Hemingway model. Where are you EH builders?! :)

Anyway, it was refreshing to see because it's been a few months since we've seen the home. The other EH model in Charlottesville is honestly almost the same. They are different elevations with the one having a half porch versus a full porch, also one has an attached garage (no bonus room) and the other a detached.

The front entrance to the model was locked, so we walked around back and went in the back door that led directly to the kitchen. Directly is an understatement because I about walked right into the bar extending from the kitchen. If there is no dinette/morning room, there is what seems to be a foot in between the door and the bar.

It was awesome to see the double ovens in person. I was a bit skeptical about how they would look because I assumed the area would just feel so cramped losing the extra counter space. Completely opposite. I am excited we went with the double ovens now.

I fell in love with this dining room. I have two very different ideas floating in my head now. I am literally not going to know what to do until I am in my own space. Originally, I was thinking of doing a beadboard type dining room which we have seen in another model and it was incredibly stunning. But after seeing this model, it was so light and airy and just the most perfect shade of blue that I fell in love. Very tastefully done! We got the level 2 trim specifically for the fact that I did not want the wainscoting because we would remove it to apply the board and batten.. I have been second guessing myself since signing for the level 2, thinking of the level 3. Although, I know all the extra trim is very easily completed as a DIY, also.

It was extremely difficult to get a picture to do the Master shower justice. This is specifically the bathroom that we will be getting with the 4-bedroom layout with the shower only feature in the Master. We did request the shower pan be tiled which did get approved and I cannot wait to see that! The bathroom does appear as a hall in a sense - when you walk in the bathroom the closet is on the left and the double sinks on the right. When you walk through to the "next section" the shower is on the left and the toilet on the right. The window you see in the shower is just a reflection, as it is actually a square window located between the shower and the toilet. When we go to our pre-construction meeting we are going to request that the drywall that separates the shower/toilet combo from the closet/sinks be either raised or changed into an arch, because it really makes the room feel crowded. I'd like to take the most advantage of the 9ft ceilings as possible. The other bathroom pictured is the hall bath. I'm really crossing my fingers that the tile in the shower goes above the shower head.

We took a different way home so that we could stop by the model that mimics our kitchen cabinets, granite, and flooring. It was so refreshing to see as well!

There is no way to do the flooring adequate justice in pictures. I can not for the life of me determine the true color of it. Misty Gray is such a misleading color name, because there are hues of black and brown in addition to the gray.. and I LOVE it! It also appears so different in certain shades of lighting.

We have kind of put to the side the fact that we chose the metal balusters until we saw them in person again. Another exciting feature that I look forward to seeing in my own home. Our stairs will be wooden and stained to match the hardwood throughout the first floor with white baseplates. Another unknown of what it will look like in person, but I can't wait! :)

We continue on with the waiting game while the crew finishing laying the plumbing/sewer and road for the development and then, with fingers crossed, we will have our pre-construction meeting! I'm sure it will be mid-August. Simply enough, I will just continue to be patient because it is going to be so rewarding in the end. We cannot be grateful enough for what the future holds! :)

A Time and a Season for Everything

I am coming to terms with there being a time or season for everything. We have been out of our previous home for 1.5 years. By the time we close, it will be 2 years. It feels as if it has been a long time coming. Except, by the time we are in there it will feel like the time we waited, was no time at all. I know that. That is what seems to happen with every season. It seems to drag on eternally, until one day you look back and realize that the season has passed. 

So, I am learning to be patient. That is a characteristic that I have attempted to master these past few years. All things come with time and there is no sense in rushing things because sooner or later they will turn out the way they are supposed to. Sometimes, I have think I have become too lax in that regard. But as my dad has always mentioned  "haste makes waste".

So I am going to appreciate this season for what it is. In the end, I will have a beautiful home to share with my family. A chance to start over new.

This will be the 2nd entrance (plus sewer) into our community, the newest development changes since the last week.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 There is an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth: a right time for birth and another for death, a right time to plant and another to reap, a right time to kill and another to heal, a right time to destroy and another to construct, a right time to cry and another to laugh, a right time to lament and another to cheer, a right time to make love and another to abstain, a right time to embrace and another to part, a right time to search and another to count your losses, a right time to hold on and another to let go, a right time to rip out and another to mend, a right time to shut up and another time to speak up, a right time to love and another to hate, a right time to wage war and another to make peace. God made everything beautiful in itself and in its time - but he's left us in the dark so we can never know what God is up to, whether he's coming or going. I've decided that there's nothing better to do than go ahead and have a good time and get the most we can out of life. That's it - eat, drink, and make the most of your job. It's God's gift. I've also concluded that whatever God does, that's the way it's going to be, always. God's done it and that's it. That's so we'll quit asking questions and simply worship in holy fear.

Decor Deals - Joann Fabrics & Kohl's

I love a good deal. That's all I can say.. and it seems that 4th of July sales are almost always the best ones around. We still have quite a few months before we have the chance to see our home built and go to closing, so the best I can do is shop now. At least I will be prepared to decorate when we do close, because after closing? We will officially be broke paying a brand new mortgage. ;)

As Marissa from A Rome of Our Own wrote, "We have 6 ceiling fan pre-wires, and six months until move in, so we're planning on purchasing a ceiling fan a month so they will be all ready to go when the house is ours."

I LOVE this idea. We have a list of things that we need and are going to start by attempting to purchase them the way that Marissa mentioned. It seems like logical sense, but is also so hard to commit to a "design" when we don't really know what the feel of the house will be. Is that weird? Maybe so..

Last week, I got a great deal on some decor from Joann's when I began searching their site. At least 1-2x per week, I get an email for 40-50% off a regularly priced item. I think that is an awesome deal. But this coupon aside, they are currently having 70% off their Summer items. Online you can also find the code for either 15% off total purchase or free shipping. My biggest disappointment? The clock turned out to have a green casing when I received it, instead of what appears to me, grey. Nonetheless, I still love it! The blue tray is adorable and is just the kind of tray I had been looking for, so the price couldn't be beat. And the American pride decor? I have plans for decorating our mantle each holiday season. I think the freedom sign will go perfectly with the metal star painted with the American flag that I've had hidden away for over a year. Cheers!

$100 on clearance for $30

$30 on clearance for $9

$10 on clearance for $4 (this is not metal, it is paper)

Appears sold out

$30 on clearance for $9

And by no means am I writing this post on behalf of Joann for compensation. I just like passing on a GREAT deal! :) We also found two clearance mirrors at Kohls last weekend when looking for a bridal shower gift for a friend. We are going to attempt to switch out the standard RH mirrors in each of the bathrooms. The ones that we picked up were too good to pass up and will go in our master bath. They definitely have their share of scratches, but it adds to their character (or I'm defending them?). In person they appear to almost be black, while the ones I found online that are the same style/price are gray. Should I switch the "black" ones I have for the grey ones online? I'm really going to have to think about that one..

$100 on sale for $40 (plus earn Kohl's cash)

I don't even know if I should be questioning it. I love this gray look.. I will probably be exchanging the ones that I have. I don't really shop at Kohl's very much, but I think I may start doing so. Especially now that I have earned some Kohl's cash & have a gift card from Kohl's that I won during Nurses Week this year. When I do stop by, I head straight to their clearance section. Another mans trash is another mans treasure! :) I've acquired great pictures and picture frames from them in the past. So, anyway, it is baby steps at this point when it comes to acquiring home goods. 

Any one have any good recommendations for places to ship online? I know of Wayfair and Joss & Main online. I'd love to be introduced to other great shops. :)