Change of Plans!

So Mike and I have had an interesting week trying to buy this house. We put in an offer on Friday, and since then, it's been back and forth, back and forth with the seller. She was being really shady about the contract agreements, and she was asking for more than what the house is worth. After talking with the real estate agent about it, she advised us to maybe look at another place to scare the seller a little, and maybe she would meet us halfway on the price.

Well, we took her advice, and looked in a neighborhood that we hadn't looked at yet...and we FELL IN LOVE with it. Mike and I were jumping up and down, we loved it so much! The other house that we looked at needed work in the kitchen and the bathrooms, and the appliances were a little dated, but we were willing to put in the work. The place we saw today was in AMAZING condition, and the only thing we would have to do is finish the basement. The people living there now already did most of the work, and all it needs is drywall. PLUS, all the appliances come with the house, and they are much newer! We went back to the mortgage people, and we found out that our monthly payment is LOWER, our taxes are LOWER, and the closing costs are LOWER!!!! We can't believe it, and we are SO excited!!!! I tried posting some pictures, but it wouldn't let me, so here is the website:

http://www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/propertydetail.aspx?property=4fe9a940-d6a1-4588-b12a-689029c63aa5


Mike and I are going to the real estate agent TODAY to put in an offer so we can close in March, and that way we can have the house empty for a whole month before we start the payments on the house!

Guys, can't wait to have you all down so you can see!!!! I'll let you know what happens...and hopefully these sellers will be nicer!

Steelers, movies, and just plain ol' venting

I know....

I'm a sell out. I've been a Bills fan all my life, and the moment I change cities, my allegiance is gone. But for the first time in my life I'm watching good football! And it has made me become a screaming, yelling, ESPN watching, lover of the sport. I can't get enough of it, and I have no shame!

And I just have to say that the last 4 minutes of the Steelers game this past Sunday (and to those of you who watched it, you know what I'm talking about) was the most intense four minutes of football I've ever watched, and I hope that the Steelers don't scare me like that again this week! Ya'll better be rooting for my team this weekend! And Mom, don't let dad persuade you into becoming a Denver fan! Hold fast!

~~~~~

So for the first time last night, I went to the movies by myself. It was an interesting experience. I've been wanting to see Memoirs of a Geisha for weeks, and Mike keeps making excuses for not wanting to go. I almost had him convinced to go with me on date night, but somehow he talked me into seeing Munich instead. So tonight I took matters into my own hands and just went on my own. I was actually really nervous when I walked in by myself. I asked for one ticket for Memoirs of a Geisha, and the woman looked behind me to see if anyone else was there. I politely said that I was there alone because my husband couldn't come. My wedding ring is being sized, therefore I was ringless, so I'm pretty sure the woman didn't believe me. I got myself a box of junior mints and a small diet coke, and went over to the man who tore the ticket- I had put it in my pocket, so I had to shuffle everything to one hand to get it. When I did that, I squeezed the drink a little too hard, and coke came pouring out the top. So embarrassing...

So I finally got to the theater, and took my seat in front of two 50-something women, so just in case someone tried to kidnap me, there would be witnesses (honestly, that's really what I thought). But my plan backfired because they talked (loudly) during the movie- very annoying. But once the movie started, I forgot I was by myself because I was so engrossed in it. I totally recommend reading the book before seeing the movie- it would make a lot more sense.

~~~~~

So tell me people- what is so funny about my last name? Because it just seems like everywhere I go- the doctors, the pharmacist, even ordering take-out, I get snickers, giggles, or "wait a second, how do you spell that?". It's getting annoying people! Mike doesn't have this problem, so why me? I came home from the pharmacist one evening frustrated because the young man helping me asked for my last name to look up my order, and when I told him, he grinned and said "I'll look that up, miss". But before he did, he went over to a young woman and told her my last name, and she snickered- right in front of me! I was so mad! But you know me, I took my order from him, and left without saying anything. I told Mike what happened, and he asked me to say my last name. So I did, and then he asked me to say it, but say it with a "t". So I did what he said, and he smiled, saying that they sounded exactly the same. So now my own husband is coaching me to say our last name correctly so it doesn't sound so much like a swear word- in the words of my sister- UN- believable.

The Joys of House Hunting

Mike and I are so excited at the prospect of moving into our very own house, and I want to share that excitement with you all!!! Last week, we walked through 8 houses, and really liked two of them. But after weighing all the pros and cons, we decided to go with the 3 bedroom house, instead of the 2 bedroom (but newer) place. Now, nothing is official, but we're taking a second look at the place tomorrow to really make sure that it's a place we see ourselves in. I posted a few pictures of the place so you can see. One of the things I love most about the place is the deck and the backyard! The housing development put a field in the middle of the neighborhood so people can have a place to walk their dogs, play softball, and just have a place to roam. Not a whole lot of people use it, so it's like we have this huge backyard all to ourselves! If Mike and I in fact get the place, we hope all of you will come down and visit!!!!

But not only am I house searching, I'm job searching as well! I'm trying to get a full time nanny job around the area. So far I have a few prospects. A family in our church is looking for a nanny (they used to have two, but they both moved), and are now looking for someone else to look after their 6 kids (yes, 6). I would love to be able to work for someone in the church, and they don't live too far away. We'll see if it works out- I'll keep you posted!

MY Twelve Days of Christmas

Yes, Yes, I know....it's been a while! And before you all make plans to come egg and TP my apartment, I better get to writing. but I have a very legitimate excuse! I was parading around western NY like there was some sort of.....parade, and then I came home only to have visitors come down the next day for the week. So this little girl has been a very busy bee. I'll explain it all in my version of the 12 Days of Shipman Christmas. Drum roll, please-

On the 12th day of Christmas the Shipman Family-
Got to see 12 very special friends!
And yes- I'll tell you who those friends are: First there was Amy and John, whom we had dinner with, then spent the evening watching Madagascar, and Run's House while calling Becca A MILLION times to see if she was ever going to come home. But the 2 of them are so much fun that we didn't mind at all! Then there was Kurt and Lindsay who came over from Colorado. We hadn't seen Kurt in a year, and it was my first time meeting Lindsay- but Mike already knew her from college. She is a sweetie, and I hope Kurt holds on to this one. We also got to see Missy and Rob Luckey- who also went to school with Mike (Rob he grew up with, so I always can guarantee on good Mike stories). We went over to their place for lunch, but ended up staying through the evening cuz we were having so much fun with them. We also got to see Aaron Rose and his girlfriend, Kvetta (pronounced Key-etta). She is a DOLL- and Mike and I just love her, and we are SO glad that Aaron found someone so awesome. That evening we had a BLAST hanging out with Robbie and Leticia, and Christopher and Jennifer Hopper. We haven't seen them in SOO long, so it was really nice to catch up. So that brings me to the end of the 12 very special friends.

On the 11th day of Christmas the Shipman family-
Spent 11 hours playing football on TV.
Well, actually it was only HALF of the Shipman Family that played Playstation...I'm pretty sure you all can guess which half. Becca and I BARELY saw our husbands while we were at our parents house because they were obsessed with playing. Christy was totally right when she told me not to get a playstation for Mike for Christmas. BUT I didn't complain (just whined) because I knew that it was what Mike needed to do on vacation. He worked SO hard at work to get ready for Christmas, and mindless video games is just what he needed. And Denis was more than willing to help him out. Jaime even got into the fun by spending an evening playing with him when Denis and Becca left. She's too good to him!

On the 10th day of Christmas the Shipman family-
Spent 10 hours in the car traveling.
But it was totally worth it to see everyone. And we spent that time calling people that we weren't able to see over the holidays- like Mike's family, Christy and Ben, Amy and Shane.... so it was all good.

On the 9th day of Christmas the Shipman family-
Had 9 Christmas Eve Services!!!
Yes people- 9 services. It was such a long day, but it was totally worth it because we had almost 2,400 people come, and a lot of people coming to Christ. PTL! Mike totally stepped it up because the main worship leader got sick Christmas Eve morning, and Mike had to lead 6 services instead of 2. I was so proud of him because so many people came up to me telling me that he stepped up the Crossroads services with the music, the decoration, and the flow of the service. It really was an amazing day. God is so good!

On the 8th day of Christmas the Shipman family-
Got to spend Christmas with all 8 of us at home
This hasn't happened EVER- and it was so much fun. My parent's house barely fit us all, but we made it work. We played games, went to the movies, had a FABULOUS Christmas dinner, and got to spend time with my brother's girlfriend, Amy Kay. She's such a cutie! Plus she's an Alias Fan, so she's super cool.

On the 7th day of Christmas the Shipman family-
umm....can't think of anything, so moving on...........

On the 6th day of Christmas the Shipman family-
We visited 6 different houses/apartments
1. My parents house for a couple of days
2. Jaime's house to visit and see her new kitchen! Very nice!
3. Becca and Denis's place
4. Amy and John's apartment- and NO, Amy doesn't live there yet. It's the CUTEST apartment ever though.
5. Missy and Rob's new house- so beautiful!
6. The Rose Manor- I'll always love that home, and I don't want them to move out of it!

On the 5th day of Christmas the Shipman family-
Did get a golden ring!!!!
I asked mike for ring for my right hand, and boy did he ever!! He got me a ring with 20 diamonds in it, totaled a little over a quarter of a caret. It is SO beautiful, and I couldn't believe that he went so far above and beyond what I was expecting. It was defiantly my favorite present. That and the crocks that Jaime got me- as much as I pick on Jaime for wearing hers- they really are the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn. And I called it- Mike wore them taking out the trash! He looked so funny in bright pink shoes.

On the 4th day of Christmas the Shipman family-
Four days with the Johnson family!
I think that has been the most time that all four of us hung out. It was so nice to see Becca as much as I did, and Mike I swear has a love affair with Denis, and enjoys every moment with the man.

On the 3rd day of Christmas the Shipman family-
Spent 3 hours in the movies watching King Kong with my family.
It Rocked! Everyone should see it in the theatres- watching it on TV just won't cut it....except for John and his massive TV.

On the 2nd day of Christmas the Shipman family-
Got to spend time with 2 of the most beautiful babies ever! Eva and Robbie Jr. came over to Becca's house Friday night, and I had SO much fun playing with them. I haven't been around babies in SO long, and it gave me baby fever just a little bit. But probably the sweetest thing I've ever seen is watch Denis put Robbie Jr. to sleep (see pic)! I wanted to cry!!! He is going to be such a good dad and uncle.

On the 1st day of Christmas the Shipman family-
Had one of the funnest vacations ever! We got to relax, sleep in, see friends, spend time with family, and not have to worry about anything. We came back to Pittsburgh refreshed and rested. I hope everyone had as wonderful of a Christmas as we did!