Rollin' Thunder

It's Thursday! Woke up to a nice thunderstorm this morning. I love rainy mornings,as long as I don't have to get up early.  The storm woke me up pretty early and then D got a phone call a little before 7.  It was the Pack Rat driver calling to tell us that he would be delivering our container in an hour.  I didn't realize they would be delivering it SO early! Thankfully, he said that we didn't have to be there for the delivery, which was a pleasant surprise! We tried to get back to sleep, but then a couple more people called so we finally just got up.

Yesterday we went down to laffy and cleaned the duplex.  The realtor had told us that it had been cleaned, but it was super dirty! It had obviously not been cleaned because there was dirty everywhere!  D and I started cleaning around 5pm and didn't leave until around 10.  Five long hours of cleaning, but we got almost everything done! I was exhausted afterwards! I haven't cleaned that much in awhile. I wiped everything down--the doors, the doorknobs, some of the walls--even though the lady said it had been painted. 

The realtor said that the carpets had been cleaned, but we decided to get them cleaned anyways. So today we headed down to Laffy to wait for Stanley Steemer.  The pack rat was parked in the driveway and we had to unload the couch since we were getting that cleaned as well.  The duplex smells SO much better! The technician said that it didn't look like the carpet had been cleaned.....so I don't know how much of what the realtor said was true or if she was spinning tales. 

Went in and got our water hooked up and called to get the electric switched over to our name.  Now we need to get everything unpacked.  I'm thinking we'll hopefully do that tomorrow or Monday. We shall see. 

Well, that's it for now.  I"ll leave you with a few pictures that I uploaded a week or two ago.

7/7/12:  Dessert @ the Hannon's cookout. Lots of yummy ice cream!

Sunday 7/8/12:  Putting up the badminton net

I'd never played badminton before, but it was pretty fun!

My cute little snickle!

After a busy afternoon filled w/ badminton and swimming, we ordered Rick's Pizza for dinner! Yuuuum!

The clouds looked so beautiful!

D feeding Snickle some scraps

Monday 7/9:  Went to Indy to check out a walk-in cooler. This was a former ice cream stand.

Cute cake stand @ the ice cream shop

Afterwards we went to Cheesecake Factory for dinner.

Waiting for our food

I look kind of rough here...

My giant burrito! It was DELICIOUS!

Jennica loves their grilled cheese sandwich

Tuesday 7/10:  We were finally able to get into our location! D checking out the ceiling

The fireworks people had not moved their things out yet, so that was annoying.

D taking measurements

Moi

Writing down measurements for the front entryway

us

Measuring the sidewalk...

Soffits

I've learned a new word:  soffit.  Until this past week, I had never really heard of it.  Here's the definition:

the underside of an architectural feature, as a beam, arch, ceiling, vault, or cornice.

 

This is an example of a soffit. Just in case you were wondering. ;)

Here's a run down of the past couple days:

Saturday: 
Dad and Diego were down in Indy all afternoon picking up a walk in cooler. They finally got back around 6ish I think and they were pretty exhausted. We went to Pizza Hut for dinner and then picked up an ice cream cake from DQ.  Hadn't had one of those in forever!!

Sunday: 
Dad made breakfast burritos for breakfast. I love Sunday breakfasts w/ the familia! :)  In the afternoon, we got in the pool and were swimming laps.  I used to swim ALL the time when I was young, but haven't really been a big fan of swimming in recent years.  I hadn't put my head under water in forever, but I finally did on Sunday and it was pretty fun! It sure makes swimming laps a lot easier! Pool time and Rick's Pizza are quickly becoming our Sunday routine.

Monday:
Over the weekend, we decided on an interior designer.  Her name is Joelle.  She's a recent grad and doesn't really have commercial experience, but she seems really nice, she's really creative, seems like a hard worker, and seems excited to have this experience. 

So on Monday, we met her down @ the location. Signed the contract, started talking about the layout, etc. She will be doing the blue print for us as well.  Then we all met with a potential contractor. 

Today: 
Hung around the house.  Swam some laps in the pool.  Did some housework.  Business communication via emails.  Some work w/ the logos.  Made supper.  Watered the flowers.  Made strawberries and shortcake. Watched a movie w/ the familia.  Have been doing research about decor etc. 

And that pretty much sums up the past couple days....

I'm starting to get excited about our logo.  I think we have it pretty much narrowed down.  Just have to work out a few details.  I uploaded a bunch of different logo options to Facebook to try and get a bunch of people's opinions.  It's so helpful to hear what other people think. I did an online survey for the name as well and it turned out to be really beneficial.  It's weird how some people that I wouldn't expect to reply actually do reply, while other people who I would think WOULD reply actually don't... 

Anyways, here's a link if you want to take a look at some of our logo options:

http://99designs.com/logo-design/vote-e3txaz



This week is fair week here in Jasper County.  I've been thinking about going out to get an elephant ear, but I kind of doubt I'll make it out there.  We never went when we were young.  I've gone out there a few times over the past couple years though.  It would be kind of nice to visit the state fair this year, but we'll see.  I would imagine that we'll be pretty busy in August.  The one good memory that I have of the fair is that Grandma Ruthy would ALWAYS bring me and Jennica an elephant ear.  I think almost every year.  That's my best memory of the fair.  I was thinking about it the other day. I could hear the sounds from the fair grand stand and it made me think of Grandma.  I sure do miss her. 

I regret not spending more time with her before she died.  At that time I was so busy and distracted.  Diego had moved out here from Cali and we were dating.  Plus, I was in school.   I COULD have spent more time with her.  It makes me sad that I didn't.  I'm afraid that I'm making that same mistake w/ Grandma Stella.  I've only visited her a couple times since I've been home.  She's just down the street, I really need to spend more time with her. Grandma's memory is deteriorating and it's so sad to see, but that's no excuse.  We *have* been busy w/ the yogurt shop, but I can still make time to see her.  I"ll try to do better! :)



Well, that's it for now.  I have some pictures to upload, but I'll do that at a different time. Night, everyone!

 

Yogurt shop!

Well, I never did get in the pool yesterday.  Was too busy with other things. Ah well, maybe I'll jump in today! Not too much going on around here today.  Dad and Diego went down to Indy to pick up a walk-in cooler that we purchased for the business.  D found it on ebay.  We're buying it from some ice cream shop in Indy that closed down.  Went down there on Monday to check it out.  They had  a bunch of different things for sale, but we weren't interested in a lot of it. I think we're buying the cooler, a washer/dryer combo, and a mixer.

As for the business, since we have now secured the location, I guess I can tell you what it is! (Just in case you didn't get my email on Facebook! haha)  We're opening up a self-serve frozen yogurt shop in Laffy.  It was going to be called Sweetberry, but we were having an identity crisis which led to a name change and, well, here we are! I'm super excited about the business and I"m REALLY excited about the name! I had never even heard of self-serve yogurt until I went out to Cali.  D's family took me to Yogurtland and I guess you could say it changed my life ;) haha I absolutely fell in love w/ the concept of self-serve yogurt and became a bit obsessed with it! hehe

 D and I have been EXTREMELY interested in starting up a shop ever since and have been trying to convince my dad to open one since last year. He would nod and say that yeah it sounded great, but he didn't want to run it.  This past spring things got a little tough, D quit his job due to differences with management, he was pretty burnt out w/ the maintenance world, I was only working PT and wasn't finding any FT teaching jobs, we had to move in w/ his sister for a couple months, the Boys town job that we thought we pretty much had kept not working out even though they kept telling us that they loved us....Things just weren't really coming together for us out in Cali.  We were back in Indiana for a visit and had just gotten the news that  Boystown might be interested in us again, when somehow we started contemplated the idea of starting a shop here.  I was kind of surprised that D would be open to it because we had pretty much agreed that we should be in Cali for the next couple years. However, we KNOW that self serve can be a great business to be in and we're both business minded.

Both of us come from entrepreneur backgrounds.  Sometimes I think it's a blessing and sometimes it's a curse. Neither of us is happy working for other people, we want to have something to call our own. We want to be our own boss and have our own business.  My parents have been entrepreneurs for YEARS.  They started their towing/tire/auto repair business way back when I was young. I think I was in 1st grade maybe?  I've seen the good and the bad of owning your own business. It's a LOT of hard work, time, risk, and stress. However, all that hard work can pay off in the end and you can actually own/operate something of your OWN.  D's dad is an entrepreneur too.  He used to do construction, odd jobs, etc. and then started his own produce business.  D grew up surrounded by this same mindset.  We have both always had goals to start our own businesses. He always talked about a produce business or taco stand.  I've talked about numerous businesses-- bakery, restaurant, B&B, coffee shop, etc. So here we are-- we have the opportunity to embark on a new journey! I am excited beyond belief and so grateful to be blessed with this opportunity! I am also extremely stressed and anxious! There's a lot of risk involved, I mean who eats frozen yogurt in the winter right? It's a lot of stress, a lot of work. We are living and breathing this business right now.  My head begins to spin when I think of all the things we have to accomplish in the next 6 weeks. haha! But I am motivated beyond belief, I become giddy just thinking about this business. I am learning new things every day. I know this is going to be a great learning experience and  I know all the hard work will pay off in the end.  I just pray that God will bless our business and help it to do well.

Well, I think that's all for now.  I didn't realize that I was going to write so much about yogurt! I just glanced out the window, and it looks kind of rainy out.  :(  So I  highly doubt that I'll be swimming today.  Ah well, maybe tomorrow. :)

Happy Saturday, everyone! Thanks for reading! :)

Heat Wave

Happy Friday! I'm sitting here eating some cherries, thinking about jumping in the pool here in a bit.  Almost every day I think about getting in the pool and then I get too busy and don't have time or just choose not to make the time I guess.  This past Sunday, Jennica, D, and I all got in and were having a bunch of swimming contests. I think we were in there for a few hours. haha It was pretty fun! I'm trying to convince them to get in again today! 

It's been so ridiculously hot the past week or so that it's been perfect pool weather; although it's been SO hot that the pool water hasn't even seemed cool.  Last week the temperature was in the 100's and the pool temp was running about 85 or so.  This week it's been in the high 80's-low 90's so I would imagine the pool temp should be better too! The temperature was so bad last week, that one day I could barely even stand to walk outside! I went out to water the flowers and thought I might have a heat stroke! I was feeling sick to my stomach and felt like I could barely breathe.  Craziness!

Last Saturday was Cruise Night here in Rensl.  Aunt Mary and Uncle Chris had a cookout and invited us over. It was soooo hot that I could barely stand to go outside.  After the cookout, they were going up town to watch the old cars, but I knew that if I was out in that heat I would get a massive headache, so didn't go.  It worked out though, because as D and I were headed back to the house, we got stuck in traffic and go to watch all the old cars from the comfort of our air conditioned car. hehe. :) 

So it looks like we won't be living in Rensl much longer-- D and I found a duplex to rent down in laffy.  I really wasn't expecting to find something so soon! Last week we called about a 'for rent' sign that we saw, but the lady told us that the place had just been rented out that morning.  The next day she called us and said that the girl had backed out. We went down to look at it on Monday, faxed our application down on Tuesday morning and then Tuesday evening they called us back and said that we could have it.  Supposedly a couple other people were applying for it, but the owner picked us because he liked the fact that we are starting our own business. He said it takes a lot of ingenuity and hard work and that he liked that about us. I figured that we wouldn't be high up on the list because we're currently unemployed. haha.  But we got it! I'm pretty excited about it! It's a 2 bedroom, 2 bath. Plus, a garage!  It's a really open concept-- the dining room/living room are connected, high ceilings, and a fireplace! Also, a washer and dryer! Yay! 

We can get in on Monday.  Our moving container is being delivered on Thursday and we'll have a week to unpack it. It's a great location--over on the south side, about 5  minutes away from the yogurt shop location. So that's some exciting news! 

Well, lots more to say, but I'll save that for another entry. Here are a few more pictures that I wanted to share from last week:

Sunday 7/1/12: Dinner @ Texas Corral in Merrillville. D and I went up to church w/ M&D and then went to dinner w/ them! They had a John Wayne painting up on the wall and I had to a pic of Dad w/ good ole' John!

Tuesday 7/3/12:  We had a cookout on the 4th of July.  This is us getting our dessert ready the  night before. We made a Strawberry Tunnel Angel Food Cake.  This is the filling to fit in the tunnel. It tasted like strawberries and shortcake!

We sliced a hole in the cake and then inserted the filling...

Then placed the top back on...

Wednesday 7/4/12:  Playing volleyball in the pool.

Uncle Gary and Dad playing corn hole.

Mom & Jennica

The guys surrounding the grill....

Grandma waiting for the food to be ready!

Mom &  Rena delivering some snacks to the guys

Being served poolside

Aunt Key & Courtney

Finally, the food was ready! The adults (+Courtney) eating in the dining room

The "kids" eating in the family room

Kristina testing out the hammock

Christoph trying on my hat

I think Rena was watching the corn toss...

Kristina trying on her new apron! It's so cute!!!

Looking @ logos for our business...

Pretty!

My beautiful sister

And my adorable little snickle! :)

* Most photos from the 4th taken by Jennica! Thanks, sister!

Well, that's it for now. Time to get busy!

Flying By...

Whew!!! It's been a busy week or so! These days have been flying by!  Last week it was weird because the holiday was smack dab in the middle of the week. I'm way behind in my blogging. I'll try to do better!

Here are a few older pictures from a couple weeks ago right before Jessie left.

I think this was Tuesday 6/26/12:  Jessie was excited to try out the lawn mower. Unfortunately, it's not working right and kept blowing out all this dark smoke. He kept mowing though. Haha

6/26: Dinner @ Pizza Hut

Wednesday 6/27: Jessie's last breakfast in Indiana :(  Mom made pancakes and I made some scrambled eggs!

His going away card. :(

Mom mixed up some butterscotch chocolate chip cookie dough and then Jennica baked them. They were delicious!

Sitting around, relaxing, waiting to leave for the airport. Jessie and Diego both fell asleep! haha

Trying out some rocket that they bought @ Walgreens...

Some final  pictures...

Jessie and Jennica

Brothers!

Jessie and me

All four of us!

Jessie showing Dad how the rocket works..

All packed up and ready to go...

Sad goodbyes :(

Jessie standing near the cabinets/counter that he put together...

Checking in @ the airport...

haha I thought this was funny because Jessie kept talking about wanting to take some fireworks with him...

Only one person could go past security w/ Jessie...so Jennica and I hung out upstairs...

Checking the flight status...

Cool art!

Add caption

I think this was Thursday 6/28: Mom bought like 10 pds of Indiana blueberries! Yuuuum!!!

Friday 6/29:  Dinner @ Devons.....it was M&D, The stewies, and the Hannons...

Sisters!

Well, I have a lot more to say and a lot more pictures to add, but that's all for now. I'm going to head to bed here in a bit. G'night! :)