A little too close for comfort

Ever since we have moved in, I have always thought the house across the street was sketchy. There are always lots of cars over there. Ben has talked with the owner before and apparently some of his kids and their kids had moved back in with him, so that explained all the different ages and why there were so many cars....or so we thought.

A few weeks ago a Uhaul showed up and I couldn't help but be ecstatic inside. I immediately called Ben and told him finally now that we are wanting to sell our house, our shady neighbors are moving out. So, this Uhaul stays there for several days. Ben said they were not only moving furniture, but he saw them like scrubbing the garage? Okay that's totally normal? So, we thought just the kids were moving out since the house was never for sale. The police were over there a few weeks ago, but again didn't think a whole lot about it since it wouldn't surprise me if one of them was in trouble with the law. Well, the past week there has been absolutely no activity at the house...other than 2 cars parked there.

Picture of the house from the street...very normal

Notice the Red and Yellow Signs? They appeared this week...I couldn't stop wondering what they said. I mean this is our neighbor, we have a right to know? Last night I made Ben pull in the driveway so we could get a better look. The yellow piece of paper said in bold letters "Order of Quarantine", Ben and I stared at each other and immediately hit our car into reverse. What in the world? I mean what does order of quarantine mean? Why were the neighbors not notified of this? We were comming with all kinds of speculations.

And then a little google search revealed the truth behind our house across the street.  All this time our sketchy neighbors were actually cooking meth. Another picture to show you just how close this little meth lab was to our home...this was taken standing on our front porch.

So many thoughts have gone through our head. The house could have easily exploded. It is amazing that we never had any real problems from them, other than having to look at the used car lot. It is something you see on movies, but I never imagined something like this happening in our neighborhood! So, plans to put our house have been put on hold as I am thinking notices of quarantine on the neighbor's front door would not be a selling feature of our home. Just another weeekend on East Dallas Road.

Cooking and Construction

This is a random post but I've been meaning to share these recipes and haven't gotten around to it until now.

S'more bars :)

How fun are these? I wouldn't even say I'm that crazy about s'mores but I must admit these were really good. I made them for our work Halloween party for our patients. Of course, I saved a few for us to enjoy and Ben even made the comment that they were better than the snickers we had left over {we only had 2 trick-or-treaters so needless to say we consumed our weight in chocolate that weekend}. Anyways, these little bars are so tasty and the best part is they are no bake!

3 tbsp. unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the pan

1 cup graham cracker crumb
¾ cup sweetened condensed milk

1 1/3 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1½ tsp. vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

1 cup mini marshmallows

2 whole graham crackers

Line an 8 x 8-inch baking dish with aluminum foil. Lightly butter the foil. Place the butter in a heatproof bowl and microwave until melted. Mix in the graham cracker crumbs and stir with a fork until the crumbs are evenly moistened. Pour the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan and press firmly into an even layer on the bottom of the pan.

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the condensed milk and chocolate chips. Heat, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth. Off the heat, stir in the vanilla and salt. Pour the chocolate mixture over the graham cracker base. Working quickly, spread the chocolate into an even layer and smooth with a spatula. Sprinkle the marshmallows over the top of the chocolate. Gently press down so that the marshmallows become partly embedded in the chocolate. Break the whole graham crackers into small pieces and stick into the chocolate mixture between the marshmallows.

Cover and refrigerate the bars until firm, about 4 hours. Use the foil to lift the bars out of the pan and transfer to a cutting board. Use a large sharp knife to cut into squares or rectangles. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Homemade Salsa

Am I the only person who has never tried to make their own salsa? I'm seriously wondering why it took me so long.... especially given the fact that we go through a thing of salsa like weekly. I think I was slightly intimidated. So, I had some extra time one night and decided to try my own version. It was actually really good and I just loved knowing all of the ingredients were fresh. I don't think I will make it weekly but I do plan on making it again soon!

 3 large tomatoes, diced

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

2 tablespoons chopped red onion

1/2 small white onion, chopped

1 small bell pepper, chopped

1/2 cup green chiles, drained

3 tbsp red wine vinegar

1 tbsp olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced

Salt & Pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, stir to combine. Cover and chill until served.

In other news, our downstairs is officially a construction zone! They have been working on the shower this week and also closed in the entry way to the old formal living room/new 4th bedroom!

After this weekend we will  be professional painters, got to love being married to a DIY kind-of-person! We also have to pick out a new vanity, mirror, and light for the bathroom. Estimated completion date is the week of Thanksgiving. This is a huge answer to a prayer as we have a potential showing for Thanksgiving weekend, so we would really like for the house to be presentable by then!

Hope everyone has a great weekend! War Eagle :)

"Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever." Psalm 136:26

Pure Barre

I've debated about whether I should devote an entire post to this. But then I decided since this blog is intended to be an account of our lives, Pure Barre must be mentioned since it has become a big part of my life. So, here goes...

I love the idea of being a runner but when it actually comes down to me standing outside on the sidewalk it is just torture for me. I've tried the gym thing but I just can't ever stay motivated past a week or two. When I signed up for bootcamp the month before our wedding, I thought I was going to die. I clearly remember looking at my friend when we were running with a jump rope and stating that I pray I never got really big and had to actually do this to lose weight. I know that is absolutely awful to say but that is how much I despised working out. It's hard to be in my profession though and know all of the benefits of exercising and yet not do it. It wasn't until I got married and saw how easy it is to gain weight when you are cooking and keeping a full pantry that I realized that I had to do something...no excuses any more. Enter Pure Barre.

I found out about this new workout craze from my friend Amanda. She had started going in Charlotte and had been telling me how much I would like it {we danced together at Samford but you don't have to have a dance background to enjoy it!}. At that time we didn't have a studio in Chattanooga so I couldn't get too excited about it. So, a few weeks go by and I decide to look on-line to find out more about this thing called Pure Barre. Much to my surprise I came across this article. I really couldn't believe it, Chattanooga is never on the up-and-coming!

September 9th I took my first class. Thankfully, I was able to recruit a friend who had also heard about it so I didn't have to go by myself! I could barely walk the next 2 days so I knew I had worked something. The next week I took another class to make sure I liked it before I committed to a month unlimited {which was the new client special}. September 20th I bought the month unlimited package and I guess the rest is history. I've been going an average of 4-5 times/week ever since.

I guess I can officially say that I am obsessed. The days I don't go, I miss not being there. I mean that is a huge statement for me! I could write a whole post just on the benefits (mentally, physically, etc.) but for the sake of boring you to tears I will just say the results have been amazing. I am a better person {read better wife} when I come home after class. I will warn you though, it is not the cheapest option that is out there. I still struggle with the price but Ben has been so supportive which means so much to me. I am dedicated to going and he sees the results so he feels like it is worth it. At some point I have to tell myself that you can't put a price tag on your health. If it works for you, then do it.

So, if anyone is even still reading at the this point...you are probably asking what is it? what do you do?  I know because I asked the same questions. It is very hard to explain but this video I think does a good job. It basically targets the areas that women typically struggle with {triceps, abs, thighs, and seats} but it's a very intense full body workout. It goes by really fast which I love and I love all of the stretching. I am so relaxed and feel very refreshed when I leave.

I really wish I had some great before and after pictures but truth is I haven't taken many pictures in the last few months because I am so grossed out every time I see one. I wish I had taken my measurements before I started but to be honest I never imagined I would a) like it as much as I do to keep going long enough to see results and b) actually see dramatic changes in my body like I have. My clothes are fitting differently and the scale is showing a number that I am happy with, so that is all I need to keep me motivated! Just wait for bathing suit season :)

Shades of gray and more!

We have officially decided to put our house on the market...yay! It is a little stressful but at the same time we are very excited about what the future holds. We were very blessed to have friends who were builders and were willing to build us our first home! We have been meeting with realtors in the Chattanooga area to decide who we wanted to go with. We feel very comfortable with our decision. Before it can actually be listed on the MLS, there are a few projects that need to be completed.

Project #1- Painting

{Exhibit A}

We really wanted to stay in the gray family. Who knew how many shades of gray there are.....you have to decide whether you want a gray/brown, gray/blue, etc. To be honest, after looking at so many paint swatches, I am beginning to wonder if there even is such a thing as gray?!?! And the finalist are pictured below. The rooms we are considering painting are the mudroom, guest bathroom, and guest bedroom since they are this teal/aqua color below. Obviously, it didn't look like that on the paint swatch :) So, you live and learn. Now we have bought samples of the paint and painted our own swatches so we can better visualize the color in our lighting.

Project #2- Bathroom Remodel 

The Powder Room downstairs is going to be converted into a full bathroom

{before}



The guys came this weekend and took out the toilet and the vanity. Plumber is coming this week! We picked out tile for the shower this weekend. So, hopefully this little project will be done in a few weeks!

{during}

Project #3- Staging

We are trying to finish hanging curtains and getting the house staged so that a potential buyer can better visualize and hopefully decide they have to make an offer :). We went to our first antique auction last weekend. It was SO entertaining! We came home with this coffee table which was an absolute steal! We had been looking at a very similar table which retailed for more than $1,000. Our winning bid was $90!

{our table}

{the inspiration}

Until next time on Designed to Sell, where hopefully we will have a For Sale sign in the front yard!

Projects!

I feel like we have been on a HGTV Home Improvement show the past few weekends. I'm imagining a cross between Design on a Dime, Curb Appeal, and Designed to Sell.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

  

The landscaping isn't the only thing that has been getting a much needed face lift. There have also been some projects going on inside as well. Here is a sneak peak...I'm not ready for a full reveal just yet

And I owe it all to this cutie, my resident handy man, who doesn't even complain about hanging drapes on football Saturdays :)

Stay tuned for the next episode...

A Tribute

I've attempted to write this blog post several times but life has been a little hectic. So, I apologize in advance to my 2 followers :)

When Ben and I first started dating I was so amazed that all 4 of his grandparents were still living. My grandparents passed away when I was in high school and so I am always slightly jealous of friends that are still able to enjoy their grandparents company and have their grandparents around for major milestones (graduations, weddings, babies, etc). It is with deep sadness that I have to write that both of Ben's grandfathers went to be with the Lord this past month. They were both men of faith and I feel so blessed to have met them and been considered one of their grandchildren. They have both had a tremendous impact on the man Ben is today and for that I am so grateful. We are mourning here on earth but rejoicing that they are in a better place!

Ben's mother's father, Sam, was one of the most gentle and kind hearted men I've ever met. He reminds me so much of my dad. He was so selfless and took care of everything for Helen as her health started to decline. I thought I would copy and paste his obituary on here just to have.

GALYON, SAMUEL BRUCE JR. - age 89 died Sunday, August 29,2010. He was a retired rural mail carrier and farmer. A member of the Sweetwater First United Methodist Church. A veteran of WWII-Air Force. Preceded in death by wife, Helen L. Summitt Galyon, son, Samuel David Galyon. Survived by daughter and son-in-law: Mrs. Carol and Mike Mingle of Chattanooga; son and daughter-in-law: Rev. Bruce and Melanie Galyon of Lenoir City; grandchildren, Ben Mingle and wife Jill Mingle, Jacob Mingle, Jessica Galyon and Andrew Galyon; many nieces and nephews. The family thanks the staff of Woods Presbyterian Home and Sweetwater Hospital for their excellent care. Family and friends will meet Tuesday, August 31, 2010 4:00 PM at West View Cemetery for graveside service and interment with Rev. Carl Oaks officiating. A memorial service to follow at 5:30 PM at Kyker Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM until 7:00 pm. Memorials can be made to Sweetwater First United Methodist Church or Hiwassee College. Kyker Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.

Bill, Ben's dad's father, passed away a week ago from today. One thing the pastor said at the service which I think is so true, Bill was the always the same. He never changed or felt the need to conform to today's society. He had a great sense of humor and was a loving husband to his wife of 59 years, Dottie. Here is his obituary.

Clarence "Bill" Mingle, went home to be with the Lord, Sept. 20, 2010. A native Tennessean, he lived his first 40 years in Bristol Tennessee, where he served our country in the military, was a member of Tennessee Avenue Baptist Church, worked 11 years with American Thread Co. as supervisor, 13 years with Monroe Calculating. He transferred to Chattanooga in 1968. He served six years as branch manager of The Fuller Brush Co., served 17 years with Ken Manufacturing Co. and 14 years with the City of Chattanooga in Arts and Cultural Administration for The Tivoli Theatre and Memorial Auditorium. His wife of 59 years is Dorothy Richardson Mingle; they have one son, William Michael Mingle, wife Carol Galyon Mingle; and grandsons, Ben Mingle, wife Jill Cooper Mingle, and Jacob Mingle. Bill Mingle was a Christian and member of Ridgedale Baptist Church. A military graveside service with honors conducted by the Bristol VFW Honor Guard will be held Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010, at 1 p.m. in Weaver's Cemetery in Bristol Tennessee. Arrangements will be handled by Weaver Funeral Home in Bristol Tennessee. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Ridgedale Baptist Church in Chattanooga or The American Heart Association.

I found this on-line and thought it was so encouraging. "As Christians,  we can face death and suffering without despair, for our hope is in Jesus Christ, the Giver of Life, the Conqueror of Death. Grieving like a Christian does not mean we do not grieve. It means we grieve without despair. God does not tell us we will not have sorrows. He tells us that He will be our comfort in sorrow. He does not tell us we will not have tears. He tells us He will be there with us to wipe our tears away. He does not tell us there will not be times to mourn. He tells us that on the other side of that mourning is the promise of joy indescribable."

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Romans 8:18

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4


Thank you to all the sweet e-mails, text, and phone calls. We really appreciate the prayers and kindness that has been shown to us over these past few weeks!

Labor Day

Labor Day is one of my favorite holidays. I mean I never complain about having a day off from work, especially when my birthday is involved. College football also kicks off around that time which makes me so happy. But, the main reason this holiday is so special to me is that I usually get to spend it with my family celebrating my mom and my birthdays! 

This year we rented a condo in Gulf Shores for the weekend and we had a blast! Words cannot describe how perfect the weather was. We did absolutely nothing for 3 days and it was pure bliss!

My sweet sister-in-law took some pictures on Sunday night at our birthday dinner celebration

The best birthday present ever was having my whole family together! My brother and sister-in-law drove down after the Auburn game on Saturday night and turned around on Monday and drove back to Nashville. It truly meant so much to have them there! I feel so loved and am so blessed to have such a great support system.