Things are crazy in my life. The cats are doing well. Althea has finally stopped putting weight on, she is stable now at 10 lbs. Chester has been at a very healthy 13lbs for more than a year. They still love to play and cuddle together.
In Mid-November my friend Erica, found herself needing a change in her life and found a job opportunity here in Houston. So I opened up my very small apartment to her and she moved in. This made me even more anxious to buy a new house to move in before Mid-February. So I started doing my research on mortgages, houses, the market, etc...for the area that I live now. (I absolutely love the Heights Neighborhood! Albeit expensive but definitely worth it.) The first weekend in December I went out with a realtor to look at 10 houses. There were a few good ones throughout the day, but each one was missing something that was important to me. So by the last house I thought it was over and I would have to expand my bounds.
Then I walked in to the last house (which was the cheapest one on the list!) and fell in love with it. :) 1,746 sq. ft., brand new house (never been lived in), no housing association fees, with a great living space (and huge kitchen), and a wonderful master bath. And after my Christmas Bonus came through at work I was pre-approved for a mortgage!
I still have to sign the contract with the my buyer's agent, put in a bid, etc...but I am very excited about owning a home and having more space. No more moving every year!
And other big news in my life is that I will be traveling over the holidays. I will be able to get home for Christmas to my family in Washington. I am very excited to see everyone as there has been quite a few hospitalizations in my extended family over the past year. And I will be flying to London to spend New Year's with Hakeem. We haven't seen each other since late August, so we are both very excited. Another colleague of mine here in Houston will be visiting his Fiance then so we will be able to hang out for the eve.
And of course the count down has now begun! Only 68 more days till we set sail for the Caribbean Cruise!
Merry Christmas Everyone!
