And so it begins...

If you are sick of hearing about our house... don't read on :)

We started building on Saturday, July 30th, 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.  WOW.  It wasn't too hot, I felt like I was helping and being productive and I actually had some fun!  I took down measurements, measured and then cut the wood. I learned new terms for supplies and I even tried the saw and nail gun (go me).  I was surprised how much I would like seeing the process of a house being built.  We didn't start on our house Saturday, we will be framing the Lewis house and the Palmer's house first then ours is next :) Tonight we will be putting on window wells and getting the garage ready so they can pour our garage floor.  Its exciting, I just hope these next 9 (hopefully ONLY 9) months go by quick and that we all don't kill each other in the process.  Poor Chloe is going to be practically parentless- thank goodness our parents are all so willing to help watch her so she isn't cooped up in my apartment all day long by herself. Our schedule is Tuesday-Thursday 4:00-9:00 and then Saturday 7-7 (long day).  We worked yesterday and by the time I got home all i wanted to do was watch Shark Week and Teen Mom and OF COURSE my Dish got disconnected from the power and wouldn't work at all :( I must be gluten for punishment or something.  Well anyway, here are some pictures of the process we've seen so far.

When it had just been dug

Derek standing in our garage... uhh ya we have one of those :)

View of the windows from the back of the house

Cold storage room

Basement

And what I'm MOST excited for when the house is done.

These are the VERY dark cabinents we picked and I fell in love with them.



Oaks!

I'm taking a break from the stupid challenge thing :) I signed papers on our lot yesterday.  Scary.  When they are throwing out all the big numbers and information it becomes a lot to process and starts getting a bit intimidating.  I can't even think about paying for a mortgage for 33 years.  YIKES!  I'm sure everyone (including me) will get sick of hearing all about 'Derek and Ashlee's House'  and trust me, I'm already sick of hearing/thinking about it.

We start staking out our lot next Tuesday, June 21st.  We will stake out a couple houses on that Tuesday and Wednesday night and then our construction supervisor will be busy getting Group 6 ready for their open house on the 23rd.  He is then going on vacation so while they dig the holes for the basements and pour the concrete I don't think we will have to do anything.  It'll be nice knowing that we might still have a week or so before we actually start the months of framing.  About 5 to be exact... yes I said it, FIVE.  I can't imagine framing for that long- let alone framing at all.  I'm too big of a wimp.  BUT this will be the end product :) 

Oaks

Here is the outside of our house.  I wish I had the picture of the main floor, I'm in love with it. Actually all I really care about is the walk in closet that is inside the bathroom and a mud room for Derek to take off all his stinky work clothes.  I'm so excited to be done-- Lets hope the next 9 months goes quickly!

Day 8.

A picture that makes you laugh

"This is the LIFE"

You'd have to know Bre and hear her talk in the voice that she does to understand this picture.  This was Lindsee and I's entertainment in Mexico ha.  Love you Bee!

Day 7

A picture of your most treasured item

My mother gave me this ring when I was 17.  Our family was going through a lot of stuggles and hardship and I guess this was my moms way of showing me that, even though I couldn't see it at the time, she was still there for me and loved me very much.  I love this ring so much.  (And I only put it in the keyboard because all the pictures made my finger look creepy)

Day 6

A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day

Nicki Minaj

I've sort of been in love with her lately.  Why?

1- She is weird

2- She doesn't care what people think of how strange she is

3- and of course, she is really good at what she does!

For just one day, I could be her :) but only one

Day 5

Picture of your favorite memory

Date Night

Derek and I hardly do date nights together.  And although we've had many memorable nights together- this one was the most recent.  We treated ourselves to my favorite restaurant, Callaways, rented a movie and went to the park to swing on the swings.  It was definitely a top night on my list of favorites :)

Day 4

Picture of your favorite night...

Alright, who can really PICK their favorite night?  Not me, I've had too many! Plus, I suck at taking pictures so I probably don't even have all my favorite memories on camera.

Derek and I

4th of July weekend 2010

This was such a fun time, we got to hang out with good friends and family and just play around for the weekend.  Plus this was my first summer dating Derek and we had a blast!

Bre, Lindsee & I

Cancun- Spring 2010

2 words- Gorgeous & Fun

I will never forget this whole vacation.  So no, its not just a night because there were many amazing nights on this trip.  I don't know what could be better, your best friends hanging out on the beach for 5 days.  Seriously.  This trip will always be my favorite.

Day 3

A picture of the cast from your favorite TV show

Friends... duh

If you didn't already know that Friends was my favorite show then you don't know me at all!  I actually think the writers wrote Monica's character after my personality because we're pretty much the same person.  I felt like I had lost 6 friends when this show ended.  Recently Derek and I started from Season 1 to Season 10 and he fell in like with the show as well.  I can't get through a day without quoting something from an episode.  "Here come the meat sweats!" is probably one I quote most often.  If you haven't watched it, start now!

Day 2

Picture of you and the person you've been closest with the longest:

Lindsee Jill Andersen

We think the same

We act the same

We have the same quirky tendencies

We pretty much are each other

And I'm sure our boyfriends would agree 100% :)

Linds and I have been friends since... goll I can't even remember.  We've been through everything together from reeking havoc in our parents lives, staying up reading Chelsea Handler to eachother till 2 in the morning, even living together.  Love her forever :)

Day 1...

30 Day Challenge

Day 1: 15 facts about me

Since I haven't had a lot to blog about lately I'll try doing this... we'll see how it goes.

1. I am a clean/ocd freak.
2. I love my dog way too much.
3. My mother is my best friend even though we drive each other freaking crazy.  We are two peas in a pod.
4. I slept with my doll till I was 19 and I still get upset that she was closet-ed.
5. I wish I still danced.
6. My biggest regret is distancing myself from some amazing old friends.
7. I get embarrassed way too easy.
8. I'm very shy, which usually comes off as bratty (dang it).
9. Cheese is my comfort food.
10. I cannot fall asleep without blowing my nose 800 times and making sure I have a good coat of Mentholatum on my nose and Carmex on my lips.
11. If you ruin the sheets on my bed, you will suffer.
12. I hate when people ask when Derek and I are getting married... strange I know.
13. I hate scary movies.
14. Crafting and Decorating is something I wish I could do.
15. I feel a lot better about life when I forget we are building a house. (ha)

House.

I've been the biggest slacker ever with this dang blog thing.  Lately I feel as if I have nothing going on in my life and nothing to blog about.  I could blog about having to pick up Chloe poop on the tile or something like that, but I don't think most would find that too interesting.  Except a funny/annoying little thing- that dog is a brat.  I recently had a new roommate move in and Chloe has been so territorial.  She poops in her bathroom, room and on the tile in the kitchen.  What a little stink.  She knows exactly what she is doing too.  I can just picture it now... D walks in the door first and Chloe is FREAKING out because she is so excited to see him, but when she is too excited he just looks at her and say, "Chlooooeeee what have you done?"  Then she bolts under my bed as fast as she can.  That little bugger is a smart one. 

As most of whoever reads this blog, you will have known for a little while now that we are planning on building a house with the Self Help Program.  I guess I could have blogged about that but as soon as I even think about building a house I get sweaty palms and have a mini anxiety attack.  So I try to avoid talking about it too much since that's all we'll be doing for the next year of our lives.  I can't imagine trying to do that, plan a 'wedding' (whenever that may happen, its like we are doing everything completely backwards) and anything that pops up in our lives.  Here is the house plan we are thinking of doing... we have to let them know by the 5th.

I am very grateful that we are getting this amazing opportunity to build a house and very blessed to have amazing families that will be there to help us through it all... but if I have to take a Xanax every once in a while... don't judge.

P. As In Pathetic. Duh.

My mom and step father are currently soaking up the sun, sand, waves, fish, etc. in Cabo this week.  6 nights to be exact, Sunday through Saturday.  What am I doing you might ask?  Well because I was rudely not invited on this trip, Derek and I are getting paid to dog sit.  That's right.  3 hyper, slobbery, obnoxious, yipping dogs.  Gotta love it.  So I'm stuck staying here for 6 nights...

Not bad eh?

You'd think I'd be loving it up there.  6 bedrooms, 3 1/2 bath, 3 car garage, big fenced in backyard.  But all I can think about it how badly I miss my home.

Good Ol' Maple

Apt B (as in boy) One-Zero-Three

I miss my small bathroom and closets

and even the small kitchen if you can believe it...

So last night Derek started talking about my apartment.  All of a sudden out of nowhere I felt my stomach drop, sweaty palms, dizziness and the very obvious need to spew.  I started to tear up and when Derek asked me what was wrong all I could muster out of my mouth was, "I want my home".  Being the sweet boyfriend he is, Derek offered to take me home to sleep in my own bed, then take me back up to my parents when he had to go to work at 6:00 (because he knows I wouldn't get myself up to drive anywhere at 6:00).  I told him no, I'm supposed to be a big girl so I can tough it out at my moms.  I think I just miss my mom a lot too.  I blame the previous post I wrote about her, dang it.  And to make it all worse, Chloe farted on me twice this morning.  I need to be home and pawn her off on Lexi again. Ah!

Much Love.

Seeing as how the currently holiday is Valentines Day I would like to tell everyone what it means to me.  Short and sweet.  I was raised by a single mother for almost 15 years, and because she was single she didn't care too much for Valentine's Day.  Therefore I don't care too much for it.  Valentines Day isn't a day for me to be greedy and want flowers, chocolate, gifts, etc.  Valentines to me is a day to be very grateful for my amazing mother who, through everything she's been through, set an amazing example for me and my brother.  Also, I'm grateful for Dave, that he came into her life and makes her so dang happy.  Love you mama.

Ellis-worth.

Derek Ellis Colby

February 1, 1989

8:05 AM

(see I did my research)

Dang, I can't believe its been a whole year since we celebrated Derek's 21st birthday together.  He's come a long way this past year, except I haven't been able to work on his forgetfulness of 'tasks' I give him.  Or he could just be 'pulling a man' and not listening to me ask him to do something.  Men these days... Anyway he is amazing and perfect.  Except no one is perfect so I'll just say he is perfect for me.  So much has changed in a year and I can't even begin to think of where we will be in another year... crazy.  But most people write '10 Things I Love About My Husband' on their birthdays, well since Derek is not my husband (not by my choice ha) I will name this marvelously little clever stolen idea...

10 Reasons Why I LOVE Sir. Ellis

1. He bathes Chloe for me because he knows she doesn't listen to me.

2. He dresses up for Halloween even though he hates it just because I said, "Puh-lease???"

3. He pops infected wounds because he knows how much I love to see a little puss... (don't judge you secretly probably like it too)

4. He acts interested when I send him baby pictures just because he knows I want to eat all of their delicious cheeks.

5. He works very hard to give us what we want, and never complains when work gives him hell.

6. He is always making people laugh whether it is something he is doing or has done in the past. (Note: I think his mom said this dress was a doll dress... tiny.)

7. He plays with Chloe every night so she isn't hyper when I try to sleep.

8.He loves my roommates just as much as I do.

(Missing Lex-A-Licious)

9. He cooks anything and everything I want for dinner every-single-night

10. Last but not least, he loves me even though I sleep with these two monsters... (except he said Suzy needed to go when I turned 20 dangit.)

Ooh Ooh one more...

11. He loves this 'thing' just as much (if not more) than I do.

10 Things A Guy Should Know....

I am 'writing' (more like copying and pasting) this post because I fell in love with this article (if that's what you would call it).  I know, I know, its corny and cheesy and guess what... I LOVE IT!  I hope someone gets a good little smile out of this because it honestly is so true.  <3

10 Things a Man Should Know About Marriage

The Proposal


You've met the right girl, second- and triple-guessed whether she's the right girl, and decided to butcher your savings. The average engagement ring is just over $4,000; be prepared to go higher, but remember that carat isn't the most important of the four Cs. Take her someplace intimate (read: not a sports stadium), look her in the eyes, and — while she gasps — realize you forgot to ask her father beforehand.


The Bachelor Party


You must placate two opposing constituencies: 1) your buddies, who want tequila and lap dances; 2) your bride, who trusts you but doesn't trust your buddies. Her concern is valid, but assure her that — even if they walk you up to the line — you won't cross it. So, where is the line? It defies description, but you'll know it when you get there. (And so will your buddies, if they're actually trustworthy.)


The Wedding


Snooze through the small decisions (ice sculptures, florists) and roll your eyes at her "wedding porn" (those dozens of bridal magazines on her side of the bed), but get involved for the guest list, location, and date. She won't think it's sexy if you're totally uninvolved. Buy the tux, don't rent; you'll need it again. The big day itself is a blur — you kiss, you dance, you shake hundreds of hands, you take her to bed... and you fall asleep from exhaustion.


The Honeymoon


You've spent the last year drowning in stress — now you can drown in champagne. And other pleasures. Just make sure that her new last name matches her passport, if that's how she's introducing herself to customs officials.


The First House


Maybe not because it seems like the safest investment right now, but because you need to live somewhere — and shouldn't squander money on rent forever. She decorates, you shrug. But you learn to use power tools, and start caring about things like "mulch." You and the wife occasionally bicker, but this, like mulch, is natural and necessary for growth.


The First Kid


Every plant you've owned has died from lack of water. How can you handle a kid? But she wants a baby, so you battle the fear. (And there are scarier things than sex every night.) Finally, she's late — and suddenly you're using those new power tool skills on a crib. Nine months later, you race to the hospital. You make it. You cry. Dad. And when you get home, you remember to water the plant.


Second Kid, First Minivan


Lacrosse practice. School plays. Homework -- You can't remember calculus. And it's been years since you've heard the words "Last Call". A Third, accidental kid. You now see eye-to-eye with Clark Griswold.


The Seven-Year Itch


You realize two things: your bank account is bigger than ever, and there are women everywhere. It wouldn't be hard- you're always on business trips, you can be discreet- but you don't scratch it. Because there's more at stake than your integrity: the kids. So instead you buy and Aston Martin, no matter how silly it look with your graying, thinning locks. Your wife smiles at the sight; she looks beautiful.


The Grandkids


Mission accomplished. The kids leave for college, graduate, wed their sweethearts. You give them hard-earned wisdom about marriage- mistakes you've made, ways to take back those mistakes- which they promptly ignore. Just like you ignored your parents. They have kids but you're not a "grandpa," because grandpas are weak and old and enjoy prune juice.


The Long Goodbyes


Prune juice is kind of delicious, huh? The grandkids get married, but this time you hold back on the advice- they'll learn on their own. You already beat the Seven-Year-Itch, so the Seventy-Year-Itch is no big deal. Semi-assisted living becomes fully assisted living, which becomes hospice. You look at your wife. Know you'd do it all over. Close your eyes. Hold her hand. This is happiness ever after.


I think I want to get this little thing framed or something because I think it is so cute.  Maybe I think its even more cute because Derek loves it just as much as me.  He'll grab it off my fridge and read it at least once every couple of weeks.  If you would like to see the cute old school pictures they show in the article click here.

Poor.Poor.Poor.

If anyone doesn't already know this about me then here I am admitting a fault that I have (among many, I'll just name one).  When I get an idea in my head, and decide that I want it, I have to have it right at that second. Well second, week, month, YEAR.  But we all know I can't wait a year for things to happen.  Example:

8:15am: Mom says, "Ash, we are looking at selling our car, if you are interested we can sell it to you for a very good price."
8:16am: I think very, very hard about it.  How big of a commitment is it? Ah who cares!
8:30am: "Mom, I'll take it!" :)
8:32am: I text Derek, "Oh hey, would you be ok if I bought mom's car?"
Ha ha, just kidding on the Derek part. Of course I asked him before I said yes, but he could never say no to me.  I'd take Chloe from him.

So the other day my mom sat me down and said, "Ash, I think you and Derek need to get into a house soon (after marriage of course).  With the market how it is you can buy a great house for a great price and you have money to put down for a down payment.  Rates for a loan are down low and I can hook you up with a really good title company to save you some costs" (ha).  Well after she said that, I text Derek to tell him.  He said he would really like to do that and thought it would be a good investment.  We've both been living in apartments for 3-4 years now and we are both so sick of it.  I don't even want to think about how much money we have both been payed for rent.  So that afternoon/night we pulled up the mls list for Cache County and started looking.

Needless to say I think I'm going to drive Derek crazy with all my house talk.  Then my step dad throws out that he thinks we should look into doing the Self Help Program with Neighborhood NonProfit which is where he works.  You build your own house and help your neighbors build theirs for 8-12 months.  You have to spend at least 36 hours (I think) working a week but your family members can come to help and count for some of your hours.  We are looking into it because we'd be saving $36,000 on a house.  They are appraised for $187,000 but the loan you take out is only $151,000 - $155,000.  (Except that is a LOT of money for us, ek...)  Well it'd be a ton of work and I'd feel bad watching Derek work his job for 10 hours a day and then work until 10 at night Tuesday-Saturday but who knows, he could like it.

Every time I ask about a house my mom says, "Oh poor Derek, poor poor poor Derek.  I feel bad that he has to put up with you."  Well I blame her, I wouldn't even be really thinking about a house if she hadn't put the idea in my head.  Derek sure is excited about it though, he would love getting a house and fixing it up a little bit.  I do feel bad for him though.  When I'm done running around with my idea's we'll be living on a big piece of land, our car will be a school bus, we'll have a swimming pool and in the backyard will be a doggy day care center.  Oh and did I mention (?) the pool is shaped like a bone and for dogs only.  :) Everyday I tell him that at least he knows all this stuff about me before we get married.

*I got this picture from msnbc.com through their Animal Tracks*

The little article next to this pictures says...

Dogs heading to Totally Dog day care center in Miami, sit in their seats.  Every day, up to 25 dogs board the yellow school bus for their ride to the five-acre, fully-fenced doggy playground, complete with a bone-shaped swimming pool.  Some of the dogs are dropped off by their owners in business parking lots and others are picked up at their homes.  (My dream job)

Well after every thing is said and done on our apartment/house hunting for when we are married, I will be happy with anything.  I'll just be happy to finally be married and living with just Derek and the Moppit.  But it does get me excited to know someday in the near future we will own our own place and no one can tell us we can't have a dog there (stupid landlords).  I can't wait!