Pictures of the new house

My side is on the left (side of work van)


This is the view from the front door


The dining room, living room and kitchen are completely open


Check out all my cabinet space plus I have counters!!!!


This is the view from the kitchen


This is looking out my screened in porch - I will be building (not really me building it basically hiring out)a fence for Spike. I love how no one is directly behind the house.


My master bedroom -


This is my master bathroom - My walk in closet is off to the left once you go into the master bath


Below are my two extra bedrooms - Plenty of space for visitors

Bought a townhome today!
Not sure why they call it a townhome - it is really a twin house (side by side). They are just finishing up building it. It has a great layout. It is 3 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths - plenty of room for visitors! I do not have anyone right next to me and no one behind me. It has hard wood floors on the main level. I will try to explain the layout:
Garage is connected to the house. Front door is to the right on the garage. When you walk in there is a 1/2 bath then you walk into an open space which is a dining room (14'x10'). This leads into the Great Room (16'x14'). To the right of these rooms is the kitchen with an island (13'x9'). Off of the kitchen is the laundry room. Off of the great room is a three season screened in porch.

When you walk in the front door you can go upstairs I have all of the bedrooms and two full baths. The master bedroom is unbelievable (16'x15') that connects to the master bath that connects to the walk in closet (9'x6'). Got to love that!

Sold the house!
About 10 pm EST my realtor called and said he was waiting to receive a purchase agreement. He called back about 30 minutes later and read through the offer. We countered and they accepted. The house was only on the market 11 days! It is their first home and they are both teachers.

Recap of Speed Dating
I met a lot of nice people. I was rather self serving since I asked every guy to name their favorite restaurants. If you come to town - I have a long list of where we should go. One person was immediately disqualified when his list of restaurants contained every kind of chain restaurant possible. I ended up with five new male friends who can show me around Durham. I also ended up meeting some really nice women to tear up the town. It is an adventure.

Car has arrived
15 Days to transport my car.

I have 20 dates tonight!
In an effort to meet people I am going speed dating. Each date lasts five minutes. (that could be 4 1/2 minutes too long for some) Keep your fingers crossed - I could care less about meeting a guy to date, it would just be nice to make some new friends. Check back for an update.

I was debating about going out with a realtor this weekend. I am just going to drive around myself and check out different neighborhoods. My car should arrive today or tomorrow, I cannot believe it took over two weeks to get here.

I am coming to MN next weekend - e-mail me if you want to get together (carol.ott@gmail.com).

xoxo
Carol

New Flash: Carol had GRITS this morning!

Sunday: Little on the chilly side 40's most of the day.
I went to the Waffle House with my boss. I totally carbed out with a waffle, grits and hashbrowns (with ham, tomatoes and jalapenos). It was AWESOME.

Spike and I then headed out to the dog park near the apartment. The dog park has two sections: dogs under 30 pounds and dogs over 30 pounds. Spike was the only dog in the under 30 pound area. He got to run around without being on a leash but it would have been better with other dogs.

Spike is getting very creative in looking out the window. I really don't know how he was able to stay up on the window sill.


Saturday:
It was so nice to sleep in this morning. I met with a realtor and looked around at different areas of Durham. I did find an area and townhome that I am highly interested - Elm Grove Hope Valley Farms. Someone backed out a townhome and it will be available in Mid-February. My realtor is also looking into the Warehouse Condos which will be near the Durham Bulls stadium and a walk to the new building.

We had a light rain for most of the day. I worked on some volunteer paperwork for Finnegans - sorry Jacquie that it took so long.

Friday:
Went to happy hour with some people from work - it was nice end to the first week.

Thursday:
Found out that I am working on eReader. I also have a couple of clients but most of my time will be spent on one of our sites.

Spike turned 3 years old yesterday. My niece Marie sent the cutest e-card!

The temperature swing was amazing today - 27 degrees when I woke up but at lunch it is about 60 degrees. Not a lot planned for the weekend. I hope to get a lot of rest. I meet with a realtor on Saturday morning to do an initial interview to see if she will work out. My house in Robbinsdale has a showing Friday, cross your fingers.

I will take some pictures this weekend of my new digs.

My house is listed. Thanks to Buffie, Karla and Amy for helping me stage it. They made it look huge!

My new Select Comfort Bed arrived today - I am thanking my lucky stars that I don't have to sleep on that dreaded innerspring another night.

I will be home February 3rd (7:18 pm) through 6th (1:20 pm). I am also tenatively planning on the weekend of February 24th and of course in March for St. Patrick's Day.

First day at the new job and I am totally exhausted. Spike and I are going to crash early tonight. Just got a phone call from the car shipping company - my car is going to arrive around January 23rd. I guess they will take all of the 12 days to get it from MN to NC.

Happy Sweet 16th Birthday to my niece Carissa in New Prague, MN!

Anyone house shopping? My house in Robbinsdale is on the market. I can hook you up!

So happy that NC Panthers beat the Bears :-) Love this state already!!

Spike and I are now in Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina
I helped out the economy today by shopping at Target and Costco.
Here is Spike in our living room at our furnished apartment.


Spike's First Flight
It started off fine - he went cargo and was on a sedative. We hit really bad turbulence over Raleigh. It was so bad that the whole plane clapped once we landed. I was a mess since my baby was in cargo.

Judy stopped by to say good bye to Spike. He just loves her, probably since she used to stick up for him during our morning walks. Thanks for the wine, it was needed after the turbulent flight.


Dad's Birthday - 79 years young!
Back row: Tom, David, Mom, Marie, me, Greg
Front row: Megan, Sam, Ben, Dad and JT
Jean taking photo
Carissa and Becky couldn't make it due to Carissa's party being on same night

Tom and Dad - Tom had this picture blown up of dad - ElToro Marines!


Dad with all of the boys


Stopped by my highschool to see my german teacher. He gave me itinerary advice for last years trip. I promised that I would show him my pictures - nothing like waiting until the 11th hour.

Farewell Pictures Continued . .
More Pictures of the basement dwellers:
Here I am with Jen, Kim and Amy

Dan and Jen

Keith and Scott

Robert, Becky and I having fun

Too many Augsburg stories were told by this group



Boyle Butt!

Joe and I

I was so happy that Amy and Robert came from Fennimore

Astrid and I


Here I am with my mom and Aunt Shirley


Lisa and Carol - Augsburg friend and Las Vegas travel companion (Go WAYNE)

Serious Girl Weekend Trouble

My brother Tom and my sister-in-law Jean

My brother Greg and I

My nephew Sam (Tom's son)skated during the Gopher game

Spike and I are pictured with Ben and Megan (2 of Greg's children)

Becky and Chris

Troy and Renee


Beth and Dan

Beth - I will miss seeing you everyday

Wendy, Cindy and Roland

Wendy - I am looking forward to August 19th!

Fingerhut gals (sans Carolyn)- Staci and Roisin


Neighbors:
John and Judy (parents of Sailor and Rugby)

Todd and Sharon (parents of Charlie)

Heather (mom of Daisy)

Farewell Party
Friends and family came to my house in Robbinsdale for my send off to North Carolina.
More pictures to come soon MONDAY

Carol with her niece Megan, Greg's daughter. Megan took on the role as my photographer of this event - Thank YOU!!!



Carol and Jill - Jill and I have been friends since 1st grade!


Uncle Lyle, Brad and Mike - Poor Mike he has put up with me since he started dating my cousin Lisa


Augsburg Reunion - Michele, Buffie, Kim, Jen (Spike) and me


What a Crew - Front: Andrea and Buffie Back: Spike, Amy, Carol, Karla


Carolyn Pool and I - Carolyn is a fabulous actress and will be at the Penumbra Theatre.
View a recent Star Tribune article

Went to a Finnegan's event last night at Sweeney's for a Winter Carnival event. Below is a picture of Jacquie (1 woman beer company) and me. Jacquie and I go back to Augsburg College days. Her beer company, Finnegans, is the only non-profit beer company in the world. To date her company has donated over $40,000 to the working poor and at risk youth in Minnesota.

Went to Costco to place the order for all of the food for the party on Saturday. I am in the process of 'trying' to declutter my home. I meet with a realtor on Thursday.

My cousin Lisa and her daughter Jocelyn stopped by to see us.

Happy New Year! 2006 is going to be the year of change! I cannot believe that in less than two weeks I will be in North Carolina.


Sampson (Buffie's dog - he is a clumber spaniel) and Spike - What angels!