One Year Ago....

...I was getting all settled and snug in our sweet little home in Tennessee.  Since we are currently living in Texas in "house limbo" and all of my decorations and belongings are packed in 1.3 million boxes (the hubster's count, not mine), I decided to share a few fall memories from last year and give you a few updates...


In my June post, I told you about having to sell our house to move back to Texas.  We listed the house in May as "For Sale by Owner".  We had some traffic and some repeat lookers, but nothing serious.


At the end of May, we moved our listing to MLS.  We had an offer in 3 days...we actually received the offer the date of my last post.  We closed on the morning of July 8th and were sleeping in a Texas bed that night.  A sweet, young couple bought our house and it was perfect for them.  They were as excited as we had been when we bought the house.  I do hope they are loving it as much as we did.

Since moving back, lots of changes have taken place.  We decided to build a home since we couldn't really find anything that we liked.  Plans fell through with the first builder...we just didn't think $164/sq.ft. was a reasonable price.

We found another subdivision and are under contract...this new house will be called "50 Shades of Gray"....I will save those details for another post. We are hoping that one day soon they will begin construction.  Every time we ask about something we get the "Money Pit" movie response....two weeks.  Everything is two weeks! :-)



We are currently living in my in-laws Texas home.  They permanently moved back to Alabama and their house here is currently for sale.  We are so grateful and thankful to have a place to live while our house is being built.


During July, our family suffered, quite unexpectedly, the loss of 3 family members.  We have been devastated.  In October, another precious family member died.  Needless to say, we are not really looking forward to the holidays this year.

Another loss the hubster and I have experienced is the loss of two small children. NO, I do not mean we actually lost children...we just lost enough weight between the two of us that would equal two small children.  I've lost 15 pounds and the hubster has lost 20.  And let me tell you, I've worked hard for almost 3 months for my measly 15, while the hubster's went away in 4 weeks...sheesh!!


I will have to save those details for another post as well....I know...it bites doesn't it! :-)  But I can't give you all the details in one post...it would be 47,000 pages long, so I have to give it to you in small pieces....


42 comments

  1. I have missed you, Benita, and I'm delighted to see you posting again! I'm down 7.8 lbs so far.....aiming for another 15, wish me luck!

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    1. I've missed you too...and thank you so much! I applaud you and do wish you well. We can keep each other encouraged. I have about 3 (or 10...LOL) more to go! The holidays and egg nog are going to kill me!! Love and hugs to you sweet friend!!

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  2. What a lucky young couple to have found your TN house! And how fortunate for you and for your husband's parents that it works out for you to live in their house while it's on the market. I know you, you will keep it realtor's dream ready!

    It's wonderful to find you posting here again, Benita. I'm so very sorry for all the losses your family has suffered this past year and I hope you know that you have been on the hearts of your blog friends.
    Love to you,
    Dewena

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    1. Thank you so much Dewena!

      We were so happy that the young couple and the house were matched so well. The dad of the young guy came over several times and always made a bee-line for the screened in porch...he loved it!

      It has been a tough year but we are hanging in there and know that things always work out as they are supposed to. I've missed you all and have been thinking about everyone over the last few months. I'm trying to "get my groove back" and hope to be back to normal before too long! :-) Love and hugs to you!!

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  3. Gosh, Benita, all of those recent life circumstances/events are enough to send anyone's life reeling out of control, yet you still seemingly have it together. With heartfelt sympathy and compassion, it is very good to hear from you.

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    1. Thank you so much Rita, you are very sweet. It has been a tough year for our family, especially my mother. The 3 were her youngest brother, her great aunt (who was always so dear to us) and her sister. While it’s been tough, we are hanging in there. Love and hugs!!

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  4. haha. I've lost 2 small children too - although right this second is the first time I've ever thought about it that way. One of those little brats keep trying to come back home but I am OVER THEM and NEVER want to see their bratty little faces again for as long as I live! Wish TX wasn't so far away - I'd come see you tomorrow! Love and miss you tons! Christie

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    1. That is so awesome!! I've become obsessed with losing the weight...LOL I'm the same way you are...never want to see them again!! We will be coming home at Christmas...let's plan to have lunch or dinner! And it really isn't that bad of a drive from Alabama...so just know you are welcome to come visit anytime! Love and miss you tons also!!

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  5. So happy to hear about your last year and so sorry for all the loss. Except of course the weight! I am trying to get down to my pre-first pregnancy 34 years ago weight. Only 5 pounds to go!

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    1. Thank you so much AnnMarie! The weight loss is definitely a good thing. I'm so proud of you...it's a tough road. When I decided to start losing, I weighed exactly what I did when I gave birth to my first child...and I wasn't birthing anything...LOL Keep me posted on your journey! Love and hugs to you!

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  6. So sorry to hear of your losses...that's always tough. You have had a lot of things going one. Hope everything goes smoothly (as possible) with your new home. xoxo

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    1. Thank you so much Donna, it has been tough and been a crazy year. I just want you to know that I had to go to Nothing Bundt Cakes yesterday…LOL. I bought a dozen Bundtinis. Surprisingly, they are not as high in calories or sugar as I thought…so I ate 2 last night! :-) Love and hugs to you!!

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  7. I'm glad that you are feeling up to blogging again. I know there are times in life when we just "get through." The stress diet you and your hubby have been on is effective, but not recommended by Dr. Reinwald ;) Wishing you nothing but the best going forward!

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    1. Thank you so much! Yes, it has been a "getting through" season. Unfortunately, I eat like crazy when I'm stressed...LOL We made the conscious decision to lose weight and have done it the right way so it will stay off...the best thing about it is that I get to have a milkshake every day! :-) I will be sharing that recipe soon. The bad thing is that I have to do squats every day...but the milkshake makes up for it...LOL Thank you again so much...you are so sweet and precious! Love and hugs to you!

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  8. I need those weight loss secrets! Milk shake and squats...I can do that.

    Looking forward to seeing you. :)

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    1. The milkshake is motivation to do those squats…LOL Look forward to seeing you too girl! I can’t wait!!

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  9. Your post clears up a lot of questions for your absence. I am so, so sorry for your losses. And I know moving and building...wow! Pressure. I wish you guys all the best! And I've missed you!

    Jane

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    1. It's just hard to sit down and write and put on a happy face when there is so much going on. Thank you so much Jane! We've never built a house before...and may never again after this...LOL I've missed you too...I felt lost without you girls!!

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  10. Hello,
    I am so excited about the build.
    I am sad for the losses.
    I am excited to find out how you lost the 15 lbs! You go girl.
    Love, Carla

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    1. Thank you so much! Have a wonderful weekend! Love and hugs to you!!

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  11. Hello sweet friend. Glad to see your post and know you are getting settled in Texas. You will probably love living there when the winter months hit. Much milder weather hopefully. Sorry for all the losses. Hugs and prayers for better days ahead.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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    1. Thank you so much Kris. It has been a crazy year and thank you so much for the prayers! I'm a winter type of person so I will be missing all the snow in Tennessee. :-) If we are lucky, we will have a little bit here in Texas. Have a great weekend! Love and hugs to you!

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  12. Hi Benita, So happy you are back. Sad to hear about your family members. You have been missed all these months. Take care and I will be looking forward to hearing the rest of your story. Enjoy your weekend. Hugs

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    1. Thank you so much! I’ve missed everyone so much and am glad to be back at it. It will take me a while to get in a groove again…LOL. It has been a sad year but I hope the rest of it is calm and that 2017 starts out much better than 2016 did. I hope you have a great weekend….love and hugs to you!!

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  13. SO glad to see you posting! Men always lose weight fast. Not sure why.
    Brenda

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    1. Thank you so much, it is good to be back. And yes, they do. It takes us forever, but they drop it easily....so frustrating! :-) Love ya!!

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  14. Good times and bad times...followed by more good times, I hope.
    Many, many more good times.
    Welcome back, Benita!
    xo, T.

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    1. It has been quite the rollercoaster this year….Thank you so much! Love and hugs to you!!

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  15. Oh my, lots has happened in your world since we last spoke. I am so sorry to hear about your losses.The house stuff sounds frustrating and exciting at the same time...I hope it moves faster than you think it will. I am looking forward to catching up with you soon!! xo

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    1. Thank you so much...this year has definitely had its ups and downs. You are so right, the house is definitely an exciting and frustrating project, but the down time from dressing up a house is definitely welcomed. Look forward to catching up with you also! Love and hugs to you!

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  16. Funny how life has a way of changing. Losing loved ones brings that clearly to the forefront and I hope the holiday season isn't too sad for the rest of your family without them. As the poem Remember Me goes ...better by far to smile and forget...

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    1. That poem always makes me cry…but it is so beautiful! Life has been full of changes this year, some good, some bad, but that’s always how life rolls. We have wonderful memories of our loved ones and those memories will get us through the holidays. Thank you so much! Love and hugs!

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  17. Losing three people so close is devastating. I read the comments and saw that your poor mother lost two siblings. My heart goes out to her (and you!).

    Building a house is something I've always wanted to do (but probably never will), but then I hear horror stories and it gives me pause, I hope your builder doesn't turn out to be a jerk. Building a home should be a gratifying experience!

    Why do men lose weight so easily? All I have to do is smell food and it goes straight to my muffin too!

    xxx


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    1. Thank you so much!! Yes ma’am, it has been a rough year…the 2 siblings right behind the loss of my dad. We’ve never built a house and I’ve always heard the horror stories…we are hoping it goes smoothly. We’ve already had one builder that we walked away from…keeping my fingers crossed with this one! :-)

      I know, right???!! It makes me so mad…and I’m the same way…except with chocolate. I walk past it and it just latches on to me…LOL Love and hugs!!

      PS…Yes, Dewena is migrating back to TN…I can’t blame her. I like visiting Florida for short periods, but I couldn’t live there.

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  18. That's muffin too...

    P.S. Guess you know we won't be meeting in Florida? Dewena's gettin' outta Dodge.

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  19. Benita,
    You're back in top form! Love everything you write. I am so sorry for all your recent losses of so many loved ones, one right after another. I'm just down the road if you ever need anything, including just someone to hang with while making it through a rough day.

    We built our house, literally did a lot of the actual building. It was an exciting time, and I would do it again. You will have a grand time... with the right builder.

    Judith

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    1. Judith, thank you so much, you are so precious!! Don’t be surprised if I show up and take you up on your offer. My mom had a heart attack Tuesday night, so it’s been a crazy few days. She is back at home and they will be running additional tests over the next few weeks. I definitely do not want to go through losing any other family members anytime soon! Thank you again so much for being such a sweet and treasured friend! Love and hugs to you!!

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  20. Your story is the exact reason we decided not to try and sell our house for sale by owner. The money that you might save could lessen the longer the house is on the market and the prices tumble. If you want to sell, you have to go MLS and reach a larger audience so you can sell in days.

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    1. I'm so glad we were fortunate and that our house sold quickly. I do wish we had been able to live there longer than a few months because I loved the area! We listed it on MLS through For Sell By Owner and it moved quickly. As a matter of fact, we still get calls for it...LOL

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