Closing and Costa Rica

Hot off the press, everyone! Well, maybe "warm off the press" is more like it...

I found out today that all the papers for closing on my condo are ready to go - about a month early since the original closing date was May 27. My mortgage people and real estate agent said I could potentially close as early as next week if I wanted.

Since I have my rental til the end of June, I have no need for moving in that early.  But I am taking it to my advantage... here's the scoop. I'm going to close a week early on May 19. This does a couple things, it enables me to use some extra Seller's closing cost $$ towards my HOA Dues which helps reduce my first monthly payment (yay!), it gives me some more time to get contractors in to take measurements for my kitchen renovation ANNNDDDD.... here's the other exciting part..... it means I can sign all the closing papers MYSELF before I go to COSTA RICA for a week!! Originally, the amazing Bethanne was going to step in as my proxy to sign but now I get to experience it all myself and spare Bethanne a cramped hand. :)

So, Costa Rica!! I'm super excited. One of my very amazing roomies has a sis that's living there so several of us are trekking down to Costa Rica to stay on their farm for several days and then stay at this resort for the other couple days. Because it's technically off season, we're getting this huge place to ourselves (including a three level pool, bar, etc) for pretty dang cheap. BTW - if anyone is going to be in Costa Rica at the end of May, let me know and you can join!

Activities on the MUST DO list include:

• Riding horses on the farm
• Eating fresh mangos and bananas off the trees (it's mango season after all!)
• Speaking my sorry-excuse-for-Spanish to the locals. Lo siento, hablo un poco espanol.
• Time in the sun on the beach (if it's not raining the whole time, it'll be a gamble)
• A brief surf lesson on the Pacific coast where the waves are supposed to be incredible (hopefully, just beginner-incredible)
• Canopy Tour Zip Course
• Take an obscene number of amazing pictures

Stay posted for updates!!

The Floorplan!

Is it dorky or obsessive (or both?) that I stayed up so late tonight to finish mapping out my condo's floorplan in Visio? I just couldn't stop until it was finished PERFECTLY. And it all started with trying to send a contractor measurements for counters.... *sigh*

Anyway, take a look! There are a couple areas that are probably not as accurate, but I'd say it's pretty good for not having exact measurements of every room!

The Home Renovation Planning Begins!

Over a month until closing time and I've already begun devising an evil plan to overhaul the kitchen! …In an economically friendly way, of course!


It all started with an ugly faux brick backsplash… Are you ready for this? Then came the stove because it’s very dated and near its last bake. And because it’s a drop in stove, it makes sense to replace the ugly counters since we’ll have to cut into them anyway. THEN the cabinets because they are old and terribly painted and because we’ll have to cut into that to install a freestanding stove and an above the stove microwave….AND THEN if I’m going to be replacing the cabinets and the counter, why not put in the wood floors that I want to replace the 70s laminate that’s peeling in the pantry??? Whew!!

I mean, it’s all in the spirit of not having to live through a nasty kitchen renovation and taking advantage of the overlapping month between having my condo and my rental.

As of now, here are the components of my dream kitchen:

1. Warm wood floor (install by myself, my dad, and potentially my lil bro)

2. White cabinets (installed by my pops and bro – and me as an assistant!)

3. Under cabinet lighting

4. Black/Grey solid surface/stone OR butcher block counter

5. New single tub sink

6. Stainless steel appliances: glass top electric stove, over-the-stove microwave, bottom freezer fridge

7. Breakfast bar even with the counter

8. New light fixture


Here are some pictures to get the creative juices flowing…