JenLeoLIVE!

House Update: Thrilled homeowners now... (with pics)

On March 27 I blogged that we put an offer on a house. Believe it or not, we just closed yesterday, 48 days later. It was a roller coaster of a ride and we're more than happy it's over with.

Today I called to tell my friend Leigh about it and she asked if I was excited. I am excited, but my head is also overwhelmed with what to do with it that I'm not jumping up and down. I am so happy that we got it and I can't wait to start nesting, but it's practically all I think about. The house basically needs to be stripped and redone. I wouldn't say gutted, but walls will be patched and painted, wallpaper and snow down, needs new flooring, maybe take  a wall down, new windows eventually, of course a new kitchen and bathrooms (but not right away), we also need furniture, and I'm stuck on paint colors. This doesn't include landscaping, painting the outside of the house, a deck and someday a cabana with rooftop deck. Pool? Who knows, we have the ocean in our front yard.

I know full well that we don't have to do it all at once. I get that. But I am so excited that I can't put one foot in front of me. All I can think about is paint color. And budget. I know we won't do all that's needed to be done before we move in (July 21 after the WSOP) but I want to have a plan. And I won't be able to budget everything else until I get a grasp on flooring. So, I'm going to head down to SD next week.

Luckily, my brother Jason and been more than amped to be our coordinator and head fix it/remodeler guy. He loves working with his hands and will consider our house a part time job getting it ready for us. Hopefully we can have an architect come over next week to talk about taking down a wall and an ugly roofing thing (hold tight for pics) - and then Jason and I can go price out hard wood floors and tile. We are really really lucky to have Jason, and that we can do stuff like paint and floors before we have to move in.

Now, here are the before pics of our Carlsbad fixer:

Carlsbad House (Flickr set) 

CURRENT: LAS VEGAS, NV
NEXT: SAN DIEGO, CA ? (Mon - Thurs?)

Mother's Day in Charleston, SC

It's been a lovely weekend here in Charleston - pictures, pictures - I know.

Yesterday we crashed in on two families for Mother's Day. The first was brunch at John's friends' Michelle and Sid's out in Park West. They have two kids and spread a quichetastic meal for us. The entire weekend I've been wondering if we made a mistake in deciding to move back to Southern California. I know it's the right decision family-wise, but it's hard. Charleston ranks right up there with Bay Area in terms of how many good friends we have in this town. Sid and Michelle gave us a look at what our life might be like. They are laid back Californians and although they live at least 30-40 minutes from downtown Charleston, we still got a glimpse of some difficulties we might face here. Sid wears a t-shirt and shorts to work, a business he owns. This sometimes gets strange looks from the suits that he sees around his building or at lunch. They also told us about being somewhat ostracized because they don't go to church. It was an interesting perspective considering we usually hang out with locals that don't have these issues (that we know of). Artsy alternative locals, but locals still the same.

I try to keep in mind that this is vacation. But every restaurant, every wine bar, every gorgeous historic house that we see nags at me. Did we make a mistake? Would we be happier here? We eventually let it go and dream talk about a future in which we can be bi-coastal. Or tri-coastal. Some of our friends here are encouraging us to buy some beach front property with them in Panama. John is super keen to find out more info. I'd like to see pictures and hear more about the three hour drive from the nearest city first.

Ok, back to bed for a nap. After all, it's only 5am PST.

CURRENT: Charleston, SC
NEXT: Las Vegas, NV

Getting some soul food in Charleston, SC - $20 trick works here too

We made it to Charleston, SC last night. It's really great to be traveling with John for pleasure as opposed to work. Stress? What stress? Never heard of it.

Except for a few minutes at our hotel...upon arrival. Travel Tip #1 - remember who booked the trip. John books 98% of our travel arrangements. But for some reason which we now know is not only Mother's Day but also the local college graduation - hotels were pretty booked up downtown. So, I spent some extra time online surfing for the best deal + location. Only, I forgot. And when we arrived at the King Charles Best Western on Meeting Street and asked for Caldwell - the hostess told us she didn't have us booked.

"We probably booked it under Expedia," John said.
" Or Hotels.com," I added. We only book through Expedia or Hotels.com. Or directly I thought - but then they would've had us.
"We booked this months ago..." I said, fulling losing faith in online travel booking procedures. John wondered where we'd end up since the whole town was full up.
"Might you have reserved this under a different name?" Molly suggested.
"Jennifer Leo?" I questioned hopefully.
"Yep, we have your room," said Molly. "And you booked through Orbitz."

I started chatting to her about the reasons I chose this hotel. And asked her about the recent renovations. Apparently they only had 30 rooms redone so far.

"And if I slip you a $20 can we get one of those new rooms Molly?" I smiled. "Worth a shot, John - hurry," I dictated pointing to his wallet - "it works in Vegas."

Molly didn't mind. We'll get moved to one of the new rooms on Saturday for the last two nights of our trip. That was her first availability.

So - SOUL FOOD.
The best way to give your soul exactly what it needs is to go home. There are some people in this world that  make me feel like I've come home the minute I'm in their presence. That's how we felt last night.  We had dinner at Johnny and Hayne's and couldn't have started the trip any better. They just had twin boys, 2 months old, and when we arrived Johnny had one in a sling and one over his shoulder making parenting look easy as pie.

Our friends  might have the only mid-century modern house in Charleston and I walked around the house drooling, mentally taking notes at what we might be able to copy from their expert design efforts.

Classic music was playing, steaks were on the grill, and veggies from their CSA delivery were all prepped.  So, you see, this isn't the kind of soul food you were thinking of - this is good loving, hanging out with great friends, an occasion that doesn't happen often enough.

And right now I'm starved again - so I better go find something to eat.

CURRENT: Charleston, SC
NEXT: Las Vegas, NV (May 12)

Considering playing the Ladies WSOP Circuit event at Caesars

The ladies event in the 2008 WSOP Circuit Event at Caesars Palace is on today at 11 a.m. John told Tiffany yesterday that I wouldn't be playing it. It's true, I hate playing women. But I had a good show this weekend and was playing well so I started to reconsider.

For some reason my husband knows me pretty well and articulated why I hate playing them better than I could've explained it. "You don't like playing women-only poker because you hate losing to women. You don't mind losing to men, but you hate losing to women. Every year you play a women's tourney and every year you swear you'll never do it again."

And then he said he'd stake me for half. Actually, he might've said that before his accurate spiel. So, I'm considering it.

I'm remembering the good run I had on Saturday. I'm remembering that the first time I ever played a poker tourney was at a LIPS tourney at Bay101 and I made it to #14 out of 150 or more. And I didn't even know how to play then. Maybe if I wear the same out fit I wore on Saturday when I won - especially my new lucky hat - maybe just maybe I won't go out first at my table like fucking last year. And that was just a weekly women's tourney.

Besides, if John is paying half....

BUT - maybe I only won on Saturday because I was playing with my own money. Which I said when I cashed out.

Oy, the dilemna. Either way - I'd have to get some work done and be showered and dressed and down there by 11am. That, I don't know if I can do.

Wrangler Hockey! Clap, clap - clap clap clap!

The Las Vegas Wranglers are in the playoffs and I'm totally into it. We went to two games this weekend - one Friday night and another with LB minus C last night. Friday night was awesome. Not just because we shut out the Alaska Aces 8-0, but because there were so many fights. I love the fights. Brian says I have blood lust, and John just laughs. At the beginning of the Friday night game the giant screened showed off that the Aces goalie hadn't lost a game in ten games. So, #35 must've been having an off night because we got 8 past him. #16 Czuy is my favorite because he hustles and hits, but it was #81 Miller's game on Friday night.  Saturday night we won too, 3-0 but there was a lot less fighting.

Now they head up to Alaska for three games. If they win two of them, the series is over with for now and the Wranglers move on. But if they lose won, we'll get to watch them again here in Vegas to finish off the series.

That's all I have to say right now.

Re House: We find out first week of May
Re poker: I took 2nd in the TI 2pm for $588 yesterday. That was fun :-)

CURRENT: Las Vegas
NEXT: Charleston, SC May 8-12 (I think those are the dates)

I'm actually enjoying living in Las Vegas

For all my bitching about how miserable I've been living in Las Vegas and how it is the seventh circle of hell, I actually had a really nice weekend. Living in a house (even if it is a tract home) in a nice neighborhood makes all the difference in the world. It is SO nice to be in Summerlin.

On Saturday we left the house for a run to the apartment (still in our last legs of clearing it out) and there were garage sales on the corner with a little girl selling lemonade. We had to stop. She was really cute and completely stealing the business from her friend across the street. We couldn't even tell that he was selling lemonade until we were leaving because his sign was completely black. I guess this will be his first mistake in marketing.

While we were at the apt, LBC called us and asked us to meet them at TI for the 2pm tourney. John will occasionally do this with me and I hadn't been to TI since well before Xmas. I was nervous as to what my dealer friends would say, but they greeted me with hugs and smiles, and of course, look what the cat dragged in. John went all the way to cash so we were there a while and before we knew it, it was time for Wranglers hockey. We could drive the 30 min back to the house, only to turn around and drive back - so we had a great Italian dinner at Pasta Mia on Flamingo and then went to the game. I don't think we've done that in ages. Left the house at noon and didn't come back till 10pm at night. A real Saturday.

On Sunday we had Chops, Lady Chops and Baby Chops over for breakky. Just bagels and fruit outside by the pool. These are the things you can enjoy when you don't live in an apartment.

So, for however long we live in Vegas (still won't know about the Carlsbad house for another week) - I will not complain. I love living in Summerlin. As long as there will be kids having lemonade stands and neighbors waving at us as we drive in.

CURRENT: Las VEGAS
NEXT: Dunno

one bad cheeseburger?

Last night I was in the hospital with an IV stuck in my arm because I had the diety worse than I've ever had it in my life. John doesn't like me talking about this, but I'm leaving out most of the good gory graphics. The doc said that I had food poisoning and that all would be okay. I *think* I got it from either a cheeseburger or fries at Fatburger at Red Rock. Those were the only two items John didn't have (but I did)  on Sundayand he didn't get sick.

Just a sign we need to eat better. The good news is, now we live five min from Whole Foods. It was 30 min before.

I feel better today.

CURRENT: Las Vegas
NEXT: Don't know.

House Update: We can start the inspection...

Our agent called yesterday not to say congratulations we got the house, but to say she had news. The Asset Manager of the Bank in Denver "considers this a done deal". The agent can put the house in "pending" and we can start the inspection process, but we can't call it ours until we get the signed paperwork. I wonder if she'll call us with any more enthusiasm when that happens?

John and I haven't talked about who all is going to San Diego for the inspection yet. It might just be him.

This weekend I'll be unpacking the new Vegas rental. Or just saying I need to unpack and hovering over my computer clickety clacking away. I will buy groceries because I'm hungry right now.

CURRENT: LAS VEGAS
NEXT: No idea...

House Update: we might find out today

Don't worry, if I knew anything about the house I'd tell you. Today *might* be the day that we hear. The bank in Denver got the original docs they asked for yesterday. Now all they have to do is sign them. Once they do that, it's official.

But banks are banks and they are very busy with many other people and many other houses. The last time we heard that we'd hear on Friday, we heard on Tuesday. And that's nothing. The last house we tried for was much worse.

I'm not stressing about it because I'm busy with other things including moving into the summer Vegas house. I'm sorry I don't have pictures. There's been the move, and internet + phone difficulties yesterday. But the pool - the pool is so great to look at. (We haven't been in yet because we need to figure out how to turn on the jacuzzi + heat). I'll spend the weekend opening boxes and walking away from them.

But I will buy groceries....

Have a great weekend everybody! If I hear about the house, I'll let you know. If you don't hear anything - you'll know we're still waiting too.

CURRENT: Las Vegas
NEXT: San Diego for the inspection after we get the house...

House Update: Fate decides

So, you want to know what happened with the house. Are we home owners? Not yet. We offered, they countered, we accepted, we waited the weekend, we waited Monday - no response. This morning they sent additional paperwork and said they need the original signature, not a fax'd version of the contract.

Agent says this is the first time in 6 years she's been asked for original signatures.

We had to decide whether or not John was going to fly out and turn in his signature, or we risk another day of higher offers and fed ex. Agent said we should Fed Ex. The coin flip said we should fly. John's decided to Fed Ex. If we don't get the house, the agent is fired.

"It's either going to happen or it's not," says John.

Stressful times. Fate, what have you?

By the way - get my Twitter (http://twitter.com/jenleo) for these updates, it's way faster.

CURRENT: Las Vegas
NEXT: Who knows...