At the beginning of 2014, we were living in our awesome apartment just living the good life. It was also our two year anniversary. Sometime in February, Mitch brought up the idea of owning a rental and being landlords. We had been talking about buying a home, but this would be more an investment/start of a business. As usual, I start looking at multi-family homes, mostly duplexes since that was what was available in our price range. We had met with realtors about a year before thinking that we would buy a home. We asked the realtor we felt most comfortable with to switch gears and start looking for rental buildings. We really started looking at homes in March and closed on our current duplex on Wednesday, April 30. It was quick, but then again, we are the two nerds who got married two weeks after being engaged because Friday the 13th was a cool day to get married. It's worked out well so far and I look forward to the next 100 + years (Mitch's vows mentioned that our promises to each was until death do us apart... and after)
We moved in May. We seemed to have acquired quite a few things for the two years we were in the apartment. The whole second bedroom set was courtesy of Mitch's Godmother, Pam. It took us just a few hours to get everything but our couches moved, thanks to Steffie, Charith and Zach. The couches didn't make it past the door. We tried, but the doors were just too small to fit the couches through. So, they now sit in the garage, and perhaps will be used in Mitch's man cave some day.
In July, I applied for a position at U.S. Bank, working more on the processing side of loans vs originating and closing them. This one was specific to Home Equity Lines of Credit (I am spelling it out for those who won't understand me when I say HELOCs). I got the job and I was super excited to start on July 21! It's going great so far and was one of the best decisions for me.
In August, we got our four legged baby, Annie! She has been a source of much frustration, but also a lot of laughter. I doubt she realizes why we are laughing, but sometimes, she is just ridiculous. We have not yet taken Annie to any training class, but dare I say Mitch and I have been pretty good trainers so far. She learned "No" pretty quickly for obvious reasons. She also learned to sit and stay. We have now taught her to ring a bell, or rather wind chime, hung from the door for when she wants to go out to do her business. She does sometimes ring it just because she wants to go out and run a few laps in the yard, but she seems to get the idea that the bell gets her outside. It's cool and she takes up a bunch of our time, but it is so nice to have her to come home to... most days. She is so excited to see us and can't wait to play and just be silly.
We had Thanksgiving, just the three of us, at home this year because Mitch and I had to work on the day before and after Thanksgiving. It didn't make sense for us to drive to St. Cloud. Mitch and I like cooking, so we had quite the feast. Even Annie got her own plate of Thanksgiving goodies.
Zach bought a home, and one of very good friends, Katy Jo, got engaged. Super happy for our friends. Mitch and I have had a very eventful year. This post sounds like only good things happened, which is not the case, but that is what I would like to remember. I am reminded of how lucky I am to have finally gotten this dude to notice me, marry me and be with me through all the ups and downs that life brings. As I am writing this, I am hanging out in the airport in Rome, Italy. Ah yes, I am spending New Year's eve in Rome because I am en route to Sri Lanka. None but a select few have any idea about the trip. I am planning on showing up at home. :)
I hope 2015 treats us as well as 2014 has and I wish everyone reading this a Happy New Year!
~Di