Sun. 1st--Calvin having some fun with Rolo before leaving for church. He looks so dapper in his suit.
I needed to go to Lubbock to get Calvin some clothes for his school uniform, so I invited Karole to come up with us. She treated us to lunch at Chilis right across from the Texas Tech campus. Calvin's burger was so big he could barely get his mouth around it.
JJ nibbling on his fries with his pizza.
We've never been to Jonesboro, Arkansas. But it was a pretty easy drive (beyond Dallas) and once out of Texas, we saw some nice scenery. We checked in to our hotel, then drove over to the Hijinx bowling alley a few miles away to check out the pros practicing.
I would be freaking out if I was mingling and competing with pros of anything! But Cooper sure didn't act nervous. I was so proud of him for getting out there. That takes a special kind of guts, in my opinion.
*This is Chris Prather with Cooper in the background.
Cooper took a white t-shirt and an orange permanent marker so the pros would sign it for him. And of course, I always asked for a picture.
Cooper and Packy Hanrahan.
Cooper and Marshall Kent.
Cooper and Keven Williams who also sings and composes music.
Cooper and Andrew Anderson.
Cooper and Francios Lavoie (Fran-swah La-vwah)--a Canadian bowler.
I love this picture of Cooper!
Just for kicks and giggles!
Since our evening ended early, we decided to go to a sit-down establishment for dinner. The Texas Roadhouse. I ordered a half rack of ribs. It took up the entire plate. There was no way I could eat all this.
Sat. 7th--While Cooper and I were in Jonesboro and Karcyn was at Girls Camp, Jared took Calvin and JJ to Lubbock for a fishing event. Calvin reports he lost a few of Jared's lures, including a rooster. And they caught nothing.
However, Calvin did get to meet the Game Wardens out patrolling the area. This is his current dream job. The officer on the right is Drew Spencer, who actually stars in "Lone Star Law" on Animal Planet. When they found out Calvin wanted to become a game warden, they gave him good advice. Do good in school and stay out of trouble.
Spending the whole day there, gave me the advantage of finding a good seat for viewing.
Yay--a mother/son tournament selfie!
Cooper and Packy looking on.
This was almost a perfect 300 game!
And before we knew it, squad A was done and it was time for Cooper to get ready. I about peed my pants when I saw who he was sharing lanes with...KYLE TROUP!!!!! Talk about a bowling celebrity!
It was so fun to see young kids and teenagers come up to Cooper and ask for his signature at the tournament.
And there he is...the Bob Ross of Bowling...The Pro with a Fro, none other than Kyle Troup and his colorful bowling outfits who was leading the PBA. It was mind-blowing awesome to be near him. He had some followers, too. Which meant there was a crowd watching the lanes Cooper was on. Fortunately, even though Cooper was silently fan-boying, the crowds didn't bother him.
Cooper's lane partner, Robbie. Nice kid. He's 24 and this was his first PBA tournament too.
Mentally getting in the zone.
Cooper's buddy, Will Donovan back in College Station, was texting me comments about Cooper's performance during the tournament. He signed up for the free trial of Bowl TV just so he could watch Cooper and sent me a screen shot to show me what he was seeing.
Talk about PRO-AM (professional/amateur).
Getting a well deserved fist bump from Kyle. Cooper busted his fanny out there. The oil pattern was extremely difficult and one that he isn't as experienced with. He bowled six straight games back-to-back. He had a ton of strikes and spares and picked up some impressive splits. Even though he came in 117 out of 117, he's a winner in my book just for attending and putting himself out there. Talk about vulnerability! What an incredible experience to rub shoulders with the guys you've been studying and watching on YouTube videos. His idol, Jason Belmonte (Belmo), wasn't there because he took a year off to welcome his fourth baby into the family. But that didn't detract from the remarkable weekend. There are no regrets and this was only the beginning. I look forward to seeing Cooper in many more PBA tournaments.
Cooper and Kyle Troup!
Cooper and Jason Sterner.
Cooper and Ryan Ciminelli.
Cooper and Bryce Catahan--a marketing intern for the PBA that Cooper met at the Lubbock Open.
We left Jonesboro Sunday morning after breakfast and after running by the bowling alley one last time so Cooper could see a few more people and say goodbye.
*Holy cow...my thoughts exactly!!!
And JJ, who didn't start school for another whole week waved goodbye and even cackled a little, haha!
It was also his 10th Birthday!! Sporting his new shirt from Grandma and Grandpa Lee.
And having his birthday "party" with his cousins, Ayzlynn and Korbin since they didn't have school yet, either. JJ wanted them to each have $10 to spend at Walmart.
Making important consumer decisions.
Having fun back at the house with their purchases.
JJ's cake.
Opening up his gift from his cousins.
*Karole came over to celebrate the birthday boy.
Poor kid...here are your birthday gifts wrapped in a Walmart bag, a brown grocery sack, and a warped packing box. It's the best we could do after moving in a few weeks prior and still living out of boxes. We're so lucky he's an easy going kid most days and doesn't really care about all that fluff.
I had him open this Amazon box because my mom said he had a gift coming from her. She said she sent two things and he had already received the shirt and a joke book. But I was obedient and waited to for him to open it on his birthday. Except that when he did, he pulled out a 12 pack of check registers! JJ was trying to figure out what they were. Those were for me! Haha!! I had forgotten I ordered them. Not only are his gifts very wrapped very organically, we're making him open packages that aren't for him. Poor, poor kid.
Hopefully this new gift in the driveway made up for all of that!! Now he and Korbin can ride back and forth to each other's houses--at least until we move across the very busy College Avenue (Hwy. 350).
Thurs. 12th--Cooper received his mission call and decided to open up the email that night. We was called to labor as a service missionary in the Texas Lubbock Service Mission Area. He reports Oct. 25, 2022 and it's anticipated he will serve for a period of 24 months. We're super excited and can't wait to see how it all unfolds for him and those he serves.
Fri. 13th--I accepted my first substitute job subbing at the Junior High for Calvin's history teacher, though it would be after Calvin's period. I did have my niece, Olivia, though. Out of a class of 24 students in one period, all but one was Hispanic. In another, there were three who were not Hispanic. Clearly there is a high Hispanic population in Snyder.
This lunch was also very significant. Because like most restaurants in the south in the middle of the summer, the A/C is cranked up and freezes me out every time. While I was freezing, I was overcome with the most uncomfortable wave of heat that washed over my entire body. It was so intense, I was sweating on my forehead and in the cracks of my arms. I knew without any doubt that I had just experienced my very first hot flash. *sigh* As if I wasn't going through enough changes already...
*I have never been a fan of clothes shopping, but we managed to have some minor success, especially since we live so far away and this was basically our only shot to get Calvin some clothes that are school uniform approved. I'm just not sure how long Calvin will be able to wear them. He's growing, growing, growing.
Thurs. 5th--When Cooper went to watch the Lubbock Open in July, he decided to join the PBA on a free membership. Because his average was high enough, he was eligible to bowl in the Jonesboro Open in Arkansas. It was $400 to register, not to mention the cost of gas, food, and lodging. Cooper had approached us the week prior and wondered if there was any possible way under the sun, we would help make this happen for him for the next five years of birthdays and Christmas gifts. He really wanted to bowl in a PBA tournament and if he could do it before his mission, even better. Jared and I talked it over and we used some of Jared's bonus money to make it happen. Because Jared just started his new job, I would be the one to drive him to Arkansas. One of my least favorite things to do...drive for long distances. Jonesboro is about a 10 1/2 hour drive from Snyder. But I looked forward to spending some one-on-one time with Cooper and supporting him in this thing that he loves so much and that he excels in.
Fri. 6th--After breakfast, we headed to the bowling alley to he could warm up with the pros. I figured we'd be at the bowling alley all day and packed my bag as such. Cooper was in the B squad later that afternoon, but he wanted to watch the first squad go, especially because Packy Hanrahan was bowling. This was the guy Cooper met in Lubbock and who asked him to film for them.
Back in Jonesboro, after the warm-ups, Cooper started filming again for Packy's YouTube channel.
Tues. 10th--My niece (in-law), Patricia who is married to my oldest nephew, James, was getting ready to teach 3rd grade reading/English. In fact, I think it's the job that the principal wanted me to take when I interviewed with her and the assistant principal back in May after submitting my resume. I wasn't ready to teach full time though, especially after relocating my family to a whole new place and still trying to find a house, etc. I'm glad Patricia could take the position. Knowing how crazy that first year (or three) can be, I wanted to do whatever I could to lend a hand. Even though it was the day before school was starting, I went to her classroom to help her organize school supplies and other areas, etc. Patricia is super calm and chill. I don't think anything rattles her. Which is really impressive. If I were in her shoes, I would have been much more stressed out. I had to take a picture of the sign that said "Mrs. Hough, 3rd Grade" because that used to be me in another world (Utah) and in another time.
Wed. 11th--And just like that it was the first day of school for Karcyn and Calvin in the Snyder School District. Karcyn was starting her sophomore year and Calvin (who refused to be photographed) was starting as an 8th grader.
A Bakugan set so he and Korbin can play more together.
*Today marked four years since Doc's passing. We were going to do something together as a family, but Kevin, Ayzlynn, Amaya, and Patricia all tested positive for covid. Which means that Korbin and Azy will miss the first week of the school year when they go back the following week. Such a bummer. However, we had all spent some time the night before at Kevin and Chris's house when Cooper opened up his mission call. So then we were wondering if we were in close contact. Ugh. Dumb covid and the constantly changing guidelines. There's no doubt that the Delta variant of covid is doing a number on Snyder. All of the area hospitals (Midland, Odessa, Lubbock, Abilene...) have been full for a couple of weeks. Even still, the hospital helicopter flies over our house several times a day. We've already lost a branch member (whom we didn't know). It's kind of scary. At their internal medicine clinic, Jared and Kevin are diagnosing a lot of new covid cases and 99% of the ones who are dying are unvaccinated or rather they have not had the covid shot series. Jared and I became very concerned about Jake. He got a small little unknown virus in June and it landed him in the ER. What would covid do to him if he got sick with covid? He hasn't gotten the covid shot series because the European H1N1 is likely what triggered his narcolepsy and no doctor can say with certainty that any flu vaccine wouldn't make his narcolepsy worse. So understandably, Jake has avoided all types of flu vaccines. We just asked him to really, prayerfully think about the shots and in the meantime to please be careful and to at least wear a mask. Jake sent us this picture the next day.
Sun. 15th--Jared and I were asked to speak in Sacrament Meeting. Jared woke up not feeling well, however, and hurried to get tested before church. His test came back negative, so we were both able to give our talks, much to the relief of the counselor in the branch presidency who was alone that day. However, I started having lower back pain, which was one of the indications I got when I had covid the first time. Calvin was also not feeling very well, so he and I went to get tested later that afternoon.
Fortunately, we were both negative.
Mon. 16th--There's nothing like seeing your kids read/study their scriptures in the morning before school.
*Openings in the fence that Rolo that has used to make a few escapes.
Rolo enjoying some crate time.
*We went to Ira School for Meet the Teacher evening and to drop off his supplies. While we were there, we had the most delicious hamburgers I've eaten in a long time! JJ found his locker!
Boy, do I sure love me a good thunder storm! Our first one in Snyder with lots of lightning.
Tues. 17th--Today was Karole's birthday. I also took some chicken noodle soup to Kevin and Christina for lunch. I feel bad it wasn't sooner, but I know Chris was really worried about Kevin and just wanted her to not have to worry about at least one meal. As a funny side story, about ten years ago Kevin came to visit us in Oregon for a medical conference. We fed him dinner that first night and he didn't like the flavor of our butter. It was unsalted. He said, "There is something terribly amiss with your butter." Apparently he likes things really salty. We don't ever add any extra salt to our food, outside of what the ingredients call for. We never have. Anyway, fast forward to when he's eating the homemade chicken noodle soup I brought over. He took a bit or two and then came out and asked his family, "Has anyone tasted the soup? I think it's too salty." Chris and James and a couple others tasted it and said it was just fine. Apparently, having covid can make everything taste too salty.
*I took JJ to establish with the new doctor. We explained we were concerned about his eating habits or lack thereof. Dr. Evans didn't have his previous records in which to compare weights, but said what he can see, JJ is doing okay. He said it isn't unusual for kids to be picky at this age. He actually spoke to JJ and said that it's okay not to like something, but it's not okay to say you don't like it without trying it. So the doctor's orders are for JJ to try one bite of each thing at mealtime before he can make something else. While we were in there, I had the idea to bring JJ shopping with me so he can help pick out foods he'd like to try. We'll see how this goes. But I feel so much better now that the doctor has validated what we've been telling him all these years and gave him a measurable goal at meals.
Wed. 18th--Apparently there is a weekly Seminary class that meets via zoom. The only way I know about this is because my nephew, Garrett, participates that way. I half expected someone to connect us with the people we needed for this...waiting to get Karcyn registered, but it never happened. I reached out to the stake counselor over seminary and he told me there were three options. 1) The zoom class, but it was full. 2) Home Study or 3) Someone from our branch start our own weekly seminary classes. There are technically only 4 youth in our branch in seminary, Garrett, Karcyn, and two siblings that don't usually attend. Garrett is already doing the zoom class, so there's no point in doing anything other than Home Study. So Karcyn and I just set some time aside each morning for her (and me) to study the Come Follow Me lessons in Doctrine and Covenants and to discuss them together. JJ decided to join us for a little bit as well.
*It was JJ's first day of fourth grade!! I drove him to school myself so I could walk him in. Normally, however, he and his cousins will take the bus. There are two busses that come to Snyder and wait in the Western Texas College soccer field parking lot. Parents drop their kids off and the buses take the kids to school. Parents meet the buses there again at 4:05pm to pick up their kids. It's a very nice service, since it's about a 20 minute round trip drive to Ira and back.
*Our kitchen disposal motor had recently burned out and our sink was backed up for about a week before it was finally replaced. Gross sink water just sat there. Once that was fixed, the very next day I noticed the dishwasher wasn't draining. The timing of that in conjunction with the disposal replacement made me think the two incidents were likely related because I know that the pipes/hoses are connected somehow. But I was almost afraid to tell the manager at the hospital. We have barely been in the rental for 4 weeks and two appliances are already broken! I felt like the appliance angel of death. We really aren't that hard on things.
Hospital maintenance came right over. They worked for quite a bit trying to troubleshoot, but in the end, they needed a new hose or something and had to order it. So we were out of a dishwasher for the foreseeable future. *sigh*
*Over Jared's lunch break, we planned to met with Orlando, our contractor, and his wife, Donell, so we could review our renovation plans and desires. The owner had been moved to an assisted living property in the Round Rock area, near Austin, so the house was empty. I got there a little early so I could take pictures. We were hoping to close on the house in the next couple of weeks. Our realtor unlocked the door for us and let us know that the lady who was cleaning the house the week prior said that the A/C stopped working while she was there. Of course. Good thing we negotiated the price reduction for the full HVAC replacement cost.
We walked through the house telling them all the major requests we could think of, which is really hard to do because things will likely come up that you hadn't considered. The other frustrating part is that one change leads to another change. Our top ten: remove popcorn ceiling, new paint/trim, new carpet and flooring, new doors, remodel bathrooms (the ceilings in the showers were maybe 5 feet 10 inches), new counters, tear down the wall of cabinets over the peninsula, reface/repaint the cabinets, new appliances (including double ovens), replace the HVAC (Orlando said they could move it and the water heater to the garage giving us more space in the house), and get electrical up to code. We also had some things in the garage and sunroom we were hoping to get done, but they weren't a priority. Jared and I shared that we had only $75,000 in cash to spend on this renovation and have to stick as close to that as possible. Technically, we were spending more like $80,000 because of the cost of new appliances (double ovens, dishwasher, cooktop, and refrigerator). We asked Orlando how long he thought this job would take. We were thinking maybe four weeks. He said 8-12 weeks. Yikes! So we had to make sure there were enough funds to cover double rent/mortgage for three months, too. Donell is really nice and seems to have some good design ideas. Which is a relief because I have none. I know what I don't like, but it's hard to pinpoint what I do like and how it ties in together. They're going to write up an estimate and we'll meet at a later time to sign off on it.
*JJ came home from school all by himself because his cousins were in quarantine. But I'm actually glad he got to navigate all of that alone so he could make his own way. Starting all over is really hard and I'm proud of him! He said it was a really good day. They have their "own" iPads that they use in class. All the students get free breakfast and lunch, but JJ refuses to eat at school. He said the "worst" part of all was having to write everything in cursive. He never learned how to write in cursive in College Station so this is no small thing. He's going to have to teach himself how to do it. I'm a little worried about spelling tests, but told him to try it in cursive and if he doesn't think it looks right, to write it in print off to the side.
JJ is one of the only kids who wears a mask. Ira doesn't require it. Truthfully, I think they feel it's all a bunch of crock. Maybe it's different for us because Jared works at the hospital and has seen people around him die from covid. Jared, Cooper, and I (and the adult Hough relatives) are all fully vaccinated. Karcyn and Calvin just need their second dose, but are still wearing their masks at school at least until they are fully vaccinated two weeks after the second dose. JJ obviously can't get the shots yet so he'll be wearing a gaiter at least until then. I think JJ likes wearing his gaiter. I wonder if part of it is that he is ashamed of his smile. JJ's teacher, Mrs. Porter, told me that he doesn't like his smile (he has a small overbite). I later learned it was because his cousin told him he looked funny when he smiled. In other news, JJ tried fish sticks at home and decided that he liked them! He ate five with ketchup.
*It was a banner day for Rolo, too. He escaped out the back fence again. Fortunately, we got him back, but it wasn't without a small injury. We didn't realize it at first until we noticed him holding his right leg up.
We found the hole and tried covering it up again.
Rolo tore some of the skin off during his little escapade. We called the vet and made arrangements for me to take him in first thing in the morning so she can take a look at it.
*Jake and Trina were prayerful and thoughtful about the covid shots and decided that their faith was misplaced. Trina suffers from some autoimmune issues, too. Their hesitancy to get these new shots is completely understandable. However, in the end, they realized that the worldwide Church had fasted and prayed to have these shots made available and decided to follow the prophet who was one of the first to receive a vaccine. They got their first doses earlier that day and reported they felt fine so far.
Thurs. 19th--Jake and Trina felt super tired the day after getting their first dose, but if that's all they experience, then they are very fortunate. Jared and I did have covid, but the first does knocked us both down. My second dose was even worse than the first. I was thrilled to hear there were no negative responses and they were both feeling pretty good otherwise. Our prayers were answered!
*We found out we can't get an appraisal for the house until August 31st, which was when we were hoping to close on the house.
*Before we left College Station, the driver's side window of the Mazda would roll down, but you couldn't get it back up again. So I put tape on the buttons to keep Cooper from pushing it on accident. It's kind of a pain, especially if you want to go through a drive-thru. I was pulling up to our house as he was leaving and wanted to tell him something. So he rolled down the passenger window behind him and tilted his seat back so we could chat. Haha!
*Happy Birthday to my dear friend, Rebecca Young! Her family bought her a blanket covered in Pomeranians. :)
Fri. 20th--I tried a half-day sub job in 1st grade. It was an easy one because the elementary school dismisses early on Fridays, so I was there from 12-2pm. But that was by design. Not only do I get paid for a full half day ($50), but Karcyn and Calvin were eligible to get their flu shots a couple days prior and we wanted to do it over the weekend in case they had an adverse reaction. They were super troopers in the clinic and as is tradition, we went to get ice cream at Dairy Queen when they were done. I took this picture in the drive-thru because the sign below the hours says "And after every home game." If that isn't "small town" I don't know what is. :) Also as a reminder that I had to continue to drive with my car topper. Because we had no place to put it. It's old and while it does it's job, it slides back and forth when you turn. The loud noise scares me every time. I can't wait to get it off!
Sat. 21st--Jared and I wanted to do an endowment session at the Lubbock temple with Cooper since he hadn't been back to do one yet. We figured we could also look for and buy appliances while we were in the big city. Cooper's new mission leaders, Blaine and Margene Bushman (the parents of my sweet friend, Melanie Andrews in College Station), had wanted to meet with us after and asked if they could just tag along at the temple session. Of course!
*We drove past this building and Cooper said incredulously, "That's the biggest Bahama Bucks I've ever seen!" Reading the sign, I informed him that it's actually a corporate building. Haha!
We had a lovely time at the temple. Elder Bushman rolled out the red carpet for us. He was the former Lubbock Temple President so he has connections. We met with the current temple president so we could discuss a schedule for Cooper when he serves at the temple as part of his mission experience. He was also set apart as an ordinance worker while we were there. The temple would be closed for a couple months beginning the end of August because the font needed some repairs. Elder Bushman actually took us into the baptistry and showed us what would be fixed. However, Cooper could still serve in the temple by sitting at the recommend desk learning and memorizing his parts in the ordinances while workers came and went.
After the temple, we followed the Bushmans back to their house which was only about a mile away. And they walked us through things we could do before Cooper's mission officially began and they asked Cooper about things that interested him that he'd like to try doing. They also gave Cooper a hand-carved handcart that they got when they served as mission president/wife at Winter Quarters in Nebraska. It was a wonderful meeting. I'm grateful for the Bushmans in Cooper's life.
By the time we finished up with the Bushmans, we needed to grab a bite to eat. Costco had closed so we could no longer run that errand. Instead, we tried swinging by Lowes and Home Depot to look at appliances and came up with a big, fat ZERO. They didn't have anything on display that I was interested in. Boo. It was extremely disappointing. The only option would be to do some online searches, not my favorite thing. I prefer to see things in person with my own two eyes. But it would have to do.
Tues. 24th--JJ's making great progress with his cursive handwriting! He has a hard name to write in cursive. :)
*There goes the medivac helicopter yet again.
*Cooper learned that every Tuesday night Whitewood Lanes in Lubbock hosts a Sport Shot Tournament for both youth and adults. He encouraged Calvin to try it as often as he can so that Calvin can get used to bowling on a sport shot oil pattern which is more difficult and used in other higher tournaments including the PBA. Since it was early in the school year still, Jared decided to take Cooper and Calvin up to Lubbock so they could compete in it together. Cooper did the adult tournament. All the youth bowled three games and the top two competitors advanced. That was Calvin and another kid named Coy, who works at the bowling alley. They had to play 3 more games. By then it was near 8pm and Jared said you could tell Calvin was getting tired. But he pushed through, was consistent, and won the tournament and $52 in scholarship money--just by going to check out the oil pattern.
*Cooper took this picture and sent it to us. The snake crossed the road on his way back home to Karole's house.
Wed. 25th--Rolo enjoying his stuffed tiger.
*Calvin trying to beat Korbin at foosball, but to no avail. His cousins beat him every time.
Fri. 27th--Trina took these pictures in Utah along the Wasatch Front. They are incredible! I love them so much!!
*Jake and Trina enjoying the temple together.
Sat. 28th--My mom sent these amazing shirts that are 100% on point for our family! Everyone is wearing one that says "I speak fluent movie quotes" except me. Because I don't speak that language very well. My shirt has the state of Texas inside of the state of Alaska that says "Isn't Texas cute?" Calvin has the shirt, too, but couldn't locate it in time for our picture.
Sun. 29th--Rolo chillin' on the little rocker.
Mon. 30th--Jake and Trina starting some new jobs. Jake was nabbed by one of the managers while he was sitting in the waiting room during Trina's interview. They hired him on the spot for a salaried position. It's a school for troubled teenagers. Trina will be doing activities and they want Jake to work on the insurance side, writing reports and explaining to insurance why the patient still needs treatment at the facility. They're pretty excited, especially because Jake's job is salaried, making almost twice the amount I did as a full time teacher with a college degree. He'll be taking the semester off from school while settling into the job and hopefully can work his college classes around it. With as much as he's getting paid, he can definitely afford to take a couple classes per semester.
Tues. 31st--I woke up on this morning to learn that a very respected, long-standing member of the community had passed away due to covid. He was a well-known preacher with great influence in Snyder. Word has it that he was preaching against getting the covid shots--referencing something in Revelation that it was of the devil. Unfortunately, it cost him his life. This is the the part of the pandemic that just sends me reeling. How about the story in Genesis where Moses did as the Lord said and fastened a brass serpent to a staff and said, "Look at this and live." I know that this is a very sensitive topic and very divisive among all denominations, work places, and social circles. I guess it was easy for me to get a shot because we fasted and prayed for a way to protect ourselves. And because the prophet got a shot, we would, too. No, the shots won't necessarily keep us from getting covid. And with the Delta variant currently rearing its ugly head, we have learned through Jared's unique experience on the covid frontlines again is that you may even have to be hospitalized. But the gift of the covid shots is that you will come out of the hospital alive. That's the difference. And I choose life.
*I went for a walk with the Relief Society President, Jessica Jazexhiu, so we could get to know each other better. That's when we learned that the husband of one of the sisters in the branch passed away from covid, too. Just devastating. I've never been around this much loss of life before. It's extremely surreal.
*This feels pretty accurate....
*Our house appraisal was finally completed. Hopefully we'll get the results sooner than the 15 days it took for us to get the appraisal for our house in College Station.
