Adventures in Homeownership: LiverMORE House

Yes. The Plattner Family is on the move. Again. This time to Livermore, California. It is exciting. And new.

We weren't really looking to move. I mean, yes, we did talk about it. We planned on moving eventually, but we were in no hurry. It all started when I looked at a website about the development being built on Communications Hill. The builder had some information online, but what caught my eye was a side-bar ad with the text "Ideal commuter location; conveniently located near I-580 and Livermore ACE train station." As I mentioned in a previous post, the Silicon Valley is getting more crowded, and the commute is getting worse. Knowing how much Aaron hates traffic, and loves public transit, I decided to click through. As I searched, and google mapped, I realized that this development was being built right next to the ACE train station. Not just conveniently nearby, but, like, right next to the station. It's eight-minutes-walking-from-the-front-door-to-the-platform close. We decided to check it out. And, after a lot of soul-searching and conversing and deliberating, we decided that it was time to make a change and move our family to Livermore.

I have to admit, I am pretty excited to be moving to Livermore. Afterall, it is "California's oldest wine region." And I do enjoy a nice cold glass of white wine. Being able to walk to a local tasting room is not too shabby. After a few visits to the area, and some online sleuthing, we realized that Livermore is a cute city with a lot to offer. It has a growing downtown area that seems both family friendly and great for date nights. It also looks like Livermore has a flourishing arts community -- there is even a local orchestra and a recital hall. The schools seem to be quite good, and they seem to have some really good recreational offerings even for babies and toddlers.  Livermore has more of a small town feel, like Turlock does. Small town feel with larger city amenities.

Our new house is a part of a new KB Home Development called Vineyard Crossing. It is a large planned development community. When the community is done, there will be two large parks and a walking path around the whole thing. Our new house is going to be two doors down from one of the two parks. (Granted, it is basically a water drainage park, but it's grass I don't have to mow, so it's pretty sweet!) 

We've chosen a home in what is being called the Reserves, which features larger single family homes. Our new home, Plan 3, is approximately 2,200 square feet. It will have five bedrooms and three bathrooms. The main living space and our guest room will be downstairs, with spacious bedrooms and laundry upstairs. Having this space will give us a guest room and a wonderful office for Aaron. (And, while he likely doesn't realize it yet, that will be half mine. Hello to my craft space not in the living room!) The rooms are a really good size, and the master is beautiful. Not only is it huge, it features a spacious balcony overlooking the hills of Livermore. The main living space is a great room style space, with a living area, kitchen, and dining all within a single glance. This will be lovely for watching the boys while cooking dinner. (Don't laugh. I won't have an excuse not to cook anymore. Maybe.) Off of the main living space is our (teeny-tiny) backyard. It's small, but it is outdoor space. Our outdoor space. It's big enough for Ethan to run around and throw a ball in. Someday it may even house a hot tub. One of the coolest parts about our new home is that our lot is right next to a fire easement. So, while the other homes are only ten feet apart (yikes!) ours will have an extra ten feet of space between them. Did I mention it is still being built? It's really exciting to watch the progress. There really was quite a lot done when we found it, but they are still putting the finishing touches on it.

Move -in day will be before we know it. Once we get settled, you will have to come and check it out for yourself!

January 30, 2016

January 30, 2016

February 9, 2016 

February 9, 2016 

February 9, 2016 

February 9, 2016 

February 9, 2016 

February 9, 2016 

Adventures in Homeownership: Moving Day

On Saturday, May 26, my husband and I began our newest adventure! Living in San José.

Our big day started off with some friends picking up/buying our fridge. The fridge was so big, we had to take the front door off the hinges. (Note to self: don't pack up the hinges in a random box, or you will have to go to the hardware store and buy new hinges. Like we did.) Of course "Grandpa Wing" had to give the little guy a ride on the hand truck after loading up the fridge.

We decided that it would be a good investment in sanity and physical anguish to hire a moving company. We decided to go with XO Moving. (See their Yelp review here.) Emil was very helpful in getting us set up for the big day, and the moving men who helped us move were fantastic. The movers were on time and fabulously helpful. My parents and my bestie also came to help us tidy up after the movers. Their help was invaluable. We could not have done it without them!

Goodbye Turlock House. 

Once we got to San Jose, the moving men began unpacking and did so on time and under budget! Mom and Dad came and helped set the basics up.There were boxes everywhere, but it was awesome to know that we were finally in our new home.

Photo of the Week: Week 16

Upon returning back from our east coast vacation, it hit me like a ton of bricks. We're moving. I mean, I knew it was inevitable, but I think because most of my stuff was still out and about, and available, the whole concept just didn't click. But it did this week. Mostly because it got super hot here in Turlock, and all of my summery clothes are at the San Jose house for some reason. This week was super busy trying to catch up from vacation, and the messes and piles just kept getting bigger until Sunday — when I finally got enough sleep to have the motivation and energy to tackle the monsters.

First, here is Albert trying to help!

Bert in a Box. 

Here are some before and after photos.

The Kitchen Table

Before:

My theory is, put the mess in one place, so you have only one place to clean.
The mess was the kitchen table. 

After:

Clutter free kitchen! YAY! 

The Bedroom

Before:

After:

The Guest Room

Before:

Unorganized mess! 

After:

More organized!
Full boxes to the right, empty to the left, garage sale pile in the corner! 

Adventures in Married Life: A New Home Together

This has been a very big year for Aaron and me; a year of many exciting and wonderful changes.

The year started off with an exciting trip to New Orleans in February. On Valentine's Day... Aaron proposed! The following summer was a whirlwind of excitement, as we spent time planning our own wedding and traveling to three other weddings all over the United States. In August, we bought a beautiful new car (I absolutely love our new blue Hyundai Tucson!) Of course, we had the most gorgeous wedding imaginable in September, followed closely behind by the best vacation ever -- our honeymoon in Aruba. We were able to celebrate my grandma's 80th birthday with family and friends, some we haven't seen in years, over the Thanksgiving holiday; as well as a surprise baby shower for my expectant brother and sister-in-law. Then we were lucky enough to celebrate with Grandma again on her actual birthday last week and concluded with a sweet little family Christmas. (We did light a purse on fire with some Hanukkah candles, but that is another story!)

As 2011 comes to an end and 2012 rapidly approaches, Aaron and I are excited to announce another fabulous adventure on the horizon.... relocating to San José ! Even before we were married we discussed the possibility and probability of relocating to the bay area. The South Bay has so many wonderful things to offer and relocation would cut Aaron's commute from three hours each each way to approximately fifteen minutes! We decided one day to take a look at some places in the area and absolutely fell in love with a new  Lennar development called Savona. One thing led to another, and on December 3rd -- our three month anniversary -- we signed a purchase agreement to buy a new townhome together. Our home.

This decision was very difficult to make, especially for me. The thought of leaving Turlock, my pretty little house, my band friends and my Carroll Fowler family still causes a lot of emotion. But as the saying goes, if nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies. Sometimes you need a little change to shake things up a bit, and I think this new adventure will do the trick.

Signing the loan documents at the title company 12/23/11
That day also happened to be
Grandma's actual 80th Birthday!

Tomorrow, Thursday, December 29th, Aaron and I will close escrow on our new home, the new Plattner Place. Don't worry, we don't plan on making the big move quite yet. For the next few months, our plan is to have Aaron stay in San José during the week to lessen the commute, while I will remain in Turlock and finish out the school year. (It's going to be like we were dating! How cute!)

While we still have plenty of time to enjoy all of Turlock's offerings, we are going to miss a lot of places and, even moreso the people. But friends are friends, regardless of distance. So, if you ever find yourself in the South Bay, make your way to San José , and stop by the new Plattner Place for a cookie... or a drink... or just a big ol' hug.

Every house where love abides

And friendship is a guest,

Is surely home, and home sweet home

For there the heart can rest.

~Henry Van Dyke

Here are some photos for the new Plattner Place in San José . 

View from the informal Living Room

Formal Living Room, Looking into the informal living room and dining room. 

Master Bedroom

View of Communication Hill
from the patio off the Master Bedroom

Guest Bathroom, Upstairs

Master Bathroom

View from the Formal Livingroom

The Plattners standing in front of the new Plattner Place!