We're no longer "Homeless Hobo's"

We should have the keys to our new home tomorrow at around noon! Let the painting begin!

It only took a month!

It only took a month but here are some picutres of my newest neice Lilly! It only took a month for me to get the just born pics up, but here are a few.

Morning at the Hastings

Clay made breakfast for everyone this morning. (Remember we are living with friends) One of our favorite weekend traditions is to make fresh juice. Blake, the youngest Hastings boy, decided to help "Uncle Clay" make some fresh OJ! At first he was hesitant putting the oranges in the tunnel, but soon decided it was lots of fun. It was very cute! Well at least I thought so...push play to see the slide show!

Martinez Baby

Lillianna Nicole (I think that is how they are going to spell it) came into this world. She was born at around 7:00 pm and she weighed about 7lbs. It's exiting to be around for the birth of my neice. I love them all, but I had to win the others over...so this one is my neice from the start! Pictures are soon to come.

Merry Christmas

My wish for this Christmas is that everyone take some time to reflect on the holiday. Gifts are fun, but is it really what the season is about? Our Church put together a service everyone can do in their home. I thought it was quite neat! So please take a moment to reflect on how God had touched your life this year! So as you're reminding your children to say "Thank you" for the horrible gift they may have received from "Aunt Birtha," or you're sitting around the table with family...just take a moment to reflect. Merry Christmas! (none of that "Happy Holidays" cr*p!)
The Well Community Family Christmas Service

Bitter Sweet

Leaving my lil house on Katy Lane was an interesting experience. Sunday was spent moving everything. I'm so exited that we get to do it all over again in 2 months! (Not really) However, Monday I went back to all of the cleaning, and touch up the paint where we took screws out of the walls. Touching up the paint made me sad to leave. I felt as though I was leaving a peice of me behind. My style, my work, my efforts, and well it was my home. Cleaning everything gave me some sick twisted pleasure. It wasn't until I was mopping my way out of the kitchen that I felt really weird. You would think that I had never moved before!
Driving away I realized how lucky I was. I was driving to house full of people who were willing to rearange their lives and welcome us into their home. How blessed are we? Really, even being able to buy the home we are waiting for is amazing. Clay and I have so much to be thankful for, and we are both exited to get into our new house. I just had a slight touch of separation anxiouty. I'm sure it will pass as I begin to decorate the new house, and make a new home for Clay and I.

Things I forgot about packing!

How is that when you are supposed to pack everything, that everything ends up all over the house!

You don't realize just how much STUFF you have until you've been packing it for days on end...not to mention you never have just the right size box.

Once you pack something you haven't used in 6 months you finally find a use for it.

So basically...my house is a mess, I can't find the things that I seem to need at this exact moment..my body aches all over, and I am exhausted!!!

Isn't moving fun?!

Moving On

I met the soon to be new owners of our house today! I'm not so sad to leave it behind anymore. They were great. A couple about our age having their first baby! They were really excited about moving in and getting settled. So, it made me feel not so bad to leave my lil house that I put so much work into!!! We've already moved our first load over to the Hastings, where we are storing all of our stuff. SO...now I'm excited that we are moving on. On that note, our tentative move in date for the house is Feb. 7th. It's looking good.

It's Sold

It's official we have a signed offer on the house! This means the house is sold and we will be moving in about 3 weeks. The people buying the house wanted a quick escrow, so they requested that we be out of the house by December 15th! I am assuming they want a home for Christmas...this means we'll be homeless for Christmas. Well, not really, we will be moving in with our friends, Austin and Shelly, and staying there until our house is done. It's so nice knowing that we don't have to worry about two house payments anymore! What a great way to start off the holidays!

We Made It

Well we made it to Santa Fe! The train wasn't so bad. Sleeping wasn't so fun, but I did sleep. We traveled with friends so that made it nice. In the morning we were able to eat breakfast in the dinning car, and play cards. We were in Santa Fe by 1:00! Granted it's not as easy as flying, but sure beats driving! Well Peggy and I are off to do some shopping today, and Clay is going to go golfing with his dad. After a good nights sleep ( I was in bed by 7) and some Pumpkin Spice coffee....We're ready to go!

Santa Fe Thanksgiving

Tonight we leave for Santa Fe! We'll be driving to the train station in Barstow and then traveling by train for about 14 hours. I hear it's a great way to travel, and it was when we went to Santa Rosa, but I have to admit I'm lightly nervous. We all know I need my sleep! Anyways, we'll be in Santa Fe for a week and celebrating Thanksgiving with my in-laws. It should be a lot of fun. Will keep you posted on the trip! (I know I haven't posted too much, but I figured I didn't need to post new house info everyday..it seems to be consuming my NEWS) Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Framed and Ready

So, I know it's been awhile since I've really updated "our lives." So, first I'll update on the biggest part of our lives....our house! First, the house we live in now is still on the market. We've had a few looks, but not too sure how serious anyone is just yet. We've dropped our price and feel it's now priced to sell! Please pray that is sells soon! We were told that our house has the potential to be finished at the end of January! However, we all know how the building process goes, so we'll still sit tight and watch the building process.
Yesturday we went to the house to show a few friends. Everyone added their own touch to the house! Sharpie markers were out and friends left comments all over the house. Clay and I are going to pick out some scripture to write on the frame of the house. So, if anyone has anything they would like to add...let me know, and I'll write it for you in spirit!

Get Your Own! | View Slideshow

Halloween at Disney

So we had a blast at Disneyland. It was the first year they decorated for Halloween, so we are part of Disney history. We were able to go on everything we wanted and we even waited for Fantasmic. Waiting wasn't so much fun! Kids were crying, the floor was hard, and the parents who had the crying children were annoyed as well as annoying. The private party at California Adventure was great! The pier was open and we were able to play games, ride rides, and watch the dancers dance. Clay even won me a little animal! It was "an amazing" basketball shot. As he went to make a basket, the ball hit the rim and ended up in the basket next to him. I missed the shot so Clay was quite sad that his amazing shot wasn't seen. The street was lined with food, deserts, beer and wine carts, and other soft drink stations. It had to be one of my most memorable Disney experiences.

New York Life Executive Council Trip

We've been in Southern California for a few days now. It's been great! I was able to spend some quality time with family and friends! It was extra nice spending the day with "My Papa" on his birthday. I've been able to take Clay to the Brea Mall, Downtown Disney, and there is more to come. Tonight we will be going to Disney's California Adventure. NY Life has rented the park out for the night, so we will only have to share with ohters in the NYLIC family. Friday we will experience Disneyland together. Clay hasn't been there in 13 years, so it will be great! I've really enjoyed being here and learning more about NY Life. I'm extreamly impressed with the empasis they put on family. So, I'll fill everyone in when we get back!

Fresno State Bulldogs..

There is a new exitment in the Blanton house, it's called Fresno State Football. Last year Clay watched the games! Some games we'd have "football parties." Some were just DVR worthy, and I am sure Clay went to one or two of the games. This year it's a little different. At about 7 am I heard my husband concerned about his dress attire. For those of you who know Clay, he's not one to ever worry about what he is going to wear. However, this morning, a dark cloud hovered when he realized he no longer had a red polo shirt. How was he going to support his team?! Did you catch it was 7 am?! I don't think the team will come after him for not wearing his polo, considering we have season tickets, with 6 other couples, for all the games. We will be sitting on the 50 yard line about 20 rows back...is that not support enough! This means our schedule has been focused around Fresno States home games. It should be fun. For those of you who are not from Fresno...these games are the big highlights of the year. Everyone in Fresno seems very supportive of the school and the Athletics. Tailgating and football...should be fun

Back in the Day...

This weekend we went to an 80's birthday party. Considering the 80's, to me, was the first 10 years of my life....finding the right outfit was a challenge. I do remember poofy bangs, leggings, long sirts, and t-shirt clips! So, we improvised. I did however learn something new about my husband. He still has his ear pierced! We had talked about a time in his life when he used to wear an earing, but it was another thing seeing him come out of the bedroom with one of my earings in his ear.
I have to hand it to the Norfleets. They sure can throw a good party.

House Update..

They seem to be moving right along!

Officially Listed

Tonight we signed the papers. Our lil house on Katy Lane is on the market. I have to admit the thought of strangers going through my house drives me nuts! Opening my closets and what not. This means everything has to be clean 24-7. So after a day of steam cleaning the carpets and dusting off the ceiling fans I think I can honestly say I'm ready. It just means we're step closer to moving!

Lets be Original!

Sometimes I have to wonder what people are thinking when they start following me around stores like Home Depot and Albertsons! I'm clearly not the famous actress Renee Zelweger! I would try to argue that I don't look like her, but everyone else seems to think so. It's annoying already. When I was bartending it was oftern asked, "has anyone ever told you that you look like Renee?" Then there was the fish lady at Alberton's. She would seriously shake around me! Chill woman, I'm not her. It was really crazy when she started telling everyone around me that I was their "Hollywood star." Now, I can't seem to escape it. The other day we were at Home depot. There was a strange man that kept watching me look for closet doors. It creeped me out a little bit, but I ignored him. When were standing in the check out his wife let it be known that he thought "I looked like...." I finished her sentence for her. Is there a way I can make money on this?

Breaking Ground

Last night we went to our "dirt." We have officially broken ground. The area is looking great. We have streets now, and the new models should open this weekend. We can't wait to see some of the upgrades they have done from the original model.