Let the hunt begin… February 19, 2009

My goals for the year included a large project of purchasing a home by June 1st. I am looking in two specific zip codes in Austin. 78704 and 78745 north of William Cannon. Both are north of where I live now, but still south of downtown. I am also considering a home in east Austin north of the river. That area was a bad part of town, but has transitioned into a hipper area with the flipping of the 1920’s craftsman style homes by investors. Some pockets are still bad so I would have to be selective, but the homes are really cute. They are small though and typically have only one bathroom for 2-3 bedrooms. The proximity to downtown is quite desirable though.
78704 or Barton Springs/SoCo area is highly desireable because of it’s proximity to downtown, town lake, and various trendy shops and businesses. In the past 10 years, the property values have skyrocketed and most of the homes have been flipped or torn down and replaced with higher density units. There are still a few that need work, but the amount of work is quite overwhelming so I haven’t decided if I want to buy a huge fixer upper. In this area I am looking for a condo with a yard or house, but my options in my price range are slim.
I currently live and work in 78745 or 10N, an up and coming area as it’s just across Hwy 71 from 78704. The drive to downtown is approx. 10 minutes, and my commute will be light. The homes in this area were built in the 60’s and 70’s and most are one story. I would like to find a house in this area that I can do some renovations and is in a nice, well kept neighborhood. There is one neighborhood in particular that I like but the homes are still overpriced. Austin’s housing prices have not fallen that much compared to most areas in the country, even though the market has slowed down.
As far as the funding of this purchase,  I have been saving for a few months, but I only have about 10% to put down. I have good credit, and since I am a first time home owner I can benefit from some incentives out there, especially the increased credit available in the economic stimulus bill that was just passed. Next month I will be meeting with a mortgage broker to get pre-approved for a loan. I hope to get a good rate, but making a leap into a mortgage instead of a rent check is a big one and I’m worried about it. I have enough in the way of income, but since I am in sales, it can be sporadic. If anyone is interested in donating to the “Help Danielle Buy a House Fund” please let me know. We take many forms of payment; cash, checks, a listening ear, and of course hugs. Repayment can be negotiated and is not limited to baked goods, thank you cards, home made crafts and hugs.

Life goals for 2009 January 5, 2009

Here are my goals for 2009:

• Buy a house/condo/townhouse.This is a huge project that I’m really excited about. My lease is up at the end of May, and I hope to find a place before then. I’ve found a mortgage broker and I’m starting to fill out loan applications. Once I figure out what I can afford I will start looking. My friend Miguel will be my agent; I promised him like 2 years ago! I will try to blog about things through this whole process if I can.
• Loose 10 pounds by eating healthy and working out. I thought I would add this goal again since I didn’t hit it last year.
• Get a dog. If I achieve goal #1, and I have the space for one, I will get a dog. I’ve missed having a dog in my life since Calvin and Chip passed on, and it would be wonderful to have a golden retreaver again. Not sure if I would get a puppy; so much work!
• Learn how to play golf. I’ve been wanting to learn this for some time now. I think it would be a good tool to have for my line of business, and I might be good at it. I can swing a bat pretty well!
• Pick up the guitar or piano again. I really miss playing the piano, and my musical muscles have been aching. This would require some money, and it might have to wait until after #1 is achieved.
• Watch TV less; only 5 days a week. If I only turned the tv off for two nights a week, I would accomplish my other goals much easier.
• Read the Bible 3 nights a week. I’m ashamed to admit, I don’t read the Bible and it’s about time I make a habit of it. The previous goal will help.
• Continue to run, go to the gym and play soccer. This is pretty much habit for me nowadays, but it’s always good to have the reminder. I still don’t think I exercise enough, but my friends would say differently. When it starts to stay light after I get out of work, I’ll run more. I hope to get up to 15-20 miles a week.
• Keep the goals of 2008 as habits of 2009. See previous posts for the goals.

Other news of note:

The braces are coming off-God willing! You have no idea how much I want these things out of my mouth! I suppose I’ve learned some lessons on self humility and perseverance but whatever. They better be worth all the pain!
I already have a few trips planned: Vegas in January, the UP in July, St. Louis in September for work, and possible trips to Mexico, North Carolina, California and Phoenix! Of course I have the usual trips around Texas for work, and I may need to go to Chicago and/or Colorado to visit customers as well.

Here’s a picture of my friends Jamie and Nicole and I on New Years eve.
Happy 2009!

Jamie Nicole and Danielle New Years Eve 2008

Final results for the 2008 Life Goals January 2, 2009

The results are in!

• Loose 10 lbs. (and keep it off) by eating healthy and exercising. I have lost about 5 lbs. I fluctuated between 5 and 8 lbs, but with the holidays, I’m back to a 5 lb difference.
• Work out 3-4 times a week on average, Strive for 5 times a week, and track progress. I worked out a lot over the year, plus soccer and I can run better and further than last year. I try to run on Town lake at least once a week, although it’s been hard lately because it get’s so dark so early now. I would say I have hit the 3 times a week average, however some weeks I would only work out once or twice.
• Run the turkey trot again, and at least one other race. I ran in the Human Race 10K, and ran a PR 45:11 in the Turkey Trot.
• Eat candy only once a week. I didn’t keep track of this goal, but my candy habit has decreased significantly over the year. It’s more like twice a week, but it’s better than every other day like I was eating before!
• Visit Damian in Japan, probably in September. Done in May.
• Read 3 sales books, to aid in my work life. No, no sales books.
• Read 3 other books, to aid in my personal life. Finished 4 books; Eat, Pray, Love, Marley and Me, and Twilight books one and two. I have about three other books that I have started to read, but haven’t finished.
• Save 5% of income. I have paid off my credit cards and saved a total of 10%. I could have saved more if I was more disciplined about it.
• Paint a painting. I need to re-explore my creative side. Nope. I have been drawing some though. It’s tough to paint in my apartment; carpet everywhere!
• Attend Church at least once a month or more.I have been active in a Church here, going to small groups and service on Sunday when I don’t have soccer. I definately have achieved this goal, and gained some friends in the process!
• Volunteer every other month. I volunteered at the local food bank, as well as moble loaves and fishes and the trade as one fair trade event. I plan on continuing my community service efforts in the next year.

So not too bad! Even though I didn’t hit some of the goals, I did strive for them and learned a lot in the process. I’m proud to have changed my life the way that I did this year. Stay tuned for my goals for 2009; they’re going to be even better!

Update: Home Stretch-2008 Life goals October 15, 2008

Ok, so I haven’t updated you on my 2008 goals in a while, here is were I am with 2 1/2 months to go;

• Loose 10 lbs. (and keep it off) by eating healthy and exercising. I have lost a total of 6 pounds this year and kept it off. I would have to work out more and keep low carb to loose another 4, and I don’t think I have the time right now.
• Work out 3-4 times a week on average, Strive for 5 times a week, and track progress. Lately I have been playing soccer and running about 4 times a week.
• Run the turkey trot again, and at least one other race. I ran in the Human Race 10K, the trot will be in a month.
• Eat candy only once a week. I switched to a low-carb lifestyle about a month ago, so I don’t eat candy like I used to. I bought Mike and Ikes at the movies last week and my friend dumped the box on accident all over the theater floor. I didn’t need them anyway.
• Visit Damian in Japan, probably in September. Done in May.
• Read 3 sales books, to aid in my work life. No, no sales books.
• Read 3 other books, to aid in my personal life. Finished two books; Eat, Pray, Love and Twilight. Started reading “What I talk about when I talk about running” by Haruki Murakami
• Save 5% of income. I have paid off my credit cards and have saved the 5%, but the way things are going, I don’t think I will be able to save any more than that.
• Paint a painting. I need to re-explore my creative side. Nope. I have been drawing some though.
• Attend Church at least once a month or more. I have been active in a Church here, going to small groups and service on Sunday when I don’t have soccer. I have exceeded expectations on this goal.
• Volunteer every other month. I have volunteered at the local food bank once.

Out of eleven goals, I have completed three with a couple others close to completion. I didn’t set my self up with any rewards or anything, but I’m happy to see I have been doing well. I just need to read those sales books that are sitting on my shelf and break out the paintbrushes!

Labor Day Weekend September 3, 2008

I had a laborous three day weekend that started off with a drink after work with some co-workers at Trudy’s followed by a trip up to the 24 hour fitness to pick up my race packet for the 10K Human Race I was planning on running in on Sunday. After I got home, I cooked myself some dinner, and spent the night watching The Dog Whisperer.
On Saturday I woke up early (hey, 9 am is early for a Saturday!) and went for a short 2 mile run at Lifetime Fitness, stopped at the grocery store to pick up a few items, then headed over to Allison’s to visit Chris’ parents at their house on Lake Travis. We ate dinner at 3pm, and Allison and I played Bananagrams. I finally finished the book Marley and Me; I had been close to the end for a while and just had to get it done. Then after we left, we picked up some chips and dips at Chuy’s and ate with the kids while watching a show on China and their Pandas. When I got home, I watched TV and spent some time on Facebook, looking up old friends and classmates.
The next morning I went to Church, and spent the afternoon drinking water and eating healthy foods to get myself ready for the race at 630pm. A friend called and asked if I wanted to join them at a Pat Green concert before the race, but I turned it down because I didn’t want to be outside for that long. It was 96* outside, and I knew staying indoors as long as possible was the best thing before running in a race.
My friend Amy and I went to the race together; she works in a building downtown on Congress and we were able to park in her garage which was awesome because it was close. We got there about 75 minutes before the race, then stood in the starting line with the other 13,800 runners. By the time we started to run, we were already hot and sweaty.
The course was brutal; black asphalt with sunny and clear skies made it unbearably hot. Not to mention the changes in elevation along the way, at one point I felt like I was on the mogul slopes on a ski hill. Needless to say, I crashed at mile 3 and had to walk for a mile or so to cool off. I started to get goosebumps; a tell tale sign I was dehydrated even though I drank a ton of water before the race.
But after a couple stops at the water stations and a slow walk under the sprinklers, I had regained my strenght and was able to run the rest of the race in OK time. The 6.2 miles took me 1:16:37, not bad with the 20:00/mile walk I took in the middle. Worldwide I placed 177,237th and placed 6878th in Austin.
After the race there was a concert by Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals. It was in front of the capital building on Congress Ave, and he played a few of his most popular songs. We didn’t want stay late, because we were tired, and headed home.

Alas; my restless spirit got the best of me when my friend Jamie called and asked if I wanted to go to a Kareoke bar and I couldn’t turn it down. It’s hard for me to turn down a chance to sing my favorite 80’s and 90’s ballads.
I slept well that night (and morning), so I went to lunch with my friend Elizabeth at Taverna. We enjoyed sitting on the patio sipping our $1 Bellinis. We also had some gelato across the street for dessert. Hey, I ran over 6 miles the day before, I was allowed to indulge!
Monday afternoon Jamie, our friend Katie and I traveled to the hill country for a relaxing afternoon on the banks of The Perdinales River. We went to a park near Hamilton Pool, the name escapes me. We rounded out the weekend with a terrible horror movie, again the name escapes me; that should tell you how bad it was.
So, my weekend was filled with all kinds of activities; much like most of my time outside of work. Sprinkle in my time at my job and some soccer, and that’s what a week in the life of Danielle usually looks like.