BMW 135i

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I had a great test drive today of the new BMW 135i.  This car rides like a dream, a very fast dream.  I actually took it easy, though got a little rambunctious for a few moments.

I love the opening statement Automobile Magazine used to describe this fantastic vehicle:

"Get up from your computer, drive to your nearest BMW dealer, and put down a deposit on a 135i. Now. You won't regret it. In the years to come, you'll probably even look on this as the best purchase of your long and distinguished life, a moment that defined your personal idiom, a moment that caused the tide of your existence to turn away from mehand toward Eat Your Heart Out, John Q. Dull, I'm Awesome. In other words, when you drive out of the dealership in your sparkling new 1-series, it will be the Rip Taylor moment of your life, confetti shower and all. This car is that good."  Yep.

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Signed for my new House

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Today I signed the papers and laid down some cash for my new home! It was very exciting to say the least! Below are some pictures from the day.


This picture was taken by my 5 year old son!


This is what my building will look like when it's finished in May.




This is what the entrance to my home will look like.


This is the covered porch in the rear - it will actually face the mountains, but I doubt we'll have much of a view due to the building that will be built in front of our building. You can also see the two-car garage.


This is the first room you see upon entering. I will use it as a den and study area for the boys.


Then you go up a short flight of stairs to the main living area. To the right there are stairs going down to the garage and utlity room. Also there is a powder room in the den area.


To your left is the dining area. You can also get a glimpse of the kitchen and even the entertainment center (media niche).


You walk throught the Butler's Pantry into the kitchen. Hmmm, I guess I'll need a butler.




And here is the kitchen. My cabinets won't the upgraded version you see here. They will probably be oak (which I'm not a big fan of, but an upgrade is pretty cost prohibitive).



This is the covered porch just off the kitchen. A great feature is that it is largely protected from the wind. I'm thinking I'll put a grill out here, and probably an outdoor dining set.




This is the family room. You can see the media niche above. It will have a nice gas fireplace. I like the placement of the fireplace because it really doesn't take up too much space.

To some this might appear to be a closet, but in reality it will serve as a Hobbit Hole for the 5 year old. I'm thinking of putting a flat screen TV, multi-media chair, Xbox 360, and his toys. It wraps around and is fairly large. He's pretty excited about it!





This is the master bedroom suite. Of course I won't have the same colors. It is a large room, big enough even for a King Size bed, ah, if someone wants to give me one!





This is the walk-in closet for the master bedroom. It's not huge, but it should be adequate.





Above and below are the master bath. I really like that it has a shower and a tub. It also has a double vanity. It should work out very well.









This is the upstairs laundry room. This should be pretty convenient.



This is the other bath upstairs - it will be shared by the boys.



This is bedroom number 2. It's big enough for a full-size bed and should work out as a guest room as well as my teen-age son's room.




And this is bedroom #3 for my five year old - he won't have a crib!




And this is how the jobsite looks today. I'll try and post weekly photos of its progress.



And finally here is Cole (aka Rocky) standing in front of a building identical to what ours will look like.

New Home for Dan?

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It looks like I'll be getting a new home in May. Of course this all subject to the loan process. My son's mom did me a huge favor and helped me get the deal of a lifetime on a really nice townhome here in Colorado Springs.


I couldn't be more ecstatic. It looks like I'll be getting a mortgage at 5.5% which, according to my Dad, is "the lowest rates since 1963." I'll take that!

Here are the details:

Energy Saving Features:
-Certified "Environments for Living Gold Level"
-90% Efficient, Sealed Combustion/Power Vented Gas Furnace by Lennox-Programmable Setback Thermostat-50 Gallon High
-Efficiency Water Heater by Bradford White
-Low-E Glass Double Pane Vinyl Windows
-R15 Blown-in Inusulation in Exterior Walls-R38 Blown-in Insultation in Ceilings

House WrapExterior:
-James Hardie Fiber-Cement Siding
-2 Car Garage with opener and 2 remotes
-30 year Class A Fire Rated Dimensional Shingles by CertainTeed
-Spacious covered rear patio
-2 Coach lights (1 at front porch and 1 at garage)
-2 overhead exterior lights (1 inside front porch and 1 inside covered rear patio)
-HOA managed and maintained common areaEntry:
-Covered front porch-Fiberglass insulated entry door
-Brushed nickel door handle set by Schlage
-Oak hardwood flooringKitchen:
-General Electric Appliances: Smoothtop Range(self-cleaning), dishwasher, hood-Stainless steel sink by Sterling
-Chrome kitchen faucet with sprayer by Delta-Garbage disposal by Insinkerator
-Water line to icemaker
-Oak square flat-panel cabinets-Recessed can lighting
-Post formed Laminate countertops
-Large pantryMaster Suite:-Spacious master suite-Coffered master ceiling
-Walk-in closet
Bathrooms:
-5-piece master bath includes: oval soaking tub by Kohler, Separate glass enclosed shower, Double porcelain vanity sinks, Chrome "Leland" faucets by Delta (wide spread sink faucets), Tile surround at tub and shower-Secondary bathrooms include: pedestal sink in powder bath, Chrome "Leland" faucets by Delta, Tile surround at tub

Interior Features:
-Knock down Textured walls and ceilings
-Rounded drywall corners-Overhead lights in all bedrooms
-Ceiling fan pre-wire in family room and master
-Phone outlets in kitchen, family room, study and all bedrooms
-Cable outlets in family room and all bedrooms
-6 Panel colonist doors with white painted trim
-Brushed nickel door hardware
-Gas fireplace by Heat-n-Glow-Media niche in family room
-Stained handrail and balusters
-Wood window sills painted white-Shaw Carpeting with 3/8" rebond pad
-Mannington Vinyl Flooring-Laundry room on second floor

I think it should turn out pretty nice. I'll head up to the construction site and document the building process.