The merge is almost complete. I am only responsible for one house now. I was able to turn in my keys for the apartment yesterday. So now I only have 2 keys... not one for the laundry room, the mail room, entry key, and front door......... NO.. now I only have my house key and car key. It's a beautiful thing.
To make things EVEN BETTER--- they found someone to rent my apartment for October! I am NO LONGER responsible for it. Thank god, because there was no way I would have been able to pay for a mortgage and rent. But for some strange reason, they said I needed to give 60 days notice. Which is ridiculous, no one can give that much time when they're buying a house. You never know when it's going to happen....
But it's all good now.
I only have to focus on one place. We still have so many boxes lying around. For many reasons really. J just finished moving his stuff in last night, and we really don't have that much storage space. We do have a basement, however, it's going to get re-done in the next 2 months... Still, there is the attic, but alas, no ladder yet. And we need to get the mold sucked out of there too. So we are living in "cardboard box land".
I am getting used to sleeping there though. It's nice to hear the crickets and keep the windows open, especially with the cool/dry nights. (last week not so much). Hopefully in the next month it will look and feel like home, and not just be a house.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
I'm really liking...
- the paint colors in my house
- our new bedroom furniture
- the fancy wine rack
- that everyday we get closer to the direction we're going with the house
- that I can turn in my apartment keys today
- that she can cook now
- the new "TV on the Radio" tracks...although this new stuff is so listener friendly that they'll be HUGE!
- my new dust buster and rug cleaner
- the dishwasher and washer and dryer
- that I'll be able to have trick or treaters!!
There is a lot to like, probably more, but it's so darn early that I can't think of anything else. I'm really tired. Basically I cleaned all weekend. Believe me, it's a good thing. I can't even tell you how much grime I've cleaned off the kitchen, and how much more there still is to do in other rooms. I don't think we realized how bad it was when we walked through. I think we had naive eyes. I tell you one thing---- next time (whenever that is), I want a move in ready home. It doesn't have to be new! But it can't be like how this is.
Ahhhh, the joys of home ownership. We haven't even started on the outside yet.
- our new bedroom furniture
- the fancy wine rack
- that everyday we get closer to the direction we're going with the house
- that I can turn in my apartment keys today
- that she can cook now
- the new "TV on the Radio" tracks...although this new stuff is so listener friendly that they'll be HUGE!
- my new dust buster and rug cleaner
- the dishwasher and washer and dryer
- that I'll be able to have trick or treaters!!
There is a lot to like, probably more, but it's so darn early that I can't think of anything else. I'm really tired. Basically I cleaned all weekend. Believe me, it's a good thing. I can't even tell you how much grime I've cleaned off the kitchen, and how much more there still is to do in other rooms. I don't think we realized how bad it was when we walked through. I think we had naive eyes. I tell you one thing---- next time (whenever that is), I want a move in ready home. It doesn't have to be new! But it can't be like how this is.
Ahhhh, the joys of home ownership. We haven't even started on the outside yet.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Long time no post...I wonder why.
Wow, I have no time for anything but work and house. It's fine, it's a good thing. But when you're spending less time taking care of you and more on things... it's kind of a head check. Why do we feel the need to own homes again? And what is really wrong with renting?
No, I'm very happy to have my own home. It looks like a hurricane went through the living room and dining room, and kitchen. But we're getting there. We're finding that it's taking a lot more elbow grease than anticipated. Which, is the good kind of grease, not the bad kind, which seems to be all over the kitchen. Did the previous owners do anything else but fry things? I don't think so. So there's the smell too. And it just will NOT go away. I think we have to replace the main duct, and fan that takes it out of the house. We are getting a new hood, and a new stove. SO I think that will help some.
Another thing is the disaster outside, called our yard (front and back). It's an overgrown mess, and there's some poison ivy I spotted (it's the only thing I can spot that's bad). So we need to deal with that (Gardening tips welcome).
Upstairs is live able, but the bathroom needs some TLC too.
We haven't cooked yet. So we're spending way too much eating out, and I really could go for something I actually cooked myself. I long for it actually.....
One funny thing is--- we got cable. And I was fine without it, but it's really relieving stress for both of us. Last night we just sat and watched an hour of Law and Order--- and I was completely fine with that.
I'll post some pictures soon, we just have a lot to do still-- but we're doing it. And very soon it will feel like our home.
No, I'm very happy to have my own home. It looks like a hurricane went through the living room and dining room, and kitchen. But we're getting there. We're finding that it's taking a lot more elbow grease than anticipated. Which, is the good kind of grease, not the bad kind, which seems to be all over the kitchen. Did the previous owners do anything else but fry things? I don't think so. So there's the smell too. And it just will NOT go away. I think we have to replace the main duct, and fan that takes it out of the house. We are getting a new hood, and a new stove. SO I think that will help some.
Another thing is the disaster outside, called our yard (front and back). It's an overgrown mess, and there's some poison ivy I spotted (it's the only thing I can spot that's bad). So we need to deal with that (Gardening tips welcome).
Upstairs is live able, but the bathroom needs some TLC too.
We haven't cooked yet. So we're spending way too much eating out, and I really could go for something I actually cooked myself. I long for it actually.....
One funny thing is--- we got cable. And I was fine without it, but it's really relieving stress for both of us. Last night we just sat and watched an hour of Law and Order--- and I was completely fine with that.
I'll post some pictures soon, we just have a lot to do still-- but we're doing it. And very soon it will feel like our home.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Tender loving...cleaning
So we went to the walk-through last night at our very-soon-to-be new place. And it needs some major cleaning. I was debating whether or not to hire someone to clean it, but we wouldn't be able to get anyone in there until Tuesday... So I think we're going to just use our own elbow grease to clean it all up. I'm not quite sure I'm ready to clean up other people's residue, but the sooner I can get that house to feel like my own, I'm all for it.
We're going to have to get a new range. But the fridge is decent, and although the dishwasher has a blue side, it works well, I think. All these things can change over time. Phew. It's a lot though.
We will take pictures tonight, though. Just remember they're going to be the "before" pictures. So no comments that will make me cry.
3 more hours until we're homeowners!
We're going to have to get a new range. But the fridge is decent, and although the dishwasher has a blue side, it works well, I think. All these things can change over time. Phew. It's a lot though.
We will take pictures tonight, though. Just remember they're going to be the "before" pictures. So no comments that will make me cry.
3 more hours until we're homeowners!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Walk this way...
We get to go see our house for the walk through today. YEA!!! So I will take some before pictures and post them ASAP.
I drove by our little house last night and there were people still in there. Probably moving. So I can't wait until this afternoon. We go at 6 pm. Then tomorrow is the actual exchange of keys. SO EXCITED.
As you might of guessed I am surviving on very little sleep...indeed. I really need to figure out what to do about that. Nothing seems to be working in my favor. How much is it to ask for some decent sleep. Can I go to the bank or something and take out a loan???
I have no idea.
Maybe after this huge undertaking I will be able to calm down a bit and just take it all in. I keep telling myself to do that, but it's not working.
I drove by our little house last night and there were people still in there. Probably moving. So I can't wait until this afternoon. We go at 6 pm. Then tomorrow is the actual exchange of keys. SO EXCITED.
As you might of guessed I am surviving on very little sleep...indeed. I really need to figure out what to do about that. Nothing seems to be working in my favor. How much is it to ask for some decent sleep. Can I go to the bank or something and take out a loan???
I have no idea.
Maybe after this huge undertaking I will be able to calm down a bit and just take it all in. I keep telling myself to do that, but it's not working.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
For your info
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/
News papers, polls, non-partisan for the most part
http://www.dailykos.com/
Definitely a blog worth looking at, very liberal, not necessarily factual, but opinion
http://www.factcheck.org/
All the facts you needed to know....those chain e-mails debunked, and news clears up things about all the p0oliticians
VOTE PEOPLE! VOTE
PA and VA both swing states!!!
News papers, polls, non-partisan for the most part
http://www.dailykos.com/
Definitely a blog worth looking at, very liberal, not necessarily factual, but opinion
http://www.factcheck.org/
All the facts you needed to know....those chain e-mails debunked, and news clears up things about all the p0oliticians
VOTE PEOPLE! VOTE
PA and VA both swing states!!!
Monday, September 08, 2008
Last minute.
Why do things wait until the last minute? Mainly I mean the mortgage company. I realize there are a lot of things they're trying to take care of, just like us. But they sent us a list of extra things on Friday night, after the banks close. How am I supposed to get what you need from my Bank when I didn't even get the e-mail until Saturday, after the banks were close. So cut to Monday and they're calling me at work. Fortunately for me I keep my phone off. Several e-mails were sent too, and I saw those. But I'm a teacher. I don't have any free time to get these things done until after school. In fact my prep is the first period. So at lunch, I had lunch, or I would have never eaten.
Frustrating. So now I'm waiting on 2 documents. A copy of check I have to pick up from the bank, and the DEC page (don't even know what that is) from the Insurance company. They're supposed to fax that, but haven't yet. And I kind of need that now, so I can fax it to the mortgage people, so I can leave to pick up the check, to fax to the mortgage people. Something tells me there will be a few more bumps before J and I actually get into the house. I hope not. But I'm trying to be prepared.
Buying a house turns out to be kind of stressful for me. I think moving will be a breeze, and I'm so ready to just zone out and paint. I really don't mind it at all.
Ok, enough complaining. WE'RE GETTING A HOUSE! And that's a great thing.
Frustrating. So now I'm waiting on 2 documents. A copy of check I have to pick up from the bank, and the DEC page (don't even know what that is) from the Insurance company. They're supposed to fax that, but haven't yet. And I kind of need that now, so I can fax it to the mortgage people, so I can leave to pick up the check, to fax to the mortgage people. Something tells me there will be a few more bumps before J and I actually get into the house. I hope not. But I'm trying to be prepared.
Buying a house turns out to be kind of stressful for me. I think moving will be a breeze, and I'm so ready to just zone out and paint. I really don't mind it at all.
Ok, enough complaining. WE'RE GETTING A HOUSE! And that's a great thing.
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Are Americans the only ones that have these ridiclous commercials?
http://sweetsurprise.com/
WHAT? Since when is it ok? Since when?
HFCS has been added to almost every kind of food here in the states. I agree that sugar should be avoided where possible, but almost every processed food that you can find in the grocery store contains it. It's ridiculous.
umm- major cause of diabetes and obesity.
It's only a cheap preservative--- so people that need to watch their dollars when they go to the grocery store are the ones that end up eating this. DO you realize it's in a can of kidney beans? COME ON!
Not only that, but the growth of this product is corn, which isn't that great for the environment.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/06/AR2008030603294.html
Choose your food wisely, and always read the ingredients. Almost always I see salad dressing full of HFCS, especially in the non-fat/low fat category....
WHAT? Since when is it ok? Since when?
HFCS has been added to almost every kind of food here in the states. I agree that sugar should be avoided where possible, but almost every processed food that you can find in the grocery store contains it. It's ridiculous.
umm- major cause of diabetes and obesity.
It's only a cheap preservative--- so people that need to watch their dollars when they go to the grocery store are the ones that end up eating this. DO you realize it's in a can of kidney beans? COME ON!
Not only that, but the growth of this product is corn, which isn't that great for the environment.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/06/AR2008030603294.html
Choose your food wisely, and always read the ingredients. Almost always I see salad dressing full of HFCS, especially in the non-fat/low fat category....
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Friday, September 05, 2008
Tidbits
We've all been using Google for 10 magical years... Can anyone remember what they used to use before this almighty search engine?? I can't really. I know there was something. But I am clueless about my internet life before Google.
And----
Did you know they have a motto? I didn't either... It's, "Don't be evil."
I love that.
Anyway, Happy 10th birthday Google, you've made research fun.
Other tidbits, did I mention I had a freaky nightmare about zombies coming out of the Potomac River? No? Well I did. It was also mixed in with other dreams. And I felt like I was sleep walking. I don't think I was, but I had a strange sensation that I did.
And why might I have dreamt about such oddities? Well, I confused my sleeping medication for 4 days. I was taking twice the amount of something that I hadn't been taking and didn't want to take. It was an old prescription. When I realized the mistake I made I threw out the container with the left over pills. Unfortunatley, the risidual effects left me with strange behaviors as my body was trying to get rid of it. Fortunately, I think it has finally left my system, but I haven't slept well at all. It's just continuous. I can't seem to get over it. My mom reminded me that I have always had trouble sleeping (even as a child), and that I used to sleep walk and my eyes would be wide open, but they could tell I wasn't "awake". Strange.
I'm sure the recent pause in sleep is because of all the stuff that's going on. Buying a house, moving in with J, thinking about all the possibilities. Which are all good! But it is a lot when you factor in my job, my family stuff, and packing....
Yoga kind of works for the most part. I'm still able to go a couple times a week. Maybe if I go more often after we move it will have more of a positive effect on my physically and mentally. Plus, I'm currently wasting money because I signed up for a monthly pass, and have only been able to go 2-3 times a week. ARGH!
So- McCain. I was so bored listening to his speech that I changed the channel to watch "Sex and the City" on the WB. I didn't think his speech was at all good, and the crowd just kept interrupting him and made it last longer. Oh GOD-- and don't get me started on Cindy McCain-- she failed to mention that she stole money from her own charity, was in a domestic dispute with John, he calls her names, and oh yeah-- was formally addicted to pharmaceuticals... Yeah. But yeah, she got a child an operation for her cleft palette through operation smile and adopted a Bhutanese child... So that MUST make up for it all. ARGH-- How does that even compare to Michelle Obama? And why is it that the republican nominees have like 12 kids (13 if you count the unborn child) between them and the democrats have 4? Do you see what I'm saying?
I finally made it a point to donate to the Move On campaign too. I also get a shirt for doing so, and my money goes to helping register voters. Something I feel better about, rather than to just go buy a random shirt at some store in Old Town. I also want a button. So wherever I can get a free button, by donating, I'm going to do it.
In the meantime, I want to chop off my hair. I can't take it anymore it looks like a nest most days.
Oh and another tidbit, Hurricane Hannah is working it's way up the Eastern seaboard. I think we'll end up getting a lot of rain, but who knows. 5 years ago we had a huge tropical storm and there was no power for a day and no water for even longer. I had to travel 45 minutes away just to get drinkable water. And school was canceled. Hopefully that won't happen this time, but I guess you can never know...so maybe i should go purchase some rations, so I can have drinkable water for the next few days, just in case.
And----
Did you know they have a motto? I didn't either... It's, "Don't be evil."
I love that.
Anyway, Happy 10th birthday Google, you've made research fun.
Other tidbits, did I mention I had a freaky nightmare about zombies coming out of the Potomac River? No? Well I did. It was also mixed in with other dreams. And I felt like I was sleep walking. I don't think I was, but I had a strange sensation that I did.
And why might I have dreamt about such oddities? Well, I confused my sleeping medication for 4 days. I was taking twice the amount of something that I hadn't been taking and didn't want to take. It was an old prescription. When I realized the mistake I made I threw out the container with the left over pills. Unfortunatley, the risidual effects left me with strange behaviors as my body was trying to get rid of it. Fortunately, I think it has finally left my system, but I haven't slept well at all. It's just continuous. I can't seem to get over it. My mom reminded me that I have always had trouble sleeping (even as a child), and that I used to sleep walk and my eyes would be wide open, but they could tell I wasn't "awake". Strange.
I'm sure the recent pause in sleep is because of all the stuff that's going on. Buying a house, moving in with J, thinking about all the possibilities. Which are all good! But it is a lot when you factor in my job, my family stuff, and packing....
Yoga kind of works for the most part. I'm still able to go a couple times a week. Maybe if I go more often after we move it will have more of a positive effect on my physically and mentally. Plus, I'm currently wasting money because I signed up for a monthly pass, and have only been able to go 2-3 times a week. ARGH!
So- McCain. I was so bored listening to his speech that I changed the channel to watch "Sex and the City" on the WB. I didn't think his speech was at all good, and the crowd just kept interrupting him and made it last longer. Oh GOD-- and don't get me started on Cindy McCain-- she failed to mention that she stole money from her own charity, was in a domestic dispute with John, he calls her names, and oh yeah-- was formally addicted to pharmaceuticals... Yeah. But yeah, she got a child an operation for her cleft palette through operation smile and adopted a Bhutanese child... So that MUST make up for it all. ARGH-- How does that even compare to Michelle Obama? And why is it that the republican nominees have like 12 kids (13 if you count the unborn child) between them and the democrats have 4? Do you see what I'm saying?
I finally made it a point to donate to the Move On campaign too. I also get a shirt for doing so, and my money goes to helping register voters. Something I feel better about, rather than to just go buy a random shirt at some store in Old Town. I also want a button. So wherever I can get a free button, by donating, I'm going to do it.
In the meantime, I want to chop off my hair. I can't take it anymore it looks like a nest most days.
Oh and another tidbit, Hurricane Hannah is working it's way up the Eastern seaboard. I think we'll end up getting a lot of rain, but who knows. 5 years ago we had a huge tropical storm and there was no power for a day and no water for even longer. I had to travel 45 minutes away just to get drinkable water. And school was canceled. Hopefully that won't happen this time, but I guess you can never know...so maybe i should go purchase some rations, so I can have drinkable water for the next few days, just in case.
Thursday, September 04, 2008
I love rhetoric!
Is it me or does Tina Fey make a great Sarah Palin for SNL?
No, I'm not a republican by any stretch, but I did want to see what she would say at the RNC last night. So I made myself stay up and listen to her nutzo acceptance speech. Indroducing her family... This is "Trac", "Trig", "Willow", "Bristol", and "Piper"... WTF, I thought she was a conservative nut job, not just a nut job.
Here is why "original" names can go too far:
I don't mind Willow, or even Piper. That's fine. But I feel bad for the others. I will admit that if I ever have kids, I have a few "original" names picked out. But nothing that has to do with a sport, witches, or math ( i know it's norse..but Trig. Why not calculus, or algebra, or Cosine). The poor boys. She must hate them.
ANYWAY-- I watched. I think she gave a good speech, but I don't agree with anything she said. Did she really say to drill for more oil in Alaska is God's will? WHAT?? IS SHE NUTS? Yes. yes she is.
So I am giving all the candidates my sort-off-equal-attention. I don't think I've ever taken such a strong interest in any campaign before, I guess I feel like it's really time. I don't know if I'll go so far as to knock on people's doors or call people, but I'm seriously thinking about getting a button or a bumper sticker with Obama on it.
We need a change. We need someone else in their. I don't know what I'll do if McCain is president. I was kind of threatening to shave my head, but I don't think I could do that. I don't really have a pretty skull. There's scars and it's bumpy. And it will also be winter and my head would be cold. And my hair doesn't grow fast.... I know so many excuses. I'll just have to hope for the best. I guess my other choice would be to move out of the country.... again. I'd bring "J" with me. We could rent out our house.... umm......Hopefully I won't need a plan "B".
So anyway, enough of all the words of what will happen, promising this, promising that. I want an end to bureaucracy. Enough stalling. We need real solutions. We need the war to end. Everyone on the republican side seems to think there is a win/loss issue with this war. And that terrorism will win. And that the "Axis of Evil" will cause destruction of all Western culture (would that actually be so bad?).
I'm ready for someone to do something about NCLB. Every child has been left behind during this time. By 2012 (or whatever) all children are supposed to be 100% successful at everything? What? So if you started school in 2000, and graduated in 2012-- apparently all of you should get into college (especially the Ivy Leagues) with no problem because you will have reached the AYP goals!! Right??? And if your school has reached AYP every year--- and wasn't shut down, or unaccredited...well then all of your students should have mastered the entire state curriculum with no problem. Right?
Roooight. As if.
So I recommend this read. Yes, he's a bit psycho too, but it is fun to read, and full of commonsense ideas. Like making high fructose corn syrup illegal, and what else, oh I know-- changing the "pledge of allegiance" to pledge to each other as citizens of the same country (not to a flag), And hey, I like that we should leave out "God". It was originally left out because officials like Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin didn't necessarily believe in God, but being spiritual, and studied why people believe in a "higher power" (whatever you want to call it).
He's the good kind of nuts.
Ok, enough of my opinions for today. But I felt I need to share.
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