Yup, that's 12 in 15.

I just turned in rent for my final month in this apartment. It came with the realization that "Wow, we're really doing this." Tommy has voiced his concern that I will miss this place once I'm gone. And, while I have enjoyed these apartments, there are SO many things I am NOT going to miss about them that I don't foresee that happening. Besides, that whole home-attachment thing usually happens to people with much deeper roots than Kiera and I have ever had the opportunity to plant in the ground. I've had twelve "homes" since I got my first place at 17 (and most of those moves were from one city to another), so I know better than to invest feelings into places.

My apartment was kind enough, given my 2+ years as a stellar resident without so much as one late rent payment, to raise my rent $110 for the month of August, since it's out-of-lease. While I expected some rise, I was a little shocked that it was that much. And the check for $910.34 I wrote out today (rent + water, which is paid to the apts) solidified my decision to buy a home. My rent + ins. + taxes won't be near as much as my rent in this much smaller apartment. Of course there will be some additional expenses for repairs, but honestly the apartments haven't fixed even one non-critical maintenance request I've had, so that doesn't balance much against it.

[Backtracking a little]
I did fill out my paperwork for my mortgage last week. That was an unexpectedly emotional day. I think the stress of the entire transaction (I feel like I'm the one who's supposed to have the knowledge because I keep having to drive the process, even though I have NO experience in this) was bottled up and came raging out at the very moment I was looking at the numbers. And I began to cry. Not your typical, tears in the the eyes crying, but bawling, hyperventilating crying. Part of it was the numbers--and being terrified of using all the money I have towards a down-payment and closing costs, and part of it was the compilation of the stress (see preceding sentences), and part of it was just that I was so embarrassed that I had begun crying that it made me  even more emotional. But the loan officer I was working with was super nice about it and when I went back the next day, I was completely okay with the numbers and signed my life away. Well, not my life but certainly a good portion of my income for the next 30 years. Keep in mind that, for someone who has never financed anything (car, furniture, etc), acquiring that much debt in one single transaction is incredibly overwhelming. So with all that being inherently known and with the support of my home-owner friends who reassured me that crazy is just part of the process, I'm feeling like my breakdown was nothing out of the ordinary and it's time to move forward (emotionally). If I weren't the person I am (thoughtful about finances), I wouldn't have had the breakdown...but then again, I wouldn't have negotiated a killer interest rate or minimized my closing costs or (probably) had enough money to put down to avoid PMI. So it's a good attribute--it just sometimes leaves me in angst more than others.

Another look at the numbers and I realize that not only can I afford this house, I can afford to pay it off in 10 to 15 years, which is exactly what I intend to do! :)

Once we move in (mid-to-late August), I'll have a few things to do to the house (it is not turn-key ready), but once we get all that done, I'll post some pics. Also, Jana is planning a house-warming party for me mid-Oct (she has to have her stem-cell transplant and recover first), so there will be more details of that in the upcoming month.

The appraisal and pest inspection is set for Monday, so hopefully everything will go well there and then we should be 100% in the clear with no additional hurdles to overcome.
More updates to come, but things are looking really great! :)

(++)

Afternoon Quickie.

Oh, get your mind out of the gutter.
It's just a little update on the crazy happenings of my life.
And I emphasize the word "little."

8WC
Steve is still leading, but I'm definitely catching up. Granted, he hasn't even been trying as he's been away on business, but I've been eating as if I have no clue I'm in a competition: Chick Filet, pizza, iHop, McDonalds, Chili's, Mexican...oh, the list goes on and on. On the bright side of things, I have continued exercising and kicked it up another notch this week. I've just *got* to stay focused.
Eyes. On. The. Prize.
As a side note, I went out this weekend and, at the risk of sounding arrogant, I looked amazing.
I can definitely tell a difference in the way things fit me to an even greater extent than the scale signifies. It is so nice having trouble deciding what to wear because multiple things look so good on you (as opposed to the opposite). I've dropped a couple of sizes already and I'm only about a month into this thing...that is motivation to keep going even after the 8WC is up!

Home Sweet Home
All is going well. Lots of continued frustrations on the home front, but I'm currently in the process of deciding on a lender, and earnest money has been submitted, which basically means Kiera and I have the house! :) I got a chance to look the home over again with the inspection on Friday and I'm even more in love with it. It'll need a little TLC once I get in it, but (fortunately!) I have a world of resources at my finger tips as home improvement/repair is my family's specialty. I can see a "prepare, prime, paint" party in my near future.

That is all I have for now...well, there is plenty more, so I should (rather) say that is all I have time for for now. More soon.

(++)

June 24th

Tomorrow is National Hot Dog Day. That's right, folks. And if there's anything I want to celebrate, it's most definitely the hot dog.
...
Yup, that's a lie.
However, the fine folks at my work will be celebrating today. Hot dogs for everyone.
[barely audible yay]
I am debating on whether or not I should participate. After all, the event is more about team-building than filling tummys with meat-fillers and the fixin's. But hot dogs, in general, are so very unappealing to me. Yet it would seem strange to sit down with my coworkers munching on a salad or frozen dinner while they all eat hot dogs.
Egh. Must. stop. over analyzing.
Also, must stop discussing. I'm grossing myself out.

We're on a race to the finish line with the home. Inspection is set up for today and if all goes well on the inspection, we should be set to fill out loan paperwork and start packing. I've always been told that buying a home is a very stressful ordeal, but (arrogantly) I thought I'd bypass all the stress by getting everything aligned beforehand.
Mmmm, no.
Good credit, plenty of money to put down, all my docs in order, narrow price range and specific area in which to buy...seems like it'd be pretty simple. What I didn't count on is the incompetence and unethical behavior that I've discovered dominates the housing industry. I'm normally a relatively non-confrontational individual (with most things), but I've had to be pretty aggressive and blunt with this fiasco. I'm not sure if this is typical behavior for the people I've been dealing with or if they are simply pushing boundaries with me because I'm a first-time home buyer and, therefore, shouldn't know enough to be able to see through what's going on, but (as with all things) I've done my homework. I might not have the experience on my side, but I do have the education. And I'm far from naive.
But--if I get the house we want at a price I can live at, then I'll be happy.
I'll never use or recommend those that have "helped" me, but I'll be happy.
I have plenty more to say about the house, but I'll wait until we get through every hurdle so as to not get ahead of myself. I don't want to jinx it, and I don't want to plan too far ahead until I'm clear the house is definitely ours!
[On that note, keep those fingers crossed.]

Busy day, so that's all I've got time for right now.
Enjoy the weekend and try to get a couple of hot dogs in if you can "mustard" it.
(womp, womp).
B.

Is it too early for a celebration?

For those of you not lucky enough to stalk me out via FB, a little (pretty awesome) news this way today:

We have reached an agreement on the price of the home! Yayyyy!

I don't even know these kids & they're this happy for us!

Okay, so we aren't quite to the balloons, streams and confetti portion of the event yet.

I still have to get that home inspection and, while the home is only seven years old, you never know what may be lurking under those freshly painted walls.

Financing is already in the works (the only issue with this will be getting the lowest interest and closing costs, so no biggie) and hopefully we'll still be on track with a pre-birthday August closing date. :)

I'm doing a little happy dance in my head already...just not on paper.

Almost time for a little R&R

Still awaiting news on the house.
Well, that isn't entirely true...we're going back and forth and we're very close to the end of the process. Yikes, I am nervous!

Fortunately, I've got a little something to take my mind off of that:
B-52s in concert with mi madre. It's going to be "groovy."



Y'all enjoy your weekend.

Propaganda at its finest.

Eighteen minutes into work and I'm already angry over this article.

Seems to me the Yahoo writer is trying to promote an agenda. The biography on Obama's mom seems to back Obama's story, rather than refute it. And, to add fuel to the fire, all the comments go a little something like this, "Obama? A liar? You've got to be kidding." Sarcasm as its least thought-provoking level. I wonder if people even bother reading the article or if they just read the headline and comment? Because I don't see anything in the article that disputes what was said.

[inhale. exhale. accept the stupidity in the world and don't let it affect your day. repeat.]

Kix on Beale

This song evokes some fond memories *and* I get to watch her live tomorrow.
Double yayyy.