Still Alive, Just Tired

I survived the first week back to school.  I keep working and working in my library, but things only seem to get worse.  I know I’m making progress, but I hope it moves a little faster when I get back next week.  I found a cool program online today that will track your time as you do things.  I started tracking what I do during the day and I think it will be interesting to report on it later.

On the good news front, I finally got word that the air conditioning in the house will be fixed before I move in.  I told the lender to get the appraisal and I’ve had to submit several other things for my paperwork but hopefully that is taken care of except for the bank statement that should come soon with it being the end of the month.  If everything goes well, I should close on the 18th.  Of course in my infinite wisdom and the fact that I’m a total overachiever, I signed up to present a session at the Library Round Up at our education service center on the 21st.  I don’t think it will be too involved, but it’s one more thing to add to my to-do list.  I also got word today that I have to get ready for testing in my lab coming up in two weeks AND I have to spend $5000 by September 20.  My library is still a complete mess, but I guess I’ll somehow get everything done. 

Now I’m waiting for Matt to come over so we can go to Johnny Carinos for dinner.  I got a $10 coupon in the mail the other day so I thought it would be good to use it tonight.  I really need to start packing and cleaning this weekend.  The 18th will be here before I know it and I will want to get moved as soon as I can. 

Josh called me yesterday to tell me how his classes are going.  He seems to be enjoying everything.  He’s taking a literature class that focus on horror stories that he seems to really like.  He likes living on his own in his apartment as well. 

Well, I think I’ll snooze or rest a bit before Matt gets here.  It has been a very long day.

First Day of School

Well the first day of school is tomorrow.  Luckily I don’t have to open my library for another week or so.  I haven’t even been able to get into the cataloging system – not that I’ve had time.  I will stay busy with a million other things to do.  I will wear a dress (well, skirt and blouse) tomorrow, but that will probably be it for dressing up for a while.  I’m dismayed that I can’t fit into much of what’s in my closet right now because of the weight I’ve gained.  I really have to start eating better and working out. 

So yesterday I drove a huge truck to Nacogdoches.  I reserved a 10 foot truck, but they only had 16 foot trucks.  It went ok, but was kind of awkward to drive.  There wasn’t a whole lot of stuff to take so it didn’t take long for Josh’s friends to unload it.  After I dropped the truck off, Josh and I headed to Walmart to get him more things he needed for his apartment.  I paid for half of it to help him out.  Now he has a microwave, toaster oven, vacuum cleaner, and other apartment necessities.  We went to dinner with my friend Kirsten and then Josh took me to the hotel.

I was a little upset with Matt last night.  Even though he has a cell phone, he doesn’t answer it.  He was late getting to the hotel and wouldn’t answer my calls.  Me being the worry wart I am, I imagined the worst.  I think he realized that it bothered me a lot and he eventually apologized this morning after the cold shoulder last night.  But I got over it and everything is good now.  Tomorrow he’s going to bring me lunch at school and then help me out for a couple of hours. 

Well, I need to head to bed in order to get a decent night’s sleep.  I’m really glad I’m not a teacher – that would make for a really hard day.  I hope this year’s sixth graders are a better bunch of kids than last year’s. 

Bad News, Good News

I had the house inspection today and there’s both good an bad news.  Good news is that the pest inspection showed nothing of concern.  Other good news that in general the house is in good condition and seems to be built well.  But the bad news is pretty significant because the air conditioning didn’t work.  Even though technically I’m buying the house “as is”, this may be something I can get Fannie Mae to fix.  If they don’t fix it, and I walk away from the deal, they’ll have a hard time selling it unless they fix it anyway.  Since an inspection has been done, they would have to disclose that the air conditioning doesn’t work.  Also there’s the issue of the heat not working since the blower wouldn’t come on and that is an FHA financing issue.  So hopefully they’ll get it fixed and we can move forward. 

Tonight was the first orchestra rehearsal for the new season.  It was long and my thumb was hurting by the last 30 minutes of rehearsal.  I’m out of shape in terms of playing.  I guess I need to do some practicing.  I’m tired and want to go to bed, but I’m waiting for clothes to get dry.  I should have washed them earlier.  I have to have some clean pants to wear tomorrow and I’ve gained so much weight that only a few pairs fit.  It’s very depressing.  Hopefully I’ll get in gear soon and start getting active.  I’m trying to watch the diet, but I’m pretty weak when it comes to cheeseburgers and pasta. 

Starting Fresh

I’ve been buying a few new things for my house.  A few weeks ago, I bought a new quilt and pillow shams for my bed.  With the extra Kohl’s cash I got from it, I went back the next week and got the matching throw pillow and some sheets.  I’ve been using the same comforter that I got when I married my ex husband.  It’s still a nice comforter, but I think it’s time for change. 

Josh is moving back to college next week and I’m going to give him my dishes that I got when I married as well.  I just think it is time to start fresh with my own stuff.  After all, when you’re a college student, you’re supposed to start with hand me downs and I think it’s time I had something different.  I’m going to buy a new dining table as well.  I haven’t looked for one yet, but my current table is one of the last hand-me-downs that I still have. 

I didn’t do a lot of cleaning yesterday.  I just did some dishes and cleaned the kitchen so Josh could make supper last night.  I taught him to make cashew chicken which turned out great.  He has been wanting to learn to cook so he can impress his friends.  He’s very excited about getting his own apartment. 

Well, I’m going to go find some lunch and then maybe start some packing. 

Need to Clean

I really need to clean my house.  It’s getting pretty bad and I know I won’t have time next week or next weekend.  It’s shaping up to be another busy week.  I survived my first three days back and I worked my tail off.  I delivered computers to dozens of classrooms in addition to data projectors, Elmos, and textbook kits.  I’m not finished though.  I still have equipment to deliver to the 6th grade building, but I can’t until after they paint in those rooms next week.  This is typical of the district I work for.  Everything is last minute.  I even had Josh come up and help me.  I struck a deal with him.  I’m renting a moving truck to take his bed and some other furniture to his new apartment in Nacogdoches.  He’s leaving Wednesday next week.  I’m picking up the truck on Thursday evening and then Matt, his friend Jason, and I will load it up on Friday evening.  I’ll drive the truck to Nacogdoches on Saturday morning.  Matt will drive up Saturday evening and we’ll stay the night in Nac and come back sometime Sunday.  The next day is the first day of school so I need to be there for that. 

My house inspection is going to be on Monday.  I have to miss part of our inservice training to be there, but my principal was understanding about it.  I hope everything goes well and there isn’t too much wrong with the house.  Since it is a foreclosure, Fannie Mae won’t fix anything.  I think, though, if it is something that would be required by the appraisal for my FHA financing, they would probably fix that.  My lender called me on Thursday and gave me the numbers for closing costs and my estimated payments.  I’ll be paying about $60 more a month than what I’m spending on rent right now.  I will, however, have enough money left over to pay off several credit cards so that should be ok.  I’m debating whether I’m going to keep my cable subscription when I move or switch to direct tv. 

Back to Work

Though I went to a meeting yesterday, today was my first official day back at work.  I got a lot done, but I realize there is so much more to do.  I saw a few of my fellow teachers which was nice.  A few people noticed that I just got my hair cut.  Josh and I went to the mall yesterday and we both got hair cuts.  I went with a short bob that I think looks pretty cute.  I won’t promise a picture because I’ll probably forget to take one and post it.  But maybe I will.  If so, it will be a surprise. 

My realtor called me and said that we could go ahead and schedule the inspection.  It will either be this Friday at 9:00 a.m or on Monday at noon.  I’ll go and take measurements for window blinds and such.  I’ll try to get some pictures to post, but again, no promises. 

I was pretty exhausted after work today but I went to Target to find a watch since the strap on mine broke today.  Matt and I went to church this evening since it was a Holy day of obligation.  Afterward we got stuff for burgers at the store and then he grilled them for dinner.  I’m heading to bed shortly. 

I got the house!

I found out on Friday mid morning that Fannie Mae finally gave me a counter on the house.  I offered $139,000 and asked for $4450 in closing.  They responded with the $139,000 but only $4000 in closing.  I thought that was a good deal so I accepted the offer.  Matt and I had intended to go to Albuquerque on Thursday but couldn’t since we hadn’t heard on the house.  So then we made tentative plans to just go to Dallas for the weekend.  Once the offer came in on Friday we decided to try to go ahead and go to Albuquerque.  The problem was that I needed to get my earnest money as a cashier’s check and potentially sing a paper.  The other issue was that I may have needed to sign other paperwork by Monday.  After going through several rounds with my realtor who went several rounds with the seller’s office, it was determined that we could work around it if necessary.  So now we are in Albuquerque. 

We left on Friday afternoon after dropping off the check and signing a form at the realtor’s office.  We stopped for dinner in Fort Stockton and then stopped for the night in Roswell, NM.  No, we didn’t see any aliens or UFOs unless you count those in the windows of businesses along main street.  When we got to Roswell, we had to stop at a DWI checkpoint.  They looked at Matt’s license and insurance and then sent us on our way.  We went out to dinner at a Mexican restaurant last night and met my sister and her husband and my uncle’s daughter.  The food was really good, but I only ate half of it.  I’ll have the rest for dinner tonight. 

Today Matt and I went to a Catholic church in town and then met my aunt and uncle at the Chili’s where my sister works for lunch.  After that we went to Kohl’s.  I got a few things and bought Matt his first pair of jeans.  Can you believe that?  He has never worn jeans – except he said he might have had one pair when he was a kid.  My aunt bought me a top and a purse and I bought a couple of tops and a pair of pants.  Matt even bought another pair of black jeans, a few more shirts and another pair of shorts. 

Now we are back at my aunt and uncle’s place and will probably just take it easy tonight.  We might also play some scrabble tag-teaming against Matt.  We will head back tomorrow.  I just got an email today stating that there was a back to school library orientation on Tuesday, but I don’t know if I’ll make it.  I may have to sign paperwork on the house that day.

Still Waiting

It’s been two full days now and I haven’t heard anything regarding my offer on the house.  It’s getting a bit unnerving.  I hate waiting to hear.  The longer it takes, the more worried I get.  Perhaps I should have accepted the offer the first time.  I don’t know.  You never know when making an offer if yours is the only one, if there are others or if it’s what they will accept.  So it’s still hurry up and wait here.

Matt and I planned to go to Albuquerque this weekend, but the plans are on hold until I hear about my offer.  If we can’t go, we may just run up to Dallas for the weekend instead.  Our original plan was to leave tomorrow evening after Matt gets off work and go part way.  But unless I hear about the house, we’re stuck.  For someone like me that tends to be a planner, it’s difficult to do. 

My friend Pam asked me to make her a rosary.  She’s not Catholic but when I made one for her daughter (the one who recently passed away) she said that it seemed to bring her comfort so she wanted one.  The rosary that I made Kami was buried with her.  So today I went to Michaels and got some beads to make a rosary for my friend.  I think it turned out nice.

I hope it does bring her some comfort.  I can’t imagine the difficult time she is going through and I wish I could do more for her.  Well, I guess I’m going to try to get some sleep and not think about the house.  I hope I get an answer tomorrow – hopefully the answer I want. 

House Hunting Round 2

Matt, Josh, and I headed out for more house hunting today.  We met my realtor at a nearby community and looked at two houses there.  The first was nice, but only 3 bedrooms.  The second was horrible with dirty carpets.  We then looked at three other houses that were even closer to the school where I work, but only one of them had a decent floor plan, but it was a fairly expensive short sale.  After that, we headed to a community further on the east side of town and looked two houses there.  The second was by far the best with an awesome kitchen with granite counters, but it was only 3 bedrooms as well.  We then headed up to Converse and looked at a new build that I was anxious to see.  It was nice, but the kitchen still had limited counter space, the master bedroom was smaller, and it was still pretty far out.  So after looking at a few more houses up there, we headed back to where I live and looked at the house that I originally put an offer on again.  Since I last looked, the linoleum in the utility room had been replaced.  That was one of my concerns the last time I looked at it.  So after checking it out again, I decided that I still liked the house and wanted to put in another offer.  Since they came down $7500 from the original asking price I made an offer of full asking price and asked for $4450 in closing costs.  I signed the paperwork this afternoon and my agent will submit it this evening.  Hopefully they’ll accept this time and I can get under contract.  If not, I’ll have to consider one of the other houses I looked at.  I hope it goes through.  I’m ready to get this done.  If it is accepted in the next day or two, then Matt and I will go on vacation to Albuquerque starting Thursday evening. 

Company Induced Cleaning

There’s nothing like the potential for having company to get me to clean my house.  My friend Brent from Austin texted me yesterday and said he was thinking about coming down today and staying until tomorrow.  So yesterday I got the guest room ready by changing the bedding.  Today I cleaned the kitchen (though I haven’t mopped) and I’m thinking about running the vacuum soon.  Luckily, I don’t let my house get to an unbearable state these days.  I generally keep it picked up where it doesn’t take a lot to get it presentable.  But I’m looking forward to my friend visiting if he is able to do so.  He told me yesterday that it is just “penciled” in for now. 

In house hunting news, the house that I put an offer on dropped in price by $7500.  If they had come back at that price when I made my offer the first time, we would be under contract now.  So I’m going to look at more houses on Monday but if I don’t find anything, I may resubmit my offer on the other house.  It confirms that I was right to not accept their counter offer the first time. 

Well, I think I’m going to scrounge up some lunch and then do a little more cleaning. 

Back to work

Well, for just a day.  I went up to the school this morning to meet with some other teachers to work on a presentation for a faculty meeting.  I also had to set up the assistant principal’s computer.  It was nice to see some of the other teachers and meet a couple of new ones.  It was also good to have an excuse to get my butt out of bed.  I’ve been quite lazy lately, though yesterday I did do some cleaning and some laundry.  Matt and I are going to go to church in Converse this weekend.  Since I’m looking at a few more houses there, I think going to church might give me more of an idea of the area.  If the church has a really good music program, it might be an incentive to live there.  We have yet to find a church with a good choir though we haven’t really explored many new churches lately. 

It turns out that a few of the houses I want to look at on Monday are no longer available.  Hopefully I’ll be able to choose something after I look at the remaining 10 or so.  I didn’t think house hunting would be this difficult, but it’s true that there’s no perfect house – at least in my price range. 

I think I’m going to get my hair cut before school starts.  I’m not going to go way short like before, but I think I’ll get something like a chin length bob.  I still plan to keep growing it out, but I need something a little easier to manage.