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Monday, February 28, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Catching up ...January 2010
The closing on our new home is scheduled for Monday morning, and I can't seem to find any loose ends that need tying up. This nervous butt needs to get out of the house.
In the meantime, I thought I'd post a few photos. Since my late camera's demise, I still try to snap photos here and there, but care less about how they come out. The camera breaking at a time when we're pinching pennies may have been a good thing. These pics of January are perfect just as they are.
1/15/11 - Mid-January we visited with Chris' parents and grandma, and had another Christmas! Such a great time, including a trip to a little market in Brooklyn.
In the meantime, I thought I'd post a few photos. Since my late camera's demise, I still try to snap photos here and there, but care less about how they come out. The camera breaking at a time when we're pinching pennies may have been a good thing. These pics of January are perfect just as they are.
1/1/11 - For the New Year, we started off in Florida with my parents.
1/1/11 - New Years Eve. Yes, my parents can party.
And if you have too much fun, you may accidentally break your glow necklace. If it explodes all over your parents' new car, do not fret. (Your parents are pretty cool). Plus, you will find out the next day that glow juice loses its glow and will disappear.
1/12/11 - We came home to Providence to find snow and then more snow.
Snow snow snow.
1/21/11 - Then, of course, more snow.
1/29/11 - At the end of January we fell in love with a house.
Thus ends this brief overview of the tale that is January of 2011.
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Thursday, February 24, 2011
counting down
Can't wait to be done with this week. Closing on Monday. Almost there.
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Saturday, February 12, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Pink Flamingo Cookies
Somehow I brought home a flamingo cookie cutter from my last trip to FL. Oh yeah, and a pre-made cookie mix. The results: very scary birds.
Pink Flamingo Cookie-Making with E, 2/13/11.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Homebound...the Last 7 Days
Last Saturday - Our first outing with our realtor. I have a bit of a hangover from last night's visit from friends. One house we visit smells like dog pee. Third home, walking distance to Chris' work, unexpectedly knocks our socks off. At the top of the stairs of this cute little Cape, Chris whispers to me, "I love this place. We should bid on it right away." I can't argue. It feels like a happy house. At our last stop, we run into a nice young couple also shopping for a home. We wish them luck.
Sunday - Chris & I sit down to make an offer on the happy house, but are ready to play hardball in the bidding process. Our realtor informs us that the couple we met yesterday are putting in a bid as well. Now we're trying not to blow it. We offer asking price and put down the largest down payment possible. The sellers have until 6pm tomorrow to respond.
Monday - I haven't slept in two nights and am going crazy at work. Chris calls just after 1pm to say we got the house (much rejoicing). I celebrate with co-workers, Chris joins us, and we go home and crash. I still can't sleep.
Tuesday - Did we just buy a house in 3 days? We can afford this, right? Did we make the decision too quickly? Can I take a mental health day tomorrow? I can? Thank you so much.
Wednesday - Mental health day = shoveling snow, doing taxes, and meeting with the mortgage broker again. Paperwork paperwork. How do we get home owners insurance? Schedule the inspection as soon as possible? I sleep well for the first night this week.
Thursday - We continue to gather funds, by requesting an advance and looking into borrowing against our 401Ks (first time home buyers have little and sometimes no penalty).
Friday - Chris is on the phone all day comparing insurance estimates. We meet with the realtor again, re-read the fine print, and sign the purchase and sale. I think we just bought a house. Well, if everything goes well tomorrow.
Saturday - We spend over 2 hours at the house inspection. The happy house has no major issues and the inspector gives us a 101 on oil tanks, gutter maintenance, plumbing, termite prevention, and how to get discounts for more efficient insulation in the attic. I see so many great details that I missed the first time through. Chris says "Doesn't this already feel like home?"
Since moving to Providence we've spent thousands and thousands on rent. Now we'll have more control over the results of our work (and paychecks), which in turn leads to more freedom down the road. We got really lucky. We love this city, the housing market was ideal, the mortage rates low, the list goes on and on. We also couldn't have done this were it not for the friends here who have made this city feel like home, and the supports of family and friends who have helped us emotionally through life's dramas, and financially in our pursuit of non-profit careers. Not for a minute could we even think that we got to this place by ourselves. And I know the respite of this home will enable us give more when we're outside of it.
Sunday - Chris & I sit down to make an offer on the happy house, but are ready to play hardball in the bidding process. Our realtor informs us that the couple we met yesterday are putting in a bid as well. Now we're trying not to blow it. We offer asking price and put down the largest down payment possible. The sellers have until 6pm tomorrow to respond.
Monday - I haven't slept in two nights and am going crazy at work. Chris calls just after 1pm to say we got the house (much rejoicing). I celebrate with co-workers, Chris joins us, and we go home and crash. I still can't sleep.
Tuesday - Did we just buy a house in 3 days? We can afford this, right? Did we make the decision too quickly? Can I take a mental health day tomorrow? I can? Thank you so much.
Wednesday - Mental health day = shoveling snow, doing taxes, and meeting with the mortgage broker again. Paperwork paperwork. How do we get home owners insurance? Schedule the inspection as soon as possible? I sleep well for the first night this week.
Thursday - We continue to gather funds, by requesting an advance and looking into borrowing against our 401Ks (first time home buyers have little and sometimes no penalty).
Friday - Chris is on the phone all day comparing insurance estimates. We meet with the realtor again, re-read the fine print, and sign the purchase and sale. I think we just bought a house. Well, if everything goes well tomorrow.
Saturday - We spend over 2 hours at the house inspection. The happy house has no major issues and the inspector gives us a 101 on oil tanks, gutter maintenance, plumbing, termite prevention, and how to get discounts for more efficient insulation in the attic. I see so many great details that I missed the first time through. Chris says "Doesn't this already feel like home?"
Since moving to Providence we've spent thousands and thousands on rent. Now we'll have more control over the results of our work (and paychecks), which in turn leads to more freedom down the road. We got really lucky. We love this city, the housing market was ideal, the mortage rates low, the list goes on and on. We also couldn't have done this were it not for the friends here who have made this city feel like home, and the supports of family and friends who have helped us emotionally through life's dramas, and financially in our pursuit of non-profit careers. Not for a minute could we even think that we got to this place by ourselves. And I know the respite of this home will enable us give more when we're outside of it.
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