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.

1/1/11 - 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.

 1/15/11 - 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.

 

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.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

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.

Late Halloween Photos

A few pumpkin pics from the Pumpkin Spooktacular at Roger Williams Park Zoo from 10/31/10 (phone
pics):

Heirloom Pumpkins

10/17/10.

This year we picked up both a white pumpkin (below) up in Cumberland and a blue-gray pumpkin down in Westerly--both in Rhode Island. I love these more unusual squash and hopefully I'll be able to dry out a few seeds and grow them next year (especially if we have a giant backyard).
The gray pumpkin feels like marble -- the white one was more like a regular pumpkin. And since I wanted it to last, I couldn't carve it up. Thus the Martha Stewart blast of glitter:

10/11/10.

steel yard iron pour: 10-29-10

Amazing.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.4

Discovery of this thing people call "Love of Beach"

I am not a beach person. Going to the beach means putting on a swim suit (I'd rather not), staying too long (I've been ready to leave for an hour), and always suffering from a sunburn (SPF 60 is like baby oil on my skin).

Below are phone pics of my best trips to the beach--four trips taken in the course of 18 days this summer. If I had the time, I'd be an addict. Of the beach.

Trip #1. In August, I quit my job. Bells ring. Hallelujah. Chris and I do a lot of celebrating with each other and with friends. My mental and physical health improve instantly. We crack the recipe for the grapefruit house cosmo from a local bar and summer begins. In late August.

8/19/10.

On my last day at work, a coworker recommends a local beach to me and the next day, Thursday morning, we get up early and drive over to Horseneck Beach in Massachusetts. Only 35 minutes away. I tear up from the peacefulness of it all. We leave a few hours later. No overheating. No sunburn.

8/20/10.

Trip #2: The next morning, I awaken to sound of seagulls calling me back. We head out again, early, back to Horseneck. Another perfect day ensues. Too bad I have to start a new job next week. Who created this thing called work, anyway?

8/29/10.

Trip #3: I'm officially a working woman again, with a lot less drama in my days. Fully elated from the previous week, we go crazy and head to the beach on a holiday weekend. Chris actually says, "This isn't really crowded, compared to New York beaches." Are you kidding? I'm surprised I didn't have to breathe into a paper bag. Weirdly, these crowds of people are strangely quiet and considerate. No one plays loud music. Parents shush their kids. Oh New England. So uptight and so pleasant at the same time. Did you know I needed this day? Bless you.
Yes, they bring strollers to the beach. And I never heard a peep from the little one.

9/6/10.

Trip #4: Did you know Rhode Island has more beaches per square inch or per capita or something like that, than any other state? Not sure what to do about Hawaii. On another recommendation, we head south for a mid-day jaunt at East Matunuck Beach, in Rhode Island. A 30 minute drive. just in a different direction. Loser Hurricane Earl doesn't make a dent. Our friends Elizabeth, Taylor and Aly join us. Another day with only the sound of hungry seagulls and steady waves.

E & T
(Photo is from an app on my Droid -- Retro Camera.)