September 1st, 2008
A New Look
I got bored and decided I needed a new look here at PPBB. So, that do you think?
August 31st, 2008
Wishin’ and Hopin’
Steve and I are playing the waiting game on, well, just about everything and it’s beginning to make us both crazy. First, there’s the job offer which is still not official. We’re hoping a formal offer will be made on Tuesday which is when Bonnie (the woman hiring) gets back from vacation. We knew it would be a week after she called him on Tuesday, but both tired of waiting.
Then there’s the house game which is getting old. I’m so disappointed in the last buyers backing out and I’m anxious to have an answer to the question of whether or not we’ll move. Our plans are to have the house up for sale until mid-October and then just take it off the market for the winter. We don’t have to sell, but we both really want the other house. Patience is a virtue but it’s not one of mine!
Today we decided to have an open house since other houses in the neighborhood were also open. We’ll see what happens. Wish us luck, patience and peace!
August 29th, 2008
Cake Wrecks
Ok, here’s a phrase I bet you never thought you’d hear from me, “I read about this site in the Wall Street Journal.” Thanks to WSJ, I discovered the funniest site today dedicated to cakes gone horribly wrong. Do yourself a favor and visit Cake Wrecks and have a fun Friday.
August 28th, 2008
On The Market
At 9 a.m. Steve put the sign in the front yard. By 3 p.m. we had a call and an appointment for Saturday. Now, I know this doesn’t mean that these people will fall in love with our house and buy it, but it makes me feel good to think at least someone is looking. Wish us luck! Even if they do buy it, we still have to re-negotiate the other house offer. Hey, third time’s the charm, right?
We both needed a break, and a trip to Target was necessary, so we spent the afternoon out and about. Curiosity got the best of me and I had to check out the 75% off shoe sale at Dillard’s. Nothing caught my eye so I left empty-handed. I did find a really cute shirt at Old Navy which I paid for using some Gap Rewards $$ I’d accrued so the shirt was free (well, not really since I had to spend money to get the reward, but it felt free). Then I went to the Banana Republic sale and scored some gorgeous grey pinstriped pants marked down from $110 to $41.97. Add another reward card and my birthday gift certificate and I still have money left! This whole frugal thing can be fun. I did make up for my savings by spending $32 at Target, but I stuck to my list and didn’t get anything we didn’t need.
To quote Henry Higgins, “By George, I think she’s got it!”
August 27th, 2008
Maxin’ and Relaxin’
It’s nice to know SOMEONE in this house is completely unfazed by all the goings on…And yes, the rug is really that dirty - sigh - .
August 27th, 2008
Square One
We’re back to square one on both houses. The buyers of our house are out which means I have to clean up all the messes we made packing and get this thing “show ready” again. We heard from the seller of the other house and he doesn’t want to play ball. He’s being a hardass and we’re not going to deal with him right now. I think we’ll reject his second counter (in which he didn’t move hardly at all) and just re-offer when/if the time comes. In the meantime, I’m slowly accepting the fact we might not move at all. I’ll give this house some time back on the market and see what happens in the next 60 days.
If we stay here I do have some plans for the house. First, I’ll repaint the entire bathroom to colors I like. I’m thinking of a grey/white/orange theme. Then, I’ll finally get curtains for the den and I may attempt to repaint the basement. When we move stuff back in from storage I’ll be severely cutting back on excess stuff. Maybe I’ll have a fall garage sale (even though I vowed never to do THAT again!). I know I’ll come out of all this in a better place, but it’s wearing me out in the meantime.
August 26th, 2008
Cheese and Rice*
Never ask the question, “what next?” unless you’re prepared for the answer. Today was the day of waiting and we got some good news and some, well, possibly bad news. First, the good news. Steve got a call from the other company and he’s their #1 choice. All they have to do is complete the paperwork and get the offer letter ready and he’s in. Bad news is that it will probably be next week until he gets the official green light. Still, it’s a job and we’re not complaining!
But wait, there’s more. Our buyers emailed us and want out of the contract. They received the home inspection and are speculating that the chimney could need $2,500 worth of repairs. This speculation is all based on cracked mortar around the top. Basically, without a chimney inspection, they went off the deep end. Well, it was really Becky who decided the house was just too much for her to deal with. Apparently Paul told her that old homes need repairs and nothing in the inspection was a surprise to him. They got into a huge fight and Paul decided his marriage was more important than our house. Now, they have an out with the inspection, but I’m pissed that we’re possibly back to square one. Steve called Paul and Paul said he loves the house but can’t get Becky’s mind changed. Steve suggested that we leave everything until morning when everyone has a clearer head. Paul agreed.
Then there’s the house we’re trying to go to contract on. The sellers have not responded to our last offer, but apparently will tomorrow. So it’s another night of uncertainty here. I’m so tired of all this crap.
- Cheese and rice is what I say instead of Jesus Christ, which is a bit sacrilegious. Never mind all the cuss words I use daily…
August 26th, 2008
Pins and Needles
Today Steve and I are on pins and needles. We’re both touchy and snappy. Steve already received one call from a job he’d applied for the day after the crash. They are interested in him, but need to hire another position before creating a Sales Engineer position. It was a job he really didn’t want, but it’s a door that’s now temporarily closed.
He’s supposed to hear from the other company (the one where he had the great interview on Friday) sometime today. But when? Probably late this afternoon after we’ve spent the day stressed out! Hope it’s good news because the other options are very slim and we’re not sure what we’ll do if it doesn’t come to fruition.
All the house stuff is on hold, too, for the time being. The termite inspector came today and will report to Paul and Becky. We still haven’t received word from the other house sellers. Personally, I think that’s a good thing as I’m hoping they’re giving our offer a serious thought. Who knows.
I just keep telling myself to keep it together, breathe and get through the day.
August 25th, 2008
Worth The Work?
I’m beginning to wonder if all of this house selling/buying crap is worth the work. It’s been the longest month of my life and, quite frankly, I’m ready for something to give. Tomorrow we’re hoping Steve gets a job offer. That’s the #1 call I want to receive because without a job, it doesn’t matter where we live ’cause we won’t be able to afford either place!
Our offer was countered today and the seller didn’t come down much. We discussed everything, offered another price and took out some of the items we wanted. No word on another counter offer, but I think the longer it takes the better. Perhaps they’re re-evaluating everything and attempting to make an offer we might actually take. We received the inspection report from our buyers and they had a couple of valid concerns. Good news is that Paul, the husband, can fix about anything and doesn’t get fazed by the items in the report. Bad news is that Becky, the wife, is all nervous about termites even though there’s no sign of live termites anywhere. Her concern is that the garage once had them (it’s detached and we treated it). We told her to wait until the termite inspectors come before making a final decision about whether or not to continue.
They both want someone to inspect the chimney and fix the cracks at the top. Ok fine, we said, but they have to pay for it. So, bottom line is this: we don’t know if they’ll bail on the contract and we don’t know if we can work out something on the other house. In the meantime, the most important thing is that Steve gets a job or none of this matters!
August 25th, 2008
A New Week
It’s been almost two weeks since the crash and we’ve had our shares of ups and downs. Steve had a great interview on Friday and we’re hopeful that an offer will come through this week. In the meantime, we’re learning all kinds of life lessons such as:
• You really should have the equivalent of six months’ salary in the bank.
• We have too much stuff! We’re working our way through selling it to simplify our lives.
• Our friends and family are amazing! But we already knew that.
• We don’t have to eat out on the weekend to have fun.
• We waste too much money on worthless crap.
• Budgets aren’t overrated.
• Saving money can be fun.
• Sometimes our lives have more blessings than we count. Take time to reflect on the good.
