Here's a link to the MLS listing for the house I am in the process of buying.
8725 Sleepy Hollow
or you can cut and paste: http://www.heartlandmlsweb.com/Reports.asp?CMAID=7146446&T=10:47&Tmp=mp
Try that, maybe it'll work, maybe it won't. Regardless, if it actually goes through, I'll put up some pics when/if it goes through.
Wednesday
Today I finally felt the pain of sleeping on a pull out couch. My lower back hurt when I tumbled out of bed. I hobbled around for an hour or so. We decided to go White Water Rafting today. I was all about it, but not overly excited – in my rafting experience, it’s never as exciting as you think it’s going to be. It’s very comparable to floating in MO, but on a big raft. And I was right. That is exactly how it was. Parts of it we’re fun and exciting, but the rest was just rolling along on a big raft with a weird helmet on and a paddle in my hand sitting on the side of a blow up boat. Regardless it was fun, someday I’d like to go to a level 4-5, or 5-6 river and try that with some experienced people, I think I would be pretty good at this sport.
Thursday.
Today is exciting because I get to go lay by the pool, and get some sun on my legs. We are also going out to eat! I’m very excited. I don’t know that we’ll go where I want to go (Smokey Mountain Brewery) but regardless, it’ll be a good time.
Well, we did end up going to the Brewery - which was fantastic. The food was great and not so expensive. I had a 5 oz. off all their beers on tap - they had 8. They were all pretty good beers. Everyone else really liked their light beer - had absolutely no aftertaste. I really liked their Pale Ale. It was smoothe and bitter.
AND now for my soapbox- pub mats or coasters are important. Generally when a beer or beverage is brought to you it is in a cold glass and it sweats. So they are important to soak up the sweat, if you will. Sometimes the bartender is busy or absentminded and overpours the beer, getting the glass all wet. Also another reason for the pub mat. It would help soak up the beer coming down the side of your glass. It also would help if the waiter would wipe it off a little. Now, I'm not trying to blame anyone for me spilling the almost entirety of my pint of beer all over the table and friends last night. But I know in my heart, that if I would have had a pub mat-that the beer never would have spilled.
I also got some fantastic pics of myself - it's on someone elses camera - but I'll get them, they are really great! Which you all know I don't say that often.
Update on the house - well...I've spent $12 in faxing now. I'm getting the house for 89,900 with everything I wanted fixed and done and a home warrenty.
I'll try to find a link to it so I can post it on here and you can check it out. It's a little two bedroom, stucco in a nice neighborhood.
This morning we packed up and headed for the mountains....
We went at just the perfect time. Our first visit was to an informational building. It had a museum, a theatre with an informational video and park rangers to help you out. I decided at this place that it's a possibility that I could marry a park ranger and live in one of America's great national parks. There are some cute park rangers. Anyhow, we decided our destination would be the Clineman's Tower (?). Anyway it's the 3rd highest place in the eastern US. We got there, made the LONG climb up and finally made it to the tower part and climbed up it. It was absolutely beautiful. Breathtaking scenery. I have pictures - but someone forgot to pack the cord that allows the pictures to go from the camera to the computer. Shame on whomever packed me. I was really looking forward to posting photos with my blogs.
Anyway, a minute into our decent we come across a trail marker that says Appalachian Trail. I look at the map and deduce that we can take it and end up in the same place while not travelling the road most taken. So we do. It was quite the hike, a lot of rocks and slippery places. Shannon fell, but she's okay - that was our only crisis on the trail. A few miles later we ended up right in the parking lot we needed to be! The pics are going to be awesome - anyone know where the Radio Shack is in Pigeon Forge, TN???? We had a great picnic lunch. I had bought some cold fried chicken to bring along and some chips. It was YUM-O!
Anyway - I'm just chillin' now. It's Andrew's (Shannon's boyfriend) night to cook and I heard it was going to be something mexican.
Update on the house situation - They agreed to everything I asked for on the offer, but wanted 900 bucks more. I went ahead and agreed to that, because it's still not a bad deal. I'm going to be a homeowner soon! If everything goes through the way it is supposed to, and so far it has, I will have the keys on July 23rd. :D
If I was in Branson, I wouldn't know any different. There is so much tourist stuff here. There are hills though - which they call the Smokey Mountains. They are beautiful and I love looking out and seeing the fog hang amongst them. We are going tomorrow morning. We are going to do some hiking and hang out in the mountains. I bought a picnic to have at lunch. Since it seems to rain in the afternoon, we'll probably be back at the timeshare (from now on, apartment). I can get wifi in the indoor pool room. I wish it was in the apartment. Right now I am sitting here - alone in the indoor pool - it's kinda odd and uncomfortable.
So far all we've done is drive (all night saturday until sunday around 11AM), at breakfast buffet with the timeshare selling people, and play in the pool. It's been fabulous. I've read half of Angels and Demons. I plan to read the other half tonight. I brought so many books to read!! I can't wait to read them all.
OH, I've also finished of a 12 pack of PBR. It was all the beer I brought...
Which reminds me of a dream I had last night. I have to blog it-it's so funny. In the dream I hung out with a guy named Barry - he resembled a mutual friend, Tim, also known as the Dr. My name in the dream was Beer. So I guess we'd just sit around and get drunk and call people. Someone we called was like - I knew it was Barry and Beer.... I got all offended, it was the first time I knew of that people called me 'beer'. Anyway - so the dream went on like that - just me and Barry hanging out, drinking. Although, in the dream I was never drunk.
Maure, Alicia and Kodi - I hope ya'll had good birthdays! I believe the 30's are the best! I'm bound and determined to prove myself right!
Over and out - from the PF TN pool room.
I'm going on vacation Saturday. My friends have a time share in Pigeon Forge, TN and we're going there and staying for a week. I will get to go to the Great Smokey Mtn. National Park. There is also a pool at the place. I went to the library to get some books to read, and my mom gave me her laptop to use. (I'm very excited about this - thanks mom!!) So I just have to pack and get everything ready and I'm good to go. I can't believe I'll be gone for a week though. That is a very long time for me to be gone. It makes me feel anxious. I really don't like to be cut off from my world. I understand the benefits of it and how it can really help calm a person down, but in my case, I think it makes me more stressed out. Thus the need for computer and cell phone.
Here's a new thing about me I bet no one would ever have guessed - I drank a few beers last night, and by a few, I mean a few too many - had a nice buzz going. BUT I didn't like the buzz. weird. Is my love for too much beer breaking up with me? Am I going to become one of those people that can sit and just enjoy a few beers? This makes me feel old - and mature. Do not doubt, I'll be giving it another college girl go to see if this was just a one night thing, or if it's true.
I don't have any boy stories - I just thought the title was witty. Someday - I'll have more boy stories. But not today.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! to everyone who has a birthday this weekend! Especially Alicia and Kodi! Love you guys!
The whole reason in writing this blog is to record how much I value friendships, where that value came from and that the journey to find your true friends is a journey we all make.
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I evaluate the friendships in my life at least once a year. When I was younger, I called this taking out the trash. The reason for this term was because over the course of jobs or boyfriends or time I would hold on to a friendship that was toxic. Sometimes during these evaluations I would notice that the friend was toxic and I needed to probably lessen the amount of time I spent with them.
We all have toxic friends. Maybe not so much now that we're older, but we have all had, at points in time, toxic friends. For me, usually its friends of friends or a bad boyfriend or a co-worker. They usually encourage me to do things I don't necessarily want to or they encourage a lifestyle I don't want either. And for some reason or another, I've let them (remember the younger part....).
Here's an example (4 years ago). I was friends with this girl at work. We went out a lot, she was friends with the 'boy'. But she wasn't all that fun. She often ran around by herself, leaving you to fend for yourself. She talked about me behind my back. Spread rumors at the school we worked at. Cornered me and asked about personal info that wasn't any of her business.
She wasn't a good friend.
Another example(1-4 years ago). This one is more tricky. But I lived with two other girls in a house in north kc. We were great friends. These were my best friends at the time. (red flag) We went out 4-5 times a week. We all worked together. Played together. Went camping together. It was a rock star life-style. But remember that red flag?! I moved out into my own house closer to work a year ago. I've talked to one of the girls a few time, went to see her once, went out for her birthday. The other girl I talked to her twice, she came down with me to visit my bro, and we partied together for our other friends bday. And that's all she wrote. I haven't heard from either of them since right before my birthday, 2007. Sad, but okay.
I think that the friendships you make in college are the most important. I also have a best friend from middle school and one from high school that are important. But that first year in college when you are on your own trying to find your nitch - those are the friends that I still have. They are the friends that know everything and love me anyway. They are the ones I want to hang out with. They make me laugh and make me feel good about myself. That is a true friend. Those are the friendships that I treasure. I also like my new friendships - but they hold no candle to those friendships I've made and maintained since the first year of college (12 years ago).
Cheers to those that know everything and love me anyway - without you, I wouldn't be.
I'm not very photogenic, but I wanted to show off my new 'do'! I was finally able to get some services done at PB! It's the whole reason I wanted a job there. I paid $70 for highlights and cut!! I know it's short, compared to what I had, but it'll grow in no time. Overall I'm pretty happy with it. I haven't done it yet, and I'm sure it'll look better then. But it's fun and new! I needed that. Check out my red shiny face!! It's hot in the computer room!
I had my first ever yard sale today. Besides the hot weather and no breeze, it was great. We sold a majority of our stuff. There were three girls in on it and we each made about $70! Awesome!
I could only do this once a year. And I would want it to be on a cooler day, if possible. I hadn't been that sweaty and dirty in a loong time.
I did learn a few things. Watch who you sell what to. Don't sell a full size bed to a lady with a mini-van. The box-springs don't fit and you will have to tie it to the roof of her car, only to have her drive around the block, come back, and deposit the box springs in your front yard. She said someone would pick them up in an hour (1:30 PM) It's now 12:04 AM and the box-spring is still there!
Other than that, we had no obstacles except for the weather. It was soooo hot! While drinking vodka and tab in the middle of the day sounds like a good idea - it's probably not the best idea. It sure peps a person up though. Mary says it makes her feel like a princess. It just makes me feel fantastic, princess - not so much, but fantastic, YES!
After the day, I would say that I would do this again, but only once a year. AND I would definitely not drink till 2:30 AM the night before and be up by six AM and at Walmart at 6:20AM the morning of - but that's just future advice. On that note - I better go to bed before I fall asleep typing - it's been a long last two days. Sleep is much needed!
Well, I had my second day at PB and it was MUCH better. People were a lot friendlier and I just had a better time overall. I didn't mess up much, but did a variety of things I didn't get to do last time. Besides the standing - I think it's going to work out.
I think I'm getting close to choosing a house. I think I could probably do it on Saturday, but I'm having a garage sale...so maybe on the 23rd. Then I get to start the fun process of being accepting and getting the loan finalized etc. Pretty exciting. I hope it all goes smoothly when things start happening.
I'm supposed to go on vacation the last week of June. While I'm looking forward to it, at the same time I'd like to just stay and get the house thing done. I guess we'll have to see what happens.
So. I'm out of touch because I went out of town, came back and worked a new job, and have now convinced myself that I am sick.
Friday - Friday night I spent out with friends. I went to the Slavic Festival in Sugar Creek. Sugar Creek is always guaranteed a good people watching time. It's not that the people are any different - they are just something else. Kansas City is funny that way. Very predictable. If I go to a festival in Lee's Summit, I'm going to see families, mostly white. If I go to something down at Crown Center, I'm going to see all kinds of people, very diversified! Sugar Creek, you get your 'white trash' people who live in Independence but have formed this sort of militia and called it Sugar Creek. They have their own police and everything. Moving on - the first thing I do at this festival is use the facilities. Porta-potties - love 'em! (not). Anyway, it was a little dark in there and of course I didn't notice that the lid was down (since when do porta potties have lids? Of course I'd already started my business (#1) and in the struggle of all things, I ended up doing some business on my pants. I thought we were going to have to leave. But my friend said that you couldn't see it and so we got me a beer STAT and went on about the night. Which ended up being a really good time!
Saturday - Went to Columbia to see my brother. Good times. Drank too much of course. The best part of the trip was that I got to visit with A and J and see their kiddo D. I miss you guys!
Sunday - Trained for my new job. Here's how this went down. I got a call on Friday that they would like me to train on Sunday. Then I had to ask at the end of the convo, 'when do I come in?' (Funny lady forgot to tell me) She said, "Around 12:30." So I got to PB (Premiere Beauty) and the girl behind the counter was like, "I didn't know whether you were coming in." HUH. It was 12:30 on the dot. HUH.
There were no papers to sign, no W2's to fill out, no manager to train me. I was to stand behind here and have this girl train me for the next SIX hours. Yes, 6 hours. You read that right. Let's run this down: I'm hungover, go into work, stand for 6 hours straight and listen to a girl that takes her job WAY to seriously. When I left at 6:30 I never wanted to go back. I had to go back in on Monday for some product training (everyone had to) and so I bought some stuff just to show myself that this job was worth it. My next day is Thursday. God help me. I'm giving it two weeks and if I still think it sucks and it's more trouble than it's worth - I'm out.
And now it's Tuesday - I went and looked at houses today and found 2 more to put in on my top few. One I really liked. So the house hunt is looking up!
Cheers.
That's my new title for my new job! I'm going to work part time at Premiere Beauty. I'm pretty excited because I get discounts on all services which include facials, color, haircuts, massages, etc. Congrats to me!
One of the most amazing things about buying a house for me is the fact that I have to make this decision on my own. I am totally deciding what house I want, what house suits me best, etc. It's really intimidating. It's hard sometimes to make a decision about dinner. So making a decision about what house to buy....yowzers.
I went and looked at 4 houses today. One of them was a house I'd already seen and liked. I still really like it more than any others. Although, some of the other houses have more to offer, such as a garage. I guess what stands out about the house I really like is that I can see myself in it and I really like where it's at. Some of the houses offer a lot, but I don't so much like where they are.
One of the houses has an attached garage, huge yard and back deck. But needs siding, new windows and carpet. If I could afford those things and did re-do it, it would be worth so much more money.
Another house, everything was cute - pretty small. Detached garage, nice porch. But I don't know...I didn't get the same feeling as I do with the Sleepy Hollow house (that's the one I really like and will refer to it as such from now on).
So I'm feeling overwhelmed. And I have to go look at more houses - so the pot will be more full of choices. Will I keep coming back to the Sleepy Hollow house, or will I actually find something that I like more? I do know I'm very attracted to houses that have been kept up and that seem to be new on the inside. I also like new windows. It's almost a must for me to have new windows. (probably because the house I live in now has windows from like that 1930's, originals.)
Anyway - I just want to keep track of the houses I go see and the feelings I have. I mainly am doing this for the friends that will come after me, so they can see what it's like to buy a house. But also for me, so when all is said and done with I have a record of all the stress it was to get to that place.
So I finally decided to get out of the house today. I decided to go to the gym and do the hard workout for this program I'm doing. I get in my car and here comes a bike cop.
Inner monologue: hmm...I wonder why there's cops on bikes in my neighborhood. I didn't even think they came that far south. Didn't I meet a bike cop once..I wish I could remember. Glance in review after he passes. Now he's doing circles, maybe he wants to talk to me, maybe he saw how I was going to go work out and was impressed...
Okay, so I move on and start toward the gym. In my review mirror I see these bike cops. Now, I'm not paranoid enough to think they are following me, but after two turns I think they are following me. But I just keep on my merry way. Then there's a squad car behind me. [Yeah.] So he pulls me over. (I KNOW!!) He comes up to the car with his hand on his gun. Maybe they have to do that sort of thing now, but it was scary. He asks for my license. I am soooo confused at this point. And then he asks, "Have you ever been arrested before?" [WHAT THE F@#$????] Of course I screwed up my face and was like 'NO'. Then one of the bike cops show up and says the others coming. The car cop asks me, "Did you see the cop on the bike try to get your attention?" I replied, "no, I saw him when I got in my car in front of my house but he went right past me." He probes, "What's your address?" So I tell him, it's not the same one on my drivers license...so I explain that. The other bike cop shows up. I apologize for not realizing they were really trying to get my attention. The car cop says, "It's okay, ma'am, they were there because someone broke into the house behind yours." I was like, OH. And then they let me go.
Only me. Only me.
BTW - I did go on to the gym and do my hard workout.
Tonight I stood in line for 2 hours to get free Chipotle. It was the best Chipotle I've ever eaten.
So, I watched MTV Awards this morning and I have no further questions about why the teenagers of today are the way they are. MTV is geared toward pre-teens/teens/young adults. It consists of talk shows, cartoons, reality tv, and lastly - videos. Lots of sex, scantily dressed women, life made for the tv (which we know isn't REAL), sexually confusing people, and superstars that come from nothing and now have shiny grills.
The best kiss was awarded to Will Ferrel and Sasha Baron Coen. Fine - for me, but what is a 9 year old gonna think?? There was kissing and skin showing all over the MTV awards - it had a real gay overtone. Again - fine with me, I think that stuff is funny, but what about the 9 year old?
So, I guess it all boils down to the parents (as always) who the hell would let their kid watch this stuff? Maybe it's different in the suburbs and rural areas - I doubt it - but most of the parents of my kids are single mothers, they have to work, either the kid is a latchkey kid or watched by someone else. Our students see more than I do, tv/movie wise. And to further that, they get more action than I do. (and remember I teach 6-8th grade...) It's sickening. There's no one to blame or too many to blame and that's what I'm really looking for today...so I blame MTV and BET for that matter.
If I had a job, I would not be able to go through all this crap and meet people, call people, etc. This is really turning out to be a lot more stressful than I thought it would be. I've now consulted 3 Realtors and have talked to 3 mortgage people. I've gotten rid of one of the mortgage people and one of the Realtors. My whole basis was that they didn't feel right. I'm sure at some point it will all become clear that these are the people I'm supposed to work with and this is how buying a house is really supposed to be. If anyone has an opinion, I'd like to know whether going with a big bank or going with a mortgage title loan company is better? Which to choose? Which is better and why?
At this point, I think I've got to go with the better loan - no matter if it comes from the big bank or the little guy.
And furthermore, what sucks is that while I'm dickering around with these people there is the cutest house that I love on Sleepy Hollow just waiting for me to buy it.
ARGH.
Do you mow the lawn or cut the grass? I definitely mow the lawn. Of which, I did this morning. I can't tell you how fantastic it is to have all this time on my hands. I've really been using it well and getting stuff done. Love it! I'm going to have a garage sale soon. I have to. I've been going through every room and every box and deliberating - do I need this....? So I have piles of stuff, just ready for a garage sale.
Cheers to summer vaca! The best part of being a teacher: June and July (august doesn't count since we start on the 9th...)
So, I have this old friend from high school and post undergrad. We were very close and still to this day have that sort of instant 'click'. He's an amazing man, I didn't realize this till after we went our separate ways. Recently, he contacted me to talk about a personal situation. I was honored and excited. Excited for the opportunity to be friends again. Excited to get to know each other again. Excited to have another person to explore and adventure with. We talked a few times, went to lunch and then...he really hasn't contacted me again. He's sent me a few emails in reply to emails I sent him.
Analysis of lunch:
The lunch was good. I was nervous and reflective. He was forthright and open. There were lulls in our conversation - I didn't think they were awkward (remember I was feeling reflective). We smiled and laughed. I would have rather had his lunch, than mine (normalities). He hugged me at the end.
Anyway - I can't figure out why it was important that we talk and then he dropped it. Which sucks because, I want to be there for him, and I was really excited about our renewed friendship - that now, looks doomed to be lost.
Sometimes, this is all I think about. Is it obvious I have a lot of time on my hands right now?
I absolutely hate it when someone asks you how you are doing and doesn't really care. As people we're just supposed to answer fine and move on. Like our life is a formality. I really feel like if someone isn't expecting an honest answer, than don't ask.
Fine is such a trite word. If you don't care how someone really is or are just doing it for formalities, than don't ask. If you don't want people to know how you are doing, then express that.
"Hey, how are you doing?" asks the old friend with the long hair. "I don't really want to talk about it," replies the unrequited love.
Doesn't that sound much better than, "fine."
Anyhow, that's just my opinion and this is just my blog.
alone
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from al all + one one
1 : separated from others : ISOLATED
2 : exclusive of anyone or anything else : ONLY
3 a : considered without reference to any other
As I delve into this house buying expedition, I feel more and more alone. As in the 1st definition. I feel more and more like it doesn't feel right, or I don't want to do it-alone. I have no qualms about the fact that I can do it. I can afford it. I can swing it. But, I don't want to. I don't want to buy a house on my own. I don't want to go through this entire process by myself. Am I being a baby? Maybe. Am I being selfish? Of course, we're talking about me being alone here...
The funny thing about the word alone is that it comes from two words; all and one. All has the connotation of many, lots and One is simply that, 1.
Anyway - I'm not trying to throw a pity party (my parties are usually much bigger) I just wanted to get out some frustrations I'm having at this moment.
As she stomped around her rented house, sweating, arms folded, she huffed "I don't want to buy a house. I just don't."
