Diary of a New Homeowner

April 29, 2013

Dear Diary (and blog readers),

I finally closed escrow and got the keys to my house last Wednesday!  That's when the work started.

Not only does the whole place need a new coat of paint, but the old owners left the garage full of their trash, and left their disgusting couches in the living room.  Those couches were covered with cat hair, smelled like pet urine, and it all cost ME $20 to take to the dump.  And before that, it cost me $230 to fix a pipe that had burst in the entry way before my appraisal.  They sure weren't going to pay for it.

I shouldn't complain much. My dad has done the majority of the work since I got the keys.  He patched the huge hole in our ceiling, and it looks brand-spankin' new.  He installed our new dishwasher, Mom patched all the holes in the walls, cut the front lawn and all foliage surrounding our walk way, cleaned out the garage, and helped us load everything for the dump.  He and my mom have been a God-send during this whole process. He even got me a contractor discount on all the paint I had to order.  I would be a whole lot poorer without him.  My parents are truly the best.

Yesterday, I proudly installed the new washer and dryer with a little assistance from Brandon.  I felt so handy, and hopefully would have made my dad proud by doing it alone.  It was a big deal for me.  The new stove was also delivered and installed, which makes the kitchen look phenomenally better and cleaner.  The old stove was embarrassing to look at, and now that it's gone, everyone is welcome to come see the new place. I could have never fed my family out of that thing. It was disgustingly dirty.

Now that all the appliances are in place, the holes are patched, the garbage is gone, and the cleaning company has come and gone, we can finally prep and paint this week.  If we hustle as we plan to, all the painting will be done by Friday night and we can move in on Sunday. The U-haul is reserved, Public Storage has been given 30-day notice, and we'll be in the new house by this time next week, just in time for Brandon's birthday.  Moving and unpacking isn't exactly what I had in mind for his birthday this year, but we'll make it a fun and exciting day anyway.

We have 2 new cars, a new house, and a new life living together...alone...coming up very soon.  It's all so exciting that I could just pee.  Lots of pictures will be posted as we get moved, unpacked and settled in.  I can't wait...

Until my next entry...

xoxo

Ali

Slow & Steady

Now, if you know me AT ALL, you know that I have never been the most patient person.  I am an instant-results kind of girl.  On the flip side, I have waited for things, and they've been worth it in some situations.

Some things I've waited for that have been completely worth it have been:

1. Waiting for enough time to pass to enjoy my job.

2. Waiting to grow up and have a better relationship with my Dad.

3. Waiting to save enough money to purchase my first house ON MY OWN.

4. Waiting to officially be with Brandon.

AND NOW

WAITING TO MOVE INTO MY HOUSE.

The hardest thing I've ever had to do is wait for this short sale.  And as far as short sales go, this has been the fastest, smoothest transaction I've ever heard of.  I first looked at the house on March 17th. Today, April 23rd, only one month and 6 days later, my wire transfer is complete and I will have my keys by Friday.  6 weeks from start to finish on a short sale is completely unheard of.  I got extremely lucky.  

Is the house move-in ready? No.  I'll have to wait even more after I get the keys, so that we can install a new toilet, kitchen appliances, get the whole house cleaned, painted, and THEN we can move in.  But it will be worth it.  To have a house that is all mine/ours, that we can share together, and do whatever we want with it.  It's a scary thought, but I/we are so ready for this.  

Waiting has never been my strong suit, but I waited for Brandon, I waited for my house, and now there's nothing left to wait for.  Life is knocking, and I'm answering.

Wow, that was cheesy.  Sorry.

I'll have more pictures to post as we progress.  I can't wait to get those keys in my hand!!!  And then immediately change the locks...

tC vs. Sorrento

On the left: Betty

2008 Scion tC

On the right: Name TBD

2006 Kia Sorrento

Betty was going to need her windows tinted before summer, had no roof rack or place to put our bikes, had no trailer hitch, and was only a 2 door with minimal backseat space for additional passengers.  Betty was also a 5-speed manual transmission, which was fun to drive, but a pain in the wrist to drive. Literally. My arthritis was not havin' the stick shift anymore.

My Sorrento already has a tow hitch, tinted windows, AND the roof rack.  Plus, it's an automatic, V6, seats 5, can fit a car seat if I ever needed it to, and the back seats fold down flat for any future cake deliveries I may need to do.  I also don't give a f*** when someone is following too closely behind me.  I hated that with the tC, because the lights were blinding!  Now, it doesn't phase me, and it's awesome.  

Not only that, but between my car note and insurance, I lowered my payment $80 per month!!!

Now the cons:  The Sorrento is huge, so I can't be Nascar-ing around town as I normally would.

It also takes a lot more money to fill the gas tank.  I put $20 in last night, and another $50 in today to fill it up. Ouch.

Other than that, I haven't seen many negatives yet.  I've had it for less than a week, but I'm really pleased with it.  It's comfortable, functional, sporty, and will really come in handy next weekend when we start moving (hopefully).  

EEK!  Squeals of joy...

It doesn't have to be Veteran's Day to thank a Veteran

It doesn't have to be Veteran's Day to thank a Veteran.

It doesn't have to be Valentine's Day to tell someone you love them.

It doesn't have to be someone's birthday to give them a gift.

It doesn't have to be a special occasion to have a party.

It doesn't have to be a funeral to celebrate life.

There doesn't need to be a terrorist attack to stand united as a nation.

There doesn't need to be tragedy for America to show support.

And yet, this is typically how it happens.  

1. Tragedy strikes.. a terrorist attacks.

2. The American people come together, wearing support t-shirts and holding candle vigils and prayer circles.

3. People slowly get back into the swing of their daily lives; America lets her guard down just a little bit.

4. Terrorists attack again.

The circle of life and terrorism.

I'm so tired of our news stations stopping our daily news stories to broadcast 24/7 coverage of the Boston Marathon bombing, the Newtown shooting, etc.  I am NOT trying to downplay these tragedies at all.  However, what about the rest of the world news that has been posing threats to us for so many years?  What about the constant threat North Korea is posing to us right now?  It JUST started being news recently, but it's been an issue for YEARS.  And hardly anyone really knew about it.

Do you even know why they're threatening us?  Without Googling it...

Pick up a damn newspaper and find out what's going on in the world.

I think it's about time for this country and its citizens to start taking a united front ALL THE TIME.  Not just when there's a death of a child or a massacre.  

Do you know how many bullshit stories were posted about the attack on Monday, too?  

The man holding his wounded girlfriend on the sidewalk - he wasn't going to propose. Someone made that up.

The little girl "running for the Sandy Hook victims" - she was too young to even be allowed in the Boston Marathon. Her race number was from some 5K race in Virginia. She wasn't there.

The twitter post that said "RIP to the two 8-year-olds who died. One was a boy, one was a girl." - BOGUS.  Only one 8-year old was killed.

"Race organizers will donate for retweets" - Another lie.  No money will be donated as a result of your retweet.

I'm just so flabbergasted by people's use of these tragedies to make up stories, start a prayer circle, hold a candle vigil, and turn the attention around on them somehow.  It's not about you, bro.  Where were you and your donations last week?  

Long story short, do the right thing before another bad thing happens.  

Thank a Veteran today, just because.

Tell someone you love them, just because.

Give someone a card, just because.

Hang your American flag every day, just because.  Why wait for a holiday or tragedy?

And for God's sake, celebrate life together. Because it could be over tomorrow.

Civilian vs. Veteran

The passage below is from my cousin, Tim, and his fellow Veteran, Drew.  
Read it. 
Think about it. 

"This was emailed to me by a fellow Veteran. His name is Drew Mo and I appreciate his ability to put into words the feelings all of us have but can never get them out. 

'When a Veteran leaves the 'job' and retires to a better life, many are jealous, some are pleased, and others, who may have already retired, wonder if he knows what he is leaving behind, because we already know.

1. We know, for example, that after a lifetime of camaraderie that few experience, it will remain as a longing for those past times.

2. We know in the Military life there is a fellowship which lasts long after the uniforms are hung up in the back of the closet.

3. We know even if he throws them away, they will be on him with every step and breath that remains in his life. We also know how the very bearing of the man speaks of what he was and in his heart still is.

These are the burdens of the job. You will still look at people suspiciously, still see what others do not see or choose to ignore and always will look at the rest of the Military world with a respect for what they do; only grown in a lifetime of knowing.

Never think for one moment you are escaping from that life. You are only escaping the 'job' and merely being allowed to leave 'active' duty.

So what I wish for you is that whenever you ease into retirement, in your heart you never forget for one moment that you are still a member of the greatest fraternity the world has ever known.

NOW... Civilian Friends vs. Veteran Friends Comparisons:

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Get upset if you're too busy to talk to them for a week.
VETERAN FRIENDS: Are glad to see you after years, and will happily carry on the same conversation you were having the last time you met.
----------------------------------------------------
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry.
VETERAN FRIENDS: Have cried with you.
---------------------------------------------------
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Keep your stuff so long they forget it's yours.
VETERAN FRIENDS: Borrow your stuff for a few days then give it back.
--------------------------------------------------
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Know a few things about you.
VETERAN FRIENDS: Could write a book with direct quotes from you.
---------------------------------------------------
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will leave you behind if that's what the crowd is doing.
VETERAN FRIENDS: Will stand by you no matter what the crowd does.
---------------------------------------------------
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Are for a while.
VETERAN FRIENDS: Are for life.
---------------------------------------------------
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have shared a few experiences...
VETERAN FRIENDS: Have shared a lifetime of experiences no citizen could ever dream of...
---------------------------------------------------
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will take your drink away when they think you've had enough.
VETERAN FRIENDS: Will look at you stumbling all over the place and say, 'You better drink the rest of that before you spill it !!' Then carry you home safely and put you to bed...
----------------------------------------------------
A veteran - - whether active duty, retired, served one hitch, or reserve is someone who, at one point in their life - - wrote a blank check made payable to 'The Government of the United States of America ' for an amount of 'up to and including my life'.

From one Veteran to another, it's an honor to be in your company. Thank you for your service to our country and defending the freedoms we enjoy.

Life is neither a spectator sport, nor a dress rehearsal.'"

Wednesday Confessional

Today I've decided to start blogging again, and for several reasons:

1. I'm so bored I could cry.

2. Sometimes I have a lot to say, and no one to say it to, so I have to "write it down."

3. A lot of people asked me why I stopped.

4. I feel like it.

I've also decided that, to get back into the swing of things, and to possibly gather more readers, I'm going to conduct a personal confessional. Feel free to judge. It's your God-given right and I can't stop you.  

So, here goes:

1. If we're FB friends, you already know that I wear my platform heels to make my male coworkers feel small and uncomfortable.  It's a daily joy in my life.

2. My entire life I've been singing, "Hold me closer, Tony Danza."  I've recently learned it's "Tiny Dancer."  I'll still probably sing Tony Danza.

3. The tops of my feet get hairy every now and then, and I have to shave them.  I feel like a hobbit.

4. I enjoy a lot of old-lady-like crafts. Sewing, knitting, crocheting, etc.  If I could find a knitting circle in Roseville, I'd totally join.

5. I absolutely hate talking on the phone. If you call me, I will not call you back.

6. I joke about not wanting kids right now, but I really do think I'd be a great mom.  

7. Cats are not real pets.  They are furniture ornaments.

8. When I sing alone, I really think I could quit my day job and win American Idol.  But I don't sing the same in public because I'm terrified people won't like it.  So I pretend to sing a different way.

9. I cheat on my diets almost every single time.  Some of the health food pictures I used to post in my fatter days were Google images.

10. Sometimes I say I don't know if I want to get married again. But I do.

So there it is. 10 secrets I can think of off the top of my head.  Some embarrassing, some just honest.  

There will be a LOT to blog about in the next couple of months, so stay tuned :)