Monday, April 28, 2008

It's almost time...

...to buy a house! Yippee! Wednesday can't get here fast enough! We'll be closing at 2pm. I can hardly stand the wait!

I kept waking up last night thinking that the movers were at our house and I had nothing packed. The movers aren't coming until May 12th, so I think I'm a bit paranoid, LOL. I got some more packing done on Saturday and took the curtains down in most of the rooms and washed them. I just left the living room and dining room ones up for now so that we'll still have some privacy since our current place is so close to the street.

I called and set up our utilities too. We're going to be without internet from Wednesday until Saturday, but I think I'll be able to survive since we'll be busy cleaning and painting. =) The cable company is coming on Saturday to hook up the cable and internet. We have DSL from Verizon now, but they don't offer it in our new town. They have Fios. That was going to cost $139/mo! OMG! So, needless to say, we're switching to the cable modem instead.

Well, I have to get back to work and get the payroll finished. TTYL!

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Finally!

I can breathe a sigh of relief now. I just got the final commitment letter from the bank. Thank goodness! I was really going to tear someone's head off if I didn't get it today.

I think it's time for a little....

Rachelp

Grumble...

I'm am a bit PO'd today so please excuse my rant.

As you know we are buying our first house. Michael and I had submitted all of our paperwork to the mortgage compnay weeks ago. All of our finances are in order and the bank agrees. However, we had to file a time extension with the seller for the mortgage commitment because the appraiser sucks. We should have had the letter last week on Friday, but the bank needed additional comps so we moved the deadline to this Friday - tomorrow. I still don't have the freaking letter! GRRRRR!!!! I just sent basically a WTH email to the mortgage guy and the loan processor. Now I'm very nervous that we won't be able to close on Wednesday. Everyone has told us that these things happen, but come on. I wouldn't be as upset if the closing was weeks away, but it's in six days. - 4 business days.

It just figures. We waited until we had a good downpayment so that we could be responsible buyers and now we get a higher interst rate and all this BS. All of the people in MA that bought houses a few years ago with the low rates and 0% down are now getting screwed and foreclosed on and that is causing our problem. I don't necessarily blame these buyers because some of the banks were very tricky and deceptive and that's what caused this whole economy disaster. Our bank says MA is a declining market and they're clamping down on the appriasals. If they just looked in the f%$#ing newspaper they would see that the land alone for this property is worth more than we are mortgaging.

OK, my blood pressure is going through the roof and I'm about to crack teeth since I'm clenching my jaw because I'm so mad, so I'd better end my carrying on and chill out. Sorry for the grumbling post, but I needed the vent.

I'll come back later and write about my nice night last night having dinner with Mum and Dad. =)

TTYL!

Monday, April 21, 2008

It's Mondy again, boo!

Hello all!

I'm bummed that I am in work today. In MA, today is Patriot's Day, a state holiday. In my office, it's a floater holiday and I have always had it off. But, since I was out at the beginning of last week, I needed to come in today so that my boss and I could go over the financials. Hurumph, but oh well.

It's so noisy here since today is the Boston Marathon and the finish line is just down the street, 0.2 miles to be exact. There's lots of cheering, helicopters and across the street there is a stage with a band playing. The Red Sox are playing today too just a few blocks in the other direction so there are people everywhere. I had to take the train into work today because I didn't think that I could be able to cross the street from the garage. So, I'm a bit peeved that I have to be here today. In all of my 32 years, I have never had to go to school or work on this day. I love having it off since it usually falls on my birthday or at least my birthday weekend. OK, I'll stop complaining. ;)

The weekend was good. We just chilled on Friday night since Michael just came home. Saturday was my birthday. I did some more packing in the morning and then we had a cookout in the afternoon/early evening. My BFF, T, came and spent the night since we were up til the wee hours. It was a lot of fun. Yesterday was my nephew, T's, birthday party and my brother's house. It was a really nice day and we all had a good time. On the way home, we stopped off for some Chinese food take out. It was really good! I wonder if the cook has changed? The past few times it's really been a crap shoot of how the food will be. We took our chances since this was the only take out option for a Sunday night in our neighborhood. The egg rolls were gigantic! I wonder what our new take out place will be once we move? I hope it's good!

Hopefully, I'll be able to leave a little early today so that I can get home and enjoy some of this beautiful weather. I really should be packing, but I also really want to to some planting though I know that it makes no sense since we will be moving in a couple of weeks. I guess spring fever has officially hit. Oh, well, I guess I can just tidy up in front of our place and sweep the steps and maybe buy a potted plant for the step, that will have to do.

That's all for now. Enjoy your day!

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

I've been MIA

Hello all,

I know I've been MIA the past few days. I've been blessed with a stomach bug that started Monday and is still blessing me today. I stayed home Monday and Tuesday and watched Little House on the Prarie and The Waltons in between trips to the bathroom. It was nice to see those old shows again. I used to watch them when I was little. Anyways, I crawled into work to get a few things done and hope to head home in a little while. I hate being sick - well I guess everybody does, but I'm bummed I'm still feeling crappy because I really was feeling better last night and thought the nastiness had passed, but alas it came back and found me this morning.

Luckily, I was OK for the weekend. Michael and I went out to dinner with one of his work buddies and his girlfriend. We had a lovely meal and then headed over to the yacht club for a few pops. It was a lot of fun and great to meet M's girlfriend, S.

Sunday was the anniversary party for Mum and Dad. It was a really nice time and everyone enjoyed themselves. Mum and Dad loved the portrait of us kids and grandkids! We got one for Uncle J too for his birthday. The blue frame and mat looked really nice on his and Mum and Dad's had a pretty champagne colored frame. I think both frames will look really nice in each home. We also gave Mum and Dad some smaller pics of me and Michael, C and S, and of the three grandkids. Those are in pretty silver frames. High five S! I think we hit the nail right on the head for the gifts!

I'm supposed to go over to Mum and Dad's tonight for an early birthday dinner tonight so I hope I start feeling better. I'm sure I'll still go up, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to eat. =(

Well, that's all for now. I need to finish up some work so I can roll on home and cozy up on the couch.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Almost time to go home!

I don't really have anything to write about today so I will just wish you a

Happy Friday


Enjoy your weekends everyone!

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Making Progress,Congrats and Happy Birthday!

Hello all!

I made some great progress with the packing last night. My MIL, SR (I'll use two initials here since I refer to alot of S's), came over to help. I got all of the snowglobes all packed up and we got almost all of the china cabinet done. We did pack all of the things that I'll bring up to Mum and Dad's, but there are a couple of things left to pack, probably a box worth. We would have done it last night, but we were swimming in boxes and we're getting stuck since there was no room to move around, LOL. Since most of these things we packed are breakable, I didn't want to stack the boxes so they are all on the floor and under the table. The way the table legs are, it's hard to stick them underneath, they still stick out. After Mum and Dad's anniversary party this weekend, I'll be able to bring the boxes of the most fragile/sentimental up to their house. I just don't want to bring them before since they have a small house too and we don't need to have them in the way of the party guests.

I think I will move the packing operation up to the guest room tonight. I'll be able to pack up the stuffed animals, books and craft and office supplies that are in there. There isn't too much else to pack in there except for the extra bed linens. The clothes that are in the closet will just get transferred on their hangers to one of the cars on moving day to I don't have to worry about those.
Its a boy

One another note, I would like to send my most heartfelt best wishes and congratulations to W and C! They had their baby boy on Monday! I can't wait to meet little N. I spoke to C last night and he said everyone is doing well. I could tell that he was just bursting - the proud new Papa!! He said he is the cutest thing ever. I called Michael to tell him and even though he was working and had his mask on, I could hear him hooting and Yippee-ing! I think "Uncle" Michael is just as excited as C!

birthday
And last but not least, I would like to with my Uncle J a very Happy Birthday! And yes, you are still 30 years older than me, wink, wink! I hope you have a wonderful day!

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Packing

Hello all!

I took a suvey of the house last night to see what really needs to be packed up for the move. I know I'm probably terribly underestimating, but, I don't think it's going to be that bad. Here's what I've come up with:

Living Room: a few knick knacks, the fish supplies for the tank and the toss pillows and throws. (We're going to move the fish tank ourselves).

Dining Room: a few knock knacks, the snowglobe collection, the china cabinet contents, the table linens.

Kitchen: Pots and Pans, plates, glasses, utensils, table linens, dish towels, cleaning supplies and maybe a few non-perishable food items if we don't finish them off before we move.

Office: Computer, monitor, printer, desk accessories, modem.

Guest room: Video games, books, stuffed animals, craft supplies, bed linens.

Master Bedroom: Bed linens, my shoes and hanging clothes, my make up and hair stuff, a few little knick knacks and picture frames.

Bathroom: Towels, toiletries, shower curtains, bath rugs.

Throughout the house: Curtains, hanging pictures and mirrors.

The rest of the things are can't be packed, like the sofas and tables and such, so I think it won't be too bad. And the movers said we don't have to empty our dressers as long as we just have clothes in them. Yippee!

I plan on purging through a bunch of stuff so that I'm not bringing any clutter to the new house. The main area to purge through is my clothes. It's good that we're moving as the seasons are changing so I can go through last year's spring/summer things and get rid of anything that doesn't work for me anymore. I'll do the same with my winter things. I know there are some sweaters in my drawer that I didn't wear at all this year, so I think it's safe to say I can get rid of them. I'm sure there are some things in my kitchen too that I can pass along. My bff, T, said she'd take any kitchen things we didn't need anymore so I'll need to set aside a box for her.

Wish me luck and if you have any tips, please pass them along!

Monday, April 7, 2008

Where did the weekend go?

Hi everyone!

Well, it's Monday again and as usual the weekend went by too fast. Michael and I got to hang out a lot together since he didn't have to work on Saturday so that was good. His schedule is really getting tough for us and me especially. I miss him so much during the week when he's working these wacky shifts. Hopefully, this job will be finished up soon and we can get back to normal, as normal as packing and moving can be.

I was able to catch the UPS guy on Friday so I didn't end up with mushy boxes. My front hall is barely passable as I've put the boxes of boxes there for now. I really need to move them to the dining room so that they'll be out of the way. Besides that room has been packing central these past few days. I really want to get the dining room all packed up this week. That is the room that has the most things to pack up and of course the most fragile.

We got the insurance and mortgage papers and I remembered (thank goodness) to have Michael sign everything he needed to before he went to work this morning. Note to self: send those off this afternoon.

I'm listening to Flylady right now. I downloaded Mozilla and can use the Flylady toolbar that links to Blog Talk Radio so the shows will stream all day. I couldn't get it to work in IE without bogging down my PC. I hope she'll keep inspiring me to get through this move so that I can start Flying right away in the new house.

I really think I'll feel better once we are settled in the new house and Michael's schedule is back to normal. I've definitely been in a funk these last couple of weeks. These next few weeks are going to be relatively boring compared to all of the excitement of finding the house and all that went with it in March. Let's just hope that I can pack us up really quickly and that once we pass papers at the end of the month that the painting and the few projects we want to do before we move in happen quickly and we can enjoy ourselves in May. Fingers crossed that April flies by!

Friday, April 4, 2008

Yay! It's finally Friday!

This has been a really crazy week getting all of the house stuff in order. Now, I'm just waiting for paperwork to arrive for our insurance and the final mortgage papers so we can finish that up. I have some moving boxes being delivered today and of course I'm at work and it is pouring outside. I think I'll leave early so that I can catch the UPS guy so that my stack of boxes don't become mush on my back porch.

Well, I can't worry about the boxes, I'm just glad it's Friday and Michael will be off tomorrow. We don't have any plans this weekend and that is just fine. We've been running around a lot lately on the weekends so it will be nice not to have to do anything.

S and I went shopping last night to pick up a few things. It was nice. I got a good lay of the land of all the back roads of our new neighborhood since S lives just 4 blocks away. She pointed out where the fast food places are since we like our junk food on the weekends. That was dangerous! There is a Wendy's, McDonalds, KFC and worst of all, a Taco Bell all around one intersection that is very close. After I dropped S off from shopping, I went to Taco Bell. Yum, it was so good. I haven't had it in a while since there isn't one that close to our current place, but I see that changing in the very near future. ;)

Before we went shopping, S and C and I were going through some pictures. I had some really good ones of C when he was in high school - Original Air Jordans and red sunglasses - hee, hee. I suppose I shouldn't talk since there were some goofy ones of me too from around 4th and 5th grade. My permed hair and braces were beautiful, *snicker*... They look silly now, but at the time I was stylin!

Well, I don't have much else to report right now.

Have a Happy Friday!

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

The packing has started

Well, sort of anyway. I packed up our DVDs and framed photos last night. That's as far as I got because I only had a couple of boxes. I would have done more, but alas, no boxes. Silly me, I stopped off at the UHaul store to pick up some packing tape and blank newsprint to wrap things up. What a scene! There were so many people there....well, duh, it was April 1st so everyone and his brother was moving and renting trucks. Note to self: next time I go to that store, go on an odd day, not an obvious moving day.

I hope to be able to bring home a few more boxes tonight from work. I've got one stashed under my desk and should be able to grab a couple more too once I unpack some office supplies.

As for our insurance, I'm just waiting to hear back from KM at the agency. She was putting the house info into a cost estimator program and would get back to me today. She said it should be no problem to do a binder for us. Hopefully, we'll be able to get the policy at the same company as my car so that we can save a few bucks.

That's all for now. I'm sure I'll have more later!

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Whew!

R just faxed over the signed P&S. The grumpy old man signed it. Thank goodness! I was a little nervous about that. What a relief!

Cross that off the list....

Hello all!

I was able to get our mortgage squared away yesterday with the guy that K recommended. I spoke to a few other lenders and this person seemed to be the one I trusted and liked best. Some of the others seemed a little shystery. So that's one more thing taken care of.

My mission for today is to get in touch with my insurance agent and figure out home owner's insurance. Hopefully that will all go smoothly too.

I've started to hoard boxes here at work so that I can start our packing. That's going to take a while so I figured I could do a little bit here and there and get it done. I think I'll pack up the china cabinet first. That has the things that I'm most nervous about getting broken. Mum said to bring those things over to their house so that we won't have to worry about the movers messing anything up. I have some pieces from my Nana, Grandma and Aunt L and I would hate to see anything happen to them.

The other thing to gingerly pack is my snow globe collection. I think I'll bring that over to Mum and Dad's too.

Well, that's all for now. Off to do some work. TTYL!