Well it’s been a while since I’ve posted. A lot going on, a lot happening.
I’m pretty sure that I posted this before, but as of October 30th, we officially are not home owners anymore. We are all celebrating this in our own ways. I’ve embarked on a mission to clean and declutter out lives and our home.
- Plan Part 1: We have to get out and do something new every week, in addition to 2 daily outdoor activities.
- So after realizing how much we like the zoo and how fulfilling it is for Amelia, we went ahead and bought a year membership. We go every week, it’s walking, it outdoors, it educational. It’s good for us.
- Our new thing for last week was bowling. There were some great 99 cent a frame coupons in the mail, so we went bowling and had a great time. Pictures to follow.
2. Plan Part 2: Clean and declutter
- Getting rid of massive amounts of crap that I haven’t even looked at in a year. Cleaning out that third room that had become the catch all, and using the garage as a way to organize and clear out our living areas so we don’t feel enclosed in by the items we do want to store.
- Cleaning has gone well for the most part, it’s hard trying to get it all done on my own. The third room is looking good and I’m on the lookout for a queen size futon that’s also going to be comfortable. (if you build it they will come). I figure that by offering cheap accommodations with meals that my family will be able to come and visit me.
How has Erich celebrated this change of events? Well he’s still off his medication… so ya.
Work has been stressful, amazing, upsetting and crazy all in one. The new boss is doing great things for the hotel and already he’s proven to be an excellent resource. I can actually see a career coming out of all of this. Too bad that the raise I was promised went out the door with my old supervisor, but I guess that is to be expected in this economy. But there is promise in all of this and the actual possibility for job progression. All in all I have high hopes…
Last week we learned that our sitter was leaving early on her month long December vacation taking her time away from 4 weeks to 7. Add on top of that, Erich’s boss accepted a position in Memphis so they’ll be moving and taking away Amelia’s companion. Luckily I found a great new place to take her, up near my work. It’s more expensive but it’s still in someone’s home and a lot more organized and educational. We are excited about this change, hoping that it will be good for Amelia who has been showing the strain of the late nights. Luckily Erich also was able to bid to the same days off and more normal hours. 10-6:30… Dinner together each night, quality family time. I’m pretty happy over all with all of these changes.
I’m in a little bit of a fight with my apartment complex right now. They changed the outside sidewalk lights to halogens or something like that to cut electric costs. The only problem is that the lights seem to be about 20 times brighter and one shines straight into Amelia’s bedroom. It’s like the surface of the sun in there. We’ve spent about 100 dollars so far trying to fix this on our own, light blocking curtains, window film, stapling my dark sheets over the window, blinds and light blocking curtains. We’ve complained numerous times but they don’t seem to care. It would be a simple fix on there end, a slight adjustment to light hood and to plant a tree in front of the window (hell I even offered to pay for it)
I don’t think that there is anything else. Things are picking up at work so I spend 8 hours moving non stop, so I’m loosing some weight. Panic attacks have been drastically reduced to almost none and I’m on a reduced dose of anti-depressant. Things are going good. I’ve been reading like crazy. Doing inner improvement.
Oh, boycotting Thanks Giving this year. Well not really, we just choose not to celebrate it with Erich’s family. We’re doing our own thing here, I think Erich invited a few friends over. It’ll be nice, relaxed, stress and judgment free. It was my idea and I’m glad I brought it up to Erich. I kind a felt like I finally, finally became a full fledged adult in that instant. I actively made and followed through on the decision to not worry about their crap anymore. I’m focusing inward on healing and strengthening my family. I just don’t have time to deal with toxic people right now.
We are done.
In the mail we received our close of escrow documents. The condo of evil is no longer our legal, financial or moral responsibility. We are done, free at last.
I did a little dance when I read the letter. Then I did a bigger dance. It’s a good day.
It’s a great day.
The taxes, the First and Second Mortgage, the HOA dues, all were included. All over. All settled.
We can officially get on with our life and repair our credit.
THANK GOD.
Ouch, I just realized what a poor blogger I’ve been. No postings since September, ugh. I also realized that I haven’t read anyone else’s blog in about 3 weeks. What is going on with me?
So what is new? We had a buyer for the condo, and then lost them because the bank took too long. Then we got a new one, and the bank took a long time again. We had to resubmit our entire lives again, including what felt like fluid and hair samples to be reconsidered for the short sale. And then we would get news that they were accepting it, and then we would get more new that they would accept it if we submitted some other obscure piece of paperwork, and like all of the other requests we had about 1 hour to pull it out of our ass. So basically, I’ve been running around for the month with my head cut off.
This last time, supposedly we have the approval in hand. I haven’t seen a copy yet so I don’t believe it. We are going through all the closing steps. Final inspection, final paperwork, etc. Do you suppose I will feel instantly lighter when I sign my name for the last time and relinquish ownership for good? I have a guy that stays here at the hotel and he’s looking at condos and he just keeps wanting to talk about it all. (I don’t want to talk about the market. I don’t want to talk about buying a house. I don’t want to talk my “story” with you. )
I had a guy throw a muffin at me today. It kind a sums up the week. My boss put in her notice, we get a new manager on November 2nd. The people that come on Saturdays for Traffic School are spoiled assholes with entitlement issues.
We re-newed our lease. By hook or by crook I am here for another year. I can’t decided if we stayed because of the good renewal offer or because I just didn’t want to have to pack everything up and move.
My birthday came a went. Erich’s not sick anymore but he sure as hell hasn’t done anything to make up for jerk he was that day. I talked to my family and went out on my own. I ended up having a good time with some friends who rallied together at the last minute for shitty bar food and good conversation. I guess I can’t ask for more than that
So ya. That’s it. Things are working out. We are both making some money. Things are working themselves out. It’s a strange empty sensation to still be worried and anxious and realize that you don’t have a whole lot to be worried and anxious about anymore.
Work is going alright. I was concerned with the change in leadership but I’m hoping it will be okay. The interim person seems to realize that I’m a valuable employee so we’ll see what happens.
I think we’ve all just about kicked whatever illnesses that have been plagueing us for the last three weeks. Amelia still has a bit of a cough but I think we’re working through it. It’s so frustrating to be sick for so long. I can’t decide if it was the same illness or mutant strains that kept hitting us while our immune system was down. The state is general is freaking out about H1N1. The vaccine is available for children right now but i hesitate. It’s hard to balance being a vigilant parent, making sure your child is protected and being careful what you are giving your child. We’ve never really done the whole flu vaccine thing anyway. Even when she was a baby, I declined. And till now we’ve been fine. I can’t decide.
I am so going to take a nap when I get home.
I lost my blogging mojo for a while there. Nothing really new to report. Life seemed a little hectic, lackluster? (although I hesitate to go to such dramatic conclusions).
We had a great anniversary weekend. Very, very relaaaxing. Just the two of us. With no one else around. We agreed to leave everything at the front door of the apartment when we left and not to worry while we were away. And amazingly, I was able to do that. Three whole days without stressing about something. It was wonderful.
And then we got back, and Erich got sick and then the baby got sick a few days later and once I got them both well, of course i got sick. I just now getting over the remnants of the cold, sinus drainage yay.
The month of October is proving to look pretty good. Rental rates are dropping so it looks like we may be able to renew our lease (yay, no moving). The mortgage company, spooked by the letter from the feds that says Erich may be medically “retired”, are saying that they both will approve the shortsale soon. Hopefully that happens and they will do that soon. Sunny Day Real estate has re-united and is coming to town October 9th. I got Erich tickets about two months ago when he first found out. So he’s really excited about it, I’m keeping an open mind. It’s toaster music, so it’s not for everyone. The next night we have a Halloween party to go to and another one on the night of Halloween.
Then before you know it, it will be November and Thanks Giving, which I am hosting at my place for all those who want to come. (I haven’t heard anything on my Dad’s side of the family front as far as a get together. So come to Phoenix. It’s actually nice in November!)
Christmas, I am still trying to work out. I told my parents that we would come to California this year, but it all depends on how things work out with the condo etc. and if I can get the time off, and if Erich can get the time off. And if there is someone to cover my shift etc.
November will officially mark my one year anniversary at work. I certainly never expected to end up like this. But it works for us. I certainly don’t plan on staying here forever, I have my eye on a few assistant manger positions with the goal of hotel manager. Plus I’m thinking about uping to a 4-5 star brand. We’ll see. It pays the bills for the time being.
What else? Netflix. I looove my Netflix. I had been riddled with indecision on whether or not to try it, and then my SIL have me a coupon code for a free month trial and it was all over for me. I am hooked. And then! When we saw that we could also get movies directly through the internet, we thought on that and last week I took the plunge. I bought one of the boxes and tada. Movies directly to our TV through our wireless internet connection included with our Netflix subscription. And it’s great! We use the two DVDs at a time for the new releases and the watch instantly ones for the slightly older titles, and TV shows. All for 15 dollars a month. It is so worth it! When you think about it we get at least 10 DVDs through the mail a month now. If we had used block buster that would be about 39 bucks not including tax! AND now we get our old favorites pretty much on demand with the press of a button. How great it that? Really great that’s what.
And thus I end my post.
It’s 9:40am, 5 more hours of work to go.
I am waging war with my KIA. Having just spent a grand total of 1150 dollars on it last week, you would think that it would work correctly? Right? RIGHT? Alas but no.
It barely wants to turn over and start and makes a lovely screeching noise when it does. I thinking, one the battery is dieing and two maybe they put the belts on wrong? I don’t know… I’m just praying it starts tonight when I get off of work at 11.
