Party of Five

If you have ever been through the process of purchasing a home, then you can probably relate to the roller coaster we just jumped on this last month. See since Damien and I got married we have heard the opinions of many who often advise us on when we should or shouldn’t be trying to buy a home. Never really knowing when the timing would be right, we waited and waited, but have finally decided that maybe now is a good time to take the leap.
 

Needless to say starting the financing process has been a touch time consuming for two reasons.

1. Our credit has a few bruises in it.

2. Finance companies are currently knee deep in applications for finance and refinance with the market being what it is.
 
However being the over eager person I tend to often be, I jumped the gun and started home hunting early. A few weeks passed and one by one I saw each of the homes I was hoping to purchase be bought up by others. It was slightly depressing and extremely frustrating so I decided to stop looking until we had an actual approval.
 
Fast forward two more weeks and one approval we wanted came through. It did however leave a bit to be desired in terms of the amount, so while waiting from word from others our agent suggested we check out some homes in the lower range. What seemed like a unrealistic amount actually produced a few decent options. Further more if we choose to purchase a home at this amount we could be paying less than it is currently costing us to rent. So I got my heart once again set on a house now in our range only to find out that by snubbing the lower approval we now need to get it reapproved to be put on paper before we can make any offers, ugh.
 
So this morning, knowing I shouldn’t be looking lest we not get our approval down on paper until it is too late to make an offer, I went out to look at a few homes I was certain wouldn’t meet my approval (I had time to spare). The very first one was it. My ideal home.It was at the end of a culdesac, with hardwood floors throughout, four bedrooms, curbs & gutters (don’t laugh, where I live this is a luxury), a big enough yard to entertain company and leave the kids a place to play, but not too big to require too much maintenance, a patio, with a lovely yard in the front and back, and it is just under the price we should be approved for. I now need to find a balance between hoping it will all work and not getting too excited lest someone else find this adorable house and snag it up before we can. Meanwhile keep your fingers crossed for us.

Pretty much since I met Damien he has been trying to turn me into a coffee drinker. I had so many reasons to resist, but the number one reason was that I just didn’t enjoy the taste of it. Sure with enough sugar and cream I could stomach it, but why in the world would I waste so many darned calories on something I was forcing on myself. To top it off more than one cup would always lead to major stomach trouble half way through my day.

Still though Riley being the coffee junkie he is continued to try to bring me over to the dark side. And by dark side I mean thick muddy coffee stripped down to the bare bones. This is precisely how he takes his. No sugar, no cream, zip. In fact the stronger the better is how this man takes his coffee, bleck. I got lines like “just wait til you have some all nighters with your schooling”, and “when you are working mornings, bet you’ll take it up”. Bear in mind this guy used to be a Coffee bean & Tea Leaf barista, so it was his duty was to push this mud.

Then just when I thought I would never convert the sneaky sucker got me hooked on hot chocolate in coffee. Just a cup here and there got me acclimated to the taste, eventually no stomach troubles and then before you know it, Bamm! I’m hooked. I realized this week that I have been almost completely unproductive. I could barely get out of bed, felt like I needed a nap many days, couldn’t drag myself off the couch til nearly noon, and it seemed like a magnet was dragging me down every where I went. Sure enough yesterday when I was desperate to get my car cleaned out and I was dragging around again, I thought maybe there was something to the hype of coffee bringing on energy. Had a cup and got the van spotless. Then today when the inevitable yawning started up again I gave it another shot and before I knew it I started to feel normal again. Thanks to hubby I am now officially a coffee drinker.

Tags: coffeedrinker, caffeine

Ever feel like you are the last human being around listening to some way out of date song that was rather questionable even in its prime? Needless to say I am beginning to think I am the queen of this movement. Worse yet, I don’t just enjoy one song from some of these obscure artists, I relish the entire album, and sometimes multiple albums. For this reason I am dedicating my Thursday Thirteen to some outlandish artists that most won’t admit to ever having enjoyed. Most of them were popular before my generation, however my mothers influence has left me humming them many years later. Before you read any further I should probably add the disclaimer that although I actually do listen to normal music as well, these are the ones that reveal my inner nerd.

1. Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show

2. Eddie Rabbit- Greatest Hits- Damien cringes when this one makes it in the car.

3. Meatloaf- Bat Out of Hell- I groaned for weeks when my mom got this one in the mail, needless to say when his next album came out I was introducing it to her.

4. Cher- Heart of Stone- Back when cassette tapes weren’t convenient to fast forward, I learned even the “unknown” songs on this one and can still sing along without missing a lyric.

5. Michael Bolton- Greatest Hits

6. Paula Abdul- It is such a shame that Paula has turned out to be so sappy and annoying on American Idol, because I still dance and sing along to Forever your Girl.

7. Air Supply- Greatest Hits

8. Taylor Dayne- Can’t Fight Fate- My best friend & I made up a dance to this in Jr. High.

9. Hall & Oates- The Very Best of- I have even got my kids singing along to Private Eyes, poor things are going to grow up closet dweebs as well

10. Culture Club- We used to watch the video of Karma Chameleon over and over again. That song can get me off the couch when ever I am in a rut.

11. George Michael- Faith- OOh, another mover.

12. Ace of Base- I saw the sign

13. Wilson Phillips-

One thing can be said about each and every one of these artists, their songs bring back memories from my youth that brighten my day every time.

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Well it would seem I have gone and dropped off the planet again. With three kids, school, and now work as well I do not manage my home time well. When I should be doing laundry that is usually up to my knees, or homework which I am getting behind on, or even picking up diapers at the store, I instead get backed up doing who knows what. Periodically I think I will stop and blog about a thing or two, but then I get distracted and pitch the project all together.

Today is different though, the laundry pile has dwindled, homework is on hold, tv is a bore, and I won’t be running out for diapers til after the oldest child is out of school. With a few minutes to write and a few more to browse buddies blogs I am starting with a tag from my talented scrapbooking buddy Nicole.

Actually it is called a “Blog Blessing”. The idea behind this tag game is different from other tag games. Rather than look inwardly, we are to look outside ourselves and bless, praise and pray for three blog friends. By participating in this endeavor we not only make the recipient of the blessing feel valued and appreciated, but we are having some fun too. We’re going to see how far the bloggin’ blessings can travel around the world and how many people can be blessed! Be sure to go to the blog of those you are blessing and leave a comment on their blog to be sure they check yours!

The first person I would like to bless is Damien. When it comes to blogging this husband of mine is completely dedicated. He is also devoted to keeping my blog going including guest posting to tell the world I am still alive, thanks honey. Second goes to Carrie the Gremlin Wrangler. She is one of my favorite bloggers and even when I disappear, she peaks her head in rather than dropping me like a hot potato. She is also an extremely talented artist, mom and comical cashier with posts that have me in stitches most of the time. Next is Jessica the Rock Chick. From the first day I started she has been supporting me as an avid reader. She is genuinely one of the nicest bloggers I have met who amazingly keeps her spirits high even while raising teens. Though I could hand out a blessing to just about everyone on my blog roll I am only supposed to have three, so my final and fourth blessing goes to Boho Rhap. I don’t know where this amazing blogger gets her talent, but she makes her own incredible templates and also has some of the best photoshop skills I have seen. I am eagerly awaiting the day that she starts offering tutorials, I may never leave my couch again if that day comes. Ok, so just one more. Rosemarie at Miscellaneous Matters is a sweet proud momma with enduring faith that shows up in all of her posts.

I do have some pent up blogging waiting to bust out, so hopefully you’ll come back in the next few days and you won’t be disappointed.

That’s what my wife takes care of! I’m the husband, Damien, you may sometimes read about here and I want to just check in for Sarah through a short guestblog post and let you know what is up with super-wife.

You can find my blog over at: Postcards from the Funny Farm

She’s started subbing and it’s been so awesome seeing her on my campus smiling ear-to-ear. Today she is at a study group with some other people in her college class. She may write soon about some of the challenges of teaching a special ed class for over a week on long-term sub assignment. She will hopefully aslo write soon about the amazing rewards of working in the classroom with children. While it doesn’t pay huge amounts (about $120/day before taxes) it is great for her to be able to pick the days she wants to work by accepting certain jobs and passing on others. Not to mention the fact that it is excellent preparation for her career as a teacher which will be coming in the next few years.

Be patient with Sarah, she’s not as die-hard of a blogger as me (though I am working on it!). I’ll try and convince her to post something in the next week. Thanks to those of you who have checked in with her either through trackbacks or directly in emails to me or her. She is fine and I am hopeful will be back blogging very soon.

Thanks for reading my wife’s blog. Have the best day of your life.