I Just Bought My First Home

Have you missed me at all? I closed on my new condominium on December 12, 2008. We quickly shut the Comcast Cable off and had it scheduled to come back into the new location 1 week later. A week passed, the technician came out, and the internet worked... The following day, the internet no longer worked. Comcast Cable Sucks! The Comcast Cable Modem is really terrible. It's RCA brand. After numerous phone calls with tech support, several visits by various techs, and a personal visit to the nearest service center, our internet and cable officially work. Whew!



The condo is in complete disarray. Our apartment lease expired today, so we had several weeks to move things bit by bit. We've painted all the major living areas a very pleasant shade of yellow. Lowe's calls it: Bee Pollen. With increasing and frequent snow storms and a complete lack of internet, it was very hard for me to acquire curtains, appliances, and furniture. We still aren't done with the window coverings. I ordered a new couch from Sam's Club, and the online tracking has yet to tell me when it's going to ship.

With the purchase of a new home right now, the Federal government provides an interest free tax loan (to be paid back in 15 years) of $7500. So, once I get that money, it's going straight into the mortgage savings account. I have a new refrigerator, washer, and dryer all interest free at Lowe's. After their 12 month deal expires, I will pay them off with this money. I'm thinking about using some of the money to buy storage-oriented furniture from Ikea and such. We need pieces that hold items since we're really lacking in storage at the new location.

I would love to post pictures on here, but we just aren't ready to take any. There's boxes and bins throughout every room. We're moving things around bit by bit, but it's hard finding time for anything with the holidays each week.

Why are most of my comments anonymous? Get your own account or SIGN-IN!

House Hunting

We went out and looked at some condos yesterday.  We currently live in a 1 bedroom apartment.  I know it must sound crazy looking for ways to get my name on a mortgage in this economy.  I know my job isn't guaranteed, and I know I'm very lucky to be working at a company I may one day own.

The condo we have our hearts set on isn't too pricey, but it does require some FHA regulations since we don't have a big down payment saved up.  We were banking on using the VA loan guarantee, but we found out yesterday that the VA was out of the question.  Since my boyfriend and I aren't married, we could only use the VA if he was going on the mortgage alone. His salary is too low, and his credit score is too low.  The VA allowed us to skip a down payment and to skip the mortgage insurance.

The condo we want happens to be discounted heavily because it's the only one remaining in a building that's already sold. In order to continue new construction, they want to make sure all the other buildings are 100% sold.

I don't know where we're coming up with this down payment money. I don't even have $1000 for the earnest check.

Waiting on Change

Since Obama's win, I have been eager to see what changes would immediately come about throughout this country. Other than the drop in gas prices, there hasn't been a whole lot of good. I thought the stock market would jump up. It hasn't. I thought business would pick up. It hasn't.

I know things like that take time, but there was a sense that once the election was over, people could again concentrate on their lives. The fear of the unknown was somehow preventing anyone from spending their budgets, buying homes, and investing again.

Our business is still slow. We had a talk yesterday about what we'll all do if this place ever goes under. I know for sure that I'm running away with my boyfriend. I will do everything in my power to help this place become profitable, but I just don't know how our small business is going to make it in this dying economy. In past economic downturns, we've somehow hunkered down and survived. Now, our business is already in the middle of a transitional period, and I just don't think we're going to make it.

Barack Obama Elected President of the USA!

 

What a wonderful conclusion to such a long campaign process! We've been glued to CNN all night watching their election coverage. The holograms and the electoral maps were used as the perfect tool to get the numbers and opinions across to the viewers.


John McCain is giving his concession speech right now, and every time he compliments the Democratic ticket, his faithful followers protest and boo.  It's one thing to feel sad, disappointed, and let down from John McCain's failure to win the campaign.  It's another thing to disrespect the winning party by shouting obscenities.


Now, I'm just staying up in eager anticipation of Barack Obama's upcoming speech. This is an exciting time for not only the US but for the rest of the world. I can't wait to see what the stock market does tomorrow!

I Love My Pretty Prius

Many of you don't know this fact about me, but I happen to own a Toyota Prius. I bought mine in 2007 before the gas prices jumped to extreme highs. Anyway, I want to spread my message of GOING GREEN by recommending you go out and find a car that cuts down on foreign fuel intake.

If you happen to own a Prius like me, I found a website on Cafepress tailored to women drivers of the Prius. It's called "I Love My Pretty Prius", and you can click on the logo below to go to that storefront. I'm thinking about ordering the license plate cover.

I Voted Today Stickers

If you've read my previous posts, you'll know that I've already voted for the upcoming election. I've read articles about Ben and Jerry's giving away free ice cream to anyone that votes. I've read articles about Starbucks giving away free coffee to anyone that votes. I've read articles about Krispy Kreme giving away free donuts to people who voted. What's the catch? You have to have the, "I Voted Today" sticker in order to qualify.

What's my problem? I barely received a, "Thank you!" from the voter booth admin before leaving much less did I receive any stickers thanking me for my contribution to the election.

Trying To Be Social on Meetup.com

A co-worker of mine told me about all the fun things he does after work and on weekends.  Knowing that he just moved here from out of state, I had to ask how he already had such a wide social network.  He then told me about meetup.com.  He uses it to find people nearby with similar interests.  He goes biking, plays frizbee, and has garage band meetups with absolute strangers.

I decided to give this website a try.  I currently belong to two different groups of people that don't really live near my home.  My zip code produced very little results, so I had to expand my search range.  I'm excited at the idea of finally having things to do with people who have the time and money to do them. No more will I sit and wait for old high school friends to remember my phone number.  I'll keep you posted on how this Meetup website works as the weeks progress.

Put Into Her Place

I had a small, emotional fight with a co-worker on Thursday all over her lack of trust in me trying new things. She thought that I needed someone watching over me before being allowed to process some transactions. I went home pissed off, and I woke up Friday morning still pissed off.

I confronted her on Friday and let her know that I don't appreciate getting told how I'm going to learn something and that I will be processing those transactions ASAP.

She apologized, and I felt increasingly better.

Pay Cuts Are Over --For Now

After just 1 week of mandatory day offs, our company is flipping back into full pay weeks for all employees. I didn't receive a cut in pay because I had pre-scheduled training all week long.

This week was Hell for stress. It's Halloween, but we aren't doing anything special as a couple at home. Trick or Treater's don't come to our doorstep, so we'll at least have some peace and quiet tonight.

20% Cut in Pay

Starting this week, every employee, save a few key important ones, has been scheduled to take 1 Mandatory Day Off (MDO) each week until our sales improve. 20% of everyone's pay has been dropped. Sure, having a free day off once in a while seems like a great idea, but we aren't allowed to use any of our accrued sick or vacation time.

This MDO program was created by our owners in order to lower payroll without firing 15 people. Instead of 15 bad apples going onto Unemployment, now even the good ones get to feel the pain. I hope this doesn't last too much longer, or I'll be out of a job. The owners hope that the election will save our sales.

Speaking of this shitty economy, the morale at work almost makes me want to walk off a cliff. 3 people were laid off on Friday. Another is being let go on Tuesday. Good employees are hinting at possibly finding new jobs. Everyone is afraid to smile or accidentally laugh. We don't want to be seen trying to enjoy life because we don't want to end up on the layoff list.

How much longer is this going to last and how much worse will it get?

Cold October Skies

The weather is absolutely crazy out here today. Wind is ripping through the alleys and trees like it's trying to escape something much worse. There's rumor of freezing rain tonight. I still don't feel like Mother Nature gave Summer any justice. How could we possibly be entering into Winter so quickly?

Bored With This Election

2008 election? I'm over it already. I think most of the nation knows that Barack Obama will be the next President of the United States. I'm tired of all the CNN coverage of the he said/she said slander and jabs. I can't wait for the day when I can turn on a news program and NOT hear what dumb slipup Palin said the day before. I've already cast my vote, now I just want to see some action. Let's fix this economy!

I Voted Today

My state allows early voting, and my mind was made up months ago.

WHAT CHU KNOW BOUT DAT?

Are You Serious?

http://view.break.com/580075 - Watch more free videos

Watch the video above in its entirety. I can not believe people like this actually exist in America. I know it's a stereotype, but I had absolutely no clue that redneck white people could be so redneck. People like this make our citizens look bad.

What are your thoughts?

Changing Negative Thoughts

I have a form of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). I don't have heart palpitations. I don't get sweaty. I'm not even a shy person. I also have very little problem giving speeches in front of small or large groups of people.

What bothers me most is trying to impress a room full of strangers. The thought of attending a family reunion or high-school graduation just makes me flighty. I want to avoid social gatherings and stay home. I don't really even go out to parties with friends. I can't stand the thought of feeling alone in a room full of people. If I go to a family party with my bf, I can't help but feel left out. I sit alone by myself wondering how everyone else must view me.

This happened over the weekend during a wedding. I fled the party around 8:00pm because I didn't want to feel the pressure and stress any longer. I didn't want anyone asking me to get up and dance. I didn't want to be a part of any bouquet throwing ceremony. I just wanted to disappear. There was an open bar, but I'm too picky with my drinks. As I've read more into SAD, I realize that many people with this disorder have a tendency to hide it with alcohol. This eventually leads to alcohol dependency problems. During this entire wedding weekend, I didn't drink a drop of alcohol. While family members were drinking and laughing, I was attempting to fit in.

I effectively failed at breaking free of my anxiety. I know my negative thoughts bring me to a very dark and lonely place. I kept clinging to strangers that had no idea who I was. I would talk to waiters and random hotel guests. I couldn't handle talking to my bf or his very large extended family. I couldn't wait to return home and feel safe again.

That's where am I now while writing this blog. I don't want to go through that type of stress again, but there will always be a family party lurking around the corner. I need to get my negative thoughts in check. Now is as good a time as ever.

In Bed, Could You Be a Little More Like Obama and a Little Less Like McCain?

My bf and I gathered 'round the T.V. to watch the first installment of the SNL Weekend Update on Thursday night. I was hoping for a Tina Fey guest spot, but it was still funny none the less. The most recent presidential debates were on Tuesday night, and I really enjoyed some of the spoofs during Weekend Update.

Both Weekend Update and John Stewart's Daily Show poked fun at McCain walking around in circles throughout each of Obama's answers. I'm loving the fact that politics are finding a way into mediums that younger audiences watch.  I love that these spoofs are all over YouTube and Comedy Central.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, I saw a clip on YouTube of a Sarah Palin speech.  She got heckled mid-sentence and took control of the situation quite well.  Check it out below:

Effects of the US Economy

Over the weekend, my workplace removed over 150 flourescent light bulbs from the office area.  We showed up this morning wondering if we were running on generator power.  Yet, even with such extreme cost-cutting, we still have employees talking about things like sports and their hobbies.  These people don't understand that our lights have been removed because we can't afford the electric bill.  Business is very slow right now.  Go hard or go home!

Tina Fey Does It Again!

I actually missed the airing of SNL's most recent, October 4th, episode featuring Tina Fey with another guest spot as Sarah Palin. Luckily, NBC showcased the skit almost immediately afterward. I watched the real debate last Thursday, and I thought that SNL really topped themselves this time. I wish Sarah Palin would respond to some of these SNL spoofs of herself. If you haven't already seen this clip, I've embedded it. It's definitely something you can't miss out on.

I'd like to hear your thoughts on Sarah Palin as a running mate. Do you think she's unprepared? Do you think she's just what this country has been missing? Is she unfairly criticized by the media? Let me know!

We Picked Up A Stray Dog

After breakfast, my boyfriend and I were headed to the local oil-change place when we happened upon a Bichon Frise dodging cars. It was dark, cold, and raining. We immediately stopped the car in the road with our hazard lights blinking to prevent any other cars from blindly hitting the poor little guy.

We followed him into someone's fenced in backyard. It was surprisingly cornered by a Rotweiller anxiously wagging its stumpy tail. The owner of the Rot came outside and helped us gather up this poor stray. This no-name dog was missing a collar and had leaves stuck in its matted fur. No-Name smelled terrible and had black, muddy paws. I wrapped him up with a blanket from the trunk, and we headed to the local no-kill animal shelter.

They were able to find a micro-chip in the dog's skin. They checked their system and found that the dog had originally been adopted from their shelter. We were thanked for bringing in the dog and told they would contact the owners to reunite with No-Name.

We already have our dog micro-chipped. This was my first encounter picking up a stray dog, and I'm happy to see that No-Name had a micro-chip.

Popping the Cherry (so to speak)

This is my first entry on my very newest blog. I used to blog on Xanga.com for quite some time. It followed me through relationship ups and downs and other life altering things in between. I've also kept busy adding myself to other social networking sites.

I started this blog to be able to bring an honest voice to the public without my personal friends and co-workers gaining access to it. At work, I'm moving up the ladder faster than I can spell my next title. I'm gaining knowledge and respect, and I don't want to jeopardize that by connecting my online blog to my actual identity.

I hope this blog gives me a chance to talk about issues and topics that not only interest me but hopefully pick up some readers along the way.