Awe, that title looks so sweet I could just spit.
Anyway, I had my first owner's meeting tonight. It was a special meeting for the assessment on filling in the pool. That's right, future visitors. No more pool. However, it hasn't been up and running for like 10 years, apparently. BUT we owners are paying for insurance on a place that has a running pool anyway. Actually keeping and maintaining the pool would be ridiculously expensive, and apparently the state requires a lifeguard for all "commercial" pools -- I guess it's considered commercial because condos are a special residence? Weird. But anyway, we're taking out a line of credit to fill in the pool (with either dirt or cement... I have no idea when we'll vote on that), get security lights, and repaint the exterior! With my ownership, I'll have to pay another $30 per month. If I had the dough, I could just pay my share with no interest ... but I don't have $1200 laying around. There's apparently a lot of drama with the developer, who still owns 10 units. It's a lot more complicated than I have the capacity to ask/think about right now..
The loud dirties (their official names in my book) who live above me are on their way OUT. They moved in at the beginning of the month, but their violations are so out of control that they're being evicted, according to my informant (my kitty corner neighbor's mom) ANd the Condo Board president. Any evidence of their packing is yet to be seen as of Aug 2nd, but my fingers are crossed that they'll be gone by the time my new teacher orientation starts. I'm hoping the owner, whoever (s)he is, does a little more screening for the next tenant. Seriously, I can hear the kids messing around at 1:30 in the morning. I know it's summer, but let's get it together, PARENTS!
And the pavement ants are almost all gone. I dropped about $30 on my ant-war ammo (Terro liquid ant baits, outdoor spray, borax, and boric acid). They just love the pavement slab that the units rest on, and the mulch hasn't been replenished in what looks like a while (not this summer, that I know for sure!). I'm hoping I can encourage some kind of pavers for the mulch and shrubbery (::insert Monty Python "shrubbery" here::) areas because it's looking kinda sloppy right now.
I started working out again on Tuesday, but I'm not eating well yet. I did, however, buy some Swedish pate (crab and salmon -- salmon's not that great, but the crabs delightful!) and crackers at ikea. I have a veritable vat of lettuce that I need to move up in the fridge so I'll see it and then eat it. Eeew, that could sound bad out of context. I resolve to NEVER weigh myself but to use my clothing as a guide. I got scared in the past few weeks because I stopped working out and my pants went from being loose to, um, not so loose :(
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
just a few things ...
Okay, so things are coming together in the condo. My step-mom bought me a coffee table and matching side tables. I bought myself a few more French things to accent what I already have. I'll be getting a bedroom set from Brandi and Bill next month, so my guestroom will need some head-scratching rearranging. I only have my desk, bookshelf, secretary desk, printer cart (AKA microwave cart), and a tiered end table... I'm a little scared to do so, but I think I need to move my secretary desk into my bedroom. And that mo is heavy! A couple things I would really like to get squared away are 1) the funky smell in my bedroom :( and 2) the bugs! The previous owner has little ant thingies in some places, so maybe I should get some fogger or something. UGh. I hate bugs.
I was really unhappy when I got an email from verizon saying that my bill was $150. Yowza. But I looked at my usage, and with all the condo biz, etc, I was making way more peak calls than usual. I haven't had a big bill like that in YEARS. Now that I have the digital voice (unlimited local and long distance), that shouldn't happen ever again. Let's face it, money's a worry for EVERYONE nowadays, and the fact that contracts are now in mediation kinda freaks me out. I know we'll get paid, I just wish I could budget for September already!
Got the security deposit back from Lincolnshire West today and deposited that bad boy right away so that I could send Shawna her portion. I was really stoked to get that because, hey, wow, pay some credit card debt down... But then I looked at my budget and realized that most of it will have to go towards house payments. I can't wait until I get a PAYCHECK. Jeez, lol!
So on a happier, more social note, Brandi's showing! She's got her little bulge of a baby. She and Bill will know if it's a boy or a girl next month, and Mandi, Heather, and I are getting some plans put together for her shower. I think once this baby's grown out of it, I'll never want to see another CareBear as long as I live.
AND -- Project Runway is BACK! Get excited!
I was really unhappy when I got an email from verizon saying that my bill was $150. Yowza. But I looked at my usage, and with all the condo biz, etc, I was making way more peak calls than usual. I haven't had a big bill like that in YEARS. Now that I have the digital voice (unlimited local and long distance), that shouldn't happen ever again. Let's face it, money's a worry for EVERYONE nowadays, and the fact that contracts are now in mediation kinda freaks me out. I know we'll get paid, I just wish I could budget for September already!
Got the security deposit back from Lincolnshire West today and deposited that bad boy right away so that I could send Shawna her portion. I was really stoked to get that because, hey, wow, pay some credit card debt down... But then I looked at my budget and realized that most of it will have to go towards house payments. I can't wait until I get a PAYCHECK. Jeez, lol!
So on a happier, more social note, Brandi's showing! She's got her little bulge of a baby. She and Bill will know if it's a boy or a girl next month, and Mandi, Heather, and I are getting some plans put together for her shower. I think once this baby's grown out of it, I'll never want to see another CareBear as long as I live.
AND -- Project Runway is BACK! Get excited!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Oh, internet, how I've missed ye!
Okay, kids, Amanda's back! I've been in the new place since Saturday, July 5th, but I wasn't able to get someone here to install my cable, internet, and digital voice until Tuesday. There were some serious complications with the installation of the internet, and I didn't get that hooked up until today.
Please email me or call my cell if you'd like my landline number. I still have my cell, of course, but it's always good to have another contact number if you want it.
The new place is good - I've got some decs up in the living room, but I'm going to wait to paint until next summer because, well, I have no money to buy paint. I'd like to post some pics, but that would mean tracking down my camera ... and I have a few other things I'd like to dig up first. For example, I can't find a book I really wanted to read this summer: La Belle France. It's a history book (yep, a NON-FICTION book!) that I thought would be good to read before teaching!
Anyway. I have some ideas for paint, though. I think I'll paint (Pittsburgh Paints):
the living room: borough brown, Rosso Verona, Silver Frost (a purple)
the bathroom: California Sky and Celery Stalk (yellowish -- I may find a more yellow hue, though)
Master Bedroom: Killarney (very light green) and Wisteria Bloom (a Dutch Boy purple)
I have a guest room, but I haven't gotten the furniture from Brandi yet. It's a yellowish set, but I dont know what color would go well with that, nor what would go well for a Guest room.
Please email me or call my cell if you'd like my landline number. I still have my cell, of course, but it's always good to have another contact number if you want it.
The new place is good - I've got some decs up in the living room, but I'm going to wait to paint until next summer because, well, I have no money to buy paint. I'd like to post some pics, but that would mean tracking down my camera ... and I have a few other things I'd like to dig up first. For example, I can't find a book I really wanted to read this summer: La Belle France. It's a history book (yep, a NON-FICTION book!) that I thought would be good to read before teaching!
Anyway. I have some ideas for paint, though. I think I'll paint (Pittsburgh Paints):
the living room: borough brown, Rosso Verona, Silver Frost (a purple)
the bathroom: California Sky and Celery Stalk (yellowish -- I may find a more yellow hue, though)
Master Bedroom: Killarney (very light green) and Wisteria Bloom (a Dutch Boy purple)
I have a guest room, but I haven't gotten the furniture from Brandi yet. It's a yellowish set, but I dont know what color would go well with that, nor what would go well for a Guest room.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Almost in a good mood.
Yeesh.
I had the condo closing today, so the last 24 hours have been hell. Wait, lets expand that to 36 hours.
I was waiting to hear from my realtor what my "closing cost" would be. I was under the impression that I would just have to worry about the down payment because that's pretty much what he told me. Not so much, apparently. The seller paid a little over $1200, and I paid $700. I should have made a note in the contract that the seller was to pay the first $2000 closing costs. I still would have been responsible for certain taxes, but I sure as heck wouldn't have had to pay some of these other ridiculous fees. I should have been a little meaner to my realtor because he said some things that were inaccurate, like the "no application fee" thing. It was just withheld until closing.... sigh.
But anyway, the seller is a DOLL and left me notes about the neighbors, the plumbing, and, well, that's it. She cleaned just about everything, and she didn't really have to. She left me a shower curtain, some bathmat things, and couple other handy items.
I'm moving in on Saturday, and I'm not freaking out about anything except for the stupid money thing. I didn't expect to have to pay another $700 on top of the $4600 down payment I have set aside for the closing. Luckily, my dad floated me a loan for $400 of that. But I have to shave off $300 somewhere. Maybe I'll just close out my savings account that has to have a minimum balance of $300. Hey, look at that! Done!
Well, I'm not freaking out about it, but I am peeved about this: I called comcast yesterday to set up my cable in the new place. I didn't transfer service because I was going to look into getting FIOS. Ooops, not available in IL yet. So I set up digital cable and high speed internet, and there was actually an opening for Monday, the 7th! Yesss!
Today, after I got back to Brandi's from all the closing madness, I realized that I didn't set up DVR service. I love love love DVR. So I went to add it to my service, and the lady couldn't find it ... she went to look for it ... and then she hung up on me. This happens WAY too, much comcast! Shame on you! Anyway, when I called back, I got to talk to a very nice girl who was able to help me out. Apparently, the number that I found online was for a third party, and they can't check to see if the previous owner has disconnected yet. Yep, the seller had the disconnection scheduled for Saturday ... July freaking 12th! I'm sorry, but there's no way this girl can survive without internet. Cable, maybe. Not without internet.
So I was very honest with this woman about how disappointing it was to have to go through with this, especially since the person I talked to and the website I saw was PLASTERED with comcast's name and logo. There was no disclosure or anything like that, and I was thinking about demanding an even better deal -- free DVR service, anyone? But I can't. Unless they were to offer it, there's no way.
Oh, and this class? Driving me nuts. Not because it's hard. It's just RIDICULOUS! The papers are glorified journal entries (as if I hadn't mentioned this already, sorry, kids!). Plus, the prof is HORRIBLE at responding to emails! I need to freaking know what's up for next week! Everyone does! She has one book listed as due on the discussion board, but a different book on the Assignments page! Grrr... If people can't focus during the summer, DON'T AGREE TO TEACH A CLASS!
That is all. Sorry for the b-ing.
I had the condo closing today, so the last 24 hours have been hell. Wait, lets expand that to 36 hours.
I was waiting to hear from my realtor what my "closing cost" would be. I was under the impression that I would just have to worry about the down payment because that's pretty much what he told me. Not so much, apparently. The seller paid a little over $1200, and I paid $700. I should have made a note in the contract that the seller was to pay the first $2000 closing costs. I still would have been responsible for certain taxes, but I sure as heck wouldn't have had to pay some of these other ridiculous fees. I should have been a little meaner to my realtor because he said some things that were inaccurate, like the "no application fee" thing. It was just withheld until closing.... sigh.
But anyway, the seller is a DOLL and left me notes about the neighbors, the plumbing, and, well, that's it. She cleaned just about everything, and she didn't really have to. She left me a shower curtain, some bathmat things, and couple other handy items.
I'm moving in on Saturday, and I'm not freaking out about anything except for the stupid money thing. I didn't expect to have to pay another $700 on top of the $4600 down payment I have set aside for the closing. Luckily, my dad floated me a loan for $400 of that. But I have to shave off $300 somewhere. Maybe I'll just close out my savings account that has to have a minimum balance of $300. Hey, look at that! Done!
Well, I'm not freaking out about it, but I am peeved about this: I called comcast yesterday to set up my cable in the new place. I didn't transfer service because I was going to look into getting FIOS. Ooops, not available in IL yet. So I set up digital cable and high speed internet, and there was actually an opening for Monday, the 7th! Yesss!
Today, after I got back to Brandi's from all the closing madness, I realized that I didn't set up DVR service. I love love love DVR. So I went to add it to my service, and the lady couldn't find it ... she went to look for it ... and then she hung up on me. This happens WAY too, much comcast! Shame on you! Anyway, when I called back, I got to talk to a very nice girl who was able to help me out. Apparently, the number that I found online was for a third party, and they can't check to see if the previous owner has disconnected yet. Yep, the seller had the disconnection scheduled for Saturday ... July freaking 12th! I'm sorry, but there's no way this girl can survive without internet. Cable, maybe. Not without internet.
So I was very honest with this woman about how disappointing it was to have to go through with this, especially since the person I talked to and the website I saw was PLASTERED with comcast's name and logo. There was no disclosure or anything like that, and I was thinking about demanding an even better deal -- free DVR service, anyone? But I can't. Unless they were to offer it, there's no way.
Oh, and this class? Driving me nuts. Not because it's hard. It's just RIDICULOUS! The papers are glorified journal entries (as if I hadn't mentioned this already, sorry, kids!). Plus, the prof is HORRIBLE at responding to emails! I need to freaking know what's up for next week! Everyone does! She has one book listed as due on the discussion board, but a different book on the Assignments page! Grrr... If people can't focus during the summer, DON'T AGREE TO TEACH A CLASS!
That is all. Sorry for the b-ing.
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