The online journal, notebook and playground of HFM

Closing date

So my close date on the new house is probably January 23rd, which seems like forever but is only nine days away. Very cool! The appraisal’s done, so I just have to find out how much it is, and get the insurance paid for, and everything is pretty much set.

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house loan approved

So my loan is approved. The inspection today was good, and unless something unexpected comes up, it looks like everything’s a go on the house. I just have to get the insurance set up, the sewer line fixed, and the appraisal done. If all goes well, I might get to close early. Very cool.

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Enron investigation

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  • Post category:Politics

Okay, politics: We need a special investigator looking into Enron and examining the involvement of the current presidential administration in the company. War aside, this isn’t the kind of thing that can be overlooked.
And the other thing we need is some explanation of the election reform process that will be in place before the next election. How are we going to ensure that everyone’s vote is counted and that everyone’s vote counts?

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Sewer Lines and Inspections

We found a good quote on the sewer line, so that’s one hurdle out of the way, now I’m just waiting on the loan stuff. I’m going for a different kind of loan to make the house a bit easier to get, but the loan itself is tougher to qualify for than the other loan I was approved for. So I’ll know next week whether I’m approved or not. I have a good feeling about it. I feel like it might actually work this time.
Also, I set up an inspection on Tuesday morning, so I’ll have a complete idea of what needs to be fixed in the house, too, and I’ll be able to take photos while I’m there with the inspector. The owner also replaced the window that was out, so the house is getting more complete. Cool.
This doesn’t stop me from driving by at every opportunity, though. 🙂 Good thing the house can’t call and report me for stalking. Don’t worry; I’m not trespassing on the property, just parking in the street out front. Don’t want to get in that much trouble.
Other people buy houses and don’t make this much fuss over it, don’t they? But I can’t help it; I’m obsessed.
It’s going to be tricky, if everything works out. I’ll have less than a month to move, and I’m hoping to have all the fugly carpet and vinyl floor coverings ripped out and the floors sanded before I move in. I may not have time to get then refinished, and scramble to move at the same time, and get the current residence cleaned and fixed up.

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Accepted Offer

Okay, so I have an accepted offer. 🙂
Unfortunately, we’re not out of the woods yet. I have to find someone to fix a cracked sewer line for less than $2,500, and I have to hope to god my loan stuff goes through. Otherwise, I’m screwed again. I just wish I were having fun getting screwed.
But, hey, I’m closer to getting a house than I have been before…. we’ll see.

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house buying woes

So… once again I’m at that crucial point where I have an offer on the table and things aren’t going well. In this case, the seller isn’t willing to give anything in the negotiations at all, and I’m basically walking in screwed from the start. Looks like I’m going to lose another one, which will be the fifth offer that falls through, and the eighth house I’ve tried for and gotten screwed on (three that people paid cash before I even had the ability to make an offer).
So… I’ll probably end up building, and again paying way more than I should have to for much less house than I need to get. And who knows what I’ll end up paying in rent while I’m trying to get the house built.

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Lasagna

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  • Post category:Entrees

From the kitchen of: Better Homes and Gardens.

This is a popular family favorite for us. We alter the original recipe by reducing the amount of salt; the original calls for 1 1/2 teaspoons in the meat sauce, but it’s way too much.

  • 1 pound sausage, ground beef, or ground turkey
  • 1 clove garlic, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon whole basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 16 ounce can tomatoes or tomato sauce
  • 12 ounce can tomato paste
  • 10 ounces lasagna noodles
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
  • 3 cups (24 oz) cottage or ricotta cheese
  • 2 tablespoons parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 pound mozarella cheese

Brown meat and drain. Add garlic, basil, salt, tomato sauce and paste ingredients. Simmer 30 minutes, or 15 minutes in microwave. Cook noodles in boiling water until tender. Beat eggs, add next 4 ingredients. Layer noodles, egg mixture, meat sauce, and mozarella in 13 x 9 x 2 pan. Bake in 375 degree oven for 30 minutes.

Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Serves 8-10.

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Aunt Chris’ Ham and Egg Casserole

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  • Post category:Breakfasts

From the kitchen of: Chris Turnipseed.

  • 12 eggs
  • 1/3 large package of cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • Ham slices
  • 1 jar of Cheese Whiz

Beat together eggs, cream cheese and milk, then scramble until almost cooked but not dry.

Divide egg mixture and roll into ham slices. Place ham rolls into greased 9×13 pan. Cover with the jar of Cheese Whiz, bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Can be made the night before and baked in the morning.

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