Still alive
I still live here. I just don't get to the computer much these days. My kid has decided to shorten his naps a little. Besides, our computer is in the basement. Does anyone else hate basements as much as I do? I need windows and light.
It's finally cold here again, after over a month of most lovely weather. It was super nice here and we could go outside all the time, and so of course it makes the normal weather seem twice as bad.
I notice upon reading what I've typed so far that I have about half my normal brain power today, so I will cut myself off before any of you die of boredom. Maybe I'll be more interesting tomorrow.
It's finally cold here again, after over a month of most lovely weather. It was super nice here and we could go outside all the time, and so of course it makes the normal weather seem twice as bad.
I notice upon reading what I've typed so far that I have about half my normal brain power today, so I will cut myself off before any of you die of boredom. Maybe I'll be more interesting tomorrow.
posted by Anonymous at 9:22 AM
9 Comments:
Good to see you again! I miss the activity this blog sometimes has, though it's better for me now to get work done during the day.
I am currently having panic attacks about my grad school application. I just found out--six weeks after I turned it in--that they are missing two of my transcripts. I believe this is entirely their mistake, as the woman I spoke with stated they didn't even have them the first time I applied (This is patently not true. I was put on the waiting list when I applied in 2004, and I KNOW I wouldn't have been put there had my transcripts been missing.)
But what can I do? There's no way to get back six weeks so my application can get the priority review that it deserves. Hell, by now, even the regular admission deadline has passed, so I'll be competing with even more people for even fewer spots.
I am panicking big time.
The main comfort I can give about transcript mix-ups is that it is ALWAYS the university's fault -- either the one sending it or the one receiving it. And although I am not sure about particular programs, most application review committees are more concerned with the other materials in your application -- esp. the personal statement, I would think. If they contacted you to say that the transcripts are not there, then they must be hoping & wanting to get them. If they didn't contact you at all, then I think you could have more reason to worry. It's so frustrating though -- I freaked out a bit this time last year when my department told me that a letter of recommendation was missing in an application --- 3 weeks after it was due! But once they got it, all was fine. I will hope the same will be for you!
And weather! Weird here. Snow showers off and on all weekend. It stuck to our car like powdered sugar mixed with styrofoam. And it was off and on sunny, like spring showers. I'm driving to Kansas for a conference in a week and a half and I would really like the weather to be nice....
And panic attacks of my own: We are in the beginning beginning stages of house hunting. We meet with a bank loan officer this week. After years of not having money, I just expect everywhere we go to laugh at us and give us nothing. I see us renting when we are in our eighties. And I feel incredibly stupid looking at documents,and numbers, and specs, and applications like these -- it's a language I just don't understand. (Sigh) So it's scary. So, wow, I need advice from those of you who've bought houses and especially LeAnn as you've worked in real estate! Help!
But life continues, yes. Have a good week all!
And Happy Valentine's Day! (But do any of you even like this holiday?? I must admit, I still don't..... )
Oh, and I meant to add my own take on basements: I still have to run up the steps in my parents' house because the BASEMENT FREAKS ME OUT! Remember when we spent the night down there on New Year's Eve? Didn't you all think it was a bit like a dungeon? When I was little, I was sure it was haunted. Old habits die hard. Then, my mom told me a few years ago that a snake got in there one winter -- crawled right through a wall. Um, yeah, I'm such a chicken.
LeAnn, your basement is so much more comforting, but yes, I don't much care for a lack of natural light.
Home inspection. Get one. It is SO worth the extra money.
Fixer uppers are great ONLY if you have the time, money and patience.
Just because the Bank says you can afford a 350000 house, doesn't mean you really can.
Get preapproved before you start looking. It makes the whole thing easier.
Pray when you do find the one you want.
Home hunting advice? Yes, DEFINITELY get all the inspections done that is possible. When you are looking at the actual house, it wouldn't hurt to have the measurements of your biggest furniture with you (if you have anything really large), just in case. Also look at closet size and go by the windows to see if there is a draft. I would definitely try to find out the age of the furnace too, but you can also get that inspected so that is a good thing.
Uh...once you get to the buying stage, the only thing I can really say is it is a great idea to check into loans and programs for first time home buyers because sometimes you can get a grant towards your down payment and closing costs. There was a program in Emporia for a while where you could get several thousand dollars if you were a first time buyer. Lots of times you have to agree to live in the house for at least four years or something like that, or you have to start paying that grant back, but it's really worth checking into.
Inspections. Aren't they required by law? They are here, anyway. So that's a given for us. We had a great meeting at the bank -- and while we are first-time buyers, I don't think we qualify for the grants you mentioned, but we'll definitely check it out. We're actually excited now! Now we just have to find a realtor...
This seems like such a huge step.... especially because it really means we are in Champaign-Urbana for a while. We don't mind that one bit -- but it's just the finality of it, you know?
And LeAnn, we may be calling you to get more advice. :)
Jason's parents were here this weekend and Gary had bought a powerball ticket for fun last week, so we spent Saturday acting as though they had won the 375 million dollars and planning Jason's resignation letter. :D I have no chance of winning the lottery ever unless they do though, because I refuse to buy tickets. I guess I don't have much chance at the Blue Ridge Mountains either!
I would buy the lottery tickets that go to a particular foundation or charity. That has been a debate in Illinois as of late. I never enter sweepstakes though -- not as a rule, just 'cause I don't believe anyone ever wins. Garrett sent me the link to the HGTV contest -- but I didn't get it until after midnight on the day it ended! Such is my luck. :)
A few years ago, the Illinois Powerball jackpot was insanely large, and no one was winning, so everyone started buying tickets. I bought one for a dollar or so, and I didn't win, of course, so I got really pissed off and decided to not ever play the lottery again. I guess gambling is sort of lost on me.
Post a Comment
<< Home