Work has been extremely busy - I've been putting in overtime every day so far this week. City leaders are figuring out major budget decisions and I've been working to put together an obscene amount of scenarios for them to choose from, discuss, and discard. It's certainly interesting to see how we budget people think about these scenarios and how the policy makers think about them - stark differences I can assure you.
Banjo's off getting fat this week: he's spending the week with my parents and enjoying every minute, or at least that's what he said in his email to me today (hee hee). Our dog is really good at typing! I miss him, but we've been able to do a lot of stuff we normally wouldn't be able to like both go climbing at the same time, go see movies and pack without freaking the dog out. I think it's good for both of us, even though Banjo hasn't caught the cat yet. I'll be picking him up on Sunday after dropping Chris off in Brainerd. We're going to a friend's wedding this weekend in Fergus Falls, so Banjo won't be so spoiled once he gets back home. Savor your morning bacon Banjo!
We're slowly packing everything up. Chris has been patching nail holes in the walls and I've started packing up kitchen stuff we don't need immediately. Packing certainly is a lot of work so hopefully this is the last time we move for a very very long time :) I can't remember if I said most everything has been deemed satisfactory by the underwriter, and our lender told me congrats last week, so I think we're extremely close to getting this house. I can barely believe - I'm waiting to get excited until we actually close sice I was burned so badly the first time around. I can't wait for Banjo to have some more space and a backyard of his very own (we're going to share it will him :) I really hope that he will quickly adjust and love the house.
I'm off to read more of Unwind. Extremely interesting book - I can't believe it's for young adults!
29 July 2009
19 July 2009
Camping Success!
Banjo's first camping trip was an overall success. He didn't howl at all once we got in the tent and he was well-behaved for the most part. He did have to guard our campsite from the two little boys next site over that kept running into ours.
We all had fun (there were six of us total). We hiked a little on Saturday afternoon; we played volleyball (and I have bruised arms to show for it); we sat around the campfire and watched what marshmallows do when dropped in the flames.
Banjo and I got up before everyone else and went for a longer hike. When most of the rest of our party got up and ate breakfast, we went for a walk around the bigger loop of Big Woods. Banjo really did love every minute of those walks - he even tracked a couple of people who must have gotten to the fork in the trail only a little bit before us. In case we didn't know there were people there, Banjo let out a few howls just in case.
Here are some pics:
Which way to go...
The Hidden "Falls"
Banjo on guard duty
I liked the shadow cast by the morning light
Our morning trek
Beautiful flowers
Tired puppy
We all had fun (there were six of us total). We hiked a little on Saturday afternoon; we played volleyball (and I have bruised arms to show for it); we sat around the campfire and watched what marshmallows do when dropped in the flames.
Banjo and I got up before everyone else and went for a longer hike. When most of the rest of our party got up and ate breakfast, we went for a walk around the bigger loop of Big Woods. Banjo really did love every minute of those walks - he even tracked a couple of people who must have gotten to the fork in the trail only a little bit before us. In case we didn't know there were people there, Banjo let out a few howls just in case.
Here are some pics:
Which way to go...
The Hidden "Falls"
Banjo on guard duty
I liked the shadow cast by the morning light
Our morning trek
Beautiful flowers
Tired puppy18 July 2009
Camping in Nerstrand Big Woods
Today, we will embark on an overnight camping trip! This will be Banjo's first time camping, so I'm curious to see how he does (I'm particularly concerned about him potentially howling in the middle of the night given the lack of insulation the tent walls provide). The plan is to get him super tired from hiking, playing, etc. and have him sleep the entire night. Everyone wish us luck!
I'm going with a group of five other people, all of whom may hate me and Banjo after tonight :) I'm also interested to see how Banjo does hiking. I have a sneaky suspicion he will be a puller - there's going to be so many incredible smells he's got to check them all out! Luckily, I have a 4' leash which will keep him quite close and will hopefully prevent him from completely tripping me (at least that's my hope).
I'm looking forward to the hiking and relaxing. I will put up a post after we get back to let everyone know how it goes!
I'm going with a group of five other people, all of whom may hate me and Banjo after tonight :) I'm also interested to see how Banjo does hiking. I have a sneaky suspicion he will be a puller - there's going to be so many incredible smells he's got to check them all out! Luckily, I have a 4' leash which will keep him quite close and will hopefully prevent him from completely tripping me (at least that's my hope).
I'm looking forward to the hiking and relaxing. I will put up a post after we get back to let everyone know how it goes!
16 July 2009
WE GOT A HOUSE!!!!!!!
I got the appraisal in the mail today and the appraisal is $100 over what we're paying for it - so we got a house!!!!!!!!
I'm too excited to write much more than that :)
Our closing date is August 17th and we have until the end of August to move out of the apartment.
YIPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!
I'm too excited to write much more than that :)
Our closing date is August 17th and we have until the end of August to move out of the apartment.
YIPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!
14 July 2009
Waiting game
We're just sitting here waiting for the appraisal. The bank has until July 24th to get it done, but it certainly would be lovely to get it before then! We have all the other paperwork in, unless the bank needs updated bank statements or something.
While we wait, we've started thinking about our wedding! We are thinking about having it next June. We haven't nailed down a location, but we did go check out the Como Zoo Conservatory. The photos at the link will show you the places we've looked at. The Sunken Garden has turned out to be our favorite (we had originally been looking at the Japanese Garden).
Chris also mentioned a friend of his getting married at the Japanese Garden at Normandale Community College. There are many places (and as you can tell, we're looking to have a non-traditional wedding location).
We will be sure to let everyone know when we nailed down a date!
While we wait, we've started thinking about our wedding! We are thinking about having it next June. We haven't nailed down a location, but we did go check out the Como Zoo Conservatory. The photos at the link will show you the places we've looked at. The Sunken Garden has turned out to be our favorite (we had originally been looking at the Japanese Garden).
Chris also mentioned a friend of his getting married at the Japanese Garden at Normandale Community College. There are many places (and as you can tell, we're looking to have a non-traditional wedding location).
We will be sure to let everyone know when we nailed down a date!
05 July 2009
Banjo and me
While Chris is away in Arkansas, Banjo and I have been having a lovely weekend together. It turns out that Banjo isn't so crazy when Chris isn't here. He's only growled at me once (how dare I lean over and pet him when he's sleeping on the couch). He did bark at something (presumably a squirrel) at 7:30 this morning (sorry to the neighbors upstairs!). I took him on a long walk, and he was still fired up when we got home - he was zipping around with the last remaining toy squirrel in his mouth. Classic Crazy Pants.
I found out he doesn't like the fireworks that sound like gunshots - can't imagine why. Of course a house basically kitty corner from us had a massive amount of people over and they started shooting stuff off in mid-afternoon. Each time, Banjo would cower down and start shaking. He followed me everywhere around the apartment and hid in the most protected places (like underneath my legs that were propped up on the coffee table). We made it through though.
The best part of these past few days has been me letting Banjo sleep on the bed with me. Upon jumping up on the bed, he immediately proceeds to burrowing under the covers and snuggles beside me. I've found that if I'm not in the right position when I lift up the covers for him, he will take over 3/4 of the bed. Sound familiar to anyone?
Another thing that has happened is we found another house that we put an offer in on. We're waiting for a signed copy of our final counter offer at this point. It's a cute house a block off of Summit. Here's the listing for anyone who's interested in seeing some pictures.
I am not going to get excited until we have the inspection done and the appraisal done. Cautiously optimistic as Sue put it. It will suck a lot of this house doesn't go through not just because of the time and money we've put into it, but more because the first half of August is horrible at work meaning I likely wouldn't be able to look at places and then Chris starts his fall shooting in September. Ideally we want to get into a place in the second half of August.
I found out he doesn't like the fireworks that sound like gunshots - can't imagine why. Of course a house basically kitty corner from us had a massive amount of people over and they started shooting stuff off in mid-afternoon. Each time, Banjo would cower down and start shaking. He followed me everywhere around the apartment and hid in the most protected places (like underneath my legs that were propped up on the coffee table). We made it through though.
The best part of these past few days has been me letting Banjo sleep on the bed with me. Upon jumping up on the bed, he immediately proceeds to burrowing under the covers and snuggles beside me. I've found that if I'm not in the right position when I lift up the covers for him, he will take over 3/4 of the bed. Sound familiar to anyone?
Another thing that has happened is we found another house that we put an offer in on. We're waiting for a signed copy of our final counter offer at this point. It's a cute house a block off of Summit. Here's the listing for anyone who's interested in seeing some pictures.
I am not going to get excited until we have the inspection done and the appraisal done. Cautiously optimistic as Sue put it. It will suck a lot of this house doesn't go through not just because of the time and money we've put into it, but more because the first half of August is horrible at work meaning I likely wouldn't be able to look at places and then Chris starts his fall shooting in September. Ideally we want to get into a place in the second half of August.
25 June 2009
Bad news
We got in the appraisal of the house - it's $50,000 less than the price we agreed to. Talk about an emotional blow! I'm quite suspicious of the appraiser's report since they generally say the property is in good condition and the total estimated market value payable 2010 is $195,700. It did drop from the total estimated market value payable 2009 of $206,500, but I'm guessing that's because of the drastic market drop starting in November 2008.
I'm going to try to talk to the appraiser to bring up these questions and to ask about if they appraised it at this because of general market conditions or because of area-specific conditions (such as the Ford plant closing). There is a possibility we lost the house and I guess I'm prepared for that (after breaking down about an hour-and-a-half ago of course). Wish us luck!
I'm going to try to talk to the appraiser to bring up these questions and to ask about if they appraised it at this because of general market conditions or because of area-specific conditions (such as the Ford plant closing). There is a possibility we lost the house and I guess I'm prepared for that (after breaking down about an hour-and-a-half ago of course). Wish us luck!
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