With the morning light comes revelation, or so they say. Anyway, here's where we stand:
#1: We did some math last night (I neglected to put that in the last post) and I think we can swing both bikes and the insurance to cover them. With the right financing, me working now and with DH's child support ending, we'll have a little extra cash to throw around on something.
#2: My credit score isn't bad necessarily, but it's not great. I have an option that I might consider, though; I won't have my bike or my husband's bike this summer, but it will allow us to get a better rate next year if we want to wait. I could go out and buy a TV or something on credit, pay it off in six months and up my score a little bit, which in turn will maybe give us a better rate. That would work well in either situation we're considering (see below).
#3: I called dad last night and asked him why our current mortgage doesn't appear on our credit report. It's because we pay THEM the mortgage payment instead of a bank, and thus it doesn't get reported to the credit bureaus. We pay the mortgage on time and in full every month (and have for four years), but that does not impact our credit score at all, either good or bad.
#4: I called dad this morning to see what he thought about our idea of buying the bikes. He suggested that we, instead of buying the bikes, we look into trading in one of our cars (which we don't owe anything on) in favor of a more gas efficient hybrid car. That's a good idea, but because of the aforementioned low credit score (and my experience in the auto industry) I know that when trying to finance that amount of money (about $25,000 or so) for a new car with my credit score, we're going to get a really HORRIBLE interest rate (I'm talking upwards of 25%), the payments will be WAY more than we can afford per month ($300 on average) and although it will probably be more practical, we'd be getting in WAY over our heads on a new car when our current cars are in good working order. I can't even find a gas / electric hybrid locally - I'd have to go at least an hour away to even test drive one, and I don't like the only one I've found in the state so far (color is icky, and it's a hatchback - yuck). Conman's too young to ride the bike now, but by next summer he ought to be able to ride (I hope). If we need to transport him, we'll still have the cars.
#5: I asked Dad if he'd cosign for a car if that's the direction we decide to go in (he'd have a better credit score and perhaps help us get a better rate) and was told, unequivocally, "no". I think the exact phrasing was, "I'm not cosigning for anything". Okay, thanks Dad. Don't gripe (or you, Mom) when we end up with 2 motorcycles instead of the more practical car to help with the gas crunch. Beggars can't be choosers, and in this case, we're beggars.
That's the way it stands right now. I'm still waiting for the store manager to log into his instant messenger so I can discuss prices on a second bike, and see if it's even possible to finance two bikes on one deal (I'm pretty sure I can, we've done it for other customers before), and to find out exactly what paperwork we'd need for them, stuff like that. Just kinda get stuff down so I can get it rolling (pardon the pun).
Cross your fingers for me - something's got to give. I'm up to my ears in gas (i.e., car fuel) bills, and either option would help with that a little.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Lotsa Stuff Going On
So, even though this week has been slow by comparison, there's still lots of stuff going on. Let's see...
Sunday
Heard from a good friend of mine that the rest of the tee-ball season has been canceled. No word yet from our coach, but my friend told me that her son's coach called and told them that they'd "called the season" because the big-kids ball teams need the tee-ball field to play their all-star games.
Monday
First, Speed Racer hell. It's not that it's necessarily a bad movie, just that it's a bit confusing in places even for me, there;s some cursing in it (and they're marketing this as a "kids movie") and the colors were so bright that I left with a bit of a headache. Before the movie I ask a second lady who has a son on a different tee-ball team about the season being called. She confirmed my friend's story, but I still have no word from our coach. At this point, I'm wondering if she's going to call us to tell us before game-time this evening.
I got home and called the coach's assistant to ask about the tee-ball. Finally I get "official" word - yes, the season is canceled, no there are no more games. The time I found this out? Ooooh, round about 2 PM - just a few hours before we were supposed to be on the field and playing. She also told me that I had to pay another $7 for a trophy for Conman, and no, my "Conman's Mom" shirt (that I've already paid for) isn't done yet. Yes, you read that right. The season's over, and I STILL don't have my damn shirt.
Tuesday
Went to work today. It was pretty normal, except for the torrential rain we suffered through. The building has a tin roof, and there are times when I thought it was gonna just come crashing down around our ears. I also have been looking, in a kinda passive way, at this little Harley Davidson Sportster that's for sale at the store. We took it in as a trade, and it's been teasing me ever since I started working over there. I've decided that I want this bike for myself. I asked for a price from the manager and he gave me a good deal (no, I'm not saying how much). I asked DH what he thought, and he's all for it (biker chicks do it for him) except now...he wants one, too. Except he wants a new Suzuki Boulevard (which goes for about double what "my bike" would cost). I'm going to see what kind of deal I can get on both bikes and see if I can get them both financed. They should be a lot of fun, and an added bonus is that they'll be perfect for commuting. Motorcycles average about 50 mpg, so that will put a significant dent in our auto fuel bill for the month.
Wednesday
Well, technically, as of this writing, it ain't here yet. I figure on doing about ten tons of laundry and some dishes, and getting the manager at the store on the phone to try to work out that deal. Wish me luck - I really want "my bike" and I'd like to get DH one too. I hope we can get something worked out that's agreeable to everyone.
Sunday
Heard from a good friend of mine that the rest of the tee-ball season has been canceled. No word yet from our coach, but my friend told me that her son's coach called and told them that they'd "called the season" because the big-kids ball teams need the tee-ball field to play their all-star games.
Monday
First, Speed Racer hell. It's not that it's necessarily a bad movie, just that it's a bit confusing in places even for me, there;s some cursing in it (and they're marketing this as a "kids movie") and the colors were so bright that I left with a bit of a headache. Before the movie I ask a second lady who has a son on a different tee-ball team about the season being called. She confirmed my friend's story, but I still have no word from our coach. At this point, I'm wondering if she's going to call us to tell us before game-time this evening.
I got home and called the coach's assistant to ask about the tee-ball. Finally I get "official" word - yes, the season is canceled, no there are no more games. The time I found this out? Ooooh, round about 2 PM - just a few hours before we were supposed to be on the field and playing. She also told me that I had to pay another $7 for a trophy for Conman, and no, my "Conman's Mom" shirt (that I've already paid for) isn't done yet. Yes, you read that right. The season's over, and I STILL don't have my damn shirt.
Tuesday
Went to work today. It was pretty normal, except for the torrential rain we suffered through. The building has a tin roof, and there are times when I thought it was gonna just come crashing down around our ears. I also have been looking, in a kinda passive way, at this little Harley Davidson Sportster that's for sale at the store. We took it in as a trade, and it's been teasing me ever since I started working over there. I've decided that I want this bike for myself. I asked for a price from the manager and he gave me a good deal (no, I'm not saying how much). I asked DH what he thought, and he's all for it (biker chicks do it for him) except now...he wants one, too. Except he wants a new Suzuki Boulevard (which goes for about double what "my bike" would cost). I'm going to see what kind of deal I can get on both bikes and see if I can get them both financed. They should be a lot of fun, and an added bonus is that they'll be perfect for commuting. Motorcycles average about 50 mpg, so that will put a significant dent in our auto fuel bill for the month.
Wednesday
Well, technically, as of this writing, it ain't here yet. I figure on doing about ten tons of laundry and some dishes, and getting the manager at the store on the phone to try to work out that deal. Wish me luck - I really want "my bike" and I'd like to get DH one too. I hope we can get something worked out that's agreeable to everyone.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
What? Two Posts in One Day?
I know, I know, it's unusual, but still. Got something on my mind, and no one around to really vent about it to.
I was looking at some pictures this afternoon of a girl, and it struck me. She's an incredibly hot woman; young, firm, smooth skin, fantastic hair, striking eyes. As I looked at those pictures it hit me like a ton of bricks. I'll never be that brand of sexy, nor have I ever been that brand of sexy. Granted, this girl is 19 and I'm staring 33 squarely in the buttocks, but still. I wouldn't mind being the older, more experienced version of 19-year-old-sexy. As it stands, I'm the frumpy mom-next-door brand of inconspicuous.
Yes, I know, I have the power to change that. Fix myself up (been doing that - I've just about got the hair-and-makeup thing down), lose some weight (working on that, too - down almost 50 pounds since this time last year) and dress better (that one's difficult to come by - gotta have cash to look good). I can hear some of you out there wondering why I would want to blend into the crowd of over-done girls and women who strive so hard to be the "hot chick". That answer is simple - I've never been that girl - I've never been the one that people (male or female) looks at and says, Wow...just...wow, and I'd like to experience that, just once, before I die.
Let's pray that we have plenty of time for me to accomplish that goal. I think it's gonna take a few sharp scalpels, some medical-grade plastic and a huge vial of sucked-out fat for me to get there, but no harm in wishing, is there?
I was looking at some pictures this afternoon of a girl, and it struck me. She's an incredibly hot woman; young, firm, smooth skin, fantastic hair, striking eyes. As I looked at those pictures it hit me like a ton of bricks. I'll never be that brand of sexy, nor have I ever been that brand of sexy. Granted, this girl is 19 and I'm staring 33 squarely in the buttocks, but still. I wouldn't mind being the older, more experienced version of 19-year-old-sexy. As it stands, I'm the frumpy mom-next-door brand of inconspicuous.
Yes, I know, I have the power to change that. Fix myself up (been doing that - I've just about got the hair-and-makeup thing down), lose some weight (working on that, too - down almost 50 pounds since this time last year) and dress better (that one's difficult to come by - gotta have cash to look good). I can hear some of you out there wondering why I would want to blend into the crowd of over-done girls and women who strive so hard to be the "hot chick". That answer is simple - I've never been that girl - I've never been the one that people (male or female) looks at and says, Wow...just...wow, and I'd like to experience that, just once, before I die.
Let's pray that we have plenty of time for me to accomplish that goal. I think it's gonna take a few sharp scalpels, some medical-grade plastic and a huge vial of sucked-out fat for me to get there, but no harm in wishing, is there?
Back to Normal
...If that's what you call it.
Anyway, in fairly short order, life's gone back to the regular routine: Eat-sleep-internet crawl / chat - work - WoW. Exciting, eh?
Conman's tee-ball is just about over, and on June 6 so is school. That'll present a whole new set of challenges for us (child care, etc).
On a more personal, less overview-ish note, DH asked me an odd question on Sunday. He said, "Are you happy?" to which I answered yes, but then he asked, "No. I mean, are you really happy? With me? With us?" to which I answered that of course, I'm happy. I don't know what comes over him sometimes. It makes me look over the past couple of days and wonder what I've done to merit such a question. It makes me wonder if he's doing something that he shouldn't be (although when he'd find the time to get up to hijinx I dunno). It just makes a girl wonder.
I love my husband; always will. Yes, it's true I get lonely and melancholy from time to time, but that's only because it sometimes seems like we're just two people that happen to live in the same household, especially when schedules get crazy. He's gone 12 hours a day, comes home, spends about 3 hours awake before he goes to bed and starts the whole process over again. Me? Well, I have work on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday (usually) and then whenever I'm needed otherwise. The other days I sit here all day by myself waiting on him to come home, entertaining myself and occasionally doing the odd bit of housework. I look forward to DH getting home, and when he does get here, he's usually so tired that we just kinda sit and stare at each other. It's disheartening, and sometimes a bit of a let-down. No wonder I'm a bit downhearted. Perhaps it is my fault he asks questions like that.
Anyway, that's all I got for now. Signing off...
Anyway, in fairly short order, life's gone back to the regular routine: Eat-sleep-internet crawl / chat - work - WoW. Exciting, eh?
Conman's tee-ball is just about over, and on June 6 so is school. That'll present a whole new set of challenges for us (child care, etc).
On a more personal, less overview-ish note, DH asked me an odd question on Sunday. He said, "Are you happy?" to which I answered yes, but then he asked, "No. I mean, are you really happy? With me? With us?" to which I answered that of course, I'm happy. I don't know what comes over him sometimes. It makes me look over the past couple of days and wonder what I've done to merit such a question. It makes me wonder if he's doing something that he shouldn't be (although when he'd find the time to get up to hijinx I dunno). It just makes a girl wonder.
I love my husband; always will. Yes, it's true I get lonely and melancholy from time to time, but that's only because it sometimes seems like we're just two people that happen to live in the same household, especially when schedules get crazy. He's gone 12 hours a day, comes home, spends about 3 hours awake before he goes to bed and starts the whole process over again. Me? Well, I have work on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday (usually) and then whenever I'm needed otherwise. The other days I sit here all day by myself waiting on him to come home, entertaining myself and occasionally doing the odd bit of housework. I look forward to DH getting home, and when he does get here, he's usually so tired that we just kinda sit and stare at each other. It's disheartening, and sometimes a bit of a let-down. No wonder I'm a bit downhearted. Perhaps it is my fault he asks questions like that.
Anyway, that's all I got for now. Signing off...
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
*Phew*
Well, it's over.
Even though last year was a lot of fun, I think this year topped it by a mile and then some. We laughed ourselves silly, and had a chance to talk a little bit face-to-face about some guild issues. A good time and a little productive, too!
By about 5:30pm on Friday, everyone was here and we left to go out for pizza. I gave out our little gifts to the Don and one other guild member (for his graduation). The Don loved his tabard (yay! I can say it now!) and we all ate way more than we should have.
On Saturday, we had the birthday party for Conman. ONE of his classmates came, and E (D's son) and a little girl from Conman's church were the only kids outside the ELC that came to his party. Low attendance aside, the kids had a BLAST - the ones who were not here for the entire weekend are STILL talking about how much fun they had. The Don somehow got involved in a huge water fight with the kids and everyone involved ended up soaked to the bone. Later, after the party, we ate fantastic pasta sauce and rigatoni with salad and bread created by the Don, and then sat around the fire talking. Yes, yes, I fulfilled my promise and sang for them, too. No, there is not video evidence, but there were many witnesses.
On Sunday the ladies (Erudismom and the Don's wife) cleaned up some while I got the chili for our dinner on. We didn't have anything planned for early on Sunday, so we did some (more) filming for the "guild videos" of the weekend. Once we ate dinner, we all changed into our ELC shirts and took the group picture for the 2008 gathering. The kids were beginning to get antsy, so we did our best to entertain them until our 6pm date with the bowling alley. Once that rolled around, we all went and had a great time. I went bowling knowing I couldn't beat DH, so my goal was to beat the Don in at least one game (which I did) even though he creamed me the second game. DH ended up winning "the tournament" (and subsequently the 250g in-game pot we all put up), but I beat the Don. I achieved my goal.
The kids all went to bed Sunday night, and we spent our last night together out at the firepit laughing and talking until way too late. On Monday morning, everyone got their things together and sat out. I was sad that the 2008 ELC was over, and look forward to next year.
It's a lot of work, but man, I love having it at my house. I love seeing everyone that comes, and spending time with friends face-to-face. I can't wait until ELC 2009!
Even though last year was a lot of fun, I think this year topped it by a mile and then some. We laughed ourselves silly, and had a chance to talk a little bit face-to-face about some guild issues. A good time and a little productive, too!
By about 5:30pm on Friday, everyone was here and we left to go out for pizza. I gave out our little gifts to the Don and one other guild member (for his graduation). The Don loved his tabard (yay! I can say it now!) and we all ate way more than we should have.
On Saturday, we had the birthday party for Conman. ONE of his classmates came, and E (D's son) and a little girl from Conman's church were the only kids outside the ELC that came to his party. Low attendance aside, the kids had a BLAST - the ones who were not here for the entire weekend are STILL talking about how much fun they had. The Don somehow got involved in a huge water fight with the kids and everyone involved ended up soaked to the bone. Later, after the party, we ate fantastic pasta sauce and rigatoni with salad and bread created by the Don, and then sat around the fire talking. Yes, yes, I fulfilled my promise and sang for them, too. No, there is not video evidence, but there were many witnesses.
On Sunday the ladies (Erudismom and the Don's wife) cleaned up some while I got the chili for our dinner on. We didn't have anything planned for early on Sunday, so we did some (more) filming for the "guild videos" of the weekend. Once we ate dinner, we all changed into our ELC shirts and took the group picture for the 2008 gathering. The kids were beginning to get antsy, so we did our best to entertain them until our 6pm date with the bowling alley. Once that rolled around, we all went and had a great time. I went bowling knowing I couldn't beat DH, so my goal was to beat the Don in at least one game (which I did) even though he creamed me the second game. DH ended up winning "the tournament" (and subsequently the 250g in-game pot we all put up), but I beat the Don. I achieved my goal.
The kids all went to bed Sunday night, and we spent our last night together out at the firepit laughing and talking until way too late. On Monday morning, everyone got their things together and sat out. I was sad that the 2008 ELC was over, and look forward to next year.
It's a lot of work, but man, I love having it at my house. I love seeing everyone that comes, and spending time with friends face-to-face. I can't wait until ELC 2009!
Monday, May 19, 2008
And now, for the REAL post for the day.
Just some random thoughts today, nothing much to report. Here we go!
1. Anxious about this weekend - we're at T-minus 4 days and counting. Things are getting done, but at a slower pace than last year. I was frantic last year, and to be quite honest, this year I'm considerably more mellow. Two of the three guild members that are coming to the party this year were here last year, and they know what kind of housekeeper I am, and how much effort goes into even the most minor cleanup of my house; the kind of cleaning I have to do for this party is exponentially higher. If it ain't perfect, they'll understand.
2. This:
is how I want my man to think of me. Imperfect, but perfect for him - and that's all that matters.
3. I'm totally not a girly-girl, and you have no idea how much effort on my part it takes to slather on the makeup and curl the hair every day for work. I suppose I could just go au natural, but I like to at least look like I'm trying when my co-worker/boss (who is a friend of mine from way back) is a beautiful glamor girl.
4. I really like Walmart.com's custom CD service. It rocks for people like me who would totally buy and download single songs if I had a halfway decent internet connection, but it's a more-than-reasonable substitute.
Well, that's it. Just a few life observations.
1. Anxious about this weekend - we're at T-minus 4 days and counting. Things are getting done, but at a slower pace than last year. I was frantic last year, and to be quite honest, this year I'm considerably more mellow. Two of the three guild members that are coming to the party this year were here last year, and they know what kind of housekeeper I am, and how much effort goes into even the most minor cleanup of my house; the kind of cleaning I have to do for this party is exponentially higher. If it ain't perfect, they'll understand.
2. This:
Pat Monahan - Her Eyes lyrics
She's not afraid; she just likes to use her night light
When she gets paid, true religion gets it all
If they fit right.
She's a little bit manic, completely organic
Doesn't panic for the most part.
She's old enough to know, and young enough not to say no
To any chance that she gets for home plate tickets to see the Mets.
Like everybody, she's in over her head,
Dreads Feds, Grateful Dead, and doesn't take meds.
She's a Gemini Capricorn
Thinks all men are addicted to porn.
I don't agree with her half the time,
But, damn I'm glad she's mine.
Her eyes, that's where hope lies.
That's where blue skies
Meet the sunrise.
Her eyes, that's where I go
When I go home.
She got the kinda strength that every man wishes he had.
She loved Michael Jackson up until he made Bad.
Tells me that she lives about a hundred lives,
Scares me to death when she thinks and drives,
Says cowboy hats make her look fat,
and I'm so glad she's mine.
Her eyes, that's where hope lies.
That's where blue skies
Meet the sunrise.
Her eyes, that's where I go
When I go home.
She doesn't know the word 'impossible'
Don't care where I've been and doesn't care where we're goin' to.
She takes me as I am, and that ain't easy.
She's beautiful. So beautiful.
And sometimes I think she's truly crazy.
And I love it.
Her eyes, that's where hope lies.
That's where blue skies
Always meet the sunrise.
Her eyes, that's where I go
When I go home.
Her eyes, that's where hope lies.
That's where blue skies
Always meet the sunrise.
Her eyes, that's where I go
When I go home.
She's not afraid
she just likes to use her night light.
Song lyrics | Her Eyes lyrics
is how I want my man to think of me. Imperfect, but perfect for him - and that's all that matters.
3. I'm totally not a girly-girl, and you have no idea how much effort on my part it takes to slather on the makeup and curl the hair every day for work. I suppose I could just go au natural, but I like to at least look like I'm trying when my co-worker/boss (who is a friend of mine from way back) is a beautiful glamor girl.
4. I really like Walmart.com's custom CD service. It rocks for people like me who would totally buy and download single songs if I had a halfway decent internet connection, but it's a more-than-reasonable substitute.
Well, that's it. Just a few life observations.
Proof For The Don
You Are an Alpha Female |
 Powerful, confident, and successful - you are definitely a dominant force. You control social and dating situations. It's clear that you're always in charge. |
AND...
You Are 0% Redneck |
 I'll slap you so hard, your clothes will be outta style. You ain't no redneck - you're all Yankee! |
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