Lordy, Lordy!!!

The appraiser was a real flake and if we were looking for a break from THAT guy, good luck to us! We found somebody else to be on OUR SIDE and that's all that we can do. OMG, I SO would make a fantastic appraiser!! I SO would make a fantastic LPO (loan processing officer) because another gal we're working with is also flaky and quite incompetent. We're wondering is she even has her G.E.D!! She doesn't come over too well on the phone, and then I met her IN PERSON! If THESE PEOPLE are getting paid for what they do, I should be the executive who hires and fires! I swear!!

slight setback

We'll be spending most of our day trying to fix a problem we are having. I'm too busy to be disappointed, and we will know how long the setback will be by Friday. In short, we're working on clearing up the title to our property. As far as I know, our mortgage company has received our info and will send forms for us to fill out and call it good. On the other hand our neighbor's mortgage company wants a 2 paragraph letter of explanation as to why we swapped pieces of each others' property, they want an appraisal report (those are over $500) and they want $350 in processing fees.

Today at 10 the appraiser for OUR buyer will be here and we'll ask him for a copy of the appraisal at a negotiated price we can agree upon.

Years ago we bought our first house together. I'd just started in real estate and found a very cute and cottage-type home. A reporter contacted me to do a story on new real estate agents and they shot a picture of me in that house before we even thought of buying it. I remember standing there looking out of the picture window. a few months later we found there is a view of Dyes Inlet and Silverdale in the winter when the trees lose their leaves! It was touch and go getting into that house and we rented it for awhile as the sale of our mobile home took some time. We got there around Thanksgiving with no stove and no frige. We cooked our turkey at someone else's house and put our food in coolers on the porch. I know it won't be that bad this time, and hope that everyone hangs in on these transactions, including the buyers here, and the sellers in Federal Way (and US, of course!).

Back when we got that first house we realized if something is meant to be, it will happen, we just need to do what we can and leave the rest to the person above. We feel the same now. Everything we have gone through has never been just plocking down some cash to get what we want. It's always a longer process for us.

Pilipino joke

The other morning on the way to THE MOUNTAIN we stopped for breakfast at a McDonald's. Sitting in the kids' play area we were laughing and talking about Filipinos because most of the company were Filipino, except for Wes and me. This was one of the funniest things someone shared with the group:

A teacher asked her class to write a sentence using the words chicken, nut, and bread. Then she asked 3 students to share their sentences.
Johnny's sentence was: "We shopped for chicken, some nuts and a loaf of bread."
Mariann said, "Last night we had roast chicken with nut and bread stuffing for dinner."
Ignacio told the teacher, "Chicken nut bread."
"That's not a sentence, Ignacio, can you tell us more?"
"My girlpren she make me mad, so I put dah plastic bag ober her head till chicken nut bread (she cannot breathe)!"

Maybe you just hadda be there when the joke was told, but please tell me if this is funny to you or not. My eyes teared, I laughed so hard! Maybe this can brighten your day!!

I took a day off...

Need a month off! We took a bike ride to the mountain yesterday. The ride was nice, the mountain was crowded. We snapped one picture with our friends, then called it good and went to Cafe Hawai'i! It was a long day and now I need another few to rest!! Ha!

In other things, it doesn't feel like we're close to the end of packing but the house is beginning to look bare. This morning we're rounding up nic nacs and chachkis and trying to find the nail clippers and tweezers. I'm not down to BARE BONES (you know, just the stuff we need for the next 4 weeks.In about an hour I'll head to halau for practice and sewing. I want most things packed and cleaned by the time we leave for E HULA MAU in California because when I get back I'll only have a week to wrap things up here. The more I get done now, the less worry on the other end. Yeah, right!! I'd fuss and worry anyway. I just hate it when the moving truck is in the driveway and the last minute throw and go reveals mess and loose ends!!!

sorry your wife was upset...

"Here's what we'll do for you, Mr. Lueders"....

Wes is so DEEE-lighted with me we went to look at linens today! The Harley place is gonna change out a whole bunch of things--they gave Wes a list today when he went to the dealership. The manager took the bike out for a half hour ride yesterday and then took the bike in...to the tech guy who is the person that authorizes the work that is warranteed by Harley Davidson, the parent company. They are putting their MOST EXPERIENCED mechanic on the job to work on our bike, and "will sometime next week be convenient"..."we have bumped back some regular maintenance jobs to accomodate your schedule."

Hmmm--know a good place to pick out a Tahitian black pearl???

ulia means electric or electronic?

How did we live without computers and cell phones?? Our mortgage company for the Federal Way house is in Lynnwood. Our insurance guy is out of Seattle, but lives in Federal Way. Our realtor is in Federal Way but lives in Auburn. When we need something we call their cells. When we want to update them, we e-mail. When we need forms signed, they send them to our e-mail and mail a copy to our house here. We print from the computer and sign and mail back. They call us by cell or e-mail that they've received our copies. We faxed pictures of our driver's license. I sent house pictures to the insurance guy via e-mail. You cannot believe the deluge of paperwork for these transactions! We have been able to meet the deadlines, so far, without even meeting the mortgage guy, or the insurance guy! I find that miraculous! And yet, here in Silverdale, the title company needs something from the building across the street and they charge us a $30 courier fee!! That's what I call junk fees and I won't pay them. In fact, they can call me, and I'll pick up the file from one office and deliver it to the other!! Amazing!

I'm glad Wes is home for the next few days to field the phone calls and sign his own name to things! In fact, he's been doing paperwork for the last half hour! I can go back to searching for linen and drapes and paint colors and filling in my charts and lists for that. I also am running out of boxes (again) from packing. We will get on the road to run our errands (and Fridays are the worse!). We'll try and get boxes from Kitsap Sports (some church friends own that) and the recycle bin behind Barnes and Noble gets filled today as they unpack the new books.

I know a bunch of ladies who want to come and clean when we move, but I need to do the pre-cleaning! If I move the stove and fridge, washer and dryer, clean under the sinks and spray the oven cleaner, keep the bathrooms clean and shampoo the rugs, there won't by much for the cleaning gals to do--maybe wipe the shelves and baseboards so things sparkle when the next guys move in. If I give up before then, they can do what's left! Shampoo the carpets after everything is out of here and maybe spray down the windows. I just don't want my friends looking at the mess! However, if they truly ARE friends, when I'm worn out from all of this, they can take over!!!

We are planning the actual move--trucks, people for loading and unloading, but the biggest problem is we don't know an actual date, and it might be in the middle of the week!!! Is there always pain before pleasure, or do I have that confused with something else?

We dream of sitting and relaxing at the place in Federal Way, but we are a LONG WAY from being there!!!

Patience is a virtue

This is a recap of what's been happening while Wes was gone!!

As usual, when you begin to want something so badly, it comes with challenges. While Wes has been gone, the title company here found out that our property is encumbered. In 2005 we did a boundary line revision and swapped equal pieces of the pie with the neighbors. So, their mortgage shows up as a lien on our title and vise versa. We are on good terms and I called them right away and we both signed release of info forms and the title company will contact the mortgage holders and send the necessary plates, etc. They should be able to do this before closing day.

The guy buying this place brought a builder friend along for the inspections. The only thing they did was to go into the crawl space and check the wiring, etc. They found water!! I was panicked we'd need to dredge and do a curtain drain (cha ching, cha ching in the thousands of dollars) but after lengthy discussion he said he'll do a gulee (??). As I understand it, you take a plastic plant pot, cut the bottom out, dig a hole and install a pump with it's own dedicated power line. He's an electrician. He says our house is very sound. Then he asked for $500 off the agreed upon price. While waiting for that addendum I found that the gutter right in that corner is clogged and I've no idea where that drainage pipe drains out to. We tried to present that as the root of the problem but he wouldn't take the explanation. I didn't think $500 was too much to give and I signed the addendum yesterday. Hmmmm....

Other things have happened where I needed to power up and have some confrontational discussions. The first was at our bank. After 15 years of working out of our checking account, they claim that I'm not on the signature card and wouldn't release info to me to send to Mark. BUT when I gave them the mortgage company's fax number they sent the paperwork on to him. This business took a couple of hours. The woman wouldn't accept the power of attorney because apparently, they need the ORIGINAL and then made a snide remark about it expiring in 2 days, so, what's the rush? GO FIGURE.

Our motorcycle is in the shop and I went to check on it yesterday. They couldn't find the keys. They haven't done the work because the technician hasn't found the problem. We took the bike in after some traveling and 2 mechanics listened to and agreed on what the problem is. I'm guessing the tech is higher up than the mechanics. Their computer has us listed for work that was done several months ago, but not for the current job order. I asked for the manager and went ballistic on the man. Those people need to change something. Personnel at the front write up the job order and somehow the info is LOST when the mechanics in the back receive the bike. Once or twice they couldn't find the bike! We told them to look out front through the glass doors, where we left it. HELLO?!! They are only a few steps away through a doorway and I just don't get it. I could go on, but Wes will have to take care of it when he returns sometime today. His flight is delayed by a couple of hours!

I was shopping for insurance quotes on-line to send the lender agent info and to get a binder for the place in Federal Way. 6 agents called within hours of posting our info!

So that's what's going on in my sandbox except for people have been coming by in droves, visiting, asking how they can help, dropping off boxes and newspaper, feeding me, etc. Last night a church friend kidnapped me away from what I was doing (sewing) and we went to a garden dinner up the street. Good food! Nice people! It's a revelation to me. I don't think I realize the impact I've had on this community in the 21 years here (and the impact the community has had on me). I've painted in churches and parks and homes, I've pulled weeds, gardened and cleaned and decorated, been involved in church and schools and kids' sports and music and scouts and many other activities. Makes it harder on the move, but we are geared up and getting ready to load and unload boxes and furniture. In 2 weeks I'll go to California. I don't know if it will be a good break from all of this, or a point of being worried about all of this while I'm down there! It will be Wes' turn to handle the home front. One day we'll both go on vacation together!

This is OUR dream car--note it's not MY dream car!

another day, another trauma

So, if you happen to own property and have swapped a piece or two with your builder, and then your new neighbor, it is all well and fine that the surveying company has registered all the information with the county. However, when you want to sell your house, on the title search, you now have some lines on your property that maybe you haven't been aware of. Your mortgage is supposed to be on your title, but now you have your neighbor's mortgage attached also. This means, of course, that your mortgage is also attached to THEIR property--and this, they call, ENCUMBERED. This also means that you cannot sell until these things are cleared up. NOW, we have their permission, THEY have OUR permission to clean this up so we each can have UNENCUMBERED title to our own property. This may take awhile. GET ME OUTTA DODGE!!

I got the phone call, from a new gal in the office--she is actually FUZZY-- not much experience-- who told me she needs information in regards to why I have a 200K mortgage and I took a second mortgage out for another 200K in 2005 and all I need to do is give her my social security number and that of my husband. Oh no, not me, and not today! 10 minutes later dressed in my power suit I arrived at that office and was having a discussion with her superior. Ashley is the assistant who does all the calling, running and chasing for this superior.

Then too, I've already talked to Wes and asked him where this other wife and family are living that he bought another 200K house for. He laughed out loud and heartily. We both know that he can barely keep up with himself, that I just run along side him and drag him wherever he needs to be, and so, another home and family are just so outside of his performance level!

So, another day, another headache and I'm waiting for my friend Kili to come take me away and we'll need to find a mountain of chocolate somewhere!!!

unmentiaonables make a difference

One of the things I do through the years is to measure my life parallel to my mom's. What was she doing at my age and stage? There are just too many funny underwear stories, and now I can laugh at myself, because I am truly becoming MY MOTHER! When I was born she was super thin. Growing up I remember the fabulous clothes in her closet (from her single and then young married days) and how I really would have liked to play dress-up. The only problem was, I was NEVER a size ONE!! As she bore more children and was happy in her home life she started to gain weight. A few pounds here and there and soon she was pretty heavy. She began investing in HARD CORE underwear and I remember us kids laughing and rolling on the floor of her bedroom when she tried to ease and squeeze and pour and pull and push herself into those long line girdles! Once she got her legs in it was like watching a sumo wrestler as he gets ready for a match.

So, I have been thinking lately that it would be a good to invest in some new underwear. Mothers are very self sacrificing, but in my life I don't think it feasible to stay in the same bra for umpteen years--not any more, that is. Put on one of your oldies, choose a fitted sweater top and look at yourself first frontwards and then catch the side view and you will see what I mean. Since I'm cleaning closets and drawers, this is what I've done on one of my little breaks. I tried on one of the newbies and BOY OH BOY there is a difference. I feel a tad more confident. When I lift my shoulders and hold them up and back THE GIRLS just look so much better and they over-power that pooch thing that used to be my flat stomach!

If there is no hope of losing those 20-50 extra pounds, at least I can by good underwear so I feel a little better about my BOD!!!

time to vent

So I went to the bank where we've banked for the past 15 years. The lady printed out the checking account history without asking for I.D. After printing everything out she told me I'm not on our JOINT account. We had a little discussion. I came home for my power of attorney papers and the fax number for the mortgage loan company. She says they need the ORIGINAL of the power of attorney papers and told me, oh, by the way, it expires in 2 days. I told her the loan papers are time sensitive and need to be sent in NOW. I showed her the checkbook and she looked up the signature card and told me the checks were ordered in error of the information on the computer. I told her I had the fax number for the mortgage company. She said she would fax the records for me. OKAY, I don't get it?? Send my information to a stranger at a company she doesn't know, but don't release the information to me because something in the records is so screwed up. I was about to kill the messenger, she being a slow moving and slow talking little Filipino lady. By then I was hungry because I've spent a half a day on this paperwork. I called Wes and read him the riot act and then went to eat Filipino food--the restaurant is closed on Tuesdays. Go figure!! Know of any good banks in Federal Way?

turtle's pace

I just finished sorting through the clothes in my closet. The GET RID OF pile of clothes that don't fit is way larger than the TO KEEP pile. I've grown a bra size in the past year, and I hesitate to confess about what's happened to the waist and below region! I want to feel comfortable in my own skin and my own clothes, so, it's like starting all over again! There are 2 choices when nothing seems to fit--do something about the physique ( know a good surgeon who specializes in lipo suction?) aka diet and exercise, OR buy bigger clothes!!! I haven't decided yet--too much going on in life just at the moment.

It's a slow-paced late morning here at the hale and I'm still debating what I'll do today besides practicing some hula and visiting with little Hayden and then heading out to halau. I'm really stuck on finding a color scheme for rooms at the new place and getting linen for the new master bedroom. We will be all mismatched at first, furniture-less in the living room and I don't know about you guys, but that is too far out of my comfort zone. I know my focus is more towards the packing and cleaning up to get out of here, but the other stuff hangs on the mind too!

I think I'll go out for an hour and look at clothes and linen--or surf the net right here at home I'd better check my account balances first, you know, in case I find something I just HAVE TO HAVE!! Have a FUN day! I'm glad it's starting out a little cooler!