spinning-jennie: Life-Altering Decisions archives

We CAN Haz a Mortgage
So, in one way or another, you probably know that we bought a house. Right here in town, about a mile away from our rental. Unfortunate that we had to wait for a major downturn in the real estate market... but so glad that we did!

My ten favorite features:

  • Huge sunny greatroom (which we improved with laminate flooring)
  • The kitchen: large enough to move around in comfortably, small enough to manage
  • It's only eight years old!
  • Central air
  • Power bills already less than half what they were at the old place
  • Master bath kind of rocks
  • Dedicated laundry room
  • The front landscaping needed maintenance and a little help here and there, but has been professionally designed, and pretty much rocks
  • Built. Ins.
  • Gas fireplace, which has become a rainy-day staple


    • Ten things I would change if I could:

  • Stucco
  • Still impractical to walk for daily needs
  • Lack of mature trees
  • Aside from master, very tiny bedrooms
  • No pantry
  • No porch, or deck in the back
  • In fact the back and side yards are, at the moment, rather a horror
  • Huge, sad and ever-crying "outdoor" dog next door (grrr)
  • Teen metal garage band across the street
  • Neighbors in two-stories to the rear have all-access viewing of our yard and back windows


    • I have almost no earthly idea how to decorate. Believe me, I can't just throw up what I had. This space is huge, and more formal, and so we sit, surrounded by echoes and sterile beige and white. I imagine it'll take some time.

    Cooking with gas took some getting used to, but I no longer flinch when lighting it up (go me!). I've already christened the convection oven with chicken grease, smoke, and ceremonial four-letter incantations.
    04/10/09 08:01 AM in Life-Altering Decisions  |  Comments


    Phew
    Hey! We're not moving!

    Yup, D. is now employed by a startup in the Presidio. But he hardly ever has to physically be there, hence the not moving. Which is great for two reasons, the second of which is: Holy! Crap! Have you seen the rents in Marin County?

    This may just be putting off the inevitable another year (again), but that's cool. Gives me a much better timetable for morphing into a Minimalist.
    03/29/07 12:17 PM in Life-Altering Decisions  |  Comments


    And So, Again
    Off to Petaluma, to look for a place to live. More later!
    01/14/05 04:26 PM in Life-Altering Decisions  |  Comments


    Scratch That
    Decision is out of my hands. I read, and today someone confirmed, that you shouldn't have the procedure done while - or even within six months to two years of! - nursing. Hormones can change your eyes, I guess. Oh, well.
    09/27/04 01:54 PM in Life-Altering Decisions  |  Comments


    Why Do I Keep Hearing Dr. Evil Saying "Laser?"
    D's eye zapping operation was a success. Now I have to decide if I want my eyeballs under the knife.

    Pros:
  • Savings over a lifetime - eyeglasses, contacts, solutions
  • Healthier - no matter how clean they are or how religiously you change them, contacts aren't exactly the best thing for your eyes
  • No frickin' glasses (!!!)


    • Cons:
  • Small chance of infection, permanent error
  • Lot of cash right now, yup
  • The fear. The even though you just blew out your bottom last month and what compares to that? still laser beam GrossGrossGrossEyeballFlaps fear.


    • Meanwhile, our poor kid is going to be wearing glasses with straps on them when he's four, I just know it.
    09/26/04 09:47 AM in Life-Altering Decisions  |  Comments


    Surprise!
    We got a little something extra in our stocking this year.

    Somehow, it almost doesn't seem as real until people have been told. I wasn't going to say anything until I'd been to the doctor, but that could be...? For now, let's just say that my HMO has already made me cry twice this week (not difficult, ask D.). I'm too nauseous to think about it! I need some toast.

    July is going to be a big month around here :-)
    12/06/03 08:09 AM in Life-Altering Decisions  |  Comments


    Interesting Times
    I built this place, from nothing but a mousy, musty room with shelves. I've touched every book dozens of times, could tell you about the color and condition and source of most. An avid reader always, I've probably read more in this past three years than the previous ten. I've learned that cataloging after OCLC is possible (and more fun?), the crucial importance of even semi-skilled volunteerism and giving (thank you!), and - at least a little - how to stand up for myself.

    And there certainly never was a lack of drama, was there? Heh.

    So much of myself is invested in this library, and you are among the very few who will, perhaps, fully appreciate that.
    11/12/03 12:30 PM in Life-Altering Decisions  |  Comments


    3.3 Years and 1,000 Battles Later
    That last straw came a bit ahead of schedule. Luckily I've already been provided with the proper exit forms courtesy The Establishment, if you'll remember (I can't seem to find that entry in my archives).

    When I'm done bawling and raging (you know I wear my yokes pretty close to the heart), I'm sure this will prove to be the healthiest decision I've ever made.
    11/05/03 03:17 PM in Life-Altering Decisions  |  Comments