I guess I could deal with the weather better if we had a house to call our own. I do love sleeping in, cooking, lounging around the house and getting things done when weather is bad. My biggest joy on lazy days is watching the cooking channel for like 5 hours then making a recipe I've seen. Of course, I don't have that option. We are currently watching spotty TV... from an antenna that's not waterproof. We get almost 20 channels, but 16 of those are spanish, so we get a good 4 channels! I've been very glad to have a space of our own for a little while, but I'm quickly growing tired of this place. The apartment is filled with the renter's belongings leaving little room for us. Our kitchen counter is literally 2'x2' and I'm constantly cursing when I cook. I see so many recipes on Pinterest I'd love to try, but I'm saving a lot of them until I have the room (and my stuff!) to cook.
An update on the housing situation: we lost yet another house about 2 weeks ago. I think we're getting pretty good at rejection!! This loss was totally on the listing agent and it killed us! It was a bank owned property and we'd agreed with the bank on a price. After talking to our lender, we found out the bank couldn't give us any money toward any repairs, so our realtor worked the numbers around and came up with the same price we'd negotiated on; just worded differently. We'd been hearing from the bank about twice a week, but all of a sudden a week and a half went by without a word. Our realtor contacted the listing agent to see what was up, to which she replied "the bank said no." Our realtor asked what the issue was since it was the same amount of money agreed upon, just moved around differently. The listing agent then told her she thought we were asking an additional $10,000 on top of what we'd agreed upon! Okay... I get mistakes, but we read the email our realtor sent the listing agent and it was spelled out so clearly, no one could misconstrue it! And the listing agent knew how much we wanted this house. We were crushed to say the least! So of course, the listing agent resubmitted our offer but in the meantime another offer had come in so the bank accepted.
So now we are back to searching... yet again. I'm beginning to really know everything happens for a reason, and although hearing that multiple times from others, it doesn't make it any easier. I know we'll get a house we love when it's time... but the problem is we've loved several houses! We have 3 weeks left of our rental, then it's back the in-laws we go. They are picking up a 5th wheel this weekend which will be our home soon. I can't begin to express the appreciation we have for them helping us out. It's a very humbling experience to be in your 30's and have to rely on parents for a place to stay. I read not too long ago how many families are having to move back in with their parents because of the economy. I feel grateful for it, yet it pains me we are one of the statistics! We have worked so hard for so long, and we really don't like relying on others for help. We're ready to stand on our own feet again and make our own destination. We are so lucky though to have a family that loves us and helps us out so much!!
This week has been a roller coaster of emotion... my grandmother got diagnosed with breast cancer a couple weeks ago and had a lumpectomy on Monday. I really hated to not be there for her surgery. I knew she'd do well (as was the case), but I want to be there in person to support and help my family. We got the best news today... the pathology report read her cancer has not spread into the lymph nodes, so the surgery seems to be all the she had to do! The report came on her birthday, and although I feel so bad for her to go through this whole experience... what a great b'day present!!!
On a sadder note, my parent's beagle, Princess, was hit by a car late last week. She was taken to the vet and after running a series of tests, my Dad decided it was best to put her down this week. It's been very hard on my Dad, but he knew it was the best thing and Princess really seemed to be in pain and suffering from many issues after the accident. It's crazy to know that the person who hit her, is someone who rents my grandfather's house from my parents down the street. She's a teenager, and said she saw Princess crossing the street, and thought she'd keep going so the girl kept driving. I know it was an accident, but still.... I know the day will come, but I can't imagine what they are going through. I will definitely miss her... she was such a little ball of energy!
For the first time since we've been here, I feel like we're FINALLY fitting in a little and getting comfortable with the area. I just completed my 90 days at Derm and am anxiously awaiting my review. I get insurance in less than a month and hopefully a raise! We also went out with some co-workers last Friday and it was nice to get to know people outside of work. Most people here are very weary of new people and definitely have a barrier up, but once they decide you are okay, they welcome you with open arms. It's hard to be on the receiving end at first, but I'm feeling more accepted now and it's nice!
Other good news this week was Lee got a job!!! As I told you in my first post, Lee had a job, but it was under the table and not full time (as promised in the interview). I'm hoping this job is everything they say it is: full time (although part time = 30 hours at first), more pay, benefits eventually, etc. It's mostly in San Jose aka "over the hill" which is unfortunate Lee has to commute so far, but it'll raise our buying power and hopefully help us get into a nicer home sooner. Lee actually interviewed with this company two months ago and wasn't hired. He realized after the first interview, he'd gone in dressed up not looking like he was a carpenter and it was a lesson learned! He went in this time "dressing the part" since he'd just gotten off of work. They hadn't realized they'd interviewed him before until shortly after he arrived, then they basically spent the interview time selling him on the job. He wasn't expecting that! I've had many interviews like that where there weren't many questions, only facts about the company, but Lee hasn't. He walked out with a job and company shirts to wear... he starts Monday!
So that wraps up our last two weeks... we are going to probably spend most of the weekend looking for houses and finding creative ways to entertain ourself outside of the house while it rains.
I have enjoyed talking to my family this week on Skype... it's really helped my week! It definitely makes it easier, but kind of harder afterwards. I miss family soooo much and really can't wait till we're all together in May!!
Until next time...
XOXO,
Chelle
