Misery loves company?

Because I am the type of person who's not happy being stressed and worried alone, I totally think it's cool that someone else is house hunting as well. Good luck on your hunting ninjapoodles!

I secretly wonder if her husband is being as much of a pain in the ass as mine is.

Of Leases and Pancakes

Ok. I'm back from a whirlwind day and a half of house hunting, and am happy to report we did find something - well, we found 2 somethings. First, let me say that for as much looking as we did, to find only 2 places that were acceptable was quite disappointing. Of course, we were on a very short time frame - 2 days - and price wise, I was nearly blown away. We live in a small town, real estate is somewhat reasonable. I'm actually on the lucky end. I rent a 2BR single family house with plenty of room in a good neighborhood and pay $350 a month. No freeways, close to everything, less than 2 miles from work.

Apparently this isn't so with the rest of the world.

The first one we looked at was a 2BR/2BA single-wide trailer in a fresh-made trailer park with no grass and 2 inches between each abode listing for $485 a month. Inside...ok, the carpet was fuschia. Need I say more?

Next was a house for $500 with a fireplace, 2BR - sounded good, but the street was lined with sparkling hoopties sporting 20s and the porches were full. Moving on...

And another one for $500 that was well worth it by the sound of it from the landlord on the phone...everything we were looking for, but no pets. So that's out.

And on, and on, and on to house after trailer park until finally we decided to have a look at the one we saved for last - a brand new community of duplexes, well-built, preferable school district, everything we wanted - side-by-side refrigerator included, 2BR/2BA, berber carpet, alarm system, yard kept, dogs welcome, quite nice - except the price. $725 a month. Now...you might say "that's not abnormal" but remember, my rent is $350. For me, it's very abnormal, bordering on insane. But, we had resigned. Hot Springs had beat us, and we were about to give in. So we gave up for the night, and went to our refuge for the evening telling the people at Pebble Peak Ridge we'd talk it over and would probably be back in the morning to sign the papers.

No sleep. Thinking and thinking, as we tossed and turned in our comfy bed at my brother-in-law's $1200/month lakeside cabin's downstairs guest quarters. Up at 2am and out to smoke and watch the moon's reflection on Lake Catherine, and back to tossing and turning.

Up at 6am with visions of lease signing dancing in my head, I showered and prepared to sign my life away. And off we went to The Pancake Shop - the only place to have breakfast when you're in Hot Springs as far as I'm concerned - to fatten our bellies before we lightened our wallets. As we waited for our pancakes, we discussed that maybe we should look a little more before going back to Pebble Peak Ridge - I could just start calling some of the realtors and ask if there were any rental properties they knew of in hopes of a bite. Right off the bat, we were turned on to a 3BR/2BA brick duplex just 2 streets over from my brother-in-law's place - an even more favorable school district, $650 a month, and it just so happened the place was to come available that very day, though it needed to be cleaned. I was able to persuade the owner to show it to us immediately :)

So Friday, we'll be the proud 6-month lease holders on that little hard-to-find sucker. I had no idea what a problem housing was in that area. Arkansans, how 'bout a heads up next time? Jeez!

Searching

We'll be in Hot Springs Thursday and Friday searching for a place to move to. Wish me luck!!

I am so disappointed that this is not go-out-for-drinks-weekend

Thursday, I began the new (to me) position of Treatment/Infection Control Nurse. Friday, my trainer called in sick to work. Overwhelmed with new responsibilities and no one to explain them, I got a call from hubby wherein he began to read me his approval letter from TSA. Finally.

And I sat down and began to squall like an idiot.

After the long day was completed, I came home to an excited hubby (and rightfully so - not a damn thing has gone right in the year we've been married. Nothing but slaps in the face and now finally, APPROVAL!) and my 2 cutie-pie but incredibly energetic step-daughters.

Now, as I sit here in peace and quiet with NO ONE HERE BUT ME (a small miracle), I seem to be fuming at the idea of the impending move. I feel as though it's not a choice I made, but one that was made for me. Yes, I am my own person and I actually don't think it's a bad idea in itself, but the time frame coupled with the possible monetary gain (supposedly the reason we're to move) is just unrealistic. Hubby has a job offer with his brother's company there, and here, there's nothing. Nothing, that is, except a job that I've been with for 3 years, one which pays up to $4,000 for employees' educations after 2 years of service provided you work for them for a year after you complete your education. I had plans made to make use of that little perk. My suggestions of not leaving until that's completed have gone ignored.

I don't even want to think of what kind of shit I'm going to have to deal with from the runt. No friends, new school, 12 years old. Need I elaborate?

I think my real problem with it all is that I am a little resentful. I suppose what I need to do is be more positive - look at the good things for the past 8 months instead of all the bullshit. Say over and over to myself "We will be ok."

So difficult for such a negative bitch like me.

More than one way to skin a blog...

I have a new look - and a new title. Clean, and reflects one of my fav-o-rite things! Not that anyone was linking me, but there's a new link too. Maybe my new look will make me a little more creative.

I just luv luv luv...

...this story!!

Reminds me of my grandfather who was also a man of many pockets, with something in each of them.

Thanks ninja poodles!