Here goes nothing

I know a few of you have been waiting for this (*Chelle*Brenda* this is for you). I was getting some more information on one of the "issues" and by the time we put our offer in there was another offer on the house.
So...we got roped into a multiple offer situation, which is really common right now for houses in our price range. We had to submit our highest and best offer, which we did (BLAH), and it was accepted (with a couple changes, for which we are now living off Top Ramen until...when? Okay slight over exaggeration).

It was somewhat crazy to believe. Scary. Hyperventilation inducing event.

Right. So. Anyway. We had the house inspection last Saturday, which went...alright. We're waiting to hear what the bank is going to fix. You know, foreclosures are usually AS-IS, or whatever, but there were a couple things that must be done so that we don't become the Roasted Coxes in the summer, the Ice Cube Coxes in the winter, and the totally without a bath Coxes all year round. And they usually fix things that are needed to make the place habitable. We're still waiting on what they are going to do....

While at our inspection I took video for you (well, really for my dad) which I cannot seem to load on here (it is seven minutes long) so you are getting the pictures from my video camera. They aren't the best pictures ever (only 1 mega pixel people), but I know you wanted a look. OH! but you don't get to see the yard until I work out the video. Sorry. I'll keep you updated on the progress, but this is the house we are supposed to be buying!

Living Room (a corner of it)

Kitchen (one side anyway)



Kitchen/Breakfast area of kitchen

Dining Room

Bedroom

Bedroom

Laundry room. Lovely I know.

Master bath

Master bath-tub

Master bed looking in

Master bed looking out

Bonus room/Bedroom4

Miri on the stairs! Who could resist?

We've got ants.

Ugh.

Does this post look familiar to anyone else? Didn't we just talk about fleas?

So ants are making their way into our house. We've found just a few in Miriams bathroom the other day. Then three days ago they came in with a vengance into our bathroom to eat the cats food. I moved his food bowl(and relocated the rest that was left in into Ziploc bags). My relocation lasted all of -oh - one day and this morning there was a line of ants from the laundry room into the cats food dish in the kitchen.

So I need some ant traps.

I would call the office and ask for some ant traps except WELL...

Tecchnically we haven't told the office about our cat yet because, you see, we were supposed to have been gone from here by now...

Buying my own ant stuff is of course not a big deal (thank heavens they are not FIRE ANTS). Have to do that in a house anyway. It would be even less of a big deal however if I had not just shelled out a crazy amount in earnest money.

Whoo hoo Washington

Here they are! Lots of random pictures from WA!

Oh yeah - did you want to hear about houses?

Bill says: Banks are stupid-heads.

That about sums up our experience in the last couple of months with regard to houses.

After I spent all that time bringing you up to speed on our house hunting, I pretty much let it fall by the wayside while I went to Washington. And of course Washington ended up taking up my entire month of June (which I still haven't finished posting about). Our first offer died. The day after I got home we went out again (for the WHOLE DAY) and found another house to offer on. BUST (they didn't want to pay closing and we didn't offer them quite their asking price. When I say they I mean the bank. We're looking at several foreclosures).

After that we took a week off and then went out yesterday to look again. Pending further information we may make an offer on this house. . .? . . .! . . . . That is about all the excitement I can muster at this point. This house has 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a large kitchen, lots of closet space, a nice yard and a few issues.

Knowing what I know now that is all the information I am going to give you about this house. And besides, there is no "other house" for you to vote on this time. Sorry.

The Joy of Learning

In the last 2 or 3 weeks my daughter has morphed into a different person. I mean, she's still Miriam, with her adorable smile and laugh. She still loves to play with balls, eat cheese, and draw on everything. All of a sudden it feels like "hello Toddler." I'll admit it, I've been thinking of her as a toddler since about 10 months because that's when she started "toddling" around - but this is capital "T" Toddler-ness.

She is independent. She throws bigger fits about more things (Sometimes I really feel at a loss about what to do here). She has verbalized three new words (that I recognize) in the last few days; bubble, please, and pretty. She exhibits some signs that "I really don't like this dirty diaper mom." and if is allowed to run naked or with underwear comes to me and says "uh-oh" if she goes potty (but doesn't like to sit naked on her potty mind you).

She is brave as all get-out (that is - if you ask me. I am a bit of a wuss myself). We've been swimming in the pool and she amazed me at the face-in-the-water and scooting-off-dad antics. That's another thing. She was all about dad with the swimming. I hear that is an around two transition. "Daddy is awesome! Mom, make me some food."

Wow, kids are amazing.

Maybe I'll have another one.

We've got fleas.

Ugh.

Only half jokingly, remind me not to get any more animals.

In case you thought that maybe there was some quirky story to go along with my title. . . No, just we've got fleas courtesy of our newest household member.

At least, i'm guessing that is the reason I have 10+ bites on my upper thighs today. Bill found a flea on Mal and had some bites on his ankles the day (day after?) we brought Mal home. He had had flea medicine that day and we went and got him a flea collar. But, honestly, I thought that would be it.

I was wrong. They are still existing in...my bed? or my clothing bottoms? I dunno but uh I already had to wash a whole drawer (drawers are part of bed frame) of previously clean clothes after Mal peed in there. Now I'm thinking I need to wash up everything on/under our bed and set off a bug bomb? Anyone?

I didn't bother with before and after pictures

Three weeks ago I chopped off my hair! Decided to do it because of summer, and boredom...and to try and cut down on the many times my hair got yanked on every day. This next two pictures I just thought were good for illustrating the difference, though neither shows what I look like from the front. I love it!