Thursday 13 (Late)

So, thanks to the wonders of myspace, I have been emailing my ex-boyfriend from college. Talk about a blast from my past. It's pretty interesting to discuss our relationship and breakup 7 years later, as more mature and experienced adults. There's definitely still some chemistry floating around, which is very odd. Have you ever had one of those relationships that seemed like it ended before its time? Like there was unfinished business between you? Where you always wondered why you ever broke up in the first place? That's how this relationship was for me. I'm sure nothing is happening, but it is definitely interesting to get closure and perspective several years later. If I do end up making a trip to Indy soon, I will definitely hang out with him.

As far as house news is concerned, I have talked to the real estate agent in charge of the development, and she provided me with a ton of information. It turns out that they have some models that are within my budget, which was a big relief. She told me about all the special offers they have, and I have to say, they seem pretty nice:

--the builder is paying all closing costs.
--if I don't use a realtor and just buy from them, they knock 2% off the cost of the home. (This will come out to about $2,500 in savings for me.)
--the builder has to pay a bunch of taxes by January 1. As an incentive to get people to buy, he is throwing in some free upgrades. The upgrades can be up to 2% of the cost of the home (So again, I am looking at $2500 worth of free stuff.)
--there is a special deal with the county where they will pay my 20% down payment. It is still a loan, but it's only at 4%. This way, I would avoid PMI.
--If I use their mortgage broker, I will save even more. So I am calling her today to see what kind of a deal she can give me. I want something that is fixed for the life of the loan. (After some thought, I don't think an ARM loan would be a good idea these days. Interest rates are slowly climbing, and I could get screwed.)

So this is looking like a pretty sweet deal at this point. I looked at the model home and saw the details--fixtures, finishes, appliances, etc. I have a pretty good understanding of what the house would look like and what upgrades I would ask for, etc. If I sign a contract by the first week of October, I will close on my house the week before my lease is up, which would be perfect timing. Since this is a huge decision, I'm not pressuring myself to make any moves by early October, but I am keeping it in the back of my mind. I'm getting kind of excited.

The Czarina thinks I should still look around for a while. She thinks I have not looked at enough houses. She wants me to get a couple different realtors to take me around and show me stuff. So that's what I'm doing today. I am going to make some phone calls. This weekend, I will probably be running around, checking out more houses.

For some reason, no one ever seems to believe me when I make decisions early and easily. They always think that I don't know what I'm doing. However, the thing is, I know it when I see it. I know instantly what I like and don't like, and I have very rarely been wrong with my initial decision. I'm not the girl who needs to "think about it" or hem and haw over a decision. Example: Sammy was the first dog I looked at, I knew he was the dog for me, the end. And I adore my dog. He's perfect.

Another example: I had a friend who was dying to get me to try sushi. I told him, "Look, I will not like it. I'm telling you now. It's not my thing." He didn't believe me, and dragged me anyway. And you know what? I hated it. Just like I said I would.

I don't understand why people think I don't know myself. I'm pretty much an expert at this point.

Anyway, I am actually ready to go ahead and sign on the dotted line with this house, but Czarina would freak. Since I have plenty of time and it can't hurt to look around, I am going to look at some other houses just to make her feel better about it. And I guess this is a little different than buying a dog. Ha ha!

Tonight I'm going out with MJ for a girl's night and tomorrow a bunch of people are getting together for Charleston Guy's birthday. I'm hoping to spend Saturday and Sunday afternoons looking at houses. So I will have a fairly social weekend, which is good. I have been Hermit Girl lately. It's time to break in my new shoes.

Now, when will I squeeze in gym time? (My motivation has definitely returned after kicking FedSucksy's ass the other day!) Hmmmm...

Anyway, I forgot to post my Thursday 13 yesterday, so here it is. It goes well with my one from last week.

Thirteen Ways I Will Never Be Like The Czarina*

1. My handwriting is legible.

2. I carry hand sanitizer in my purse.

3. I own more than 3 lipsticks and 2 eyeshadows. I wear purfume almost every day.

4. I do not find thong underwear "disgusting" and "tacky".

5. My room is always a total mess.

6. I have no problem with being a couch potato every once in a while.

7. Patience is not a foreign concept to me.

8. I can eat my weight in sugar.

9. Math will always baffle me.

10. The number on my scale is not the most important thing about me.

11. My purse is never organized.

12. I absolutely adore dogs.

13. I cry fairly easily.

*Please note that I do love my mother very much, and would be lost without her. But like most young women I know, my relationship with her is somewhat...complicated. And by that, I mean that sometimes, I want to kill her.