Blog Retired

This will probably come as little surprise considering the absence of new posts this past month, but I am retiring the blog. This is for the best. The blog was a critical player in retaining my sanity during the job search last winter and has been a great resource for keeping in touch from afar. At this point though, Adam and I feel very settled and happy here in Minneapolis and our day-to-day routines are no longer blog-worthy.

As proof, we threw a party last Saturday, and I'd guess we had at least 30 people in attendance throughout the night. That's 30 people we didn't know a year ago.

If I find I miss blogging, I may change direction and report on the mishaps and joy of planning a wedding. Ha! Not that the wedding blog is an original idea- there's practically an industry for it!

Thank you for reading. Happy Holidays. See you in 2010.

In happier news

I got my first "Happy Thanksgiving" from a co-worker!! (He's part-time and won't be in the office again until the end of the month.) I LOVE Thanksgiving. We'll be on the road to Pittsburgh this time next week, and I had the Nelson's lunch special today of a hot turkey sandwich with a side of stuffing.

I also found out that a friend's dad is a head balloonist for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, and there is a chance that, with those connections, come 2010 I can be a balloon holder in the parade. [Too giddy to finish typing.]

No house...

It's for the best. It was ours for the taking, if we wanted it, and I think that was what pushed us to finally make a decison. Not about do we want this house but do we want a house at all?

Yes, it would still be a smart investment. Yes, the $8000 tax credit and low interest rates make it unbelievably irresistible for first-time home owners to buy. But, when it came down to the wire, we weren't ready. We don't NEED a house. And, that was it. Cold feet- the timing wasn't right. Sure, there will be other houses, and sure, we'll find a great one someday. Adam says he won't regret passing this one up, but I'm saying goodbye to the dream that I'll see ALL my wishlist items again in one house.

Thanks to everyone who gave us support along the emotional rollercoaster ride of the last 4 days! (I'll rephrase: it was an emotional rollercoaster for me. I've been informed Adam doesn't get "nervous" or "devastated." Lucky for me that he balances me out!)

We put in an offer...

Who in their right mind buys the first house they see?! I'm feeling a little sick to my stomach, not so much from cold feet, but nerves about what will happen.Will she accept our offer? Will we get out-bid? Or what happens if all of a sudden we find ourselves home-owners and then-ohmygod-we bought a house?!

I'll report soon if a congratulations is in order. ;-)

Milestones: First Engaged and Now First Time Home-Buyers!

Ok, ok, I know I can't get carried away or emotionally attached to the first house we see BUT I am falling in love with the idea of becoming a home-owner! We looked at this house in the Uptown neighborhood, where we live now, for only $150,000 at 1,600 SF. When I first saw the listing online, I thought "too good to be true," so Adam and I swung by for the open house today.

Once we began chatting with the agent, we realized she actually owns the house. She is a full-time real estate agent who also specializes in flipping properties. I was totally buying into her pitch: she lives in the neighborhood and cares passionately about saving old homes from disrepair by restoring them. She did a wonderful job with the house and retained so much of the great character and craftsmanship in the period details that Adam and I are looking for. The house even has a fireplace!! [non-working :-(]

The price reflects the agent/owner's desire to have a quick turn over and that it is located in somewhat of a "transitional" neighborhood. It's by no means rough, but the block has a little ways to go before we could see a huge appreciation. Either way, this house is not staying on the market for long.

Timing-wise, we are about 4-6 months from really wanting to make a move pending our current lease on the apartment. Although, we do have the aritificial deadline of April 30 because we'd love to take advantage of the extended $8000 tax credit. I'm going to give myself tonight to "sleep on it" but I'm already planning where the furniture will go!

Reality check time: we applied online for a loan pre-approval.

I love when we win!

BEAT THE BENGALS!

How is it already mid-November?!

I'm woefully far behind in my blogging, and since no one's been banging down my door to beg for more, I'll just provide an update. (The alternative being post-dating all my past blog-worthy musings. Ugh, back log.)

• The holidays have started! We kicked it off, unknowingly, at a comedy show at the Brave New Workshop. I thought we were seeing improv when, in fact, it was the previews for their Christmas Spectacular, Brett Favre: The Immaculate Interception show. Even though they made jokes about the audience attending a Christmas show the week after Halloween, it was seriously funny and made me want to dust off the Christmas records. Johnny Mathis, anyone?

• Weather-wise, November has been better than October! Adam and I first visited Minneapolis a year ago this weekend (crazy, right?) and I remember it being a bitter 20 degrees. And, no, I don't think it "felt like" 20--there is a thermometer in the car.

• The movie An Education is a must-see. Much more than a coming of age piece set in 1960s England, the movie was sensational. The acting, in particular, was terrific. I won't say more except that I highly recommend it!

• We are driving to Pittsburgh in less than two weeks... turkey, here I come! Adam and I agree: it's our favorite holiday. The 30 hour round trip drive should be plenty of time to write new blog posts.

• I'm going to Atlanta for Christmas and DC for New Year's. SO. EXCITED.

• The $8000 first-time home buyer housing credit has been extended, and we are looking! MLS is my new best friend. http://msp.themlsonline.com/search/3844188.html