I got something notarized today.

And tomorrow I'm buying homeowner's insurance.

Posted by: Ensie at 07:34 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Our house was inspected today. Frinklin's Dad attended, as he is our real estate agent and works with the inspector quite a bit. Nothing came up that we didn't already know, which is good.

First the bad:

· The siding will likely need to replaced within the next few years. We saw that coming and planned for it.
· The pipes are steel and older, but in OK shape. We already planned on replumbing the house within the next few years.
· The widow frames need to be replaced. Not expensive, but hard work. OK by us.
· The stove, garbage disposal, and dishwasher don’t work. We’ll ask the seller to take care of these or kick in some money for replacements.

On the upside:

· The foundation is solid.
· The roof is less than 5 years old.
· The furnace works great and is relatively new.
· The insulation is great, as is the attic ventilation.
· The wiring is only 10 – 15 years old—newer than the wiring in my parent’s current home.

The bad things are definitely expensive things, but even if the house doesnÂ’t appreciate at the current rocket-fast rate, we should have the money to pull out to do the repairs within a reasonable amount of time. And if not, well, weÂ’ll deal with that when we come to it.

WeÂ’ll get the official report tomorrow.

Posted by: Ensie at 07:32 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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I don't like it when many larger earthquakes start happening over a short period of time in the same area. I know that scientifically it doesn't mean anything, but in my mind it somehow does.

Just felt the 5.3 NorthEast of Yucaipa.

The sensation at work (a few miles from downtown) was that of gentle rolling. In The Boonies, 30 miles closer to the epicenter, it was more of a jolt, reports my sister, Katie.

There have already been 15 aftershocks at this time:

MAG DATE UTC-TIME LAT LON DEPTH LOCATION
y/m/d h:m:s deg deg km

1.5 2005/06/16 21:20:43 34.051 -117.016 14.9 4 km ( 2 mi) NE of Yucaipa, CA
1.4 2005/06/16 21:19:18 33.953 -117.078 11.0 9 km ( 6 mi) SSW of Yucaipa, CA
1.5 2005/06/16 21:18:43 34.048 -116.993 11.3 5 km ( 3 mi) ENE of Yucaipa, CA
1.8 2005/06/16 21:17:37 34.062 -117.040 15.4 4 km ( 2 mi) NNE of Yucaipa, CA
1.5 2005/06/16 21:16:56 34.053 -117.040 14.7 3 km ( 2 mi) NNE of Yucaipa, CA
1.7 2005/06/16 21:14:49 34.126 -117.357 17.7 3 km ( 2 mi) NE of Rialto, CA
2.0 2005/06/16 21:13:05 34.052 -117.018 13.3 4 km ( 2 mi) NE of Yucaipa, CA
1.5 2005/06/16 21:10:26 34.058 -117.014 15.6 4 km ( 3 mi) NE of Yucaipa, CA
1.6 2005/06/16 21:08:47 34.051 -117.026 13.5 3 km ( 2 mi) NE of Yucaipa, CA
1.3 2005/06/16 21:06:51 34.063 -117.019 14.7 5 km ( 3 mi) NE of Yucaipa, CA
1.6 2005/06/16 21:04:42 34.052 -117.010 15.9 4 km ( 3 mi) NE of Yucaipa, CA
2.9 2005/06/16 21:02:30 34.057 -117.017 13.5 4 km ( 3 mi) NE of Yucaipa, CA
2.2 2005/06/16 21:01:39 34.052 -117.034 14.8 3 km ( 2 mi) NNE of Yucaipa, CA
2.4 2005/06/16 20:59:19 33.491 -116.493 3.3 18 km ( 11 mi) ESE of Anza, CA
2.2 2005/06/16 20:59:19 34.056 -117.010 19.3 5 km ( 3 mi) NE of Yucaipa, CA
2.2 2005/06/16 20:56:51 34.051 -117.024 16.3 3 km ( 2 mi) NE of Yucaipa, CA
3.5 2005/06/16 20:54:49 34.054 -117.005 15.1 5 km ( 3 mi) ENE of Yucaipa, CA
5.3 2005/06/16 20:53:25 34.058 -117.007 12.5 5 km ( 3 mi) NE of Yucaipa, CA

Posted by: Ensie at 02:24 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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We did it. The offer has been accepted. The inspection is pending. The earnest money has been deposited. We're in escrow. How did we do with our list of must haves?

· Fall within our very limited budget CHECK! (mostly)
· Have at LEAST three bedrooms and hopefully more than one bathroom--Three bedrooms CHECK!, one bathroom BLEH!
· Aren’t near the neighborhood crack-house (knocks two awesome homes off the list right there) CHECK and DOUBLE CHECK!
· Are more than 10 feet away from a six-lane highway CHECK!
· Have a fenced yard with plenty of grass for the dogs to play in (and for Frinklin to cut) CHECK!
· Are NOT haunted CHECK! (As far as I can tell)

It is also a Craftsman style home--something I have wanted as long as I can remember, it's in the place we've wanted to live all along (Proctor), it has character, the kitchen is reasonably sized (and has a dishwasher and a garbage disposal), it's 10 minutes from work, I can go up the staircase without whacking my head on the ceiling, and it's already wired for cable. What more could I ask for?

Well, I could have asked for hardwood floors, but I got laminate, likely with hardwood hiding underneath. Close enough.

House from the street:

The back side:

The living room and dining area:

Note the built-in dresser in the master bedroom:

Lastly, the view from our hotel room looking up toward North Tacoma (and our new house!):

Posted by: Ensie at 07:07 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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We found a house today! And then, we found another house!

Both houses are in the most expensive, most yuppified neighborhoods in Tacoma. How that happened is a bit of a mystery. Yesterday we were looking at cute but not so nice houses in South Tacoma, today we decided to visit Proctor and see two houses out of our price range. The next thing you know, the mortgage broker does some magic and *POOF* we're putting down an offer on one house and my parents are putting down an offer on another as a backup.

We actually had decided to put down an offer on house two first, but then saw house one and liked that one more.

House one is 105 years old, 1300+ sq. feet, two blocks from downtown Proctor, 11/2 stories, three bedrooms, one bath (couldn't get two), and looks to be in great shape. There are laminate floors (ew) and carpet inside. It is Craftsman style--what I have always wanted. The neighbors waved at us while we looked and children frolicked in the street. The house has been on the market for over 20 days and just dropped in price, so we're putting in a slightly lower offer and praying. We have a little wiggle room if necessary. The only reason it didn't sell immediately is the half-story upstairs. It has three rooms on that floor that are very small with 5 - 6 foot ceilings depending on where you are standing.

House two is 54 years old, 900 sq. feet, two bedrooms, updated wiring and very, very cute. The street is quiet and only 10 - 12 blocks from the first house. It is tiny, but very functional. It runs on an OIL furnace--something I had never heard of. It has fantastic hardwood floors. It has a detached garage. This house also just listed yesterday and an open house is scheduled for tomorrow. Let the feeding frenzy ensue. We'll be property managers if my parents purchase it. On the down side--it's very small, needs updated wiring, and will likely need to be re-piped within the next couple of years. Also, the odd oil furnace will need to be removed so that the everything can be converted to gas.

Both houses have somewhat updated kitchens, fireplaces, and nice backyards. The larger house has two moderately sized bedrooms on the main floor and an extra space for the washer and dryer. Each house also has a deck in the rear.

I will post pictures when we return. Please send prayers our directions when it comes to our offer being accepted and the inspection going well. We should know soon...

Posted by: Ensie at 08:07 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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I have only fallen in love a few times. Once it was with a girl named Katie. Once with my husband. And once with a house. Oh, I had crushes--there was red house with the fancy kitchen, and the yellow one that is still for sale (and dropping in price $1,000 each day) but is only pretty on the outside and smells like feet.

The house I really loved was waiting for me. It knew I was flying to see it tomorrow. But then, this morning, checking the housing listings in Tacoma as I do each day, I noticed something different. The house had gone INACTIVE. No longer on the market. Gone. My house had left me.

So now I have to find something else. There are other possibilities coaxing me in with their hardwood floors, promises of a washer and dryer that will remain, and sometimes even a view.

But it won't be the same. What do you think the likelihood is that it will fall out of escrow by tomorrow?

Posted by: Ensie at 07:10 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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We're actually leaving on Thursday to house-hunt in Washington. Over the next three days we need to find all the houses that we could live in. Well, all the houses that we can live in that:

· Fall within our very limited budget
· Have at LEAST three bedrooms and hopefully more than one bathroom
· Aren’t near the neighborhood crack-house (knocks two awesome homes off the list right there)
· Are more than 10 feet away from a six-lane highway
· Have a fenced yard with plenty of grass for the dogs to play in (and for Frinklin to cut)
· Are NOT haunted

I will again conduct the the great off-site blogging experiment, so you may get an update or two while weÂ’re there.

Wish us luck!

Posted by: Ensie at 09:00 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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A play in four acts:

ACT I

Thursday. Propane is on. All seems well. Showers taken today = 2 (1 Ensie, 1 Frinklin). Mood at Ensie's house: worried.

Frinklin: [entering laundry room] Do you smell propane?
Ensie: [also entering laundry room] Definitely. Lets call The Boonies Propane Co.
Frinklin: I'll turn the propane off at the tank.

The propane to the house is turned off and the propane company is called. Frinklin is assured that it will be a priority Friday morning.

ACT II

Friday. Propane has been off for 12 hours. Showers taken today = 0. Mood at Ensie's house: annoyed.

Ensie: [to Frinklin on phone] I thought they said it would be a priority. It's 10:30 and I haven't heard anything.
Frinklin: You should call them again.

Ensie: [to The Boonies Propane Co. on phone] Are you sending someone out? Our propane has been off for 12 hours...
The Boonies Propane Co. Secretary: Um, we don't check appliances. You need to call a repairman.
Ensie: Really? You were just here a few weeks ago checking our stove?
Boonies: Um, we charge $48 per hour to check for leaks.
Ensie: I wasn't charged last time.
Boonies: Um, let me check with my manager [two minutes elapse]. I don't know why you weren't charged last time--it was a billing error.
Ensie: What? I'll call my landlord. This is ridiculous.
Boonies: OK. Thank you for calling, goodbye!
Ensie: [to dialtone] I hate you.

ACT III

Propane has been off for 13 hours. Showers taken today = 0. Mood at Ensie's house: PO'd.

Landlord (aka Ensie's Mom): [to Ensie on phone] They won't what?!?
Ensie: I know!
Landlord: I'm calling them. Idiots.
Ensie: Let me know what you find out.

Ten minutes pass.

Landlord: I told them to get out there and check for the leak. We'll just pay whatever. How can they NOT check for leaks? What if you die? Then what will they say?
Ensie: Exactly.
Landlord: I called The Other Propane Company and they told me that they will check out leaks for free and said you don't have a big enough propane tank, and that may be why you are ALWAYS running out of propane. We're switching companies once this is sorted out.
Ensie: Thank you! I hate The Boonies Propane Company.

ACT IV

The Boonies Propane Company Guy arrives at 4pm. Propane has been shut off for 18 hours. Showers taken today = 0. Mood at Ensie's house: grim.

Propane Guy: Where did you smell gas?
Ensie: The laundry room.
Propane Guy: Well, I'll turn on the propane. Let's check it out.

Propane guy starts the propane flowin' and finds...nothing.

Ensie: I swear I'm not crazy. My husband and I both smelled it last night. We cleared out the room with a fan and then closed it up and smelled it again. Please don't think I'm crazy.
Propane Guy: Oh yeah. Didn't I just check your stove a month ago?
Ensie: [voice rising] Um, yes, and I know you didn't find anything then either, but it was there last night!

Propane Guy humors Ensie and takes apart the dryer and checks all the connections. No leak is found.

Propane Guy: Well, if you smell anything more, turn off the propane and call us.
Ensie: [under breath] Will you be out in less than 12 hours next time?
Propane Guy: What?
Ensie: Nothing. Not crazy! I swear!
Propane Guy: Sure. Call if you smell anything. Actually, call if you smell PROPANE.
Ensie: Oh ha-ha. Thanks.

Propane Guy exits.

Fin

Damn it. I can't wait to move.

Posted by: Ensie at 05:40 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Congratulations to Anurag Kashyap of Poway for winning the 78th Annual National Spelling Bee.

Here he is, braces and all, holding his trophy aloft.

I grew up in Poway and The Boonies, where I now live, is "just up the hill." That's a big clue to anyone who lives in the North County of San Diego.

Anyway--congratulations Anurag! Appoggiatura!

Posted by: Ensie at 05:10 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Dog Beach in Ocean Beach is one of the best things about living in San Diego. On a warm day it's heavenly to take the pups out to play.

Jeffrey and Matchbox, terribly sad that we were dressing to go out, which usually means that they will be staying home.

Once the leashes go on Jeffrey takes control.

Dogs in the surf.

Matchbox, very happy.

Jeffrey

Run!

After the initial run through the breakers, we head for the calmer waters near the jetty.

Heading home.

Posted by: Ensie at 06:49 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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I think I've sufficiently recovered from my trip. I'm still exhausted and the time change is still fucking with me, but I'm here. I was going to post something real today, then my neck developed a HUGE cramp or something, so now I'm going to spend the evening lying down with a heating pad.

Tomorrow I'll post pictures of our trip to Dog Beach on Memorial Day.

Posted by: Ensie at 07:07 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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This is the first chance I've had to blog and I've managed to avoid all of the weird computer issues I was having at the hotel. Their wireless network apparently couldn't handle 60 people all trying to log on at once.

I'm at the Dallas/Fort Worth airport in Texas. My plane is delayed. I am not pleased about this. They are closing the McDonalds next to me.

I did, however, find Auntie Anne's Pretzels while here. Good stuff. However, I'm facing the pretzel booth and the creepy pretzel guy keeps staring at me. He's already asked, "How you doin'?" once. I think it may be time to leave the food court and head for my gate.

I have gotten less than 5 hours sleep each night I've been away, last night I hit my worst night--3 hours. The time change from California to the midwest has just killed me. Once I'm on the plane I can sleep...

Hopefully I'll have time to put in a real blog entry tomorrow.

Posted by: Ensie at 07:46 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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This is not actually Ensie. This would be husband Frinklin. Ensie is in the wilds of whatever mysterious midwestern land that Bob's Hogs is located in, and despite having the super-fancy laptop, she is unable to blog.

She wants to though. And don't worry, I'm sure she will return with interesting stories. From what I understand, a BHWP business trip is a touch more like Summer camp that previously thought.

And yes, I will tape the Lost finale for her. I won't even watch it.

I mean, I will when she's here, not before.

Posted by: Ensie at 08:10 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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1 Ironic also that BH&WP has free wifi in its stores

Posted by: eden at May 24, 2005 08:40 AM (M2PUd)

2 awwwwww, it's true love.

Posted by: Dawn (webmiztris) at May 25, 2005 11:23 AM (l3OMK)

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I love Lost.

My husband loves Lost.

We always watch it together.

Next week is the two hour season finale.

I will be on a business trip in another state.

Dammit.

Posted by: Ensie at 09:05 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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Holes in the linolium. Cigarette burns in the "new" carpet. Burn spots on the counter tops. A very bad smell. Twenty five feet from a six-lane highway.

These are all characteristics that my dream home apparently has.

Damn.

The in-laws checked it out for us earlier today and said it is a dump. I have gotten over my terrible house crush and am moving on.

The District Manager responded to my request for an official letter stating I have a job--she said she'd send it ASAP. I have a job! (even if I don't know the details yet!)

Posted by: Ensie at 07:38 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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I found a house. A house that is just about within what I imagine our price range to be. A house that has been dropping in price daily. A house the seller is desperate to get rid of. A house that is everything I have ever wanted in my first house (plus a finished basement as opposed to a scary, serial-killer inhabited basement). It is absolutely wonderful.

I emailed the District Manager of Bob's Hogs in Washington tonight to ask for an official job offer letter so that we can get prequalified for a home loan. I'm now frightened to death she'll be emailing me back something awful to the effect of, "While I know I said I would transfer you up here, I still don't know for sure the details or if I'm ready to make a real job offer."

Please God, don't let that happen. I couldn't bear it.

Real estate agent has been called. Mortgage broker phone call arranged for tomorrow.

Waiting on the official job offer...

Posted by: Ensie at 08:43 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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1 Oh my gosh! This is so exciting! Tell me more about the house! And let me know what happens with the job letter. My fingers are crossed so hard they hurt!

Posted by: Violet at May 16, 2005 06:51 AM (HhDyc)

2 Maybe it's haunted

Posted by: eden at May 16, 2005 07:50 AM (M2PUd)

3 Vi--I will keep you updated. Eden--Don't say such things! I live in fear of moving into an old house that is posessed. It's bad enough it has a basement.

Posted by: ensie at May 16, 2005 08:56 AM (0Y/90)

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It is officially Spring/Summer in So Cal. The Jeffrey loves nothing better than melting into a pool of brindle puppy in the sunshine.

Posted by: Ensie at 02:09 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Tuesday, while making deliveries in my car, the odometer readout reached the 70,000 mile mark. I continued to drive, acknowledging the milestone, and duly noted that I should make an appointment for 70,000 mile maintenance soon. We drive our cars A LOT, averaging just over 30,000 miles per year, so our maintinence needs don't match up with most drivers.

As Frinklin and I carpooled home, I reminded him that we needed to schedule a check-up for the Beetle.

As we walked into the house that evening, the phone rang. Frinklin rushed to answer it while I turned on the computer and let the dogs out. He declined something several times and stated that we would call soon. As he hung up, I asked him who was on the phone.

"Drew Volkswagon, wanting us to know that we were due for our 70,000 mile maintinence and offering to schedule an appointment."

How the fuck did they know? Am I being monitored?

Posted by: Ensie at 07:48 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Have you ever received an e-mail from someone at work, usually a superior, that just sets you on edge, even if you have no idea what it's actually about?

Today I received just such a vague e-mail from one of the big-wigs at
Bob's Hogs, lets call her Jane. The e-mail read thusly:

Ensie, I have a matter that I would like to discuss with you. Can you please give me a call, I'd prefer not to do it via e-mail.

I called Jane immediately and, of course, got voicemail. I left a message and called her cell phone. No answer. I began to panic. What could it be about? Did I get busted for checking my blog on my new laptop? Nabbed for sending mean e-mails to a few people about the Director of Everything Ensie Does resigning yesterday? Is she going to tell me that I should give up, as I suck at my job? Maybe she just needed to explain why I wouldn't be a likely candidate for the job I want in the Seattle area. The possibilities were limitless!

Jane, fortunately, had not left for the day and returned my call pretty quickly. It's amazing the frenzy I had worked myself into in just a few short minutes.

Jane: "Hi Ensie. I have a strange question for you."

Me: "Sure, what do you need?"

Jane: "I was wondering if you would be interested in relocating in your current role to another area?"

Me: "Um, would this be the area I'm alreay likely to relocate to--the Pacific Northwest? I've been looking at a couple of positions there."

Jane: "Ah, no. I'm actually not at liberty to say where it is. I just wanted to know if you would be interested."

Me: "Hm. Unfortunately no. Due to some family health issues, I am only looking to move to one area of the country."

Jane: "OK."

Pleasantries were exchanged and we discussed a few other minor matters, but that was the whole point of the call.

Now I am desperate to know--where the hell is this job, and why did they want me for it?

Posted by: Ensie at 07:37 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Posted by: Ensie at 06:32 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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1 Edenza is a Collosal Dragon that breathes Poisonous Gas, has Dozens of Tentacles and Crablike Pincers, and can Leap Great Distances and Change Shape. Ensie is a Giant Ape that Hovers Eerily, has a Swirly Hypnotic Gaze, and can Phase in and out of Existence. When attacking:- Strength: 13 Agility: 6 Intelligence: 9 When defending against Edenza:- Strength: 8 Agility: 10 Intelligence: 5 Edenza wins! *flex* King Kong ain't got shit on me!

Posted by: eden at May 11, 2005 08:34 PM (M2PUd)

2 Dammit! I wanted to be the dragon!

Posted by: ensie at May 11, 2005 09:04 PM (4k5pf)

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