h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

It's been literally months since I've added a new journal entry. For the most part, that's because I've had nothing (IMO) terribly important to mention. Work has been consistently busy, with little one-off projects thrown in for good measure, but nothing I can't handle. I still get some down time, at least. And it seems like I don't always want to park myself in front of the computer for any length of time once I get home.

We're still house hunting. The tax credit for first-time homebuyers has been extended into next year: we'd need to go under contract by April 30 and close by June 30 2010 to qualify. We've seen a couple of really nice ones, but at this point the ones K likes, I don't, and vice versa. I don't see a point in jumping on something that seems too small, and then being stuck there. A possible solution is to consider a condo- provided it's large enough and has sufficient storage and parking- and stay for a few years (satisfying the requirements for the tax credit) until the value increases somewhat, then using that as a down payment for a house. It's tougher than it sounds. Not that we can't afford a decent down payment, mind (what we have earmarked should cover 10%-20% of a reasonably priced home, when we're only required to have 3%-5%)- just that a lot of houses are still way overpriced, but condos have more or less bottomed out. Most sources seem to agree that condo prices will remain low for a bit, then slowly but steadily go back up, but house prices seem to being holding steady. Banks aren't approving that much loan any more, and I don't want to fork over all my savings for the down payment; I'd like to have at least 6-12 months' salary left in the bank afterward, for renovations/repairs or emergencies.

Not much else going on, really. We've got a holiday today, followed by a long weekend, and we'll be patching and painting the ceiling in our front bedroom. Last summer, the downspout on the roof disconnected, and some water leaked through to our ceiling (as well as through four window frames). Everything in one bookcase got wet, but everything was salvageable. Some of the paint, however, peeled away. It's been cracking for some time as a result of settlement in this corner, anyway, and being wet didn't help. So we've peeled a large patch away, covered any stains with primer, and now we paint over it. Big fun.

Earlier this month, we flew down to Florida for a few days to visit my parents, sister, BIL, niece and nephew. My paternal uncle came down, too. My mother was her usual self- not entirely pleasant- but such is life. It was fun seeing my dad, and the kids, and meeting my BIL for the first time. And they have a gorgeous swimming pool with a little spa pool attached on one side, which we spent hours in.

Of course I came home with a wicked cold and bronchitis, and I still haven't shaken the cough yet. Ugh.

That's it for how I'm doing lately. Didn't want anyone to think I'd fallen off the face of the earth. I've been a bit quiet around "Ask" again... some threads/ comments seem to have that old thinly-veiled 'Merikun bashing going again, and some others just seem pointless. When something does sound interesting, it often moves too quickly for me to keep up if I have a busy day or two. Oh, well.

Shakes finger admonishingly - Don't think your absence hasn't been noticed young lady!

Happy Thanksgiving anyhoo, glad to hear some news.




s off before you realise how rarely I post...

Happy Thanksgiving hun. I would write you a long newsy post, but I am tired. Had a nice family gathering though. Catch up with you soon.

PS point me toward some of that merkin bashing, I'll give them a piece of my mind.

Tut, such readiness for violence, typical American

^^^^^ ^^^^^^

Mala and Ismarah are right, JEllen, we have to set a good example and show these Yooropeans how well-mannered and averse to violence we are.

I ate way too much yesterday, which possibly reinforces that stereotype, but I don't indulge that way every day.

I also "inherited" a second-hand bread machine, used only once. I can't wait to bake some nice bread!!

Glad you had a good time!


lil xx

Thank you Lil! I don't even have a bellyache this morning. Off to indulge in some cold mashed sweet potato for breakfast!

Calling us peons now, eh?

knowing PC, she's probably calling us peas...

i'll get me coat

Whirled peas, anyone?

For that old cold, eat plenty of onions. Invest in a clatter of lemons, too - both of them work wonders.

I guess that should be raw onions, KB?

Glad you had a good time, PC. And you've already made good use of the bread maker, I know.

Raw or cooked. Better raw, though - there's less soluble waste that way. Luckily there's no law against eating mints.

At least not in Yooorp.

Any excuse for eating onions! I don't bother with the mints- people are less likely to bother me if I've got onion breath.

Yes, I did already try out my bread maker. The bread turned out really good!

We got the ceiling spackled yesterday, so today we paint! Hopefully it will only take a few hours, with drying between coats. We're invited to K's parents' house this evening for dinner.

Spackled. H'mmm. Sounds like a euphemism for 'drunk', not something to do with home renovations...

I'm in the mood to get spackled right now, to be honest.