Life has taught me to keep my expectations reasonably low. But that hasn’t prevented a string of crushing disappointments, on all fronts. If only I had Amazonium cufflets, to deflect all manner of assault. Ducking and covering just doesn’t work. I attract these sticky situations like superglue. Nothing is ever straightforward or simple in my life. On top of the single parenting struggles and the relationship woes, my current critical complication is housing-related. I’d already given up on the dream of selling my house, to relocate closer to where we actually spend our time. I’d come to terms with the fact that the housing market sucks beyond belief. But I thought I’d be able to refinance my original FHA loan and roll in the two home equity loans. That bubble burst after the appraiser dropped by. He thinks my house is worth just a little more than I paid for it. TEN YEARS AGO. And tens of thousands of dollars later. I’ve replaced the roof, the boiler, the hot water heater, the front steps, all major appliances, the kitchen floor, had the exterior repainted and more. But it was all for naught. Well, all the work has turned the house into a better home for my son and I. But it’s a home I can just barely afford these days. Refinancing could ease some of the pain, and keep me from hunting for a suitable roommate (I’m not convinced such a creature exists). Now I’m left wondering just when I became a debt zombie and whether or not there’s a cure.
Bonus: Alien squid vs. giant robots in tourism videos! HELL YES! Seriously, sign me up. And speaking of cephalopods, feel free to purchase this pendant for me.
Plus: A side effect from watching so much Dead Like Me? I seem to have a minor Mandy Patinkin crush. And there’s my continued Tim Roth crush, especially after watching back to back episodes of Lie To Me last night.
And: Currently enjoying the music of Blank Dogs and wondering if I can maybe get to their show Wednesday night. Even though I’m already seeing Morrissey tonight, and I have the evening off from parenting on Friday (with three shows to choose from). Too much all at once as always.
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We’re really terrified that we’re going to run into something like this situation with our house and weighing whether we should bother spending time and money fixing up the house when it may not equal the actual value when appraisal time comes. Being a grown up sucks sometimes.
Seriously, Mario, I am so sick of being a grown up. Particularly when there’s not another grown up to share the burden.
But yeah, that’s the dilemma with having a house these days. When I first bought mine I don’t think I ever imagined I’d live in it for A DECADE. When I closed I’d had something like a dozen apartments in eight years so and though I thought I understood the permanence of homeownership, intellectually, nothing prepared me for the reality of it.
I stumbled apon your pages and noticed you have a way with words. I may even follow up…to keep my own mind off thingz. See ya and Hi from cold cold Canada!
Listening to Morrissey never fails to uplift me and realize my life doesn’t suck so much — he always seems to be much more miserable than I am. I hope he has the same effect on you!
Heh, he did Maggie, he did. He really is a charming man. And I have other shows to look forward to this evening.
Need to see your face sometime soon though! I have news for you.
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