Long day.

We didn't' get everything we wanted to done yesterday. Things just took way longer than we (well, I) thought they would. Except closing...that finished about 2 hours sooner than I thought it would. After that, we went to lunch because we were starving, then went by the midtown location for hubby's work (they have a potty...where we had lunch didn't), then by his regular work for about 2 hours...which is where I found a jacket that matched the paint color I wanted (LOL!)...then to the new house to just make sure we didn't need anything else before going to Lowes, where we spent (not kidding) $675. OMG. We needed SO much. And some of it could have waited, and some DID wait (believe it or not), but some stuff, we just really needed. Like towel bars. And toilet paper holders. And new locks (more than we knew at the time-more in a minute). And light bulbs.

So we get done at Lowes and go to the house real fast just to get the scooter that we had parked in the garage, because we were going to a scooter club dinner. We don't unload anything...just basically pull in, get the bike and leave...but we had to cut through the house to get the bike (no garage door opener yet), so we know everything was normal then. We go to dinner. Gone about 3 hours or so. Come home (new house)...lock boxes are off the door. GREAT! Yay! They also took the "For Sale" sign that we had pulled and put on the front porch. Cool! I walk in and start trying light switches...none are working. Um, what? I see that the clock is still on the stove, though...so we have electricity...just no lights. Grr? We manage to get the garage door opened in the dark (not easy when you don't yet know where stuff is), and we turn on the headlights and find that when they took the lock boxes, they came INTO the house and flipped almost every breaker. NO clue why. And they didn't trip on their own, because we have had more lights than we had left on running for more time than that (during the inspection). Plus, it was JUST overhead lights...we haven't brought anything in yet that plugs in. So we get that figured out, get the locks changed...well, most. We had issues with the key on one of the new ones (it's cool...you can change the key that is used...but hubby did it wrong last night on the doorknob one and it wasn't working with anything), I got shower curtains put up so they won't stink as bad, and then we went home....at about 10:00pm. I had been up since 4.

The movers are coming tomorrow at 1:30. We still have to paint the living room and bedroom, and prep everything for them to come (empty dressers, clear surfaces, break stuff down that can be, etc), so tonight is gonna be a LONG night... Have I mentioned the 10 foot ceilings in most of the house and 11 in the living room? Yeah. Painting is gonna be fun...

So much going on!

Just need to get everything out.

We close tomorrow morning at 9 am. That would be 20 hours from now. I'm very excited, but very nervous, still. Out "bring to closing" money jumped up about $700 yesterday. Granted, I expected it to change some. But that is about a 35% increase. We basically have just enough to close, get things turned on (cable, utilities, etc) and get the things we need. We COULD probably wait on a few of the things for our shopping list, but they are so much easier to do BEFORE we bring in furniture and stuff. So, I have my fingers crossed that it might go back down a teeny bit...or at least not go up any more. Oh...and with 20 hours left, the fact that we still don't have final numbers is frustration in itself. Our bank is in Texas. We already have to call to get a wire transfer, because we can't get a certified check in time. To have it to them before closing, we have to arrange the transfer by 4pm CT. 4 hours, people. Not like no one knew this was happening tomorrow...

In other news...I'm starting coupon stockpiling. I've been thinking about it and reading up on how to do it for awhile now, but didn't want to start until we moved, since I really don't want to pack stuff. This way, I can just put it right in the new house (we officially move on Sunday). What this entails is a newspaper every Sunday to clip the coupons, an envelope to put them in for the week (my system...others have their own), and 2 websites that give me sale prices with the coupons, telling me the best time to buy, sometimes getting items for free, usually at 50-90% off! I think I'm going to start small. As we progress, we will see how it goes and if we actually use the crap I buy. I'm trying very hard when clipping to put only ones we will use in my weekly file, and I'm setting one up to do trades, too. I have no use for dog food or treats, but someone might...who can give me cat food and treats. Same with laundry soap. I'm allergic to everything but All...someone else can have Tide, Gain and whatever else is out there.

It's still cold here. Really cold. I'm tired of it, and ready for spring. But with spring, I know that means summer is coming...and summer in GA sucks. Seriously, anyone who says otherwise is lying. 100% humidity, 104* temps. Miserable. However, winter means I get static shocks every single time I touch something metal. And we get the previously mentioned freaky tornadoes and hail. Basically, I just hate GA weather. When it's this cold, it should be snowing. At least ONCE.

Oh...and while writing this, I talked to DH. The movers don't do Sundays (don't know why we didn't know that...it's a religious group/company thing...). DOH! They MAY be able to squeeze us in on Saturday, but Friday or Monday is better. So now Mike might be taking off Friday afternoon to move. 2 days early...with no cable or internet. Yes, oddly enough, this is the thing that bothers me most. No internet. But the painting/cleaning/etc should be done by then. Or at least, close enough to done that we can bring in furniture and just have to do touchups. And YAY that it's pretty cheap. $90/hour for 2 men with their own truck. For the small amount of furniture we have (which is all they are doing...we will do the little stuff in the PT and durango), she said 3 hours, no more than 4, maybe even 2. With a little bit of prep on our part, I think 2 is doable.

So, yeah. I'm moving Friday I think. Wow. I had more stuff to spew out here, but I've now forgotten what it was while I try to digest this news.

Randomness

I really have nothing to say in particular, but I haven't updated in awhile.

There were 12 tornadoes in GA the other day. We had softball sized hail. 2 broken windows and a ton of holes in the vinyl siding at the trailer. Nothing at the new house but rain, so that was good. We actually rode out the storm at DH's work. There was only golf ball sized hail there. Bunch of dings in the hood and roof of my poor little PT cruiser, but all windows are intact on both of our cars. And the dings aren't that bad, really. Here's a very riveting video of the whole thing.


In other news, we are closing in 5 days. I wish we could start moving stuff now, but oh, well. Maybe we can get things packed this weekend. I think we can live a week without some stuff. Might have someone looking at the trailer this weekend. They said they were going to, but they were Spanish speaking, and had their daughter on the phone with me to translate. Got the appointment set up, but then the mom called back an hour later and said "I'm confused...", so now *I'm* confused. Going to clean up anyway. Needs to be done. And maybe instead of cleaning, I'll just pack it all. I only need work clothes for 2 days before we can get stuff over there...and 4 before we are fully moved.

I'm so not motivated to work. That goes for both my regular job and ChaCha. Just not feeling it. I need to, though. Both of them. With ChaCha's recent pay cut, meeting my goal is going to take me considerably longer. I mean, it's still more than I'd have otherwise...but it's frustrating. I had gotten used to knowing I was going to get .20 per question. Now, I'm averaging .13, though, I really haven't been on too long since the change happened to be a fair gauge. I think I've done 40 or 50 questions since Wednesday? 61 for the week. Yup. That's motivation for you...

Ok..time to pretend I'm working. Maybe even ACTUALLY do something. Fun, fun, fun.

9 Days.

That's right. Single digits until we own a house...er, mortgage. But still.

I'm a little freaked and a lot excited. I wish we could start taking stuff over there. #1-it would get it out of my living room. I use the guilt factor on myself. If I see boxes that are packed, it reminds me I should be packing the rest of our crap. Then again, it really isn't working, since I have all of 10 boxes packed, I think? And we still haven't nailed down what day we are moving. We really need to get on that, I think. Oh...and #2-I only pack when I'm throwing stuff on the truck. I mean, I may need it up until moving time, right? Even if I haven't used it in months...I might now.

So, we have a closing time: 9 am on the 25th. Here is my tentative plan for that day:

1) Wake up at 5 am because "I'm too EXCITED to sleep!" (Normally reserved for Disney...but I think it fits here, too).
2) Early morning walk-through of the house...not that we don't go at least once a week to see it.
3) Drive to midtown for the closing. It's about the same drive as my normal to work (just a little farther), so we need to leave by about 8, I think.
4) Sign our lives away. I figure about 4 or 5 hours. Seriously...every closing I've been to (went with my mom and aunt when they bought their condo, and I closed for my mom when she sold her house here) has taken FOR FREAKING EVER, so I expect this to be no different.
5) Lunch. I'm a bitch when I don't eat. Really...this is an important step not to be skipped.
6) Driver's license place. I haven't changed mine in 3 years (since before we moved where we are now). I might actually do it this time.
7) Home Depot/Lowes/Walmart/Wherever for paint, curtains and doorknobs/deadbolts/locks.
8) OUR house...and start painting and changing locks, and any cleaning we need to do.
9) Sleep--because I think it'll be about 10 when we finish everything. Probably at the trailer, because I doubt we will move much before the weekend.

Thursday and Friday after work we will probably start moving some smaller stuff in the car/truck, finish up any other cleaning type stuff we want to get done before fully moving. Saturday, I'll probably start the bulk of the box/small stuff moving. I think we might be able to do the big furniture stuff on Sunday. If we can get a truck and movers (or really good friends that we can pay in pizza and beer-but I don't know if we have any of those!). I'm hoping to be completely moved by the end of the first week of March. I'm still trying to talk my mom into coming and bringing my niece for her Spring Break, which is March 13...so i want to be done before that. Though, I doubt they will come. :o( But it's worth a shot, right? I'll nag...I mean, ask...again today. DH will be THRILLED.

Oh...and some time in the next month I need to find the time, money, energy, and vehicle to drive to MD to pick up the fridge and bunk bed that my aunt got from my mom. Long, overly dramatic story...and she is trying to put me in the middle. Aside from the fact that it will cost me about $200 to go get it, I don't care about that, because I called my mom and told her I would get them for her...but ugh that I have to do it in March because she is moving in April. Which they decided AFTER we said we were buying. But whatever.

Math help for my ChaCha buds

Ok...so for those Non-ChaCha people, this will either be very interesting if you are a geek like me, or (more likely) very boring. If you ARE a ChaCha person...consider this a small way to at least get a FEW .20 questions.

I'm really only good at basic math, algebra and geometry. Trig and calculus are over my head. I passed trig in college, but I remember none of it...and calculus...well, it's why I changed my major back from Computer Science to Recreation and Tourism.

First, the links. I have 5 I use religiously.

Math.com- Has a basic and scientific calculator (I almost always use the scientific because it has a decimal point-for some unknown reason, the basic doesn't), has a section on the right for "Geometry" and a section if you scroll down a little for fractions. Those are the main parts I use, but peruse it and do some reading in your spare (yeah...right) time.

Equation Calculator-good for anything that has an = sign...except if it has division. If you get one with division, it takes an extra step, but you can put it in. Some entry notes: if someone sends something that says either 2xU2 or 2x squared, you enter this as 2x^2. To do multiplication, use *. You CAN have it solve for more than 1 variable, but it won't give you a number answer. And if you get something like 2x^2+x+4/3=3, multiply the 3 out and put 6x^2+3x+4=9 in the calculator. Or...if you don't want to multiply yourself, enter 3*2x^2+3*4+4=3*3. You DO have to get rid of the bottom of the fraction, but the rest it will do.

Factoring Calculator- good when they send you something without an = sign. This will simplify an expression (since it's not equal to anything, it's not an equation). Enter the same way as above. Also...there are other calculators on this site for things like greatest common factor, and least common denominator, etc. Peruse at your leisure.

Mathwords-Are they looking for a specific equation, or definition? Or, is there a word in there you don't know? Check here. It's basically a math dictionary in simple terms (mostly).

Root Calculator-There are square root calculators everywhere, but this one lets you enter what root you want. So if someone says the 4th root of 16, put 4 in the top box and 16 in the bottom...BAM. That's all there is to it.

100,000 pi digits-Exactly what it says. "What is pi to the 100th place?" Takes a little counting, but it's right there. To go with it, I use The history of Pi.


So, what type of questions do I get, and how do I do them? Here's the short version:

"Solve x^2-4"
Notice...no = sign. That means we go straight to the factoring calculator. Put it in and get this which says the answer is (2 + x)(-2 + x). Take that back to your guide console and say:
"The expression x^2-4 can be fully factored to (2 + x)(-2 + x)" plus whatever ending you like. That's it.

"Solve for x: x^2+2x-7=13"
We have an = sign...that means the equation calculator (equals sign=equation...see how that works?) Put it in right like that, and after much scrolling, we get: x = {3.582575695, -5.582575695}. That's your answer...link it and write:
"For the equation x^2+2x-7=13, x can be equal to either 3.582575695 or -5.582575695." Plus your closing.

"What is the slope of y=3x+7"
Slope, you say? What the hell is that? Head to Mathwords. There are 3 listed, but 1 you really need. If you just need to know what "slope" means, it's "Slope of a Line" in almost every case. But, if they give you an equation (like here), go to "Slope Intercept Equation." This is a fairly popular item, so if you learn to recognize it, it helps. You don't need to remember what it means...just the format: y=mx+b. There are variations: y=b+/-mx, y+/-b=mx...they all say the same thing. y=mx+b This says m is the slope (what you are looking for here) and b is the y intercept. That's all you have to give them. Here's your answer:
"The slope of the line y=3x+7 is 3, and the y-intercept is 7. " Closing...and you even gave a Wow, because you gave the y-intercept that they didn't ask for.

"What is the square root of 16541638463843561"
Some kid trying to play stump-the-guide. Guess what? We have calculators. Go straight to the Root Calculator. Copy/past their random string of numbers, put a 2 in the upper box. And I actually have this on clippings:
"The square root, which is any number multiplied by itself, of the number is . Keep ChaChaing!"
I put in the number (after "number"...see the extra space there?) and the answer (before the period...also extra space). Less than 30 seconds. I actually have this in clippings too:
The square root of pi is 1.772453850880186. Anything else we can answer for you today? Keep ChaChaing!
But I think it's a PAQ now.

"The length of a square is 2 times the width, and the area is 74. What is the length and width?"
Wow. Word problem. Looks hard. Guess what? It's really not. Area is length times width, but if you aren't sure, go to math.com, click Geometry, then Area of Polygons...it gives you all the various formulas. You have the area. Your length is 2 times the width. That's 2w. So 2w*w=74. Plug that into your equation solver...w = 6.08276253. You have your width. For your length, go back to the start: l=2w. Multiply your width by 2...you get 12.16552506. Here's your answer (and I usually use 2 links: math.com area of polygons and my equation solver)
"If the Length is 2 times the width, and area of a rectangle is l*w, 2w*w=74, giving you a width of 6.08276253 and a length of 12.16552506." Might be a few characters over, but you get the point.

"What is 15% of $75"
They are either looking for a sale price or a tip...so I give them both in one shot. Some it's easier to tell which (if it's 60%, you know it's not a tip). Go straight to the scientific calculator...do not pass go, only collect your .20 when you are done. :o) Enter this: 75 (times) .15 (equals). You get 11.25. That would be the "tip" amount...OR the amount of discount...so I go 1 step further (for the WOW): Subtract it out. 75-11.25=63.75. Here's your answer:
"Fifteen percent of $75 is $11.25. If you get a 15 percent discount, your price would be $63.75 plus tax." *closing* OR...I tell them how to do it:
"Fifteen percent of $75 is $11.25. This is found by multiplying 75 by .15, which is the decimal version of 15 percent." Either way, it's a Wow, since it's more than they asked for.

Ok...that's all the basic ones I can think of that I get consistently. If you have specific questions on these, you all know how to find me. :o) I will help where I can. For my Twitter buds...I don't get all messages to my phone, but I do get direct messages there...if you get stumped, I can try to help there even if I'm not online...but I go to bed at 10 and get up at 8-ish...so between those times, I won't reply. Good luck, peeps!

Life is good. And sucks. At the same time.

Ok, I'll start with the good, since it's a continuing saga.

We FINALLY have a contract. Nearly 2 weeks after the initial offer, it is signed, sealed, and delivered. YAY! We are closing on the house on Feb. 25! 3 weeks away! Also, we had the inspection yesterday. All looked good. There were a few minor problems, but nothing DH can't fix with a roll of duct tape and about $15 for each problem (about 5 or 6, total). No...really. The closest thing to a major problem is that under the front porch, it drains toward the house and pools there...just needs some fill dirt put in. So, all is well and we are go for moving!

Also, did you see that Universal Studios Super Bowl commercial where if you registered and were one of the first 100,000 you got a free 7 day 2 park unlimited ticket? I registered. And was one of the first 100,000. We were already heading down in May anyway with plans to just hang out, but now I think we are going to Universal, since we only have to buy one ticket. WOOHOOO! I've never won anything! OK...that is totally not true. But still. Winning is cool.

Now...the not so good. In fact, it downright sucks.

I also said about our friend's sister dying the other day. She left behind 3 kids. The oldest is 13. She is going to live with her dad now. The younger 2, well, they are being adopted by their grandparents, and will live with them and our friend (their aunt). Not only is the oldest going to live with her dad, he is taking her tonight. The night of her mom's funeral. When she should be with her brother and sister. She isn't even allowed to stay at the house with them-she has to stay at the hotel with him. Everyone thought she would at least get to finish out the school year here before moving...nope.

I'm sorry, but that is just cruel to this poor girl! Not only did she just lose her mom, but you are tearing her away from her siblings (the ones she should be closest to while going through all of this!), and her friends and the rest of her family that she has been with her whole life. I can see it already. She is going to end up stealing money and running away, and hopping on a bus or train to go anywhere. Or she is going to be a hellatious child. Are you fucking stupid to do that to your own DAUGHTER? Hasn't she been through enough this week? Give her time to deal with one tragedy before adding the next onto her!

My heart goes out to this girl. We wanted to take her and hide her somewhere. She's a good kid, but I can see that changing REAL fast. :o( And that's just not good.

I need a drink and to go to bed. It's been a long day.

Today's the day.

If we don't have a contract by 5pm today, we will have wasted $350, because I'm not waiting anymore for them to get their shit together.

On Monday, we got the full addendums. All 11 pages. They were also dated 2/1 and said we had to reply within 48 hours. I should point out we didn't get them until 4:45pm on Monday. Monday was 2/2. Yeah. They gave us a whole 12 hours to respond. But, respond we did. Signed everything, and submitted it first thing yesterday with a deadline of 5pm today. And our agent told us to go ahead and schedule the inspection for today. Reason? Well, they wanted a clean version(everything we went back and forth on taken off and just the final agreement on there) of the original offer along with the addendums. And since it was stuff already agreed to on that, and the addendums were theirs, once we agreed to those, it's mostly formality of waiting for them to sign. Something COULD go wrong...but it's unlikely.

But if it DOES go wrong, we are out the $300 for the inspection and $50 for having the electric turned on for said inspection. The dude will be there at 1 to check the place out. Mike and I went back last night and looked at it with the electric, made sure the heater was working, etc. We still aren't seeing anything major that we can't deal with. My fingers are crossed that we get the contract BEFORE he does the inspection...or at least before 5. Otherwise, I might have to kill someone.

I've also started shopping. I want this for one of the bathrooms (probably the guest one). I've also been looking at curtains. I think these in various colors depending on the room. I have a wish list going on walmart.com. I have not purchased anything yet, though. I'm a little panicked over closing costs, so I won't be spending anything until the 25th. Shopping til my hearts content...but not buying.

We also got 2 calls on the trailer yesterday. One might try to look at it this weekend, and the other, when I said what we were asking but we are willing to negotiate, he threw out a number that we had already decided was our minimum...but we would jump at it if it meant we won't have to pay for both at all!

In other news, I got an invite to my BFF's baby shower, and I can't go. :o( It's the 21st of this month (IE-4 days before our closing). And it's in Boston. There is just no way I can make it up and back in a weekend. Plus, we just don't have the funds for the trip this month. I thought it was going to be in May. Oh, well. I'll just go up this summer after she has the baby and visit. Since she just bought a house, I'm sure she can understand the timing is just not good for me. But it still makes me sad that I'll miss it. :o(

Other sad things: one of hubby's best friends (and a friend of mine, but they have been close since high school) is mourning the loss of her sister-who was also close to hubby. I met her once, and she was nice enough, but I didn't know her well. We will be going to visit Carrie today. She hasn't said when the service is...or at least, DH hasn't told me that. She died early yesterday morning after a long and painful illness. She left behind 3 kids, both parents, and her sister.

Ok...I'm crying again now, so that's it for today. I'll update with the inspection results/final contract news when I get them.