Thursday, June 25, 2009
Martyr
No matter how loudly the self-pitying egocentric martyr within me screams, I shall only regard the things that go well in my life, and do so fondly; the things that are true for me, and do so often; and the friends that are dear to me, and do so with great reverence. Grace shall grant me the perseverance, wisdom, patience and fortitude to deal evenly with all else.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Exploration
Whenever the inevitable wanderlust churns within my soul, I quell it with the gentle reminder that sometimes the best way to truly explore one’s inner self is to sit still.
Monday, June 22, 2009
It ain't real until you sign the paperwork!
Well hell, another snag...
The thing about going through a mortgage company - even though they may underwrite the loan themselves, they will still (generaly) go to another company to actually provide the funds. That is what happened to us - we were approved for financing from one source at 5%. However, that source is in danger of failing, so, as a backup, our man at the mortgage company went to another source to secure funding in the event that the first one failed. Thing is - that second company approved us at 5.5%, and they are requiring us to bump the dwelling coverage amount on our insurance policy. So, not only do we get to pay about $10 / month more for our insurance, we also get to pay $100 / month more for our mortgage payment as well, which, this being Seattle and all, is pretty substantial.
Everyone is working to make it so that in the case of our having to go with the second company (there is still hope that the first will pull through), enough money will be available so as to pay down the percentage points of our loan, from 5.5% to 5.25%. Just shaving off that extra quarter of a percent will save us $50 / month in loan payments. What really sucks, though, is that we may not be able to move into the place on our original date - and you know how much planning goes into that!
All this is why I always say - It ain't real until you sign the paperwork!
The thing about going through a mortgage company - even though they may underwrite the loan themselves, they will still (generaly) go to another company to actually provide the funds. That is what happened to us - we were approved for financing from one source at 5%. However, that source is in danger of failing, so, as a backup, our man at the mortgage company went to another source to secure funding in the event that the first one failed. Thing is - that second company approved us at 5.5%, and they are requiring us to bump the dwelling coverage amount on our insurance policy. So, not only do we get to pay about $10 / month more for our insurance, we also get to pay $100 / month more for our mortgage payment as well, which, this being Seattle and all, is pretty substantial.
Everyone is working to make it so that in the case of our having to go with the second company (there is still hope that the first will pull through), enough money will be available so as to pay down the percentage points of our loan, from 5.5% to 5.25%. Just shaving off that extra quarter of a percent will save us $50 / month in loan payments. What really sucks, though, is that we may not be able to move into the place on our original date - and you know how much planning goes into that!
All this is why I always say - It ain't real until you sign the paperwork!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Part Tres
Well - the time is almost upon us!
We agreed to a price, had the appraisal, had an inspection, gotten all of the major issues taken care of - now, we just have to wait to sign papers.
This has been a trying process for the two of us. Very emotional - from the high that we first had when we saw the place together, to the lows of the negotiation, to the almost endless waiting for the appraisal to take place (and be approved by the VA), to getting the inspection - and issues found as a result of such fixed. Now, on Wednesday, we get to sign papers, walk through the new house - and next weekend, we get to move!
Much fun, heartache, and (almost) tears. But I've faith that it will be worth it!
We agreed to a price, had the appraisal, had an inspection, gotten all of the major issues taken care of - now, we just have to wait to sign papers.
This has been a trying process for the two of us. Very emotional - from the high that we first had when we saw the place together, to the lows of the negotiation, to the almost endless waiting for the appraisal to take place (and be approved by the VA), to getting the inspection - and issues found as a result of such fixed. Now, on Wednesday, we get to sign papers, walk through the new house - and next weekend, we get to move!
Much fun, heartache, and (almost) tears. But I've faith that it will be worth it!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Hi-Spot cafe, Madrona
I've been to this place about four times now. We go there just because it's close and we enjoy strolling about the Madrona neighborhood. But on all three occasions, we've noticed the following:
- Wickedly long waiting times (exacerbated by a clientele that seems to enjoy lounging about for half an hour after they are done eating)
- Slow service; our waitress took five minutes to get us water, fifteen to take our orders, ten to deliver our check, and another ten to get our credit card back to us. For each one of these stages, there were people who were seated after us who received the same service before us.
- Mediocre food. We didn't have a single dish that we could not have done better at home for less cost and aggravation.
The pluses:
- Friendly service. When we did get waited upon, the waitress was very charming and accommodating.
- Food delivery. It didn't take long for the food to make its way out to us - once our order had been taken.
We'll be moving out of the neighborhood soon, so I severely doubt that we'll be going back to the Hi-Spot.
- Wickedly long waiting times (exacerbated by a clientele that seems to enjoy lounging about for half an hour after they are done eating)
- Slow service; our waitress took five minutes to get us water, fifteen to take our orders, ten to deliver our check, and another ten to get our credit card back to us. For each one of these stages, there were people who were seated after us who received the same service before us.
- Mediocre food. We didn't have a single dish that we could not have done better at home for less cost and aggravation.
The pluses:
- Friendly service. When we did get waited upon, the waitress was very charming and accommodating.
- Food delivery. It didn't take long for the food to make its way out to us - once our order had been taken.
We'll be moving out of the neighborhood soon, so I severely doubt that we'll be going back to the Hi-Spot.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Essential Bakery in Madison Park
First off, my wife and I have been coming here a lot over the past year and a half. This place used to be one of our regular stops on our way downtown into work in the mornings. The coffee's good, and they do a pretty good job with their freshly baked selections. As a cafe and a bakery, I'd say that this place is above average.
However, as a spot to grab brunch - I'd definitely pass. The brunch service was sloooow - I ordered French Toast, my wife ordered a scramble, the total order took almost a half hour to prepare - so much for keeping to a schedule!
When the food finally did come out, the two of us were greatly disappointed. My French Toast as either too crispy or too chewy, her scramble was a disheveled mess, and neither tasted all that great. For ten dollars more, the next morning we went to Flora down the street and had much better fare and quicker service.
We might come back to this place for coffee and pastries, but never again for brunch.
However, as a spot to grab brunch - I'd definitely pass. The brunch service was sloooow - I ordered French Toast, my wife ordered a scramble, the total order took almost a half hour to prepare - so much for keeping to a schedule!
When the food finally did come out, the two of us were greatly disappointed. My French Toast as either too crispy or too chewy, her scramble was a disheveled mess, and neither tasted all that great. For ten dollars more, the next morning we went to Flora down the street and had much better fare and quicker service.
We might come back to this place for coffee and pastries, but never again for brunch.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
