House Shopping

[boo]

:unsure: No not i. :)

Woo Hoo, hey Aud!!! How is the house shopping going? Have you found something that you love yet?

[jennie]

From what you've said about your neighbors, you should be!:ph34r:


I was thinking the same thing, wondering if Aud had any more interesting houses for us!

Any ghosts?:p

[boo]

:lol: :lol: no kidding. We have plans to move but this house was built by my great, great grandparents so there is a bit of attatchment. We want to keep it and buy a new one. :ph34r: so that means a bigger down payment because we won't have the escrow from this one. we will move someday or die here :um:

[jennie]

well, maybe you'll win the lottery:grin:

[boo]

It is on my to-do list. :grin:

[jennie]

In order to win you either have to be really old or not really need the money...it seems to always work that way:rolleyes:

[Sneezie]

Hmmmmm in that case Jennie maybe I can win the lottery. I`m old!! hahahahahahaha:lol: :lol: :lol:

[Audwoman]

Boo, I can understand your attachment to your house. I only have history of living here for 20 years and I am having a heck of a time letting it go. I do not know if I could move if it was a family property even if Satan moved next door.

I Have not found one I love. But I did make an offer on one. We went back and forth for two weeks and after the home inspection I backed out. That was house #1 the one with the wrap around sun room.

It had a Well that had to be capped and other issues that were going to be quiet pricy and the seller did not want to lower the price to get me to where I wanted to be. My realtor also advised me that if they did not come down or correct the issues it was not a good price. So I walked away very sad. But I am not going to over pay.

I looked at a couple houses yesterday that I would need to hire a builder to redesign to meet my needs. The realtor also found two that builders had went bankrupt and did not finish. They both had at least an acre and in affluent neighborhoods. I do not know if I would fit in with those affluent people. :lol:

I am certain that when the right house comes along everything will fall into place. Am I living in "Fairytale Land"? Nothing is ever easy :blush:

.

[boo]

I am certain that when the right house comes along everything will fall into place. Am I living in "Fairytale Land"? Nothing is ever easy

Noooooo :( I totally believe when its the right place you'll feel it and everything will fall into place. :) really

[grindle]

I'm sure the right place will turn up soon Aud, good luck with the hunting:)

[jennie]

I agree, when its right everything will come together as it should.:hug:

[Audwoman]

From All Your Lips to the Almighty's Ears. I hope so.

At first I was excited, then I have gone to hurried, then to disgusted, now I am just plain tired. I would like to stop but I cannot step back because I really need to do this move now. I hope something comes along soon.

[Gregory]

Well at least it sounds like you have an excellent realtor. Count yourself lucky.

Gregory

[Audwoman]

I looked at 6 today these are the three considerations. All are at least 1 Acres of land and 4 bedrooms. None of them have my wanted Greenhouse or sunoom. So I will have to build that on.

#1 3 acres - This one will be my first choice - The pic makes it look small but this is the larger sq ft house than the other 2 and the most land. 3 acres of flat land. YEAH!!!!

#2 2 acres - this is my third choice - I have a lot of trees that have to be removed.

#3 1 Acres - This is my second choice but most of that acre is a hill that is totally useless for gardening.

[MaryG]

I don't really like the one in pic #3 - it looks like it's be hard to care for the house, probably too many stairs inside.

House #1 looks like the best choice to me too.

[boo]

2 looks the most interesting to me but its not a full pic.:unsure: nice roof :lol:

[DandyLioness]

Actually, I like the looks of the #3 house. Too bad about the property tho. # 2 , with the major peaked roof, looks like it's ready for a hunker-down snow storm.

Gee, I wish I could shop around for a new home. I picked out what I could afford - several years ago.... and worked with it, to get it up to speed.

[terese]

I like 2 also, it's got the most personality. :blush:

[Audwoman]

That is my problem Dandy, I am trying to find something I can afford, I do not mind the fix-up part. I sorta like the make it "my own" than something perfect. Plus "perfect" cost alot more.

[grindle]

house #2 looks interesting, I love all the trees around it:blush:

[donybee]

If you find one that just hits you between the eyes, I'd buy it no matter what. I looked at a house a few years ago that really hit me. It needed alot of work but would have been worth the time and effort. I decided not to buy it as I'm getting too old to do all the work myself.:lol::lol::lol::lol: Now I kick myself as that house is so great and it was purchased for only 35,000. Not bad for an old Victorian home. Lots of luck Aud, hope you find one soon.

[Ginny42]

I was waiting for the others to comment first, I saw the pictures last night.:lol: I like #2 also, that is if the roof is in good shape. If you need a new roof, the roofers will charge you a small fortune with that pitch.;)

[buster]

#1 looks like it would be the easiest to maintain and would be my choice of these 3. Connie

[jennie]

I agree with buster. Something about #1 just says "homey" to me.

[Audwoman]

I decided not to start a new topic. Had a bad experience.

I have been quiet about the house thing because I am licking my wounds. This is what happened.

I finally found the house. Made the offer and things were moving along. I started setting up the movers in two months. (I needed time to get things together and it was being planned for when I was not traveling)

I was getting the property from a couple in the process of divorce. Needless to say it got "UGLY". He was in agreement then I guess something snapped when he realized it would really happen. He broke things in the house and went on a drinking bing and made threats. Not to me but the Realtor.

They are now in legal Hell. I have stepped back. I am out searching again.... The realtor seems to think he is going to draw it out in court. The house was his family house and he is taking it personal now. In the beginning I think he did not think the wife would go all the way it was a "barginning chip". The wife called me asked me not to backout but I will not get into that situation. I told her if I have not found something else when he goes to normal mode I will consider them. Until then I am back on the search.

I do not feel bad. I figure it was not meant to be. When the right property gets me it will be wonderful. I have been keeping a journal. It will be fun to look back on this journey. :lol:

[Paula Roberts]

aud, sorry to hear about the house. This one we moved in to last year - it was the streangest thing. It is a 3/2 on an unfinished basement. the owner is also the builder. he and his wife built it and lived in it for 4 years and then decided to get a divorce. he was asking an "as is" price, and then added in that he'd finish the basement for another 9000.00. we offered him his "as is" asking price with a contingency that he also finish the basement at no extra charge. Keep in mind, it was his asking price. He figured he'd counter for half the difference. My realtor called us up one day and said "Are you feeling lucky? You need to play the lotto cuz this is your lucky day. His counter offer was 7000.00 below the asking price and he said he'd go ahead and finish the basement at that price. yep, we snatched it up. and were afraid up until the closing that he'd realize that he'd made a huge mistake, or the realtor would say Psych! Turns out he low balled it because he was so mad at his wife that he was willing to take a loss, just so she couldnt make any profit off the sale. the price we ended up paying is what he owed. Go figure. Hope if this house is meant for you it will work out, and if not, the right house finds you soon. I got so tired of looking at houses.

keep your chin up.
paula

[MaryG]

Aud what a mixed up situation, you were smart to back away from it and continue your search elsewhere. When you finally do find the house that's right for you we'll probably all love it as much as you do. Keep your chin up, it'll happen when it happens.

[grindle]

It was the best thing to do, disappointing, but, moving is stressful enough without the added problems. I hope you find another one soon

[boo]

My goodness that sounds like War of the Roses. :o I don't blame you for not being to optimistic about that house. I hope things work out & you find the house of your dreams without the fighting couple hanging from the chandelier.

[Rich]

We've been looking half-heartedly around here, but there are no houses within our budget in the areas that we like.

When we look seriously, it will probably be further west, Devon seems favourite at the moment (sorry Grindle). We want to be close to our daughter, but not too close.

We saw a great house, exactly what we want and so cheap with 8.5 acres!!! in a village in the middle of Dartmoor. It was wonderful, except for a snag, we found it belonged to the Duchy of Cornwall (Prince Charles), so, not only did we have to buy it, but we also had to pay £4,400 a year ($8,800) with a review every 3 years. No thank you.

[grindle]

:o:lol::lol:
Where abouts near Dartmoor were you looking. I tell you Rich it's the best decision we ever made, the Tamar Valley is beautiful, plenty of pretty villages and close to Cornwall, so you have the best of both worlds;)
I used Rightmove, found it nice and easy to locate plenty of property

[erdine]

our son in Vancouver wants us to move over to the Lower Mainland when DH retires. I love this house, but it's tempting, I have 2 sisters over there as well. but then have 1 sister and 2 brothers here. I wouldn't want to live in Van. proper, but there are a lot of smaller communities over there. it's also closer and easier to get to Calgary where DH's family is.
good luck Audwoman. I hope you can get settled soon.

[Audwoman]

Thank you all for your encouragement.

Paula, that was a great deal. A friend of mine was car shopping and found a divorce couple selling a Mercedes for 10 thou. It was 2 yrs old and she thought something was wrong with it so she had a mechanic check it out. It turned out the wife was selling the ex-husband things that she had gotten in the divorce and she knew it would make him angry that it was sold cheap. :lol:

Boo, "War of the Roses" Yep that was what it was turning into. I drove past the property the windows were broken. They were beautiful and part of the selling point. I was told he was going around the house destroying anything he thought would cause the most damage. His wife said he is a spoiled, cheating brat, and his daddy buys him out of everything. He does not work so he has plenty of house tear up time.

I think she needed to find that critter a job. He would be to tired to cheat and tear up the house. :lol:

[Rich]

I used Rightmove

That's what I'm using, but we'll get the wedding out of the way first, tart up the house a bit and start looking in 2008.

[Gregory]

Audwoman, you where smart to get the heck away from that deal. I really respect the fact that you are waiting for the perfect house and not just buying something you can live with. I think I have asked before, but do you have a real estate agent you trust? If you do, you are lucky.

Gregory

[Audwoman]

Gregory, I am doing what Realtors hate. I am working with a Buyers Agent and a Realtor. I had a very good realtor and he was the best. He past away a couple years ago. He loved his job and cared about fair market value. I have not found a realtor that seems to care past their commission. I drop them when they try to talk me into a deal that I know is not worth fair market value.

The realtor I had that died was the best he would find things that I did not think to look at before I made an offer. It is sad how our society has changed.

[grindle]

Ah yes you have a busy year this year. Good luck, hope you find what you're looking for Rich

[jennie]

Sorry to hear about that aud, definatly a war of the roses thing and you do not want involved with that. Hopefully the right house comes alonge soon! :hug:

[DigginIt]

I was in training this week, for work, and they had a session that covered the concerns about increasing foreclosures. Tons on variable rate loans were granted to subprime borrowers about two years ago (mainly granted by banks and mortgage brokers), and the rates will be adjusting upwards within the next year. These people could barely afford their mortgage payments when the loans were granted, and when they see their payments increase by 50%-100% there will be no way they can keep their heads above water. You may want to keep a close watch on the markets, and see if the local banks provide foreclosure lists. Credit unions haven't really been in this market, but out concern is that second mortgages and home equity loans granted by credit unions may be going belly-up when the first lien mortgages (granted by other financial institutions) reprice to unaffordable levels.

DigginIt

[boo]

Ooo Dig, thanks for this juicy little bit of info. As depressing as it is for some that got me rather excited. :blush:

[Audwoman]

Well after months and months of the crazy house hunt. I went with #2. Made the offer and it has been accepted.

If the home inspection comes out right I have found the house of my dreams or the house I can make my dream. It needs work but it has such character and it feels like home.

Remember it is the one that everyone said "Big Roof"? :lol:(see the first page of this post for that pic). The roof pitch is because it is a slate roof. Which is good because they are good for 100 yrs.

It is 2 acres, 4 bedrooms, 3 car garage, a Sunroom for my plants that is big enough for my tropicals until I can get my greenhouse built. A pond and a swimming pool that the builder said is going to cost a fortune to fill because it is so big. But that will become a big pond with waterfalls.

Here are some better pics.

[boo]

omg, Aud!! It's beautiful! It has so much character and looks like the perfect house for me.. :unsure: I mean you :blush::lol: Honestly, it's a beauty and I would consider it 'dream home' worthy too.

:thumbs: I know your going to make the grounds beautiful. :hug: Congratulations. I'm so glad you found this gem.

[boo]

:well: Is that a basketball headboard on the back of the house?

[Ginny42]

WooHoo! WTG Aud! I hope it all goes through for you. I love that window in the back, it must really let in lots and lots of light, and think of all that property to fill! You'll have a ball planting those gardens.;):grin:

[Audwoman]

:well: Is that a basketball headboard on the back of the house?

Yep remember my PM about the bad people that they had to throw out. :lol: That will come down.

Ginny that is the door off the living room leading to the back patio. It is gorgeous the light and the iron work in the door looks great. The ceilings in the living room are 10' high and vaulted.

OK everybody pray the inspection works out. I am excited.

[DigginIt]

House looks great.
Wish you luck with the inspection.

digginit

[springsprunginmy<3]

Ok ...fingers are crossed....WAY TO GO AUD !!! I wish you the best with your new hone, it looks so homey, and i can just see all the fun you will have sitting on the porch looking out to your gardens...cant wait to see all you do with the yard !!

[jennie]

:drool: Its gorgeous! I hope the inspection goes well and things move quickly for you.



BS party at Auds!!

[grindle]

:thumbs:fantastic house Aud, I have fingers legs toes and eyes crossed for you:lol::lol:
Don't for get my invite when you have the housewarming:p (I'll bring my spade)

[MaryG]

Congrats Aud, that looks like it'll make a fine home for you and yours! I can really relate to the slate roof lasting so long, I just paid for a new roof on my house and would much rather have spent the money on something fun.

[moonbaby]

:banana::banana::dance: Glad you found it Aud! Love that door in the back too! I could see a nice deck there leading to fantastic gardens!:grin: I hope the inspection goes great and you get everything you want!:hug:

[Wingdesigner]

OK, just read this thread--how did the inspection go? Or is that somewhere else and I missed it again? Will you be in by Christmas? Moving in snow, what fun.:rolleyes:

[Pennylee]

Congratulations ! We'll need lots of pictures here now so we can keep
right up with the transformation.








Benny, kelpie/malamute puppy belongs to granddaughter and partner.

[Wingdesigner]

Oooh, what a pretty one he/she's gonna be when they grow up. I looove red dogs!

[Audwoman]

OK, just read this thread--how did the inspection go? Or is that somewhere else and I missed it again? Will you be in by Christmas? Moving in snow, what fun.:rolleyes:

I had to put the inspection on hold until I get back. My daughter is sick and I am in Puerto Rico. I do not expect to be in before Christmas I will be in house rehab for about 3 months. :lol:

[moonbaby]

:hug: Oh Aud I know it has to be hard to be away from your family On Christmas! :hug: Have a good one!

[Audwoman]

No moonbaby I will be home today, I just will not be in the new house for Christmas because of the updates I want the contractor to do.

[moonbaby]

:lol::lol: You gotta overlook me lately! Lack of sleep! :lol::lol: Glad ou don't have to be outta the country on Christmas! Aud Did you take that Promotion?

[Audwoman]

:lol::lol: You gotta overlook me lately! Lack of sleep! :lol::lol: Glad ou don't have to be outta the country on Christmas! Aud Did you take that Promotion?

Yep I took the promotion. I talk to them about my Mom and they agreed that if they need more travel we would discuss how we could handle getting the job done and giving me the time I need. It start in 2008. I will see. They cannot say I did not tell them.

[Wingdesigner]

Wow, Aud, congratulations (I hope)! Is the daughter getting better? Is she in P.R., or was that business?

[grindle]

hope your daughter is better now Aud, when are you hoping to move into the new house?

[Audwoman]

Thank you grindle. My daughter is doing better but still on a lot of meds to breath.

I am thinking I will be in the house about March.

[grindle]

That's a nice time of year to move, just right for spring planting;):lol:

[Audwoman]

and old house digging...;)

[Audwoman]

Wow, Aud, congratulations (I hope)! Is the daughter getting better? Is she in P.R., or was that business?

Windesigner, I was in PR on business daughter was home trying to get the inspection done.

INSPECTION UPDATE:

Well that was the hardest thing to get done. I had to get the utilities turned on when I came back from PR on the 7th. I just had the last needed inspection yesterday.

As I said this was a repo. The previous owners were living on the edge and doing some desperate things. One was using other people's name to get the utilities turned on after they were disconnected. When my daughter called to have them turned on the utility companies refused because they thought we were the same scammers. My daughter was too sick to get them to do what was needed. She was having trouble breathing with her asthma. When she is like that just breathing is all she can do. So when I came home I had to call and argue for hours and talk to supervisors to get them on.

I had to give the electric 600.00 deposit. Water 30.00 deposit, gas company 200 deposit. It was crazy.

The Inspection turned up a lot of repair needed but nothing I did not expect. But I did lower my offer. So now I am waiting to see if they accept the lower offer.

The inspector did say it was a beautiful piece of property and house and once it is brought back to its original beauty I will have a very good house.

So everyone say a prayer and wish me luck that they accept my new offer and I can finally get moving.

Here is a pic of the family room...I can see removing the white carpet, there is beautiful hardwood floors throughout. (Why would anyone put down white carpet if they have kids I will never know). It is a step down room, fireplace on one side and the arch door on the opposite side leading to the patio.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/marquest/HOUSE/th_DSC00060.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/marquest/HOUSE/DSC00060.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/marquest/HOUSE/th_DSC00058.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/marquest/HOUSE/DSC00058.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/marquest/HOUSE/th_DSC00056.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/marquest/HOUSE/DSC00056.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/marquest/HOUSE/th_livingrmdoor.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/marquest/HOUSE/livingrmdoor.jpg)

[MaryG]

Wow, that is going to be a beautiful family room, especially with the hardwood floor showing. Good luck Aud, I really hope you get this house.

[grindle]

good luck Aud that's a lovely room, how long will you have to wait before you know.

[jennie]

Aud, its beautiful. I can see the hardwood floors now :drool:

[Audwoman]

good luck Aud that's a lovely room, how long will you have to wait before you know.

I tought they would say yes or no the next day. It has been 3 days and nothing. They were the ones with the clause that I had to close before the end of the year. I think they better say something this week or they will not see any of my money until 2008. :lol:

[grindle]

:(ah yes the waiting game, don't you just hate that, I'll keep everything crossed for you;)

[Pennylee]

The house looks really gracious - I hope everything goes well in the
business sense.

[erdine]

good luck Aud. it is a lovely room.
hope your daughter is feeling better now.

[DigginIt]

Good luck. That would be a great Christmas gift to yourself, especially if you can get a bargain.

Digginit

[boo]

What a gorgeous place! Nice bones but it needs some color.

I hope your daughter feels better soon. :)

[Ginny42]

I love it Aud, it has lots of character! I hope they accept your final offer and things get rolling soon.;)

[Wingdesigner]

Fingers crossed for you, Aud, but it's really hard to type that way...hope you get good news soon. How's the daught. doing?

[Audwoman]

We have been fighting tooth and nails with the repo bank. Finally, got them down on the price, offer accepted, closing date set. FEBRUARY 29th Thank goodness for Leap Year!!!

I guess I will move after the rehab in April.

[MaryG]

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/12/12_1_121.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZRxdm428YYCA) Well that IS good news Aud, Congrats! It's taken you awhile but we all knew you'd find the right house for yourself and your DD and Mom.







http://www.smileycentral.com/sig.jsp?pc=ZSzeb112&pp=ZRxdm428YYCA (http://smiley.smileycentral.com/download/index.jhtml?partner=ZSzeb112_ZRxdm428YYCA&utm_id=7920)

[donybee]

we will move someday or die here :um:
When we built this house 46 years ago I said this is the last move I'll ever make, they'll carry me out in a pine box.:lol::lol::lol: My DW is tired of stairs and thinks we should move into the old homestead which is all on one floor. What would I ever do without all my Sedums?:lol::lol::lol:

[donybee]

In order to win you either have to be really old or not really need the money...it seems to always work that way:rolleyes:
I qualify for the really old part.:lol::lol::lol::lol:

[boo]

dony, sedums could move with you. I don't blame your DW for not wanting those stairs. I can't even tell you how many times I have fallen down ours over the years. :blush: I'm only good on flat surfaces.

Aud, that's such good news!!! :hug::hug::hug: My goodness they took forever but its such wonderful news that closing date has been made. I bet you can't wait till you have the keys.

[DigginIt]

Congratulations on the house. Timing should be good to give you enough time to move your household items, and let the ground thaw enough that you will be able to lift a few plants from your old place without being noticed.

Donybee, you have your priorities right - Protect your sedums at any cost.

Digginit

[Audwoman]

I bet you can't wait till you have the keys.

Yep, because I am tired of breaking in. :lol: I was there so many times with the inspection and my contractor they gave me the lockbox code. I have been in that house at least 3 days a week when I was not on the road.

[jennie]

Oh Aud that is great news!!:banana:

Now comes the fun part, packing and unpacking:ph34r:

[springsprunginmy<3]

Moving party at AUDS in April !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats on getting a closing date, I know you have waited a long time...but good things come to those that wait....so I am sure you will be really happy once you get settled in...

Jennie is right, here comes the fun part....:rolleyes:

[Ginny42]

WOOHOO AUD!
I know your going to be so happy there! Just wait until spring when I will load you up with some plants for that pretty place.;):grin:

[Wingdesigner]

Yay, Audwoman! Big sigh of relief.
Now you get to use that lockbox code and 3x/week to make sure the rehab is done right (oh, goody.) But the Deed is done and it's yours, right? Congrats. And a big hug, too!

[Audwoman]

I received a call from my loan officer and she said she may be able to get the phone number of the son that lived in the house. His family is the original owners the only other owner was the people that lost the property.

The drawback of buying a forclosed property is you do not have any input from the previous owners of when any updates or add on. It does not look like anything was done since it was built but it will help the contractor if I can get some info.

[Wingdesigner]

Did you have a title search done and get title insurance in case there are any gaps in the chain of title?

[galu]

What beautiful home!! You are sure to enjoy making it into a real "garden" home!!! When was it built? They just don't build them like that around here in Wichita Falls TX any more and I'll bet where you are either!! What a find!!! Where will you put your greenhouse? We'll have to have a seed and bulb shower for you in March so you can get a good start outside before you have to do the big movein inside!!!

[Audwoman]

Did you have a title search done and get title insurance in case there are any gaps in the chain of title?

In PA you have title insurance so there is always a title seach. I have the staked survey being done this week. I had the home inspection done before I made the offer. All the issues will be taken care of with the remodel.

galu
What beautiful home!! You are sure to enjoy making it into a real "garden" home!!! When was it built? They just don't build them like that around here in Wichita Falls TX any more and I'll bet where you are either!! What a find!!! Where will you put your greenhouse? We'll have to have a seed and bulb shower for you in March so you can get a good start outside before you have to do the big movein inside!!!


Thank you I do love the character of the architecture. It was built 1950. It is not far from where I live now about 10 min drive. Pittsburgh has a lot of the older homes built in the 50s and 60s. I considered building but you are right unless you have a ton of money building a house the quality of the older homes is impossible. You are talking about real brick and plaster walls not paper.

I cannot wait to start the gardens. There is an olympic size swimming pool in the back that I want to convert to a big pond with waterfall. We only have 2 months you could use a swimming pool that is to much work and liability for me to deal with. The Pool House will be converted into the Greenhouse. That takes care of all that swimming area. :lol:

[buster]

Congrat's on your new home, Aud. Connie

[DandyLioness]

AUD!!!!! I'm soooooo happy for you! You're going to turn that lovely place into a dream home, for sure! Good work!

Even the plans that you're describing of the pool area sound great!

I can't wait to see your progress reports with pictures! ;)

[Audwoman]

Thank you Dandy, I will be posting and probably complaining until everyone says alright already. :lol:

At the moment I am in moving panic. 20 yrs of stuff is hard to sort through and pack.

[Wingdesigner]

Complain away dear heart--that's partly why we're here! Rotsa ruck w/the packing (shudder).

[jennie]

I certainly dont envy you Aud. We moved last February..........I don't plan on ever doing it again. Get yourself a nice bottle of wine......it helps :p

[Blue Belle]

Ugh, moving. Better make it a case of wine. ;) What a nice house, Aud! It has such character. I can just imagine how great it will look with the hardwood floors and some colour added.

[Audwoman]

Thank you Blue Belle.

I wish I could drink. I am allergic to alcohol. It hits my stomach and comes back up before it can serve a purpose.

I will have to take a valium. :blush:

It is only 9 more days until the closing. I have been throwing things out left and right.

The last time I moved I left everything but my clothes and dishes. That was an easy move. I did not want anything from the previous life with the husband. I gave everything away that anybody wanted, hired a company to clean the house out and dispose of the stuff. Hummm I that may be a plan. NOT!!! I love my stuff now.

[Wingdesigner]

I'm w/you on the alcohol, Aud. I don't get sick but neither do I enjoy the taste! I take my drinks "virgin" now, and since I've found cough syrup w/o alcohol, I'm pretty much fermentation-free (hold your comments, please...). Grape juice--my substitute. Champagne--dry ginger ale. Prefer Vernor's, though, it's a Michigander and will clean out yer sinuses! Also, the diet version is good for upset tummies and mild indigestion. I'd send a case of pop to your new house but you probably wouldn't find it with all the other boxes! :lol: Just remember what box you put Ferdi in and mark it "UNPACK FIRST--LIVE ANIMAL" or some such. Somehow, I don't see you getting Ferdi in a box, carrier, or anything w/o a fight.

[Audwoman]

Wingdesigner, would you believe I am allergic to Vernor's. It is all my daughter drinks she buys a case every week. I drink "Segrams with a slice a lime no ice" :lol:

We have nicknamed Ferdi as man, dog, cat. He likes to take a bath. We have to shut the door when we take a shower because he will jump in. He does not mind getting in his carrier to go to the Vet. He wants you to pet his head 24 hours (like a dog). The Vet knows she has to tell him he is handsome and he just swons and lets her do anything she wants. (like a man). But he looks like a cat. hummmm!!!:lol:

[boo]

Cats have very big egos. :unsure: I thought I heard someone mention valium? :unsure:

[Blue Belle]

The sugar in the cough syrup, grape juice and ginger ale is worse for you than the alcohol in a glass of wine. Boo, should we get started on sugar again? :lol:

[boo]

Yesterday I made Cliff turtle brownies and not once :) did I snarf down the entire pan...not even a crumb!!! I was proud of myself but he did think it was strange I was sniffing the brownies so much.

I can't drink wine either, but since taking all these supplements I have turned into a pill popper pro. :ugly:

[Wingdesigner]

Audwoman, I just received another sheet of those return address stickers from yet another charity and I got this Bright Idea: use up some of them on your change of address cards, it'll save you 50% of the writing! Or is that done on line these days, too? Sigh.

I wonder if I could turn mine into wallpaper (on the walls, not the puter) or something. Plaster 'em all over an old suitcase?

Bummer about being allergic to Vernor's!