Such a depressing topic, but one I'm still trying to come to grips with.

This fall, a Brother who pledged the quarter after I did at Virginia Tech died suddenly in a head-on accident.  I heard nothing about it, until a mutual friend and pledge Brother called me out of the blue to reach me.  I hadn't spoken to Chris in oh, about 10+ years - and he ( Read more... )

 The following letter was published in its entirety in the Sunday Aug 17th edition of the Virginian-Pilot newspaper!!

My husband and I just recently moved to the City of Portsmouth.  Knowing that SPSA is the refuse handler in this area, and knowing that the SPSA facility is in the City of Portsmouth, I was shocked and dismayed that I, as a homeowner ( Read more... )

Mark and I are homeowners!

The last two weeks were nail-biting, stressful, and chaotic - because of our past credit histories, we were a 'difficult, but not impossible' case to get approved.  I didn't officially hear from the mortgage company until 5pm the day before closing that everything had been signed off on.  I just burst into tears from ( Read more... )

 Just a quick update:

Our mortgage application file has been sent to the underwriters for final approval before closing.  I've been told that there should not be a problem with it - but I can't help but worry until I hear the "you're approved" words...

Yesterday, Mark and I got a new little bundle of joy.  He was found living under a car in the apt ( Read more... )

Some of you will recognize this phrase as one often quoted by Brother John Grossi, who passed away several years ago at the age of 30.  Colon cancer is a cruel killer, especially in one so young ( Read more... )

 One more thing I'm NOT going to miss when Mark and I are in our own place - my shit being used without my permission ( Read more... )

Well, if all goes according to plan, the contract offer will be signed by both us and the seller tomorrow, triggering the next phase of getting the house!  I had to play a bit of medium-ball (not really hard ball, but definitely not soft-ball) to get the seller to sign off on the offer amount...but it went ok, and even got kudos from the lawyer ( Read more... )

As I write this, I don't even know where to begin.  I feel like it's me and Mark against the world right now.  He's hating his job, and staying with it b/c he's trying to keep us fiscally stable enough to get a house.  We're fighting so hard to get old shit taken care of and clean up our credit report.  And now, I'm so despondent, b/c for the wont ( Read more... )

 The offer's been drawn up by the lawyer, and sent to the owner...now we wait and see!

1) we met with the mortgage broker on Friday, and started the loan application process.
2) spoke w/ both sets of parents over the weekend, and they're both willing to help us out with down payment and stuff
3) talked to a laywer today, and started the paperwork to present a contract to the homeowner.

The ride is beginning.....