Counting down the days...

to finding out if my credit is good enough to get a mortgage! Money is very tight right now...kids, grandkids, bills, and more bills. Trying to get those bills paid down so I can lower my debt to income ratio. Taking too long! I need paitence. I need to have some fun. I need money. I need to get out of this stinking condo!

I just keep window shopping online and thinking about what I could do to the house and yard. Getting my hopes up again...if it doesnt come through, then I will not only got out shopping for new furniture, but I think I might get myself some liposuction and maybe a tummy tuck.

Dream dream dreammmmmm

Yes, I am hoping, dreamin, and waitin...for that house! I hope I didnt screw up my chances for it. I have got to get out of this condo! Too many noisy rude neighbors who have absolutely no respect for other people in the complex!

Im talking about vacuuming at 2am, stomping like a herd of cattle in a stampede when they are home, yelling at midnight and slamming doors.

Yes, I hope I get my house. *Sigh*

A little more news...

Got a call from Seann at Fieldstone, he's been out sick, like the rest of us....poor guy.

Still working on cleaning up my credit score so I can get preapproved for the home loan. And he's going to contact the others who are suppose to be contacting me once a week.

One of the guys I work with made a suggestion for me that I thought I would ask the builders, that is, is the crawl space finished? or is it a dirt floor? if they can finish it then I will have extra storage under the house. That would be nice to have. With a dirt floor, I would be worried about critters and bugs coming up into the house not to mention the chance of water seeping up and having mud and muck and the opportunities for mosquitos to breed. Yuck! I hope they finish it.

Window shopping...again...

I can't help it...I have to dream and I dream big...I also have expensive taste...wonder who I get that from? Anyhow, here are some links to what I have been playing with lately....

I took the Ethan Allen style quiz and my results were: LOFT - I love the Marzipan and the Hayloft looks.  http://www.ethanallen.com/look/marzipan and http://www.ethanallen.com/look/hayloft/ I also like, http://www.ethanallen.com/look/guest%20house. So now I try to figure out how to get the same looks for cheap!!!! After all, my kids are all grown, and I don't expect my grandchildren to be jumping all over my furniture.

Still waiting...and wondering

Hmmmm, haven't heard from the builder or mortgage lender since I submitted my paperwork. Wondering if they are waiting on me to pay down my bills, then get me preapproved? What happened to them calling me once a week to let me know what's up?

Another six weeks of paying down debt to get me into a house...patience I tell myself. But it never seems to pay off for me. I keep waiting and praying. And keep window shopping online. Finding a wish list of items I would like to have. Stay focused and on track I tell myself. But something always seems to interfere.

Waiting on the fence...

The mortgage officer has had my paper work since Monday, still no word. Maybe they are waiting for me to clean up my credit first? But he did say he was going to get me preapproved. Still, no word. Nothing like stressing out for weeks to find out if you can have a house or not!

Scared, worried, and aprehensive...

The paperwork has been submitted to the Mortgage company. I asked for a ball park figure based on my income, credit, etc. He gave me $225,000. Which puts me out of my 2nd choice home which I posted on this blogspot. It starts at $228,000 without all the options I have chosen.


However, I could afford the home I really want, if I want to live out in west Lehi. 15 -20 minute drive to I-15. It just didnt feel like home out there. So far away from Mt. Timp which I love. So far away from family, friends, and work and shopping.

What a choice to have to make. http://www.fieldstone-homes-utah.com/community/23,7 version 3194; second choice in Lehi would be http://www.fieldstone-homes-utah.com/community/23,6 version 2866. Then it would be the rambler I have chosen for the Creekside Community in Lindon, which is what I put my money on.

Any suggestions? Please help!

Maybe, by some miracle, I will get that insurance money I've been waiting for from that car accident four years ago.

I think I'm setting myself up for a huge disappointment. Please pray for me! and my kids!

Window Shopping for furniture for the "dream"...

Dreaming again, this time on furniture for the dream house...*sigh*...(copy and paste each url link into the windows address bar, or if it works, just click on the link to see what I've been dreaming of).

http://www.broyhillfurniture.com/Furniture/Room/Explore.aspx?CollectionRoomID=100011

Saw this dining room set at the Fieldstone Homes Creekside Village model home and just fell in love with it! On sale at RC Willey's. But, alas, no funds because what I had all went to the earnest money check for the house! Okay, so here is what I'm thinking...if I dont get qualified for this new home, I will spend my moola on this dining set! If it hasnt sold out by the time I find out if I have qualified .

Second choice dining set: This one still has old country charm, but more formal. Maybe I can get different chairs? http://www.bassettfurniture.com/store/productDetailForm.asp?imgId=2657&wish=y

http://www.bassettfurniture.com/store/productDetailForm.asp?imgId=3636&wish=y



Family Room, haven't really found the sofa/or sectional that I must have, yet: http://www.bassettfurniture.com/store/productDetailForm.asp?imgId=12853&wish=y; http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p1191/index.cfm?pkey=ff009
But, perhaps, I'll go with the inexpensive slipcovered sofas from IKEA... http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/living_room
That way I can change the look of the sofas whenever I feel like it!

Formal Living Room, I have loved this set for the past several years...I hope and pray that it doesnt go out of style and disappear into the clearance section before I can afford to buy a set for myself:

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p8386/index.cfm?pkey=xsrd0m1%7C20%7C%7C%7C0%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7Cspencer%20sofa&cm%5Fsrc=SCH

First Choice Bedroom: http://www.bassettfurniture.com/store/productDetailForm.asp?maxItems=7&imgid=923&Seq=3&stype=p&mc=1&CatID=500&ItemId=120&SubItemId=100&ColId=-1;
http://www.bassettfurniture.com/store/productDetailForm.asp?maxItems=7&imgid=923&Seq=3&stype=p&mc=1&CatID=500&ItemId=120&SubItemId=100&ColId=-1;
http://www.bassettfurniture.com/store/productDetailForm.asp?imgId=6307&cpid=6307&wish=y

Second Choice: http://www.broyhillfurniture.com/Furniture/Room/Explore.aspx?CollectionRoomID=100242

Guest Room/AKA Haley's Room, not wanting to spend too much money here since she will most likely be taking it with her after she gets married, unless they newlyweds move in with me until they can afford a place of their own (Still no wedding date): http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S99849777
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/series/11731/

Guest bath, not much storage or counterspace in this bathroom, and not much space to expand the vanity, so my solution was to add a linen cupboard: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30141857

And if I go for the separate shower in the master bath, then I will most likely go for the linen cupboard for that room as well: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30162864


Well, so much for dreaming today...off to watch a movie with my youngest.

Playing SIMS IRL...but the ctrl shift "motherlode" cheat code doesn't work!!!

Today was interesting and a bit adventurous. Thanks to my foresight it all went according to plan!

Started the day off by going to work expecting to be there until 1:30pm, which is when I planned on leaving to drive to SLC International Airport to pick up Haley who was returning from Chicago. (She helped Jessica and Jason drive their car out to Poplar Grove, Illinois. They just purchased their first home. Jason is based out of Chicago O'Hare Airport, so instead of commuting back to SLC, they decided to move faaaaaaaaaaaaaaar away from me! I am sad, they are so far away, *sniff sniff)!

I took my lunch break to check Haley's flight status just to make sure she would be on time. Lo and behold, she was running 40 minutes early!!! How does that work? So I skedaddled out of work earlier than anticipated. She even arrived 5 minutes earlier than what they reported on line! She was worried I wouldn't be there for her...but she has a smart mom, I checked the flight status.

After I picked her up, we drove down to Fieldstone Home Fitting Center, which is actually on our way home. (Haley missed out on the Saturday excursion). I think I have decided, with Haley's help (Karen and Jade's too), on kitchen cabinets, and vinyl flooring. Still can't decide on counter tops! So Kitchen cabinets will be the spice colored, roman style, rustic (knotty) oak, ceiling height with crown molding. Yeah!!! And going with a level 1 (no extra charge for level 1 options) vinyl flooring in kitchen, baths, laundry, pantry room, hall and entryway. Whew! Same cabinets in bathrooms as well.

I spoke to Seann, Cindy and Stephanie about how I will go about paying for all these options! They were all so very nice and friendly. Gave me some assurance that it will all work out for the best and actually work with me on setting up an escrow account I can save payments to for my down payment. That is hopefully, after I am approved for a mortgage loan. I'm already up to $18,000 in options. (I may need to cut back to $11,000)

Oh, how cute, they gave me a gift of a little digital camera, photo album and frame to document the building of the home! Sweet! There I go again, getting my hopes up.

I sure hope it comes true, nothing like dreaming and planning and getting your hopes up just to have it taken away from you! That has happened more than once in my lifetime! PANSIES! You know who you are, *wink.

I believe I will go with the 8lb pad with the protective coating (the most expensive one of course, I believe the padding makes the carpet) and level 2 carpeting...cant decide on which color though. They are close in color, Oyster which is kind of a yellowish spotted short shag or the Sand Bar, same spotted shag but not quite as yellow.

Decided on the door style to match the cabinets, two panel Roman style. Including the front entry door. But what color of front entry door? Sure that's another upgrade too, color!

Now, do I want the orange peel wall texture? Which is at no additional charge, or do I go with the skip trowel rustic look? Hmmmm, that's like another $500. What to do? What to do?

Kitchen appliances? Wow, who would have thought a refrigerator would cost $2500? That's what I get for having expensive taste, I guess. If only I had that kind of taste in men! Hahahah, I made fun of myself, couldn't resist. Whirlpool french door stainless steel with freezer drawers in the bottom. Of course its all stainless steel. (Maybe I need a “man of steel”? Is Superman avialable)? Okay, joking aside. I chose a Whirlpool flat glass top electric range and dishwasher, and I opted to go with the extra deep stainless steel sink. Now, do I want the regular Microwave/Exhaust hood combo? Or do I go with the microwave/convection oven exhaust hood combo? The price difference is about $500. It is more expensive, but it would be an answer to my much desired double oven!

Then there are the bathrooms. Do I want to go cheap? Or luxury? I can go with the tub/shower combo that comes with the house, or, upgrade, upgrade, upgrade! Add a separate shower, garden or spa tub? Do I go with fiberglass or marble surrounds? Yikes! Then there is the vanity size. Keep with what comes standard? or go with something bigger? with more storage. Do I add a door to the toilet room? or keep it open? Do I want a window in the Master bath? or do I want extra outlets and upgraded light fixtures and faucets?

Then there is the beautiful fireplace, I will have to upload the photo I took. I can get the fireplace which will be flush with the wall, and add the stone and mantel later. Its so pretty though. These builders, sure know women and how to get them to UPGRADE! Whats a house without a hearth?

Found the photo for you all!

There is more, a lot more decisions to be made. So I will keep looking and deciding. And updating this blogspot. If any of you would like to share your building wisdom and experience, please do! I could use it!

Gotta go hit the sack so I can focus on work tomorrow! Now, if I could only sleep!

PS...if you plan on spending money on me for Christmas or Birthday...Please, just deposit the funds to my escrow account...when I get one! And, if you just want to help a single girl out, feel free to deposit funds at anytime! More later! Loves and hugs!

Saturday was exhausting and still no real decisions made!

I took my girl friend, Karen, and her daughter, Jade, with me to the home building center Saturday. Looked at the options for cabinets, countertops, appliances, fireplaces, carpet, vinyl flooring, exterior colors, rock and brick, and bathrooms. Textured or untextured walls, 2 or 6 panel doors? Natural or Spice cabinets? Square, Roman or Cathedral cabinets? Traditional or Rustic? AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

It was fun, but so much to choose from, and not a whole lot of money. So now I need to go back with my questions and find out if some of the options can be completed after the home is built. Like, hiring someone to come do the job for me when I have enough money. Fell in love with the fireplace though. Hmmmmm. I would really like the kitchen island too...but...maybe I can just buy that separate at a later date?

I still think I want to go with the ceiling height cabinets, and a backsplash for the kitchen sink, and maybe even the overhang for the countertop.

I figure, I will go with the cheap vanities and counters in the bathrooms and just replace them later with what I really want. And the cheap lighting that is included with the house. I just dont want to replace the kitchen, carpeting and doors. All else, I think I can live with...

After our hours of fun of creating an unreasonably priced home, we went to Mimi's Cafe for some lunch and wonderful company.

Too much to think about. Still thinking about it. Hope I can make this dream come true. Pray for me!

Work and wishing I was somewhere else...

I am working at Ancestry.com on a new International project. It can be a tedious job at times, but I love it. The guys on the team I work with are great and very intelligent, fun to work with smart people, and we all have a good sense of humor.

I would rather be daydreaming of a new cozy home, a new best friend (I want to get myself an Akita) and a craft room where I can sew, scrapbook, and do genealogy all in one place. Praying it becomes a reality in the next few months.

For those of you following this blog, I have another one, called "Unrequited Love"...(of the married kind). I think one thing I will do, if and when I get this new home, is to be sure to plant a memorial garden for all my ex'es. A flower bed of  "PANSIES"!!! okay, that may be mean, but those of you who really know me, know that I dont have a mean bone in my body. Just my sense of humor to help ease the pain. I know I am easily taken advantage of by men who make promises they never intended to keep. Shame on them! They could have had it great! Great cook, great provider, great lover, great friend, okay, I'm getting a little full of myself.

Tomorrow will be an exciting day, as I get to go to my home fitting orientation and browse through all the choices of carpet and flooring, cabinetry and countertops, applicances and bath fixtures, paint and lighting. How will I ever make up my mind on so many choices?

Maybe I should just move into the home fitting center. Why not? It has everything I ever wanted!!!

A new home...maybe

August 22, Saturday, 9:30am, my daughter, Haley, and I went to a homebuyers seminar in Lindon, UT. My ultimate decision, and it was a big one, was to put down money on a lot to build a home. I couldn't get the house I really wanted, too expensive. So I opted for the largest rambler style home they had to offer. Figured as I grow older I won't want to be climbing stairs. Hopefully will be able to retire here.

Haley was excited, we each got a gas card, and some yummy pastries for showing up...then Haley, lucky girl, won the gift card to Applebee's.

I am currently working to improve my credit score with the help of a credit counselor from Fieldstone Homes. From there I will see if I can qualify for a home loan through their in house mortgage company.

My chosen floor plan...crossing my fingers!

My chosen elevation...I pray....

http://www.fieldstone-homes-utah.com/community/19,5

My plot of dirt, clay, rocks and weeds!!! Yay for me, I can plant a garden! Another dream!