Well, actually, now I have TWO Places to live!! Crap!
Hooooorrrrraaaaaayyyyyyy!
I got a call right before I took my lunch break saying that I got final approval to move into a three bedroom townhouse I applied for last weekend. Yay. It's pretty cute, the back door opens to the neighborhood playground and the pool is beside my building. Rent is high-ish for this area, but amazing compared to what i've been paying in Va.
The problems? It's in the next town over, in the wrong (and not good at all) school district, and it will add about 20 miles to my commute. Ten into town to take the kids to school, and then i'd have to backtrack ten to get to the highway to head to work.
That's if they could even stay in their current school.
If they had to change to crappy schools they would, well, be in a crappy school. They also wouldn't be able to go to Grandaddys house after school so i'd have to pay daycare, and they wouldn't get that time with him which is a HUGE negative in my mind.
Before I could call her back to return the message I got another call.
On Sunday I was flipping through the classifieds and saw an add for a 3 bedroom double wide and a 3 bedroom singlewide, but no prices or locations were listed. I called just to see and she told me they were both rented already. (The rental market here is smokin) Then I got a "buuuut, I have a four bedroom that I just found out is coming open. The girl is still living there but it's on xyz road, you can ride out and look at the outside and I can call you when it comes available so you can see it."
I asked and it was in the RIGHT school district, so it took nearly everything I had to not offer to give her a deposit and first months rent then, but I kept cool. I'm a cool cat.
20 minutes later I had ants in my pants so my stepmom and I took the kids and rode out to see where it was so I didn't waste my time if it sucked (although it could have been a shack and I wouldnt care, as long as it's the right school!)
We got there and found the driveway, but I wasn't sure which one it was. A girl stepped out on the porch of the one I *thought* it was so I jumped out and asked her if she knew for sure.
I ended up talking to her for almost an hour, asked about the rent, utilities, the landlords, etc. She was super nice as we chatted so I thanked her and started to go back to the car when she said "Well, i'm packing and it's a mess right now, but do you want to see the inside?"
YES YES TRIPLE YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
She rocks my socks. We looked around and it was *much* bigger than it looks from the outside, the kitchen is kind of dated with border (ack!) but she said he's pretty ok with painting and whatnot as long as it's tasteful (how hard is it to be as tasteful as apple border in the kitchen?!?)
She told me to let her know if I was getting the place and she'd try to leave the swingset and a few other things and then oh so kindly warned me that sometimes the neighbors cows get out and come in the yard..."but it's not a big deal, just go out and smack them on the rear end and they'll run home"
Can y'all just see this city girl smackin cow butts all the way home? Lord have mercy!
Anyway, I called again and told them I did decide to ride out and that i'd met the girl and saw the house and asked if I could fill out an application. I went that night to fill it out and talked to the landlord a while. He said he'd get back to me by the weekend.
He ended up calling today and when I answered I got
"Hello Steph? I was just calling to tell you we decided to go ahead and let you rent the house." all calm and collected, like he didn't even realize how freaking monumental that call was.
Joshua is pumped, he's all about getting a paintball gun and target and shooting in the field. Jordan is mad because the kids that live there now told him sometimes when the wind blows you can smell cow poop. Jake has no reaction because he's so pissed at me because he's in trouble for fighting at the babysitters house this morning.
I'm freakin pumped!
I finally found an affordable place, without getting married OR going on welfare!
Oh, and the rent is $109 cheaper than the townhouse, that's $100 more a month I can put in savings (and a couple vanilla lattes from Starbucks if I ever find one here!)
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
I'm going to be a welfare mom when I grow up...
Because then, apparently I wont have a problem renting a house in Ohio!
Three different times in the past week i've seen an ad in the paper for a reasonable rental.
Hello
*Hi, I am calling to get more information about the rental you advertised in the newspaper on xyz street.
Yes.
*It is a three bedroom correct? Can you tell me what school district it's in and how much you are asking for rent please?
Ok, it's three bedrooms on xyz street in the wrong school district and $700 a month.
*Excellent, can I go ahead and set up an appointment to look at the property?
Sure you can, are you already HUD approved?
*No ma'am, i'm not on HUD, I'll be paying the rent myself.
**click**
WTF?!? It is so completely and totally UNFAIR that these people are hanging up on me because i'm NOT on welfare and i'm actually *gasp* working full time, busting my hump to make sure I can look my boys in the eye and tell them that I took care of them, not someone else, not the system, ME!!! But oh heck no, we won't rent to her, she's not on rental assistance.
It's incredibly frustrating and sad to me that I would literally be better off as far as housing and finances if I quit my job, sat on my rear end and let your tax dollars raise my children. I could probably even qualify for financial aid and let you pay me to go to school and get my degree. Unreal.
If I didn't have this little thing called pride, and yanno, just a smidge of self respect i'd slide my fanny into a pair of dirty sweatpants with 'sexy' stamped across the cheeks, cash a welfare check, swipe some food stamps and be living the high life, in a fancy rental that I don't have to pay for.
Instead, because i'm a jackhole who wants to do things the 'right' way, i'll go to work everyday, be able to look my kids in the eye when they're grown and i'll continue to get yelled out for being a single mom and therefore unworthy of renting a house, i'll continue to get hung up on because i'm not a welfare mama and eventually, one day, i'll find someone who wants to rent to someone who's trying to not suck at this life thing.
I hope it happens soon because quite honestly, it's starting to piss me off.
I feel for the next person who hangs up on me. I'm so not in the mood!
Three different times in the past week i've seen an ad in the paper for a reasonable rental.
Hello
*Hi, I am calling to get more information about the rental you advertised in the newspaper on xyz street.
Yes.
*It is a three bedroom correct? Can you tell me what school district it's in and how much you are asking for rent please?
Ok, it's three bedrooms on xyz street in the wrong school district and $700 a month.
*Excellent, can I go ahead and set up an appointment to look at the property?
Sure you can, are you already HUD approved?
*No ma'am, i'm not on HUD, I'll be paying the rent myself.
**click**
WTF?!? It is so completely and totally UNFAIR that these people are hanging up on me because i'm NOT on welfare and i'm actually *gasp* working full time, busting my hump to make sure I can look my boys in the eye and tell them that I took care of them, not someone else, not the system, ME!!! But oh heck no, we won't rent to her, she's not on rental assistance.
It's incredibly frustrating and sad to me that I would literally be better off as far as housing and finances if I quit my job, sat on my rear end and let your tax dollars raise my children. I could probably even qualify for financial aid and let you pay me to go to school and get my degree. Unreal.
If I didn't have this little thing called pride, and yanno, just a smidge of self respect i'd slide my fanny into a pair of dirty sweatpants with 'sexy' stamped across the cheeks, cash a welfare check, swipe some food stamps and be living the high life, in a fancy rental that I don't have to pay for.
Instead, because i'm a jackhole who wants to do things the 'right' way, i'll go to work everyday, be able to look my kids in the eye when they're grown and i'll continue to get yelled out for being a single mom and therefore unworthy of renting a house, i'll continue to get hung up on because i'm not a welfare mama and eventually, one day, i'll find someone who wants to rent to someone who's trying to not suck at this life thing.
I hope it happens soon because quite honestly, it's starting to piss me off.
I feel for the next person who hangs up on me. I'm so not in the mood!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Independence.
Saturday I took my boys to the fair. We had a deal that we would go each night with ten dollars and whatever was left we would use the rest of the week. If they went the whole week without whining for games and rides, I would fork over the loot for the 'all you can ride' wristbands and let them go at it on Saturday, so off we went.
We got there and it was H-O-T. I walked around for a while and then decided they were old enough to have a little freedom. I went back to the car and fixed the headliner, added windshield wiper fluid and checked and added more oil. Go me! Who needs a stinkin man.
I grabbed a library book and went back in, found the kids and let them know where i'd be and to check in in an hour. I ended up reading a book about a middle age chick who's boyfriend broke up with her in a heinous way and she got all the sympathy from her family for being unmarriable and an old spinster.
Oy.
Of course, I read and got all wrapped up in the charachters and by the time I finished the book I was feeling like an ogre who was destined to be alone forever. I walked around the county fair watching the couples all happy in love and together, holding hands and whatnot and started the pity party.
If they can all find 'happily ever after' love and get married and be all together forever, why can't I?
Sure, i've been proposed to. I could get married tomorrow if I wanted to, but what is holding me back? I try to tell myself that i'm independent, that I won't settle, that I have better things to do, that I don't need a man signing a contract giving him exclusive rights to my vagina to be complete, but what if...what if i'm just making excuses because I really AM an unmarriable shrew?
Lately I seem like i'm going back and forth between being glad that "at my age" people just assume i'm married off so they don't try to hook me up with their sons neighbors cousin who is a 'really really sweet boy' like they do at home. If they happen to ask, I just quietly mention that i've got a boyfriend back home and it's dropped.
I like it that way, I dont WANT to be set up on random dates, but then every now and then, when my kids are off doing their own thing and not needing me and i'm standing at the fair, alone, chilled with noone next to me to put their arm around me or offer me their jacket, well, i'm lonely.
It's weird.
It's odd.
It's so unlike me.
I don't like it one bit.
Life would be so much easier if my boys didn't grow up and stop needing me so much. Why can't I just freeze them last week when they still needed mamas snuggles more frequently. One day i'll find that perfect balance of being as independent as I want to be and allowing myself to lean on someone just enough to not be alone. One day
We got there and it was H-O-T. I walked around for a while and then decided they were old enough to have a little freedom. I went back to the car and fixed the headliner, added windshield wiper fluid and checked and added more oil. Go me! Who needs a stinkin man.
I grabbed a library book and went back in, found the kids and let them know where i'd be and to check in in an hour. I ended up reading a book about a middle age chick who's boyfriend broke up with her in a heinous way and she got all the sympathy from her family for being unmarriable and an old spinster.
Oy.
Of course, I read and got all wrapped up in the charachters and by the time I finished the book I was feeling like an ogre who was destined to be alone forever. I walked around the county fair watching the couples all happy in love and together, holding hands and whatnot and started the pity party.
If they can all find 'happily ever after' love and get married and be all together forever, why can't I?
Sure, i've been proposed to. I could get married tomorrow if I wanted to, but what is holding me back? I try to tell myself that i'm independent, that I won't settle, that I have better things to do, that I don't need a man signing a contract giving him exclusive rights to my vagina to be complete, but what if...what if i'm just making excuses because I really AM an unmarriable shrew?
Lately I seem like i'm going back and forth between being glad that "at my age" people just assume i'm married off so they don't try to hook me up with their sons neighbors cousin who is a 'really really sweet boy' like they do at home. If they happen to ask, I just quietly mention that i've got a boyfriend back home and it's dropped.
I like it that way, I dont WANT to be set up on random dates, but then every now and then, when my kids are off doing their own thing and not needing me and i'm standing at the fair, alone, chilled with noone next to me to put their arm around me or offer me their jacket, well, i'm lonely.
It's weird.
It's odd.
It's so unlike me.
I don't like it one bit.
Life would be so much easier if my boys didn't grow up and stop needing me so much. Why can't I just freeze them last week when they still needed mamas snuggles more frequently. One day i'll find that perfect balance of being as independent as I want to be and allowing myself to lean on someone just enough to not be alone. One day
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
I was reminded
Tonight as I was sitting in the grandstands at the county fair with my boys, I was reminded of why Ohio and it's people stole my heart and always called me back.
We were sitting there, waiting for the demolition derby surrounded by men in flannel shirts and overalls and women with tight perms and appliqued sweatshirts and as I looked around, it was just comfortable. People here seem to be stuck in another era, and yanno what...it's perfectly ok.
Sure you have the younger crowd who are set on fashions and fitting in, but when it boils right down to it, it doesn't matter here. People judge you more for who you are than what you wear or how you look. That concept seems so foreign to me compared to the Northern Virginia way of life.
I was looking around, with a kind of cheesy grin on my face but it really hit me when they played the Star Spangled Banner before the derby started. As I looked around, I saw every single person standing with their hand over their heart, looking at the flag waving above. There wasn't anyone talking, texting, fidgeting with a cell phone, or heaven forbid sitting down. Every single person within my sight was being respectful, and as the song progressed, I would swear to you that a good 75% of the people around me were singing along.
It was absolutely overwhelming to me to be standing in the same grandstands I used to sit in with my Pap and my Daddy when I was a tiny girl, listening to our Nations anthem being sung by literally hundreds of people from my hometown. It brought tears to my eye.
It's just not the kind of thing that happened in NOVA, and I may have not known it before, but it's part of the total package that brought me home and makes Ohio the place I love.
After the most stressful week I could have possibly imagined at work so far, that was absolutely what I needed to keep me from running back to Va.
God bless Fairfield County!
We were sitting there, waiting for the demolition derby surrounded by men in flannel shirts and overalls and women with tight perms and appliqued sweatshirts and as I looked around, it was just comfortable. People here seem to be stuck in another era, and yanno what...it's perfectly ok.
Sure you have the younger crowd who are set on fashions and fitting in, but when it boils right down to it, it doesn't matter here. People judge you more for who you are than what you wear or how you look. That concept seems so foreign to me compared to the Northern Virginia way of life.
I was looking around, with a kind of cheesy grin on my face but it really hit me when they played the Star Spangled Banner before the derby started. As I looked around, I saw every single person standing with their hand over their heart, looking at the flag waving above. There wasn't anyone talking, texting, fidgeting with a cell phone, or heaven forbid sitting down. Every single person within my sight was being respectful, and as the song progressed, I would swear to you that a good 75% of the people around me were singing along.
It was absolutely overwhelming to me to be standing in the same grandstands I used to sit in with my Pap and my Daddy when I was a tiny girl, listening to our Nations anthem being sung by literally hundreds of people from my hometown. It brought tears to my eye.
It's just not the kind of thing that happened in NOVA, and I may have not known it before, but it's part of the total package that brought me home and makes Ohio the place I love.
After the most stressful week I could have possibly imagined at work so far, that was absolutely what I needed to keep me from running back to Va.
God bless Fairfield County!
Small town obituaries...
I'm 99.897% certain i'm going to burn in hell for my latest source of giggles.
Lately my stepmom and I have taken to reading the local obituaries each evening.
It started while she was scanning early in the week and started cracking up laughing.
"You've got to hear this, I hope my obit is this good" my stepmom says...
*reading out lout*
"She loved to shop, especially for shoes. "
Ok, i've got a serious addiction to yummalicious shoes, but in an obituary? Awesome.
The best tear-producer of the week...
There was never a stranger in xxx's life. He made such beautiful music with his saxophone that friends requested he entertain at many area churches, bringing peace and tranquility at solemn moments and entertaining at many other gatherings. He always was willing when asked to play. He will be a great addition to heaven's orchestra.
Family was one of the most important parts of his being. He loved to try to beat his sister, brother and father on the tennis court and always had great stories of his victories, whether he won or not. He also was an avid bike rider and tried to keep a riding date with his brother when time allowed.
--He will be a great addition to heavens orchestra? That is an *awesome* line, but I have to wonder if it's original or if there is a small town quotes for obituaries book floating around somewhere.
I'm just used to seeing xxx died on xxx, he is survived by xxx and xxx, his funeral arrangements are xxxx.
It's incredibly odd to get a glimpse into their lives and see what people felt compelled to say. I do feel bad for laughing hysterically at some of them, once the giggles start they just escalate.
They would be comforted knowing that our belly laughs are helping to reduce stress and extend our lives right?
Get my room in hell ready, i'll be the coolest cat there!
Lately my stepmom and I have taken to reading the local obituaries each evening.
It started while she was scanning early in the week and started cracking up laughing.
"You've got to hear this, I hope my obit is this good" my stepmom says...
*reading out lout*
"She loved to shop, especially for shoes. "
Ok, i've got a serious addiction to yummalicious shoes, but in an obituary? Awesome.
The best tear-producer of the week...
There was never a stranger in xxx's life. He made such beautiful music with his saxophone that friends requested he entertain at many area churches, bringing peace and tranquility at solemn moments and entertaining at many other gatherings. He always was willing when asked to play. He will be a great addition to heaven's orchestra.
Family was one of the most important parts of his being. He loved to try to beat his sister, brother and father on the tennis court and always had great stories of his victories, whether he won or not. He also was an avid bike rider and tried to keep a riding date with his brother when time allowed.
--He will be a great addition to heavens orchestra? That is an *awesome* line, but I have to wonder if it's original or if there is a small town quotes for obituaries book floating around somewhere.
I'm just used to seeing xxx died on xxx, he is survived by xxx and xxx, his funeral arrangements are xxxx.
It's incredibly odd to get a glimpse into their lives and see what people felt compelled to say. I do feel bad for laughing hysterically at some of them, once the giggles start they just escalate.
They would be comforted knowing that our belly laughs are helping to reduce stress and extend our lives right?
Get my room in hell ready, i'll be the coolest cat there!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Go play in the wind (parenting at it's finest)
As most everone knows, just about all of Ohio has been out of power since Sunday. We were driving home from the park when the crazy wind started. We got home and it just seemed like a storm was blowing in.
No rain.
No lightning.
Sounds like a good time to play outside right?
Jordan and Jake went out to play and came back in to say that it was hard to play because dirt was flying in their eyes.
What does mom say?
"You big wimps, go play!"
I was outside reading afterall (the power was out already) how bad could it be?
A few minutes later Jordan comes over to me.
"Mommy, I tried to climb the tree, but it was SOOO hard, the wind was almost blowing me across the state!"
What does mom say?
"You big wimp, just hold on tighter!"
(ok, I don't really remember what I said to that one, but we stayed outside)
We finally went in when the wind whipped and blew a bag of potato chips right out of my hand and it finally got dark so I couldnt read anymore.
They told me while they were playing in the wind, some girl videotaped them. They think they're going to be on the news. I'm sure CPS will be knocking at my door anyday.
Come to find out, millions have no power, 5 people died from falling trees, the glass shattered in a friends car, and I just heard the winds were equal to a Category 1 hurricane around here.
Yeah kids, go play. If you find my parent of the year award blowing in the wind catch it for me k?
No rain.
No lightning.
Sounds like a good time to play outside right?
Jordan and Jake went out to play and came back in to say that it was hard to play because dirt was flying in their eyes.
What does mom say?
"You big wimps, go play!"
I was outside reading afterall (the power was out already) how bad could it be?
A few minutes later Jordan comes over to me.
"Mommy, I tried to climb the tree, but it was SOOO hard, the wind was almost blowing me across the state!"
What does mom say?
"You big wimp, just hold on tighter!"
(ok, I don't really remember what I said to that one, but we stayed outside)
We finally went in when the wind whipped and blew a bag of potato chips right out of my hand and it finally got dark so I couldnt read anymore.
They told me while they were playing in the wind, some girl videotaped them. They think they're going to be on the news. I'm sure CPS will be knocking at my door anyday.
Come to find out, millions have no power, 5 people died from falling trees, the glass shattered in a friends car, and I just heard the winds were equal to a Category 1 hurricane around here.
Yeah kids, go play. If you find my parent of the year award blowing in the wind catch it for me k?
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Lyrics that hit home.
I tear my heart open, I sew myself shut
My weakness is that I care too much
And my scars remind me that the past is real
I tear my heart open just to feel
Drunk and I'm feeling down
And I just wanna be alone
I'm pissed cause you came around
Why don't you just go home
Cause you channel all your pain
And I can't help you fix yourself
You're making me insane
All I can say is
[Chorus:]
I tear my heart open, I sew myself shut
My weakness is that I care too much
And our scars remind us that the past is real
I tear my heart open just to feel
I tried to help you once
Against my own advice
I saw you going down
But you never realized
That you're drowning in the water
So I offered you my hand
Compassions in my nature
Tonight is our last stand
[Chorus]
I'm drunk and I'm feeling down
And I just wanna be alone
You shouldn't ever come around
Why don't you just go home?
Cause you're drowning in the water
And I tried to grab your hand
And I left my heart open
But you didn't understand
But you didn't understand
Go fix yourself
I can't help you fix yourself
But at least I can say I tried
I'm sorry but I gotta move on with my own life
I can't help you fix yourself
But at least I can say I tried
I'm sorry but I gotta move on with my own life
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
