My 2nd job... apparently!

In my last post I talked about the land that Tony and I were interested in. Well apparently, this land has become my 2nd job-except for the fact that I'm not getting paid to do this. Granted Tony doesn't have the time at the moment, his race car is more important. Which I understand since he's just now getting the chance to finish it and race it hopefully Sunday. Beside from that he works during the day and I don't. Because of me not working all of this "other" stuff has fallen into my lap. I will be the 1st to admit that this stuff is not up me alley and I am not good with money or dealing with financial situations very well. I have gotten extremely better, but I wouldn't put myself in charge of anything such as buying land and all the factors that go into. I have been put into this situation and I think I have dealt with it very well. This situation has turned out to be more than what I/we thought. Back to my 2nd job....
I had contacted Monica last week inquiring about the land. I had driven by it a few days earlier and it look pretty decent. Tony and I met up with Monica and Aaron last Saturday and they showed us around a little bit. There are 4 acres and a creek divides the land. About 1 1/2 acres on the front and the rest on the back including a fairly steep hill. The front part was overgrown but not bad, the back had never been cleared. After some discussion Tony and I decided we want to proceed with this further. He wanted to see the legal documents and the map. We met with Monica and Aaron again on Wed evening to look at the documents. They really didn't have a lot that was any help but we looked at the survey report that was done about a year before they bought it. After that, we decided that we needed to go to the property and walk it to see what it was "really" like. Due to Tony's schedule it wouldn't be until next week. I'm not wait to just sit and wait. The last 2-3 days I've spent on the phone with numerous banks trying to find interest rates and what not. Monica's aunt works for a local bank (SMB) and that is where their loan is through for the property now. I contacted her and she gave me the info I needed. She was very helpful since she knew all about it already. I still called around. SMB requires only 20% down, Arvest 35%, and Bank of Amer. 40% down (ouch). If you can afford 40% you might as pay the whole thing! There were some others but nothing to good. Some required you to fill out an app. before they gave you rates. Well, I'm not doing that... if you fill out too many apps it'll hurt your credit score. So.. being that Monica's aunt is already dealing with this anyway I think we'll go with her. I started thinking about the land some more and the creek... wondering about it being on a flood plain. Remember, nothing was stated about this in the survey report. This morning I called SMB and Melinda (the aunt) got out the report to confirm this. I asked if it would have to be surveyed again and she said no but she'd send off what she had to someone and see if they could tell if it was in the flood plain. It would take 48 hrs. I went to the courthouse hoping they could give me some answers. Since there is no physical address due to it being raw land it was hard to find. The map didn't really have anything regarding the flood plains. She sent me to Newton Co Emergency Management. I went there and talked to Gary Roark (his daughter is one of my paras at school). He pulled up the maps... well sort of. The last maps were dated from 1985. HELLO OLD!!! Anyway there was no map showing the land. The property is in Silver Creek but is on the Saginaw border. So the map stops at Saginaw (the land is directly on the other side of the line). That map shows the creek in the flood plain, just not this property. There is no flood plain map for Silver Creek due to the fact that most of Silver Creek is on a hill. Frustrating!!! Based on what we saw, we concluded it's in the flood plain but which zone we don't know. This means flood insurance.. not something I wanted to do. After that my cousin Lindsey and I went to go walk the property as I didn't want to wait anymore. I went to the next door neighbors and asked about the flooding. He said they did have to have flood insurance ($300/yr) and that the property would have to built 20 inches above ground. They haven't had flooding but I don't think they've lived their very long. We walked the front part.. overgrown but not too bad. When it came time for the back part, I gave up. It was all overgrown over me (doesn't take much) and had huge spiders. That part is now left up to Tony!!!! Woohoo.. he has a job now. I wanted to know more about flood insurance so we went to talk to my agent. Again.. no address so didn't really help. He said I would need an elevation sheet and that the surveyor should have it. Again.. nothing about floods in the document. He stated that if we built up from the get-go we would get some discounts as compared to being built low. That's a good thing! Called Monica got the surveyor's # and called. After many phone calls to Monica and the survey place we finally figured out where the property was. The secretary would have the guy who did it call me. A few hrs. later he called me. Apparently, when you get your land surveyed you have to request for a flood plain survey or something to that affect. I didn't know this. The people who had the surveying done before didn't do this. How stupid!!! He said in order to get the elevation sheet it had to be surveyed and marked and that costs $400-$500. OUCH! I guess I'd rather have it done and be safe than sorry. So, I'm spent!!! I didn't think it'd be this hard. I have learned a lot and I think I am doing a darn good job! I am very proud of myself and the job I've done and what I've done to find out all the info. I'm always the ???? person and Tony's the quiet sit back type so I guess it's okay. We want the land, but Tony wants to go walk it. He and Aaron are going to meet next week and go. I'm staying home!!! Spiders?? No thanks! If the flood insurance isn't all that much per yr. that's fine. I don't want to pay an arm and a leg. So my thought is buy the land, sit on it for a while and pay on it. When it comes time to build have it re-surveyed and then go from there. In no way am I ready to build on it now. We have a wedding to pay for and all that comes with that. Lets just say... my money habits will really come into check in the upcoming year!!! I can do it!!!! This is something I really want for us and I know we can do it as long as we think it through and plans things right (not up Tony's alley, planning that is). Next week hopefully Tony will have more time to sit and talk about this. I've put a lot of work into getting all the I think appropriate info. Hopefully my hard work will pay off!!!! Wish us luck!!!!

On another good note.. I went to travel agencies to get info for Hawaii (our honeymoon destination). That's another $$$$$$. I really wish Tony was home to help on this, but I understand where he's coming from as well. Get the car done and then he'll be satisfied. Men and their toys!!! Gotta love em'! I'll post more later.. we have busy weekend ahead!!! Here are some pics of the land!

Clearance and Land

So.. if you read the last blog I posted this is the follow up to it. As you know, I was going to go buy my invitations today because I had 40% off coupons. Now, they were only $34.99 for a box of 40. I didn't need the coupons!!! They were on clearance for $15.00 a box!!!! What a deal is that? Again, some may say I'm cheap. That's fine.. in this case it's fine with me. We got all our invitations for $60 and on top of that I got the thank you notes for $5 a box as well. This came to a total of $80 for all the invitations (with everyone to go with it) and the thank you notes. Who couldn't ask for a better deal???? I am thrilled. What's even ever is I got a call about some land.
My best friend Stephanie had told me that some friends of hers (we all went to school together) had purchased some land a while back. However, due to them having 3 children all in a row they weren't doing anything with it and are wanting to sell it. Perfect!! So Stephanie got in contact with Monica to get the details. So far, this is the best offer we've seen. From what we've ran into is all the land we've looked at we'd have to spend $20-$30 grand for the well. On Monica and Aaron's property it's all Joplin water, elect.. etc. 4 acres for $15,000. It's in a great area and is cleared land (with just overgrown brush). We'd have to drive an extra 5-10 min. to work but for that price and no having to dig a well it's well worth it. Now if I can just talk Tony into it. Everything seems to be looking up!!!! I hope it all works out!!! I have a good feeling about all of this!!!
That's all I know at the moment!!! I'll be sure to keep everyone posted!!!!

Busy, busy, busy!

Since the 4th it's really been busy around here. Most of the business has been self-created, me taking the initiative to act. It's not so much things that need to be done right at the moment or even in the next week or month, it's things that I feel are important and need to be worked on in order to find the end results we want. First off, marriage. Tony and I have discussed getting married next summer (probably July). He has the ring, but is putting it off just to aggravate me. He has until Aug. 4 at 6:30. Why?? My cousin and I just wanted to LOOK at dresses at David's Bridal. Apparently you can't just LOOK. I am now pre-registered and have a date with my girls on Aug. 4th at 6:30. Tony finds this very amusing and so just to spite he'll put it off until then. At least I know it's coming (well hope anyway). I am one to plan ahead for things. Tony is definitely not one for planning ahead. I know he wants really nothing to do with the planning except to show up. He's stated that so that's fine with me. So I've been browsing for different cake ideas and have picked it out and even all the other stuff that goes along with that and who's going to make it. I've been trying to find invitations. With this invitation looking, I've noticed they are quite expensive and don't come with anything except the invitation and envelope. I've found a lot I liked but I'm not going to spend $7-800 on pieces of paper that people throw away. So last week Sarah and I went to Michael's. By golly they have invitations I can print at home. Who'd a thunk it! My colors are pink and brown so I'm trying to stay in those to schemes. They had some I really liked and weren't expensive. A whole kit (40 in a box) with response cards and the works for $34.99. What's even better... there were coupons in the Michael's add for 40% off this week and one for next week. So... my friends and I have collected these coupons and each one of us is going to go in and buy a box of invitations this week and the programs next week. Genius!!! All for only about $200-250. Some may say I'm cheap but people throw them away and I'm trying to be practical. I'm trying to save $$ for the more important things as will be discussed in the next paragraph. So, with Tony's permission I'm going to buy the invitations tomorrow (1 box that is). His thought is if I can afford it now might as well buy it and that saves the $$ down the road. Everyone else will go get their 1 box too. Same scenario for next week. More updated on wedding stuff as IT becomes available!!! Now, onto the more important things!
Tony and I have been discussing what we want to do about a house. Yes, we are living in one but it's too small and doesn't have a closet for him. It's not because mine is so full, it's because mine is so little and there's only 1. Back on track now....Tony is wanting some acreage to build a shop for his race cars and such. With this idea came do we want to buy a house on land already or buy land and build. We don't make all that much so we don't want to spend all that much. All the houses already on land are mobile homes (not the good ones either), crappy houses that need a lot of work, or houses we can't afford. Tony had the idea to buy land put a manuf. home on it. Manuf. homes are not be confused with double wides. Manuf. homes are regular houses built in the fact (which eliminates time and wastes that would be created by us if we were to build ourselves). The cost about 1/2 less than what it would cost to build it ourselves and are built just as well if not better. He wants a closet and I want a kitchen more than 2 people can be in and a dining room since we always have people over. I've spent countless hours scouring the internet and e-mailing real estate agencies regarding properties. I've been doing this in my sleep..lol. In the midst of all the pricey ones, we've (I've) found on that is really a great deal. 3 acres west (this side of Granby) for $10, 500. It's a little further for us to drive by 10 min. but the land seems like it'd be worth it. It already has electric on it. The other property I've been in contact with was 20 acres, but selling 3 acre tracts for $11.5. Went to look yesterday and the owner stopped me. She said it'd been sold and thought they bought all 20. She took my name and # and said she'd call the agent (as the signs were still up). He called and said yes, but depending on how many acres we wanted they might be willing to sell. I'll know more next week. After a dinner discussion at Arby's I think we've concluded buy the land (wherever it may be) and it on it for a bit. Tony says build the shop first. Gotta get the priorities straight...lol. Eventually build a house or buy a manuf. home and in the meantime live where we are currently. All of this looking and inquiring has been by me. Tony's interested in places but won't do anything about them. Like I stated he doesn't plan. How can you find out anything unless you ask or get more info? It looks like we'll have a buy year ahead and I'd rather get ahead while we can. My way or Tony's way????? Hm.. guess we'll have to wait and see. My guess is since I'm the one looking we'll be more likely to have something come out of it.
That's all the latest news for now and if anything comes up I'll be sure to post the news. I'll post the info/updates about my uncle later.

Happy 4th of July!

Even the though the 4th was 2 days ago, I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe holiday. We have been pretty busy over the last few days. This was Tony's and my first real 4th together. 2 years ago, we were on our way to FL and last year there was the Miami flood and I was having surgery the next day. Friday (the 4th) we went and had a picnic with my parents. This is a tradition I guess you could say , been doing it for the last 26 years; however, I have missed 2 years. This is not an out-door picnic though. My parents have a porch (with windows) and it has a little table and chairs. This table and chairs used to work perfect when it was just the 3 of us (mom, dad, and I). When we added Tony, it became crowded. Invasion of my space as I said. Once I was in (in front of the window) I was stuck. There was barely room for our plates, nevertheless any food. We managed! After that Tony, my mom, and I went to visit my uncle at Freeman. He was in good spirits and had his big ole' smile showing. I will post more on this topic later. We stayed for about 45 min and then left. Tony and I ran some errands (I had to by some really cool pink/gray water shoes). We met Brooke, George, and Sarah at Logans. My parents chickened out because my mom had to make popcorn for all of us. After dinner we met at my parents house (7:15) to go to Carthage for their fireworks. This is where I've come to realize I'm more like my father. We've always gone to Carthage-before I was born my family went to Carthage. We have a certain spot, area that we park. We have to turn around so we are facing the right way to go home. We have a certain spit on the hill we sit. We always have popcorn and soda. We left at our reg. time. My parents took Randy (Brooke's dad) and Tony drove Brooke, Sarah, George, and I. We parked in our regular spot. However.... we didn't walk up far enough and didn't cross the little bridge like always. It had been 2 years!!! We found what we thought was our hill-we were up a just bit too far. I said we needed to go down further, my father disagreed. He later told me I was right. We laid on the blankets while the older folks sat in chairs. George's family happened to show up as well. The fireworks started about 9:30 and they lasted for about 20 min. Nicely done! We all left in no traffic went back to my parents and had ice cream.


Yesterday. Tony and I went to Tonya and Steven's house in Seneca. Tonya is my para at school. Seneca was having their fireworks last night. Her family was there and Steven's family was there.




Tony and Steven's brother/Steven, Meghan, Steven's mom/Food


Tonya and Meghan



We had hot dogs, hamburgers, brisket, smoked chicken, chips with my wonderful dip (thanks Brooke), salad, and dessert. I made a flag cake with fresh blueberries and strawberries. Everyone raved about it. Tony raved about the dip. We had soda and beer to drink-okay Tony had soda I had beer.


Cole-Tonya's son



Tony and Steven's brother trying to get the wasps away.


All the kids were shooting off fireworks. Then quite a few of us play volleyball. OMG, I have not played in years. Tonya, Meghan (Tonya's daughter), Tony, me, Barb, Hoot, and McKaylee were all on a team. My right hand and wrist are so bruised and swollen from serving for so long. We won! We took a break as we were all hot and icky. I cooled off with the hose. The kids shot off some more fireworks. Tonya and Steve's house is right by where they shoot the fireworks for Seneca. All that's in between is a field. In the distance were huge storm clouds with awesome lightning. At 9:45 the fireworks started. This was supposed to be the best in the area. I'd have to disagree this year. It was cool to watch with the lightning in the background.





After it ended about 10:10 or so we were going to watch the kiddos shoot of their big fireworks. All of sudden the wind picked up and it blew over the 12x12 tent in the back. Needless to say, that was the end of that. The wind just blew and blew and didn't let up so it wasn't safe to shoot fireworks off. We all ran after the tent and took it apart (all bent though). Tony and I left. We had to take the long way home as we didn't want to get stuck in traffic. We got to see some of the tornado damage we hadn't seen yet on Iris and in Racine. We got home a little before 11:45. It was a blast at their house and both sides of their families were very nice. Next year their pool will be done! I'm glad I got to spend this weekend with my family and friends!

I'm officially in!

I know before I said I was into grad. school. However, when I filled out the application I had to write what my purpose was and what my goals were in order to get in. That was easy! I can check the status of my application online and I checked this morning and it says I'm in. I should receive my letter tomorrow in the mail. So now it's official!

Other than that, not a lot going on here at the moment. Tony is gone to NY until Thursday. Summer school is over as of yesterday. However, since I teach ECSE I have to service my severe kiddos in July. So no time off for me really. That starts next Monday. Hope everyone has safe and Happy 4th!