Saturday, January 26, 2008
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Why are some kids so mean?
Okay, I can't sleep. I just feel sick to my stomach and I keep thinking about this so I thought I'd write it down and get it out. So, what better a place to do this than my blog?....
Tonight I was making dinner and the TV was on and something was brought up about DNA and Emily asked me what that was. I was trying to explain it and was saying something about how that everyone has unique DNA and that is a part of them that no one else has- everyone is different and she says that she gets it (in hindsight I think she was thinking something along the lines of personality) because she said, "yeah, like hannah's the exciting one and I'm boring?" and I said, "What?" ( I coudn't believe she just said that) and she said, "People call Hannah skinny bones and me fatty pig and they say that she's the exciting one and I'm boring" I couldn't believe what she was saying and I said "Who?" and she said- "lots of kids at school, like some of the kids in my class, and some of the Mexicans and some of the sixth graders. You know, lots of kids." I then said, "hannah, have you ever heard people say things like that?" and she said, "yes, all the time, people always try to say our differences because we are twins" I couldn't believe it. I can't believe how mean kids are. First of all, yes, Emily is a little bigger than Hannah. She always has been. She's about an inch taller, wears a 1/2 size bigger in shoes and weighs about 3 pound more, but by no means is fat. Second, boring? What does that mean? Emily and Hannah have such similar personalities and are so close. They are trully best friends. They do have little differences, but it totally bugs me that everyone since they were little always asked things like (perfect strangers mostly) "who's the bad one? or who's the hard one?" That always bugged me and does even more now because of course everyone whether they are a twin or not has a bad day once in a while. So the whole trying to distiguish the good/bad twin totally bugs me. No one ever says in a family of kids "whose the bad child?" to a parent when they are walking around the mall or something.
But back to the name calling....That is what breaks my heart even more. It probably hits home to me even more because I was always the "chubbier" of my sisters and although I wasn't fat, (like Emily) I was bigger than my sisters and I aways felt like I was fat because of it. It's a horrible thing to be self conscience (sp?, it's late and I can't think) and I just don't want that for my sweet girl. I really can't put into words the emotions I feel about this and how I just want to protect her. I wish I could shield her from this. I hope this isn't something that is an issue, but I'm afraid it will be. Even if she doesn't feel self consceous (okay I really can't spell right now) on her own about being a little bit bigger than Hannah I'm afraid with people (kids) always putting it in her face it will make her start to be self conscious about it. She probably will always be a little bigger (she was born that way) and who cares, but if people constanly compare it and bring it up as a bad thing then it is inevitable that she'll feel bad about it. And I hope it doesn't cause her to have issues. I don't know, maybe I'm reading into this too much, but I don't think so because I think that it just gets harder as you get older and go though the teenage years. I really don't know what to do to shield her and help her always feel good about who she is. I really don't want her self-esteem to be effected. Any suggestions?
Tonight I was making dinner and the TV was on and something was brought up about DNA and Emily asked me what that was. I was trying to explain it and was saying something about how that everyone has unique DNA and that is a part of them that no one else has- everyone is different and she says that she gets it (in hindsight I think she was thinking something along the lines of personality) because she said, "yeah, like hannah's the exciting one and I'm boring?" and I said, "What?" ( I coudn't believe she just said that) and she said, "People call Hannah skinny bones and me fatty pig and they say that she's the exciting one and I'm boring" I couldn't believe what she was saying and I said "Who?" and she said- "lots of kids at school, like some of the kids in my class, and some of the Mexicans and some of the sixth graders. You know, lots of kids." I then said, "hannah, have you ever heard people say things like that?" and she said, "yes, all the time, people always try to say our differences because we are twins" I couldn't believe it. I can't believe how mean kids are. First of all, yes, Emily is a little bigger than Hannah. She always has been. She's about an inch taller, wears a 1/2 size bigger in shoes and weighs about 3 pound more, but by no means is fat. Second, boring? What does that mean? Emily and Hannah have such similar personalities and are so close. They are trully best friends. They do have little differences, but it totally bugs me that everyone since they were little always asked things like (perfect strangers mostly) "who's the bad one? or who's the hard one?" That always bugged me and does even more now because of course everyone whether they are a twin or not has a bad day once in a while. So the whole trying to distiguish the good/bad twin totally bugs me. No one ever says in a family of kids "whose the bad child?" to a parent when they are walking around the mall or something.
But back to the name calling....That is what breaks my heart even more. It probably hits home to me even more because I was always the "chubbier" of my sisters and although I wasn't fat, (like Emily) I was bigger than my sisters and I aways felt like I was fat because of it. It's a horrible thing to be self conscience (sp?, it's late and I can't think) and I just don't want that for my sweet girl. I really can't put into words the emotions I feel about this and how I just want to protect her. I wish I could shield her from this. I hope this isn't something that is an issue, but I'm afraid it will be. Even if she doesn't feel self consceous (okay I really can't spell right now) on her own about being a little bit bigger than Hannah I'm afraid with people (kids) always putting it in her face it will make her start to be self conscious about it. She probably will always be a little bigger (she was born that way) and who cares, but if people constanly compare it and bring it up as a bad thing then it is inevitable that she'll feel bad about it. And I hope it doesn't cause her to have issues. I don't know, maybe I'm reading into this too much, but I don't think so because I think that it just gets harder as you get older and go though the teenage years. I really don't know what to do to shield her and help her always feel good about who she is. I really don't want her self-esteem to be effected. Any suggestions?
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Happy Birthday to Me!!
Today was my birthday- Yep I'm 34!! I feel really old. Turning 30 was no big deal because it was so close to my 20's, I still felt young. Thirty-four feel really old because it feels close to 40. For some reason 40 seems old to me, not to offend anyone who is 40 or older. I don't think you are old, just for ME to be 40 seems old because I still feel like I should be 17. I know that probably doesn't make sense.
Last night I had the surprise of my life- Yes, a SURPRISE Birthday Party for ME!! My husband initiated it and with the help of a few friends and my sister they pulled it off in a matter of about 4 days and I have to say I had no clue. I think the last birthday party I had was when I was 12, so it's been quite a while and being that I have a January birthday so close to Christmas - my birthday tends to be an after thought- or forgotten all together so it really felt good to be celebrated.
Here's how it happened....
Jess isn't one to really go all out for holiday's, anniversary, birthday's etc., so I try to be pretty specific of what I want. For Christmas he didn't actually get me anything (that's another story) so I told him that he could redeem himself for my birthday and actually take me out and get me something. So, all week I've been saying things like "what are we going to do for my birthday", "do you have anything planned?" and so forth. He would always say- your birthday is Sunday so the girls and I will make you cupcakes or something. He wouldn't make plans with me and so my friend called and asked if we wanted to do something with her and her husband for my birthday on Saturday and since Jess wasn't being very nice about things (he was purposely trying to act like a "jerk" so I wouldn't catch on) she and I just planned that we would go out together and get pedicures and go to dinner and the movie. (she was in on the surprise)
Earlier in the week Jess asked me what I thought about him going dirtbike riding on Saturday and being that it was my designated birthday observed (sunday can't be the observed day because he has so many meetings for church that he isn't home anyway) I told him that I didn't want him to go, but much to my dismay he was working on his motorcycle,preparing it for his ride on Saturday, late Friday night. I was really bugged because he wasn't doing anything for my birthday- not even staying home from riding (I have to say that the motorcycle riding takes up the majority of his freetime so I was hoping he'd stay home on saturday). He said he'd be home around 10:30am on sat. but he didn't even get home until almost 1pm.
At 6pm my friend came and picked me up and we went to the pedicure place and got a much needed treatment (by the way my new years resolution is to get rid of my cracked heels once and for all) When we were about done I called home to see if I needed to stop home and nurse the baby before we headed out to dinner and Emily answered the phone. While I was talking to her Jess called me from his cell phone and said that Hannah had wrecked on her bike and I needed to come home because it was really bad. (I totallly believed this because I figured he was outside with Hannah and therefore calling me from his cell phone) I asked if he thought she needed to go to the ER and get stitches or something and he said Yes, it's really bad- her face is pretty mangled- I think she'll need surgery or something. Oh my gosh! Talk about worried. I do have to say that I handle crisis like this pretty well on the outside so it didn't look like I was falling apart or frantic, but I don't even remember the ride home with my friend. All I could think about was Hannah. I walked up to the front door and opened it and everyone yelled "Surprise" I was so shocked!! It took about 10 minutes for it to sink in. I kept looking at Hannah's face for reassurance that everything was okay. I still can't believe how surprised and shocked I was. I never expected that in a million years.
Anyway, there were about 30 people there or stopped by- for journaling sake I'll list them:
Shane and Debbie Wright
Jon and Catherine Jones
Kati Hall
Cara and Evan Fish
Jule and Jared Nielsen
Cole and Angela Keefer
Clint and M'liss Fincher
Jared and Elaine Huish
Clint Atwood
Shauna and Jeff Arnett
Tracy Ayre
Jenny and Chris Forsgren
Denise Overall
Amanda and Adam Mills
Maryn and Rod Fuller
Janee Layton
Gretchen Ward
Wes and Courtney Davis
Troy and Candice Palmer
We ate food- Jess had Gecko Grill make up some platters of Mexican food and then he grilled hamburgers and had chips and fruit platters from Costco. Things were decorated, we had music playing courtsey of Jeff Arnett and there was the neighbors big screen TV set up in our living room with a Wii for people to play. It was a lot of fun to be with everyone. It was pretty amazing that Jess pulled it all off. He only had a little bit of time because I left at 6pm and people got there around 6:30-6:45 and I got there around 7:15. I have to say that my house was a mess when I left at 6 and he did a good job (with help) of getting the house in shape and decorated and re-arranged for the party. I got some really nice gifts- everyone was really thoughtful. My cousin Debbie made me a necklace that I love. I haven't been much of a jewlery person, but I think this necklace is going to get me started. I really do love it. It is so me. I forgot to take a picture, so I'll have to do that later. Even after all the expense of the party, Jess still got me a present (he's not much of a spender so that's really big deal). He bought me a new Ipod nano. It's blue and the 8mb one. I think I can even watch movies on it, but I haven't used it yet so I'm not sure. What a great day!
Now about my pedicure... The poor lady who did my feet really earned her money. I gave her a really big tip because I was even gagging at the amount of dry dead skin that came off my feet. After all her hard work, it will be easier to keep up my feet for my New Years resolution to have no cracks in my feet. Also, I have a really ugly toenail because it was smashed about 9 years ago and now doesn't grow out and so when I had my pedicure done I had them put on fake toenails for my 2 big toes (I did both so they would match) so that I now have normal looking feet. I'm so happy. I know my feet aren't pretty, but at least they look normal. Everytime I look at my once deformed toenail I just smile. It's great to look normal again.
(I know I should have taken a before picture so you could see the difference in my toenail, but I didn't. Just trust me that it looks a lot better now.)
Last night I had the surprise of my life- Yes, a SURPRISE Birthday Party for ME!! My husband initiated it and with the help of a few friends and my sister they pulled it off in a matter of about 4 days and I have to say I had no clue. I think the last birthday party I had was when I was 12, so it's been quite a while and being that I have a January birthday so close to Christmas - my birthday tends to be an after thought- or forgotten all together so it really felt good to be celebrated.
Here's how it happened....
Jess isn't one to really go all out for holiday's, anniversary, birthday's etc., so I try to be pretty specific of what I want. For Christmas he didn't actually get me anything (that's another story) so I told him that he could redeem himself for my birthday and actually take me out and get me something. So, all week I've been saying things like "what are we going to do for my birthday", "do you have anything planned?" and so forth. He would always say- your birthday is Sunday so the girls and I will make you cupcakes or something. He wouldn't make plans with me and so my friend called and asked if we wanted to do something with her and her husband for my birthday on Saturday and since Jess wasn't being very nice about things (he was purposely trying to act like a "jerk" so I wouldn't catch on) she and I just planned that we would go out together and get pedicures and go to dinner and the movie. (she was in on the surprise)
Earlier in the week Jess asked me what I thought about him going dirtbike riding on Saturday and being that it was my designated birthday observed (sunday can't be the observed day because he has so many meetings for church that he isn't home anyway) I told him that I didn't want him to go, but much to my dismay he was working on his motorcycle,preparing it for his ride on Saturday, late Friday night. I was really bugged because he wasn't doing anything for my birthday- not even staying home from riding (I have to say that the motorcycle riding takes up the majority of his freetime so I was hoping he'd stay home on saturday). He said he'd be home around 10:30am on sat. but he didn't even get home until almost 1pm.
At 6pm my friend came and picked me up and we went to the pedicure place and got a much needed treatment (by the way my new years resolution is to get rid of my cracked heels once and for all) When we were about done I called home to see if I needed to stop home and nurse the baby before we headed out to dinner and Emily answered the phone. While I was talking to her Jess called me from his cell phone and said that Hannah had wrecked on her bike and I needed to come home because it was really bad. (I totallly believed this because I figured he was outside with Hannah and therefore calling me from his cell phone) I asked if he thought she needed to go to the ER and get stitches or something and he said Yes, it's really bad- her face is pretty mangled- I think she'll need surgery or something. Oh my gosh! Talk about worried. I do have to say that I handle crisis like this pretty well on the outside so it didn't look like I was falling apart or frantic, but I don't even remember the ride home with my friend. All I could think about was Hannah. I walked up to the front door and opened it and everyone yelled "Surprise" I was so shocked!! It took about 10 minutes for it to sink in. I kept looking at Hannah's face for reassurance that everything was okay. I still can't believe how surprised and shocked I was. I never expected that in a million years.
Anyway, there were about 30 people there or stopped by- for journaling sake I'll list them:
Shane and Debbie Wright
Jon and Catherine Jones
Kati Hall
Cara and Evan Fish
Jule and Jared Nielsen
Cole and Angela Keefer
Clint and M'liss Fincher
Jared and Elaine Huish
Clint Atwood
Shauna and Jeff Arnett
Tracy Ayre
Jenny and Chris Forsgren
Denise Overall
Amanda and Adam Mills
Maryn and Rod Fuller
Janee Layton
Gretchen Ward
Wes and Courtney Davis
Troy and Candice Palmer
We ate food- Jess had Gecko Grill make up some platters of Mexican food and then he grilled hamburgers and had chips and fruit platters from Costco. Things were decorated, we had music playing courtsey of Jeff Arnett and there was the neighbors big screen TV set up in our living room with a Wii for people to play. It was a lot of fun to be with everyone. It was pretty amazing that Jess pulled it all off. He only had a little bit of time because I left at 6pm and people got there around 6:30-6:45 and I got there around 7:15. I have to say that my house was a mess when I left at 6 and he did a good job (with help) of getting the house in shape and decorated and re-arranged for the party. I got some really nice gifts- everyone was really thoughtful. My cousin Debbie made me a necklace that I love. I haven't been much of a jewlery person, but I think this necklace is going to get me started. I really do love it. It is so me. I forgot to take a picture, so I'll have to do that later. Even after all the expense of the party, Jess still got me a present (he's not much of a spender so that's really big deal). He bought me a new Ipod nano. It's blue and the 8mb one. I think I can even watch movies on it, but I haven't used it yet so I'm not sure. What a great day!
Below are a few picutres from the party:
Now about my pedicure... The poor lady who did my feet really earned her money. I gave her a really big tip because I was even gagging at the amount of dry dead skin that came off my feet. After all her hard work, it will be easier to keep up my feet for my New Years resolution to have no cracks in my feet. Also, I have a really ugly toenail because it was smashed about 9 years ago and now doesn't grow out and so when I had my pedicure done I had them put on fake toenails for my 2 big toes (I did both so they would match) so that I now have normal looking feet. I'm so happy. I know my feet aren't pretty, but at least they look normal. Everytime I look at my once deformed toenail I just smile. It's great to look normal again.
(I know I should have taken a before picture so you could see the difference in my toenail, but I didn't. Just trust me that it looks a lot better now.)Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Christmas card pictures
This afternoon I finally took some pictures of my kids for our Christmas Cards. I know I'm way late as usual, but I really had good intentions. In October I talked to a photographer about doing family photos for us and that same night Jess came home and told me he was growing a beard starting that day (for the play). I wasn't about to pay someone to take picures of us with him in a beard. It's just not the look I like. (I promise, picutes to follow...) Anyway, here it is the 12th and I decided now or never so I quickly went through the girls closets and found some Christmasy looking dresses. It was quite the ordeal trying to get everyone to stay where I put them and look at me a smile at the same time. I feel bad because I wasn't feeling the Christmas Spirit through it all. I was way too stressed out. I took about 50 pictures, but really didn't have anything I was really happy with. I settled on one and off to Costco photo online for 150 prints to be made. My goal is to have everything done and sent by Saturday. 
I wish Tessa and Bridget would have been smiling in this picture because I like the position of the girls and Hannah and Emily's hair in this one.
This is the picture I ended up having printed.
I wish Tessa and Bridget would have been smiling in this picture because I like the position of the girls and Hannah and Emily's hair in this one.
This is the picture I ended up having printed.Tuesday, December 11, 2007
An Update.......
Our stake celebrated it's 125 anniversary this year and as part of the celebration they had a play that was written by someone in the stake and based off of some of the early mormon mesa settlers lives. Jess, Emily, Hannah and Bridget were all in it. It was quite the production and they had 3 shows this past weekend. They all did a great job. Emily and Hannah especially love doing things like that. They were so cute. At the end there was a waltz dance with all the young kids and it was my favorite part. I couldn't believe they did such a good job! The lady who choreographed it used to be on the BYU ballroom dance team. I was impressed with what she got the kids to do. The last night of the show on the way home bridget said to me, "Mom, I don't want to be a pioneer anymore. It's too hard." I thought that was so funny because really it is too hard to be a pioneer and all they went through. She was just worn out from all the rehearsals. The rehearsal schedule has been pretty much tues-friday night and saturdays for the last 2 months. The past 2 weeks they have been at rehearsal until 10:15-11:30pm depending on the night. My girls have been so tired for school. They have just come home from school each day and taken a nap and then gone straight to rehearsal. Jess has been even busier because not only was he in the play, but he was in charge of all the Audio/Visual in the play. He set up 4 huge screens with projectors and made a power point presentation to go along with the play. (the above picture is of him starting to take down the stuff after the play. Anyway, it was quite impressive for a stake play. They set it up as a theater in the round (I think that's what it's called) where the stage was on the floor of the culteral hall and there were risers with chairs for the audience all around. Jess grew a beard for this and I was so happy (he was too) to be able to shave it on Sunday morning. (I'll post those pictures later- they are pretty funny)
Dress rehearsal
dress rehearsal
Jess and his stage wife
Emily and Hannah with their stage mom and 2 stage sisters to the right.
Bridget and her stage mom.
Emily
Hannah and Emily
Hannah, Bridget, Jess, Emily
Tonight we 1/2 way put together a gingerbread house. I say half way because the icing wouldn't hold the roof, so I told the girls we'd have to decorate the rest tomorrow after it dries. I was wishing I had ordered a gingerwood house as my roof kept sliding down. We were going to do this as our FHE activity last night, but Jess got sick and went to bed right after work. He did the same tonight, and I felt too bad to make the girls wait another day so we just did it without him. Bridget likes eating the candy and licking the frosting the best.
Here is a picture of our tree. Last week I had the box of ornaments next to the tree and we had planned to decorate as a family, but with play practice it just didn't happen. I let the girls stay home from school one day because they were so worn out and since they were home I decided to make the best of it and they "babysat" bridget and tessa so I could take a nap. When I woke up they had completely decorated the tree themselves. I thought it was a great job for 2- 7 year olds and a 3 year old.
Tessa turned 7 months yestereday (12/10/07) What a sweet baby she is!
Dress rehearsal
dress rehearsal
Jess and his stage wife
Emily and Hannah with their stage mom and 2 stage sisters to the right.
Bridget and her stage mom.
Emily
Hannah and Emily
Hannah, Bridget, Jess, Emily
Tonight we 1/2 way put together a gingerbread house. I say half way because the icing wouldn't hold the roof, so I told the girls we'd have to decorate the rest tomorrow after it dries. I was wishing I had ordered a gingerwood house as my roof kept sliding down. We were going to do this as our FHE activity last night, but Jess got sick and went to bed right after work. He did the same tonight, and I felt too bad to make the girls wait another day so we just did it without him. Bridget likes eating the candy and licking the frosting the best.
Here is a picture of our tree. Last week I had the box of ornaments next to the tree and we had planned to decorate as a family, but with play practice it just didn't happen. I let the girls stay home from school one day because they were so worn out and since they were home I decided to make the best of it and they "babysat" bridget and tessa so I could take a nap. When I woke up they had completely decorated the tree themselves. I thought it was a great job for 2- 7 year olds and a 3 year old.
Tessa turned 7 months yestereday (12/10/07) What a sweet baby she is!Monday, December 3, 2007
And the stockings were hung by the chimney with care....
The stocking picture was supposed to come up first. Oh well, I don't know how to change it.
We got a few of our Christmas decorations out tonight. We are planning on doing the tree tomorrow for FHE. Bridget is sooo excited about the tree, decorations, santa, Christmas in general. It is all she talked about tonight. The above picture of my nativity was set up all of 5 minutes before Jesus got decapitated. Bridget was in the living room by herself when we heard a crashing sound. I saw her run behind the couch and hannah asked her why she broke Jesus. She said, "I didn't do it, I don't know how it happened." She did feel bad because she wouldn't even look up at me. I think she was playing with one of the other figures and accidently knocked it off of the table. Poor Jesus. I'm going to have to try and salvage his head. It's in 3 bigger pieces and then about 4 smaller pieces. It will be a delicate surgery.
I also got the stockings and wreath out. I got them last year after Christmas at 75% off. So what would have cost me $120 only ended up costing $30. Talk about a deal! We didn't even have a Christmas tree last year because we were going to be at my moms for Christmas and I knew they would be so much cheaper after Christmas so I waited and bought all my decorations at Target super cheap. I'll post a picture of my tree after we get it up. I still need to add names to the stockings. I'm not sure what to do yet.
I'm up again with Tessa and her cough. It always gets worse at night and wakes her up. At least she's happy. I keep having to give her cough medicine. It makes me nervous because even though the Dr. prescibed it- Walgreens refused to fill it. They said it was too dangerous and so I had to Fry's to get it filled. If that hadn't happened I wouldn't even think twice about giving it to her. So for the past 6 nights I put her to sleep without it, then she wakes up coughing and then I give her the medicine and it takes about 30 minutes for it to kick in and then she goes back to sleep. No better time to blog than at 4:00am.
We got a few of our Christmas decorations out tonight. We are planning on doing the tree tomorrow for FHE. Bridget is sooo excited about the tree, decorations, santa, Christmas in general. It is all she talked about tonight. The above picture of my nativity was set up all of 5 minutes before Jesus got decapitated. Bridget was in the living room by herself when we heard a crashing sound. I saw her run behind the couch and hannah asked her why she broke Jesus. She said, "I didn't do it, I don't know how it happened." She did feel bad because she wouldn't even look up at me. I think she was playing with one of the other figures and accidently knocked it off of the table. Poor Jesus. I'm going to have to try and salvage his head. It's in 3 bigger pieces and then about 4 smaller pieces. It will be a delicate surgery.
I also got the stockings and wreath out. I got them last year after Christmas at 75% off. So what would have cost me $120 only ended up costing $30. Talk about a deal! We didn't even have a Christmas tree last year because we were going to be at my moms for Christmas and I knew they would be so much cheaper after Christmas so I waited and bought all my decorations at Target super cheap. I'll post a picture of my tree after we get it up. I still need to add names to the stockings. I'm not sure what to do yet.
I'm up again with Tessa and her cough. It always gets worse at night and wakes her up. At least she's happy. I keep having to give her cough medicine. It makes me nervous because even though the Dr. prescibed it- Walgreens refused to fill it. They said it was too dangerous and so I had to Fry's to get it filled. If that hadn't happened I wouldn't even think twice about giving it to her. So for the past 6 nights I put her to sleep without it, then she wakes up coughing and then I give her the medicine and it takes about 30 minutes for it to kick in and then she goes back to sleep. No better time to blog than at 4:00am.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
My New CAR!!!
Okay, I got a new (used) car last night and I tried to upload a picture of it that I got off of the internet and it took me forever and it didn't work. I'm really not computer literate. You'll just have to look it up yourself, but I'm sure you know what it looks like. It is a 2007 Honda Odyssey. Now for the story...
I've looked a little here and there for a new car for a few months, but nothing serious because my current car is fine, but I like to look on line. Anyway, on tuesday I saw a 2007 odyssey- totally loaded with leather and everything and under 7000 miles listed for 24,500. I thought it was too good to be true because those things typically cost around 30k and peopl just don't sell them when they're that new. Anyway, I called the # just to see and talked to a guy who said that he was helping his aunt sell her car because she needed to close escrow on her house by friday and needed the cash. I asked him what was wrong with the car and he said nothing, it's just that she's a "cat lady" and that's why she's having to move. Anyway, he said that someone already had put a deposit on the car and had it inspected by honda and he thought that he'd buy it, but if he didn't then he'd call us. To my surprise he called later that night and said we could come look if we wanted. I guess the other guy didn't want it afterall because his wife heard about the cat thing and without even looking or smelling said no way.
On wed afternoon Jess and I drove to goodyear because I was hoping that the smell wasn't that bad. Well, it was. The car was perfect and if looks brand new, but the smell.... Jess quickly drove it and I didn't even bother because I knew I didn't want to pay that much for a stinky car. (the guy said that 24,500 was her bottom # because if whe didn't sell it then she'd refinance it). Anyway, after we went home Jess called the guy and offered 22k because he figured if he'd get a good deal we could pay to have the inside redone- new carpet etc- and then we'd still be ahead. The guy said no and we thought that was that.
Well, to make a long story even longer...
On friday afternoon about 2pm the guy called Jess and said that the refinance of the car didn't go through and that if we wanted it for 22k we could have it, but we needed to do it by 5pm so that she could close escrow. Talk about stress. Jess told him that we could only come up with 20k last minute like that and the guy said, I can't tell my aunt that. What about 21k. Jess said, "I'll try to come up with that but I don't think I can" and the guy just said get as close as you can. Anyway, we were totally scrambling to get the money together that quick because it's impossible to get a loan in 3 hours. Anyway, I called the guy and told him that Jess was getting a cashiers check made for 20,200 and I had a little cash in my wallet and that's all we could do and he said okay.
So we get to the bank and go to exchange the money and his aunt is all surprised at the amount (20,300) because she thought we were bringing 21k. Anyway, supposidly the guy thought I said that the check would be 20200 and we would bring the rest in cash. That's his story, and we are giving him the benefit of the doubt, but I know he knows what happened. I think he just thought his aunt wouldn't care (BTW he's her mortgage broker so he has a vested interest in the escrow closing) Jess didn't want to budge, but I felt so sorry for the lady that I told him we should just pay the rest (we did have to negotiate to pay the other 700 next month because we are broke!) Okay, so that's the story of how we got a good deal. Basically she was in distress and her car stunk, so we got a good deal (she just paid 35k for it in march- crazy)
So heres her story...
She used to run a cat rescue in Florida and would rescue, nurse back to health and then adopt out cats. But there were some 50+ cats over the years that weren't adoptable (meaning diseased and old) that she has kept. In January she moved to AZ and bought a house in Goodyear for her and her 50+ cats. come to find out Goodyear has a city ordinance that only allows 4 pets per household and she has been being fined 600 a month for breaking the ordinance. So she decided that rather than get rid of the cats they need to find a new home in Phoenix where there is no ordinance. She thought ex husband and kids would help her out financially to get into the new house, but they backed out at the last minute because they think that if she didn't get another house that she would get rid of the cats. Wrong- she decides to sell her only car to get the money. That's were we came in. So, this lady is losing 14k on a car she just bought 8 months ago, having to buy a new house (while knowing that the house she bought last january probably won't sell) and she and her 50+ cats are going to be moving. She spends $150 a week just for cat food and kitty litter. That doesn't count the vet bills and medications for the cats. Isn't that just crazy? I don't spend that kind of money on my kids. The saddest part for us is that she was crying when we bought her car because now she is carless and because she loved that car. I felt so bad for her because I'm sure she doesn't think like the rest of us (just get rid of the cats). She thinks that this is her only option because she loves those cats so much.
Now back to the smell...
I'm sure you are all wondering why I'm up so late- well, I've been on the internet researching how to get rid of cat smell. It's not going to be easy, but I want it done right because I'll be so sad if my new car always has lingering cat odor even after we replace everything. Any suggestions?
The sad part about this is that I'm not that excited about this new car (smell aside). I'm wondering if I should just keep my old one. I like it more than I realized because it's just so roomy inside. The only thing it's lacking is cargo space. Well, I better stop rambling and go to bed, but if anyone has suggestions- please help.
I've looked a little here and there for a new car for a few months, but nothing serious because my current car is fine, but I like to look on line. Anyway, on tuesday I saw a 2007 odyssey- totally loaded with leather and everything and under 7000 miles listed for 24,500. I thought it was too good to be true because those things typically cost around 30k and peopl just don't sell them when they're that new. Anyway, I called the # just to see and talked to a guy who said that he was helping his aunt sell her car because she needed to close escrow on her house by friday and needed the cash. I asked him what was wrong with the car and he said nothing, it's just that she's a "cat lady" and that's why she's having to move. Anyway, he said that someone already had put a deposit on the car and had it inspected by honda and he thought that he'd buy it, but if he didn't then he'd call us. To my surprise he called later that night and said we could come look if we wanted. I guess the other guy didn't want it afterall because his wife heard about the cat thing and without even looking or smelling said no way.
On wed afternoon Jess and I drove to goodyear because I was hoping that the smell wasn't that bad. Well, it was. The car was perfect and if looks brand new, but the smell.... Jess quickly drove it and I didn't even bother because I knew I didn't want to pay that much for a stinky car. (the guy said that 24,500 was her bottom # because if whe didn't sell it then she'd refinance it). Anyway, after we went home Jess called the guy and offered 22k because he figured if he'd get a good deal we could pay to have the inside redone- new carpet etc- and then we'd still be ahead. The guy said no and we thought that was that.
Well, to make a long story even longer...
On friday afternoon about 2pm the guy called Jess and said that the refinance of the car didn't go through and that if we wanted it for 22k we could have it, but we needed to do it by 5pm so that she could close escrow. Talk about stress. Jess told him that we could only come up with 20k last minute like that and the guy said, I can't tell my aunt that. What about 21k. Jess said, "I'll try to come up with that but I don't think I can" and the guy just said get as close as you can. Anyway, we were totally scrambling to get the money together that quick because it's impossible to get a loan in 3 hours. Anyway, I called the guy and told him that Jess was getting a cashiers check made for 20,200 and I had a little cash in my wallet and that's all we could do and he said okay.
So we get to the bank and go to exchange the money and his aunt is all surprised at the amount (20,300) because she thought we were bringing 21k. Anyway, supposidly the guy thought I said that the check would be 20200 and we would bring the rest in cash. That's his story, and we are giving him the benefit of the doubt, but I know he knows what happened. I think he just thought his aunt wouldn't care (BTW he's her mortgage broker so he has a vested interest in the escrow closing) Jess didn't want to budge, but I felt so sorry for the lady that I told him we should just pay the rest (we did have to negotiate to pay the other 700 next month because we are broke!) Okay, so that's the story of how we got a good deal. Basically she was in distress and her car stunk, so we got a good deal (she just paid 35k for it in march- crazy)
So heres her story...
She used to run a cat rescue in Florida and would rescue, nurse back to health and then adopt out cats. But there were some 50+ cats over the years that weren't adoptable (meaning diseased and old) that she has kept. In January she moved to AZ and bought a house in Goodyear for her and her 50+ cats. come to find out Goodyear has a city ordinance that only allows 4 pets per household and she has been being fined 600 a month for breaking the ordinance. So she decided that rather than get rid of the cats they need to find a new home in Phoenix where there is no ordinance. She thought ex husband and kids would help her out financially to get into the new house, but they backed out at the last minute because they think that if she didn't get another house that she would get rid of the cats. Wrong- she decides to sell her only car to get the money. That's were we came in. So, this lady is losing 14k on a car she just bought 8 months ago, having to buy a new house (while knowing that the house she bought last january probably won't sell) and she and her 50+ cats are going to be moving. She spends $150 a week just for cat food and kitty litter. That doesn't count the vet bills and medications for the cats. Isn't that just crazy? I don't spend that kind of money on my kids. The saddest part for us is that she was crying when we bought her car because now she is carless and because she loved that car. I felt so bad for her because I'm sure she doesn't think like the rest of us (just get rid of the cats). She thinks that this is her only option because she loves those cats so much.
Now back to the smell...
I'm sure you are all wondering why I'm up so late- well, I've been on the internet researching how to get rid of cat smell. It's not going to be easy, but I want it done right because I'll be so sad if my new car always has lingering cat odor even after we replace everything. Any suggestions?
The sad part about this is that I'm not that excited about this new car (smell aside). I'm wondering if I should just keep my old one. I like it more than I realized because it's just so roomy inside. The only thing it's lacking is cargo space. Well, I better stop rambling and go to bed, but if anyone has suggestions- please help.
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