Coldness

First - 
the Weather

When we left today we both needed sleeves and more. This is an exciting time here in Northeast Florida as we have months of days in the nineties. Both of us had light sweaters and really couldve used light jackets as it was about 50 degrees when we left the house. BRRRRRR

Feels good to put on cozy PJ's tonight. There will be no more pool time until April so that's kind of sad. Too bad we can't afford to heat the pool but our electric bill is already between $300 and $400  a month.

We are thinking we need to replace the back wall in our living room which is a 'wall of windows'. Windows from 1959 that are single paned and not at all energy efficient. Do we really want to refinance or get a home equity loan though? The rates are really low right now so this is probably a good time to do it.

2nd - 6 year old naughtiness

Now what to do about Jamie's talk talk talkiness.

She hasn't fared well in the First Grade Good Behavior department. Last yeat she had mostly 'E's or S Plus's for Excellent or Satisfactory plus behavior. This year has been alot of 'S'es and even some 'S' minuses. MOstly for talking and not focusing.

We have taken TV/Video screen priviledges which seems to really bother her. I also was going to let her get a new Abby Abominal (From Monster High) costume for Halloween if she got 10 'E's in all of September through the 3rd week of October and she managed to get 7. I almost caved and got her a different new costume at the Store closing sale this weekend.

Finally - K-Mart is going down I am afraid!

I have been telling my friends and family that K-Mart is probably going out of business if we all don't buck up and shop there once in a while. Sadly two more stores in our area are closing. This doesn't bode well for consumers. As we all know when there isn't competition there isn't enough incentive for prices to stay low. Or for stores to treat consumers as customers.

Think about shopping at the Big K at least once a month or more often if you can. We can't let the ENORMOUS W take over the world. Not just yet.

Crazy Hour and the hubby is 'unavailable'

Mike has been pretty 'unavailable' this fall because of being a teacher and being so bogged down with grades and lesson plans. Also because the school he is in is now failing or a 'D' school they have many layers of administration, school, district, state and federal...all seeming to have their own agendas and their own game plans for getting the school back on track.

All of which depend on the teacher to do all the work of couse. So...he spends most evenings down in the den working. Good thing right now I am not working with buyers who want to see anything at night right now.

Come to think of it I am not really 'working' actively with any buyers right now, they have all either actually bought something or changed their mind. I have one nurse who works nights who I have shown houses to but she is waiting for the deal of a lifetime so who knows if that will ever come to pass.

What is 'a deal of a lifetime' here in Northeast Florida right now in 2012? A red brick house that has at least four bedrooms and at least 2 bathrooms and at least 2400 sf with a garage and a large backyard for under $200,000.

I have another buyer I have been working with since June and they put an offer on a house on Friday. The seller countered only changing a couple minor things. They didnt respond to my calls today so they are making me nervous.

And I have a couple of deals on short sales which may not close until 2013. Short sales are when the seller owes more than the house is worth...so the negotiating process can take months. So you have a buyer in limbo not knowing if the bank will accept their offer.

Oh the joys of this career...I know it sounds like I am not enjoying it but I am...

To spend each day differently...To have to go outside and take photos or go see several houses...to do an Comparative Market analysis using my brain and my tech skills.To use my selling knowledge to talk with people and help them to the right decision. To make people happy both by selling their existing house or finding a new house or hopefully someday both sides of the transaction.

It's all very rewarding. I love what I do.

So I can't complain too much about Mike not being 'available'. At least I have a flexible career where I can be here with Jamie during the 'crazy hour'....You know the hours between getting dinner on the table and the kids in bed.

Off to read the bedtime story.