It's Been Crazy

It's been a crazy month/year so far. We had a bit of a cold spell but nothing like last year. We had about a week of -40 weather but it wasn't too bad. Last January we spent about three weeks between -40 and -55. That was crazy. It's a gorgeous day out today, sunny, clear, around -1. I can really tell a difference in the daylight, too. It's only been a month since solstice but we have already gained almost two hours of daylight. Changes happen fast up here.

Speaking of changes, lots of drama going on with the house. UGH It is driving me NUTS!! The builder and my agent have since had professional differences and have gone their separate ways. My agent said he'd understand if I wanted to stick with the builder on the house. Well I'm fed up with him starting and stopping so I walked away from it. I found a house that had been on the market almost a year. The seller is pretty motivated and is the president of a local bank. I put an offer on the house. After I submitted the offer, I was put in contact with another local builder, a legit guy who's been in the business quite a while. He initially said he'd be willing to do a lease purchase option. After some thought I withdrew my offer to pursue something with this builder. Well when we sat down and talked numbers, he can't do the lease purchase option unless I double my down payment, which I can't. He said he'd be happy to build me a house in April 2011, when I should be able to qualify for FHA financing. He has actually drawn up the plans for the house he would build and it's a pretty awesome house. Worth waiting for.

To muddy up the situation, the first builder emailed me last week. He apologized for what happened, said he assumes I'll continue with my agent. But if I was still interested in the house, he's starting on it again next week. He would honor the same terms as before. As if I need this to add to the mix! Do I want to do business with this guy? No. Is it a decent house at a good price? Yes. Crap. What am I supposed to do?? The other house is far and away a better house. But it is also $27k more than this house. Affordability wise, I should go with this one. But if I'm patient, the other one will be the better house. It will just stretch me pretty good. Luckily I don't have to decide anything this minute. I told the first builder to let me know when the house is done and I'll check it out. The second builder will be breaking ground soon on three houses he's building and I'll be able to check them out. I already know they will be the better house, it's just what is the best financial decision?

So talking about finances....there is a slight possibility that I will be getting a promotion at work. One of my coworkers is most likely going to be moving to a different group, a promotion for her. They are planning to take her position and make it a lead position. And they have someone in mind for this position: me. But it will be opened to the university as a whole. There is a chance someone better will come along but I have a pretty good in. Our director and assistant director really want to keep me as part of the group. This would be a great step in that direction. There will be a position a level above the lead position coming open in about a year and a half, and they are kind of eyeing me for that position. So this would be a great career progression. So, the second house might be a stretch, but if this works out, it won't be that big of a stretch. Nothing is certain. Several things have to happen. My co-worker needs to get that job. The lead job needs to be approved. Then I need to interview for and be selected for the lead job. We'll see what happens.

Last but not least, I finally found a local doctor who can do fills for my lap band. I went and saw her three weeks ago. It was an initial get to know you appointment. Technically she knows what she's doing. But her approach kind of put me off. It's like she has a box solution that she applies to her patients, regardless of their individual needs. The reason I chose the lap band is because it is individualized. Anyway, I saw her the following week to get a fill and it is darn near perfect. I don't give her any credit for it tho. She never asked how much I was eating, how much I was eating at my best restriction prior, etc. She just did her box approach. Luckily for me, it just so happened that it is what I needed. Since the fill only two weeks ago, I'm down 15 lbs!!! Freaking crazy!! I know this is not typical and I'm just taking it for the jump start that it is. I've really stepped things up at the gym too. I'm so focused and dedicated to getting this weight off once and for all. I have about 25 lbs to my goal. I'll re-evaluate things when get there.

I guess that's it for this month. Those things are the big things. All else is status quo.