Just checking in for a quick update. We went over the agreement, and the attorney sent over our suggested revisions. Haven't heard anything from STBX on it yet.

I starred in my own version of House Hunters today. Checked out 4 places and am struggling to decide between the top two. Both need a little cosmetic work, and each has very strong plusses and a few minuses.

Found out at work today that there's a guy who works in our office complex for another company who has a crush on me. Ugh, he's only 20 years old. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> I could never go out with someone so young, but I was flattered. I guess I must look very young. Yep, ol' Sadmommy's still got it!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> That is very flattering--nice to know you do you still have it, huh?

Good for you!

My stbxh who falls from the same tree as your stbxh so it seems, is very surprised that I am making any postive improvements on myself. I was preggers, you rememeber, when he did all of this, so I am finally getting the chance to do some changes, and I love it! He seems to think I've turned "skank" (since we all know skanky can be defined as jean capris and a button-up shirt buttoned below the collar!).

We're down to a last few final weeks ourselves. But since he suddenly wants to refiance and keep the house so he and OW can live happily ever-after in it <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> , it might take longer.

It was good to hear from you with an update. I'm glad you're holding up so well.

Skanky is good. I'll have to post a picture of the OW.

Sad Mommy - There is less of a difference in ages between you and the 20 year old boy, than your WH and the skank.

<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Leave it to Believer to notice that one! Love it!

Good to hear your update SM! Good luck on the house hunting.

Yeah, I thought about that, too. Ugh. {{shudder}}

Oh, and intexas... way to go on making some changes. How's the post-pregnancy weight loss going? For me, going through the stress of WH leaving dropped down below my pre-pregnancy weight. But I think I may have bottomed out and am starting to fill out again.

Just had to tell someone... I signed a contract on a new house today!! Well, new to me. And it's actually a townhouse. But hey, it's in a good neighborhood, right across the street from the big city park, AND there's a pool. It's an older place, but my realtor said it was the best option for me out of the ones we looked at as far as resale goes b/c of what's going to be happening with a nearby property. Could become a part of the big college in town, which means demand for housing in that neck of the woods will probably be rising in the next few years. And the price is right... even less than what I budgeted for.

And yes, it's a contingency contract based on whether we sell our house at the auction on 6/17... but I did it! ME, making a big financial decision! All by myself!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Oh, that sounds soooooo nice! Especially being right by a park. When my boys were little, we practically lived at the park. I used to pack a lunch, gather them up (plus some neighborhood kids) and spend the afternoon at the park.

We had to drive, but I have wonderful memories, and so do my boys.

It will be nice to have your own place. I sure hope your house sells.

Thanks, believer. Yep, I'm very jazzed thinking about being next to the park. It's the big city park where everyone goes for July 4. They have a terrific playground. Plus, we'll be closer to the grocery store, and getting to work will actually be easier.

I am so happy for you. I really am. I can't wait myself to get to that point.
Right now I'll have to work two jobs, but this time next year (if I land a teaching position) I plan on being in house hunting mode myself. I have been thinking of a duplex maybe, and renting the other side out to college kids from my church.
Again, I am so happy for you!
What an auction for houses? MIne has been on the market since January, and WH is trying to refiance it in his name so he and OW can live there. Wonder if we have those auctions here? Financially, the vacant house has cost us more than my yearly salary this past year.

It's going. I'm 5 lbs below prepreggers weight right now, but still want to drop another 20lbs or so. I want to be an 8, and I am a 12 now. I like how I look, but I would rather be a little smaller.

That's one thing I hated about being pregnant during all of the beginning of this--I didn't get to loss weight because of stress! I had to keep it together for the little one inside.

The auction thing is something the local realtor giant is rolling out. We're actually one of the first ones in this area. The way it works is, you set a reserve price and pay about 1% for the marketing. Then you have a few open houses for people to come and inspect. The company markets the house for 30-45 days. On the day of the auction, all bidders have to be prequalified and registered. The winner has to put so much down that day. Then you close in 30 days, and the winner pays the commission, called a "buyer's premium."

The house will be sold for much less than we would have set the price for a traditional sale, but we'll end up with more profit because we only pay 1% instead of the standard 7%. Plus, you only have to have your house looking nice a couple times and don't have to worry about realtors showing your house at inconvenient times. Finally, it takes a lot less time. Around here, the average house sits on the market 6 months.

And if it doesn't work, we'll go the traditional route. But I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

BTW, congrats on getting below the prepregnancy weight! I'm sure that chasing after those boys will have you slimmed down to your goal in no time! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Congrats on the new home decision! And thanks for explaining the auction thing, I didn't know about the difference between the auctioneers commission vs a real estate agents commission.

Hi Sad Mommy --

Congrats on the townhome!! That's awesome. I have got to get over your way sometime! It has been such a long time since I have been to that lovely city.

I guess no one is interested in the GA get together!!

Kim

Kim, you and DS need to just come on over sometime. There is a lot of fun stuff for kids to do here. The last weekend of June is going to be awesome... it's Athfest, a big music/arts festival downtown. They have a ton of fun stuff to do... a great kids area and outdoor concerts. I don't know about the kids'area, but the outdoor concerts are free. I look forward to it every year, b/c you can see great bands without the hassle of a Music Midtown or other crazy Atlanta music festival. It's a smaller scale but just as good.

I think it may just be that folks are busy in regards to the get-together. I know things have been crazy here trying to get this house ready for sale, trying to find a new place, and getting the divorce closer to being done. Plus, I have no spending money.

I got my latest attorney bill in the mail today and just about fainted. So far, I owe just over $2,500 on top of the $2,500 retainer I paid up front. I can't believe it. This thing is still going to end costing even more when it's all over with, b/c we still have to see the final settlement agreement and then go before the judge. Ugh. This is insane. That's almost 1/4 of my annual salary. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Gosh, I hope this auction works!!

I am going to have to take you up on that!! I will check my calender for that weekend. I don't really think I have anything pending......DS would have a great time & I would love to see how much your DD has grown since October.

Summer is kind of a busy time for everyone.......

And FREE is good!!!

Man, the cost of a D.......but, you know what? You do sound great and things are just gonna' keep going up for you from here!!

Kim

That's what I'm hoping for, that the light at the end of the tunnel is coming soon. What's really weird is that it always seems like money pops up just when I need it, just barely enough. Like, yesterday I had to write a check for the earnest money. I checked the bank account, and bam, my tax refund came that day!

I will email you with my contact info so we can make arrangements for that weekend!

God takes care of us, huh? Great timing on the refund!

I have been blessed so far that WH has continued to pay bills(even though he whines about it!!)

I'll look for your contact info tomorrow -- I'm logging off for the evening. Gonna' play on the V-Smile with DS.

Take Care,

Kim

Well, STBX came over yesterday afternoon to work on the yard some more. He said he was sorry he was late, that he had been at his lawyer's. Said he was fine with the changes I wanted in the agreement and that his lawyer would be sending it to mine first thing this morning.

I am so down in the dumps right now. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> I mean, I KNEW this was going to happen, but it hit me a lot harder than I thought it would. And I haven't even signed it yet. And who knows how long it'll be before the judge signs it.

Last night, he came back to have his time with DD. He went upstairs to get more of his things, and she cried at the gat to the laundry room where the stairs are. When he left, she ran to the front door to watch him leave. That was painful. Not that I don't want her to be attached to her daddy, but it showed me how hard things are going to be, like poor intexas's boys who cry for their daddy and she doesn't know what to tell them.

Ugh, and this past weekend was the 12th anniversary of our first date, and Friday will be our 5th wedding anniversary. Bad, bad week already, and it's only Tuesday morning... Good thing I see my counselor today. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />