From Obama to McCain, Pelosi to Gingrich, the words affordable health insurance come out of their mouths just the same. Below is a video that offers a different solution. I disagree with the tone (know-it-all) and some blanket statements about "the majority of Americans," and the ideas certainly aren't brand new but still refreshing. Take a look.
http://online.wsj.com/video/how-to-fix-health-insurance/BDDD0C13-0453-4E03-8BE1-41BCC0F03694.html
Friday, October 24, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
A New Condo
So, Tracy and I have signed a purchase agreement and loan docs on a new condo. I'm pretty sure that this one is going to work out this time. We're set to close November 25th.
Needless to say we are all very excited. Jon might be the most excited of all of us. Here are some pictures of artwork that Jon and I are painting for the new place. We thought it would be nice if most of our decorations were originals.
Needless to say we are all very excited. Jon might be the most excited of all of us. Here are some pictures of artwork that Jon and I are painting for the new place. We thought it would be nice if most of our decorations were originals.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Proposition 8
I have not given up on blogging completely.
The last several months have been a whirlwind for several reasons:
1) I received a small promotion at work and have had to work a lot of hours
2) The protect marriage movement that our church / Pastor Jim is heavily involved in. If Pastor is heavily involved then Tracy is neck deep in the same. Below is a recent you tube post that very clearly explains the current situation and what we're doing.
If history is any indicator, i will not be posting for another several months. So for the two of you who find it enjoyable to see my inconsistency, I will not disappoint.
Here is the video:
The last several months have been a whirlwind for several reasons:
1) I received a small promotion at work and have had to work a lot of hours
2) The protect marriage movement that our church / Pastor Jim is heavily involved in. If Pastor is heavily involved then Tracy is neck deep in the same. Below is a recent you tube post that very clearly explains the current situation and what we're doing.
If history is any indicator, i will not be posting for another several months. So for the two of you who find it enjoyable to see my inconsistency, I will not disappoint.
Here is the video:
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Looking for Condos Continued
It has been a good while since I have posted anything. But after three months on the new job it is now time again for Tracy, Jon, and I to start looking for a place to buy. Below is the exact same floor plan as some of our friends, Nick and Karen, and we really like it. The only issue is that it is a shortsale. Shortsales have many more steps to complete the sale and can take several months longer than normal.
12032 CALLE DE MEDIO #169, El Cajon, CA 92019
This is another loft floorplan that we really like from another condo complex, Tristen. Some may remember that we looked at this very same floor plan several months ago and absolutely loved it, making an offer on the property. Well after 13 competing offers, we did not get it. Now this is a different condo, same floorplan, we're pumped
12032 CALLE DE MEDIO #169, El Cajon, CA 92019
Stay tuned for more updates.
12032 CALLE DE MEDIO #169, El Cajon, CA 92019
This is another loft floorplan that we really like from another condo complex, Tristen. Some may remember that we looked at this very same floor plan several months ago and absolutely loved it, making an offer on the property. Well after 13 competing offers, we did not get it. Now this is a different condo, same floorplan, we're pumped
12032 CALLE DE MEDIO #169, El Cajon, CA 92019
Stay tuned for more updates.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Is Going Organic Really Better for You?
Below is a rather thorough (but short) article I found on the topic of organic foods. It addresses the issue primarily in the manner that discusses whether or not organic is actually healthier, however it is a very good overall look at organic food.
Quick summary:
There are two reasons people eat organic,
1. It is healthier
2. It is better for the environment.
Are those good reasons? The article answers that question.
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Diet/Story?id=3353401&page=1
Monday, May 5, 2008
No Condo and a New Job
Here's what has been happening and why I haven't updated in so long:
We didn't end up getting the condo. We had been approved for a mortgage and we were in escrow, plugging away at all the paperwork and such that goes between the buyer, seller, mortgage companies, and agents, when our broker discovered that there wasn't a single PMI company in California that would insure our property's mortgage. Long story short we felt a solid smack on the nose from the closing door. However, that worked out wonderfully because I had decided to start looking for another career. Clear guidance from the Lord.
I decided that no matter the great financial opportunity that the auto sales industry held for me, I did not want to be there; I did not want to be doing that. Again without going into detail: I had several job offers and ended up accepting a position at The Hard Rock Hotel in downtown San Diego. It is a phenomenal opportunity and is giving me a firm boot out of my comfort zone. Check out the website www.hardrocksd.com. My first day was today, it is already interesting, very crazy, nothing like I have ever experienced before. Stay tuned.
So there it is, no condo and a new job.
We didn't end up getting the condo. We had been approved for a mortgage and we were in escrow, plugging away at all the paperwork and such that goes between the buyer, seller, mortgage companies, and agents, when our broker discovered that there wasn't a single PMI company in California that would insure our property's mortgage. Long story short we felt a solid smack on the nose from the closing door. However, that worked out wonderfully because I had decided to start looking for another career. Clear guidance from the Lord.
I decided that no matter the great financial opportunity that the auto sales industry held for me, I did not want to be there; I did not want to be doing that. Again without going into detail: I had several job offers and ended up accepting a position at The Hard Rock Hotel in downtown San Diego. It is a phenomenal opportunity and is giving me a firm boot out of my comfort zone. Check out the website www.hardrocksd.com. My first day was today, it is already interesting, very crazy, nothing like I have ever experienced before. Stay tuned.
So there it is, no condo and a new job.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
New Condo, accepted offer
The previous condo that we had made an offer on was not accepted. The bank took a cash offer instead (that's a lot of cash). But we recently made new offers on a different one and after several counter offers back and forth, the seller has accepted our offer. Tentative closing date is set as April 31st. Now we just have to get a mortgage. That is a whole different story. Lenders do not like car sales. We'll see how it goes.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
The Condo
On Monday we found out that there were 7 more offers placed on the condo over the weekend. The total is 11 offers including our own. What the bank (it is a bank-owned foreclosure) said was for everyone to submit their "final and best offer" by Wednesday and the bank will choose from those final offers. We tweaked our offer a little, on Tuesday, and are now waiting to here.
In the meantime I had a lengthy conversation with a mortgage guy (someone who has done several of our friends loans) and he seems to think it will be "impossible" to get a mortgage on the place. Reason being is the shape that the property is in. It needs a lot of work. It is about $30,000 into a complete remodel, but still has $20,000 to go. So you have phenomenal cabinets and real granite counter tops in a kitchen with no flooring or appliances. I remain undeterred, I want that property. Tracy has stopped getting her hopes up.
At this point, in order for us to get the condo, it would take a number of very unorthodox events... what most would call "a miracle." We trust the Lord that he knows what's best and if our actions produce no results then I'll assume he's pointing us a different direction. Or maybe that means I'm supposed to try harder...
In the meantime I had a lengthy conversation with a mortgage guy (someone who has done several of our friends loans) and he seems to think it will be "impossible" to get a mortgage on the place. Reason being is the shape that the property is in. It needs a lot of work. It is about $30,000 into a complete remodel, but still has $20,000 to go. So you have phenomenal cabinets and real granite counter tops in a kitchen with no flooring or appliances. I remain undeterred, I want that property. Tracy has stopped getting her hopes up.
At this point, in order for us to get the condo, it would take a number of very unorthodox events... what most would call "a miracle." We trust the Lord that he knows what's best and if our actions produce no results then I'll assume he's pointing us a different direction. Or maybe that means I'm supposed to try harder...
Monday, March 3, 2008
A Map
Under the suggestion of Nate Woods: Here is a map of where we live in San Diego and where Tracy works and where we are trying to buy a house.
View Larger Map
View Larger Map
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Some more pics of the condo
Our agent submitted our offer to the listing agent on Friday and he is waiting until Monday morning to submit all the offers to the bank. We should find out soon how our offer compared.
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