Quick Update

I feel like I'm neglecting my blog. The days are flying by and each time I look at the clock, it's later than I thought. I'm keeping up but someone needs to add at least a couple of hours to each day!

Regarding my home rehab business, we found a house we like. It's a HUD home, which is a way new experience for me! The home is located north of Pittsburgh and is priced in the 40's, not bad and just in our range for our first home (I'll post pictures if we get it). I learned from our real estate agent that investors have to wait to bid at least a week after the bidding starts (it gives homeowners a chance to get the home), so our bid can go in on May 7th. In the meanwhile, I'm getting everyone's information together to apply for a revocation loan (I hope I got that right) through Fannie Mae. They help pay for the mortgage and some construction costs. I had no idea this type of loan existed. To say I'm relieved is an understatment, at least I will be if we qualify!

I took my oldest daughter to the eye doctor last night and we found out she is nearsighted and needs glasses. I just started wearing +1 glasses for reading only, so I'm kind of a newbie to all this. My husband, on the other hand, is blind as a bat and so the doctor thinks my daughter might have inherited some of his eyesight. She is only 20 over 50 at this point. She was thrilled to pick out glasses and she found a pair she loves. I'm glad she is ok with it all. I was afraid she'd be self conscious about it.

My mother, who is doing pretty poorly with memory loss and walking, decided to move in with my sister until my brother is discharged from the Navy next year and can take her in.My sister is a nurse, so that helps. My mother can no longer care for herself and she is afraid of falling down the steps in her apartment. It's hard to see someone deteriorate.

My husband is thinking about writing a book. He is feeling stuck in his career (and his three jobs routine!) so last weekend we talked about what he'd like to do when he grows up :) He said he'd love to teach full time, college level or seminars, something he does part time now. Since you need a Ph.D to teach college full time and he only has a Master's, I suggested he try his hand at writing a book in his field (psychology) and see if he could base a seminar off it. He can't write, but he can give a mean seminar so I told him I'd help do some writing. We are both out of our element here but it can't hurt to try. I'm sure we'll be asking someone for help sooner than later!

My brother is coming home on leave this summer from Gitmo and I can't wait to see him! Once he gets his orders, we'll know when exactly he'll be home. But just the idea of getting to see him and his kids gives me something fun to look forward to. He wants to buy a house while here so he has a place to come home to next year after discharge. That will keep us busy, but we'll squeeze in a visit to Kennywood park and any other fun we can find.

I managed to fit in my grocery shopping today and I bought the ingredients to make Raspberry Swirl brownies, which I hope turn out so I can post the recipe. Plus I can use some serious chocolate about now, especially if next week is like this one was!