TriGirl

Different hat every time. Each one makes me giggle.

Yes, I remember when I bought my first standalone house, (first thing I owned was a condo). I think I was averaging 3 trips/day to Lowes (it was closer than Home Depot) for the first couple weeks. ...and I didn't even mention... -tools of all types -paint supplies -caulk & gun -picture hangers -trash cans - more etc., etc., etc. Hell...he should just get a no-down payment deal...he's gonna need the $$$ for all the miscellaneous stuff. The best house warming gift is not a plant. It's a gift card to the new homeowner's favorite home improvement store!

Hey, Ski! Regarding your original question/request: I'll email you the contact info of my agent. I found her on Realtor.com (random search, called three of the agents I selected and she was the most responsive). I called her the day before I was flying to Tampa at the last minute and gave her the listing numbers of the properties I had found on my own. She was ready to go the next morning, with a few additional selections she had found. We finished pretty late on Day 1, but she went home that evening to do a bit more research. I contracted on the house I now own the next day and flew back to California that afternoon. She then followed up for about a year, trying to be sure the neighborhood was all that we expected, kept up on the financial issues the developer eventually faced, etc. I even called her a few times for the next couple of years to compare other properties, which she did without hesitation. Really quality work. I wish I could get my sister to understand this!!! She's still taking care of my house while I'm gone, but she knows she has to move out by the time I get back. She says she wants to consider buying (which is a step up), but if she doesn't move on something soon, interest rates and prices will climb. Besides the monthly bills, at least for now mortgage interest is still a tax deduction. Just wait until you do your 2013 taxes! The only other recommendation I have: go with the 30-year loan. (Alright everyone, just hear me out!) You'll hear that it's better to pay it off in 15 or 20 years. Yes, that is definitely true. However, adding a couple of hundred dollars per payment on your own will do that, too (check your statement to see how much of your payment is going to principle, and pay at least that amount extra when you can). And, if there are times when you really need to make that lower house payment, it's nice to have the option of the lower required amount. Additionally, if you even decide to move and want to rent it out, you don't have to worry about NEEDING to collect that higher rent. If the rent covers the bills, great. If it covers the bills and allows you to put some away for needed repairs, even better. Plus, you will be in a better position to cover the mortgage out-of-pocket when you can't rent it out. Just my two cents and two points on that issue. Can't wait for the house warming party!! See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

He's getting a VA loan, which means he can finance up to 110% of the purchase price, get some money back, fixed interest with no PMI. He's going to pay ~ 1/4 point more on the overall interest rate, but lots of bennies come with that situation -- especially not worrying about a down payment, no 80/20, etc. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Poor kitty. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

+1. -current car is a Jeep Compass, limited edition (all the bells & whistles), with 5-speed manual. 2010 was the year Jeep started offering manual in all levels of trip. I jumped on that opportunity! Back in college I wanted to buy a manual from a dealer. He kept pushing me toward the automatic, citing resale value. I told him I was buying the car for me, not the next guy! -first time driving a manual was my parents' friend's car. I was recently licensed (age 15), when said friend stopped by while out driving his Corvette. He handed me the keys when I asked, but I returned shortly thereafter because I couldn't drive a manual. Instead of taking me out for a ride, he got into the passenger's seat and taught me to drive the car. Awesome.

Trophy husband? See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

However, it's easier to keep the subject of your reading material to yourself with an e-reader! See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Hope to see you later!

Never heard "plaid" used in that context before. I have a distant cousin who refers to her immediate family as the "Heinz 57" varieties of caucasian. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

New signature line? See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Maybe you forgot about the beer thief and the bottles of 1/2 beer, 1/2 piss at the DZ I saw you at the next-to-last time. The same DZ I last saw TriGirl. Ugh! [puking icon here] Glad I was drinking from our own supply, that was locked up in our own vehicle the whole time! See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

here here! See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Same here. Sprint was terrible when I had them. About the only complaint I have about choosing one service, however, is the uncertainty about how a device actually will work once you have it. Kind of tough to check out the internet browser in the store, as they don't connect any of the devices to the internet! I started with Sprint early on, and made sure the plan and phone included text capability. It turned out that the text process for Sprint was to connect you to the internet first, sort of like using an email account. The coverage was also spotty, so I cancelled that plan within the 30 days. Yes, I know all companies have come a long way since then, but the OP asked for our input! In Tampa, I've done great with Verizon. Add to that the fact that my family is all on Verizon, so calls between us are included, any day, any time. I manage my account online, and activate my phone when I travel to the US. I would be interested to hear some opinions about which carrier has better international plans, though! See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

After a while (and several times hearing it), I just started to reply with, "thanks for paying my salary." I've been lucky enough that, despite trying to take my turn (to keep my friends from having to do it several times), the closest I've come to combat is having my embassy bombed while I was a couple miles away at a meeting. The visitor I was preparing for still came two days later. Not all of us have had to fight directly for any freedoms, but we all do a unique job that few others want to do. However, I have learned HUGE appreciation for those serving the nation in other ways -- foreign service, alphabet soup agencies, etc. All of those who should also be honored for giving their lives in the service of the nation. I have also been fortunate enough to participate in the Gallipoli commemorations here in Turkey. I was trying to prepare the Consul General for what he could expect at the Dawn Service on April 25 at ANZAC Cove. Besides how to dress for the weather, I told him that a pack of tissues in his pocket would not at all be inappropriate. He told me later that I was spot on. Absolutely unreal, amazing experience. Any time anyone can get to one of these locations, I highly recommend it. It's difficult to appreciate fully what happened without being at the event, but these commemorations certainly get you close. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Now that's just evil!!! So is eating someone else's ham!! See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

... unless you ARE! See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

But... But... I saw Ann Marie getting interviewed on NBC! It MUST be her! Oh wait, I also saw some video of skydivers, and some people landing, so maybe it was a group ticket purchased by the DZ as a whole! Yeah, that's it! Oh, and the video also showed other people walking into and out of the Publix, and a strange old dude flashing another ticket .... Well, the volume was turned down, as I was getting ready for work, and... and... Oh, I'm so confused!! See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Hey, I know that dude! (end movie quote) Seriously, I'd like to believe that if Wally stays on the DZ for the next several months, everyone there would be more than happy to protect him from any two-bit hustler who comes along to try to bug him for handouts. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy, IMHO!

I've heard the same thing my whole professional life, Nat. My favorite example is having a conversation with someone who then lists my good qualities... and ends with, "so I just can't understand why you're not married." Probably the best retort I've heard is from a skydiving friend of mine here in Turkey. She told me once, "I just tell them it's because I'm frigid." It sure beats getting into some discussion about why your life is good for you, etc. And I also did have one person tell me when I was in my 30s that I was selfish for not wanting to have kids. I'd also get the, "oh, you'll change your mind." Whatever. At least now that I'm in my 40s, they don't bother! See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

These are hash marks. On on! See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

We have a similar version for the US Marine Corps. The letter is written by a kid from the rural areas of the south (Daisy). She also loves that there is more than enough food at chow time, she doesn't have to fight for it, and the "city kids" give her their leftovers because they don't eat much. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Well, sorry to hear that, Nigel. ... or am I? How YOU doin'? See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

When I'm in my home in Florida, grilling is the easiest (steaks, potatoes and corn), with a salad. That's also if the guests are kind of "last minute." Here in Turkey, I've developed a few of my favorite meals for company. Just hosted my second annual tequila dinner last week -- black bean soup, barbecue beef brisket (even the sause is made from scratch), margarita shrimp, rosemary chicken salad in puff pastry, and tequila cake. I also served a green salad, with three homemade dressings, all made with tequila. Huge hit! For New Years, I have a tradition of brunch. The dish that is always part of that is my eggnog french toast.

I think the "opposition" is going about this the wrong way. If you want to do this on the basis of equal rights, then demand they incorporate the "Page 3 Guy" with equal frequency (alternate between men and women). After all, scores of men are being excluded from getting paid to have scantilly clad photos of themselves published alongside the news. It would possibly increase the circulation of the paper to those women who are of the same mind as the men who object to cutting the tradition entirely. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!