Conversation a moment ago at Chez tea:

Me: "Now I want to see someone do a puppet version of I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream using Hello Kitty dolls."
Brendan: "...If I said that I knew what you were about to say then, I'd be lying."

I had a phone therapy session this morning. The good news: I'm not depressed, my life really does suck. So I'm a realist. Huzzah!

Beverly, an older name-the-baby sort of book we have (as in, my folks had it to aid in naming me, back in the dark ages) listed Buffy as a diminutive for Beverly. Since BtVS, everywhere I've looked online lists Buffy as the dim for Elizabeth, but not that book. So, do you stress the second syllable of your name? Is that whyfor the BeVERly?

Teppy, floor grout is often not white to begin with. As far as I understand, most often it is grey, because white would show dirt so easily. Are you sure your grout was white, once?

All you Buffistas in the Midwest, go ahead with your taunting with PerKINSlee having, and meetage, and whatever. Have fun, you meanie pants.

Timelies, everyone.

I am feeling less stressy than I was yesterday, but still pretty darn stressy.

Oh, poor Anne. Have you come back to the buyers with what you are and are not willing to do, re the inspection report?

When I read your post yesterday, where you mentioned you have to avoid letting the stress overcome you (you worded it differently I think), I really identified with that feeling. As often as not, if I don't think about it with purpose aforehand, when I have too much going on, my natural inclination is not to do any of it.

Have you come back to the buyers with what you are and are not willing to do, re the inspection report?

We're submitting the report today, which gives them three days to come back with a counter offer to the offer.

Now I have to start lining people up to do the work. I don't have easy access to a phone during my current temp job, which is driving me bats.

The thing that's bugging me--and I feel guilty for letting it bug me--is that my mom, who is usually my biggest support during times like this, is currently stressed to the breaking point with stuff going on with her family.

I'll see you a family of Buffistas and raise you A FRIKKIN EAGLE!

I love reading all the stories of gathering Buffistas. Sounds like so much fun is being had!

{{{billytea}}} Just 'cause. It's good to see you!

The thing that's bugging me--and I feel guilty for letting it bug me--is that my mom, who is usually my biggest support during times like this, is currently stressed to the breaking point with stuff going on with her family.

Oh, don't feel guilty for this. You've learned to lean on her, and when that goes away, it's a big deal. I wish I was closer...I could come over evenings and hang and help with stuff.

I hope they accept your offer so the whole thing can be done with, and you can start the whole moving on process.

The thing that I find maddening about your situation? You have put SO MUCH WORK into that house! It just seems unfair for them to come through with all these demands. I mean, really! What do they expect? Perfection?! They sound like an awfully lazy bunch to me :)

Now I have to start lining people up to do the work. I don't have easy access to a phone during my current temp job, which is driving me bats.

Your realtor might be able to help with this. When we sold our home through a realtor, she made all the arrangements for the work. It's part of what you are paying her (or him) for, IMO.

It's raining here. I tried walking the dogs, but there is lightening and it's raining really hard. The dogs didn't look like they were having any fun so we came home and my pants are now in the dryer.

ETA: I forgot to add...when we sold the house in CO, the buyer originally offered me 20K under my asking price. I said no way and countered with my asking price minus the real estate commission (because the buyer was a realtor) and she took it. Later, she wanted me to spend over $2000 to fix a non-existent drainage issue. We got a landscaper to do what she wanted for $500. My point is that the buyers are probably trying to get whatever they can but it doesn't mean they are willing to walk over it. I hope that sounds reassuring.

I wish I was closer...I could come over evenings and hang and help with stuff.

That would be so much fun. I wish you were closer, too.

You have put SO MUCH WORK into that house! It just seems unfair for them to come through with all these demands.

True. But then again, they didn't see the place before I worked on it. They're just seeing what's still wrong, not what's been fixed. Most of what they're requesting is small, and legitimate.

Apparently the inspector they used has a reputation as being on a power trip, and likes to brag about how he notices stuff that no one else would. Most of the stuff he listed as needing work is stuff that you're going to find in 99% of older houses. The buyer, who's a first-time home buyer, didn't realize this, and freaked. His realtor talked some sense into him, though.

What's cracking me up is that this inspector didn't notice two things that I was certain he would. At settlement, I'm tempted to say, "in addition to the things you requested, I also had the electrician fix the broken light switch that your inspector didn't list on the report."

Your realtor might be able to help with this.

I'll ask him when I meet with him tonight. Thanks for the suggestion.

What's cracking me up is that this inspector didn't notice two things that I was certain he would. At settlement, I'm tempted to say, "in addition to the things you requested, I also had the electrician fix the broken light switch that your inspector didn't list on the report."

BWAH! That would be priceless.