One thing I have learned is that there are ALWAYS glitches, so be prepared.

True fact! I can't even remember what mine was, it didn't affect the date of closing, but there was at least one.

Yeah, I am expecting that April 17 won't REALLY be closing.

Of course, now that I've gone into catastrophic mode, I'm convinced the inspector will find it is infested with black mold and demonic elves.

heh, I was so prepared for the closing to get frelled (based on the many horror stories) that I scheduled the movers a full week after closing was supposed to be. Of course, it went without a hitch. Well, except for the part that they were still moving when we showed up for the final inspection.

The steam punk corkscrew is a thing of beauty. You'd have to have a bow-tied butler to go with it though.

Gingrich is the founder of the Center for Health Transformation.

He said politicians and the media spend too much time focusing on the finances of health care.

He's a fucking idiot.

Sears Tower to be renamed Willis Tower

Will it stick?

Nope. Not a chance.

I'm convinced the inspector will find it is infested with black mold and demonic elves.

The inspector will find something. It's what they do. But DON'T PANIC when you get the inspection report. Take a couple of deep breaths, and consider how big the issues actually are.

The inspector will find something. It's what they do. But DON'T PANIC when you get the inspection report. Take a couple of deep breaths, and consider how big the issues actually are.

I'd be worried if the inspector didn't find anything, frankly. Going around the house with the inspector was fascinating. I learned so much about it I otherwise would never have known.

Yeah, I have a lot of "what the hell is that?" already, so (so know nothing about radiators.)

I decided to go with a lower down payment because throwing everything I have at that didn't appreciably drop the monthly payment, it would be years ands years before I made that up, and that gives me more $ for a cushion and a "oh bloody hell." So more money out of me in the long term, but less out of me Right Now when I need it.

I think. At this point, I can't add.

Our closing went very smoothly . . . except for me. I'd smelled gas on the walk through that morning, and refused to accept anything but cash set aside by the sellers to buy a new furnace. (Which they did end up having to buy us, and ended up costing them $6K.) Their agent tried to get me to accept a home warranty on the spot instead, but I told her in no uncertain terms I wasn't going to accept her word for it -- or the word of anyone in that room who had an interest in the sale going through -- that "it was a good company."

IOW, you always have to be ready to walk away, and keep an eye on those people who are making a large chunk of money off the sale.

Hivemind query: Are there any good OTC ear drops that reduce pain and swelling?

I have had good like with white vinegar mixed with a little rubbing alcohol for clearing up an outer ear infection, but it will hurt like hell for awhile if the skin inside your ear is in any way abraded. But in about a day, the pain is reduced.