Also, if you want to invest in changes to make the place more user-friendly, which sj might want to do, you are more likely to do that in a place you own.

Yes, this too.

sj, do you have a realtor?

Not yet. We are going to find out from the bank what we will be approved for first, then narrow down what area we are interested in buying in, and then find a realtor that specializes in that town or neighborhood.

Sounds like a plan!! Exciting! And it should be a good time to buy.

Sounds like a plan!!

Yes, TCG is a good plan guy. I'm usually planless.

Completely random surprisingness - wandering around my feminist blogroll, I stumbled on a post at Tiger Beatdown about the truly vile, often frighteningly specific, rape and death threats a lot of female bloggers receive on a regular basis, how it's talked or not talked about, and how they cope; the comments thread wanders into a discussion of the general nastiness so many people are capable of when they think they're anonymous and can get away with it, and one of the commenters specifically referenced the Sparky family and Sass. Amazing to see how far the story has spread, and heartening to know it's not just us who have pure unbridled contempt for the prank-calling assholes.

I feel like I'd like to post something scintillating, but the kids were out of school today, so that's not happening. No brane. I'm wishing you all the good ~ma for sick and sorry and stressed.

Oh brane. I had you once.

sj, I am so excited for you! I think this could be great, and a welcome relief from the horrible neighbors and landlords you’ve dealt with. It really is a great time to be a first-time buyer.

Hi everyone. I’m in Westford.

Yeah, it’s not that exciting. I’m here again for the next day of my supervisor-training grad class. In and out in about 36 hours and have to teach on Friday back home--quite the whirlwind. My cousin and I didn’t get to meet last time due to bad weather, so I’m going to see her for dinner in Boston tomorrow night. I’m excited about that but sad to yet again be near Buffistas without time to see them. Pout.

so fly lady stuff - even though I had to talk my elf out of crazy today ( once every 5 weeks to clean off the cabinets - that isn't enough - Well maybe not but how often do you do it now)I'm liking my approach on her approach. Years ago I read her site and thought she was crazy (still do) but I took away one thing- the idea that I can do anything for 15 minutes. This time I am just trying to figure out how to keep my house cleaner - so I don't spent every other Wednesday feeling like cleaning my house is a priority . and so far I think I am learning a lot of things I can do in short periods of time.

Amazing to see how far the story has spread, and heartening to know it's not just us who have pure unbridled contempt for the prank-calling assholes.

It is amazing to me, because I hike in Rock Creek Park with business cards and meet strangers who already have our number programmed into their cell phones, but I still just want my dog back.

I had to talk my elf out of crazy today

Naw, man, elves are WACK. You can't talk them out of crazy.

Steph has my brain. That may be literally, because otherwise this coffee is broken.