busy

So we have been home for 3 days and I hit the ground running last Friday. I had the suitcases unpacked and the washer started in less than a hour . . . by bedtime you could not tell we had been on a trip except for the bag of goodies laying around.

Remember last year when the local appraisal district totally inflated my house value? Well a few days after our adventure began, I received my appraisal for 2009 and again totally high. My mom made an appointment with the review board for the 30th but early this morning I was at the door by 8am to try and get a walk-in appointment. Of course they were booked but mentioned I had an appeal case tomorrow and they worked me in . . . again successfully had my value decreased . . . still a little high but I thought the offer was fair so did not want to take my chances with the appeal board and get zero.

Oh and have I mentioned how much I totally miss having childcare during the day? Well, we are flying solo until school starts but have been busy with swimming lessons and figuring out ways to escape the heat . . . started the day we got back . . . no time for rest.

I can assure you that blog posting will continue to be non-existent because . . . well, I am about to embark on a little adventure to somewhere that has always fascinated me . . . and oh the best part is that this is a no child trip . . . a couple of you know exactly what I am talking about but I am keeping it pretty private. I have not decided if I will post on the other blog while I am away but will do some sort of day-by-day when I return because I am hoping to get some fabulous photos.

And here is the last photo I snapped from our Europe Adventure . . . it was before 5am and we were headed across the street to the airport . . . as you can tell someone was a little less than thrilled!

And YES I am already getting a mental list for next summer . . . actually maybe even Christmas this year!

not so bad

I knew parking near the appraisal office/courthouse was crazy so I gave myself plenty of time to park and walk. The lady was about 40 minutes behind but so nice once we had our meeting. I was prepared but I don't think she truly understood me . . . I knew of 5 houses exactly the same blueprints as mine, same builder, same materials inside and mine was appraised way higher than any of them . . . I got some song and dance story about the difference of the neighborhood, blah, blah, blah. I also mentioned that a house across from me was 300 sq. ft. larger than mine was appraised $4,000 less than mine; just makes no sense . . . some song and dance about how it was cheaper to build a larger house . . . yeah so building a larger house is cheaper? I left it alone because I did not want her to think I was attacking her. She did immediately take off around $7,000 for a fireplace I did not have and Colin's play house since that is not taxable. I continued to tell myself that it will help but those were like pocket change compared to the living area. She took my research and is suppose to call me when her boss approves any changes. My thought is that if I am not happy then next year I will go back. I feel good about the process and was very polite and made it known that I was not complaining just concerned on such a huge difference . . . and that I wanted this amount to be fair. All I can do now is wait for her to call back . . . I will let it go until next year.

Oh and if you are thinking about doing this . . . take photos with you so when they ask to see it you are prepared. I did and it really helped with the process. And last night I was thinking none of my plants were growing so pulled up some photos . . . okay, things have really grown in the last year!


Hey, maybe that new tree is part of the problem, lol!

not so good

missed Foto Friday
family parties and graduation
updated my will
swimming a lot . . . Colin that is
researching for my appraisal meeting
just tired or I am lazy?

I did manage to watch Army Wives (and Design Star and next Food Network Star) last night . . . wish I would have had a pen and paper to take notes on what I would have blogged about but too tired/lazy to get up. Colin was in bed by 630 last night . . . me not so lucky as it was past 3am . . . major sleep issues lately. I will get better by mid week! Just wanted to remind myself I am still kicking!

rewarding

Several weeks ago I had an appointment with a county appraiser about my house appraisal. I thought it was very over appraised. I gathered all my data and found homes that were almost exactly like mine . . . pays to know what the builder still does and still look at new construction homes . . . I went in well prepared and was very polite. She told me she would get the paperwork taken care of after I left and then mail it to me to sign if I approved. I never heard from her and called and left a message on the final day to get an appointment with the board who hears these cases. No returned call so I chalked it up as a learning experience. Last night as I sorted through the mountain of mail, I finally got the letter and let me tell you that I feel so good about myself. They de-appraised (not a word) my house about 15%! Now it is right there with the other house two doors down . . . I have a feeling this will be a yearly appointment I will have to make but now I know what to expect . . . maybe being nice and polite pays off!

nervous

So I got my property tax appraisal last week; whoah, hold your horses . . . I knew about what it would be and apparantely the housing market in our area is not affected by our current economy. Taxes went up about 10% which I think is the maximum limit; how convienent. I am not even going to complain because I guess it is fair. However, I have questions. Just two doors down is the exact same house, same builder, same same same . . . my house is appraised $36,500 more than theirs. I mean that is a huge difference if you ask me . . . $36,000 gulp. I am all about fairness and if asking questions gets me an answer on why then that is all I want. Really, I will pay my taxes with no complaints after I get a face to face meeting. The lady on the phone was super nice so I am hopeful the meeting with one of the appraisers will go well but I can't help but be nervous. So often I think people look at me and think I am young . . . I hate not being taken seriously. Now I have to do my homework! Oh yeah one more thing . . . my house is about 2,100 square feet and a house that is 2,600 square feet is appraised for less than mine. I just don't get it! Now if I was wanting to sell my house it would be great but I don't . . . I have thought about it but I just can't imagine getting rid of this house.

Long Time No Blog

Wow, long time no blogging! I don't really know where to begin so this will probably be super long. I spent most of the Christmas holiday unpacking boxes . . . how do two adults accumulate so much stuff, okay how did I get so much stuff? It was good for me to do this by myself . . . it brought back so many wonderful memories since I met Sean in 1994. I managed to get that task behind me quickly. I still have a few big pieces of furniture to move but each time we plan 'the move' it rains . . . so we are not planning any more. It will happen sooner or later. Then it was the sit and wait game for the installers and delivery people. It was nice because it gave me some time just me in the house alone which was overwhelming to say the least. I love the house but it just doesn't feel like a home. Maybe in time it will but the verdict is still out. Last Thursday, my parents and I were doing some chores around the house when the doorbell rang. I went to the door and opened it . . . my eyes became fixated on a legal size brown envelope. The guy could have had a gun and I would have not noticed . . . here is our conversation.

Me: Hi (eyes still on envelope)
Guy: Are you Heidi Sims?
Me: Yes (becoming more concerned since I had no clue who this guy was)
Guy: I work with 'G/J' and wanted me to make sure you got these papers
Me: (deer in headlight look . . .pure silence and my brain is spinning out of control . . . I could not remember doing anything illegal but was I 'being served' . . . I was in a total brain freeze when he said he worked with 'G/J' because I thought of my friend who sometimes works in Waco/Crawford . . . holy cow did he find out something about Sean's death and want me to read it? By this time the guy realizes I have no clue who he is )
Guy: Heidi, I work with Geri the appraiser and here are three copies of your house appraisal.
Me: OH, thank you. Do you want me to pay you?
Guy: If you can?
Me: (I am running around still confused and of course I just wrote the last check to the cable guy.)
Guy: That's okay just come by the office. Have a good day!

So now I must go by the office and see this guy again who must think I am super CRAZY!

Let's see what else? I did watch Shootout on the History Channel. I need to watch it again and decide what I think. I am not saying I am unhappy but it is somewhat of a blur. I did enjoy watching and learning more about the others on the show but as I watched about Sean I just could not believe that was my Sean . . . and those stupid orange sunglasses. It was hard to watch that scene in the kitchen . . . was just heartbreaking . . . I almost felt like I was there. I will leave my thoughts to myself because it was just to personal and close to home.

Colin turned 3! Our baby is no longer a baby to most but in my eyes he will always be my baby boy! The Sims family came to visit him a few days before his birthday. FINALLY! I mean they have not really talked to him since we visited in early November. I don't know why I let the little things they do (or don't do) bother me . . . you would think about 12+ years of knowing them I would be used to it but they still rub me the wrong way.

Those Christmas Cards did not happen . . . I wanted to but just continued to put it off day after day. I was hoping that after last years depressing card that life would be more cheerful this year but it wasn't. I am sure no one wanted to read that sort of message again and be in tears during the holiday season. I LOVED seeing everyone's family and reading what you have been up to this year, but it also brought me saddness that my life is still in a rut. As I read each letter I would imagine where Sean and I would be living if he was still alive . . . where would we be preparing to move? Would we have another baby Sims yet? I know I am living in a dreamer's world but I just long to be happy, really happy. I try to stay optimistic but I still don't know how yet . . .

Blogging . . . I have been busy moving but have also not had much to write about. I have had time but I guess I sort of 'fell of the blogging wagon' but hope to get back in the saddle soon. Life is just life and nothing to write about but THANKS for all those who write daily and keep me going.

Have you read about the Army sending out letters to ask soldiers to think about joining up again? Did you see where they sent them to many officers that had been Killed in Action? Well, I haven't checked the mail in a week but had a message to immediately call the Department of the Army. Of course, I haven't but will try later today. I think I will tell them to sign Sean up if it will bring him back to life and I can meet them at the cemetery in one hour . . . I will be more than happy to dig him up if that is what it takes to get him back!

Well, off to do something . . . not sure what but something. Happy 2007 Blogging Buddies . . .