Wednesday, July 8, 2009

First Time Homebuyer Woes

So I've been looking online at all the information out there regarding buying a home. And there's A LOT of information out there. I mean A LOT. So I've done lots of research and looked at tons of listings and have determined what we can safely afford. I've learned a lot about making offers and negotiating and all the details about buying a home. I also know that I can't expect EVERYTHING on my wishlist unless I get a job; something I can't do until the girls are in school. Unfortunately that's a few years down the road. Hopefully after I graduate from college in a few years I will be able to get a good job or start up my photography business. Ideally, moving to an area that has weddings year round would be best because the income is more steady, but we're not prepared to move to another location. Especially since Christian is doing so well at his current job. I'm sure he'd like to get a better paying job and be able to afford a house that runs anywhere between $250K and $500K, but I can't see that happening for a while.

Honestly, I'm so tired of renting. I don't know how much more I can take. I need my own space that I can feel free to decorate. I haven't decorated my own space in A LONG TIME. Oh, I painted Alethea's room when we lived in that sorry excuse for an apartment community a couple years back. Alethea had her first birthday there. But that was the only room in the house that we decorated. I'm just ready for a change. Something to call my own. Unfortunately, any changes we make in any rental place benefits the landlords only, if you even manage to get their permission. No thank you. I want our money to go somewhere that will benefit us. Renting doesn't. Not a very good investment. I also want a dog. A golden retriever. I love them, they're my favorite breed of dog.

So the more I research and watch HGTV, the more I want my own place. I'm determined to get one! It's just taking a bit more to convince Christian that it would be a good idea. LOL.

Well, I'm over at my mom's house and I gotta go keep the kids from destroying her place.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Michael Jackson Memorial

It's been a bit since the death of Michael Jackson, but it's still too fresh and sudden for me to really believe it. I watched the news coverage. Then I watched some video on youtube of his songs. Then I watched some more news coverage. Still can't believe it. I just finished watching Michael Jackson's memorial service live on CNN. How absolutely touching, beautiful and amazing it was. The most amazing part for me, the most touching part was when his little 11 year old daughter, Paris Jackson, took the mike, addressed the audience.

She said, very tearfully, "I just want to say [that] ever since I was born Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. And I just want to say I love him so much."

That was the MOST touching part of the memorial. I cried like a baby. My eyes were all puffy and my face red and tear-streaked. My heart hurt for her. But not just for her, for all of Michael's family and close friends. And for the fans. I also loved Rev. Al Sharpton's speech. But then, he always gives great speeches. This one, though, was above and beyond. Especially when he addressed Michael's children and said, "There was nothing strange about your daddy. It was strange what your daddy had to deal with." That got a standing ovation. That touched everyone that supported Michael and loved him.

I loved Michael Jackson when I was growing up. Man, that man could move. My favorite songs were "Smooth Criminal," "Remember The Time," "Man In The Mirror," "Black and White," and "Will You Be There" to name a few.

I never believed that Michael Jackson could have ever done anything that he was accused of doing. The accusations were so wrong and so vindictive and so obviously a ploy for some very greedy people to syphone a lot of money out of this amazing and trusting man.

Yes, his appearance did do a drastic change in the last however many years, but that's due to his skin disease and his personal insecurities. People seem to find it hard to believe that someone so famous, so well known, so great as Michael Jackson could have any insecurities about his appearance. It's aways amazing to me. He was a person, just like we are. He felt things just like we do.

I just hope that now, finally now, Michael Jackson can be at peace. That he can rest and be free of the burden of the constant negative media attention that plagued him in his life. And I further hope that the media will allow the family to finally grieve in peace and in private.

And I look forward to the future releases of the many unreleased recorded treasures that Michael had in his vault. I only wish that we had his performances to accompany the songs. The man was GENIUS.

Be at peace, Michael Jackson. I hope you are in a better place now.