The real estate agent just left, and I'm fighting back tears. I'll blame it on the hormones. James went to pick up a pizza (yes, at 9:00 pm) because we spent time cleaning up rather than eating when he got home, and then the agent arrived. I am a terrible parent because I let Olivia go with James instead of keeping her home, bathing her, and getting her to bed. But I get to blog and vent, so it's all good.
Ok, things on my mind since meeting with the agent:
-- It really sucks that our house is being listed at several thousand less than I thought. The market isn't so good and we want to be competitive, so it has to be.
-- We have a looooong list of things to accomplish before Monday, when the house is officially "on the market." Nothing is major, but there are so many things like, scrub down all cabinets, wait 24 hours, and re-stain. Take bathroom mirrors to shop and have them cut-down to get rid of the water-damaged rim. Clean out all closets and storage areas. Just pain in the butt type of stuff.
-- My first house is going to be sold. I'm feeling incredibly emotional and nostalgic already. I can't even look at my house right now because it makes me so sad.
-- Good news: houses in our price range are selling fast (2 houses down the street sold in a couple weeks last month). Hope we find something we like soon because hopefully this one will be gone.
-- We all sat at the dining room table to go over paperwork, and Olivia, wanting to be with us, sat strapped into her booster seat eating snacks. During a quiet moment of reading papers, she knocked over her bowl of crackers and said emphatically, "Oh shit." I thought I was going to die. At least I'm not to blame. She heard my church-going grandma say it the other day when she locked her keys in the car and I guess it stuck.
Last thing not house-related. I told myself I wouldn't talk about Karen anymore, but I seriously need to vent. I'm throwing a shower for MF this Friday, and Karen asked MF to please tell me to include her. I thought it was odd because I figured she didn't like me, but I sent her a kind e-mail and extended the invitation. Well, today, I got a response from Karen basically saying that she didn't know why I'd invite her since she knows I have said so many bad things about her to people (totally untrue BTW. I have lots I could say but NEVER have because I lead a Christian mom's group and wouldn't give her or anyone else cause to think badly of me. I have always held my tongue, always.) I wanted to write her back and ask what gives? She set me up. Why did she bother to ask to be invited? Of course, I know the answer. She wanted to cause more drama. If I hadn't invited her, it would've given her cause to get mad about that, so I couldn't have won either way. Anyway, after calming down and praying about it, I wrote her the kindest e-mail I could muster:
Karen,
I'm sorry that you feel uncomfortable. I was under the impression you wanted to come since you asked to please be included in the shower I am hosting. I wanted to reassure you that I have nothing against you and haven't ever said so, so if you change your mind, it's going to be held at __________. Please do whatever is most comfortable for you, but know that you are certainly welcome.
Take care,
Hannah
I was so proud of myself. Obviously, there are other things I would've liked to say, and probably would've been justified in saying, but they weren't the best choice. I nipped any potential drama in the bud. She later wrote me back and thanked me. Still though, UGH!!!!
OK, off to shower, which is what I was supposed to be doing while they're gone.
Posted by Hannah at January 30, 2008 09:03 PMa tip that I learned while I was working at coldwell banker is to remove all personal stuff like stuff off the fridge and such when the come to do shots of the house and for open house times etc... I know one agent that has the family take down all their family photos because one family was all set to buy a house and then saw they were white and didn't want it any more (umm the other family was white also... lol)...
But good luck with selling your current home and finding another one... I know the right one is out there for ya...
and that Karen chick needs a good kick to the head... ugh... I'm so sorry she is being such a dork... but you did the right thing... but I totally don't blame ya for wanting to write something else hehehe...
Posted by: Shannon O. at January 31, 2008 12:34 AMWow, good luck with EVERYTHING... the house, the repairs, AND the Karen drama! I was wondering if there's ANY way possible that she's stumbled across this blog?? Maybe that's her "source," if she's reading your personal thought. (Aghhh!!!)
Love you sweetie!
Good luck on the repairs & hopefully you'll have your house sold in no time :) I think you handled the Karen issue wonderfully. It really is sad that an "adult" has to behave/act like she's doing. You'll come out more respected (not that you aren't already) from the way you handled things. Kudos & a BIG pat on the back to you :) Hugs!
Posted by: Connie at January 31, 2008 08:39 AMUgh ~ I hate pain in the butt stuff like that, too. :( Good luck with everything ~ wow, how exciting that you're moving!!! Lots to think about, especially with you being pregnant at the moment, too! I hope that it all works out just great for you. Where are you moving to? LOL about the comment that Olivia made ... Lucas now says, "Oh, shoot!" I guess that's not so bad, hehe :) Pizza sounds delicious. I let Lucas go with Jeff plenty of times late at night like that, so don't feel bad ... he likes to ride in the car! :)
Posted by: Lisanne at January 31, 2008 10:55 AMI agreee with the person that said take down all the personal pictures stuff. Our agents always told us to take EVERYTHING off the fridge, avoid nick nacks on tables, shelves, entertainment centers etc.
Im sorry you have to restain the cabinets. That doesnt sound like fun or something you should be around for. Can you get a free pass to go away while the husband does that?
And a BIG congrats on that email response to Karen. That took a lot of self-control. And I hope she doesnt come!
Posted by: alfredsmom at January 31, 2008 01:11 PMWow sorry the house is being listed for less. But luckily as you said you can sell it faster and hopefully not pay as much for your new house. It must be sad to have to say good bye but I am sure you will have a lot of good memories in your new one. It's hard to let go though.
You are not a bad mommy. You deserve a break. You have a toddler while on your second pregnancy. I am sure Olivia and your husband enjoyed their daddy/daughter time.
Never owning a home myself I never understood why realtors make folks do that kind of stuff. Not major repairs of course but curb appeal stuff? I know its to sell the property faster but the new owners are going to restock the closets and the storage areas.
I love how Olivia knew how to use the expression too.
You really are a good soul Hannah. That idiot Karen set you up either way cause she's an insecure twit and you took the high road.
Good luck with everything
Posted by: Ani at January 31, 2008 03:08 PMGood luck selling the house! When we sold our first home, I definitely had my moments of sadness...that was at first, but after it sat on the market and I kept having to clean it up for people to come take a look...well, then I was just ready to get out of there.
Hannah, I think you handled the Karen situation in the best way you possibly could. You didn't let her have the last word, which I don't think God would have wanted you to do. You stuck up for yourself in a very Christ-like way, and you were still welcoming to her. Awesome!
Posted by: Chas at January 31, 2008 10:25 PM