The Joys of Homeownership

So hey, if you haven't heard I've been looking for a house. I found one and accepted an offer a couple of days ago. Thus far the process has been about what I expected (nothing too complicated). I've been building my credit for the last 4 years or so and I got preapproved without any trouble. Today I'm going in for the next steps of the mortgage process, so we'll see how complex thats gets to be.

The house I'm trying to get is a 1930's cape cod in Allouez. The street it's on is shared with other historic era homes of which I'm sure will look beautiful in summer. The lot is a nice size for being in the city 50' * 180'. It has a decent yard behind the detached garage. The last owners updated everything that needed to be. The water heater, forced air unit, central air, Roof, and siding are no more than three years old. They actually renovated the upstairs and raised the roof a couple feet to make a huge master bedroom. It has a master bath, two walk in closets, and a balcony off the back. All the widows in the haouse are new as well :).

I'm so excited to make it my home, Ashlyn and I have so many cool ideas and aspirations with this house. All I can say, is that it's going to be one of the coolest rebuilt 1930's alloez homes. Well I'm off to sign my name 50 more times.

A long time again

So, yes it's been a long time once again. Facebook kinda took over my life and time, and have just been incredibly busy. Went to Georgia, Alabama, and Florida over the last couple months and work has been consistent when I'm home.

I worked over the weekend last week and I'll be working this weekend as well 8 hours a day. Next week they're letting us work for 10hours a day from Mon to Sat. Kinda crazy if you ask me. They had these shut down periods this year, so to make up for it they're giving everyone left over time and a lot of it. So it kinda didn't save the company money in my eyes. Whatever it's good for me.

After hearing about the first time home buyer extension to April I got to thinking about buying a house. I've looked at one so far and want to see probably 5 more. I went through my finacnes over and over and I think I can swing it. I'm looking at it as yeah I may be poor for a while, but with interest rates and a tax credit, I'll be saving a lot of money in the long run. I'm gonna add my over time to a nice down payment I got going, should be able to pay 10 to 20% down by the time I decide to buy.

So yeah I'm happy with the over time, but not with how much of my time it will take up. I want to go skiing bad. Don't know if Refo is grromed or not, but would think so. Need to pick up new boots as I destroyed one of mine on a little crash last year :P.

My life has been very busy, but very enjoyable with Ashlyn now in the picture. We're doing quite well. Talking about houses and stuff. Some things are making things complicated and stressful for us, but unfortunatly it's things we can't control :(. We're helping each other out though and we'll make it through together. Things are definetly very entertaining to some degree and the experiances I've had at work will help us through (Can't be no push over in my job :)). can't wait for the New years ride, I think this will be the fifth year and my fifth year as well. Remember any conditions..........We're riding, thats the appeal :)

It's been a long time

Oh my my my, I have been a busy boy. This has been one of the longests weeks I've ever had. Switching to second shift has definitely been a tough mental challenge, but I thinks I'm handling it ok. I miss biking sooo much. I have about four and a half hours in the morning before work to do what ever. For this week at least I havent had time to bike. Get up and go spend time with Ashlyn. I'm not really complaining, because I wanted to spend that time with her, Just wish I had more time to bike.

I am doing the WORS Race this weekend (YAY!!!!). I don't know how I'll do, a but I don't really care (just want to get out there). Sometimes in the past I've gone weeks without riding and I do awsome at races afterward. It should be a good weekend.

All I can say is that I'm so thankful to have my job. A lot of luck and maybe a hint of hard work got me where I am. I KNOW I don't realize how lucky I am. That being said I still can't wait to get back on days :). See you all this weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nice Weekend and Great Success

So I started out my Saturday morning at 5 am to go into work for 6am. I worked an uneventful shift for 5 hours and earned some extra cash along the way. I got home and started packing up the Jeep for the weekend. I was pretty much ready to go and I realized I forgot to pack the damaged pole for my tent. Look for it can't find it, so I head out to Gander Mountain and Plan on heading to the race. On the way remember I forgot the Cooler, Ugh!!!!!. So I purchase my new tent and the money I made that morning is spent :(. Oh well, it turned out to be a very nice tent.

I finally arrive at the camp at about 2:30 and its cruddy out. I hung out with the guys under the Specialized easy up for a while and just wandered around. In a break in the rain I started to set up the tent. I did it by my self, which sucked a little in the rain but overall ok.

Ashlyn arrived at around 6:30, set up her stuff in the tent and headed back to town for El Azteca. WE got back and hung out in the tent. the rain eventually stopped. I think we popped out at 10:30 and it was very pleasant out. Got to bed at around midnight and woke up at 2:30 to my myself pretty cold. Ashlyn stepped out and said it was very clear out. Overall I got 4 hours sleep and she got 2.

Luckily our task for the day was course marshalling, so we could relax. The breeze was cool all day, but the sun was warm. Kept my jacket and hat on all day. We had to get back to pick up camp and get Ashlyn to work, so we had a little adventure getting off the course while the race was still going. I waited for a break in the racers and mashed the gas on the jeep. Everyone was going at a good clip. I actually had some racers drafting off my jeep for a short time till I pulled off the race course. So that went as planned luckily and we got out of there in time.

So we both had a great weekend, and I'm very happy for all who made it happen with out any seriuos problems.

Cheers!!!!!

Been a while

Well after spending a week and a half in Alabama, I figured it was time to get back on the bicycle. I went to Refo on Sunday for a good lap to get back into the groove (48'30"). I felt pretty good about that lap time. My goal was under 48, but didn't feel like killing myself. To continue my transition back I went to the Bike Hub ride last night. It was a pretty small turnout initially with Schindle, Mark, and I. Eventually we had eight show up. The first fifteen miles were pretty rough, because the group split in half quite a few times. I'd always end up being the bridge between groups, as I really didn't have the lungs back yet to stay on. We stayed together for a while, but two guys just had to mash it up front and break us apart. The rain did luckily stay away and weatherwise it was very pleasant, although be it a little windy.

Otherwise got Ashlyn a Motorcycle helmet and we've been going for a couple rides. We tried the BMW first and the R6 after. The R6 was definitely a lot more work for both of us, but still fun. I havent had a passager on a motor cycle very much in the past, so I'm still getting used to it. Making good headway with it though and Ashlyn seems to be enjoying it.

Good ol Alterra

I'd really consider the results of last weekend as quite successfull. I'm back in 4th place overall, so a call up was in order. I'm really glad I had it too. I practiced the start 4 or 5 times, and the results were great. I had an awsome start(top 5 at the top of the hill). Shifting worked really well luckily. I remeber shifting up at least 3 times before the top of the hill. I was also very lucky at the start as well. At the first corner two or three guys crashed. It was the first time I had ever seen bikes and people in the air. It looked very nasty and just missed them myself. So I got a good position into the single track and held my position pretty well. Had to get used to the singletrack (Did crash once first lap).I felt pretty good on the switch backs. Icouldn't have gone much faster because of traffic, but I was steadily passing people.

Andy W busted a spoke that morning. Tried to find a wheel, but I didn't see him get one. So second lap half way through, I hear some smart comments from behind and to my surprise there he was. I led him for a while and we were going good.We caught up with traffic and didn't have much trouble. I did go to pass a guy on the right, and then he moved to the right and I was stuck. Andy took the advantage and flew by. Eventually I got back to Andy, and passed several more groups of people. Right before the switchbacks we went to pass and I hooked handlebars and took someone out. So I stopped made sure he was ok because it was my fault. I was still standing after the crash and proceeded to catch Andy again. He was within reach on the switchbacks, but there was too much traffic. So that second crash gave him the thirty second lead. I really tip my hat to him thoigh for quick tactics.

So after some risky and dirty racing I ended up 7th about 30seconds behind Andy. Really I did enjoy the race. Yes, some of the traffic sucked, but I consider myself one of the lucky ones.

EAA AirVenture

I had a pretty sweet week last week. After yet another successful checkout of a machine last week, I had two awesome days at EAA. I went on Thursday with Ashlyn who I've been seeing for a week and a half now. We looked at all the cool stuff and watched the whole air show and demonstrations. I evan got to do a test drive of a ford fiesta, since ford is a major EAA Sponsor. One of the main attractions of the show was two Mustange GT500's and two airplanes racing from opposite ends of the runway. It really was pretty sweet, and boy those GT500's sound awsome.

Check out the Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ON_2o7TpwXo

On Friday I went with my Dad two look at all the vendors and exibits. I like looking at all the new tech and gadgetry. I finally got to see my dream airplane, that has been in development for a number of years. It's called the Icon A5. An anphibious aircraft with internal landing gear. It looks like it would be a blast. The wings fold up and you can trailer it. Oh yeah me want, maybe I'll split the coast of a used one with my dad someday.

I'm sure that most of you have heard of the Airbus A380. I got to see it take off and leave for France yesterday. It really is a big freak'n airplane. It looks kind of normal in the air, but up close the engines are bigger than a semi cab. Cool slow speed demonstrations and very fast take off.

Check out the video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yw5bAqvRDpE

So tommorro is the Alterra Coffee Bean Classic. Planning on being their, did manage to preregister. Only rode last Sunday, so we'll see how I do.