Recent Events

I've wanted to write, yet the words have failed me. 

As many of you may have read in papers or heard on TV,  we recently lost four police officers in the most heinous of acts in Lakewood, WA.  

There are many who don't like police officers and will call them names, are disrespectful and forget that behind that badge is a father/mother, husband/wife or a son/daughter.  They are not robots, they are not without emotion and love for their families and their communities.

Until this recent event I have never told my own police officer son how proud I am of him.  I've expressed my fears, my concerns yet, I've never once told him how proud I truly am.  It's time he knows that I AM proud of him and that I LOVE him for what he does and who he has become.  I will always pray for his safety too!

 

People have ask me WHY I went to the memorial for officers I didn't personally know.  I went because they are part of my community. 

These officers who were killed looked out for OUR safety, they were assigned to protect and serve US.

Please include these officers families in your prayers, they will need all the loving support and prayers they can get at this time.  Also, think about telling the next officer you see "Thank you for serving our community".

Once again, words fail me.  

Blind-sided

Today we got blind-sided.  It hurts like a  ... 

It seems that the bank (it's a bank owned home) forgot to sign a paper and thus found a loop hole and decided to go with the other buyer who offered a lower amount for the home.  Huh?

I'm just going to say a couple of things about this.  The listing agent was from the same office as our first Realtor.  Mmmm.

Our current Realtor got a curt rejection letter, followed by a demanding phone call from the financial person who had pre-approved a home loan through the first agency.  She wanted to know WHO and HOW the new loan had been approved.  Mmmm, confidential information!

Back to square one once again.   I have some thoughts on what happened but, I have no proof of wrong doing. 

**** Update.  OMG, OMG, OMG  I just got off the phone with our new Realtor and learned that the LISTING agent owned a home that our original Realtor tried to get us to buy.  But, then the owner (who I now know is the listing agent) of that home decided to split the property ... you can read  about it in this entry - home.

Anyway, it appears that the listing agent is a wee bit bitter that we "walked away" from that home deal and instead of working in the best interest of his client he decided to nix our offer due to a unsigned paper and give it to the other lower offer!

At this point we are putting it all behind us and moving forward with our search for OUR home.  It's out there, right

 

Positive Changes ... at last!

One week ago we found a home that looked like it had a lot of potential.  We called the realtor and asked her to show it to us.  Even she couldn't find anything wrong with the house and trust me, this was unusual!

However back at the office later that same afternoon, she informs us that we could never get this home because of the financing.  We needed to save an additional $3,000.00.  She told us to save the money and come back in 3 months after we saved that money.  Uh huh, save an additional $3,000.00 at Christmas time!?!?  Seriously?!?!?  She made NO attempt to write an offer ... NONE.

This had happened before when we found a home we really liked.  She didn't want to write the offer for one reason after another.  We finally went to her broker who immediately wrote the offer which got accepted.  

That particular house had several problems that would have cost us major money almost immediately.  The previous owners essentially put a band aide on a gushing artery.  Not helpful.  We ended up turning that house down. =(  It was hard walking away from it yet, we knew it was the right thing to do.

We found several homes afterwards that we really liked but, she always found 'problems' with the home.   A few she found for us, we thought we could live with, make them work.  But, a kink of some sort would stop that sale.  Obviously the ones she thought we should buy were NOT meant for us ... even if we thought we could make it work, eventually with modifications, etc.

I'm grateful they didn't work out.  This journey has had it's up's and down's.  And I'd have to say it had more down's then anything.  All of us were getting terribly discouraged.  Maybe this isn't our time?  Then we would tell ourselves to hang in there and keep the faith.  It was HARD.

When the realtor told us to go save the money and come back when we had the extra funding we decided to question our nephew who had recently bought a home.  He told us of his agent and how great she was to work with, a positive go getter.

We called her and told her we were dismissed from our previous agent which we were and we had found a home we loved but, we didn't qualify.  I figured the home would give her an idea of what we were looking for.

She wanted to know why we felt we didn't qualify as she wrote up the paperwork for this particular house!  She called, it was still available the listing agent had an offer he was going to turn in but was going to wait for our offer so he could give them both offers.

Anyway, long story short, we qualified with NO difficulties, the offer was accepted!  Now it's just pending inspection.  I'm praying this IS the home.  It's a neighborhood we really like, the home is cute and spacious ... needs paint in the bedrooms but, I can live with that!

If you believe in prayer, please keep us and our home situation in your prayers.  It would be so greatly appreciated. =)  Ask your blogger buddies to help with the positive thoughts and prayers too!  I'm looking for ALL the help I can get!! =)

Here are some photos of the house from the listing.  It's a 1950 rambler.  Nothing fancy, it's a nice basic home. =)

I love this kitchen, light and airy. =) 

Looking toward the kitchen - that's the dining room area.

So, are you with me in keeping plosive thoughts and prayers going!  If inspection passes we will be moving in JANUARY - how sweet would that be to start the New Year in a new home! =)

Overwhelmed ...

... with so many emotions.  Less than a month ago, I was feeling very alone in the world.  Well, not so much alone but, I felt I had NO family.  The only family I have is Sonny's family.  I love his family, I miss having my own too.  Does that make sense?

Then out of the blue I received an e-mail from a niece I've never met telling me that my half sister who I've also never met has been searching for ME!  My head was spinning.  MY half sister made an effort to find ME! =)  She only had a photo from my mom that had my maiden name written on the back.

Let me back up a moment.  When my mom was young she met and married a young handsome Mexican from a wealthy family.  My mom was born in Mexico, raised mostly in the States.  Anyway, they had two daughters.  When the oldest was 9 my mom got a divorce which was unheard of back in the day.  And from what she had said was very embarrassing to her family as she put them to 'shame'.

She didn't get the girls, it's a man's world in Mexico.   She tried often to see them, to have contact with them and was always met with brick walls.  I heard my mom speak of my sisters often with tears in her eyes and deep sadness in her voice.  I tried hard to be the daughter she needed to comfort the empty gap in her life.  That was a TALL order that I realize as a mom, I could never have filled.

I have exchanged e-mails with my sister, even talked to her on the phone.  Our conversation had me in tears.  It must've been so hard on her, losing her mom when she was about 9 years old.  Thinking her mom just abandoned her and no longer wanted to be a part of her life.  That was so far from the truth!  The pain that my mom felt, the pain my sisters felt is heart wrenching.

When my sister, Maria's dad was on his deathbed, he told the girls not to be angry with their mom that she did no wrong.  His new wife was very strict and wanted NO mention of my mom.   He knew my mom wanted contact, he KNEW she wanted to be a part of their lives.  Yet, he let his new wife rule.

My mom finally got to meet Maria and they spent time at each others homes.  However, I never got the opportunity to meet her as I was dealing with a husband who'd rather I have no family or friends.  It's something abusers like, to alienate you from those who love you.

Shortly after my met my sister, Maria, my mom was killed in a car accident.  My mom was my best friend, the best mom and she kept me moving forward when I felt like falling.  My ex loved this time in my life.  It was after my mom died he told me NOT to contact my half brothers and sisters from my dad's side of the family.  This caused major alienation.  I was shunned from his children.

Soon my ex would tell me on a regular basis how he could have me killed and NO ONE would miss me.  It was true.  The only  ones who would miss me were my three children.  Other than who would report me missing?  Who would report that I was in an abusive relationship?  No one.  I was alone.

Sonny claims he didn't get married earlier in life because he had to wait to save me.  =)  It might sound funny here but, it's cute how he says it.  He IS my knight with clunky armor and he may not have the white horse, he had an old pick up truck!

Back to family.  Before my sister wrote me, I received an e-mail from a long lost cousin.  She found a photograph of my mom, dad and me when I was a baby.  She wanted to send it to me.  I received it the day I received the e-mail written in Spanish from Maria.

My cousin is bilingual and works as an interpreter, this couldn't have been better timing!  She read the letter to me and wrote my sister a letter on my behalf.  I learned when I called Maria, that she can speak English but doesn't know how to write in English. 

WoW, are you still with me?  Have I lost you somewhere?  I think I lost myself somewhere as I was trying to share ALL this. 

Long story short - I have FAMILY! =)  After talking to my cousin, she assured me that YES, I still have family ... LOT's of family.  It was also after talking to my cousin that I decided to search for my siblings on my dad's side of the family.  Even if they didn't want to talk to me, I was curious about them. 

My mom had two daughters from her previous marriage in Mexico.  I haven't had contact with Martha the youngest of the two YET.  My dad had 5 children from a previous marriage.  While he didn't want any more children, he knew my mom desperately wanted a daughter - they got "lucky" and had ME! YaY! LOL  I'm not sure how lucky that really is but, I'll call it that as I'm a girl not a boy.

So, I do an online search of each of the other brothers and sisters.  I found the youngest of the sisters on Facebook and we've had some brief contact.  I hope we have more.  There are two (a brother and a sister) that I haven't found anything on.  Then there are the two oldest of the brothers.

One is still in Southern California doing woodwork and protesting against Mexicans in the US.  Ouch, I'm half Mexican.  Like my mom, I believe if you live in the States you should speak English.  Just as if you live in Paris, you should speak French or at least be learning it!

Then that leaves one brother and this one just breaks my heart.  I have been overwhelmed with deep sorrow for him.  It seems he invested money and the investor ran an Ponzi Scheme and is now in court facing charges while my brother and many others are losing their homes.

It also made me realize, that despite the problems Sonny & I have - lack of income type issues.  I'm grateful that neither of us have a lot nor do we truly feel we are lacking.  It just would be nice NOT to have to worry about $$.  But, I guess it doesn't always mean if you have money you have no worries in life.  Maybe their worries are in the MILLIONS instead of just in the 10's and 20's like mine.

Sorry to have rambled on endlessly here.  I really needed the opportunity to just purge.  Despite sharing all this, my head is still spinning and I only shared a few tidbits of what I've learned in the past few days.

Whew, Calgon take me away ... I need to decompress!

Wishing ...

I had someone I could talk to right now.

Searching for a home shouldn't be so complicated!  How long have we been looking now?  I'm afraid to even count back to the start of our search.  If I do, I just might start to cry. 

Yes, I'm down.

Shortly before our vacation to Vegas we had found a home we all fell in love with.  It had EVERYTHING we needed and nothing we didn't need.  It wasn't a big house, it wasn't too small, it was just right.  Or so we thought.

The inspector found MAJOR water damage to the house.  The previous owners put a 'band aid' over some very major expensive repairs.  There was NO way the house would pass inspection.  Even if it did, we would've been faced with some HUGE repair bills.

Back to square one.  Heavy sigh.

Last week the realtor called and informed us that he found a house and wanted to show it to us STAT.  We met him and saw this  tiny house.  That of course was the downside of this home. 

However, it had many good qualities.  This house was essentially a NEW house as the owner bought the (auction) house, gutted it to the studs and rebuilt it.  Everything is new, electrical, plumbing, pergo floors, granite tile floors in the bathroom and counters, etc.  All done beautifully.

The house also had an unfinished attic that was a perfect size for our family room and for my office.  We also figured we could add a laundry room off the kitchen with a back door to a car port.  While small, we saw a LOT of potential of it being a perfect fit.  It would take a little time and some work on our part.  Between Sonny and some of his relatives we would've gotten it all built and completed without hiring outside help. 

Today before our appointment to go in and sign paperwork we got a call from the realtor telling us we have to go out together and measure the property lines as the owner divided the property earlier today.

We saw the division, we weren't happy.  It would mean he was going to build a tall narrow home in that space.  Meaning we would have NO morning light and NO evening light as there is a tall house on the other side already.  It's taking what potentially could've been a good home and converted it into a cave.

Not only would we lose the light but the ability to add that laundry room and car port to the house.  So, we are once again back at square one. 

I want to cry, yet, I'm not totally disappointed.  I think I'm more mad that he pulled this the day we were supposed to sign.  We had built our hopes up, we allowed ourselves to get excited. 

When did home buying become so complicated?  I seriously think something needs to be done that will make the homes in need of repair available to FHA loans so people without a lot of money can have a home they can fix and make nice with a little effort.

Sorry if I sound very negative today.  I'm just down right now and tired of hearing "the right home is out there for you".  Yeah, WHEN and more importantly WHERE is it!!!  Grrrrrrrrr 

Vegas Baby!

I HAD to say it ... "Vegas Baby!" that is.

As some of you may know we recently returned from a short mini vacation to Arizona and Las Vegas.  The Arizona portion was much to short the Las Vegas portion much to expensive!

Below are a few photographs from the trip and a few of the many brides we saw that special 'lucky' day - 9-9-09.  I had NO winnings so, it wasn't particularly lucky for myself.  I guess one has to gamble to win or lose and we really didn't do that.  But, I can say that we went home with some money ... so maybe I was lucky? 

Sonny & I at the Grand Canyon .  If you've never been, put this on your MUST do list!  This was my second trip, and the first for Sonny, his mom and my daughter, Kim. =)

The Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona, AZ.  It's incredible how this church was built into the rock formations.  I can only imagine a wedding here. =)  If only I had that opportunity to photograph one there.

While in Vegas we stayed center strip at the Flamingo.  May I say, great pools! =)  We had a room on the 16th floor overlooking the pools.

Being centrally located was great for walking over to the Bellagio to see the fountains. 

From there we walked over to the Paris Hotel.  We didn't gamble as we were having way too much fun playing with our camera! =)

What is a trip to Vegas without seeing Elvis?  Kim thought this particular Elvis was a hottie and liked getting close to him!  I noticed he kept checking her out too.

We were in Las Vegas on 9-9-09, Below are a few of the brides we saw as we strolled around in searing 100+ heat.  (I MISSED Washington's cooler weather!)  

I must admit, I had problems with how the photographer posed this couple.  Keeping each other at arms length away.  I want to see some romance!  This was their wedding after all!  Of course, I couldn't and wouldn't interfere with another photographer at work.  I just sat back watching hoping to see something romantic.  Nope, didn't happen. =(

This one I like and I don't like.  I love how the columns lead you to the beautiful couple.  The Venetian offers plenty of wonderful photo opportunities for the newlyweds.   I think my problem is with the groom sitting.  Why?!?  Is the bride dominating? (just my thoughts)  Was he bored?  Maybe his feet were hurting? =)  I still think the bride might have slapped the groom silly if he tried to stand next to her and steal some of the spotlight! LOL

* While the photographs above were taken by us, we didn't pose or interfere with the photographers in action.  I took the shots as the photographers were getting into place to photograph the couples.

This last couple were a lot of FUN and most definitely had plenty to drink that evening! =)   Meet the bride, 'Marilyn Monroe' and the groom, 'Elvis'.  The bridesmaids (I wish I got their photo)  had HUGE beehive hair-do's.  The best man and groomsmen were Batman and Robin.  I loved this couple, as I said they were FUN and lovin life.

Just another shameless promotion here, I've been nominated  in the Best of Western Washington - we are up for "best" wedding photographer again this year.  PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE vote for us and tell all your family and friends to vote for us ... I'm number 33 or such ... that's out of like 250+ photographers!

Your votes are most appreciated!   Vote here: Best of Western Washington

Second Nomination!

We received the e-mail below last week and couldn't have been more excited to be nominated for our second year in a row.  We feel we have been truly blessed with our business and the wonderful customers who have come into our lives.

If you have a moment check us out here: Best of Western Washington - Family Affair Photography.  And now I will shamelessly ask you to please vote for us!  Have your friends and family vote too!  :-D  I wasn't kidding about the shameless request!

                                    ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Congratulations Family Affair Photography!

Family Affair Photography has been nominated as one of Western Washington's best businesses in Evening Magazine's the Best of Western Washington. Voting begins Monday, August 31st and runs through Sunday, October 11th. 

No 'Wine' ...

... just a bit of a vent.

Over the past few days I've noticed a disturbing trend that is apparently getting worse not better.  That trend?  Distracted drivers.  There have been several times I've found myself holding my breath in fear that the driver behind me wont stop in time.  Each time they did - barely. 

Today it was screeching tires and the driver went onto the shoulder/ditch.  I wasn't hit, whew.  What was the driving doing?  Sending a text message!  WHAT was so urgent that he couldn't wait or pull over?

There are many ways of being distracted; sending text messages, talking on the cell phone (even with a blue tooth), eating your meals on the run, children arguing in the back seat, changing CD's ... ANYTHING that takes your attention from the road ahead of you.

With so many people on the road at all times of the day it's all the more important to pay attention to what's ahead.  You can be cruising along at speed limit and suddenly come to an abrupt halt, traffic seems crazy that way. 

Usually on the freeway, I find the stoppage is due to people who don't know how to merge or exit from the freeway.  They can have a long entry for merging but no, they want to come to a complete STOP and then try to merge.  URGH!  That is getting off the subject of distracted drivers and treading in the stupid driver category.

Yes, I'm passionate about not driving while distracted.  In my humble opinion it's as bad as driving drunk.  The reason I'm so passionate about paying attention to the road ahead is because my mom lost her life because a young driver was busy looking for a better radio station and didn't see that my mom's car had stalled.  According to reports, the driver didn't even try to hit her breaks until she was just a few feet from my mom's car.

So, if you are one who likes to 'multitask' while driving, may I please ask that you reconsider.  Is it worth a life to do whatever it is that is taking away your attention?

I'm getting off my soapbox now to go look at some homes.

It's been 3 weeks ...

... since I've stopped by to update.  I haven't really been visiting many blogs either.  When I have it's just been lurking - reading without commenting.

My birthday was good. :-)  Everyone in my family remembered this year.  After forgetting last year on my 50th they knew better!  Sonny got me the camera that I've been drooling over for the past year.  Kim got me concert tickets to see Rob Thomas.  My youngest son called several times to ask if I was doing something fun yet!  Last year he was out to sea and couldn't call.  He was the only one who was excused.

::Heavy Sigh::  The home search.  We have spent the past three weeks searching with NO luck yet.  We have either been outbid or by the time we find a house, it's already pending or the house won't pass with an FHA loan - which is what we have.  On the other hand our nephew who is also trying to buy a home has had TWO offers accepted!  The first didn't pass inspection.  This second is going through all the paperwork now.  It's frustrating as he's at least had offers accepted, we haven't been able to get that far!

Tonight we found another house of interest - day one on the market.  We've placed an offer on the house.  It meets all our needs, however it's a bit of a commute.  I suppose (providing we get this) we can learn to spend an extra 15-20 minutes on the road.  I'm not going to think about it ... I hate getting excited about a house then having it yanked out from under us.

Once again, I'm sending out a request for positive thoughts and prayers for us to be placed in a home soon.  Especially since our landlord is wanting to move his son and DIL into this house.  I don't want to be without a home!   Please know that I truly appreciate the prayers and positive thoughts at this time.  I'm trying to remain positive myself.  I really am!

Update:  Again, we were out priced. :-(

For a cheery ending, here is a beautiful Dahlia I photographed.

Never mind

We didn't get the house mentioned below.  Due to some changes we no longer qualify for the loan amount we had, it's now $15,000 less and as it was we were getting out bid on homes.  The home search is off.  Two bids have been placed on that home, both were under what we originally planned to offer if only by a couple thousand.  ::sigh::  This birthday girl is sad.