I think lately I’ve come to the conclusion that the process of buying a house is really just a large obstacle course, designed to weed out all but the most resolute of people. Between house searches, offers, contracts, inspections, repairs, mortgage applications and moving, it really is a tiring process. And just when I thought that the end was near, another obstacle appears.
The mortgage program I applied for is swamped with refinances these days, and as a result, the standard processing time has gone way way up. It took so long, in fact, that I didn’t actually find out about final approval until just a few days ago, almost 6 weeks after my initial application! Suffice to say, that delay wasn’t anticipated, which means that we had to push back the closing to give the bank extra time to actually finish the paperwork.
I’m supposed to find out soon when the new closing date will be, and I’ve been told it won’t be more than a week away. Unfortunately for me, I was expecting to move this weekend, which means my entire house is pretty much packed up. I’m a bit OCD when it comes to organization (ok, a lot.), and let’s just say it’s a stretch for me to have my house in such chaos. So here’s hoping that I can move soon, because I might go postal and attack someone with a moving box if this lasts too long.
In an amusing note, I had a bit of awakening regarding my fiber stash when it came time to pack up the yarn hutch. I’ve always thought I’ve had a very small stash, but I think it might have become a bit bigger than I realized. See those boxes? The small one on the right is the box I thought could house the stash, and the large one on the left is the one that the stash actually fits in. I bet next time I move I’ll need more than one box. Sigh.
Due to packing, I haven’t had much quality time with my needles, but I have managed to finish one Fiddlehead Mitten. I’m pushing to finish the pair before the EARTH round of Project Spectrum is over, but my moving to-do list might dictate otherwise. I don’t think I’ll mind too much though, since the more time I have with this buttery soft alpaca the better.
In the department of having plenty to knit, Dallas decided to ensure that I have no shortage of projects on the needles. In what I’m sure he thought was a considerate gesture, he decided that he would chew out the heel on a handknit sock, so that I could have the joy of fixing it. He’s tried to work his goodwill on many handknit socks before, but I’m always one step ahead of him when it comes to putting them away. He won this time though.
Thankfully, it was only the heel that he was interested in, and since it’s a short row heel, I think I can fix it by knitting a new one and grafting it to the foot. How fortuitous that I got bored with the ribbing and quit before running out of yarn! Anyone have experience with this type of sock surgery?
I just suppose I’ll have to forgive him, because I’m sure he had the best intentions. And how can you stay mad at such a face? I certainly can’t.
I also can’t stay mad at this face for long, even after she brings a dead bird into the living room. (Note that she was not allowed to lick me for quite some time. I might be a pushover, but I do still have common sense.)
Ah, now we come to the part of the post where you realize that I have no new material, and that I’m just baiting you with cute dog pictures. Is it working?
I should mention that the Caterpillar Sock Kits are up, and there’s just a few left. Anne is nearly finished with the pattern, and the yarn is ready to go, so they’ll be shipping out soon. The yarn is a new base, called 950 MHz Merino. It’s a nice heavy fingering weight yarn, with a gauge of 7.25 - 8.5 sts / in on US #1 - #2 needles. The yarn has a nice tight twist and will knit up into a very firm fabric, meaning that your socks will last for quite a while. Each skein is 430 yards too, so you’ll have plenty for a pair of socks.
Hopefully next time I’ll have a new house to show off!
Cute dogs pictures always work.
Good luck with the repair and the move. Cannot wait to see pics of the inside of the new place.
I always worry about my handknit socks and my dog, who also has a major love of sock chewing. He hasn’t managed to get a hold of one yet, but I bet it’s just a matter of time.
Good luck with the house! Looking forward to seeing pictures of it.
Moving is such an emotional turmoil. I hope you’re all snug in your new house soon!
And I am really looking forward to the caterpillar sock kit. DH happened to be sitting next to me when I was looking at a picture of the yarn on my computer and said, “Wow! That’s really nice.” As he NEVER notices yarn unless I pin him to the floor and wave it under his nose, I thought this was a clear sign that I should purchase a kit immediately to make for him.
Yea, buying a house is crazy. There are just so many things to know about and so many things you have to do! Crazy. Good luck with it all (including that heel situation).
And if you think the househunting and buying phase is tiring and cumbersome and crazy-making…. owning one takes it into another realm. My youngest son and girlfriend bought their first house a year ago, and two weeks later (the househoneymoon already over when the roof leaked) I have heard nothing but laments “none of this stuff ever happened when we were renting!”
good luck!
Yeesh - the whole home buying process just sends my head spinning. However, since I live in a place where all the homes are completely beyond my finances, I guess I’m lucky to not ever have to deal with that! Right?
Dead bird - what a wonderful present! Awwww….you are just so loved. My sweet cats bring me bugs, lizards, burrito wrappers, and once - half a sandwich!
Elias ,my lovable furball, once ate a hole through the first lace shawl I ever tried to make. I was less then pleased.
Luckily, my dog has no interest in chewing anything that is not food. Good luck with the closing!
My cat has no interest in yarn…just in my tape measure!
Good luck with the house…owning a home is NEVER over. There is ALWAYS something else to be done. Even on a brand new one.
You just HAD to plug that kit, didn’t you? ::sigh:; Hope the move goes smoothly. It ain’t easy, but it’s worth it!
Good luck with the move!
Aww, your dogs are too cute to stay made at - even though that totally sucks!
Good luck moving, I have many friends that put buying a house on the same stress level as getting married, and other major life events… which is part of the reason that I’m still renting.
wow! sock kits almost gone?? good going adam! i’m just about done with my second sock in the wooly bear colorway and trying to think of a cute photo shoot for both colors.
did you consider an afterthought heel for your damaged sock? it would work a treat and lots less stitching than grafting on a new heel.
Yeah, it’s an obstacle course for sure. I have bought two houses in my lifetime, and each time I felt humiliated and at the mercy of the bank. Piece of advice: just decide to be firm and make it clear that you won’t put up with any sh*t!! I finally got a backbone an hour before the closing when the bank rep called me and told me that I had to pay an extra $1800 and I just lost it on her (this was after asking her on a daily basis for the final figure for a week and finally settling on that) and refused. They backed down finally, but I’m still bitter!!
I feel ya on the house front. We are thankfully past all the financing & what not (it really helps when your FIL is a major player at US Bank) but we did just spend the last two weeks cleaning (omg filth!) painting and trying in vain to have the carpets come back to some shade of white (as tiling is out of the budget at the moment). I feel your moving pain!
How do you have the most beautiful dog children ever? They are beautiful :D What kind of dogs are they? I think it was very kind that Dallas only wanted the heel, probably the easiest part to fix. I have no advice on how to do it, but I hope you post a tutorial when you have it all worked out :D
Isn’t it funny how stash is excluded from our ability to judge space. We knitters who can eyeball a three inch ribbing, know when to turn a heel, and feel how much yarn we need for a project can underestimate the space needed for our “surplus.” I was going to recommend an afterthought heel too. Glad to hear the house is moving along, albeit slowly!
The bit you wrote about the stash made me grin. I am always amazed at how many boxes the kitchen stuff needs, although at my next move I am going to need to upgrade stash boxes, too. Best of luck with your move!
Just remember to rest your writing hand for the closing. Hope it comes along soon.
Yes, the cute dog pictures always work. We had a cat that used to bring in birds and other animals before they were dead so he could play with them first. The flying squirrel baby was a bit much for me. That cat has since moved in with the neighbors across the street and we have a female cat that prefers to just kill mice and whatever bugs sneak in the house instead of playing with them. A much better arrangement for me.
Hope your dogs adjust well to the new house.
I would cut out the heel and pick up the live stitches and work it like an afterthought heel to repair it. THe sock is fixable and forgivable, but the dead bird? Bleh.
Moving: one of the top ten (top five?) most stressful things one can do.
I hope you see the light at the end of the tunnel soon. (And think how nice having YOUR house is going to be!!)
Good luck with the move!! And hey, aren’t socks meant to be an ephemeral knitted item? ;-)
I hope your closing date arrives sooner rather than later.
Hope the home buying process ends soon so that the home moving process can begin! The fiddleheads look great! Uh oh on that heel.
Your yarn stash would make any knitter drool…I would not call it a stash, because there was enough yarn in that box to open a yarn store!!! Which you will probably do some day! I am sure that your yarn will be one of the first things you unpack when you move in this weekend!!! One has to keep their priorities straight ya know…
love ya~ mom