Getting our mortgage approved is proving to be quite stressful. Because our seller was really looking for a quick sale, we've been put under a pretty sticky set of time constraints, and we're going to have to continue to hope and pray that the deal is actually going to get done by the deadline she set (July 11). We've done everything we can, and everything we will be able to do, on our end, so now we just have to wait for the wheels of bureaucracy to slowly grind out a mortgage approval. In all reality, it's pretty likely that things are going to be fine, but there is a possibility that something could still go awry. Worse case scenario, we get a loan but don't immediately have a house to buy with it...

Unless something stupid happens, we've landed a pretty nice place. (With some unfortunate wallpaper in the kitchen and bathroom that won't be featured here). All it took was an act of God, an offer, a counter-offer, a counter-counter offer, and a counter-counter-counter offer. Sarah will have a bunch more pictures on her Facebook page, so check there for the details.

Things are going pretty well despite the heat index above 105 degrees. Tonight I may try and post some pictures of the area and of some of the houses we are considering. Stay tuned for that.

Sarah and I had our regularly scheduled teeth cleanings today. "What fun!", you might be thinking. And that's exactly what I was thinking. I mean, I take good care of my teeth. Limited sugar intake, no carbonated beverages, daily flossing and use of mouthwash, 2-103 brushing sessions per day. You get the idea.

So I was pretty confident that I'd get buckets of praise from a nice hygienist. I laid back in the chair, and after a few minutes of excruciating pain, nurse Ratchet stopped what she was doing and said, and I'm quoting here, "You need to floss man!" I mentioned (minus the indignancy I was feeling) that I floss daily, and she thought for a second and postulated, "Oh. Well, your gums are bleeding like crazy, so you might need to buy an electric toothbrush. We sell them at cost for only $90."

"Perhaps my gums are bleeding because, for the last 10 minutes, your hands have been shaking like you're detoxing from meth, and you've been GOUGING ME WITH A POINTY METAL HOOK! That's right, I see the METAL HOOK you're holding! And it didn't happen to occur to you that the bleeding might have something to do with the METAL HOOK?! Talk about victim-blaming. In the past, what's been the typical response that gums have given when you STAB THEM WITH FINELY TAPERED STAINLESS STEEL?!?!?!

YOU'RE USING A METAL HOOK!!!!!!! ARE YOU INSANE?!?!?! M-E-T-A-L H-O-O-K!!!!!!"

At least, this is how I recounted (re-screamed) the conversation to Sarah in the car afterwards. With, so I'm told, a large vein pulsing/bulging from my skull and neck.

What I really said was, "Oh, an electric toothbrush? Do you think that will help?"

The packing has begun. It's possible that posting will be limited for a while, but Sarah and I are going down South next week meet with our real estate agent and look at homes, so I might have lots to say if I can find a (free) internet connection down there. For now: boxes. L8r G8r. As the kids say.