UtopianFlower's Profile

Svedka! Do it.

I started drinking this originally in college when taking shots because i couldn't taste it on my breathe afterward, and it was affordable. I'm all about brand loyalty, and I still buy it for the same reason...in drinks. My body can't much handle shots anymore. Fine by me.

First of all, I advise taking a class on buying a house. In Baltimore, there is an organization called Neighborhood Housing Services which gives classes. I went for an all-day class, that I think cost about $20, and you walked away with a spiral bound book with tons of helpful info. They even have online classes, so you can skip the 8 hour crash course, and do it at your own pace. This made a HUGE difference. They covered EVERYTHING. There's so much up front that people should know about the process, otherwise your agent is going to try to school you, and not everyone is a good teacher, even if they may be a great agent. GO TO A CLASS!

I wanted to bring up something about referrals. I was actually referred to someone through a client at work. The agent was his wife. This was a mistake and a great thing at the same time. Advantage of getting a referral from someone you know: the agent can be straight with you and tell you things they wouldn't be able to otherwise. There's this thing called being "shopped" that if you've ever worked in the retail or serving industry, you've come across. They are people who are paid to test people at their job. They write up a review, and send it to the boss. An agent will never know who these people are... UNLESS you were referred by a trustworthy source. Because I was referred by her husband, and work with him frequently, I was able to get some inside info from her about the area, and if she wouldn't have her own daughter live there, she wouldn't show me a house. She did a great job of keeping me in check on what I should be looking for, and wouldn't have been able to do that otherwise.

On the other hand, I was initially hesitant with her and had considered getting a different agent at one point. In the end I was thrilled, but she seems to work with higher budget clients, and wasn't sure that she was appropriate for my very tight wallet. She wasn't going to be making the normal commission for the same amount of work she would put it with another client. But because I was referred by one of MY clients, I felt an obligation to stick with her, and not tell the client that I was not satisfied. Stupid, I know... buying your house is super important and you shouldn't compromise. But I had a friend who was referred to our secretary's son to be her agent, and she stuck with him even though he was awful because our secretary is such a sweet and caring woman, she didn't want to hurt her feelings. Be careful, and weigh the risks and benefits of a personal referral to a relative or loved one.

Also, all of the agents that I found didn't ask you to sign a contract with them until you have found a house, so you are SURE you want to work with them. It's burned them in the past, but you can always say you will not sign one until the end if you're not comfortable.

*2.5 bath

Worked great for me! I didn't even use dish soap. I just made sure the holes in the wrap were convenient enough to get in, but not to get out. It sounds like if you added the dish soap, you could definitely be rid of the plastic wrap, like coffedrinkin confirms.

*I e-mailed my loving and amazing boyfriend, Dave. He corrected me for leaving that part out.

Oh man! A friend of mine and I made a pinata as a present for a long-lost guy friend's birthday. We haven't talked to him much in the 7-8 years since highschool, but we had great fun making a special gift that we hoped would make up the difference. We filled it with silly things. Some small, some bigger, but all around ridiculous.

High School Musical Themed Socks
Plastic Snakes
Assorted Candy
A striped thong
Cheap plastic hand clappers
Dollar store puzzles (like the metal nails you have to get apart, or the one where you have to roll the ball into the dimple)
Cereal

We used the cereal (off-brand lucky charms seemed appropriate) as filler because we weren't content with the overall fullness of the pinata. Plus, it's a pinata! It should make a huge mess!! We did warm him that he should hang it up outside. Best idea ever :)

Have fun with it!

My gut reaction? No way! I believe that everything has energies, and I want nothing to do with any bad energies.

On the other hand, I live in Baltimore, and I wondering if it is really so different to live in a historic area that was the site of a battle or war? You can't visualize the violence as easily because you're not in the exact surroundings, and the act is long in the past, but the death and brutality is real. Though, a patriotic battle with positive outcome is seen more as pride and bravery than death I suppose.

You know, I've never thought about this before I saw the packing pearls, but ping pong balls would be a great alternative!! And it would be much easier to separate the soil from the drainage layer of balls than separating the gravel from the soil if you didn't use a felt barrier between the two. And so light weight! Oh man... I'm doing this :)

http://www.amazon.com/Beer-Pong-Balls-144-pk/dp/B001AWSJQE/ref=pd_sim_sg_4

What is the product name of the trash cans? I have an awkward spot in my kitchen, and I think it would fit perfectly!

Ooo!! I bought this same one around Thanksgiving when someone was asking on AT what their mystery purchase was and everyone was calling it a pie bird (I believe the closest guess was some sort of Japanese device for tea). I researched them and thought they were so awesome, and a great adorable/useful trinket to have on your shelf in the kitchen. I love when trivets or other tools double as decor. I haven't gotten to use mine yet, but I'm so glad you did, Kathryn!