-Jake
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Day 1 in Rosarito Mexico
-Jake
Friday, June 27, 2008
Post Mexico recovery
Sorry for the delay in posting, but I spent a week in Rosarito, Mexico building a 400 sq ft house for a family of 10. Insane on many levels. Our church and another church in a nearby city brought down high school students (and several adults) to experience the poverty of Mexico and actually provide a family with a home. I tried posting from Mexico, but the text message apparently did not connect with the blog. I'll upload the entries after this.
Highlights from Mexico-
1) Apparently I was the translator. My Spanish is passable, but I really have not uttered a word in like 3 years so it took some time to get it back. And even at that I had a bit of a rough time with it. We survived just fine- but it was quite an experience when kids would call me over to translate. Me??? Coming from CA- Everyone knows at least a little spanish. Turns out Washington kids prefer french... perhaps since we are so closed to Canada? :)
2) Building and rebuilding... Each night the pastor gave out awards to members of the group. One night I got the Nehemiah award which was supposed to be for leadership. Although I was at that moment being a very poor leader in that I had an earphone in and was listening to the Lakers game during group time... I realized that I had no idea what the book of Nehemiah said so I opened the bible and read through the subheadings. "Building of the Wall" - quite coincidental considering that day I had overseen the building of nearly all the walls of the house. "Re-building of the wall" - quite funny because we had to in fact rebuild many of the walls because they were not correct. "Building of the wall again" - this was just eerie considering that after rebuilding a few of the walls, they did in fact needed to be modified once more to fit the windows properly.
3) Lakers... So as I mentioned the Lakers were playing in the NBA Finals during this trip. I had thought it was quite a sacrifice, but considering how it turned out- perhaps it was a blessing. I still have yet to bring myself to watch the games on my Tivo...
4) Fire. So the final night everyone all the kids wanted to stay up late. We had built a bonfire pit and had small fires throughout the week. The rule was that it couldn't be above your knees. One creative solution was to build the pit 3 feet down... On the final night, all the adults had gone to sleep and it was me and this 21 year old guy watching all the crazed high schoolers. So they piled on ALL the remaining wood and it went up FAST. At one point a 6 foot kid was standing on the other side of the fire from me and I could not see him because the flames were above his head (remember this pit is 3 feet deep as well). It got so hot that no one could stand within 4 feet of the fire without feeling pain. Which made it quite intense with that same 6 foot kid suddenly started running directly at the fire and jumped through it! Kerby had to lay the smack down after that. We ended up drawing attention and folks from other churches came and hung out. It was getting a bit crazy so I decided to shut it down and started ushering folks to bed. Most people were cool with it because we were all pretty tired and knew we were too loud for everyone around us. A couple of 8th graders began whining and I was dealing with them when suddenly one of the pretty cool college girls unzipped her tent and started shouting: 1) "It is too loud out here" b) -not a typo she literally followed 1 with b, "It is too bright out here and I cannot sleep" and c) "you are all going to bed right now!" "I am sorry if I am being a grumpy pants but this has gone on long enough" She went on for a bit longer then just glared with her arms crossed at everyone. So folks started putting out the fire and cleaning up (we were going to bed anyway) and I said, "Thanks, Tamara- we are all going to bed now you can lay down- sorry." To which she replied "I am not moving until everyone is in their tent!" So, I was like- "Cool, then- I am going to bed..."
Needless to say, she was repeatedly ridiculed the next day.
5) Mexican Coke. So there are two things I love about Mexico- the tacos and Coca Cola in a glass bottle. In Mexico, they use sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup and I swear it makes a difference. So I would insist on hitting a store so I could get my fix and was relegated to the only thing I could find- a 6 oz shot of coke. It was enough, barely. Upon our return, the pastor showed up with a 24 pack of Mexican Coke he had got from Costco.... Ohhh...
That's all for now.
I am off to see WALL-E with Lucas!!!
Highlights from Mexico-
1) Apparently I was the translator. My Spanish is passable, but I really have not uttered a word in like 3 years so it took some time to get it back. And even at that I had a bit of a rough time with it. We survived just fine- but it was quite an experience when kids would call me over to translate. Me??? Coming from CA- Everyone knows at least a little spanish. Turns out Washington kids prefer french... perhaps since we are so closed to Canada? :)
2) Building and rebuilding... Each night the pastor gave out awards to members of the group. One night I got the Nehemiah award which was supposed to be for leadership. Although I was at that moment being a very poor leader in that I had an earphone in and was listening to the Lakers game during group time... I realized that I had no idea what the book of Nehemiah said so I opened the bible and read through the subheadings. "Building of the Wall" - quite coincidental considering that day I had overseen the building of nearly all the walls of the house. "Re-building of the wall" - quite funny because we had to in fact rebuild many of the walls because they were not correct. "Building of the wall again" - this was just eerie considering that after rebuilding a few of the walls, they did in fact needed to be modified once more to fit the windows properly.
3) Lakers... So as I mentioned the Lakers were playing in the NBA Finals during this trip. I had thought it was quite a sacrifice, but considering how it turned out- perhaps it was a blessing. I still have yet to bring myself to watch the games on my Tivo...
4) Fire. So the final night everyone all the kids wanted to stay up late. We had built a bonfire pit and had small fires throughout the week. The rule was that it couldn't be above your knees. One creative solution was to build the pit 3 feet down... On the final night, all the adults had gone to sleep and it was me and this 21 year old guy watching all the crazed high schoolers. So they piled on ALL the remaining wood and it went up FAST. At one point a 6 foot kid was standing on the other side of the fire from me and I could not see him because the flames were above his head (remember this pit is 3 feet deep as well). It got so hot that no one could stand within 4 feet of the fire without feeling pain. Which made it quite intense with that same 6 foot kid suddenly started running directly at the fire and jumped through it! Kerby had to lay the smack down after that. We ended up drawing attention and folks from other churches came and hung out. It was getting a bit crazy so I decided to shut it down and started ushering folks to bed. Most people were cool with it because we were all pretty tired and knew we were too loud for everyone around us. A couple of 8th graders began whining and I was dealing with them when suddenly one of the pretty cool college girls unzipped her tent and started shouting: 1) "It is too loud out here" b) -not a typo she literally followed 1 with b, "It is too bright out here and I cannot sleep" and c) "you are all going to bed right now!" "I am sorry if I am being a grumpy pants but this has gone on long enough" She went on for a bit longer then just glared with her arms crossed at everyone. So folks started putting out the fire and cleaning up (we were going to bed anyway) and I said, "Thanks, Tamara- we are all going to bed now you can lay down- sorry." To which she replied "I am not moving until everyone is in their tent!" So, I was like- "Cool, then- I am going to bed..."
Needless to say, she was repeatedly ridiculed the next day.
5) Mexican Coke. So there are two things I love about Mexico- the tacos and Coca Cola in a glass bottle. In Mexico, they use sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup and I swear it makes a difference. So I would insist on hitting a store so I could get my fix and was relegated to the only thing I could find- a 6 oz shot of coke. It was enough, barely. Upon our return, the pastor showed up with a 24 pack of Mexican Coke he had got from Costco.... Ohhh...
That's all for now.
I am off to see WALL-E with Lucas!!!
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Tuesday, June 10, 2008
SNOW?!?!?!?
I absolutely, positively, don't want to hear anyone from Pullman ever give me crap for moving to South Dakota.
IT IS SNOWING IN JUNE!!!
Like not a little snow, but I have to go out and clean off the satellite dish because we lost our signal levels of snow!
Vermillion: 70 and sunny...
IT IS SNOWING IN JUNE!!!
Like not a little snow, but I have to go out and clean off the satellite dish because we lost our signal levels of snow!
Vermillion: 70 and sunny...
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Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Here are the new photos of the house- a complete walkthrough! The slideshow is here on my flickr account. The titles and description say where each one is- so click on the middle of the photo to pull up that info.
http://flickr.com/photos/drkerby/sets/72157605165018478/show/
http://flickr.com/photos/drkerby/sets/72157605165018478/show/
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Ohh... that's sweet
So today we officially signed the purchase agreement, signed the loan papers, and locked in a 5.875% rate. We are heading out to lunch, then I am meeting with a professor to talk class stuff and meeting up with the inspector around 4pm. I'll take a ton of photos then and post them here! Here is a schematic and the floorplan for the upstairs: (Click on the floorplan to enlarge).
And I almost forgot the cute part- we were looking at a preschool today and the teacher said she knew the guy that developed the area. He named the streets after his kids- so we live on the oldest kid's street- Brandon Dr., behind us is his daughter Natalie Ct., and the little park near us is after their youngest Ty. Say it together.... ohhhh!
And I almost forgot the cute part- we were looking at a preschool today and the teacher said she knew the guy that developed the area. He named the streets after his kids- so we live on the oldest kid's street- Brandon Dr., behind us is his daughter Natalie Ct., and the little park near us is after their youngest Ty. Say it together.... ohhhh!
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Monday, May 19, 2008
We have a house!
So they countered, and then we countered, and then they countered... and we are accepting!!! They pretty much met all our terms, so we are happy homeowners! I'm going to take a ton of photos tomorrow- so we can hold onto those for the next 60 days of escrow.
For all those that voted for City Park- I left out a key photo of the basement bathroom:
Crazy! But we are glad to have survived the process!
For all those that voted for City Park- I left out a key photo of the basement bathroom:
Crazy! But we are glad to have survived the process!
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House update
So, just to fill everyone in on the details. The house is listed for $216,000 with a $5000 allowance for finishing the basement. It needs doors, trim, and carpet still. We had a carpet guy and a contractor come in and price out the cost and they came to $9000. So, a bit of disparity there. Anyway, we put an offer on the house with the allowance upped and at a slightly lower price and with a bunch of other stuff (house details are endless). So that was about 12:30pm Central Time. Now we sit and wait to see what they say. Hopefully we'll hear by tonight, but we might have to wait until tomorrow... We are excited!!!
If you want to see the floorplan and drawings of the house- go to:
www.midwesthomes.com
and on the left hand side there is a menu that says: Homes/Lots for Sale. Our is right on top listed as sold for $179,000 (that is what the previous owner bought it for with the basement unfinished).
If you want to see the floorplan and drawings of the house- go to:
www.midwesthomes.com
and on the left hand side there is a menu that says: Homes/Lots for Sale. Our is right on top listed as sold for $179,000 (that is what the previous owner bought it for with the basement unfinished).
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Sunday, May 18, 2008
Day 2- Vermillion
Ok, so we may have found our house! Once again, I'll list the contenders- and by the way, I love the votes people are voicing...
1) "The Unbuilt One" - So this one has only been framed, but cool layout in a newer neighborhood. Pros- Nice, brand new, great floor plan. Cons- They are building condos behind it and Rachel is not a huge fan.
2) "The City Park" - Perhaps one of the most incredible backyards I have ever experienced. It is HUGE and just flat out beautiful. Pros- Great neighborhood, backyard and landscaping. Cons- older house, sort of compartmentalized (even the bathroom is split into two rooms- one for the shower, one for the toilet), the basement is sort of a nightmare for the kids.
3) "Our House" - This is the one that we both love. It is in a cool neighborhood and pretty much brand new. A guy lived in it for a year but is moving- so brand new but without all the random costs of appliances, window coverings... Pros- Good neighborhood (we can see golfers from the window Tom!). It is quiet and safe for the kids to run around- a neighborhood park right outside. Great kitchen and nice open space. Cons- Weird floorplan. The master bedroom is right off the front room, and one room is tucked in the back with another right in the front. Not ideal for the kids so we'll probably stick them in the basement! The basement is only mostly finished. Needs trim, doors and flooring. So we are going to find out the cost of finishing that and likely make an offer tomorrow! Maybe... ha!
This is all very maddening! It would be nice to be able to pick and choose the best from each house to make it perfect.
I'll post more later!
1) "The Unbuilt One" - So this one has only been framed, but cool layout in a newer neighborhood. Pros- Nice, brand new, great floor plan. Cons- They are building condos behind it and Rachel is not a huge fan.
2) "The City Park" - Perhaps one of the most incredible backyards I have ever experienced. It is HUGE and just flat out beautiful. Pros- Great neighborhood, backyard and landscaping. Cons- older house, sort of compartmentalized (even the bathroom is split into two rooms- one for the shower, one for the toilet), the basement is sort of a nightmare for the kids.
3) "Our House" - This is the one that we both love. It is in a cool neighborhood and pretty much brand new. A guy lived in it for a year but is moving- so brand new but without all the random costs of appliances, window coverings... Pros- Good neighborhood (we can see golfers from the window Tom!). It is quiet and safe for the kids to run around- a neighborhood park right outside. Great kitchen and nice open space. Cons- Weird floorplan. The master bedroom is right off the front room, and one room is tucked in the back with another right in the front. Not ideal for the kids so we'll probably stick them in the basement! The basement is only mostly finished. Needs trim, doors and flooring. So we are going to find out the cost of finishing that and likely make an offer tomorrow! Maybe... ha!
This is all very maddening! It would be nice to be able to pick and choose the best from each house to make it perfect.
I'll post more later!
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