Work was pretty busy today, but I was able to detach myself enough to get ready during the 3:00 hour to go see Patrick Moore at Dover Mortgage. Amanda got off work at 4:00 and swung by the house. We got there at exactly 4:15, our appointment time. To make a long story short, it looks like we’ll be able to get a loan of up to $160K! Of course, a credit check has to be run first, but Patrick said that should be an issue, even with the trouble I’ve had. We have a very good income-debt ratio, and we’re looking at a first-time buyer’s program with an interest rate of about one point lower than the going rate. It doesn’t require a down payment either, which is nice. Amanda was so excited that, even though it was getting dark, she wanted to go out looking at houses. So, hopefully, we’ll be in a place of our own by February.

We looked in a few neighborhoods off Gordon Road. On the way back we stopped for dinner at O’Charlie’s. We had a waiter that we’ve had a few times- very tall guy with a deep voice. He’s a good waiter. We stopped at the Wal-Mart right next to the restaurant to pick up some gift boxes and bags and ended up putting up a few shopping carts. That’s a pet peeve of both mine and Amanda’s- people who leave their shopping carts out, especially if they’re close to a cart return, right next to another person’s car or blocking a space. Can’t stand it. To that end, we’ll usually grab one and put it in a cart return or take it back up to the store. Sure it’s a drop in a bucket, but I suppose it’s more of a protest, a demonstration against people who do those things. We make sure to be at least a little vocal about our disdain for people who are too lazy to put away a shopping cart, especially if it’s not particularly cold or wet outside.

We came back to the house after that. Amanda wrapped presents while Bruce and I intermittently napped on the couch.

Zach Dotsey