May 10, 2002. One year ago today, we got our sweet kitties. We had been living here for a few months, and it seemed just about time to get some pets, when I saw this ad in the paper:

Apparently a lot of people called, but I was the squeaky wheel who just kept calling. I was hooked once she told me how affectionate they are, that they love to roll over on their backs for belly rubs, and that one of them eats with his paw sometimes (it's Theo, and I really wish I had a photo of it, because it's hilarious). She finally said she would let me have them because I obviously really wanted them, what with calling constantly and all. I was very concerned that she was giving them away (the ad does say "2 12-year old" cats, not "2 1/2 year old" cats, and their previous owner got them when they were kittens, so she had them a long time). I just never understood when people relocate and get rid of their pets. She was talking about how she's moving to a house where they really wouldn't be able to go outside, and I told her that, even though I really wanted the cats, maybe she should consider keeping them, and just making them adapt to staying inside. Finally she admitted that she had met a guy and fallen in love, but that he was allergic to cats ("And I'm 50," she said, "How many guys am I going to meet at this point?"). That was a much better explanation to me, so I drove our VW van over, picked them up, and drove them home. They were understandably a bit confused at first, but adapted in a day or two, and now follow us around like dogs. I absolutely cannot imagine having to get rid of these guys. They're such wonderful cats. I do periodically send the previous owner updates (though I haven't sent her this website address, because I'm afraid she'll be mad that we changed Ditto's name to Theo).

In other exciting news...the hooded baby sweater is complete! Go see!

May 9, 2002.

Happy Birthday, Mom!!

Last night's dinner was another winner: Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Enchiladas. Yummmmm!

I can't write much, as I have to finish my reading for my second (and final) Adventures in Culinary History class.

Speaking of products that last forever (but this time in a good way), I love Bumble & Bumble Sumo Wax. I have very straight, fine hair (and a lot of it), and it's my mission to volumize so I don't look like Gregg Allman by 3:00 pm. Usually I blow dry my hair upside down in the morning, and have newscaster hair for the first half hour afterwards. Then it starts to fall, and flatten. But with just a little bit of Sumo Wax, my hair is wavy and full, and stays that way for most of the day. I have had my jar for over a year, and it looks brand new. And I use it all the time. They should sell this stuff in little lip balm jars (which would still probably last months).

Thus ends the World of Julie beauty report.

New What's for Dinner recipe: Herb Grilled Salmon with Mango Salsa from Cooking Light. I made it last night, and I'll definitely make it again!

May 7, 2002. So we decided to withdraw our offer on the house. I was really bummed out about it last night and this morning, but am feeling better about it now. Basically, replacing the foundation was much more than we wanted to get into, especially with our first house. We had planned to do a lot of renovations, but all of them were going to be things we could do ourselves, not ones where we'd need six levels of contractors and a hotel room to live in while work was being completed. If the house had been in a better area, we may have been more motivated...but then again, maybe not. Replacing a foundation is just a lot more than we signed on for. I'm sure glad we did an inspection! And that we had a clause in our contract allowing us to get out of it! Now, it's just back to trying to find a house we like.

May 6, 2002. I just got back from the house inspection (that is, the inspection of the house we want to buy). It didn't go well at all. There are some major structural issues that we weren't aware of, basically that the entire foundation needs to be replaced. I don't know how we (or anyone else, for that matter) didn't see it. The bricks on the inside in some spots are just about powder. We'd need to get someone to come in, excavate around the foundation, prop up the house, and replace all the bricks. This is major.

I don't know what we're going to do. We're going to talk about it some more tonight, and we have to make a decision tomorrow. This is just killing me. Whoever said not to get emotionally involved with a house was made of stone. I am already so attached to this house, that it's breaking my heart to think of not getting it, but I'm afraid that's what it looks like might happen. We may come back and offer a much lower price, and see if the seller goes for it. We know he needs money, and now that we're going to tell him about the foundation, he's legally obligated to disclose to every possible buyer that the foundation needs to be replaced. I don't know. I'm so sad about it right now, I don't know how to make a decision.

And I don't know what inner quality I'm supposed to be strengthening by being put through this whole process, of loving a house, having our bid fall through, getting the house again, then having a major issue come up. It's making me more cynical, that's for sure, but that's not really a quality I was coveting.

The other problem is that I've really fallen in love with the idea of owning a house, not just the house itself. I was so giddy with the idea of owning a house, and finally settling down, and having the place where we live be ours, and also the location of this particular house, because it's convenient to absolutely everything and not at all suburban and boring.

I'll update tomorrow with what our decision was, and what happened. I'm sure whatever ends up happening will be fine, really, but this whole process is just making me really exhausted.