I'm thinking about buying a house.

The problem is that I can't afford a huge house payment every month, and I don't have a whole lot put down. But, I've been paying rent in C-U for about 8 years now, and it's high time I start building up some equity.

I don't want it to be a dump. The other slight problem is that I will need enough room for Nevan and Steph to live with me for a few years until she gets done with college. So that means that I need at least 3 BR. Plus, part of the reason I'm moving out of my current location is that I don't have enough room for my business, so there's another room (or just a space that I need).

When I first graduated from college I rented a room in a SWEET 3 BR condo. I absolutely loved that place (though I could have done without the 2 boys I lived with). Anyway, I found a place in the same condo association that's for sale. I think I even like it better than the one I lived in before (mostly because there are colors other than WHITE on the walls). It's slightly out of my price range though (I think?), so we will have to see. Plus, I don't know how I feel about those condo association fees. Honestly, though, I don't really know how much I can afford to spend, so I'm planning on going to the bank on Saturday to talk to someone about that.

On another note, Champaign just seems to get smaller and smaller in terms of people I know. Last night I was looking for houses on Craigslist, and I found a cute little house on the cheaper end (but in the neighborhood I currently live in!) so I emailed the guy about it. Turns out I know him!! He called this morning and I assured him that I was the Holly that he knows from church. I don't think the house he's selling is quite what I'm looking for, but it doesn't hurt to look and get a feel for what's out there.

Wish me luck and pray hard!!

Snap Back... to Football

J Leman's snazzy, new website.

Mike tells me RashardMendenhall.com will be up before too long as well, but I just checked and it is not yet.

There is NOTHING to do at work this week. I was glad to have a minor crisis on my Martini book that finished about 2 months ago, just so I would have something to do this morning. That meeting and some research took all of about 1 hour of my day.

I think I'm going to scream.

Ok, seriously. I know I shouldn't be jealous or bitter or anything, but if ONE MORE PERSON gets engaged before the end of the year, I think I'm going to scream.

Breathe Holly...

I love you all, but I don't know... I guess it makes me feel stupid. And it makes me realize what I don't have and what I really, really want. Guh.

Another two bite the dust...

So this weekend, my friend Jen got engaged to her boyfriend Chris in upstate New York. Also, my friend Katie was proposed to by her boyfriend, Daniel, the young adult pastor at our church.

Also in the last few months, these people have all gotten engaged: Joanna, Becky, Alicia... which means that business is good for Holly! But obviously, it's still hard for me, but not hard enough that I can't handle it. I mean, I shot a wedding on 10/13, and everything went smoothly and I wasn't really even thinking about my own wedding plans that had recently been washed down the drain.

The thing that sucks now is just the people who don't know yet, but it's not like I want to put out and APB announcing it to the world either. There are a few key people who I'm pretty sure don't know yet, so I feel like I should send them an email. Really though, I think I'm just trying to avoid the obligatory "oh, I'm so sorry" comments (Erick, I'm glad you sent the email though... no worries!). I understand that there's not much else to say, and that it is sad. But I'm not really that sorry myself, so I don't know why everyone else is.

Here's what I'm sorry about: I'm sorry that my plans are now shifted a little bit, I'm sorry that I probably won't be able to take my business full time in 2008 now, I'm sorry that I probably won't buy a house as easily now, and I'm sorry that I am back to square one.

What sucks is this: I feel like I don't know where to start again now when it comes to looking for another relationship. I am trying really hard to give that over to God though. He has a MUCH better chance of finding Mr. Right than I do. But God, while I have you here, can we find someone this time that loves Jesus AND the Illini? Thanks!

The other thing that sucks is that one of Ryan's friends came up to me on Saturday and asked where he was, so I'm thinking that he hasn't really told everyone yet either, and it's really awkward to tell someone I don't really know, "Oh haven't you heard? We broke up." Ugh.

Ok, enough ranting. But at least I gave you people something to read!! :)

Check out the new Holly Birch Photoblog!

Holly Birch Photoblog

The House that MJ Bought

Well, no one seems to know for sure that he IS buying a house in CU, but it makes sense. Kind of. He told Kent Brown that he would be here for a game this season. A game. Why would he buy a house here if he won't be able to make it over for most of the games. For this years, at least, JJ has to live on campus since he's a freshman. I guess it could come in handy the next three years though. Time will tell...

On a similar note, Aubrey thinks that we should offer to live in his house when he's not here and take care of the housekeeping and so forth. This sounds like a GREAT arrangement to me. I just need to figure out how to get a hold of him... hmm...

Who's ready for MICHIGAN?! ME!!! (And Heath, Bev, Ryno, Kayla, etc.) Saturday is going to be a great, long day. Can't wait.

If you're reading this...

there's a good chance you already know that the wedding is off.

I don't really want to get into it too much, but if you have questions, feel free to ask. I just wasn't happy anymore and I realized I didn't want to spend the rest of my life with him. I deserve to be happy and I gave myself the chance to find that happiness by leaving my relationship. I feel like there is a huge weight off my shoulders and I think some of the stress I had all summer is now gone.

In other news, I am now the proud owner of an Illinois men's basketball season ticket!! This basketball season is going to cost me way too much, but it's what I enjoy and I don't have to pay for a wedding now, so I figure there's some give and take. Also, football isn't costing me much at all, yet I'm still having a good time.

I'm taking suggestions for a possible spring vacation. In March I will definitely be going to the Big Ten Tournament for a couple days, but I could make it a longer trip maybe. I know there is a lot to do in Indianapolis. I could also go visit people (I know Amanda will jump all over this!). My friend Ann also called off her wedding this summer, so we talked about doing something together maybe.

And in other, other news, I'm contemplating buying a houes next year and living with my sister and nephew until she finishes up school. I think it's a good move to buy, esp. since I don't plan on going anywhere for a while. Also, then Steph can pay me rent and help me out with the mortgage for a while. The problem is going to be getting a big enough place though. She will need 2 bedrooms and I will need 2 as well because I am requiring that my next place have an office space for me to use (working out of my bedroom is becoming a huge mental and emotional problem for me).

MY ILLINI ARE 3-0 IN THE BIG TEN AND 5-1 OVERALL!!! So, this fall is shaping up to be pretty good. Wooooo!!