The wheels keep on turning

This morning, I took the day off and met with a kind gentleman from the Belair-Edison Neighborhood, who is approving me for my Healthy Neighborhoods Loan.

Through the course of the conversation, he mentioned that I had "excellent credit." I was about ready to file for bankruptcy just about five or six years ago, so this was pretty cool. I don't really have excellent credit - my score still floats below 700 - so he was probably just being nice, but it was still good to hear. I have worked awfully hard for it, including keeping a second job for over five years.

I have two minor problems on my credit. One is a 2-year old parking ticket for $75 from Rehobeth Beach that I didn't discover until I read my credit report. It's taken care of already. The other is a 6-year old issue with Comcast. is regarding a cable box from Comcast that should have been returned in 2003. As I recall this situation from six years ago, I remember cancelling cable and not returning the cable box until after I received a collections notice. I did return the cable after receiving it, however, and returned it to the Comcast facility in Baltimore. At this point (according to CMI), in 2004, Comcast apparently recalled the collections from CMI and moved it to their own accounts; however, it was never removed from my credit report. I am currently in contact with Comcast to have this rectified. This blotch on my credit is for just $100, but the collection agency and Comcast both have it as satisfied, but I can't get that officially until the Comcast collections sends a letter. They don't even take incoming calls, so I haven't a clue when this will happen.

Still, it should be all okay. The March 31 closing date should work out just fine.

My house is still being worked on, and I get to request some things. I am currently deciding if I want a dishwasher installed. I certainly do, but it depends on the cost. My new kitchen is kind of small and only an 18-inch dishwasher will fit. In addition, I think I might need to raise a fence in the backyard so Holden can't jump out. So my $125,000 price might be raised by a few hundred dollars while I figure out those things. I'm actually meeting with the contractor over there in about an hour to discuss.