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So my visit with friends was wonderful. Really glad to see everyone and we had a good time at the car show. Over 900 cars. Went to see my friend's folks for lunch one day, also went downtown Melbourne for a day. That place reminds me a whole lot of Chicago. Even has a river going through the middle of it.
The traveling was a big let down.
I'm gonna have to dig out my pellet gun. There are a couple woodpeckers that sound like they are jack hammering on the side of my house.
Mike - Glad you had fun with your friends! Is it worth it to you to take that long a trip and then only stay as long as you did? When you fly with Delta, is it free or significantly discounted? Curious minds want to know?
Be careful who might see you plinking a Woodpecker, all native species of Woodpeckers are Federally protected!
Last edited by Dream67Olds442; Mar 5, 2026 at 06:42 PM.
Norm - Wow, that Brightspeed is fast! Who's responsible for coming in to mark the other utilities before they bury the Brightspeed fiber optic?
Brightspeed installation method is extraordinarily automated i.e. your installer will arrive in x3 day, your installer will arrive tomorrow, your installer will arrive in 30 minutes, you installer has finished, all via phone & text message. To specifically address your question, when the installer is finished, Brightspeed automagically puts in the *811* request for the buried utilities - done automagically.
Brightspeed installation method is extraordinarily automated i.e. your installer will arrive in x3 day, your installer will arrive tomorrow, your installer will arrive in 30 minutes, you installer has finished, all via phone & text message. To specifically address your question, when the installer is finished, Brightspeed automagically puts in the *811* request for the buried utilities - done automagically.
I'll give you the 20,000 ft elevated history of Brightspeed since I know this pretty much off back of my hand. AT&T>divestitures into the many baby bell companies>(I think maybe Atlantic Bell?)Sprint>Embarq>CenturyLink>Brightspeed. You know the deal w/ M&As. They're maybe the number one player in upgrading copper>fiber across the country; albeit competing w/ the enormous number of ISPs (Spectrum, ***, etc.) across the country. My understanding they've faired much better East of Ohio to the Atlantic Coast in terms of service, equipment installations & meeting SLAs. Reviewed many horror stories of various support calls, just thought I'd toss that out for you. Check 'em out in your area 1st to see if they're available then maybe their reputation in your area. Personally, like many of these organizations they off-shore their support personnel and those personnel basically read from a script - you know the deal. You have to be one step ahead of the support people on nearly everything these days.
Reviewed many horror stories of various support calls, just thought I'd toss that out for you. Check 'em out in your area 1st to see if they're available then maybe their reputation in your area. Personally, like many of these organizations they off-shore their support personnel and those personnel basically read from a script - you know the deal. You have to be one step ahead of the support people on nearly everything these days.
Good info! We'll it isn't like I don't hear another horror story about Spectrum and their support every other day and I'm still with them! I got on the Brightspeed website last night and their website said they are available in my area, along with a bunch of info about a variety of levels of service/speeds, but when I tried to click on any of the plans to get more info/pricing it immediately sent me to a screen with a phone number to call for more information. I really didn't want to speak with some yahoo that time of the evening (ever really), so I didn't call. I may yet???
Good info! We'll it isn't like I don't hear another horror story about Spectrum and their support every other day and I'm still with them! I got on the Brightspeed website last night and their website said they are available in my area, along with a bunch of info about a variety of levels of service/speeds, but when I tried to click on any of the plans to get more info/pricing it immediately sent me to a screen with a phone number to call for more information. I really didn't want to speak with some yahoo that time of the evening (ever really), so I didn't call. I may yet???
You'll likely get into the Sales queue which should undoubtedly be much better than the support queue one would hope. 🤞
Chris I actually stayed a couple days longer than I usually do. It worked out that Mom could stay with my sister that amount of time so I stayed with my friend a while longer. It does seem odd to travel all that way for a relatively short amount of time. I like to go to that car show, and I like to see my friends, and if that's the amount of time I have then that's what I do. Years ago I stayed up to three weeks. Can't do that anymore. Dog, mother, bills, etc. I can't be gone that long.
The cost to me for flying on a special pass was about 200 bucks. It amounted to the taxes Delta has to pay the international airport. Ordinarily I'd fly QANTAS, and the interline fare I get is about 500. Still a screaming deal when the guy next to me is paying 2500 or more. If I fly domestically, such as Florida, California, Chicago, wherever, it doesn't cost me anything. It's part of my "total compensation package."
Beautiful evening out. I think we're supposed to get rain tomorrow so it will be a good time to run a couple errands. I have a few phone calls to make as well so still a lot to get done. Boy I'm glad I didn't go to work.
Okay gonna hit the sack. Have a good night everyone.
Chris I actually stayed a couple days longer than I usually do. It worked out that Mom could stay with my sister that amount of time so I stayed with my friend a while longer. It does seem odd to travel all that way for a relatively short amount of time. I like to go to that car show, and I like to see my friends, and if that's the amount of time I have then that's what I do. Years ago I stayed up to three weeks. Can't do that anymore. Dog, mother, bills, etc. I can't be gone that long.
The cost to me for flying on a special pass was about 200 bucks. It amounted to the taxes Delta has to pay the international airport. Ordinarily I'd fly QANTAS, and the interline fare I get is about 500. Still a screaming deal when the guy next to me is paying 2500 or more. If I fly domestically, such as Florida, California, Chicago, wherever, it doesn't cost me anything. It's part of my "total compensation package."
Mike - Really appreciate the in-depth explanations! Completely understand why you can't stay any longer than you do these days. Your costs for flights are a smokin deal, I'm super envious!
It's already 65° here at 0830, headed towards a high of 80° this afternoon! We'll get a break from all the rain during the day today, but we're also suppossed to have more storms moving in after midnight with high winds, thunder storms, and the potential for hail and tornadoes. Many local rivers were supposed to crest last night, with the majority below flood stage, but about an hour southwest of us there are several rivers significantly above flood stage.
My daughter Blaire, SIL Justin, and Keegan are on their way to South Bend, IN for Keegan's weekend long hockey tournament. His first 2 games are this afternoon/evening starting at 3:50pm. The multiple facilities/Rinks where his games are scheduled all have LiveBarn Hockey Video feeds so barring any glitches I should be able to watch all his games live. Gabe is staying home so he doesn't have to miss his hockey practices and will also be responsible for taking care of all the family pets. He will be staying with his "other Grandma" (my Ex) who lives only 2 doors down from my daughter's home, making it easier for everyone for Gabe just to run over to his house and take care of their 3 dogs and Gabe's Bearded Dragon.
Dawn is already off to her weekly job of cleaning house for her elderly friend down the street from us and usually is home around 1pm, so the dog's and I are just chillin. No other big plans for today, or the weekend for that matter. I'm just hoping whatever storms we do get later tonight are not severe,
Hope everyone has a great day and enjoyable weekend! 😃
Well, Keegan's team had a rough go of it today. They lost their first game 2-1, and then got crushed 7-1 in their 2nd game. Hopefully they'll have a better go of it tomorrow.
Keegan's team has already completed 2 games this morning. The first one started at 0740 my time. The games go fast, only 22-minutes with a running clock that only stops for a player injury or major incident.
Cool thing this morning was they played at a different facility, playing in the main arena at Univ. of Notre Dame's Compton Ice Arena (Pic 1). Bad thing was he was in one of the end goalie positions for both games again (Pic2). I can't catch a break. It's very hard to watch him on live stream and impossible to keep up with the scores when they're playing half-ice and he's on the end.
They have 2 more games this afternoon starting at 1520, and then they'll have to sort out if they get into the Semi's or some type of consolation game tomorrow???
Got our new credit cards around 0800 this morning. UPS rang the doorbell and knocked loud because I had to sign for receipt. Of course that woke Dawn up and sent the dogs into a tizzy, but I'm glad they're here so fast.
We had severe storms most of the night, with heavy rain, lots of lightning/thunder, high winds, and I heard some small hail from time to time. This means no one got much sleep because Monty was in a meltdown all night. I think I'm going to need a nap at.some point?
Keegan's team lost their 1st game this afternoon 4-2, and then won their 2nd game 4-1. So, at the conclusion of Round-Robin play they are 2-3.
It is possible their record may be good enough to get them into the Semi-finals tomorrow if the 2 teams they beat have the same or worse record they have. I don't have access to a Tournament website that shows the results of all the games, so I'm waiting to hear from my daughter if they made it into the Semi-finals or not. Hope that make sense? 😃
Been busy busy trying to catch up on things around the house. Having been gone, I have a new perspective on things and chores that have been lagging seem more prevalent.
Was a nice day but it rained this evening, replete with thunder and lightning. Supposed to rain tomorrow as well, so I'm thinking up things to do inside.
So can someone explain escrow to me. My understanding of escrow is the mortgage holder holds extra money aside to pay certain fees, like taxes and house insurance. Interest is not earned on this money. My mortgage was just bought/sold/merged and my "new" company, Rocket Mortgage, wants to up my payment each month because the escrow balance won't always be "what they require." They sent an estimate of what the balance should be each month for the next year, and never does it go below zero. And since it wasn't my idea to change companies, I don't give a damn what they require. They started out on the plus side this year, shouldn't they have sent me what the balance was and started from zero? Shouldn't they have to keep what the previous company "required?"
So Monday I start back to five days a week. Not looking forward to that, but it will be nice to have a couple hours after work every day to myself. I haven't heard from anyone at work over the past couple weeks so I don't know what's been going on. Truthfully, I haven't thought much about work the last couple weeks. Guess I'll find out Monday.
Okay it's going on 1, gotta change the clocks and hit the sack. Have a good night everyone.
You understand escrow correctly. Tell them to pound sand, a contract is agreed upon by both sides. Changes are agreed upon by both sides. If they push, use the phrase "I'll be getting a lawyer to deal with your breach of contract." They will then shut up.
I agree w/ John - you understand escrow correctly. Additionally, a mortgage lender performs an escrow analysis once each year every year they own the mortgage paper. The basis for the amount held in escrow is determined by real estate value. Your escrow amount can increase/decrease based upon real estate taxes. An increase/decrease in escrow can occur as the result of property reassessment, change in local tax rate &/or a change in the state equalization factor (called the multiplier). At the end of the day, the mortgage lender is entitled to perform an escrow analysis once each year. If your local assessor's office has determined your real estate value has increased for whatever/any reason (you added a concrete porch, driveway, out-building, fence, etc.) they can increase/decrease your property value and adjust your escrow amount. I'll also note there exists an additional factor which can come into play & that is a special assessment levied against your property. A special assessment (most often) catches many property (real estate) owners by surprise. Example: Say the county &/or local (city/town, etc.) officials elect to pave your street, repave your street, add sidewalks, curbs, etc. &/or improve infrastructure. By referendum they place this cost burden on property owners over a period of time (say 10 years as an example); albeit, your escrow amount can increase.
Unfortunately Keegan's team did not make it into the Semi-finals, and they were relegated to the 5th/6th place Consolation Game this morning. They played two 20-minute Periods, and won 6-0, getting 5th place, with an overall record of 3-3 for the Tournament. Certainly nothing to hang their heads about!
I took these pics of my Laptop screen with the live Hockey Video stream paused. Not the greatest, but you'll get the idea. First pic is his team mobbing him at the end of the game this morning, and the 2nd pic is him getting his medal picture taken. My daughter said they all had a good time and they're on their way back to StL.
Man I just can't get with it this morning. Can't be because of the time change, I woke up on my own around 10. Maybe it's mental. I should start chanting that the time change is ruining my life!
I don't know who decides what my house is worth, other than someone wanting to buy it, my property value goes up all the time, and for no apparent reason. The guy across the street bought his house for 237K, then four years later listed it for sale for 444, and that's what the county said his house was worth. My property value went up about 30K. Absurd. Absolutely nothing changed in the neighborhood. The house ultimately didn't sell and was taken off the market, but the values remained high. I was going to contest my value when the tax letters came out but the deadline slipped by before I could look at it. I'm going to call these clowns tomorrow. I'm sure they will cite some section of the agreement that says they can do what they want without recourse.
Kinda gloomy this morning. No rain so far, but everything is a muddy mess from last night. If the driveway dries off I'll change oil in the car. Otherwise I'll probably just mope around until it's time to go to Mom's.
Been busy busy trying to catch up on things around the house. Having been gone, I have a new perspective on things and chores that have been lagging seem more prevalent.
Was a nice day but it rained this evening, replete with thunder and lightning. Supposed to rain tomorrow as well, so I'm thinking up things to do inside.
So can someone explain escrow to me. My understanding of escrow is the mortgage holder holds extra money aside to pay certain fees, like taxes and house insurance. Interest is not earned on this money. My mortgage was just bought/sold/merged and my "new" company, Rocket Mortgage, wants to up my payment each month because the escrow balance won't always be "what they require." They sent an estimate of what the balance should be each month for the next year, and never does it go below zero. And since it wasn't my idea to change companies, I don't give a damn what they require. They started out on the plus side this year, shouldn't they have sent me what the balance was and started from zero? Shouldn't they have to keep what the previous company "required?"
So Monday I start back to five days a week. Not looking forward to that, but it will be nice to have a couple hours after work every day to myself. I haven't heard from anyone at work over the past couple weeks so I don't know what's been going on. Truthfully, I haven't thought much about work the last couple weeks. Guess I'll find out Monday.
Okay it's going on 1, gotta change the clocks and hit the sack. Have a good night everyone.
Escrow- okay, the mortgage company charges you principle and interest. That's all that is required, unless the mortgage company (not by law, only by the contract you signed when you took out the mortgage) requires you to make escrow payments to an escrow account. It's your money. The mortgage company holds it, so by law you should be earning interest on your escrow account. It might only be 0.1% or something, but it's still your money, and they should be paying you interest on the balance.
When the mortgage transfers to a new lender, the escrow account moves too. You don't get that money back and "start from zero"- not from my experience anyway. The terms of the escrow agreement are laid out in the mortgage documents, and they should include a "minimum balance", which may not be zero. In fact, it's almost never zero, but you're correct in saying they have to abide by the agreement you signed. They can't change the terms of the escrow account just because they bought the mortgage. Often there's always some value to the escrow account, even after the mortgage company pays your taxes and homeowners insurance. Annually, they would assess the balance of the escrow account. If the balance is higher than the agreed amount, you get a check for the difference. If it's lower, they usually (at least, mine does) offer you the choice of an increase to your monthly payment, or the option to send a one time payment to bring the balance back to the agreed to minimum.
If you really feel you're being mistreated, tell Rocket mortgage you want to see the escrow tax and insurance statement for 2025, and 2024, and you want to see the agreement (it should be part of your original mortgage paperwork, but usually the escrow tax and insurance statement breaks down the details, including the agreed minimum balance to be held in the account at all times, and the interest rate they are paying you). Ask them to explain it to you, and check your tax bill. Taxes go up, and that might be why you're escrow withholding is going up.
Personally, I feel I get better results when I'm not confrontational, and go all "speak to my lawyer" on them. You can always refinance the mortgage, and they know that. It is in their best interest to keep you happy.
My mortgage company escrows taxes only. I'm responsible for the insurance, but still, my monthly payment moves up or down annually because the taxes go up. Sometimes they over compensate and the following year I get a check for $75 or something, and my mortgage goes down by $15 or something. I've never seen my mortgage go up by more than $15 to maybe $25 a month due to changes in my escrow account.
Get the annual statement. It should detail exactly every payment you make, and every payment they make to your taxes (quarterly) and insurance (annually maybe?). That should make things clear-er...
First day back. Seems like I never left. Things are busy but not a lot is getting done. Eh, I don't care. My wall guy is slow as can be and I'm not pushing him.
Thanks Dave and everyone. I suspect that Rocket Mortgage just does what they want because people don't know they can push back. I'm gonna call them this afternoon. I wasn't saying I thought the new company should send me all the old money they had, just at the end of the year I'd get what was left and the new year started at zero.
I'm hoping the weather stays warm(ish?) now. Upper 50s last night and I think 70s all week with some rain. The yellow pollen is going to start up here in a short amount of time. Ah, spring. It's actually still winter.
Okay got some cards. Hope everyone has a good day.
Mike - That's a good thing right? 😉 When I was working I usually had a mountain of work to catch up on when I returned from a vacation. The end of a vacation was always followed by a period of punishment!
I'm not looking forward to the onset of Spring pollen season, I'm allergic to a $hit-ton of stuff.😔
