Well, the fact is, other than the "big John, big John" that he muttered in my ear when I was entering the booth, the rest of his dissertation on the candidates was held right in front of all the poll workers for 2 districts, in a small room--they had to have heard it, he wasn't being quiet. If any of THEM, who where there to see that the voting proceded properly, had a problem with it, I'm sure they could/did report the situation. My discomfort was more because I was concerned for him embarrassing himself or worse. I was uncomfortable because I didn't WANT him getting himself in trouble, and I didn't want anyone (we know most of the workers there) thinking WE'D been the ones to initiate an inappropriate discussion. Normally, I don't mind political discussions--when 2 or more neighbors get chatting in our neighborhood, 90% of the time, politics come up. That's fine. Not all of our neighborhood agrees politically, but all are respectful of others' opinions. As to what I'll do, I'm not going to be the one to get this fellow into trouble. He's a senior citizen, takes care of his mother 24/7, and has very little in his life other than his interest in politics. He's a very nice guy, very generous, very active in our neighborhood events. I don't mind his interest, nor listening to him--I just don't want him to do something that could drop trouble on his head in the future.

I am not sure how "no-fault" the 10 day period is--the contract mentions a home inspection for house/pool/termite/sprinkler systems and says that if there is problem w/house not appraising for the selling price, then price would be adjusted She said that she was not familiar with that type of inspection (and most people aren't who have older homes) but it is basically what is done to new house to get energy star rating...which some builders really live up to and some just kind of lip-service...I know this house won't be energy-star rated just want to know if the HVAC system really works the way it should for house design... She responded to my email and said that air leaks and "weak insulation points" would not be something the seller could be held responsible for repairing... so unless the items found were really bad like cracked foundation or problem w/electrical system, both parties would adjust the price...maybe the pool pump is not working or one of the windows is foggy (but they looked fine)... his roof was totaled in hail storm and has been appraised by his insurance co and he has gotten his money--so contract states that he will replace roof prior to closing... But we did this so quickly and to be honest my realtor is not really into things like energy efficiency factors or why I think it is important to have a piered beam foundation...she just knows all the secrets about neighborhoods and builders--like who to avoid-- her experience tells her that if a home is more than 10 years old and the slab is still good there probably won't be any problems w/it...and that no house is perfect so any house might have problems no matter who the builder was... I am sure my husband is not worried about this now...but I know this is something we will have to deal w/because it is an older home and energy costs will rise..

I am really loving the automated showings system. I have set it up so I get a text message for any showings requests. All I have to do is reply "Yes", and it is approved, or "No". Not sure what happens yet if I say no. I can also log in and block off a day or time, or change the amount of time needed for notification. I also get to see the buyer's feedback online and it's very quick (I am guessing the agents are doing it from their smart phones). First showing cancelled before coming. Second showing said, they loved the house but didn't like the location. Third showing came today. Showed up 1/2 early as we were sweeping up and heading out. We told them it was no problem, and let them come in. Then we left. I got very nice feedback within 1/2 hour after they left; Thanking us for being so accommodating and saying it is their buyer's top choice. Woo Hoo! That's the kind of feedback I like!

Hmmm, why do you have tarp and rocks? And how about comparing notes with your neighbor, the one with the flowering hydrangeas? We could give you hints and possibilities but it may be even better to see what the neighbor is doing. Some hydrangea varieties require winter protection. When they do not get it, the roots survive but the stems above ground dry out, like yours. If this one blooms on old wood only, needs winter protection and you have not provided it, that may account for the lack of blooms. Maybe the previous owner was providing that? By the way, I assume these are mophead or lacecap hydrangeas? Do you know the exact variety name? In cold zones like yours, you can wait until the end of May to prune any of the dried out looking sticks that have not leafed out. We are close enough to month end now where you can almost safely cut them. So if they have no leaves, cut them them down to the bottom.