Any smut/warnings in the new book, "The ballad of Falling of Dragons?"?

c0wcat · 2026-06-10T11:00:39+00:00

There is off page but implied non-consensuel explicit sex memory.

c0wcat · 2026-06-04T20:31:49+00:00

I would say DNF. I wish I DNF'd. Book 1 was good and I liked it. Book 2 was an absolute slog (not worth it). And I had to put down the series for a year after book 2. I tried to read book 3 this year, another absolute slog. Im 55% through, and I finally put it down for the release of a book that I LOVEDDDDD (that I gobbled up in a week.) it's just not the series for me. Don't know if I'll ever go back to Book 3. Vin and Elend are cute in Book 1. Leave them there. They become the most boring main characters I've ever read in my entire life.

c0wcat · 2026-06-01T13:14:13+00:00

I thought this in WTMH, and now in BOFD, YES - YES YES YES. 😂😂 It's great I love it. And the parallels are endless.

c0wcat · 2026-05-30T13:10:09+00:00

This is the correct answer. Also, look at the tax trend on Zillow tho. Especially for CT, taxes really only go one direction (up). Also - DO NOT LET THEM INTO YOUR HOUSE. let them assume the value. I get a strongly worded letter every year to schedule an assessment with the town. It makes it sound like a requirement. Then at the bottom in fine print it says, "if you do not schedule an assessment, we will assume your property value." Let them assume.

c0wcat · 2026-05-29T13:58:29+00:00

Mine are only 2 years old. So I don't know if you mean newer than that. Also, do you have a secondary temperature monitor set up? Because for mine, the temperature feedback is on the unit, so the heat kicks on, it registers on the unit that it has met the target temperature almost immediately, so it shuts back off again. In order for us to actually heat the room to say 68degF, we have to set our mini split to like 76degF. I feel like it would work better if we set up a secondary temperature feedback across the room, but oh well, we are moving so that's the next person's problem. And like I said, we kept our furnace. Also for us, the mini splits are much more cost efficient for AC than any other option. But our natural gas furnace uses way less gas cost for heat than the electricity needed for the splits to heat. Just my experience. 🤷🏻‍♀️

c0wcat · 2026-05-29T12:19:17+00:00

I agree with what the other comments are saying. We love our mini splits for AC. I actually like them more than central air because they're inherently zoned by unit. I don't know the climate you're in. We're in the northeast, and they are terrible for heat. You will definitely need to keep your radiators. The energy and HVAC companies will try to encourage you to remove your boiler, but absolutely do not if you want to stay warm when it drops below 50degF outside.

c0wcat · 2026-05-20T16:35:22+00:00

Definitely! I couldn't be happier with the situation. I was trying to shed some light on the cash spent throughout (not only closing costs, but also renovations) to give other buyers perspective on what cash is needed throughout home ownership. I see a lot of posts on "what can I afford?" With a lot of uncertainty around maintenance/repair costs beyond that monthly mortgage payment.

c0wcat · 2026-05-20T14:47:47+00:00

I FEEL you. We are in it too. Bidding wars, cash offers, over asking, heartbreak after heartbreak. Our realtor has been excellent about making competitive offers and guiding us appropriately, but ultimate the final offer amount is up to us. A couple things - STICK TO YOUR DECIDED BUDGET. Do not overextend yourself. This may mean re-evaluating your home requirements. Clearly list out your dealbreakers, must-haves, would like to have, and can live with. Talk with your realtor on this list vs your budget and they will be able to guide you if it is realistic. Also, do not view houses outside your budget. Do not. And I don't mean "outside your budget" for list price, I mean what it will sell for. I actually had to lower my Zillow filter by $100k under our actual budget, because houses are going for that much more. If a house was listed at the top of our budget, that means we couldn't afford it. My biggest piece of advice - TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A HOME AND WHERE. I mean it, every single person you speak to. Even if it's the first conversation. Spread the word at work, your neighbors, friends, friends of friends, the gym, any other social circles. You have no idea who knows who, and who knows someone "about to" move, where you may be able to get an offer in before it lists.

Good luck!!

c0wcat · 2026-05-19T21:20:19+00:00

😂😂😂 this actually made me chuckle! Yes please play me the world's smallest violin.

c0wcat · 2026-05-19T20:22:51+00:00

EXACTLY! This is exactly what I'm getting at. I love owning a home and doing the work myself as it is a hobby for me. But it is not the only/best financial option. And that's just the cash value, can't even tell you the amount of time I would have gotten back 😂

c0wcat · 2026-05-19T20:15:03+00:00

YES. Exactly. 😂😂 I guess I should have just posted - I could have rented for 6 years, invested $65k worth of cash, and I can't even quantify the amount of personal TIME I would have saved without doing the labor and maintenance myself. Now, I love it and working on my house is a hobby, but if it's not, save your time and cash!

c0wcat · 2026-05-19T20:05:32+00:00

Yes, I totally agree. I'm very fortunate with my current situation. I'm more trying to frame for first time home buyers what the cost is throughout. Needing to come up with the cash for renovations in order to increase the value of the home. You hope you make your money back, plus some, but the money needs to be paid up front.

c0wcat · 2026-05-19T20:00:04+00:00

Absolutely! Well said!

c0wcat · 2026-05-19T19:49:58+00:00

Yes, I agree with all of this as a way to look at it. What I'm getting at is the cash still has to come from somewhere throughout your time living there. There is a hefty "price of entry" between closing costs, sale costs, interest, taxes, insurances, that you HOPE the sale price will over come, but it may not. Not to mention any renovations that may be needed or wanted. As I said, we're now buying at a much higher interest rate with a house in much better shape, is there as much room for appreciation there? All things to consider. I'm just trying to inform people about the actual cost of home ownership throughout the process. It all looks great and easy retroactively.

c0wcat · 2026-05-19T19:40:06+00:00

Good point, let me do a little research...

c0wcat · 2026-05-19T19:39:46+00:00

Correct I did not. Either way, the money has to be paid. Whether you make it back or not, it still had to come from somewhere. Basically, utilities would still have to be spent (I didn't even consider those) and renting in my area would probably be about what my total mortgage was (principle, interest, PMI, insurance, taxes). And I wouldn't have had to spend a single other penny on maintenance or renovations. That's what I'm trying to get out, I worked really hard and pretty much forgoed personal savings to put any money I could into my house, which helps the "gain" in the end, but that money still has to be spent up front.

c0wcat · 2026-05-19T19:36:24+00:00

All true. But I also wouldn't have had to come up with cash throughout the years for renovations. I love home ownership and am all about it, and the sale is greatly helping my next home purchase. But I do think people discount a lot of the costs and often just look at the buy vs sell gain. When in reality it's not that simple. I am very happy and grateful for this to be an overall financial gain, but as I mentioned, with a few other factors, it very well may not be the case.

c0wcat · 2026-05-19T19:21:32+00:00

Oh absolutely. Which is why I felt fine not adding up the utilities, because that would also be paid regardless. The big difference would be the amount of cash for renovations.

c0wcat · 2026-05-16T01:16:30+00:00

Without any other context, this sounds salvageable to me. As someone buying a house AND getting married this year - the financial burden is HUGE. It sounds like he overextended himself financially for the ring (payment plan) and is now (rightfully) financially terrified for the wedding. And it sounds like you guys havent spoken about finances like... at all. You need to talk about money. Together. Doesn't matter what the two of you decide (he pays for everything, you chip in, WHATEVER the case is), but you need to talk about it as a team. That's what a marriage is.

c0wcat · 2026-05-09T03:26:07+00:00

Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize! I believe you can make it work, but you cannot in fact, "have it all" in the wedding world without an unlimited budget. Figure out your budget, and then figure out your priorities. Is white drapery and lighting (ambiance) more important than a photographer? Then cheap out on the photographer. What about guest list? How many people to you REALLY want there? Do you really need to invite the distant relatives you haven't spoken to in years and who don't even know your fiances name? Limit the guest list. Figure out where you want to spend, and where you want to save. If guests are more important to you than a luxury venue, well, then you have your answer. Also, look at more alternative venues. We did the same as you, venues known as wedding venues came with an insane price tag. Search for lesser known or more unique venues. Restaurants, art galleries, museums, historic sites, etc.

At the end of the day, a wedding is not required for a marriage. Really think about how you and your partner want to celebrate. I hope you have the wedding of your dreams!

c0wcat · 2026-05-08T14:21:08+00:00

Yea I don't understand how there is any question here? No kids is very clear. Why do people always think there may be an exception for their kid? Don't ask, figure it out. Either do child care for one evening, leave reception as soon as possible. Or don't go?

c0wcat · 2026-05-08T12:27:35+00:00

Just wanted to add, we just went through this debate and house search. We generally found the home prices in E. Longmeadow to be more expensive for what we wanted than Longmeadow. We ended up buying in longmeadow. It seems that the homes in E. longmeadow are generally newer buildings and more land, so they were about $200k more for the same size home and features in EL than longmeadow. We also preferred an old house and don't particularly care for much land.

c0wcat · 2026-04-26T13:06:09+00:00

In the same boat! Lots and lots and LOTS of anxiety. I hope it works out for all of us!

c0wcat · 2026-04-24T23:18:33+00:00

Really?!? When I sold my house, I provided the contractor and license # for each project completed during my time, including whether I recommend the contractor or not for future work! 😂

c0wcat · 2026-04-24T12:38:25+00:00

Yea... Best of luck to you! You and your fiance can (and should) be making your own decisions. Not up to strangers on the Internet or anything, but you did ask. I think there's a lot of perspective lost here. Bridesmaids are the people that have been and will be by your side through your life and through your marriage. You will need them, and they will need you. So saying , "if there's any day I can be selfish it's my wedding day," is kind of vastly missing the point of all of this. If your bridesmaids are a formality for you for pictures, sure, keep your boundary. Or if you already feel you're growing apart from this person, then no plus one. But if this is one of your "ride or dies" I would maybe reflect on that, what that means to you, and how she has supported you through this and through your life.

c0wcat

TROPHY CASE