what are you doing right now?

[alabamagal]

Went to the local (Kentucky)butcher/grocer to check it out. Found some of my favorite Alabama sausage. Now have dinner plans.

[Cheesy FL-Vol]

Jun 8, 2024 12:26:56 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

I like this one. What are your thoughts?

www.zillow.com/homedetails/3352-N-55th-St-Kansas-City-KS-66104/75715158_zpid/

That looks nice. I wonder about the fact that this it was under contingency twice since it was originally listed in April.

[snapdragon]

The parade was fun for the most part but very herky-jerky on the spacing. There was a amazing pirate boat parade float and they were actually blasting confetti with a air cannon! Lots of candy was thrown and I managed to get a 1/2 price discount card for our local arcade. I'm hoping to use it for their mini-golf course. My main issue was the honking horns and the annoying political floats but whatever. I had a decent time and was able to chat with a couple who are residents and they even moved here from my old city!

[soupandstew]

Waiting on the alarm repair guy AGAIN!  I drew the 12-4 time slot and it's 3:23 now.  I'll try not to kill him - it's not his fault.

[NastyWoman]

"Neither rain nor wind nor heat nor gloom of night" my ass 

I received a letter from Vanguard post dated 5/31 in Philadelphia around 5pm last night. In the letter* was a request to call Vanguard by close of business (East coast time) on the 7th - several hours after I was supposed to call. The USPS sure knows how to make timely deliveries they just don't bother to do so. I am ticked off to say the least.

* Because of a name change Vanguard did not let me establish an online account so they needed to use snailmail - and that is what this letter is all about. GRRRRRR!

[andi9899]

I told the girls this weekend that I'm running all houses by you guys. Please pick them apart. I'm gonna pass on the one I posted today.

[Pink Cashmere]

I want to take my Grandbabies to a safari type thing this summer, where you drive through and see the animals, and can feed them through your car windows. It is less than a 2 hour drive, so it can be a day trip.

I also want to take them to Magic Springs, a water park in Hot Springs, AR. That is a little farther. When my children were young, I took them to a water park about 3 hours away in a different direction, and we drove down that morning and came back that evening. I’m old now, I don’t think I want to do it like that lol. I’d rather drive there one day, spend the next day at the water park, and come home the day after that. Which would mean I’d have to finagle an extra day off work, which might require some shenanigans since I don’t have any leave. But it would be worth it to me, to be able to do that with my Grandbabies. They won’t be my babies for forever, and I want to do stuff like that with them and make memories with them, while I can.

That is one good thing about my days off work being week days, going places like that won’t be quite as crowded as on the weekend days. 

I haven’t said anything to Mister yet, it will be at least another month before I can do either anyway. But I will tell him my plans and ask if he’d like to go and take Kiddo. If Mister doesn’t go, I’m not taking Kiddo, because dealing with 4 children by myself is a lot. Just my 3 Grandbabies will be out of my element, I’ve only ever dealt with 2 children at once on trips and such lol.

The good thing is that before a couple years ago, going without Mister or another adult, wouldn’t have even been an option, because I’d always been afraid to travel period by myself, even if it’s not far. Even when I did the day trip to a water park with my children, a coworker/friend went too, with her children. We drove our own cars, but still, I was not the only adult. 

I doubt Mister will go, because he has become even more adamant about not taking off work, now that he is the top manager for his department. I understand the responsibility, but I don’t understand letting a job take over your whole life and not even trying to have some kind of balance with your personal life. But that is him, and I’m not going to let it stop me from doing what I want to do. When I drove to NOLA by myself for a business trip (with encouragement from you all, telling me I could do it), that was a game changer for me. Then I flew to Pittsburgh by myself in April. My boss and another guy I knew were on the same flights, which was comforting to me, even though it wasn’t quite the same as being with someone I had a personal relationship with. That changed the game even more, and made me feel like I can fly by myself too. 

Not being so afraid to travel by myself makes me feel like I am really, finally growing up.

I’d really like to also run away with Mister for a couple of days like we use to do, but I will be happy if I can just do those 2 things with my Grandbabies this summer. I will be in Texas this fall, for the annual seminar for my side gig. I’ve always practically begged Mister to go to the seminars with me, because I was so afraid of traveling by myself. This year, I will ask him to go, but if he doesn’t, I’m good with going by myself. I know it probably sounds silly to most people, but I am really proud of myself for having overcome yet some more of my fears.

[Cheesy FL-Vol]

My grand little is going to be here this coming weekend from FL. He will be 5 on the 18th. We are going to cram a lot in a few days. They fly in Friday late afternoon, and fly home Monday evening. We are taking them to a nature park Saturday that includes wild animals that have been healed but cannot survive in the wild. We are also going to Bristol Caverns on Sunday and a kids science/discovery place on Monday. 

[Opti]

Jun 8, 2024 15:41:09 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

"Neither rain nor wind nor heat nor gloom of night" my ass 

I received a letter from Vanguard post dated 5/31 in Philadelphia around 5pm last night. In the letter* was a request to call Vanguard by close of business (East coast time) on the 7th - several hours after I was supposed to call. The USPS sure knows how to make timely deliveries they just don't bother to do so. I am ticked off to say the least.

* Because of a name change Vanguard did not let me establish an online account so they needed to use snailmail - and that is what this letter is all about. GRRRRRR!

I'm unclear on the Vanguard side. Was the letter dated 5/31? The initial stamp on that envelope? Because of how Trump and his handpicked postmaster trashed the Post Office, timing is not what it was. It is no longer reasonable or in spec for a letter being mailed on 5/31 to arrive by 6/7. In the past, 5 business days max was the benchmark for mailing cross country. Now I think it is 7 business days. 

Because of Trump and that postmaster lots of equipment was retired early and processes intentionally trashed. I don't think many businesses have readjusted their timing on things. I called mid-week to get something sent to me. The timing is allegedly 10 business days; however it seems part of that is at least 3 to 4 business days of processing by this company I dealt with. I need to call on Monday to find out if it was even mailed out yet. The initial attempt failed, and the one to my sister in TN took closer to three weeks instead of two to get there. 

Unless Vanguard easily mailed it more than 8 business days in advance (10 to 14 biz days would be more reasonable actually), I think they probably deserve part of the blame. 

[Opti]

With stupid copilot and old out of date stuff on my Bing search, I am not getting accurate results for delivery times on regular mail.
I am pretty sure recommended times for mailing bills went from at least 5 days prior to the due date to something like 7 to 10 days.

[NastyWoman]

Jun 8, 2024 16:01:27 GMT -5 Opti said:

Jun 8, 2024 15:41:09 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

"Neither rain nor wind nor heat nor gloom of night" my ass 

I received a letter from Vanguard post dated 5/31 in Philadelphia around 5pm last night. In the letter* was a request to call Vanguard by close of business (East coast time) on the 7th - several hours after I was supposed to call. The USPS sure knows how to make timely deliveries they just don't bother to do so. I am ticked off to say the least.

* Because of a name change Vanguard did not let me establish an online account so they needed to use snailmail - and that is what this letter is all about. GRRRRRR!

I'm unclear on the Vanguard side. Was the letter dated 5/31? The initial stamp on that envelope? Because of how Trump and his handpicked postmaster trashed the Post Office, timing is not what it was. It is no longer reasonable or in spec for a letter being mailed on 5/31 to arrive by 6/7. In the past, 5 business days max was the benchmark for mailing cross country. Now I think it is 7 business days. 

Because of Trump and that postmaster lots of equipment was retired early and processes intentionally trashed. I don't think many businesses have readjusted their timing on things. I called mid-week to get something sent to me. The timing is allegedly 10 business days; however it seems part of that is at least 3 to 4 business days of processing by this company I dealt with. I need to call on Monday to find out if it was even mailed out yet. The initial attempt failed, and the one to my sister in TN took closer to three weeks instead of two to get there. 

Unless Vanguard easily mailed it more than 8 business days in advance (10 to 14 biz days would be more reasonable actually), I think they probably deserve part of the blame. 

Nope. The letter was dated the 28th. The envelope was stamped the 31th in Philadelphia. And it was delivered yesterday - the 7th. Since Friday mail is delivered after 5pm I did not see the letter until today. I will call on Monday of course but it just p*sses me of that it takes that long to deliver a letter. Probably more so because it is the result of Fopa's "only the very best" choice of Postmaster General who in his wisdom decided to dismantle/reduce many of the postal services. Like timely delivery...

[Pink Cashmere]

Jun 8, 2024 15:59:14 GMT -5 Cheesy FL-Vol said:

My grand little is going to be here this coming weekend from FL. He will be 5 on the 18th. We are going to cram a lot in a few days. They fly in Friday late afternoon, and fly home Monday evening. We are taking them to a nature park Saturday that includes wild animals that have been healed but cannot survive in the wild. We are also going to Bristol Caverns on Sunday and a kids science/discovery place on Monday. 

That sounds like fun! I hope you all have a great time together. 

My DGS is 12yo, DGD1 is 10yo, and Lil Momma (DGD2) will be 4yo this month.

I don’t remember exactly where it is, or exactly where you are, but when I was in CLUE in elementary school, we took a field trip to explore and stay overnight in Cumberland Caverns. I was in 4th or 5th grade, and I still very clearly remember a lot about that trip. My Mom went with us as a chaperone, but when we went on the tour of the caves, which included the “wild” parts, she couldn’t do that part because she was a “big girl” and parts of the tour and exploration included making our way through some tight spots. So she stood by, and waited until we got back. 

Idk how far you are from Cumberland Caverns, but if you and/or your Grandbaby are interested in caves, that might be another good spot to visit one day.

[weltz]

Simon's birthday is coming up.  I'm getting him and Melody tickets to Cirque du Soleil.

[countrygirl2]

The kids and I went to tour a radio station on a point in Olympia, the view was awesome, I need to get the picks from my phone to my computer or reactivate Facebook on my phone. I lost it in my upgrading some stuff. We had pics of Mt Rainier in the background but to do it justice I needed to bring my camera and didn't. We discovered a restaurant there too I think called the Hearth Grill. Both were built out over the water in the bay.

Then we went to the Farmers Market in Downtown Olympia.  DD did great, she walked through the radio station then she walked all the way through the Farmers market too. We didn't plan on going there too so didn't take her walker, but she did fine and its better for her if she can walk. I lucked into a real close parking place.

Son is looking for places we can go that aren't so far away and the kids will enjoy, they liked that. Grandson got to see a real typewriter like I used to use. He was explaining to me where the home keys are, I told him that is a good start and he needs to learn how to type the right way which will help him in the future.

We walked down to see the restaurant, I bet that place is expensive. I wanted to get some meat at the Farmers Market it was a local farm but there was such a line I was not about to wait that long. I bought some huge cookies and some smelts from Alaska. They are huge compared to the lake ones, I'm going to clean them for dinner.

We had gone to McD's for breakfast and really enjoyed our day. Both of them are happy after their outing and I enjoyed it too.

Needless to say I have done nothing to my lawn on these beautiful days, oh well it will still be there.

It will take me a few times of driving places before I'm familiar but I will get there. There is a lot of traffic up here but not that bad and in town and around, the drivers are not to bad here. I'm glad I'm able to still drive and getting back to a city to drive so I don't lose the skill. Living in a rural area is a whole different driving experience. If I feel like I cannot drive safely, believe me I will quit. My mom did, she had no issue doing it though I know she hated to give up that freedom. I hope I have several years left yet.

[Opti]

Jun 8, 2024 16:22:30 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

Jun 8, 2024 16:01:27 GMT -5 Opti said:

I'm unclear on the Vanguard side. Was the letter dated 5/31? The initial stamp on that envelope? Because of how Trump and his handpicked postmaster trashed the Post Office, timing is not what it was. It is no longer reasonable or in spec for a letter being mailed on 5/31 to arrive by 6/7. In the past, 5 business days max was the benchmark for mailing cross country. Now I think it is 7 business days. 

Because of Trump and that postmaster lots of equipment was retired early and processes intentionally trashed. I don't think many businesses have readjusted their timing on things. I called mid-week to get something sent to me. The timing is allegedly 10 business days; however it seems part of that is at least 3 to 4 business days of processing by this company I dealt with. I need to call on Monday to find out if it was even mailed out yet. The initial attempt failed, and the one to my sister in TN took closer to three weeks instead of two to get there. 

Unless Vanguard easily mailed it more than 8 business days in advance (10 to 14 biz days would be more reasonable actually), I think they probably deserve part of the blame. 

Nope. The letter was dated the 28th. The envelope was stamped the 31th in Philadelphia. And it was delivered yesterday - the 7th. Since Friday mail is delivered after 5pm I did not see the letter until today. I will call on Monday of course but it just p*sses me of that it takes that long to deliver a letter. Probably more so because it is the result of Fopa's "only the very best" choice of Postmaster General who in his wisdom decided to dismantle/reduce many of the postal services. Like timely delivery...

Thanks for the clarification. I'd blame FOPA but also Vanguard. The 28th was a Tuesday, the 31st and the 7th are both Fridays.
One thing I've learned about mail regular and priority is timing matters. Something can be stamped the 31st and it can have very different journeys, especially on a Friday. If the piece of mail shows up towards the end of the day before close it might get stamped but go nowhere until Saturday or more likely Monday. And delivery now is more spaced out than it ever was. Mine used to be in the afternoon but now I often see someone delivering mail around 6PM. 

I'd like to share just one of the many mail screw ups I saw at my prior job. There was a manager that tended to run late and insisted to someone below her that this piece of Priority mail absolutely had to go out that day. Of course, running late she thought it could be picked up that evening. And if it hadn't been a holiday or holiday weekend it might have worked. But it was, and the deadline to schedule a pickup that day, a Friday had already passed. It was less than a half an hour before UPS was stopping all pickups anywhere across the state. I wanted to schedule the first pickup I could for Monday morning, but was told no. In the end I think I was told Tuesday afternoon to get it picked up, so basically two full business days were wasted. 

Given what I saw at that job, its quite likely the mail got picked up Friday afternoon and stamped, which means it effectively starts its real journey on Monday June 3rd the next business day. Like my example, that could have been in the pipeline say late Friday but in actual practice for that piece it probably did no better than a piece of mail picked up first thing Wednesday morning. Hopefully Vanguard will help you because it sounds like they planned badly given the current state of the US mail delivery.

[countrygirl2]

My hubs and I get along good and have for years. But if you guys heard some of the stories from the first 13 years of our marriage, you would never believe we were still married, it was pretty bad. But I don't want to relive it so will leave all that alone. When we both drank it was just awful, we were both fools and lucky to have gotten through it unscathed. 

So don't think everything was smooth sailing for us, it sure wasn't. But I'm glad we were able to stay together.

[soupandstew]

I'm feeling really hopeful that today's alarm tech FINALLY diagnosed the root problem-he looked at stuff the other techs never did AND he did not charge for today's call.  I got really aggravated Tuesday morning at 4:00 am when the phone person tried to get my CC number to charge me in advance of the service visit.  Oh no, sweetheart, that stuff ain't gonna happen!  

[Pink Cashmere]

Jun 8, 2024 16:56:29 GMT -5 countrygirl2 said:

The kids and I went to tour a radio station on a point in Olympia, the view was awesome, I need to get the picks from my phone to my computer or reactivate Facebook on my phone. I lost it in my upgrading some stuff. We had pics of Mt Rainier in the background but to do it justice I needed to bring my camera and didn't. We discovered a restaurant there too I think called the Hearth Grill. Both were built out over the water in the bay.

Then we went to the Farmers Market in Downtown Olympia.  DD did great, she walked through the radio station then she walked all the way through the Farmers market too. We didn't plan on going there too so didn't take her walker, but she did fine and its better for her if she can walk. I lucked into a real close parking place.

Son is looking for places we can go that aren't so far away and the kids will enjoy, they liked that. Grandson got to see a real typewriter like I used to use. He was explaining to me where the home keys are, I told him that is a good start and he needs to learn how to type the right way which will help him in the future.

We walked down to see the restaurant, I bet that place is expensive. I wanted to get some meat at the Farmers Market it was a local farm but there was such a line I was not about to wait that long. I bought some huge cookies and some smelts from Alaska. They are huge compared to the lake ones, I'm going to clean them for dinner.

We had gone to McD's for breakfast and really enjoyed our day. Both of them are happy after their outing and I enjoyed it too.

Needless to say I have done nothing to my lawn on these beautiful days, oh well it will still be there.

It will take me a few times of driving places before I'm familiar but I will get there. There is a lot of traffic up here but not that bad and in town and around, the drivers are not to bad here. I'm glad I'm able to still drive and getting back to a city to drive so I don't lose the skill. Living in a rural area is a whole different driving experience. If I feel like I cannot drive safely, believe me I will quit. My mom did, she had no issue doing it though I know she hated to give up that freedom. I hope I have several years left yet.

I’m happy for you that you had a good day with the kids. 

You are right, the lawn can wait, the time spent with your family is more important than the lawn being kept meticulous, on schedule. Just my opinion.

My Grandmother started having minor incidents while driving, and after the last one, she voluntarily gave up driving. Which was a blessing, since it meant we didn’t have to fight with her to try to make her stop driving, to keep her and other people (and their property) safe. 

She had already been getting upset about no longer being able to do simple tasks like buttoning her blouse when she was getting dressed for church, because she had rheumatoid arthritis and her fingers didn’t work right anymore. So I am sure that voluntarily giving up even more independence by not driving anymore, was not easy at all for her. But she had children and grandchildren at her beck and call, willing to do anything she needed or just wanted, and take her anywhere she wanted to go, including me…. all she had to say was “I want…”.  So I hope that maybe helped at least a little, when she gave up driving, knowing that one of us would take her anywhere she wanted to go, whenever she wanted to go. I do understand it’s not the same as being able to do things on your own though.

As she said when she started slowing down “Getting old is a blessing, but it sure is UNconvenient”. 

[Cheesy FL-Vol]

Jun 8, 2024 15:46:24 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

I told the girls this weekend that I'm running all houses by you guys. Please pick them apart. I'm gonna pass on the one I posted today.

I wouldn’t necessarily give up on properties if they check most of your boxes. Just do due diligence before committing. Of course the YMAM invisipeeps (I think that is the moniker finninme uses for all of us) can help you out anyway! 

[NastyWoman]

Jun 8, 2024 15:46:24 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

I told the girls this weekend that I'm running all houses by you guys. Please pick them apart. I'm gonna pass on the one I posted today.

That is good. I did not like that one at all, except for the price that is. 

[finnime]

Pink Cashmere, I'm very happy for you being comfortable traveling on your own power. It is a strengthening thing.

[countrygirl2]

Instead of the fish I forgot that I thawed a roast out so will cook it instead tonight. I can cook the fish tomorrow night.

DIL is at her sisters helping the niece paint. I told son if she stayed overnight he was welcome for dinner. Of course, they both are welcome if she is home. I may get some corn on the cob to add to it, but its kind of early to get good corn yet.

Her sister lives at Seattle and if they drink anything at all neither she or son will drive unless the other has drank nothing. They are  very careful as son could lose his job over that. I'm sure happy that is not a problem.

[Pink Cashmere]

Jun 8, 2024 17:42:16 GMT -5 finnime said:

Pink Cashmere , I'm very happy for you being comfortable traveling on your own power. It is a strengthening thing.

Thank you! 

It really is empowering to feel like I can travel by myself now, when I’ve been so afraid and unwilling to do it my whole life. 

My side gig has required me to conquer several of my lifelong fears, and I am very grateful that I was even given the opportunity to work my side gig, in the first place. It wasn’t a job that I applied for, I was talking to a coworker that I considered somewhat of a friend, about some things in my personal life, I think it was about DGS being a high risk pregnancy for DD, and saying that he was my “million dollar baby” because everything it took for me to be able to meet him and for him to be a healthy baby was a lot of work, and cost a whole lot of money. But because DD was on my insurance, the only monetary OOP cost for all of that medical care before he was born, was the $30 copay for the office visit when it was confirmed that she was pregnant. 

My coworker/friend was very active in our union and asked if I’d ever considered doing what ended up becoming my side gig. He put a bug in our local union President’s ear, who then contacted me, and the rest is history. My boss (local union President) is very pleased with my work, and we have won national awards and recognition at least twice, since I came on board. I’m not tooting my own horn, or even saying it’s just because of me and my work, but the data shows that our results got better after I came in board. Even besides that, my boss feels like I am dependable and he comes to me with things when other people are not cooperating. 

But aside from him thinking I am beneficial to the team, what he doesn’t know is how the job has benefitted me personally, in terms of conquering some of my fears.

Back when I started my current job, I was very intimidated just by trying to figure out how to navigate big buildings. The first day at my current job, I was almost in tears trying to figure out how I was even supposed to get in that big ass building, and I flagged down a security person who showed me where to park, and walked me inside to the office where they called for my supervisor to come meet me. I was already having a meltdown, so I’m not sure what would’ve happened if the person I flagged down hadn’t been so kind and helpful.

My side gig forced me to learn how to deal with finding my way around huge buildings to get to where I need to go. It also helped that one of my competitors was a genuinely sweet person, who helped me figure things out even though she didn’t have to. 

My boss would probably be appalled and not know what to say if I told him all the ways that my side gig has forced me to grow as a person, and how I am SO grateful for it, so I won’t. But that doesn’t change the fact that it’s true lol.

The fact that it is the reason I have realized that I can be okay traveling by myself is like the cherry on top of all the other good things it’s made me learn that I can do. 

[flamingo]

I don’t know what’s going on with me today, but I don’t feel great. Right now I’m fighting a headache, waiting for ibuprofen kick in. I feel like I might be getting a cold, but I just got over one, so it’s probably just allergies/shit air quality. I’m exhausted but not exactly sleepy. At this point I just want it to be late enough to go to bed so I can hopefully get a good nights sleep and start over tomorrow, lol. 

[soupandstew]

Jun 8, 2024 19:05:41 GMT -5 flamingo said:

I don’t know what’s going on with me today, but I don’t feel great. Right now I’m fighting a headache, waiting for ibuprofen kick in. I feel like I might be getting a cold, but I just got over one, so it’s probably just allergies/shit air quality. I’m exhausted but not exactly sleepy. At this point I just want it to be late enough to go to bed so I can hopefully get a good nights sleep and start over tomorrow, lol. 

I hear you.  We had air quality alerts yesterday and today.  I'm not asthmatic or anything, but it makes me feel "off".  I hope tomorrow is better for you.

[Opti]

Jun 8, 2024 19:05:41 GMT -5 flamingo said:

I don’t know what’s going on with me today, but I don’t feel great. Right now I’m fighting a headache, waiting for ibuprofen kick in. I feel like I might be getting a cold, but I just got over one, so it’s probably just allergies/shit air quality. I’m exhausted but not exactly sleepy. At this point I just want it to be late enough to go to bed so I can hopefully get a good nights sleep and start over tomorrow, lol. 

Air quality is important. I have really started to pay attention ever since the Canadian wildfire smoke drifted down here. And allergies can blind side you too. Not sure if the weather is playing havoc with pollen levels etc. by you, but my usual benchmarks for NJ are no longer true. 

Hope you feel better tomorrow.

[Pink Cashmere]

Mister just pissed me off and I almost said “play with your Momma, don’t play with me”. Which is something I might say to anyone that is irritating me in that way. But I caught myself before it all came out of my mouth, because I felt like that would’ve been cruel to say to him, considering his Momma just died last year. 

I am getting a lot better again about not dwelling on things that irritate me or piss me off, and letting it ruin my whole day or evening. But I also need to find a middle ground, where I can speak my mind without saying something too crazy or offensive, because before I started learning to try to filter what comes out of mouth, I said whatever, however it came out, and I didn’t GAF how it was received, I said what I said. IRL, I am known for saying what I’m thinking, good or bad, even though I have been working on my filter for some years now. Some people just haven’t forgotten and still think and feel like I just don’t care what I say lol.

This trying to be a better person, while also having good boundaries, is a whole lot of fucking work.

[TheOtherMe]

Jun 8, 2024 17:21:51 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

Jun 8, 2024 15:46:24 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

I told the girls this weekend that I'm running all houses by you guys. Please pick them apart. I'm gonna pass on the one I posted today.

That is good. I did not like that one at all, except for the price that is. 

When I saw the two contigent offers and no garage, that was an easy no if I was house hunting.  Something's up for two sales to fall through.

[Opti]

Jun 8, 2024 19:52:26 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

Jun 8, 2024 17:21:51 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

That is good. I did not like that one at all, except for the price that is. 

When I saw the two contigent offers and no garage, that was an easy no if I was house hunting.  Something's up for two sales to fall through.

The no garage would bother me, but I would ask about why they fell through. Its one of my pet peeves that people assume a failure with a contingent offer must be something turned up on the home inspection. 

www.realtor.com/advice/buy/what-is-a-contingent-offer/#:~:text=Such%20contingencies%20are%20mainly%20put%20in,settled%20in%20one%20way%20or%20another.&text=Such%20contingencies%20are%20mainly,one%20way%20or%20another.&text=are%20mainly%20put%20in,settled%20in%20one%20way
A mortgage contingency is a contingency that protects the buyer and seller from getting into a real estate sale without a proper loan. Under this contingency, the buyer has a specified period of time to obtain a loan that will cover the mortgage after the offer is accepted. If the buyer can’t get a lender to commit to a loan, the buyer has the right to walk away from the sale with the down payment.

FWIW, I had flaky buyers that poison pilled my last house. Not sure if its still true, but in NJ I think you can bail on an offer as a buyer as long as you do within three days. Turns out some realtors will talk you into letting unprepared first-time buyers bail within the first week with no consequences. Those buyers never had the home inspected or appraised. They just realized I think they were shopping too early for their situation and that was not the house for them. They got off Scot free and I got crappier offers simply because they flaked. 

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

I fixed up Giselle (middle) some more. I got her a hat and some flowers. I think she looks much better. She wanted to take a picture with her sisters.