What's the latest in people's lives?

[Reliant121]

After having apparently dealt with the Bees nest we've discovered an even bigger problem.

An equally large wasps nest dug into a load of bamboo. how they havent killed the Bee's yet I don't know but they swarmed this afternoon after we had disturbed them. No injuries. We've just had enough now; any garden matter we have removed is now being burnt to burn them out.

[Teaos]

No unfortunatly my time in the jewellery business gets less adn less, I still do some retail work but mostly I can just do it when on holiday. Still hink about it and work with ideas but not much practical work.

[Mikey]

No unfortunatly my time in the jewellery business gets less adn less, I still do some retail work but mostly I can just do it when on holiday. Still hink about it and work with ideas but not much practical work.

Such is the way of promotions, unfortunately.

After having apparently dealt with the Bees nest we've discovered an even bigger problem.

An equally large wasps nest dug into a load of bamboo. how they havent killed the Bee's yet I don't know but they swarmed this afternoon after we had disturbed them. No injuries. We've just had enough now; any garden matter we have removed is now being burnt to burn them out.

What kind of wasps hunt bees?

[Reliant121]

Haven't the foggiest. All I know is that, typically for the wasps we get around here, bees don't last long in proximity to them. Regardless, it seems burning half the garden did the trick and the nest has been virtually destroyed. A few strays keep coming over but I think they're just knocking on the door of the collapsed house, so to speak.

[Mikey]

Hmm. The only thing I can find is the bee wolf, which can't be what you had - they are solitary, and the females dig tunnels rather than build nests.

[IanKennedy]

As for mortgage funds, there are none that I know of. You must save for the deposit and make a mortgage normally. (our market is NOT set up for first time buyers)

Yeah, I'm not making myself clear. Investing in one of these funds has absolutely, positively FA to do with obtaining a mortgage. The funds are there to help with the mortgage issues I described; but investing in one is just investing in one. My dad once invested in Washington State Power bonds, which were issued to raise money for (you guessed it) power infrastructure projects in Washington State - but he was in no way affiliated with those projects, didn't reap any personal benefit from those projects, or had any personal interest or stake in those projects.

Yes, we got that, however, there's nothing like that in the UK. Mortgages over here are provided by banks or building societies. Building societies are kinda like your savings and loan type setup. A group of people get together and setup a 'bank', which then pays interest to people for keeping their money in the bank and loans people money and charges them money for the pleasure. The difference being that the building society is owned by the members. That said event they do not give much better rates for investment. There is no scheme here that the government gets involved in giving or helping people to get a mortgage.

[Mikey]

Mortgages over here are provided by banks or building societies.

In general, they are over here as well. FHA and similar programs (unless you're talking about Section 8, which I prefer not to) are assistance programs - either to encourage loans with less cash down, or to provide help with PMI should a first-time buyer not have the typically-required 20% in cash to avoid a requirement of PMI.

[IanKennedy]

Mortgages over here are provided by banks or building societies.

In general, they are over here as well. FHA and similar programs (unless you're talking about Section 8, which I prefer not to) are assistance programs - either to encourage loans with less cash down, or to provide help with PMI should a first-time buyer not have the typically-required 20% in cash to avoid a requirement of PMI.

The only scheme like that here is for 'Key workers'. In other words people who work for the government and are poorly paid, such as Police, medical staff (nurses etc), firemen etc. Basically, it's to allow these people to actually buy stuff where they work. The idea is very very new here and is extremely limited. There's also no way that a member of the public could invest in such a scheme.

[Mikey]

Does that extend to such things as mortgages, equity loans, and the like? If so, it's probably like union-sponsored programs over here. Do mortgage lenders over there typically require PMI for loans over a certain loan-to-value?

[Mikey]

100.4 degrees out currently (38 Celsius.) My dog won't even go out.

[Lighthawk]

It's not the heat that's bothering me right now(though it is too damn hot). It's the massive swarms of cicadas that are the real pain in the ass at the moment. Just absolutely everywhere, and I'm getting damn sick of them screeching.

[Mikey]

It's not the heat that's bothering me right now(though it is too damn hot). It's the massive swarms of cicadas that are the real pain in the ass at the moment. Just absolutely everywhere, and I'm getting damn sick of them screeching.

Meh, they're harmless. They just freak me out when they leave a giant, intact empty skin on my deck.

[Tsukiyumi]

100.4 degrees out currently (38 Celsius.) My dog won't even go out.

Only 98.4 here.

Reminds me, though. I need to go give my dogs some water...

[RK_Striker_JK_5]

It is DARK out at the moment. There's a storm brewing-well, less brewing and more actually occurring at the moment.

[Teaos]

Its 9 degrees in Alaska right now. Living the dream...