Tom had followed me up to Longview in his Caddie. I drove the Jeep with the stove in it. We were a bit leery as the check engine light soon had come on on the dash. I had killed the battery recently when I left the trunk open showing off the stove. We were hopping it was just that, or that the car hadn't been driven much and just needed the fluids moved around.
Finally after two straight days of driving the light decided to not turn on after I started the engine. The Ovens are out of the back, sitting on the floor of the garage in the new house. The car is happy again. I guess it just needed a little love and driving.
The electric garage door worked. I am thrilled with something so simple. I must now go wake my boys. Trevor slept on the guest bed last night. He said it was lumpy. He didn't like it. He came in at 2:00 am to complain. What was up with that. Riley was sleeping in my bed and Trevor wanted to also. I needed a good night's sleep and the bed just wouldn't hold all of us comfortably. Trevor takes up a lot of room.
We are going to finish packing up the u-haul and hit the road.
Tom is at a big member guest golf tournament. Of all the weekends for us to close this was the worst as he is totally tied up entertaining and golfing and partying. I am to join him Saturday night. I will scrub the house clean Saturday and then go celebrate.
He is also starting to work full time next week. Every day he doesn't work is loss of a payday. So everything I can do to facilitate his staying at work is good for our finances. I have two boys that can help.
Off to load the truck now and wake my teenagers.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Got the keys
I did jinks it a little. I rented a u haul to load up the twin beds and some tables and chairs so we can live at the new house while we wait for the movers to bring the rest. I had picked up the keys but we hadn't recorded yet. We were supposed to record Friday.
I take a wrong turn and end up going over the bridge during rush hour on my way to the rental place. Traffic is stop and go, as the bridge is under construction and it is rush hour. I have to turn around and go over the bridge again during rush hour. The mistake costs me an hour in my day. When I get to the u haul rental place all they have left is a 17 foot truck. I didn't reserve as I was unsure whether I was really going to do it or not.
I am driving this 17 foot U haul truck into Portland when my realtor calls. We wont be recording until Monday. The seller didn't get the over night sent soon enough for the papers to reach the title company to record tomorrow. They are going to let us rent free for the weekend as a result. They have our money.
I have already made copies of the keys for everyone. I have cleared the driveway of overgrown ivy so I can see the edge and be able to back the truck down seeing where to go. It took a few days to clear it all. I made a pile off to the side as both garbage cans were filled with ivy. No more would fit. I was doing all this work while waiting for the utilities to be turned on today. I wanted to be there for the utilities when they were started. Make sure there were no problems.
The night before, my girlfriends told me I did need to fix my roots for the big golf weekend. If I was going to the club, I had to get my die job fixed. I didn't have the time, I said, but they were insistent. My car was at the new house. Tom was going to bring over a male friend to help unload the heavy oven filling the back, that was causing the car to be unusable at the moment. As a result I was at the mercy of my friends. I was not going to get to the new house to start work until they had fixed my grey roots. I caved. I told them if we started early so I could be at the house by 10:00 am. The water was getting turned on at 11:00 am. I wanted to be there for it.
We started at 8:00 am with the hair. We arrived at the house at 10:30, my roots blended and my hair trimmed. I am glad I had told them 10:00 as I knew we would end up being late. I was
working on the ivy, clearing it from the drive when the Water PUD arrived. I am glad I was there as the downstairs shower was on once the water started running.
In the basement you can see the out take sewer line. It was dripping once we started the water up. Just a slow drip drip. Tom thinks it may be a dried up washer or flange somewhere. He said a drip was better than a flood. We will locate the culprit eventually.
The water guy remembered me from our old house on Wildwood. He remembered the burst pipe in the yard over 6 years ago. He asked if we were still Oregon State fans. What a memory. I was impressed. He also told us a little history on the house. This was his third time out to turn on the water. The house has been in three foreclosures. Not this time though as we paid cash. He also said there had been a church daycare run out of the party room a few years ago, prior to the woman we bought it from. The house is huge. I can see all sorts of potential.
The D'con was a good call. The basement tray was completely empty. Other trays in the house looked like they had been nibbled. My girlfriend said you could smell the off smell of the decomposing mice bodies. They will eventually be mummified and the odor will dissipate. At least I got a head start on that. I put it under the sinks and in the basement over a week ago.
The electric company didn't get out to the house until 3:30. There had been a big power outage that tied up their crews. They finally arrived and looked tired. I had turned on the mains but had turned off all the switches so it wouldn't overload. I had left the porch light switch on so we could see the power when it came on. It was lovely to have lights. My girlfriend and I went into the basement and started turning on the switches. Everything seemed to be OK. No sparks flew or smelled hot. I have to pick up bulbs. Many of the sockets are empty or the bulbs burned out.
With water and lights I felt comfortable renting the u haul. I called the boys and asked where they wanted to be this weekend, which house. They both said the new one. I told them I was bringing a truck and they would need to load it then. Thank goodness it was not any bigger than it was. It took three hours to load it in the evening. I wanted it loaded before dark as much as possible as it is due back by 4:00 pm tomorrow for a weekend rental. We have to drive it up and unload it.
I also have to pick up my car, which I left at the rental place and head to the realtor's office to sign the weekend rental agreement, make it all legitimate.
We loaded book boxes and some dishes and enough furniture to survive for a while. Twin beds will have to suffice. I wasn't going to move anything that was too difficult. That is what the movers are for. I still haven't called them. I want to record before I call them with an official move date. Who knows they may be holding next week for us.
The fair is this weekend. I told the boys if we load and unload and make the rental return time they could go to the fair one day. Trevor was a trooper. He moved box after heavy box. My neighbor mom came over to help. I was most grateful for her assistance. Riley tended to pick up the lightest boxes. He did cook dinner, but it was more to get out of loading. In three hours, the truck got filled. I still have to put in clothes, but I think we can survive nicely with what we packed. I will grab the last minute things tomorrow. We didn't get everything we wanted to fit. But we have twin beds and some living room furniture in case company drops by.
Tom asked me for the TV and the double bed and the BBQ. I think I might be able to bring the TV. The other items didn't make it. Perhaps we will do another U haul later. It only cost $150. The movers are charging $130 an hour. Of course a day at the fair will run me $50 a child.
I will re assess the u haul in the morning and see if we can squeeze anything else in. I might grab a couple of paintings for the walls. I want to cover that pass through that bothers me.
I must remember the vacuum and the cleaning things and some more yard tools. I did pack the giant weed eater. I don't even know if it will work. I may just spray in the end but we'll see. So much to do as this is not really a move in ready house we are moving into. We still need to get our old house ready to rent. Luckily, I have renters lined up and waiting, as eager as we are to move.
Party is on next weekend. Check in for details.
I take a wrong turn and end up going over the bridge during rush hour on my way to the rental place. Traffic is stop and go, as the bridge is under construction and it is rush hour. I have to turn around and go over the bridge again during rush hour. The mistake costs me an hour in my day. When I get to the u haul rental place all they have left is a 17 foot truck. I didn't reserve as I was unsure whether I was really going to do it or not.
I am driving this 17 foot U haul truck into Portland when my realtor calls. We wont be recording until Monday. The seller didn't get the over night sent soon enough for the papers to reach the title company to record tomorrow. They are going to let us rent free for the weekend as a result. They have our money.
I have already made copies of the keys for everyone. I have cleared the driveway of overgrown ivy so I can see the edge and be able to back the truck down seeing where to go. It took a few days to clear it all. I made a pile off to the side as both garbage cans were filled with ivy. No more would fit. I was doing all this work while waiting for the utilities to be turned on today. I wanted to be there for the utilities when they were started. Make sure there were no problems.
The night before, my girlfriends told me I did need to fix my roots for the big golf weekend. If I was going to the club, I had to get my die job fixed. I didn't have the time, I said, but they were insistent. My car was at the new house. Tom was going to bring over a male friend to help unload the heavy oven filling the back, that was causing the car to be unusable at the moment. As a result I was at the mercy of my friends. I was not going to get to the new house to start work until they had fixed my grey roots. I caved. I told them if we started early so I could be at the house by 10:00 am. The water was getting turned on at 11:00 am. I wanted to be there for it.
We started at 8:00 am with the hair. We arrived at the house at 10:30, my roots blended and my hair trimmed. I am glad I had told them 10:00 as I knew we would end up being late. I was
working on the ivy, clearing it from the drive when the Water PUD arrived. I am glad I was there as the downstairs shower was on once the water started running.
In the basement you can see the out take sewer line. It was dripping once we started the water up. Just a slow drip drip. Tom thinks it may be a dried up washer or flange somewhere. He said a drip was better than a flood. We will locate the culprit eventually.
The water guy remembered me from our old house on Wildwood. He remembered the burst pipe in the yard over 6 years ago. He asked if we were still Oregon State fans. What a memory. I was impressed. He also told us a little history on the house. This was his third time out to turn on the water. The house has been in three foreclosures. Not this time though as we paid cash. He also said there had been a church daycare run out of the party room a few years ago, prior to the woman we bought it from. The house is huge. I can see all sorts of potential.
The D'con was a good call. The basement tray was completely empty. Other trays in the house looked like they had been nibbled. My girlfriend said you could smell the off smell of the decomposing mice bodies. They will eventually be mummified and the odor will dissipate. At least I got a head start on that. I put it under the sinks and in the basement over a week ago.
The electric company didn't get out to the house until 3:30. There had been a big power outage that tied up their crews. They finally arrived and looked tired. I had turned on the mains but had turned off all the switches so it wouldn't overload. I had left the porch light switch on so we could see the power when it came on. It was lovely to have lights. My girlfriend and I went into the basement and started turning on the switches. Everything seemed to be OK. No sparks flew or smelled hot. I have to pick up bulbs. Many of the sockets are empty or the bulbs burned out.
With water and lights I felt comfortable renting the u haul. I called the boys and asked where they wanted to be this weekend, which house. They both said the new one. I told them I was bringing a truck and they would need to load it then. Thank goodness it was not any bigger than it was. It took three hours to load it in the evening. I wanted it loaded before dark as much as possible as it is due back by 4:00 pm tomorrow for a weekend rental. We have to drive it up and unload it.
I also have to pick up my car, which I left at the rental place and head to the realtor's office to sign the weekend rental agreement, make it all legitimate.
We loaded book boxes and some dishes and enough furniture to survive for a while. Twin beds will have to suffice. I wasn't going to move anything that was too difficult. That is what the movers are for. I still haven't called them. I want to record before I call them with an official move date. Who knows they may be holding next week for us.
The fair is this weekend. I told the boys if we load and unload and make the rental return time they could go to the fair one day. Trevor was a trooper. He moved box after heavy box. My neighbor mom came over to help. I was most grateful for her assistance. Riley tended to pick up the lightest boxes. He did cook dinner, but it was more to get out of loading. In three hours, the truck got filled. I still have to put in clothes, but I think we can survive nicely with what we packed. I will grab the last minute things tomorrow. We didn't get everything we wanted to fit. But we have twin beds and some living room furniture in case company drops by.
Tom asked me for the TV and the double bed and the BBQ. I think I might be able to bring the TV. The other items didn't make it. Perhaps we will do another U haul later. It only cost $150. The movers are charging $130 an hour. Of course a day at the fair will run me $50 a child.
I will re assess the u haul in the morning and see if we can squeeze anything else in. I might grab a couple of paintings for the walls. I want to cover that pass through that bothers me.
I must remember the vacuum and the cleaning things and some more yard tools. I did pack the giant weed eater. I don't even know if it will work. I may just spray in the end but we'll see. So much to do as this is not really a move in ready house we are moving into. We still need to get our old house ready to rent. Luckily, I have renters lined up and waiting, as eager as we are to move.
Party is on next weekend. Check in for details.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Sunday
Sunday, God made Sundays a day of rest. It is the day to thank him for all his gifts. Well, this Sunday was awesome. I have been praying hard on several counts for a while. We had many prayers answered Sunday
My sister came to drop Trevor off and hang out for a little to say "Hi" to Tom and have their usual political arguments. She is a New York Democrat. As a non profit school teacher, teaching drama and Shakespeare to inner city students, she needs the programs the NY system provides for low income health care, and summer seasonal unemployment.
The TV was going in the living room showing the Gay weddings in New York. It was a great debate topic to start with in our living room. Tom and Jen love the intellectual discussion from the polar view points. His position is the reason Gays need the acknowledgement of state sanctioned marriage is for the benefits. Jen debates that it is for acceptance in the community. Tom argues that we should just take benefits away from all married couples. level the playing field, not add more expenses to the tax base.
People don't get married because the state approves it. They get married in front of friends and family and God to acknowledge and witness the commitment to each other. The government has created a business out of marriage that costs the tax payers money to sustain. Their intention was to encourage marriage for the good of the family unit. But there are other ways to go about it.
In an industrialized country the birth rate is much lower than a third world country. Educated women in third world countries tend to have fewer children than their peers. It is the same in America. If we could just focus on education, move all those benefits to education perhaps other problems would resolve themselves. I am saddened about the minds lost to poverty that could have had some brilliant idea the world will not discover until much later,because the child never survived his poverty. Poverty and lack of education slows progress.
In this world of single parents and gay marriages and neglected children some how we have to readjust. If everyone wants to be married then make it for the right reasons, take away the wrong reasons. Make marriage stand on its own. Lets see how many people stay married then. You'll take the commitment from the beginning much more seriously if the benefits aren't there.
Jen and Tom debate while the ribs cook on the BBQ. It is a fun animated conversation for a good hour. The ribs are served with corn and broccoli and rolls. Jen has an evening obligation so she can't stay longer.
While she and Tom are having their discussion the phone rings. It is my Realtor. The sellers signed. I shriek with glee. Tom cracks a joke. He tells me to tell the realtor he has changed his mind on the house. We all laugh. Tom tells me not to jinks it this time. I am to make no appointments with the movers or the water or the electric until the papers are signed and keys are in our hands.
This morning a woman called to look at our rental. I told her it is a mess. She said she was out from Denver and would overlook the mess just to see it. She and her significant other loved the house despite my disastrous mess. The size and the rooms and the brightness spoke for itself. She will be looking for work as a nurse. He is a technician for a paper company. She has four children and would like to get a dog, but doesn't have one at the moment. Her children are 15, 10, 7, and 4.
My little friend in the hospital had Sunday off from his Chemo. Monday, His brother donates bone marrow to save his life. But the sick chemo part is over. We pray hard for success.
It was an incredible Sunday after a such a hard week. Sundays are a day of blessings and rest. Our Sunday was a WOW.
My sister came to drop Trevor off and hang out for a little to say "Hi" to Tom and have their usual political arguments. She is a New York Democrat. As a non profit school teacher, teaching drama and Shakespeare to inner city students, she needs the programs the NY system provides for low income health care, and summer seasonal unemployment.
The TV was going in the living room showing the Gay weddings in New York. It was a great debate topic to start with in our living room. Tom and Jen love the intellectual discussion from the polar view points. His position is the reason Gays need the acknowledgement of state sanctioned marriage is for the benefits. Jen debates that it is for acceptance in the community. Tom argues that we should just take benefits away from all married couples. level the playing field, not add more expenses to the tax base.
People don't get married because the state approves it. They get married in front of friends and family and God to acknowledge and witness the commitment to each other. The government has created a business out of marriage that costs the tax payers money to sustain. Their intention was to encourage marriage for the good of the family unit. But there are other ways to go about it.
In an industrialized country the birth rate is much lower than a third world country. Educated women in third world countries tend to have fewer children than their peers. It is the same in America. If we could just focus on education, move all those benefits to education perhaps other problems would resolve themselves. I am saddened about the minds lost to poverty that could have had some brilliant idea the world will not discover until much later,because the child never survived his poverty. Poverty and lack of education slows progress.
In this world of single parents and gay marriages and neglected children some how we have to readjust. If everyone wants to be married then make it for the right reasons, take away the wrong reasons. Make marriage stand on its own. Lets see how many people stay married then. You'll take the commitment from the beginning much more seriously if the benefits aren't there.
Jen and Tom debate while the ribs cook on the BBQ. It is a fun animated conversation for a good hour. The ribs are served with corn and broccoli and rolls. Jen has an evening obligation so she can't stay longer.
While she and Tom are having their discussion the phone rings. It is my Realtor. The sellers signed. I shriek with glee. Tom cracks a joke. He tells me to tell the realtor he has changed his mind on the house. We all laugh. Tom tells me not to jinks it this time. I am to make no appointments with the movers or the water or the electric until the papers are signed and keys are in our hands.
This morning a woman called to look at our rental. I told her it is a mess. She said she was out from Denver and would overlook the mess just to see it. She and her significant other loved the house despite my disastrous mess. The size and the rooms and the brightness spoke for itself. She will be looking for work as a nurse. He is a technician for a paper company. She has four children and would like to get a dog, but doesn't have one at the moment. Her children are 15, 10, 7, and 4.
My little friend in the hospital had Sunday off from his Chemo. Monday, His brother donates bone marrow to save his life. But the sick chemo part is over. We pray hard for success.
It was an incredible Sunday after a such a hard week. Sundays are a day of blessings and rest. Our Sunday was a WOW.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Hope
Last night my realtor called. The seller had seen a lawyer who advised her to sign. She was told there was no way to get out from under the judgement other than bankruptcy. The news was great for us but the seller was not happy. She wants to consult another lawyer on Monday for a second opinion. Time is short with closing day August 3.
We are not done yet. I wait impatiently. I yelled at the boys. The house was a mess. It was Friday. Tom usually comes home on Fridays. I told the boys to get the house tidied up for their father. Collect dirty dishes from around the house.Trevor moaned and complained about mowing the lawn. I had to yell. It does feel good to yell though and release some of this tension. The call from the Realtor came after the house cleaning.
We wait now for more news. I have no moving date with my movers. I have canceled all utility start ups. Now is the time that we will get confirmation of closing.
The boys are going to the zoo today with my nephew. My sister and I are going to work on Margaret's house. We are helping sort out over 40 years of living in one place, make it a little easier to get around and find things. It will be a nice distraction. They have already donated nine boxes of books. It didn't even make a dent. We are a big book collecting family.
We are not done yet. I wait impatiently. I yelled at the boys. The house was a mess. It was Friday. Tom usually comes home on Fridays. I told the boys to get the house tidied up for their father. Collect dirty dishes from around the house.Trevor moaned and complained about mowing the lawn. I had to yell. It does feel good to yell though and release some of this tension. The call from the Realtor came after the house cleaning.
We wait now for more news. I have no moving date with my movers. I have canceled all utility start ups. Now is the time that we will get confirmation of closing.
The boys are going to the zoo today with my nephew. My sister and I are going to work on Margaret's house. We are helping sort out over 40 years of living in one place, make it a little easier to get around and find things. It will be a nice distraction. They have already donated nine boxes of books. It didn't even make a dent. We are a big book collecting family.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
x- renters-cory
The x renters called and threatened the property manager. The renters told my property manager they had consulted a lawyer. They hadn't been sent their deposit check back yet. I told the property manager right away to send the check. I thought they had sent it on the 15th, after we spoke. I can't wait to have that problem behind us. We will all be happy to move on.
The property manager called later and said she had put it in the mail registered. I also sent her a confirming e-mail that the check was to be returned and that the contract had been canceled by the x renters. At the time of cancelation, I had asked for 48 hours but the renter had been firm. I told her I would have the check sent.
I sent a confirming e mail to my property manager this time, just to make sure everyone was in the loop with clear instructions. I also called and left a message on the x- renters phone stating the check had been mailed, that I thought it had been done the week she canceled, and hoped they find something else that works for them. Nice that I keep a blog. We have a record of conversations if the x renter pushes more. Little does she know I publish my life on line so my family and friends can keep up.
Thank goodness she canceled on us. She would have been a difficult tenant. I wonder if that is why her last landlord wouldn't accommodate her when I told her back in June that she couldn't get in early.
We still are waiting on the seller for the big house. Who knows if they will sign or not. I am hoping, but Tom says to not hold my breath. I looked at 12 more houses today. We have literally seen every house available to us that might work. I saw a couple that could substitute, but the one we want is still my favorite. If they decide to go to foreclosure, Tom says we will have to offer elsewhere. We wont wait.
The question of termites and that no one will be taking care of the empty house makes me wonder what another year of being abandoned will do to the house. We have seen a couple of foreclosed homes that are now bank owned. There is a neglected look to them. You wonder what the floors look like under the new carpets since the roof had to be recently replaced or what is hiding in the basements. FNMA reimburses the bank, and then turns around and spiffs the house up to hide the flaws.
Big sent me a foreclosure video that shows what a scam the government has created. We have no control, and yet it is our own tax payer money screwing us out of the house. They pay off the banks with such a sweet foreclosure deal that they have no incentive to accept a short sale. I can give it only one more week before we move on. Hard week this week.
The property manager called later and said she had put it in the mail registered. I also sent her a confirming e-mail that the check was to be returned and that the contract had been canceled by the x renters. At the time of cancelation, I had asked for 48 hours but the renter had been firm. I told her I would have the check sent.
I sent a confirming e mail to my property manager this time, just to make sure everyone was in the loop with clear instructions. I also called and left a message on the x- renters phone stating the check had been mailed, that I thought it had been done the week she canceled, and hoped they find something else that works for them. Nice that I keep a blog. We have a record of conversations if the x renter pushes more. Little does she know I publish my life on line so my family and friends can keep up.
Thank goodness she canceled on us. She would have been a difficult tenant. I wonder if that is why her last landlord wouldn't accommodate her when I told her back in June that she couldn't get in early.
We still are waiting on the seller for the big house. Who knows if they will sign or not. I am hoping, but Tom says to not hold my breath. I looked at 12 more houses today. We have literally seen every house available to us that might work. I saw a couple that could substitute, but the one we want is still my favorite. If they decide to go to foreclosure, Tom says we will have to offer elsewhere. We wont wait.
The question of termites and that no one will be taking care of the empty house makes me wonder what another year of being abandoned will do to the house. We have seen a couple of foreclosed homes that are now bank owned. There is a neglected look to them. You wonder what the floors look like under the new carpets since the roof had to be recently replaced or what is hiding in the basements. FNMA reimburses the bank, and then turns around and spiffs the house up to hide the flaws.
Big sent me a foreclosure video that shows what a scam the government has created. We have no control, and yet it is our own tax payer money screwing us out of the house. They pay off the banks with such a sweet foreclosure deal that they have no incentive to accept a short sale. I can give it only one more week before we move on. Hard week this week.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Trevor eats
Trevor eats. He eats. He has an appetite. Riley looks like a twig or a stick. Trevor looks like a football line man. We were at my girl friend's house, with her diabetic daughter. My girl friend is watching Trevor eat a big hamburger with cheese. She had to tell him to put the second patty back as there was only enough for everyone to have one. He ate the bean salad. She served up a huge dessert of raspberry/berry shortcake with heaping whip cream. Trevor cleaned his plate. He then said he was very thirsty and proceeded to drink a big glass of water. He tells her this is his second hamburger today. He had one at lunch.
She watches him eat and thinks there has got to be something wrong with that child. She is kind of a worrier, but Trevor is impressive to watch as he can feed himself enormous quantities of food and water.
She asks if she can test his blood sugar. she just can't believe with that hunger and thirst that there couldn't possibly be something wrong. I am as curious as she is. Trevor agrees to be poked and tested with the diabetic kit. My girlfriend starts laughing as she sees the results. Trevor tested 79 after just eating at least 3000 calories of food in one meal. That is what a good healthy pancreas will do for you. She had anticipated 180 or higher she said. It blew her away that the number came back barely budged as if he hadn't eaten anything recently. I laughed. That is my Trevor, "grossly normal." That is what his tests always come back, thank goodness. I like grossly normal. I could use some more normal in my life.
She watches him eat and thinks there has got to be something wrong with that child. She is kind of a worrier, but Trevor is impressive to watch as he can feed himself enormous quantities of food and water.
She asks if she can test his blood sugar. she just can't believe with that hunger and thirst that there couldn't possibly be something wrong. I am as curious as she is. Trevor agrees to be poked and tested with the diabetic kit. My girlfriend starts laughing as she sees the results. Trevor tested 79 after just eating at least 3000 calories of food in one meal. That is what a good healthy pancreas will do for you. She had anticipated 180 or higher she said. It blew her away that the number came back barely budged as if he hadn't eaten anything recently. I laughed. That is my Trevor, "grossly normal." That is what his tests always come back, thank goodness. I like grossly normal. I could use some more normal in my life.
Things happen in Threes
Yesterday was some what of a big pill to swallow but ended well. My day started with an e mail from the realtor telling me that the seller wouldn't sign under the second banks conditions not to let her off of the rest of the debt. Theoretically the house is the collateral for the loan. The bank was the one that thought the house was worth more. They charge interest for the risk they take when loaning the money. I can see the seller's point. But it hurts me.
The next bad news was a call from the movers. I am costing them business each time I cancel at the last minute. They have a schedule to fill. I apologized profusely as I canceled again. I told them I wouldn't reschedule until after I have signed and have the ownership documents in hand. It may cost me a few weeks though. I will have to do a U haul for much of our stuff so we would be able to move in while we wait for the big items. I really want them to move us. I just wont schedule until I have a done deal. I probably jinxed everything by being so organized. If I could have got this done just by force of will, it would have happened.
The call right after that one was from my dear friend in Utah. The one we went to the Grand Canyon with two years ago, the summer before Riley got sick. She was on her way to Idaho in the car, by herself, on a four and a half hour drive. She wanted company if only by ear phone. She was doing the drive because she received the news that her older brother and his middle child, age 16, one of five children, had died the night before in a small plane crash with a friend. The plane was coming in to land when it just fell out of the sky, witnesses said. It was a sad lonely drive my girlfriend was making, to go console her sister in law and the young children still at home and now fatherless.
That call did put into perspective all my drama about buying a house. It is just a house, made of wood and wiring, not a human with emotions and love. The three pieces of bad news were done. I could move on to the good stuff.
My sister is in town for a month from New York. We all met for dinner at Margaret's favorite restaurant with the children. Riley was with me. Tory had her children. Jen had Cole. We brought presents for Cole, whose fourth birthday was on Saturday. It was a belated Birthday party, but more of an excuse for the adults to get together.
The restaurant was having computer problems so our orders were sporadic in arriving, as a result a round of drinks was comped for my sisters. I stuck to Shirley temples. I had over served myself last week at my friend's house on a sleep over house hunt day. I had felt miserable for most of the next day. With all the bad phone calls earlier in the day I felt strung out and felt that if I started drinking I might over serve myself again.
It is so worth not drinking to wake the next day and not feel that nauseated headache and that you only want to lie in the prone position. Last week I had to drive around and look at houses that would be my family's next perminanat residence. It would have been comical, if it wasn't me feeling so miserable that day. As I age I think I am really getting more sensitive to alcohol. I just can't do it to myself, though I miss that buzz and feeling of freedom upon occasion. I have always been something of a light weight.
The older children took the younger children to the park across from the restaurant after dinner. We had the opportunity to sit and quietly chat over our coffees and tea. It was heavenly. Will had been sitting next to me and had been very good, but he is kind of squirmy and fidgety. He appreciated the opportunity to go to the park as much as we did having the quiet moment without children. Riley was looking forward to playing with his little cousin from New York again. I loved the fact he was enjoying the park and the fresh air. It wasn't raining and the air was warm. 9:00 pm and it was still light out.
Eventually, the day had to end though. We all piled into our cars and headed home. Riley has some new books from Barns and Noble. I gave my nephew a gift card from there. We had shopped books on Sunday when Trevor had his friend with him. Everyone found books to read. I had fed them all lunch at the mall. I gave Trevor $10 to split between himself and his friend. They were disappointed that there wasn't enough for milk shakes to go with their burgers. But a budget is a budget.
When we got home last night, I grabbed one of Riley's new books sitting in the hall, to try it out, but Riley wanted it back. He went to bed with his light on and read until the wee hours of the morning this new book, first in the series he had picked out.
I sat at the computer looking for appropriate houses to look at as substitutes to the one we are probably about to lose. I e mailed a selection to my realtor to make appointments to show them to me on Thursday when I have to go pick up Trevor. I went to bed at 1:00 am. I think Riley was still up reading.
The next bad news was a call from the movers. I am costing them business each time I cancel at the last minute. They have a schedule to fill. I apologized profusely as I canceled again. I told them I wouldn't reschedule until after I have signed and have the ownership documents in hand. It may cost me a few weeks though. I will have to do a U haul for much of our stuff so we would be able to move in while we wait for the big items. I really want them to move us. I just wont schedule until I have a done deal. I probably jinxed everything by being so organized. If I could have got this done just by force of will, it would have happened.
The call right after that one was from my dear friend in Utah. The one we went to the Grand Canyon with two years ago, the summer before Riley got sick. She was on her way to Idaho in the car, by herself, on a four and a half hour drive. She wanted company if only by ear phone. She was doing the drive because she received the news that her older brother and his middle child, age 16, one of five children, had died the night before in a small plane crash with a friend. The plane was coming in to land when it just fell out of the sky, witnesses said. It was a sad lonely drive my girlfriend was making, to go console her sister in law and the young children still at home and now fatherless.
That call did put into perspective all my drama about buying a house. It is just a house, made of wood and wiring, not a human with emotions and love. The three pieces of bad news were done. I could move on to the good stuff.
My sister is in town for a month from New York. We all met for dinner at Margaret's favorite restaurant with the children. Riley was with me. Tory had her children. Jen had Cole. We brought presents for Cole, whose fourth birthday was on Saturday. It was a belated Birthday party, but more of an excuse for the adults to get together.
The restaurant was having computer problems so our orders were sporadic in arriving, as a result a round of drinks was comped for my sisters. I stuck to Shirley temples. I had over served myself last week at my friend's house on a sleep over house hunt day. I had felt miserable for most of the next day. With all the bad phone calls earlier in the day I felt strung out and felt that if I started drinking I might over serve myself again.
It is so worth not drinking to wake the next day and not feel that nauseated headache and that you only want to lie in the prone position. Last week I had to drive around and look at houses that would be my family's next perminanat residence. It would have been comical, if it wasn't me feeling so miserable that day. As I age I think I am really getting more sensitive to alcohol. I just can't do it to myself, though I miss that buzz and feeling of freedom upon occasion. I have always been something of a light weight.
The older children took the younger children to the park across from the restaurant after dinner. We had the opportunity to sit and quietly chat over our coffees and tea. It was heavenly. Will had been sitting next to me and had been very good, but he is kind of squirmy and fidgety. He appreciated the opportunity to go to the park as much as we did having the quiet moment without children. Riley was looking forward to playing with his little cousin from New York again. I loved the fact he was enjoying the park and the fresh air. It wasn't raining and the air was warm. 9:00 pm and it was still light out.
Eventually, the day had to end though. We all piled into our cars and headed home. Riley has some new books from Barns and Noble. I gave my nephew a gift card from there. We had shopped books on Sunday when Trevor had his friend with him. Everyone found books to read. I had fed them all lunch at the mall. I gave Trevor $10 to split between himself and his friend. They were disappointed that there wasn't enough for milk shakes to go with their burgers. But a budget is a budget.
When we got home last night, I grabbed one of Riley's new books sitting in the hall, to try it out, but Riley wanted it back. He went to bed with his light on and read until the wee hours of the morning this new book, first in the series he had picked out.
I sat at the computer looking for appropriate houses to look at as substitutes to the one we are probably about to lose. I e mailed a selection to my realtor to make appointments to show them to me on Thursday when I have to go pick up Trevor. I went to bed at 1:00 am. I think Riley was still up reading.
Dang
The seller wont sign unless the second mortgage bank agrees to not come after her for the difference. She does not want to declare bankrupcy. She would rather go to forclosure than bankrupcy. This must be her only debt. Like us she owes more than the house is worth and is under water. Tom said he wouldn't sign either in the same circumstances.
Forclosure could take years. My sister in law has not been forclosed on in three years of living in her house and not paying a mortgage. They keep threatening to kick her out and auction the house off but it has not happened yet. We can't wait years. We can barely wait much longer. I am looking at other houses. The little house went pending for someone else, so I have to start from scratch.
The bank could change it's mind and accept the settlement as debt paid in full. The realtors are working hard. For them to get this far and then lose the transaction is almost as frustrating as we feel about not getting the house. The house might not survive sitting empty for much longer without really deteriorating.
I told Tom about the holes above the windows under the deck. I thought they might be caused by animals trying to nest. Tom thinks it is termite damage. My Dad thought he saw carpenter ants or termites on the deck when I showed them the house. For Tom to also think it is termites makes two independant sources thinking termites. Not a good sign. Without treating for the bugs the house will go fast. Sitting empty while the banks work their way to forclosure will ruin the house. It will become a meal for the bugs.
We can't wait for the house to become completely bank owned. We are half way through summer. School starts in a month. Trevor is already at Football camp. Both boys are registered. Tom doesn't like living away from us and not having his things. The commute is expensive.
I am keeping track of the days I drive to Longview so we can expense the travel as moving expenses. Every time I go up there I look at houses in hopes of finding something that works. The selection of houses that fit our needs is slim. Size, decent private yard, well thought out floor plan, price in our range; I am surprised at how many homes do not fit the bill. Patience, but time is running out.
Forclosure could take years. My sister in law has not been forclosed on in three years of living in her house and not paying a mortgage. They keep threatening to kick her out and auction the house off but it has not happened yet. We can't wait years. We can barely wait much longer. I am looking at other houses. The little house went pending for someone else, so I have to start from scratch.
The bank could change it's mind and accept the settlement as debt paid in full. The realtors are working hard. For them to get this far and then lose the transaction is almost as frustrating as we feel about not getting the house. The house might not survive sitting empty for much longer without really deteriorating.
I told Tom about the holes above the windows under the deck. I thought they might be caused by animals trying to nest. Tom thinks it is termite damage. My Dad thought he saw carpenter ants or termites on the deck when I showed them the house. For Tom to also think it is termites makes two independant sources thinking termites. Not a good sign. Without treating for the bugs the house will go fast. Sitting empty while the banks work their way to forclosure will ruin the house. It will become a meal for the bugs.
We can't wait for the house to become completely bank owned. We are half way through summer. School starts in a month. Trevor is already at Football camp. Both boys are registered. Tom doesn't like living away from us and not having his things. The commute is expensive.
I am keeping track of the days I drive to Longview so we can expense the travel as moving expenses. Every time I go up there I look at houses in hopes of finding something that works. The selection of houses that fit our needs is slim. Size, decent private yard, well thought out floor plan, price in our range; I am surprised at how many homes do not fit the bill. Patience, but time is running out.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
reviewing
I went to visit a friend in the hospital yesterday. He was having a good day. Fresh blood in his veins had given him a happy mood and energy. Other visitors arrived so I eventually left. Riley was with me. The traffic around the hill was backed up due to construction on the roads, so I decided to go up rather than down the hill when we left the parking lot. I know a way over the hill that lands you on another freeway. My parents live this way.
Since I was driving by their home I thought I could stop in and pick up the weed eater my Dad had brought back from the beach. It is a big monster gas powered machine with a steel blade and 7 feet long. You wear it with a harness so you don't throw your back out. Tom had bought it when we lived in the country then gave it to my Dad to hang on to when we moved to a smaller lot in the city. Now we are borrowing it back again for the blackberries. The weed eater had to be maneuvered into my car as it was so long and the wide arm handles made it too big for the trunk.
Mom and Dad were home. They invited us in to chat which turned into dinner. I didn't mind missing rush hour on the freeways so I accepted the offer. A new Subway had opened in the area. Riley and Dad went to order and pick up dinner. Riley knows how to do Subway. I figured no matter how hard I tried I would probably mess up his order if I went did it. He likes to order anyway. Dad told us about ordering the food when they got back. Riley got up to the counter and just rattled off a whole list of items he wanted on his sandwich. Dad could tell Riley had done this before.
It made Dad's job easier if Riley ordered anyway as this weekend Dad had his four front teeth just fall out of his mouth while he was sitting at the desk. He had an old bridge in his mouth fail. He has been hiding in the house until he can get to the dentist. Mom has been teasing him, making him show everyone the huge gap. He will be getting a temporary bridge on Tuesday. He had been warned that the work needed to be done but had put it off as the cost was quoted around $6000. I am sorry this didn't happen while they were in Arizona as he could have had the work done in Mexico for 1/4 the price, while on vacation. I had told them I had heard the work and technology is just as good at a fraction of the cost, but they were more comfortable doing the work at home with someone they were familiar with. Dad had put it off and waited until he had absolutely no choice and was home.
Riley and I stayed and chatted and ate. Finally we hit the road. When we got home I sat at my computer to clear away the junk mail. My girl friend with the sick child had told me she had been reading my blog to see Riley's old numbers and compare experiences with her own son. It made me curious as to what I had written so long ago.
Sunday, February 8, 2010 I called the advice nurse after bedtime. That was the beginning of this journey.My journal started a few days later. It was after 1:00 am before I realized how late it was, as I read through the first few weeks of that February. I had to quit and go to bed because of the time.
I found my writing barely scratched the surface of my memories. It brought back flash pictures of moments and people. The friends that came to my aide. Jaimie packing Riley's trophies for the room makeover. Wynter feeding everyone spaghetti lunch. Tiffany helping install the laminate boards on the floor. Elaine and Paula painting the bathroom Gray. Michelle coming over to vacuum and drop off a meal. Becky and Susan and Sherry leaving meals regularly and vacuuming. Betty, the boy's school Principal, bringing Mac and Cheese. Those were just some of the people. I missed a few names as over the course of those weeks of back and fourth to the hospital and long days, lovely people just showed up and kept my life from falling apart entirely.
I remember Trevor walking himself home to an empty house until one of his parents could come home. Getting his homework done as he should, being helpful, being his up beat self and entertaining his brother who was house bound and lonely every day. I remember the tutor, Kathy, being flexible with the scheduling, and just keeping one step ahead in math of Riley, and making study fun for an isolated child. I remember the bible study boys coming over and reading with Riley at the dining table. They would laugh and get distracted so easily as they discussed the study segments. Riley would argue like his father just for the sake of discussion.
My Mom and Dad and Sister brought subway sandwiches to the hospital. They would bring food from home since the hospital food was unsalted and bland. My Mom would sit with me at lunch in the clinic when we had to stay for transfusions. The list just goes on of all the good wonderful people that made the world continue around us, while our focus was centered on Riley. Coming home from long days at the clinic and driving through rush hour, exhausted physically and emotionally, and finding dinner ready to be warmed up or in the crock pot already to be eaten. Some dear person had prepared our family dinner.
Riley and I would wrap up in the gorgeous prayer shawls, hand made and prayed over, gifted to us by one of Riley's teachers. We would feel as if wrapped in a warm hug, while sitting waiting in the clinic for transfusions, or at home hanging out, knowing loving hands had done their best to send us messages of caring in every stitch. Riley still wraps up in his shawl in his room while reading in bed.
Moving away will be hard knowing that a lot of those faces will be left behind. I wont run into them at the grocery store any more or stop to chat in the school parking lot. I don't want to lose touch, but they have lives and inevitably I will lose contact with some. I just want everyone to know how much I appreciate them, that I haven't forgotten and as I read my old entries it all comes back so vividly how stressed and strung out I felt, white knuckled from driving in traffic, worrying about having an accident with Riley in the car. How much relief and happiness I felt walking into my home at night and finding food for dinner all ready to go.
Riley's room is still the cleanest room in the house. Reading those entries puts into perspective our priorities in life. Friendship and simple help can make all the difference during a crisis.
I am both sad to have to offer my help, and grateful for the opportunity to pass on that gift of help and warm regards to my girl friend now in the hospital with her sick child. The parents have been doing the sleep overs with their child in the lock down ward, in isolation for germ exposure. Her son is taking longer than Riley to get through this torturous disease. They are going on three months with another month anticipated of living in the hospital.
She has other children. I feel blessed to be able to offer assistance where I can for their family, to pass on that same gift of love and thoughtfulness my family received from all sorts of people. She lives in the town where we are moving. I can't wait to be able to do even more for them. It means a lot to me to "Pass it forward", that love shared. I have faith that our little friend will respond to treatment and recover as Riley is doing. It is both a slow and fast experience. It seems like just a short time ago we were in the throws of panic. The fear and emotion is still raw just below the surface. I still look for signs on Riley. Riley is doing so well a year and a half later. Modern science is amazing.
I feel warm hugs engulfing me every time I think about all those freinds and strangers that helped. I can't thank everyone enough and will never be able to. The only way I see to thank people is to pass that same thoughtful consideration on to another Mom I know going through the throws of panic with a sick child. Give her the hug of help that gets the rest of the family through the crisis and eventually to the other side, where she can look back on the nightmare and see that many people really cared and prayed and helped get the family through it all. She and her son are not alone in the dark.
.
Since I was driving by their home I thought I could stop in and pick up the weed eater my Dad had brought back from the beach. It is a big monster gas powered machine with a steel blade and 7 feet long. You wear it with a harness so you don't throw your back out. Tom had bought it when we lived in the country then gave it to my Dad to hang on to when we moved to a smaller lot in the city. Now we are borrowing it back again for the blackberries. The weed eater had to be maneuvered into my car as it was so long and the wide arm handles made it too big for the trunk.
Mom and Dad were home. They invited us in to chat which turned into dinner. I didn't mind missing rush hour on the freeways so I accepted the offer. A new Subway had opened in the area. Riley and Dad went to order and pick up dinner. Riley knows how to do Subway. I figured no matter how hard I tried I would probably mess up his order if I went did it. He likes to order anyway. Dad told us about ordering the food when they got back. Riley got up to the counter and just rattled off a whole list of items he wanted on his sandwich. Dad could tell Riley had done this before.
It made Dad's job easier if Riley ordered anyway as this weekend Dad had his four front teeth just fall out of his mouth while he was sitting at the desk. He had an old bridge in his mouth fail. He has been hiding in the house until he can get to the dentist. Mom has been teasing him, making him show everyone the huge gap. He will be getting a temporary bridge on Tuesday. He had been warned that the work needed to be done but had put it off as the cost was quoted around $6000. I am sorry this didn't happen while they were in Arizona as he could have had the work done in Mexico for 1/4 the price, while on vacation. I had told them I had heard the work and technology is just as good at a fraction of the cost, but they were more comfortable doing the work at home with someone they were familiar with. Dad had put it off and waited until he had absolutely no choice and was home.
Riley and I stayed and chatted and ate. Finally we hit the road. When we got home I sat at my computer to clear away the junk mail. My girl friend with the sick child had told me she had been reading my blog to see Riley's old numbers and compare experiences with her own son. It made me curious as to what I had written so long ago.
Sunday, February 8, 2010 I called the advice nurse after bedtime. That was the beginning of this journey.My journal started a few days later. It was after 1:00 am before I realized how late it was, as I read through the first few weeks of that February. I had to quit and go to bed because of the time.
I found my writing barely scratched the surface of my memories. It brought back flash pictures of moments and people. The friends that came to my aide. Jaimie packing Riley's trophies for the room makeover. Wynter feeding everyone spaghetti lunch. Tiffany helping install the laminate boards on the floor. Elaine and Paula painting the bathroom Gray. Michelle coming over to vacuum and drop off a meal. Becky and Susan and Sherry leaving meals regularly and vacuuming. Betty, the boy's school Principal, bringing Mac and Cheese. Those were just some of the people. I missed a few names as over the course of those weeks of back and fourth to the hospital and long days, lovely people just showed up and kept my life from falling apart entirely.
I remember Trevor walking himself home to an empty house until one of his parents could come home. Getting his homework done as he should, being helpful, being his up beat self and entertaining his brother who was house bound and lonely every day. I remember the tutor, Kathy, being flexible with the scheduling, and just keeping one step ahead in math of Riley, and making study fun for an isolated child. I remember the bible study boys coming over and reading with Riley at the dining table. They would laugh and get distracted so easily as they discussed the study segments. Riley would argue like his father just for the sake of discussion.
My Mom and Dad and Sister brought subway sandwiches to the hospital. They would bring food from home since the hospital food was unsalted and bland. My Mom would sit with me at lunch in the clinic when we had to stay for transfusions. The list just goes on of all the good wonderful people that made the world continue around us, while our focus was centered on Riley. Coming home from long days at the clinic and driving through rush hour, exhausted physically and emotionally, and finding dinner ready to be warmed up or in the crock pot already to be eaten. Some dear person had prepared our family dinner.
Riley and I would wrap up in the gorgeous prayer shawls, hand made and prayed over, gifted to us by one of Riley's teachers. We would feel as if wrapped in a warm hug, while sitting waiting in the clinic for transfusions, or at home hanging out, knowing loving hands had done their best to send us messages of caring in every stitch. Riley still wraps up in his shawl in his room while reading in bed.
Moving away will be hard knowing that a lot of those faces will be left behind. I wont run into them at the grocery store any more or stop to chat in the school parking lot. I don't want to lose touch, but they have lives and inevitably I will lose contact with some. I just want everyone to know how much I appreciate them, that I haven't forgotten and as I read my old entries it all comes back so vividly how stressed and strung out I felt, white knuckled from driving in traffic, worrying about having an accident with Riley in the car. How much relief and happiness I felt walking into my home at night and finding food for dinner all ready to go.
Riley's room is still the cleanest room in the house. Reading those entries puts into perspective our priorities in life. Friendship and simple help can make all the difference during a crisis.
I am both sad to have to offer my help, and grateful for the opportunity to pass on that gift of help and warm regards to my girl friend now in the hospital with her sick child. The parents have been doing the sleep overs with their child in the lock down ward, in isolation for germ exposure. Her son is taking longer than Riley to get through this torturous disease. They are going on three months with another month anticipated of living in the hospital.
She has other children. I feel blessed to be able to offer assistance where I can for their family, to pass on that same gift of love and thoughtfulness my family received from all sorts of people. She lives in the town where we are moving. I can't wait to be able to do even more for them. It means a lot to me to "Pass it forward", that love shared. I have faith that our little friend will respond to treatment and recover as Riley is doing. It is both a slow and fast experience. It seems like just a short time ago we were in the throws of panic. The fear and emotion is still raw just below the surface. I still look for signs on Riley. Riley is doing so well a year and a half later. Modern science is amazing.
I feel warm hugs engulfing me every time I think about all those freinds and strangers that helped. I can't thank everyone enough and will never be able to. The only way I see to thank people is to pass that same thoughtful consideration on to another Mom I know going through the throws of panic with a sick child. Give her the hug of help that gets the rest of the family through the crisis and eventually to the other side, where she can look back on the nightmare and see that many people really cared and prayed and helped get the family through it all. She and her son are not alone in the dark.
.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Shoes
Trevor wore his Velcro closure sandals to the hospital, his big feet hanging out over the edge. I notice his shoes and ask if he remembered his athletic shoes since he was going to conditioning. He looks sheepish. Of course Trevor has not packed any athletic shoes just the flip flops on his feet.
The schedule is tight. Some how I have to fit in stopping and getting him new shoes after the doctor's visit at 1:00 and still make it to practice on time in Longview, getting out of Portland before rush hour traffic slows us down. There is construction around the hospital. It takes twenty minutes just to get out of the parking lot. Every minute counts.
I call a friend to google shoe stores in the area. I feel bad I can't swing by my old work but there is no time. Trevor is a 4E width. He can't just go anywhere to find shoes. My girlfriend has a son with big feet. He shops at a place on Thurman, I remember her telling me about it, which is in the direction we will be heading. I get the number and call. They only start at size 13 and go up to 32. This is a big boy store. Trevor can do 13, a little large but not by much and in a month he will probably fit them perfectly. They hold a couple of shoes for us at the counter. I run in with Trevor, having found the place without much difficulty. He wants the black pair. They work. We are done and out of there in less than ten minutes. It is right off the freeway and I can do the commuter lane with the boys with me.
We make it to practice right on time. I head with Riley to my girlfriend's house that we are staying with for a couple of days so Trevor can attend this mandatory two day practice session for all those going to football camp. Trevor is the only freshman going. 5 sophomores are going. I am really stressing his being the only freshman, but I am sure it will be a beneficial experience. He got the play book but has really yet to read it. He has his best friend for the weekend and that has kept him occupied.
I took everyone bowling when we were rained out for boating. Now we are off to deliver Trevor to his bus to camp and his friend home. I want to be in LV to do more work at the house and keep the ball rolling. This closing is going to get done if just by the force of my will.
Tonight we stay with another friend so Trevor can catch that 6:30 am bus. I just want to head to Home Depot and get to browsing.
The schedule is tight. Some how I have to fit in stopping and getting him new shoes after the doctor's visit at 1:00 and still make it to practice on time in Longview, getting out of Portland before rush hour traffic slows us down. There is construction around the hospital. It takes twenty minutes just to get out of the parking lot. Every minute counts.
I call a friend to google shoe stores in the area. I feel bad I can't swing by my old work but there is no time. Trevor is a 4E width. He can't just go anywhere to find shoes. My girlfriend has a son with big feet. He shops at a place on Thurman, I remember her telling me about it, which is in the direction we will be heading. I get the number and call. They only start at size 13 and go up to 32. This is a big boy store. Trevor can do 13, a little large but not by much and in a month he will probably fit them perfectly. They hold a couple of shoes for us at the counter. I run in with Trevor, having found the place without much difficulty. He wants the black pair. They work. We are done and out of there in less than ten minutes. It is right off the freeway and I can do the commuter lane with the boys with me.
We make it to practice right on time. I head with Riley to my girlfriend's house that we are staying with for a couple of days so Trevor can attend this mandatory two day practice session for all those going to football camp. Trevor is the only freshman going. 5 sophomores are going. I am really stressing his being the only freshman, but I am sure it will be a beneficial experience. He got the play book but has really yet to read it. He has his best friend for the weekend and that has kept him occupied.
I took everyone bowling when we were rained out for boating. Now we are off to deliver Trevor to his bus to camp and his friend home. I want to be in LV to do more work at the house and keep the ball rolling. This closing is going to get done if just by the force of my will.
Tonight we stay with another friend so Trevor can catch that 6:30 am bus. I just want to head to Home Depot and get to browsing.
Numbers
I always said shopping is a great distraction. Buying a house is a huge distraction. Riley had his doctors appointment on the 14th of July. It was barely a blip on my radar. Such a big event has become standard fare these days.
Trevor went with us as we were headed up to Longview for Trevor's mandatory evening football practices before camp next week. Riley stopped by the lab for his blood draw then we went to lunch at the cafeteria. As usual the food was unremarkable. We were early for our appointment so we got to watch the end of a Disney Movie in the waiting room, Ice Age 3 or something. The boys look huge hanging out in the children's waiting room.
At the nurses station check in, Riley was 5 foot 11, and 59 kilos, or 130 pounds, as I said skin and bones on that boy. He was offered a sucker and turned it down politely. He thinks the suckers are childish. He smiles and laughs politely each time they offer it. It always surprises me when he doesn't accept because he has such a sweet tooth. Breakfast had been Bacon and cake with cream cheese icing. Riley makes cake or brownies when ever he can, when what he really needs is some good healthy food. I put eggs in front of him but he'll take only one or two bites and leave most of it on his plate.
Once we got into our room to wait, the 8 x8 room seemed small with two big boys in it. The arm rest snapped off on a chair while we waited, but I swear it was loose before we arrived to completely break it. Trevor couldn't help wiggling it to see why it was loose.
The doctor arrived. He said Riley should do PE this year as his numbers had stabilized. They were just below normal, but "just." They have pretty much been the same for the last few visits. 150 is considered low normal. The doctor said the modest differences were statistically insignificant. In his mind Riley has stabilized. He said the next big test would be once Riley was completely off the drugs to see what his numbers do then, if they continue to hold or change.
Riley is now going to be taking 50 milligrams of Cyclosporin morning and night, 100 a day. His next appointment is September 18. He was told by between Thanksgiving and Christmas he would be completely off the drugs. The magnesium will also be declining and the antibiotics will stop when the cyclosporin stops.
Platelets were 138.
Hemoglobin was a wonderful 12.6
Whites were 3.4
There was new cell production. Though lower than before. But Riley hasn't been sick lately to boost any numbers artificially.
Tom didn't come with us. He was disappointed that I hadn't asked if we could be more swift in the decline on the medication. But there is a protocol in place that we are following. I like to follow protocol though I understand Tom's argument. It also costs us $1000 on our deductible this year every time we see the doctor. I believe I have enough of the pills to get us to the end with out ordering more now that he is taking so much less. I am guessing we will have an appointment in November and then one in January. We just don't know how often followup check ups will be over the next few years. It would be nice if we could do the blood draws in Longview and not have to do the drive.
Tom will have to get over his protective streak. We were supposed to go boating but the weather was not condussive. Tom didn't like the idea of boating at all, it made him nervous. Now the doctor says Riley should do PE. No contact sports but Riley can get on with a normal life, live a little. The defining moment will be when Riley is completely off the immune suppressants.
Meanwhile though, we still keep a fairly clean environment. Riley has his air filter in his room. We will be thoroughly cleaning the new house before Riley moves in. We wouldn't want anyone to catch the Hunta virus from the mice that took up residence before we did.
I have plenty of time to make this all work. The constant rain might not show it yet, but we are seeing the gold at the end of the rainbow.
Trevor went with us as we were headed up to Longview for Trevor's mandatory evening football practices before camp next week. Riley stopped by the lab for his blood draw then we went to lunch at the cafeteria. As usual the food was unremarkable. We were early for our appointment so we got to watch the end of a Disney Movie in the waiting room, Ice Age 3 or something. The boys look huge hanging out in the children's waiting room.
At the nurses station check in, Riley was 5 foot 11, and 59 kilos, or 130 pounds, as I said skin and bones on that boy. He was offered a sucker and turned it down politely. He thinks the suckers are childish. He smiles and laughs politely each time they offer it. It always surprises me when he doesn't accept because he has such a sweet tooth. Breakfast had been Bacon and cake with cream cheese icing. Riley makes cake or brownies when ever he can, when what he really needs is some good healthy food. I put eggs in front of him but he'll take only one or two bites and leave most of it on his plate.
Once we got into our room to wait, the 8 x8 room seemed small with two big boys in it. The arm rest snapped off on a chair while we waited, but I swear it was loose before we arrived to completely break it. Trevor couldn't help wiggling it to see why it was loose.
The doctor arrived. He said Riley should do PE this year as his numbers had stabilized. They were just below normal, but "just." They have pretty much been the same for the last few visits. 150 is considered low normal. The doctor said the modest differences were statistically insignificant. In his mind Riley has stabilized. He said the next big test would be once Riley was completely off the drugs to see what his numbers do then, if they continue to hold or change.
Riley is now going to be taking 50 milligrams of Cyclosporin morning and night, 100 a day. His next appointment is September 18. He was told by between Thanksgiving and Christmas he would be completely off the drugs. The magnesium will also be declining and the antibiotics will stop when the cyclosporin stops.
Platelets were 138.
Hemoglobin was a wonderful 12.6
Whites were 3.4
There was new cell production. Though lower than before. But Riley hasn't been sick lately to boost any numbers artificially.
Tom didn't come with us. He was disappointed that I hadn't asked if we could be more swift in the decline on the medication. But there is a protocol in place that we are following. I like to follow protocol though I understand Tom's argument. It also costs us $1000 on our deductible this year every time we see the doctor. I believe I have enough of the pills to get us to the end with out ordering more now that he is taking so much less. I am guessing we will have an appointment in November and then one in January. We just don't know how often followup check ups will be over the next few years. It would be nice if we could do the blood draws in Longview and not have to do the drive.
Tom will have to get over his protective streak. We were supposed to go boating but the weather was not condussive. Tom didn't like the idea of boating at all, it made him nervous. Now the doctor says Riley should do PE. No contact sports but Riley can get on with a normal life, live a little. The defining moment will be when Riley is completely off the immune suppressants.
Meanwhile though, we still keep a fairly clean environment. Riley has his air filter in his room. We will be thoroughly cleaning the new house before Riley moves in. We wouldn't want anyone to catch the Hunta virus from the mice that took up residence before we did.
I have plenty of time to make this all work. The constant rain might not show it yet, but we are seeing the gold at the end of the rainbow.
NEWs News News
I think we got it. I was told Friday that all parties have agreed to the sale, first mortgage, second mortgage and sellers. The second works something like a car loan in that they will still be coming after the seller for the debt even after the house is gone. It is more like a personal loan with no collateral. The seller is probably filing bankruptcy and will make the second go away through bankruptcy. The news is everyone has agreed and we will probably be signing closing papers at the end of this week.
I went through the house with my friend Teresa. She found a way to put stairs down to the basement from inside the house without much difficulty. I will have a contractor in to bid the job later. We also found that mice were living in the couches and had left many gifts in the drawers in the kitchen and under the sink. We have to do a thorough cleaning before we can move in. I asked my movers if they could delay delivery of my furniture a few days to give us time to sanitize and clean.
I will swing by home depot or Ace and pick up some deacon for the kitchen. I am also going to schedule the water and power to be turned on on Thursday or Friday. Tom wants to be there to make sure nothing goes pop or bang. There will be air in the pipes.
In the basement there is a water heater in the corner with a utility sink set up. The sink is gone and the pee trap is un-capped. It is very close to the discharge pipe. Our concern was that back up could come out the pee trap onto the basement floor, so we want to cap that off before the water is turned on.
I also found some animal chew holes above the windows in the basement. The holes will need to be sealed. I couldn't tell what might have caused the holes, so it will be something to investigate.
The end of the month is busy for movers. My movers were no exception. I couldn't get them until after the first. We have rescheduled them again for August 4/5. They are wonderful. My family has used them for 30 years. Dave Gordon Moves, you will not be sorry if you use them. I figure I will get a u haul and do the light stuff ourselves. My boys can help next week after Tom does his sanitizing clean. Tom says he can do a better job than anyone I could hire. I am all for saving a little money. I am even thinking I can tackle the blackberries. If I save costs doing the yard myself then I can justify bringing in the gas for the kitchen and the fireplace we want.
I am giddy with excitement. I can't wait until the papers are signed. Finally we have signs of progress. I do need to get out of this house so we can catch peak renting season. I am thinking if I can get enough stuff out of here we could make it staged for show until the movers get the rest.
I can take the boys' twin beds and the spare twins so we all have something to sleep on. Trevor will be in town for his conditioning. Tom wont have to commute. It all plays out just the way we need it to. The movers wont have to charge us extra for being so disorganized.
I am glad we let the renters go as it turns out we will not have our furniture out by August 1. Tom said he would come in and paint after everything was out. We will paint Trevor's green room. It wont take long in an empty house. Just do a neutral semi gloss white. I like semi gloss or satin so you can wipe it off easily. I still have the laminate for bad carpet replacement. I can finish Trevor's room, maybe. We'll see how bad it is once the furniture is out.
I am so excited I want to go up today in the rain and start clipping away at the ivy and blackberries. I might do that tomorrow after I talk to the utility companies.
I went through the house with my friend Teresa. She found a way to put stairs down to the basement from inside the house without much difficulty. I will have a contractor in to bid the job later. We also found that mice were living in the couches and had left many gifts in the drawers in the kitchen and under the sink. We have to do a thorough cleaning before we can move in. I asked my movers if they could delay delivery of my furniture a few days to give us time to sanitize and clean.
I will swing by home depot or Ace and pick up some deacon for the kitchen. I am also going to schedule the water and power to be turned on on Thursday or Friday. Tom wants to be there to make sure nothing goes pop or bang. There will be air in the pipes.
In the basement there is a water heater in the corner with a utility sink set up. The sink is gone and the pee trap is un-capped. It is very close to the discharge pipe. Our concern was that back up could come out the pee trap onto the basement floor, so we want to cap that off before the water is turned on.
I also found some animal chew holes above the windows in the basement. The holes will need to be sealed. I couldn't tell what might have caused the holes, so it will be something to investigate.
The end of the month is busy for movers. My movers were no exception. I couldn't get them until after the first. We have rescheduled them again for August 4/5. They are wonderful. My family has used them for 30 years. Dave Gordon Moves, you will not be sorry if you use them. I figure I will get a u haul and do the light stuff ourselves. My boys can help next week after Tom does his sanitizing clean. Tom says he can do a better job than anyone I could hire. I am all for saving a little money. I am even thinking I can tackle the blackberries. If I save costs doing the yard myself then I can justify bringing in the gas for the kitchen and the fireplace we want.
I am giddy with excitement. I can't wait until the papers are signed. Finally we have signs of progress. I do need to get out of this house so we can catch peak renting season. I am thinking if I can get enough stuff out of here we could make it staged for show until the movers get the rest.
I can take the boys' twin beds and the spare twins so we all have something to sleep on. Trevor will be in town for his conditioning. Tom wont have to commute. It all plays out just the way we need it to. The movers wont have to charge us extra for being so disorganized.
I am glad we let the renters go as it turns out we will not have our furniture out by August 1. Tom said he would come in and paint after everything was out. We will paint Trevor's green room. It wont take long in an empty house. Just do a neutral semi gloss white. I like semi gloss or satin so you can wipe it off easily. I still have the laminate for bad carpet replacement. I can finish Trevor's room, maybe. We'll see how bad it is once the furniture is out.
I am so excited I want to go up today in the rain and start clipping away at the ivy and blackberries. I might do that tomorrow after I talk to the utility companies.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Over eating
I have heard from a few people about our rental. It gives me encouragement. We wont sign anything this time until after we move, though. Craigslist is a great resource. I am also restraining myself from buying anything else for the new house. There are gas fireplaces and exterior doors with windows listed, which I would love for the basement. I will resist the urge though I have found shopping is the best way to cheer myself up.
Yesterday, the boys and I sat and ate a whole family size bag of ruffles while watching junky TV. Thank goodness the bag wasn't a Costco size. Riley later got mad because he hadn't been kept in the loop on our renters backing out. I wasn't quite sure why he had such a fit and tantrum. I think it had to do with Trevor knowing something Riley didn't know. Trevor had been in the car with me when I took the call.
I had company stop by for a brief time. It felt so good to see people. I feel trapped in this house at the moment. Spinning my wheels with nothing to do. I miss work and the camaraderie we had. It is very lonely just hanging with your children. I don't know how the women on the prairie did it. In the James Mitchner book Centennial, the prairie wife went insane with isolation and killed her children. I am not that bad due to some dear friends popping in upon occasion.
It was funny that my girlfriend who helped pack up the game room found the same boxes still sitting waiting for disposal a week later. I haven't made much progress. Last night I went to bed early, skipping dinner since I was full of chips. I have no idea when the boys put themselves to bed as I was asleep, emotionally exhausted from just waiting and waiting.
My Realtor has no news. She did have the listing agent let the second bank and its investors know that we are about ready to walk away. Tom is hating the wait as much as I am. He has no confidences that we will close at all. He is beginning to think we have been played. I remind myself that it is not August 3 yet. We haven't been played unless we pass that date without some satisfaction. Our realtor tells us this is how short sales are done. Everything we read concurres that it can take many months. Thank goodness we opted against this route ourselves and our own house in the end. The poor home owner, who just wants out and to be done with it all, is waiting at the other end. She has had to share all her personal information to these banks who have complete control over her life and immediate future.
The government should have let the banks fail. The turn around would be a lot swifter. Now the Banks are puffed up with power and pomp. Keybank's response to the Realtor's inquiry was that they had until August 3 to respond. No, that is closing date. Papers should be back and filed at least a week prior to that date. The seller needs to sign off again once the banks have accepted just to agree to it all. The Trust company has to run all their papers and give everyone time to read them. All this is supposed to occur before August 3.
We have been to a closing where the papers were not what they were supposed to be. We want to read the fine print prior to signing, especially in this day and age where nothing is as it seems. We also want time to turn on the water and power to make sure everything works, no pipes explode or the house doesn't catch fire. Once we get everyone to agree then I will contact the power companies and have the lights turned on at our expense. It will be worth the cost to make sure we are not walking into a money pit as my mother fears. It was one reason to do our own visual inspection. Not much an inspector can do without power and water turned on to inspect for leaks or problems.
I have some very talented friends I am hoping will enjoy puttering with me while we plan and come up with wonderful ideas on what to do with this lovely house. All that basement room, untapped. I am going to create a boudoir for my clothes. Some place I can hang everything un crowded. There isn't room upstairs for all my clothes and Tom's except seasonally.
The biggest complaint about a modern home is lack of storage. I plan on dealing with that issue in the basement. I also like the idea of putting a wall and closet in the big second bedroom, making both boys' rooms the same size so they stop fighting over which bedroom is who's. It will create a longer upstairs hallway and give us that dedicated laundry room off the bedrooms which is so wonderful in the house we have. Putting the laundry where the dirty clothes are located.
Tom's birthday is August 6. Its a Saturday. We will definitely be having a party if we are in our new house. I will just hide the unpacked boxes in the basement. I don't think we will be ready for a BBQ yet, but definitely a beer, wine and pizza party with Caesar salad will be on the menu. Open house from 2:00 pm on. No gifts. We already have too much stuff.
If we are not in our new house yet, I may take Tom to a hotel with a great bar in it and just hang out. He likes the Marriott downtown. We liked the Nines where we stayed for my sister in law's Great Gatsby party. Tom is not much into costume themes. He was willing to do that night because he likes his in laws. But it wouldn't make a good birthday for him. This is the Big 50, mid century.
I will take suggestions on how to celebrate if we are not into that house. Tom would love to take the boys to another Nascar race. He was thinking Phoenix in November. I wasn't thrilled with the idea, but if I have to make up for not getting him his big house I may have to do another Nascar trip. I do love the symphony so much more.
Yesterday, the boys and I sat and ate a whole family size bag of ruffles while watching junky TV. Thank goodness the bag wasn't a Costco size. Riley later got mad because he hadn't been kept in the loop on our renters backing out. I wasn't quite sure why he had such a fit and tantrum. I think it had to do with Trevor knowing something Riley didn't know. Trevor had been in the car with me when I took the call.
I had company stop by for a brief time. It felt so good to see people. I feel trapped in this house at the moment. Spinning my wheels with nothing to do. I miss work and the camaraderie we had. It is very lonely just hanging with your children. I don't know how the women on the prairie did it. In the James Mitchner book Centennial, the prairie wife went insane with isolation and killed her children. I am not that bad due to some dear friends popping in upon occasion.
It was funny that my girlfriend who helped pack up the game room found the same boxes still sitting waiting for disposal a week later. I haven't made much progress. Last night I went to bed early, skipping dinner since I was full of chips. I have no idea when the boys put themselves to bed as I was asleep, emotionally exhausted from just waiting and waiting.
My Realtor has no news. She did have the listing agent let the second bank and its investors know that we are about ready to walk away. Tom is hating the wait as much as I am. He has no confidences that we will close at all. He is beginning to think we have been played. I remind myself that it is not August 3 yet. We haven't been played unless we pass that date without some satisfaction. Our realtor tells us this is how short sales are done. Everything we read concurres that it can take many months. Thank goodness we opted against this route ourselves and our own house in the end. The poor home owner, who just wants out and to be done with it all, is waiting at the other end. She has had to share all her personal information to these banks who have complete control over her life and immediate future.
The government should have let the banks fail. The turn around would be a lot swifter. Now the Banks are puffed up with power and pomp. Keybank's response to the Realtor's inquiry was that they had until August 3 to respond. No, that is closing date. Papers should be back and filed at least a week prior to that date. The seller needs to sign off again once the banks have accepted just to agree to it all. The Trust company has to run all their papers and give everyone time to read them. All this is supposed to occur before August 3.
We have been to a closing where the papers were not what they were supposed to be. We want to read the fine print prior to signing, especially in this day and age where nothing is as it seems. We also want time to turn on the water and power to make sure everything works, no pipes explode or the house doesn't catch fire. Once we get everyone to agree then I will contact the power companies and have the lights turned on at our expense. It will be worth the cost to make sure we are not walking into a money pit as my mother fears. It was one reason to do our own visual inspection. Not much an inspector can do without power and water turned on to inspect for leaks or problems.
I have some very talented friends I am hoping will enjoy puttering with me while we plan and come up with wonderful ideas on what to do with this lovely house. All that basement room, untapped. I am going to create a boudoir for my clothes. Some place I can hang everything un crowded. There isn't room upstairs for all my clothes and Tom's except seasonally.
The biggest complaint about a modern home is lack of storage. I plan on dealing with that issue in the basement. I also like the idea of putting a wall and closet in the big second bedroom, making both boys' rooms the same size so they stop fighting over which bedroom is who's. It will create a longer upstairs hallway and give us that dedicated laundry room off the bedrooms which is so wonderful in the house we have. Putting the laundry where the dirty clothes are located.
Tom's birthday is August 6. Its a Saturday. We will definitely be having a party if we are in our new house. I will just hide the unpacked boxes in the basement. I don't think we will be ready for a BBQ yet, but definitely a beer, wine and pizza party with Caesar salad will be on the menu. Open house from 2:00 pm on. No gifts. We already have too much stuff.
If we are not in our new house yet, I may take Tom to a hotel with a great bar in it and just hang out. He likes the Marriott downtown. We liked the Nines where we stayed for my sister in law's Great Gatsby party. Tom is not much into costume themes. He was willing to do that night because he likes his in laws. But it wouldn't make a good birthday for him. This is the Big 50, mid century.
I will take suggestions on how to celebrate if we are not into that house. Tom would love to take the boys to another Nascar race. He was thinking Phoenix in November. I wasn't thrilled with the idea, but if I have to make up for not getting him his big house I may have to do another Nascar trip. I do love the symphony so much more.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
More stress-cory
The renters stressed. The wife was upset that we are missing the early move in date they wanted to do their painting and remodeling. She threatened to pull out of the deal. My property manager told me she was a handful and would not make a good tenant, very high maintenance and needy. That has never been a good combination with Tom and me. We are not nit picky perfectionist.
I asked for 48 hours to see if my realtor could make something happen. The renter didn't want to go for it. She said she wanted her deposit money back. She felt we were in breach of contract even though August 1 is the date on the contract. She also felt move in ready is more than just having the house clean. She felt it meant to be painted to her liking. I told her that move in ready meant clean. I said it very politely.
OK. I told her she could have her deposit back on Wednesday. I think we could have kept it as August 1 is move in date and she was the one canceling, but as my property manager said she was not worth the work and stress. I put the house up for rent again and within an hour she was calling. I didn't pick up. She left a message wanting a guarantee of August 1. I just didn't want to discuss it further so I ignored the call. I had told her I needed 48 hours. I had no news or guarantees to offer at this time. I had offered to give them a free month rent for the inconvenience of not getting in early, and that wasn't enough.
My poor property manager got the next call and an ear full. I can understand the renter's stress. I am living the same problem. They gave notice at where the are and want to get our house done before they move in. I had tried to be nice and as accommodating as I could, but she was very threatening and demanding. They wanted to re carpet and repaint the whole house. It would have been lovely, but they are renters. I like laminate not carpet. I probably will come down and take out the carpet in Trevor's room and lay the rest of the laminate once we are moved out. With no furniture it will be easy to paint that green room and put in the laminate. No more dealing with carpet. I would even consider the living room carpet being changed to something low maintenance.
Having to hire a professional carpet cleaner and show a receipt is just a way for landlords to keep the deposits. I want to just have the carpet gone for my tenants.
She seemed to think that we should be paying them for all this stuff that she wanted done. Our feeling was this is a rental. So Wednesday I will see if I have any better news. See if we can salvage the contract or let her walk. She seemed to think she could find better. I wish her luck. I didn't see anything at that price that would work for her. She needed a 4 bedroom. There was a house in the country but it was $1900, $200 more a month than what I was giving them.
I also raised our price when I re listed. I got an e mail this morning from a woman in California interested in renting our house. I will not set up any expectations this time. Lets see how it all plays out. If we are out in time for August 1, I might give our old renter a call, but I am not sure she is worth the trouble in dealing with her. She was not interested in a longer contract or buying the house at a steal. The people in the e mail might be more interested. Tom said it is all like poker, which I don't play and I am a lousy bluffer.
I asked for 48 hours to see if my realtor could make something happen. The renter didn't want to go for it. She said she wanted her deposit money back. She felt we were in breach of contract even though August 1 is the date on the contract. She also felt move in ready is more than just having the house clean. She felt it meant to be painted to her liking. I told her that move in ready meant clean. I said it very politely.
OK. I told her she could have her deposit back on Wednesday. I think we could have kept it as August 1 is move in date and she was the one canceling, but as my property manager said she was not worth the work and stress. I put the house up for rent again and within an hour she was calling. I didn't pick up. She left a message wanting a guarantee of August 1. I just didn't want to discuss it further so I ignored the call. I had told her I needed 48 hours. I had no news or guarantees to offer at this time. I had offered to give them a free month rent for the inconvenience of not getting in early, and that wasn't enough.
My poor property manager got the next call and an ear full. I can understand the renter's stress. I am living the same problem. They gave notice at where the are and want to get our house done before they move in. I had tried to be nice and as accommodating as I could, but she was very threatening and demanding. They wanted to re carpet and repaint the whole house. It would have been lovely, but they are renters. I like laminate not carpet. I probably will come down and take out the carpet in Trevor's room and lay the rest of the laminate once we are moved out. With no furniture it will be easy to paint that green room and put in the laminate. No more dealing with carpet. I would even consider the living room carpet being changed to something low maintenance.
Having to hire a professional carpet cleaner and show a receipt is just a way for landlords to keep the deposits. I want to just have the carpet gone for my tenants.
She seemed to think that we should be paying them for all this stuff that she wanted done. Our feeling was this is a rental. So Wednesday I will see if I have any better news. See if we can salvage the contract or let her walk. She seemed to think she could find better. I wish her luck. I didn't see anything at that price that would work for her. She needed a 4 bedroom. There was a house in the country but it was $1900, $200 more a month than what I was giving them.
I also raised our price when I re listed. I got an e mail this morning from a woman in California interested in renting our house. I will not set up any expectations this time. Lets see how it all plays out. If we are out in time for August 1, I might give our old renter a call, but I am not sure she is worth the trouble in dealing with her. She was not interested in a longer contract or buying the house at a steal. The people in the e mail might be more interested. Tom said it is all like poker, which I don't play and I am a lousy bluffer.
Monday, July 11, 2011
The house
Tom came home for another weekend. He is as frustrated as I am with the lack of progress on the house. I dropped the boys off at the theater for the new Transformers movie just to give Tom room to vent and settle down. He needed a little space to unwind. It is hard to be gone then reappear every week.
I buy my groceries just before the weekend now so I have fresh food in the house for Tom's visits. We are working our way through the pantry, trying to eat it so it doesn't have to be packed. Tom likes what he likes so I have to make sure we are stocked on the weekends, just not over stocked.
We had better hear something this week as I told Tom last night that the owners of the little house had come back to us with an acceptance on our original offer, after the contract expired. It was a low price and a good deal all around. Tom is considering it as we are beginning to believe we may never close on the big house. We would both prefer the big house but the wait is excruciating.
Half packed in boxes for two months now, the house is a mess. Tom moved the head high stack of boxes in the living room out to the garage. There are still boxes both empty and full scattered around the house. It does encourage me to divest myself of things. As usual the garbage is full for this week. I have been pretty pleased with my tossing each week to the maximum capacity of our over sized garbage can. Progress has stalled though with the lack of news from the Realtors.
April 13 was our original contract. We are now in mid July. Should we leap off the train and grab the other smaller house or patiently wait? We need to be out of here. I have to take Trevor back up to the new school this week for training camp. He was accepted on the bus to the football camp. Freshmen don't normally go, but the coach called and said there was room if Trevor still wanted to go. I wonder if that was because they got a look at his size that one week of conditioning. He may not be fast, but he is built like a line man.
The small house is intriguing under 2300 square feet, vintage 1955. we would need to convert the garage to living space to accommodate. One of the bedrooms is more the size of an office, 8x10. The Master is big and beautiful with a sun porch, a modernized bathroom with soaking tub, laundry facilities in one of the closets, and lots of wall closets. The kitchen is dated and has no gas. There is room to expand, half an acre, to do a detached garage. We know we can close in two weeks.
The big house is 3600 square feet of finished living space. I want to tweak it a little, bring in gas and adjust the kitchen. I don't want to redesign the kitchen but to put in gas and add wall ovens and a pantry may be a little intense to consider it not a redesign. Luckily the basement ceilings are exposed so the remodel can be achieved without a whole lot of demolition. The big beautiful cedar beams are also in the basement. The basement is unfinished usable space. I am working on the boys to consider the basement as their space. Luckily they loved that 70's show, with the basement hangout, so they are not apposed to the idea. They are even a little thrilled. It will be their own club house.
The plumbing and wiring are visible and unattractive, but I could easily hang ceiling boards and finish the area. The garage area in the basement is finished, which is where Trevor wants to put his exercise equipment. I want to take out the garage door and put in real doors, bring some sunshine into the space. Put a patio or loggia outside that door to create a welcoming area to hang out. It is under a corner of the main deck area. I could make it roofed so water wouldn't get in. Eventually that downstairs will make for a great apartment.
The difference in the two houses is that in the big house we can live with it as it is. Move right in and everything has a place to go, finished spaces or not, tweaks or not. The boys are loving the thought of their own cave. Tom is loving the thought of his own space. I am loving the thought of not having a TV in my living room. The cars even have a place to go in the three car garage. There is room for all and no compromises.
In the smaller house something has to give. The pool table or the resistance trainer or both if I don't want a TV in my living room. We wouldn't be parking our cars in the garage because it would be full of boxes.
Tom and I are potentially 5 years from being child free. It does seem silly to be buying such a big house. But five years with teenage boys is both a long time and a very short time. My thought is in five years the economy will have picked up and so will the markets. We wont lose on this investment. Like so many of our friends, we envision everyone home for the holidays at least through the college years. I have always liked having a guest room for company.
So I sit hear and nail bite and stress over whether we are doing the right thing. My mom thinks the big house is a giant money pit, but so is the little house. I sent an e-mail to our realtor. This week we have to have a written acceptance. We have to have a contract to close, or we may have to move on to the little house. I don't want to move on. I have spent two months doodling on my graph paper where furniture is to be placed and what tweaks I want to make happen. I have been dreaming of my big modern home on the hill. Just get it done people.
I buy my groceries just before the weekend now so I have fresh food in the house for Tom's visits. We are working our way through the pantry, trying to eat it so it doesn't have to be packed. Tom likes what he likes so I have to make sure we are stocked on the weekends, just not over stocked.
We had better hear something this week as I told Tom last night that the owners of the little house had come back to us with an acceptance on our original offer, after the contract expired. It was a low price and a good deal all around. Tom is considering it as we are beginning to believe we may never close on the big house. We would both prefer the big house but the wait is excruciating.
Half packed in boxes for two months now, the house is a mess. Tom moved the head high stack of boxes in the living room out to the garage. There are still boxes both empty and full scattered around the house. It does encourage me to divest myself of things. As usual the garbage is full for this week. I have been pretty pleased with my tossing each week to the maximum capacity of our over sized garbage can. Progress has stalled though with the lack of news from the Realtors.
April 13 was our original contract. We are now in mid July. Should we leap off the train and grab the other smaller house or patiently wait? We need to be out of here. I have to take Trevor back up to the new school this week for training camp. He was accepted on the bus to the football camp. Freshmen don't normally go, but the coach called and said there was room if Trevor still wanted to go. I wonder if that was because they got a look at his size that one week of conditioning. He may not be fast, but he is built like a line man.
The small house is intriguing under 2300 square feet, vintage 1955. we would need to convert the garage to living space to accommodate. One of the bedrooms is more the size of an office, 8x10. The Master is big and beautiful with a sun porch, a modernized bathroom with soaking tub, laundry facilities in one of the closets, and lots of wall closets. The kitchen is dated and has no gas. There is room to expand, half an acre, to do a detached garage. We know we can close in two weeks.
The big house is 3600 square feet of finished living space. I want to tweak it a little, bring in gas and adjust the kitchen. I don't want to redesign the kitchen but to put in gas and add wall ovens and a pantry may be a little intense to consider it not a redesign. Luckily the basement ceilings are exposed so the remodel can be achieved without a whole lot of demolition. The big beautiful cedar beams are also in the basement. The basement is unfinished usable space. I am working on the boys to consider the basement as their space. Luckily they loved that 70's show, with the basement hangout, so they are not apposed to the idea. They are even a little thrilled. It will be their own club house.
The plumbing and wiring are visible and unattractive, but I could easily hang ceiling boards and finish the area. The garage area in the basement is finished, which is where Trevor wants to put his exercise equipment. I want to take out the garage door and put in real doors, bring some sunshine into the space. Put a patio or loggia outside that door to create a welcoming area to hang out. It is under a corner of the main deck area. I could make it roofed so water wouldn't get in. Eventually that downstairs will make for a great apartment.
The difference in the two houses is that in the big house we can live with it as it is. Move right in and everything has a place to go, finished spaces or not, tweaks or not. The boys are loving the thought of their own cave. Tom is loving the thought of his own space. I am loving the thought of not having a TV in my living room. The cars even have a place to go in the three car garage. There is room for all and no compromises.
In the smaller house something has to give. The pool table or the resistance trainer or both if I don't want a TV in my living room. We wouldn't be parking our cars in the garage because it would be full of boxes.
Tom and I are potentially 5 years from being child free. It does seem silly to be buying such a big house. But five years with teenage boys is both a long time and a very short time. My thought is in five years the economy will have picked up and so will the markets. We wont lose on this investment. Like so many of our friends, we envision everyone home for the holidays at least through the college years. I have always liked having a guest room for company.
So I sit hear and nail bite and stress over whether we are doing the right thing. My mom thinks the big house is a giant money pit, but so is the little house. I sent an e-mail to our realtor. This week we have to have a written acceptance. We have to have a contract to close, or we may have to move on to the little house. I don't want to move on. I have spent two months doodling on my graph paper where furniture is to be placed and what tweaks I want to make happen. I have been dreaming of my big modern home on the hill. Just get it done people.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Goats update
No restrictions on using the goats for a few days. No livestock ownership allowed in the city. I asked if the goats could be considered a pet. The answer is yes if you keep them in your house, which is not likely, stinky things. I used to volunteer at the children's petting zoo in high school. I remember the smell of the goat pen.
The city ordinance contact said a few days would be fine or until a neighbor complains and reports the goats, at which time they would send out someone to give us a warning to get rid of the goats. I am guessing the goats will be long gone by then or at least that is the plan. I am hopeful the Goat Trimmer has a sign on his truck, so the neighbors all know this is a landscaping service and temporary. Tom thought we should contact the neighbors and let them know, but we are not up there yet to let the neighbors know. He also didn't want to wait on the contract necessarily as we want the berries and ivy gone ASAP to make moving in accessible. Right now a truck couldn't make it down the driveway due to the ivy piles and growth blocking the drive.
Our schedule gets tighter and tighter each day that we hear no news. All I get from the realtor is that the contract is being considered by the investors. No wonder the economy has stalled if it is taking four months to buy a house with cash.
The city ordinance contact said a few days would be fine or until a neighbor complains and reports the goats, at which time they would send out someone to give us a warning to get rid of the goats. I am guessing the goats will be long gone by then or at least that is the plan. I am hopeful the Goat Trimmer has a sign on his truck, so the neighbors all know this is a landscaping service and temporary. Tom thought we should contact the neighbors and let them know, but we are not up there yet to let the neighbors know. He also didn't want to wait on the contract necessarily as we want the berries and ivy gone ASAP to make moving in accessible. Right now a truck couldn't make it down the driveway due to the ivy piles and growth blocking the drive.
Our schedule gets tighter and tighter each day that we hear no news. All I get from the realtor is that the contract is being considered by the investors. No wonder the economy has stalled if it is taking four months to buy a house with cash.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Goats
I have been doing some research on Blackberries. Everything you would normally want to do to clear land is really bad and encourages more growth. If you leave the debris on the ground the blackberry can re root and send out new shoots. If you burn the pile, that encourages new growth. Loosening the soil encourages new growth. They must be dug up and carried off.
The landscaper bid the job at $1850. $400 was just for dragging the berries to a dumpster in front of the house. I looked up renting a dumpster and the big one, which we would need, was $400. We would have to do all the work. Which in our house means Tom and I would do most of the work. Tom has asked to borrow back a steel tipped weed eater we had given to my Dad a few years ago. He thought he might go rip through the field with the right tool. I am thinking tractor as the berries are over our heads.
Everyone said get a goat. Some were joking but I decided to look into it. Checked Craigslist. Turns out there is a company out of Tacoma that rents goat herds just for this purpose. $700 including delivery and pick up, gets you a herd of seven to ten goats dropped off at your home for three or four days, which is all the company says it will take to clear less than half an acre of berries. They also eat ivy down to the roots. They fertilize as they go. Its a very green blackberry abatement, chemical free.
If I can own a goat, and from what the ads say, I really want two, I would never have to worry about ivy or berries again. The females are twice as expensive as the males. A male sells for around $65. Females seem to run about $150. Cheaper than our dog. I do love Feta cheese. I don't think the new yard though is fully fenced so I may just have to borrow for the weekend.
Tom wants me to check with the city ordinance to make sure we can do this. My thought is they will be gone before anyone notices. I wasn't planning to keep them, unless I can. No, on second thought, I don't want permanent goats. They smell and they don't snuggle nicely. They butt. They eat everything, even the stuff you don't want them to eat. I wouldn't mind borrowing a set upon occasion though, just to keep the unwanted growth down.
I do know a couple of people with goats. Perhaps they will loan them out to me. First I have to find out if it's allowed. The city ordinance guy I need to speak to is on vacation until tomorrow.
Perhaps a goat is considered a family pet, like a dog, as long as we are not breeding them. I will let you know what I find out.
The landscaper bid the job at $1850. $400 was just for dragging the berries to a dumpster in front of the house. I looked up renting a dumpster and the big one, which we would need, was $400. We would have to do all the work. Which in our house means Tom and I would do most of the work. Tom has asked to borrow back a steel tipped weed eater we had given to my Dad a few years ago. He thought he might go rip through the field with the right tool. I am thinking tractor as the berries are over our heads.
Everyone said get a goat. Some were joking but I decided to look into it. Checked Craigslist. Turns out there is a company out of Tacoma that rents goat herds just for this purpose. $700 including delivery and pick up, gets you a herd of seven to ten goats dropped off at your home for three or four days, which is all the company says it will take to clear less than half an acre of berries. They also eat ivy down to the roots. They fertilize as they go. Its a very green blackberry abatement, chemical free.
If I can own a goat, and from what the ads say, I really want two, I would never have to worry about ivy or berries again. The females are twice as expensive as the males. A male sells for around $65. Females seem to run about $150. Cheaper than our dog. I do love Feta cheese. I don't think the new yard though is fully fenced so I may just have to borrow for the weekend.
Tom wants me to check with the city ordinance to make sure we can do this. My thought is they will be gone before anyone notices. I wasn't planning to keep them, unless I can. No, on second thought, I don't want permanent goats. They smell and they don't snuggle nicely. They butt. They eat everything, even the stuff you don't want them to eat. I wouldn't mind borrowing a set upon occasion though, just to keep the unwanted growth down.
I do know a couple of people with goats. Perhaps they will loan them out to me. First I have to find out if it's allowed. The city ordinance guy I need to speak to is on vacation until tomorrow.
Perhaps a goat is considered a family pet, like a dog, as long as we are not breeding them. I will let you know what I find out.
The Fourth
Tom was listening to CNN report that 70% of Americans under the age of 40 do not know what the Fourth of July is about or why we celebrate on this particular day of the year. So to test this statistic he asked the boys the question " when did we declare our Independence?". Sadly our boys fell into the 70% category.
This is after we spent thousands of dollars last year doing the East coast trip to see the Capital and visit Gettysburg on the Fourth of July weekend, no less. Tom started asking other questions regarding the revolution and the civil war, getting crankier by the minute. I will be doing some reviewing of our history with the boys. We need to get our time lines straight; Revolution, Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korean, Vietnam, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan. Years and dates and reasons for these wars and the key battles.
Next year the boys will know why Daddy likes blowing up fireworks on the Fourth of July. Tom spent the day watching the Military channel and the History Channel making sure he had his knowledge.
Tom had his usual array of fireworks. I had given him a budget and he had doubled it. He had also gone to the Indian Reservation where the price is half what you get at the local stands. Needless to say when we brought the pile down to the street for demolition time, the neighbors where appropriately impressed. Tom got the response he wanted.
I had the bucket of water ready. My next door neighbor brought out her hose and pretended to water the plants, ready to put out any flames in her yard just in case. I also brought down the garbage cans while it was still light out so clean up would be convenient and swift.
I threw a blanket over the boxes both to protect them from falling hot sparks and in case the police did a drive by, as we were pretty much sending out flares announcing here we are, come arrest us for illegal fireworks display. Tom said I was paranoid, and I was.
At the end of the performance I had everyone dunk the empty "cakes" into the water to make sure they wouldn't ignite in the garbage, in case they were smoldering. Clean up was easy this year. Tom's budget was half of what it normally is due to the move. We didn't want any left overs and Tom didn't buy any junk fireworks. He lit them all. No police came by. The neighbors loved the display. It was probably just as big a show as the city put on due to budget constraints and what we have seen in previous years. Tom knows his fireworks. He also likes to light off several cakes at the same time. Each cake may have six or more mortars in them. He said he forgot the Saturn cake at the reservation. That one can do 60 to 150 depending on it's size.
I prefer the fountains, the ones that sparkle on the ground. The year the Titanic movie came out there was a great fountain for $15 that lasted a good five to ten minutes with spouts of sparkles out of the stacks. Then the windows all lit up and the ship burst into flame at the end. It was really incredible and lasted a long time.
Tom thought he had bought a box of fountains for me, but when they were lit, every one of them ended up shooting into the air. I guess Washington state's version of a fountain is the shape of the firework display in the sky, not that it stays on the ground. Tom swore the guy told him it was a box of fountains.
Bucky was under the bed when we came inside, quite content to hide out from the chaos. When I went to sleep in my room, instantly all the animals crawled into bed with me. Tom was still wound up so he finished watching another history of war program on TV before he came to bed.
I am not going to buy the half price sales of fireworks the day after this year. I don't want to have to move fireworks. Usually I pick up a few to light off for Tom's birthday. But Oregon doesn't even have any that would pass Tom's critical eye as worthy.
I am antsy to hear news on the house. No news or calls yet.
This is after we spent thousands of dollars last year doing the East coast trip to see the Capital and visit Gettysburg on the Fourth of July weekend, no less. Tom started asking other questions regarding the revolution and the civil war, getting crankier by the minute. I will be doing some reviewing of our history with the boys. We need to get our time lines straight; Revolution, Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korean, Vietnam, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan. Years and dates and reasons for these wars and the key battles.
Next year the boys will know why Daddy likes blowing up fireworks on the Fourth of July. Tom spent the day watching the Military channel and the History Channel making sure he had his knowledge.
Tom had his usual array of fireworks. I had given him a budget and he had doubled it. He had also gone to the Indian Reservation where the price is half what you get at the local stands. Needless to say when we brought the pile down to the street for demolition time, the neighbors where appropriately impressed. Tom got the response he wanted.
I had the bucket of water ready. My next door neighbor brought out her hose and pretended to water the plants, ready to put out any flames in her yard just in case. I also brought down the garbage cans while it was still light out so clean up would be convenient and swift.
I threw a blanket over the boxes both to protect them from falling hot sparks and in case the police did a drive by, as we were pretty much sending out flares announcing here we are, come arrest us for illegal fireworks display. Tom said I was paranoid, and I was.
At the end of the performance I had everyone dunk the empty "cakes" into the water to make sure they wouldn't ignite in the garbage, in case they were smoldering. Clean up was easy this year. Tom's budget was half of what it normally is due to the move. We didn't want any left overs and Tom didn't buy any junk fireworks. He lit them all. No police came by. The neighbors loved the display. It was probably just as big a show as the city put on due to budget constraints and what we have seen in previous years. Tom knows his fireworks. He also likes to light off several cakes at the same time. Each cake may have six or more mortars in them. He said he forgot the Saturn cake at the reservation. That one can do 60 to 150 depending on it's size.
I prefer the fountains, the ones that sparkle on the ground. The year the Titanic movie came out there was a great fountain for $15 that lasted a good five to ten minutes with spouts of sparkles out of the stacks. Then the windows all lit up and the ship burst into flame at the end. It was really incredible and lasted a long time.
Tom thought he had bought a box of fountains for me, but when they were lit, every one of them ended up shooting into the air. I guess Washington state's version of a fountain is the shape of the firework display in the sky, not that it stays on the ground. Tom swore the guy told him it was a box of fountains.
Bucky was under the bed when we came inside, quite content to hide out from the chaos. When I went to sleep in my room, instantly all the animals crawled into bed with me. Tom was still wound up so he finished watching another history of war program on TV before he came to bed.
I am not going to buy the half price sales of fireworks the day after this year. I don't want to have to move fireworks. Usually I pick up a few to light off for Tom's birthday. But Oregon doesn't even have any that would pass Tom's critical eye as worthy.
I am antsy to hear news on the house. No news or calls yet.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Waiting
We could be within a week of hearing we can close. My realtor said the second mortgage bank asked for the same papers the first bank asked for regarding the seller's finances. Since those records were already at hand, they were passed on in short order. That was Wednesday. It is a 7 to 10 day process to get an answer from that point. So I anticipate an answer next week, then we can close immediately, once everyone has signed off officially.
I picked up the range top and the double ovens. The double ovens are now stuck in my car. Three burly work men, from a remodel project down the street from where the woman I bought it from lives, loaded it in. It just fit, barely, they laid it on its back and slid it in on a piece of cardboard I had brought for that purpose. It is really heavy and fills the whole back of my jeep.
When Tom looked at it, he decided to leave it in the car. He said we could just drive it up to the new house and unload it there eventually. He would ask some friends to help him unload it. Meanwhile it has put my jeep out of commission for hauling anything, since it is full to the brim with double oven.
I walked the yard pulling any weeds that dared to poke their heads up through the new bark. I am hopeful that the weed cloth helps suppress most of them. It is just around the edges of the beds or the base of plantings that leave exposed areas.
Trevor had band practice this morning. It is a gorgeous day. He was told to wear red white and blue for the parade Monday. They are only playing one song,"Great Balls of Fire". The dance team will be marching with them. Trevor will be on the base drum.
Now I really must get back to packing and sorting. We may be within a week of closing with a little luck and a prayer. I am trying to do everything but pack these days. Trevor discovered the donation box of army men and started pulling out all sorts of "Treasures". I gave the neighbor boys a few to take on their trip. It will keep them busy to have a few "new" toys. If they bury them somewhere or blow them up with fireworks, its not a big deal.
Pick a spot and start packing.
I picked up the range top and the double ovens. The double ovens are now stuck in my car. Three burly work men, from a remodel project down the street from where the woman I bought it from lives, loaded it in. It just fit, barely, they laid it on its back and slid it in on a piece of cardboard I had brought for that purpose. It is really heavy and fills the whole back of my jeep.
When Tom looked at it, he decided to leave it in the car. He said we could just drive it up to the new house and unload it there eventually. He would ask some friends to help him unload it. Meanwhile it has put my jeep out of commission for hauling anything, since it is full to the brim with double oven.
I walked the yard pulling any weeds that dared to poke their heads up through the new bark. I am hopeful that the weed cloth helps suppress most of them. It is just around the edges of the beds or the base of plantings that leave exposed areas.
Trevor had band practice this morning. It is a gorgeous day. He was told to wear red white and blue for the parade Monday. They are only playing one song,"Great Balls of Fire". The dance team will be marching with them. Trevor will be on the base drum.
Now I really must get back to packing and sorting. We may be within a week of closing with a little luck and a prayer. I am trying to do everything but pack these days. Trevor discovered the donation box of army men and started pulling out all sorts of "Treasures". I gave the neighbor boys a few to take on their trip. It will keep them busy to have a few "new" toys. If they bury them somewhere or blow them up with fireworks, its not a big deal.
Pick a spot and start packing.
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