Even something as simple as a company coming to pick up junk managed to delay everything by a week! Why? Because they didn't show up on Friday like they were supposed to, and as such, the contractor couldn't start the work on Monday because there's too much stuff in the way. They are now scheduled to come this Friday (Feb. 1st) so the work might begin that following Monday.
Do the obstacles ever end???
Monday, January 28, 2013
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Took another big step!
We just put down a 1/3 deposit for work on the downstairs. All recycleable junk and giveaway items will be removed on Friday and Saturday and the work starts on Monday. By the end of next week (Jan 31, 2013), our downstairs landing, den, bedroom and bathroom will be freshly painted (with holes patched and smoothed), and new floors put down.
I am trying to look at this as the glass half full - that we're making progress and this is a big step. If it's half empty, then I have to look at the many other projects upstairs and outside that still need to be done before we can put the place on the market. And since we're cleaning out the savings account with this work, it could be months before we can tackle the next project.
I know.. steady and slow wins the race. But I really want to start the next chapter NOW!!!!
I am trying to look at this as the glass half full - that we're making progress and this is a big step. If it's half empty, then I have to look at the many other projects upstairs and outside that still need to be done before we can put the place on the market. And since we're cleaning out the savings account with this work, it could be months before we can tackle the next project.
I know.. steady and slow wins the race. But I really want to start the next chapter NOW!!!!
Friday, January 18, 2013
I think I toyed with the Universe
Well, none of those folks showed up. The first person was sick and when I followed up 2 weeks later, she hasn't responded. The others just fell off the face of the earth as well.
For those who may not be as faith-driven as I am, this may sound like a load of (fill in the word you'd like), but I'm beginning to believe that I tested fate when I questioned whether the Universe was toying with me. I should have believed that my prayers were being answered and I should not have verbalized any question or doubt. All along, I have believed that when the time is right things will happen. I did believe that these people responding to my ad were meant to happen, and I wonder if I hadn't expressed a doubt, if it would have worked.
I can only pray that I will be forgiven for my doubts and be given another chance very, very soon!
Meanwhile, I found a company that will pick up not only my junk scrap metal but all my recycleables as well. Ok, I won't get paid anything for it, but at least I don't have to pay someone else to remove it, nor do I have to take time off of work to get to the recycle center or worry about making several trips to Staples or some other office supply place that accepts recycleable computers and parts. This is the next step to the cleaning process. Once all this stuff is cleared out, I can then have the new floors installed downstairs and the rooms painted. Goal by the end of February.
For those who may not be as faith-driven as I am, this may sound like a load of (fill in the word you'd like), but I'm beginning to believe that I tested fate when I questioned whether the Universe was toying with me. I should have believed that my prayers were being answered and I should not have verbalized any question or doubt. All along, I have believed that when the time is right things will happen. I did believe that these people responding to my ad were meant to happen, and I wonder if I hadn't expressed a doubt, if it would have worked.
I can only pray that I will be forgiven for my doubts and be given another chance very, very soon!
Meanwhile, I found a company that will pick up not only my junk scrap metal but all my recycleables as well. Ok, I won't get paid anything for it, but at least I don't have to pay someone else to remove it, nor do I have to take time off of work to get to the recycle center or worry about making several trips to Staples or some other office supply place that accepts recycleable computers and parts. This is the next step to the cleaning process. Once all this stuff is cleared out, I can then have the new floors installed downstairs and the rooms painted. Goal by the end of February.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Making great progress
(NOTE: this post should be before the Universe one. For some reason it didn't get published when I wrote it; it was in my draft folder).
Having 2 weeks off for vacation, I'm in "operation clean up" mode again. With M not being home to watch all the things I'm putting into garbage bags (or into the give away or recycle piles), it's amazing how productive I am! I admit that many things I've touched brought back memories (like all the supplies I used in my balloon decorating / event planning business), but on the very top of my mind is "will this fit in the RV?" and "will I ever use this again?" Of course, the answer is no, so out it goes.
M has been working extremely long hours the past few weeks. Unfortunately, those contractors are on 30 day net pay, so we won't see the $ until Jan or Feb, but the plan is that once the downstairs rooms are cleaned out, I can have the downstairs completely renovated. Then again, man plans and God laughs. But that's the plan of action anyway.
Having 2 weeks off for vacation, I'm in "operation clean up" mode again. With M not being home to watch all the things I'm putting into garbage bags (or into the give away or recycle piles), it's amazing how productive I am! I admit that many things I've touched brought back memories (like all the supplies I used in my balloon decorating / event planning business), but on the very top of my mind is "will this fit in the RV?" and "will I ever use this again?" Of course, the answer is no, so out it goes.
M has been working extremely long hours the past few weeks. Unfortunately, those contractors are on 30 day net pay, so we won't see the $ until Jan or Feb, but the plan is that once the downstairs rooms are cleaned out, I can have the downstairs completely renovated. Then again, man plans and God laughs. But that's the plan of action anyway.
Is the Universe playing games with me again?
Well, the clean up project went pretty well. I have a charity truck coming to pick up donations on Jan. 26th and hope to get all the electronic junk to the recycle center before then. I was hoping to have the contractor come by the end of the month but no later than the end of Feb. to complete the downstairs (new floors and painting) but.... M went and totalled the car (thank Goodness he wasn't hurt and I wasn't with him. He was side swiped (by a driving instructor!!) and the passenger door was totally smashed in. Insurance co. deemed it totalled. The $ we're getting back, since it was a 2000 with 200K miles, isn't worth very much, so we had to dig into the house money to replace the vehicle.
But that's not the reason for my title question. The goal is to fix up the little repairs and cosmetic stuff and put the house on the market. However, just for the fun of it, I put a For Sale By Owner note on Craigslist, basically saying that I would love to retire sooner and will dramatically reduce the selling price for someone else to putter. And absolutely no investors or realtors need reply. Well... I actually got 2 very serious families who want to come over this week to take a look, despite my giving them a full disclosure of all the work that needs to be done. Honestly, I really didn't expect any serious inquiries.
So, is the Universe toying with me -- putting these folks in my path only to squash my hopes? Or is this our prayers being answered? I guess we'll know in a few days.
But that's not the reason for my title question. The goal is to fix up the little repairs and cosmetic stuff and put the house on the market. However, just for the fun of it, I put a For Sale By Owner note on Craigslist, basically saying that I would love to retire sooner and will dramatically reduce the selling price for someone else to putter. And absolutely no investors or realtors need reply. Well... I actually got 2 very serious families who want to come over this week to take a look, despite my giving them a full disclosure of all the work that needs to be done. Honestly, I really didn't expect any serious inquiries.
So, is the Universe toying with me -- putting these folks in my path only to squash my hopes? Or is this our prayers being answered? I guess we'll know in a few days.
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