2nd to last round of purging

Much of the stuff that we were a little undecided on were hidden away in closets and drawers and cabinets.  Unfortunately, said closets etc. look like Fibber McGee's (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9FGC68YcwM).  Since people will be open closets and cabinets next week, our work is cut out - to do the next round of extreme purging so that everything is all neat and organized.   Bought a whole bunch of storage containers last night.  This will be good practice for the RV anyway.

Really closing in now!!!

OMG, how did we get to this point???  All the room are nearly empty except the kitchen set and bedroom, which we need (and we left the recliner in the living room).

As many repairs as possible have been made.  The only drawbacks now, which we'll take a hit on price for, are the front steps are ugly and the driveway needs repaving.  We even had a landscaper come in today to clean the leaves and gumballs left over under the snow as well as pare back some branches on the shrubs.

The house is being listed this week - Thursday, March 20, 2014 to be exact.  Photographer is coming for the shoot and we expect the photos will be on the internet and MLS listings by Wed. 3/26.  Having an open house 1 week from tomorrow -- Sunday, March 30th!!!

My realtor feels very confident that we'll get an immediate offer.  From her mouth to God's ears!!!  I'll let you know!  Meanwhile this week means putting away all the last minute clutter laying around.

As for the rig - I found a used model that I absolutely fell in love with and really hope it all works out.  It's smaller than we wanted, but it's a top of the line and the floorplan is just perfect for us.  It's a 2006 Excel Limited 33RSE model and is in combo with a Ford F350 dually.  So it's all ready to go, except not boondock ready, so we'll need to install a genny and solar panels.  But it could fail inspection, or it may not be generator pre-wired, which may be deal breakers.  It's also located in So. CA.

But one step at a time.  I just can't believe we're at this point already.  Starting to get a little scared though.

We're getting close at last!!!

OMG, how did we get to this point already?  Seems like I've been doing nothing but complaining about one obstacle after the next, but it looks like we sign the papers to list the house in 2 weeks (March 20th, 2014)!  Almost everything that we're not taking with us or that Mitch needs a little extra time to figure out is or will be gone by then.  The rooms, except for our kitchen table and bedroom set will be completely empty.  In fact, there's this awesome online service in which you provide them with photos of your empty room and they insert virtual furniture, so it appears that the house is nicely staged.  Then when buyers come to look, you can just say you've started moving since the photos were taken.  Personally, for me, I find I'm too distracted by the furniture - I can't envision my own stuff in a room and rather find myself judging what's already there.

So this weekend someone is picking up our dining room set.  Monday the couch goes in the dumpster.  The last remnants of contract work (garage door openers installed, some sheetrock to cover a huge hole in the garage, and restaining the stairs) will be done on Monday.  Then we just need to do a few paint touchups in each room, and remove the remaining clutter (which will be put in boxes neatly on the shelves lining the garage).

So we're almost there!!!!  Unbelievable.

Didn't get the job offer

As my previous posts mentioned, I was kind of hoping for this outcome.  However, it's getting really scary now as money is very quickly running out and the house still isn't ready to be listed.  Mitch's work has been picking up more lately, and I can't do any work in the house at all because everything left is all his stuff, which I can't identify so I don't know if it's something he needs or not.  I'm also having a really hard time finding placements for the cats, which we've decided cannot come with us, nor can we show the house with them around.  However, we don't want them to live in cages at a shelter, and even if we did, the shelters are overflowing and only taking in strays and at risk animals, not surrenders.

Feeling very frustrated and scared right now. 

Frustrated with cleanup project

First, nothing on the job offer front, so no update there.  I kind of feel very relieved especially since I have another potential new lead.

Very frustrated with M.  Seems every time we work on cleaning up, we get into a huge fight.  I have to give him credit (again) that he has mostly given up his pack rat mentality and is willing to part with many things that he doesn't think he'll need for his work.  HOWEVER, now he's decided to go green and instead of putting everything in the dumpster that's still in our driveway, he has to take photos and put stuff up on Freecycle (one man's junk is another one's treasure).  We could have the place totally cleaned out in a day or 2 if we throw everything away.  He doesn't seem to understand how much extra time it's taking to list each and every item, respond to the emails and mark it and set it aside for pickup.  Ok, I'm kind of doing the same thing, but putting stuff in boxes for pickup by a local charity, so it doesn't take up any of my time.  I'm beginning to feel like we'll NEVER get this place cleaned out and listed, and it can so easily be done within a week.

Conflicted feelings

If you've been following my blog (or to future me when I look back at these posts in a few years and laugh), you will see what a roller coaster ride this has been over the last month or so.  Recap in a nutshell: lost my job, was first very scared but then reworked the numbers and realized it was the opportunity to ramp up the plans a bit faster.  Have been working very hard on getting the house ready, and making good progress.  Started plugging my business and actually have 3 steady clients already.  In fact, yesterday, one who has committed to 32 hours a month wants to up it to 90 hours!!!  Most importantly, however, is how we psyched ourselves into living the dream sooner rather than later.  In everything we do, we try to picture ourselves in the RV.  Everything we try to purge, we ask if it will be used in the RV and where it will be stored, before giving or throwing it away.  So we are so ready to take the plunge....

But then, 2 weeks ago, I was called for a job interview back in Corporate America.  The phone interview went well and I was called back for an in-person.  I had that interview this week and I think it went very, very well.  I have a very strong feeling that I will be offered this job, as I think I have the skills and personality they're looking for.

Which leads to the conflicting feelings.  Well, not really conflicted.  Conflicted means I'm not sure how I feel and I am actually very strong in my feelings -- I do NOT want this job!!!  The thought of taking it makes me depressed and I am wishing real hard that the offer is not made (although in my gut, I think it will be).  Unfortunately, as other people have suggested, it may not be a choice I can freely make right now.  Yes, it means putting the dream back on hold for a while, but in the short term it provides more financial stability and allows us to build up the nest egg.  I don't want to give up the business I've started, but many have suggested I can do it when I come home from work (meaning working 24/7) or subcontract as much as possible.

I guess the conflict lies in following my head which says (as I often tell my rebellious son) "sometimes you have to just suck it up and do things you don't want to do," or following my heart, which is to follow my dreams and move onto the Next Chapter now.  Before the interview, we concluded that it CAN be done, so why do we need to change that now?

Anyway, I'll know their decision some time this week.  Strongly wishing this whole worrisome issue is a moot point and that someone else gets offered the job.  Then at least I'll have a good excuse to stay on track.

Another update - cleanup slowed down this week

Repairs have been coming along fast and furious.  Only maybe another 2-3 full days of work before we can list.  However, we still first have to empty the place -- mostly of M's millions of cables and computer components which rather than throw out, he has to sort through and decide if he wants to keep or sell.  Huge arguments there :(

In any event, M had to work Mon & Tues of this week and he will be working again Thurs & Fri, which only gave him today (Wed) to work on the cleanup project.  He did that for only about 1/2 day, as he decided he had to build a computer also.

I, also, managed to get 3 new jobs from my newly formed business, which has kept me busy for the full days.  I have deadlines and will probably be working through next week on at least one of them.  I'm NOT complaining.  Remember we had to ramp up our sales plans due to my loss of a job and M not having gigs since Sept.  So any jobs that come in are a true blessing so we can pay bills for another month.  Still, it would be great if we could find a balance between work and cleaning out.

Oh well, onwards and upwards at any rate.