27 May – As I was falling asleep last night I was thinking of the houses I have purchased and moved into. There are three that stand out – not because they were bright, shiny and new or spectacular or anything like that. Each of them seemed to welcome me the very first time I walked in – just to look as I was house hunting. Each hugged me and said “this is home for you”.
The first two lived up to that so I hope the last one does. Now to tell about these three houses.
The first was the “green house” and also my first haunted house – you heard me – ghosts, spirits, whatever you want to call her, I had one. Either that or my three sons had mass dreams about talking to “the lady in white” for three years. Two of them were 2 and 3 so they were not old enough to make it up. The younger one called her the other mother. The house was about 65-75 years old and had been moved to its location which was said to be a cemetery.
But that is digressing – as I first walked into that house, I felt it wrap itself around me and I knew it was supposed to be mine. And even though I went through some bad things there – divorce among other things, it was always warm and welcoming and I always felt safe there.
Believe me that is not true of every house I have ever looked at while house shopping.
While shopping for the “green house” my realtor took me to look at another house in town rather than the sort of rural area of the green house. I had picked the realtor up and my mom met us at the house with my younger sons. The realtor opened the door and we walked into the foyer. (It was a very old house and built when they had foyers and the like.) My mom turned and took the boys and went back outside. We went a few steps further into the living area of the house and I turned to the realtor and said “That’s enough; I don’t need to see anymore; I could not live here.” I took her home and drove to my moms – I walked into the house and before I said a word, she said, “You can’t live in that house, Robin.” She was right – it reeked of evil. I have never felt such a bad feeling in a building before or since, but I could never have lived there.
My second special house was one I was not even slated to see. My realtor, Johnny, had taken me to see the house across the street and as we were leaving I notice the for sale sign. I asked him why we were not looking at it and he said it was not in my price range; it was only $79,000. I asked him to humor me and we went into the house – as soon as I walked in I knew I was home. That was my house in Texas and it is the only house I ever cried at leaving; when I moved to NV I truly hated to sell it. However, God is very good and ---
My third special house is the one I am currently getting settled into. We looked at houses galore – I have talked earlier about some of the disasters we looked at. Tricia worked hard to find more houses for me and as soon as I saw the name of the street I knew it was for me. I had walked on that street in a country far away from where I live – but for safety’s sake I am not going to give that name. I thought to myself how neat it would be to live on a street named that – although I seem to be the only one in the community who knows the significance. I guess they do not teach geography in schools these days. Then we looked at house and finally got to this one, and even though it had some problems, I knew it was my house. It just fits me. I thank God for finding it for me – for directing Tricia’s eyes to it on the list. Next year I will get the yard started and before I am done, the house will glow inside and out.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
26 May – Well – I thought that getting sick once a year was enough – and then this flu hit – it was not horrible, but it sure came at a bad time. I wanted to have all the unpacking done before this weekend – well that is not going to happen. Almost four days of being down – down – down with that bug. It is going around, and I was sure to get it – I just wanted to postpone it for a year or two.
While I was sick and “resting” (as the fur kids barked to let me know I needed to be playing with them not resting) I remembered one thing I had forgotten to tell you all – and it was the best in the house so far! Like a lot of people, I like to put stuff up on top of my cabinets – it is nice and decorative in the kitchen.
I am terrified of heights – let me repeat that – TERRIFIED! So I got up on my ladder and carefully got up on my counter to put the first item up – and as I peaked over the top of the cabinets, I almost dropped my vase. I have never seen such filth! I know cleaning the tops of cabinets is not a huge daily priority in everyone’s lives – but really! I do not think the tops of those cabinets had ever been cleaned – in the entire thirteen year life of this house. In fact there were still sunflower seed hulls – probably from the workers who built the cabinets.
Still terrified of heights – I got up on the cabinets – sometimes on my tippy toes stretching to the back of the cabinets – standing on my new stove at times – and after half a bottle of Spic & Span, most of the bottle of some sort of “goo off” stuff – that works on small spots only, two dobie scrubbers, an entire box of SOS pads, two huge, huge rolls of paper towels, and most of my fingertips and six pairs of disposable gloves, it is clean enough for my stuff. In other words, CLEAN. The entire time I was worried that I was going to step backwards off the kitchen counter - by the time I was done I was ready for rest again.
So I got a couple of two by fours, had them cut in two foot pieces, and made platforms and at least what I have unpacked is up and decorating my kitchen.
And where were my little furry helpers during all this. Yes, I mean Angel and Maxi. Well, of course, they were helping! First they tried climbing up the ladder – when I discouraged that, Angel got up on the little breakfast nook table and barked encouragement – or something – at me. Maxi just looked mournful – she wanted to play and mom was up too high to play.
I knew I had made a mistake when I put my cookbook shelves actually in the kitchen – today I found a little cookbook – once called Bubba Cooking, or something like that – Angel ate the title – scattered all over the backyard. I am not sure Maxi is totally innocent in all of this. She seemed to be laughing as I picked up little pages all over the yard.
I am going to have a sort of lattice fence built across my open space between the dining room and family room – to keep Angel from jumping on the ledge and breaking stuff. She can FLY across that room – and I would really prefer that my chairs not need to be so close that anyone sitting in them, touches the knees of anyone else sitting in them. If I am playing kneesy with someone, I want it to be by choice, not forced intimacy. I’d like my guests to have the same feeling of safety. Ok they are pretty quiet out there – I had best post this and go see what they are doing. Or maybe see what they are doing and then post this. Until later – have a blessed day and hug your fur kids – they bring happiness even when they are being ornery.
While I was sick and “resting” (as the fur kids barked to let me know I needed to be playing with them not resting) I remembered one thing I had forgotten to tell you all – and it was the best in the house so far! Like a lot of people, I like to put stuff up on top of my cabinets – it is nice and decorative in the kitchen.
I am terrified of heights – let me repeat that – TERRIFIED! So I got up on my ladder and carefully got up on my counter to put the first item up – and as I peaked over the top of the cabinets, I almost dropped my vase. I have never seen such filth! I know cleaning the tops of cabinets is not a huge daily priority in everyone’s lives – but really! I do not think the tops of those cabinets had ever been cleaned – in the entire thirteen year life of this house. In fact there were still sunflower seed hulls – probably from the workers who built the cabinets.
Still terrified of heights – I got up on the cabinets – sometimes on my tippy toes stretching to the back of the cabinets – standing on my new stove at times – and after half a bottle of Spic & Span, most of the bottle of some sort of “goo off” stuff – that works on small spots only, two dobie scrubbers, an entire box of SOS pads, two huge, huge rolls of paper towels, and most of my fingertips and six pairs of disposable gloves, it is clean enough for my stuff. In other words, CLEAN. The entire time I was worried that I was going to step backwards off the kitchen counter - by the time I was done I was ready for rest again.
So I got a couple of two by fours, had them cut in two foot pieces, and made platforms and at least what I have unpacked is up and decorating my kitchen.
And where were my little furry helpers during all this. Yes, I mean Angel and Maxi. Well, of course, they were helping! First they tried climbing up the ladder – when I discouraged that, Angel got up on the little breakfast nook table and barked encouragement – or something – at me. Maxi just looked mournful – she wanted to play and mom was up too high to play.
I knew I had made a mistake when I put my cookbook shelves actually in the kitchen – today I found a little cookbook – once called Bubba Cooking, or something like that – Angel ate the title – scattered all over the backyard. I am not sure Maxi is totally innocent in all of this. She seemed to be laughing as I picked up little pages all over the yard.
I am going to have a sort of lattice fence built across my open space between the dining room and family room – to keep Angel from jumping on the ledge and breaking stuff. She can FLY across that room – and I would really prefer that my chairs not need to be so close that anyone sitting in them, touches the knees of anyone else sitting in them. If I am playing kneesy with someone, I want it to be by choice, not forced intimacy. I’d like my guests to have the same feeling of safety. Ok they are pretty quiet out there – I had best post this and go see what they are doing. Or maybe see what they are doing and then post this. Until later – have a blessed day and hug your fur kids – they bring happiness even when they are being ornery.
Monday, May 24, 2010
23 May – morning. Thought I would get this all caught up before I began my day. NO! I am not all unpacked and settled in although it is getting there – slowly. But a quick catchup for the rest of last week.
On Wednesday I spent the day waiting for the Goodwill truck to come and get the furniture and some other things I did not move from the apartment. I had actually intended it go to the women’s shelter, but they could not get a truck out in time. That is ok – mixed among all the things I told the packers to NOT pack are plenty of things for the shelter – the ladies will have all sorts of good things to use to start their new homes.
Wednesday afternoon was just unpacking more stuff. Having the garage arranged helps a lot. At least it is no longer so overwhelming and I can see that it will get unpacked – this year even.
Thursday and Friday unpacked and got some pictures on the wall. Today (Monday) I am going to concentrate on that rather than unpacking – once they are up off the floor, it will be easier to get around and put stuff away. Tomorrow is arrange the den/office so I can actually use it as a den/office instead of junk/storage for pictures.
These movers – they packed so many unnecessary things – but they did not take the files from my filing cabinet – the one I had asked Dana to pack a few days before. I do not even know how they lifted it and carried it downstairs – it is solid wood and with all that paper – WOW. They placed it so far back on the wall I have had to run an extension cord so I can plug in my shredder and my printer.
Remember, I told you how the movers assured me they were good packers – obviously their British English does not define good the way we do.
I opened one box – oh my gosh – I almost cried at what I saw. My mom had an antique, crystal bowl with flowers and now I have it – the flowers of course are not antique and not real! It was sitting on a bookcase in the second bedroom – the bedroom Rob, my boarder, uses. There were no books left in the bookcases, because we had packed all those. The movers threw some heavy stuff in the bottom of a big box, took the flowers out of the bowl for some reason known only to them – I will never guess what it is – if any of you figure it out please let me know – they threw the flowers into the box – then threw more HEAVY stuff on top of them. Before closing the box they threw – ok, I will give them the benefit of the doubt, they put the crystal bowl on top. How it did not break I do not know – a higher power than I was protecting it. It probably has no real monetary value, but it was my Mom’s!
When I opened the box and saw the empty crystal bowl with not so much as a piece of paper around it, I was upset enough. Then as I waded down through the jumble of stuff – some of which was trash by the time it got to my house, I saw the flowers, squashed to about an inch thick. I cried! I got them out and fluffed them up and they are coming back – although there are some holes in the back which I will have to keep hidden. Most of the rest of the stuff in that particular box had been left unpacked because it was going to the shelter. So it is repacked, in much better packing shape, waiting for me to finish unpacking so I can call the truck to come and get it.
Then I opened another box, marked kitchen. It was mostly empty – except along the bottom, neatly lined up, was all the glassware from the top shelf of my glass cupboard – and no – nothing, even my missing crystal wine glass, was wrapped. Not so much as a shred of paper. I have pictures, but I forgot to check the settings on the camera and they did not come out well enough to post.
I sent an email to the movers – they refused it. I sent another one, with no pictures. They refused it again. So next I will mail a letter to the BBB and send them a copy. The pictures are good enough for that.
Then came Friday. Nothing exciting during the day – just more unpacking and getting settled in. Still have not found the rest of my clothes – I am not sure where they packed them. That goodness, I had already carried my hanging stuff over here – well actually Joe and Rob carried it over while I tried – notice I said – tried to keep track of the movers. Obviously I did not do a very good job.
My grandson came over as he does on the weekends when his dad is here – he said he did not feel well, felt like he might vomit. I told him to go to the bathroom. His dad told him to go to the bathroom. He said again, he might vomit and again we told him to go to the bathroom. About that time, vomit he did – RED Gatorade mixed with whatever he has been eating. All over my light tan carpet!
Once Dylan was settled into the shower, Joe did his best to get it out – but red does not come out. I called Stanley Steamer and they came out on Sat, but they just shook their head – they cleaned it, and some of it faded, but it is still pinkish – not even a pretty pinkish. I have one more idea and if that does not work, I guess it is an area rug until I can afford to replace it. Down the line I planned on replacing most of the carpet with wood anyway, but not at this time!
Now it is Monday and I think I am recovered from the 48 hour bug I had all weekend – fever even, which is not usual for me. I did not even make it to church yesterday – another unusual – but I ached in places I did not even know I had. I still am not sure I really have them, or that someone else’s body was trying to take over mine. The fever broke a little after midnight, and although I am pretty weak feeling, (maybe lack of food for the better part of two days has something to do with that) I am up and ready to get started on my day. Well – maybe I will just take a little nap first! See you all later.
On Wednesday I spent the day waiting for the Goodwill truck to come and get the furniture and some other things I did not move from the apartment. I had actually intended it go to the women’s shelter, but they could not get a truck out in time. That is ok – mixed among all the things I told the packers to NOT pack are plenty of things for the shelter – the ladies will have all sorts of good things to use to start their new homes.
Wednesday afternoon was just unpacking more stuff. Having the garage arranged helps a lot. At least it is no longer so overwhelming and I can see that it will get unpacked – this year even.
Thursday and Friday unpacked and got some pictures on the wall. Today (Monday) I am going to concentrate on that rather than unpacking – once they are up off the floor, it will be easier to get around and put stuff away. Tomorrow is arrange the den/office so I can actually use it as a den/office instead of junk/storage for pictures.
These movers – they packed so many unnecessary things – but they did not take the files from my filing cabinet – the one I had asked Dana to pack a few days before. I do not even know how they lifted it and carried it downstairs – it is solid wood and with all that paper – WOW. They placed it so far back on the wall I have had to run an extension cord so I can plug in my shredder and my printer.
Remember, I told you how the movers assured me they were good packers – obviously their British English does not define good the way we do.
I opened one box – oh my gosh – I almost cried at what I saw. My mom had an antique, crystal bowl with flowers and now I have it – the flowers of course are not antique and not real! It was sitting on a bookcase in the second bedroom – the bedroom Rob, my boarder, uses. There were no books left in the bookcases, because we had packed all those. The movers threw some heavy stuff in the bottom of a big box, took the flowers out of the bowl for some reason known only to them – I will never guess what it is – if any of you figure it out please let me know – they threw the flowers into the box – then threw more HEAVY stuff on top of them. Before closing the box they threw – ok, I will give them the benefit of the doubt, they put the crystal bowl on top. How it did not break I do not know – a higher power than I was protecting it. It probably has no real monetary value, but it was my Mom’s!
When I opened the box and saw the empty crystal bowl with not so much as a piece of paper around it, I was upset enough. Then as I waded down through the jumble of stuff – some of which was trash by the time it got to my house, I saw the flowers, squashed to about an inch thick. I cried! I got them out and fluffed them up and they are coming back – although there are some holes in the back which I will have to keep hidden. Most of the rest of the stuff in that particular box had been left unpacked because it was going to the shelter. So it is repacked, in much better packing shape, waiting for me to finish unpacking so I can call the truck to come and get it.
Then I opened another box, marked kitchen. It was mostly empty – except along the bottom, neatly lined up, was all the glassware from the top shelf of my glass cupboard – and no – nothing, even my missing crystal wine glass, was wrapped. Not so much as a shred of paper. I have pictures, but I forgot to check the settings on the camera and they did not come out well enough to post.
I sent an email to the movers – they refused it. I sent another one, with no pictures. They refused it again. So next I will mail a letter to the BBB and send them a copy. The pictures are good enough for that.
Then came Friday. Nothing exciting during the day – just more unpacking and getting settled in. Still have not found the rest of my clothes – I am not sure where they packed them. That goodness, I had already carried my hanging stuff over here – well actually Joe and Rob carried it over while I tried – notice I said – tried to keep track of the movers. Obviously I did not do a very good job.
My grandson came over as he does on the weekends when his dad is here – he said he did not feel well, felt like he might vomit. I told him to go to the bathroom. His dad told him to go to the bathroom. He said again, he might vomit and again we told him to go to the bathroom. About that time, vomit he did – RED Gatorade mixed with whatever he has been eating. All over my light tan carpet!
Once Dylan was settled into the shower, Joe did his best to get it out – but red does not come out. I called Stanley Steamer and they came out on Sat, but they just shook their head – they cleaned it, and some of it faded, but it is still pinkish – not even a pretty pinkish. I have one more idea and if that does not work, I guess it is an area rug until I can afford to replace it. Down the line I planned on replacing most of the carpet with wood anyway, but not at this time!
Now it is Monday and I think I am recovered from the 48 hour bug I had all weekend – fever even, which is not usual for me. I did not even make it to church yesterday – another unusual – but I ached in places I did not even know I had. I still am not sure I really have them, or that someone else’s body was trying to take over mine. The fever broke a little after midnight, and although I am pretty weak feeling, (maybe lack of food for the better part of two days has something to do with that) I am up and ready to get started on my day. Well – maybe I will just take a little nap first! See you all later.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Changing Addresses Can be so much fun
18 May – 48 years ago today I graduated from high school. I celebrated by deciding to get my car re-registered. Normally I could have registered online – BUT – I moved so I had to go into DMV. OH NO!
The line for registration was not long, but when I got to a clerk she told me I could not register the car until I changed my address on my driver’s license. Now those lines were a different story. First there was the line to get to the forms needed to get the new license. That line snaked around, and around inside and then tumbled outside – in the freezing wind. It actually was not so cold but with the wind – it was downright chilly in short sleeves. Finally we were inside and filling out the forms as we snaked around the esses that made up the line – and finally we saw a person. She looked at the form, looked at my license, stamped something on it and told me to go get my photo taken. They have one photo machine – so THAT line just ran out the door and around the building down into the parking lot. It took almost 40 minutes to get to the front of that one – and after the picture was taken they gave me back the forms with a number. “Wait until your number is called” she said. Wait! I had been waiting all morning and I had an appointment at noon. But off to another line I went. That one was a little better though because it had chairs and we just waited, ---- and waited, ---- and waited for our numbers to be called. Finally, I was sent to what turned out to be the final desk – she was even able to register my car for me so at least I did not have to get back into that line, which by that time snaked out into the parking lot. Altogether it only took three hours! ONLY! It has been known to take lots more – but I was actually there as soon as they opened. Along with a bunch of other people who had the same idea.
After getting that out of the way I ran again - had to exchange a curtain for the kitchen, picked up the wrong package and then I had to return some shorts to Walmart. They were knit and just too clingy for my tastes.
Got home and my friend Nancy visited to see the house – that was nice and relaxing. Joe put up the curtain rods and curtains in the kitchen and draperies in the dining room. That is much better since getting up and wandering into the kitchen in the middle of the night for a drink is a plausible action. I would rather not give the neighbors a show.
After Nancy left, I decided to rearrange the garage so I had an idea of what I really had left to unpack. I moved all the Christmas stuff to where I want it to stay and sorted out boxes to see what was left. Looks like most of what is left will actually go to Safenest – or into the trash. Speaking of which – I am not sure why those movers grabbed and packed some of that stuff. It was obviously NOT good stuff. My trash guy is going to be flabbergasted Thursday. Enough for today though – I am tired and going to check my Facebook and then have a glass of wine and veg until bedtime.
The line for registration was not long, but when I got to a clerk she told me I could not register the car until I changed my address on my driver’s license. Now those lines were a different story. First there was the line to get to the forms needed to get the new license. That line snaked around, and around inside and then tumbled outside – in the freezing wind. It actually was not so cold but with the wind – it was downright chilly in short sleeves. Finally we were inside and filling out the forms as we snaked around the esses that made up the line – and finally we saw a person. She looked at the form, looked at my license, stamped something on it and told me to go get my photo taken. They have one photo machine – so THAT line just ran out the door and around the building down into the parking lot. It took almost 40 minutes to get to the front of that one – and after the picture was taken they gave me back the forms with a number. “Wait until your number is called” she said. Wait! I had been waiting all morning and I had an appointment at noon. But off to another line I went. That one was a little better though because it had chairs and we just waited, ---- and waited, ---- and waited for our numbers to be called. Finally, I was sent to what turned out to be the final desk – she was even able to register my car for me so at least I did not have to get back into that line, which by that time snaked out into the parking lot. Altogether it only took three hours! ONLY! It has been known to take lots more – but I was actually there as soon as they opened. Along with a bunch of other people who had the same idea.
After getting that out of the way I ran again - had to exchange a curtain for the kitchen, picked up the wrong package and then I had to return some shorts to Walmart. They were knit and just too clingy for my tastes.
Got home and my friend Nancy visited to see the house – that was nice and relaxing. Joe put up the curtain rods and curtains in the kitchen and draperies in the dining room. That is much better since getting up and wandering into the kitchen in the middle of the night for a drink is a plausible action. I would rather not give the neighbors a show.
After Nancy left, I decided to rearrange the garage so I had an idea of what I really had left to unpack. I moved all the Christmas stuff to where I want it to stay and sorted out boxes to see what was left. Looks like most of what is left will actually go to Safenest – or into the trash. Speaking of which – I am not sure why those movers grabbed and packed some of that stuff. It was obviously NOT good stuff. My trash guy is going to be flabbergasted Thursday. Enough for today though – I am tired and going to check my Facebook and then have a glass of wine and veg until bedtime.
Monday, May 17, 2010
17 May – Started the day by running again – ran to WM to try for curtains and curtain rods for the kitchen – also needed shorts and capris – or as we called them when I first wore them – pedal pushers! It is getting hot in LV and jeans are just not going to make it.
Ran to Anna’s Closet to try for those curtains – it was closed to went over to Maria Callendars for pie and coffee – yes for breakfast – just because I CAN! Started chatting with a neat lady from Texas and we had a nice long chat – long past time for me to get back to work but it was fun and relaxing and I enjoyed it. Ran back to Anna’s Closet – and found the PERFECT kitchen curtains – and curtain rods – so now all I have to do is get them up.
Ran to COSTCO to stock up the freezer and FINALLY found a DVD player to replace the one Angel ate – well she really did not eat the entire DVD player – just the important parts like cords, etc. It was not a really expensive one and it would have cost more to get the cord replaced – and my VCR was getting on in years; it may have been one of the first on the market; so I replaced them both with one DVD/VCR player/recorder.
Ran home – put all that away – unpacked the rest of the china and crystal and a couple more boxes and now am taking a short break. So far the only thing broken is one wine glass and the crystal salt shaker I dropped on the tile floor! CRASH! Salt and shreds of crystal were everywhere. I think I got it all up but I want to clean it again – and again – and again. Almost had a real mess though when the devil dog – you know the one I call Angel – jumped on the shelf of the cabinet where I had put the china cups as I was unwrapping them and counting. Cups flew everywhere, but luckily – especially luckily for Angel – none broken. She would have been in major time-out!
My bedroom is mostly done – still have pictures to hang and most of my clothes to find – but that is the closet so it does not really count as bedroom – right? Well – just took this picture and realized I also have books to put away – and the tops of both dressers to straighten – as soon as the stuff on top gets hung up. They make good storage places for pictures to be hung. But it is getting there – and at least I have curtains up and it is pretty peaceful for sleeping.
Ran to Anna’s Closet to try for those curtains – it was closed to went over to Maria Callendars for pie and coffee – yes for breakfast – just because I CAN! Started chatting with a neat lady from Texas and we had a nice long chat – long past time for me to get back to work but it was fun and relaxing and I enjoyed it. Ran back to Anna’s Closet – and found the PERFECT kitchen curtains – and curtain rods – so now all I have to do is get them up.
Ran to COSTCO to stock up the freezer and FINALLY found a DVD player to replace the one Angel ate – well she really did not eat the entire DVD player – just the important parts like cords, etc. It was not a really expensive one and it would have cost more to get the cord replaced – and my VCR was getting on in years; it may have been one of the first on the market; so I replaced them both with one DVD/VCR player/recorder.
Ran home – put all that away – unpacked the rest of the china and crystal and a couple more boxes and now am taking a short break. So far the only thing broken is one wine glass and the crystal salt shaker I dropped on the tile floor! CRASH! Salt and shreds of crystal were everywhere. I think I got it all up but I want to clean it again – and again – and again. Almost had a real mess though when the devil dog – you know the one I call Angel – jumped on the shelf of the cabinet where I had put the china cups as I was unwrapping them and counting. Cups flew everywhere, but luckily – especially luckily for Angel – none broken. She would have been in major time-out!
My bedroom is mostly done – still have pictures to hang and most of my clothes to find – but that is the closet so it does not really count as bedroom – right? Well – just took this picture and realized I also have books to put away – and the tops of both dressers to straighten – as soon as the stuff on top gets hung up. They make good storage places for pictures to be hung. But it is getting there – and at least I have curtains up and it is pretty peaceful for sleeping.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
A lazy day in the moving game
16 May – lazy day today – just played with the fur babies. They are so funny and soft – and loving. They look at me with those big eyes and I just cannot resist. They are trying so hard to get my granddaughter’s cat – and if that cat claws my new leather couch again – they might just get it – because I might just toss her over the gate.
Picture is of Angel and Maxi wrapped in a towel - my granddaughter was playing with them - Not quite sure why Maxi looks so little in this picture - she is a little smaller than Angel but she holds her own. Just let Angel try to take the toy or bone she wants.
I keep Angel and Maxi in the family room – partially because while I was in the hospital they got a little spoiled and they “forgot” some of their house training – so I am retraining. That is actually going well because they like being outside so much – but the family room is all tile – so they do not need the carpet for a bit.The cat is only here because she belongs to my granddaughter – I am allergic to cats – and sucking down allergy meds like crazy. And the cat seems to know this – she tries every way she can to get into my bedroom. It is a race every time I open the door to see which one wins. I want one allergy free room in the house!
Coming home from church today – noticed some odd things on the highway. Speed limit is 65 and most go between 70-75 – (me among the most) but there are those who get into the middle lane and go a safe 50! Then there are those who must get to the exit one car length ahead – even though it means passing and cutting over from the “fast” lane. Then there are those shiny new DEFECTIVE cars which have no turn signals – so everyone around them has to guess what they plan to day. Oh is that one coming onto the highway or maybe just going from exit to exit – it is fun to make us wonder isn’t it? Then there were the three who were daydreaming along – all in either the fast lane or the middle lane and ALL OF A SUDDEN woke up to realize their exit was RIGHT HERE! They made it but there were red lights decorating the cars around them and brakes screeched.
Well – enough for today. Tomorrow it is back to the old grind. Going to get drapery rods for the dining area – already have drapes. Still looking for kitchen and family room window coverings – but the chance that I will be wandering into either of those rooms sans clothing is pretty slim – so the neighbor’s eyes are safe.
Til later – moving is such fun! Only a gazillion boxes to go, pictures to hang, curtains to hang, curtains to hem and then I get to begin on the yard! The yard which at the moment is in a sort of desert landscape – rocky and barren!
13 May - Continued – ended up with some bug that is going around and “rested” for the better part of the 10th – got the letter signed though – and got some groceries. We were down to the bare basics – make that the bare shelves. The new refrigerator does not get here until the 14th and I am trying to not have to move a lot of stuff from one to the other – that only makes sense to me but no cream for coffee was carrying it a bit far. Well no milk might have been a little far to carry it too.
Let me tell you about the insurance thing – something to maybe even watch out for although I will give my loan officer the benefit of the doubt. My loan officer showed me a quote from an insurance company which I had never heard of – this was early in the loan process and I suggested he hold up as I was intending to stay with my insurance company – State Farm. LO said “But they are more expensive.” I said, “But I have heard of them and I know how well they respond to claims. And they have agents everywhere – not a faxed estimate from somewhere in CA.”
So I thought it was settled – I would have SF as my insurance company. A few days before we closed, I called my SF agent, Nate, to ask why I did not have a policy yet. He was very surprised to hear that I had insurance since he had not written anything. Come to find out – a clerical mistake was made at the bank and I had insurance with this strange company no one had ever heard of – well no one except the loan officers in Nevada and California which are the only two states the company is licensed in. Oh well – this was the day before closing so there was no way I was going to rock the boat. Nate and I decided to just leave it until after closing and then he would write me a policy and I could cancel the other insurance.
Getting a policy from Nate was easy. Getting the other policy canceled and a refund – not so easy. First the woman who answered the phone was probably the nastiest human I have ever talked to on a phone – just plain mean sounding. Scary! Demanded that to get a refund I would have to send a certified copy of the back and front of the payment check. Since the payment was made from closing funds that was something I had no access to. Then demanded a copy of my policy from State Farm – why I don’t know but they could not cancel unless they saw that. Finally I threw myself on the loan officer’s mercy. He was somewhat insulted but I managed to calm his ruffled feathers – and he faxed the letter and the copy of my insurance binder. So hopefully, in about ten days, I should have a check from the insurance company. I am NOT holding my breath however.
14 May – today I had to get blood drawn. You know, I did not realize that turning 65 meant I had to give more blood than I have every few months. Oh well – it sure beats the alternative and I guess I am glad my doctors are making themselves – and more importantly me – aware of any health issues so I can control them. I have lots of stuff to do – AFTER I get all these boxes unpacked.
After the blood draw – I THOUGHT I was going to unpack, but I had to fill out all the rebate forms for my new appliances. WOW! They really do not want to give that money away. I have to have all sorts of proofs – proof that I purchased the “right” appliances, proof that they were delivered and installed, proof that the old stuff was taken away and will never be used again. That last part is a given since I am pretty sure the appliances in this house date back to the 60’s. I do not even remember my mom having a range with grids like those. The house does not date back that far, but I think the previous owners found the oldest appliances they could to put in for the sale. Oh well, my shiny new appliances arrive tomorrow.
I can hardly wait! I did not realize how much I relied on my dishwasher, microwave and washer. With my son and granddaughter here – we use a mountain of dishes and a mountain of towels. The washer is going to be very busy tomorrow night!!!
Now, my granddaughter and I are going to roll up the rug I have down in the family room – with two dogs bringing in small bushes and trees – a rug is just not practical. Besides I have to keep moving the chairs further and further from the bookcases to keep the dogs from getting into the living room and the new furniture. While I was sick they forgot some of their house training and I want to retrain them before they have the run of the house – but they do have the run of the family room and the yard – and they are in seventh heaven!
Angel – my very misnamed dog – will start to bark and when I yell and tell her to stop – she does this little quiet “woof” --- “woof” --- “woof”. Reminds me of when I was a child – my mom would tell my sister and me that she did not want to hear another peep out of us as we were supposed to be going to bed. You know we had to say “peep” veeerrrrrrryyyyy quietly!!!
Rug moved to garage – family room back straitened up – trees and bushes swept up for now – dogs ecstatic.
Not much more unpacking for a few hours – have to leave to go to TNT – our Thursday night Bible study and fun night with the children at church. It is like having about thirty grandchildren for a couple of hours and then getting to send them home! I do crafts with them. Tonight we are ending until summer programs start – and we are making “A Cup of Hope”. One of the children suggested it – and it will be so easy. They decorate paper cups, use yarn to make a hanger and take their cup of hope or joy home for the summer. It should be a fun and quick activity – very good since they are practicing for their spring musical and we only have about 15 minutes of the evening for craft. The rest will be practice, meal and more practice.
Oh, before I end for the day – the garage door sage. Had to have a new garage door installed – that was expensive enough, but the opener s would not work – even the pad inside the garage would not work. And I could not remember the secret code. As I backed out of the driveway to make another Lowes run the day of the big garage door fix, the technician yelled at me to give him a secret code – I yelled one back and asked him to write it down until I could get it memorized. (I used different codes for everything – it really irritates my son!!! Hmmm-do you think that is why I do it? Nah! Just 35 years of security training on the job.) Well – he did not write it down – and I could not remember it. It is very secret.
Since the openers did not work, I called for help and they sent out a technician – he moved some stuff around, installed a new touchpad and said it was ok. It wasn’t! The remotes still worked only when they wanted to. So today I called for a technician – again – this is getting expensive. In the meantime, my son’s had rearranged some wires – I did not know this and paid this technician for another call to prove that I was nuts. The remotes were working fine. I did have him reset the number on the keypad though – to one I know and can remember! Hopefully that little tale of moving is over for good. Now to get all the boxes out of the garage so I can get the car into the garage. As it gets hotter and hotter every day here in Nevada, it would be nice to get back into the car and be able to breathe.
My granddaughter is unpacking books, bless her heart!!!! She told me to advertise the rug on craigslist – I think of myself as computer literate, but I cannot figure out craigslist – I tried this morning for about thirty minutes to post an ad to GIVE AWAY all my packing boxes to anyone here in the area who needs them – all they would have to do is pick them up. Well I could not figure it out – as Scarlett used to say – It will have to wait until tomorrow. Well she said something like that anyway. And if you do not know who Scarlett is, you are not old enough to be reading this.
Actually I would get more done if it were not for all the running I do - – run to WALMART, run to Lowes, run and get curtains because the solar screens do NOT block out visions at night – visions I would rather no one had – LOL. Run to get rugs for the bathroom so I do not slip and fall and break my neck – run to get something to eat because I am too tired to cook.
15 May – well yesterday was exciting – got my new appliances. They make my kitchen look like a Real kitchen – the installers kinked the hose to the ice maker – but Joe got it unkinked and we have cold water and will soon have ice. Ran to the post office to make sure rebate forms postmarked on time - after making copies of 16 gazillions pages of paper - and running to Home Depot to get a copy of my sales slip. Page three had disappearred. Had to go get groceries this morning – I did not want to move groceries so I tried to get down to the bare necessities – and I gave a bunch to the food bank – but I did a better job of getting down to bare necessities than I planned – I was down to Old Mother Hubbard’s cupboard. Today I am making chicken and noodles – homemade – and I think I will pick up some corn on the cob when I go to the grocery to get Dylan’s chicken that I forgot. I love my new appliances – my washer and dryer are bright red and the kitchen is all black appliance with white tile counters and floors – looks great.
Got a few boxes unpacked today – mirror is hung in den – which is also guest room and at moment granddaughter’s room. I can remember back in the good old days – when I was younger – much younger – I would work all day and come home at night and unpack until midnight – usually had the house all settled within a week – maybe week and a weekend. Now – I will be lucky to have it done by Memorial Day – and my granddaughter has helped me a lot. Of course I have had to move around the kitchen a bit, but there is no way another “woman” can arrange a kitchen – just cannot be done. She has done pretty well though – only had a few things to move around. Still have not found my measuring cups though – oh well my calibrated measuring hand works pretty well – for solids. Not so well for liquids – they leak right out.
Found page 3 - granddaughter's cat had moved it - behind the file cabinet! I may wring that cat's neck yet. I am allergic to cats - but how do you tell a granddaughter she has to take her cat to the shelter - so the cat is here and I am taking allergy pills. LOL.
Chapter 3 will be coming up soon.
Let me tell you about the insurance thing – something to maybe even watch out for although I will give my loan officer the benefit of the doubt. My loan officer showed me a quote from an insurance company which I had never heard of – this was early in the loan process and I suggested he hold up as I was intending to stay with my insurance company – State Farm. LO said “But they are more expensive.” I said, “But I have heard of them and I know how well they respond to claims. And they have agents everywhere – not a faxed estimate from somewhere in CA.”
So I thought it was settled – I would have SF as my insurance company. A few days before we closed, I called my SF agent, Nate, to ask why I did not have a policy yet. He was very surprised to hear that I had insurance since he had not written anything. Come to find out – a clerical mistake was made at the bank and I had insurance with this strange company no one had ever heard of – well no one except the loan officers in Nevada and California which are the only two states the company is licensed in. Oh well – this was the day before closing so there was no way I was going to rock the boat. Nate and I decided to just leave it until after closing and then he would write me a policy and I could cancel the other insurance.
Getting a policy from Nate was easy. Getting the other policy canceled and a refund – not so easy. First the woman who answered the phone was probably the nastiest human I have ever talked to on a phone – just plain mean sounding. Scary! Demanded that to get a refund I would have to send a certified copy of the back and front of the payment check. Since the payment was made from closing funds that was something I had no access to. Then demanded a copy of my policy from State Farm – why I don’t know but they could not cancel unless they saw that. Finally I threw myself on the loan officer’s mercy. He was somewhat insulted but I managed to calm his ruffled feathers – and he faxed the letter and the copy of my insurance binder. So hopefully, in about ten days, I should have a check from the insurance company. I am NOT holding my breath however.
14 May – today I had to get blood drawn. You know, I did not realize that turning 65 meant I had to give more blood than I have every few months. Oh well – it sure beats the alternative and I guess I am glad my doctors are making themselves – and more importantly me – aware of any health issues so I can control them. I have lots of stuff to do – AFTER I get all these boxes unpacked.
After the blood draw – I THOUGHT I was going to unpack, but I had to fill out all the rebate forms for my new appliances. WOW! They really do not want to give that money away. I have to have all sorts of proofs – proof that I purchased the “right” appliances, proof that they were delivered and installed, proof that the old stuff was taken away and will never be used again. That last part is a given since I am pretty sure the appliances in this house date back to the 60’s. I do not even remember my mom having a range with grids like those. The house does not date back that far, but I think the previous owners found the oldest appliances they could to put in for the sale. Oh well, my shiny new appliances arrive tomorrow.
I can hardly wait! I did not realize how much I relied on my dishwasher, microwave and washer. With my son and granddaughter here – we use a mountain of dishes and a mountain of towels. The washer is going to be very busy tomorrow night!!!
Now, my granddaughter and I are going to roll up the rug I have down in the family room – with two dogs bringing in small bushes and trees – a rug is just not practical. Besides I have to keep moving the chairs further and further from the bookcases to keep the dogs from getting into the living room and the new furniture. While I was sick they forgot some of their house training and I want to retrain them before they have the run of the house – but they do have the run of the family room and the yard – and they are in seventh heaven!
Angel – my very misnamed dog – will start to bark and when I yell and tell her to stop – she does this little quiet “woof” --- “woof” --- “woof”. Reminds me of when I was a child – my mom would tell my sister and me that she did not want to hear another peep out of us as we were supposed to be going to bed. You know we had to say “peep” veeerrrrrrryyyyy quietly!!!
Rug moved to garage – family room back straitened up – trees and bushes swept up for now – dogs ecstatic.
Not much more unpacking for a few hours – have to leave to go to TNT – our Thursday night Bible study and fun night with the children at church. It is like having about thirty grandchildren for a couple of hours and then getting to send them home! I do crafts with them. Tonight we are ending until summer programs start – and we are making “A Cup of Hope”. One of the children suggested it – and it will be so easy. They decorate paper cups, use yarn to make a hanger and take their cup of hope or joy home for the summer. It should be a fun and quick activity – very good since they are practicing for their spring musical and we only have about 15 minutes of the evening for craft. The rest will be practice, meal and more practice.
Oh, before I end for the day – the garage door sage. Had to have a new garage door installed – that was expensive enough, but the opener s would not work – even the pad inside the garage would not work. And I could not remember the secret code. As I backed out of the driveway to make another Lowes run the day of the big garage door fix, the technician yelled at me to give him a secret code – I yelled one back and asked him to write it down until I could get it memorized. (I used different codes for everything – it really irritates my son!!! Hmmm-do you think that is why I do it? Nah! Just 35 years of security training on the job.) Well – he did not write it down – and I could not remember it. It is very secret.
Since the openers did not work, I called for help and they sent out a technician – he moved some stuff around, installed a new touchpad and said it was ok. It wasn’t! The remotes still worked only when they wanted to. So today I called for a technician – again – this is getting expensive. In the meantime, my son’s had rearranged some wires – I did not know this and paid this technician for another call to prove that I was nuts. The remotes were working fine. I did have him reset the number on the keypad though – to one I know and can remember! Hopefully that little tale of moving is over for good. Now to get all the boxes out of the garage so I can get the car into the garage. As it gets hotter and hotter every day here in Nevada, it would be nice to get back into the car and be able to breathe.
My granddaughter is unpacking books, bless her heart!!!! She told me to advertise the rug on craigslist – I think of myself as computer literate, but I cannot figure out craigslist – I tried this morning for about thirty minutes to post an ad to GIVE AWAY all my packing boxes to anyone here in the area who needs them – all they would have to do is pick them up. Well I could not figure it out – as Scarlett used to say – It will have to wait until tomorrow. Well she said something like that anyway. And if you do not know who Scarlett is, you are not old enough to be reading this.
Actually I would get more done if it were not for all the running I do - – run to WALMART, run to Lowes, run and get curtains because the solar screens do NOT block out visions at night – visions I would rather no one had – LOL. Run to get rugs for the bathroom so I do not slip and fall and break my neck – run to get something to eat because I am too tired to cook.
15 May – well yesterday was exciting – got my new appliances. They make my kitchen look like a Real kitchen – the installers kinked the hose to the ice maker – but Joe got it unkinked and we have cold water and will soon have ice. Ran to the post office to make sure rebate forms postmarked on time - after making copies of 16 gazillions pages of paper - and running to Home Depot to get a copy of my sales slip. Page three had disappearred. Had to go get groceries this morning – I did not want to move groceries so I tried to get down to the bare necessities – and I gave a bunch to the food bank – but I did a better job of getting down to bare necessities than I planned – I was down to Old Mother Hubbard’s cupboard. Today I am making chicken and noodles – homemade – and I think I will pick up some corn on the cob when I go to the grocery to get Dylan’s chicken that I forgot. I love my new appliances – my washer and dryer are bright red and the kitchen is all black appliance with white tile counters and floors – looks great.
Got a few boxes unpacked today – mirror is hung in den – which is also guest room and at moment granddaughter’s room. I can remember back in the good old days – when I was younger – much younger – I would work all day and come home at night and unpack until midnight – usually had the house all settled within a week – maybe week and a weekend. Now – I will be lucky to have it done by Memorial Day – and my granddaughter has helped me a lot. Of course I have had to move around the kitchen a bit, but there is no way another “woman” can arrange a kitchen – just cannot be done. She has done pretty well though – only had a few things to move around. Still have not found my measuring cups though – oh well my calibrated measuring hand works pretty well – for solids. Not so well for liquids – they leak right out.
Found page 3 - granddaughter's cat had moved it - behind the file cabinet! I may wring that cat's neck yet. I am allergic to cats - but how do you tell a granddaughter she has to take her cat to the shelter - so the cat is here and I am taking allergy pills. LOL.
Chapter 3 will be coming up soon.
1 May through 6 May - In the house!!!! Cleaned, scraped old caulk off tub, cleaned some more. Apparently, my idea of clean is not the same as the cleaning team’s idea of clean. Headed for Lowes on Sat for the first of many, many, many trips. Joe (oldest son) painted one wall in my new bedroom a dark mauve. It is going to look great when I get settled. Going to house in mornings and back to apartment to pack in afternoons. Running back and forth to Lowes. Am never going to be packed in time, but I do have all my china and crystal packed. Have called a mover to do the heavy stuff and they will come on Sat, 8 May.
Friday afternoon – Joe is putting up ceiling fans and I am running back and forth to Lowes to get needed “stuff”. Plumber and electrician are finished. Moving company called and said they will arrive on Sat at about 6:00 A.M. Movers said not to worry – if there is packing not done they will finish it. I know I will be packing until they snatch stuff out of my hands to load it on the truck. We have been carrying stuff from the garage and clothing every day from the apartment to the house.
May 7 – about 4:30 a.m. I am up and trying to be quiet about packing. My son and granddaughter are staying with me and I don’t want to wake them. Finally they get up at five. Then I start packing again – movers arrive at about 6:15 ready to roll. They want to go over charges with me – it seems their original estimate was for three hours. Good grief – even I know you cannot load a moving truck, drive to the new location and unload it in three hours. Especially with packing and taking furniture and beds apart.
By noon the house is more or less empty. There is still some stuff, but we will get that early next week. The movers arrived at the house and I told them that Joe and Rob can do the assembly of furniture – just had them carry stuff in – and put all the boxes in the garage. There will be no cars in the garage for quite some time!!!! The movers finished about 2:00 p.m. We were all exhausted but we did dig out some of the necessary things like coffeepot and coffee. Joe and Rob put beds together and Joirdana and I made them. Went on a take out Chinese run – we all crashed early.
Forgot to add that last Friday my new living room furniture and the patio furniture were delivered – got good buys on everything as the store was having 50% off sales. Stores are doing all sorts of creative things to get people to come in the door. My old living room furniture had seen better days – but since it is still sound in structure. I will call Goodwill and see if they want to pick it up. They will have quite a load as I have been sorting as I pack – if I have not used something in the two years I have been here, it is going to either Goodwill or one of the many shelters in Clark County.
8 May – Mother’s Day. Came home after church to find that Joirdana, bless her heart, had unpacked most of my kitchen and put it all away. There must be more of me in her than I think. I only had to move one or two things around and the kitchen is mostly done. YAY! I hate to shop on Sundays but after church I made a quick stop at Burlington Coat Factory to try to find some curtains. Although I had solar screens put on all windows, and that keeps out gazers in the daytime – they do not block gazing at night. Had to get curtains for my bedroom and bathroom. Joe and Joirdana went to apartment and got drapes from my old bedroom. They work great in the living room here. Joirdana even read my mind and brought back the shower curtain from the old master bath to cover the window here. I will only have to do a little “remodeling” of the curtain – and the old shower curtain will become new curtains. Still cannot find any for my bedroom or the kitchen – have really trashed mini-blinds on most of the windows – but my bedroom is a priority. We do have a temporary fix working. Am exhausted.
Joe is grilling dinner for my Mother’s Day gift. Perfect gift! If I had to cook tonight, they would all be eating cereal. Cannot remember being this tired in all my other moves. Of course all those moves were made when I was much younger and had not just gotten out of hospital. This stupid Crohn’s disease tries to whip me every so often. It makes me tired, but I have no intention of allowing it to rule my life.
9 May – Monday. Went to Lowes a couple of times. Had to take some stuff back and get some other stuff. We put a gate up so the dogs have lots of space to roam in the family room – and they can get out into the yard anytime they want. BUT Maxi is skinny enough, she squeezed right through the bars. Angel figured out how to get out too. So Joe had to so a bit of jerry-rigging. The gate is secure now. The fur kids are loving their yard!
Unpacked what seems to be a gazillion boxes, but the garage still looks full. The water softener installer arrived before seven a.m. I barely had clothes on! So I had to move boxes in the garage so he could get through. Cable guy showed up at about nine so we are back online.
Joe and Joirdana got the shrunk put together so tomorrow I can start putting away china and crystal assuming I can find the right boxes.
Bedtime at 9 – read a little and then zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
10 May – still unpacking but have to go to bank and sign letter so the insurance can get transferred to the right company. That is a whole “nuther” story and I will tell it later. In the meantime I am putting stuff away – have to rest a bit today though. I do makeovers for the women in shelters on the second Tuesday of each month.
Friday afternoon – Joe is putting up ceiling fans and I am running back and forth to Lowes to get needed “stuff”. Plumber and electrician are finished. Moving company called and said they will arrive on Sat at about 6:00 A.M. Movers said not to worry – if there is packing not done they will finish it. I know I will be packing until they snatch stuff out of my hands to load it on the truck. We have been carrying stuff from the garage and clothing every day from the apartment to the house.
May 7 – about 4:30 a.m. I am up and trying to be quiet about packing. My son and granddaughter are staying with me and I don’t want to wake them. Finally they get up at five. Then I start packing again – movers arrive at about 6:15 ready to roll. They want to go over charges with me – it seems their original estimate was for three hours. Good grief – even I know you cannot load a moving truck, drive to the new location and unload it in three hours. Especially with packing and taking furniture and beds apart.
By noon the house is more or less empty. There is still some stuff, but we will get that early next week. The movers arrived at the house and I told them that Joe and Rob can do the assembly of furniture – just had them carry stuff in – and put all the boxes in the garage. There will be no cars in the garage for quite some time!!!! The movers finished about 2:00 p.m. We were all exhausted but we did dig out some of the necessary things like coffeepot and coffee. Joe and Rob put beds together and Joirdana and I made them. Went on a take out Chinese run – we all crashed early.
Forgot to add that last Friday my new living room furniture and the patio furniture were delivered – got good buys on everything as the store was having 50% off sales. Stores are doing all sorts of creative things to get people to come in the door. My old living room furniture had seen better days – but since it is still sound in structure. I will call Goodwill and see if they want to pick it up. They will have quite a load as I have been sorting as I pack – if I have not used something in the two years I have been here, it is going to either Goodwill or one of the many shelters in Clark County.
8 May – Mother’s Day. Came home after church to find that Joirdana, bless her heart, had unpacked most of my kitchen and put it all away. There must be more of me in her than I think. I only had to move one or two things around and the kitchen is mostly done. YAY! I hate to shop on Sundays but after church I made a quick stop at Burlington Coat Factory to try to find some curtains. Although I had solar screens put on all windows, and that keeps out gazers in the daytime – they do not block gazing at night. Had to get curtains for my bedroom and bathroom. Joe and Joirdana went to apartment and got drapes from my old bedroom. They work great in the living room here. Joirdana even read my mind and brought back the shower curtain from the old master bath to cover the window here. I will only have to do a little “remodeling” of the curtain – and the old shower curtain will become new curtains. Still cannot find any for my bedroom or the kitchen – have really trashed mini-blinds on most of the windows – but my bedroom is a priority. We do have a temporary fix working. Am exhausted.
Joe is grilling dinner for my Mother’s Day gift. Perfect gift! If I had to cook tonight, they would all be eating cereal. Cannot remember being this tired in all my other moves. Of course all those moves were made when I was much younger and had not just gotten out of hospital. This stupid Crohn’s disease tries to whip me every so often. It makes me tired, but I have no intention of allowing it to rule my life.
9 May – Monday. Went to Lowes a couple of times. Had to take some stuff back and get some other stuff. We put a gate up so the dogs have lots of space to roam in the family room – and they can get out into the yard anytime they want. BUT Maxi is skinny enough, she squeezed right through the bars. Angel figured out how to get out too. So Joe had to so a bit of jerry-rigging. The gate is secure now. The fur kids are loving their yard!
Unpacked what seems to be a gazillion boxes, but the garage still looks full. The water softener installer arrived before seven a.m. I barely had clothes on! So I had to move boxes in the garage so he could get through. Cable guy showed up at about nine so we are back online.
Joe and Joirdana got the shrunk put together so tomorrow I can start putting away china and crystal assuming I can find the right boxes.
Bedtime at 9 – read a little and then zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
10 May – still unpacking but have to go to bank and sign letter so the insurance can get transferred to the right company. That is a whole “nuther” story and I will tell it later. In the meantime I am putting stuff away – have to rest a bit today though. I do makeovers for the women in shelters on the second Tuesday of each month.
24 March – Tricia got the inspector out and we went to meet him. There are some things wrong with the house but nothing that is a deal breaker. Will have to replace the garage door – not sure why or how but some of the panels are broken and it will not open. There are some plumbing and electrical issues – all together I am probably looking at about $5000 worth of work – but the price on the house is good and if we get closed in time – the sellers will pay almost that much in closing costs for me so I will be able to get it all done. And I still like the house.
Sometime in early April – about twelve days after we accepted the offer. The appraisal is done and it came in $5000 less than the asking price. Now we have to negotiate with those pesky folks at Fannie Mae (they own the house because it is a foreclosure) and hope they will negotiate. Tricia sent them the information. Now we get to wait and wait and wait again.
A few days later – Finally the sellers have answered. They no longer want to pay closing costs because of the lower price. Tricia is still negotiating – this will be a deal breaker because with all the work the house needs, I will need the closing cost money to do repairs.
A day or two later – well FINALLY we have an answer and it works well. Did lose one or two concessions. They will still pay closing costs but only up to 3% of the loan amount. I can live with that. However, the deal is that the house MUST close by end of the day on April 30 or they will not pay closing costs.
WOW – and April 30 is only two weeks away. Getting all the documents done and signed in time will be a miracle.
28 April – Tricia called. We will do the final walkthrough to make sure everything is ok tomorrow morning and then at 11:00 I will sign my life away – signing the documents. This is a new way for me because in the past I actually signed everything on the day I got the keys. However, I will have keys by close of business Friday (the 30th)
29 April – did final walkthrough. A few things different – seller must have had someone come and do some maintenance and they had a cleaning team in. Signed my name so many times I have writer’s cramp.
30 April – Closing. I waited all day for Tricia to call and tell me to meet her at the house to get keys. I have locksmith coming early Sat to change locks. Also have garage door company and electrical/plumbing folks coming to give estimates. Am packing more just to keep from going nuts. I am not a good waiter. Finally at about 4:30 she called – I had my keys before five. YAY! I have a house. Now all I have to do it get the repairs done, move in, unpack and then relax.
Sometime in early April – about twelve days after we accepted the offer. The appraisal is done and it came in $5000 less than the asking price. Now we have to negotiate with those pesky folks at Fannie Mae (they own the house because it is a foreclosure) and hope they will negotiate. Tricia sent them the information. Now we get to wait and wait and wait again.
A few days later – Finally the sellers have answered. They no longer want to pay closing costs because of the lower price. Tricia is still negotiating – this will be a deal breaker because with all the work the house needs, I will need the closing cost money to do repairs.
A day or two later – well FINALLY we have an answer and it works well. Did lose one or two concessions. They will still pay closing costs but only up to 3% of the loan amount. I can live with that. However, the deal is that the house MUST close by end of the day on April 30 or they will not pay closing costs.
WOW – and April 30 is only two weeks away. Getting all the documents done and signed in time will be a miracle.
28 April – Tricia called. We will do the final walkthrough to make sure everything is ok tomorrow morning and then at 11:00 I will sign my life away – signing the documents. This is a new way for me because in the past I actually signed everything on the day I got the keys. However, I will have keys by close of business Friday (the 30th)
29 April – did final walkthrough. A few things different – seller must have had someone come and do some maintenance and they had a cleaning team in. Signed my name so many times I have writer’s cramp.
30 April – Closing. I waited all day for Tricia to call and tell me to meet her at the house to get keys. I have locksmith coming early Sat to change locks. Also have garage door company and electrical/plumbing folks coming to give estimates. Am packing more just to keep from going nuts. I am not a good waiter. Finally at about 4:30 she called – I had my keys before five. YAY! I have a house. Now all I have to do it get the repairs done, move in, unpack and then relax.
22 March – (Late in the evening) Tricia has emailed me nine possible houses. I am not sure she sleeps. I went through the listings and they all sounded ok. Trish set up a date to look on Friday at ten, so I called my friend Diana to see if she wanted to house hunt with me and off we went.
The list Trish sent has some real possibilities. One is on Appian Way and I thought “How cool is that! I walked on Appian Way a long time ago – the one in Rome. It would be fun to say I live on Appian Way.”
26 March - We went through all nine houses – oh my. House number was next to a house that looked like perhaps the family ran a car repair service and they had a huge pit bull that did not look friendly at all. We could see him very well since the fence was chain link and cobbled up with a second layer to supposedly keep the dog in. I could not see putting my fur babies in that backyard for a minute. Number 2 was not in bad shape but it was little and dark. I do not remember much about numbers 3 and 4. Number 5 had beautiful big windows, but it was not possible to see how much light they let in because they had been all broken out and were boarded up. There were also parts of the cabinets missing and the bathroom wall had prints of a fist through it. Number 6 and 7 had holes kicked in the walls, a couple of doors kicked in, mold climbing up a closet wall and one of them had what looked like motor oil poured all over the living room carpet. I sighed! This was not fun anymore.
Then we went to number 8 and it was a possibility. I did not really like the kitchen, even though it was ultra modern with all the bells and whistles. Strangely, it had an extra room that was not listed on the description. The yard was not huge, but it was fenced well. It actually went on the list as a possible.
There was an extra house on the list because it had only come on the market and Trish wanted me to see it. However, the key would not work so all we saw was the outside and the yard, both of which were nice. Oh well.
Then we finally got to the one on Appian Way. I fell in love. The kitchen is nice and open although it is older and all the appliances have to go. But the house is open from kitchen to family room, to dining living room. It is fits me very well. The yard is huge and although the previous owner had been changing over to desert landscaping the watering system is still there so grass is a possibility. Not a lot of grass, just a little patch for little furry feet. Ok, for bigger feet that are not so furry too. So I made an offer.
Because I wanted the house, I offered the asking price, but we also asked that the seller pay closing costs. It was late Friday afternoon, and with bank owned homes, the bank has all the time in the world to reply.
I waited and waited and waited. Finally, on Tuesday afternoon, Trish called to say they had taken my offer but would only pay only closing costs up to 3.5% of the house price. We accepted that offer and sent the paperwork back to them. A quick day later we had an acceptance and then the race and the wait began. We had ten days to get an inspector out to look at the house and to cancel the loan if there was anything major wrong with the house. We had fourteen days to get an appraisal and cancel the loan if the house came in under price. BUT we did have a signed contract and it was before 30 April. So now it was just play the waiting game.
The list Trish sent has some real possibilities. One is on Appian Way and I thought “How cool is that! I walked on Appian Way a long time ago – the one in Rome. It would be fun to say I live on Appian Way.”
26 March - We went through all nine houses – oh my. House number was next to a house that looked like perhaps the family ran a car repair service and they had a huge pit bull that did not look friendly at all. We could see him very well since the fence was chain link and cobbled up with a second layer to supposedly keep the dog in. I could not see putting my fur babies in that backyard for a minute. Number 2 was not in bad shape but it was little and dark. I do not remember much about numbers 3 and 4. Number 5 had beautiful big windows, but it was not possible to see how much light they let in because they had been all broken out and were boarded up. There were also parts of the cabinets missing and the bathroom wall had prints of a fist through it. Number 6 and 7 had holes kicked in the walls, a couple of doors kicked in, mold climbing up a closet wall and one of them had what looked like motor oil poured all over the living room carpet. I sighed! This was not fun anymore.
Then we went to number 8 and it was a possibility. I did not really like the kitchen, even though it was ultra modern with all the bells and whistles. Strangely, it had an extra room that was not listed on the description. The yard was not huge, but it was fenced well. It actually went on the list as a possible.
There was an extra house on the list because it had only come on the market and Trish wanted me to see it. However, the key would not work so all we saw was the outside and the yard, both of which were nice. Oh well.
Then we finally got to the one on Appian Way. I fell in love. The kitchen is nice and open although it is older and all the appliances have to go. But the house is open from kitchen to family room, to dining living room. It is fits me very well. The yard is huge and although the previous owner had been changing over to desert landscaping the watering system is still there so grass is a possibility. Not a lot of grass, just a little patch for little furry feet. Ok, for bigger feet that are not so furry too. So I made an offer.
Because I wanted the house, I offered the asking price, but we also asked that the seller pay closing costs. It was late Friday afternoon, and with bank owned homes, the bank has all the time in the world to reply.
I waited and waited and waited. Finally, on Tuesday afternoon, Trish called to say they had taken my offer but would only pay only closing costs up to 3.5% of the house price. We accepted that offer and sent the paperwork back to them. A quick day later we had an acceptance and then the race and the wait began. We had ten days to get an inspector out to look at the house and to cancel the loan if there was anything major wrong with the house. We had fourteen days to get an appraisal and cancel the loan if the house came in under price. BUT we did have a signed contract and it was before 30 April. So now it was just play the waiting game.
18 March – House hunting begins at 9:00 A.M.
It is many hours later – and here is a summary of the six houses I looked at today. Four of them were in one of the supposedly “better” neighborhoods in Henderson. Oh, my! If that is the way the better people take care of their homes – we are in trouble. Of course I had been reading that those who lost their homes to foreclosure were taking much of the home with them – but deliberately damaging a house so it will not sell is unreal to me. There was only one that was a distant – very distant – if there was nothing else anywhere in Nevada distant – possibility. The others either were missing things like kitchen cabinets, bathroom fixtures, carpets, and other vital parts of a house – or there was such a lack of maintenance it would have cost a fortune to fix them. One was on the backside of a huge apartment complex – not a fancy one – just lots and lots of apartments. I live in an apartment complex and I am trying to get out of it. I do not want to pay a couple of hundred thousand just to get back into that same atmosphere.
Then we went to a part of Henderson known as “old Henderson”. I was not planning on looking there because getting to where my children and grandchildren live would be more difficult. However, there were two houses that my realtor wanted me to see – and I had also picked them from the listing. One had amazing stonework inside and a pool with waterfalls and all sorts of fancy rockwork in the backyard. The rockwork inside covered the walls in the family room and the hall and it was a bit much, although one wall in the hallway was a floor to ceiling fountain. It was a little higher priced then I wanted, but it was pretty and I knew the grands would like the pool.
Then we went to the final one of the day. I loved it. It had an amazing kitchen and was laid out in the open floor plan I like. It was also on a corner lot which is always nice. BUT! By the time my realtor got back to the office and made an offer, another buyer had come in with a cash offer so I lost that one.
So I went back to number two and made an offer on the one with the pool – I was not in love with that one, but I thought I could live there and the grandchildren would love the pool. This time, I was outbid by someone who wanted it badly enough to go over the asking price. I had never heard of going over the asking price. So I was back at step one, looking at houses again.
19 March – looked at about 5 houses – some damaged so badly I could not even believe they were on the market. We gave up for the day early as there were no more on the list. Tricia, my realtor, went back to the office to cull the lists and find some more and we would look again on Monday.
It is many hours later – and here is a summary of the six houses I looked at today. Four of them were in one of the supposedly “better” neighborhoods in Henderson. Oh, my! If that is the way the better people take care of their homes – we are in trouble. Of course I had been reading that those who lost their homes to foreclosure were taking much of the home with them – but deliberately damaging a house so it will not sell is unreal to me. There was only one that was a distant – very distant – if there was nothing else anywhere in Nevada distant – possibility. The others either were missing things like kitchen cabinets, bathroom fixtures, carpets, and other vital parts of a house – or there was such a lack of maintenance it would have cost a fortune to fix them. One was on the backside of a huge apartment complex – not a fancy one – just lots and lots of apartments. I live in an apartment complex and I am trying to get out of it. I do not want to pay a couple of hundred thousand just to get back into that same atmosphere.
Then we went to a part of Henderson known as “old Henderson”. I was not planning on looking there because getting to where my children and grandchildren live would be more difficult. However, there were two houses that my realtor wanted me to see – and I had also picked them from the listing. One had amazing stonework inside and a pool with waterfalls and all sorts of fancy rockwork in the backyard. The rockwork inside covered the walls in the family room and the hall and it was a bit much, although one wall in the hallway was a floor to ceiling fountain. It was a little higher priced then I wanted, but it was pretty and I knew the grands would like the pool.
Then we went to the final one of the day. I loved it. It had an amazing kitchen and was laid out in the open floor plan I like. It was also on a corner lot which is always nice. BUT! By the time my realtor got back to the office and made an offer, another buyer had come in with a cash offer so I lost that one.
So I went back to number two and made an offer on the one with the pool – I was not in love with that one, but I thought I could live there and the grandchildren would love the pool. This time, I was outbid by someone who wanted it badly enough to go over the asking price. I had never heard of going over the asking price. So I was back at step one, looking at houses again.
19 March – looked at about 5 houses – some damaged so badly I could not even believe they were on the market. We gave up for the day early as there were no more on the list. Tricia, my realtor, went back to the office to cull the lists and find some more and we would look again on Monday.
28 Feb – still not driving. It is getting so tiring to have Joe have to carry me everywhere. He does not mind, but I want my driving privileges back. Besides I need to get on this house hunting – if I can find something and get a contract before the end of April – I am eligible for one of the tax breaks – and at 65 and retired, that would be nice. I am getting stronger everyday and am going to try to drive by this coming weekend.
4 March – FINALLY! I have wheels! Today Joe had an emergency at home, so I got to drive for the first time.
11 March – Went to the bank to get started on the pre-approval on the housing loan. The loan officer was not in, but his secretary told me how to get everything started online. The process did not go exceptionally well due to a glitch in the operator – that would be me – and I had to call for help, but finally I had an application started. I have an appointment with Michael, the loan officer, on Tuesday at the bank. It is amazing to think about the differences in this home buying process and my first one. There certainly was no internet to start the paperwork process.
16 March – Went in to see the loan officer, Michael. The only glitch in the whole process was his sort of gasp when Joe walked up. He was riding his Harley so he was all decked out in leathers and his “headgear” and with his beard – he does look a bit tough – all 6’6” of him. When he walked up behind me and touched my shoulder, – and I looked up and said “Oh, hi.” Michael said “Whew, I was hoping he was someone you knew.” Gave me my laugh for the day. And we old folks think we had pre-conceived notions!
Michael asked me why I was nervous. I told him I was tense about getting the loan. He said, “Oh you have the loan approval. We are just deciding how much you need now.” WOW! I can remember loan approvals, even on the last house I bought ten years ago in Texas, taking days and in the distant past, even weeks. And I had approval before I even got to the bank, just from the internet.
Michael put me in touch with a realtor and also set me up with an internet housing guide that gives me photos and descriptions of houses that meet my personal guidelines – price range, area I want to live in, nothing in the foreclosure or short sale process (those take months and months and I need to be out of my apartment before my lease is up on May 31), 3 bedrooms, 2 bath, garage and fenced or better yet walled backyard – the fur kids need a play area. There were dozens, and while I waited to get a realtor, I started looking. Michael did give me information on a realtor he knew and she was going to get in touch with me.
4 March – FINALLY! I have wheels! Today Joe had an emergency at home, so I got to drive for the first time.
11 March – Went to the bank to get started on the pre-approval on the housing loan. The loan officer was not in, but his secretary told me how to get everything started online. The process did not go exceptionally well due to a glitch in the operator – that would be me – and I had to call for help, but finally I had an application started. I have an appointment with Michael, the loan officer, on Tuesday at the bank. It is amazing to think about the differences in this home buying process and my first one. There certainly was no internet to start the paperwork process.
16 March – Went in to see the loan officer, Michael. The only glitch in the whole process was his sort of gasp when Joe walked up. He was riding his Harley so he was all decked out in leathers and his “headgear” and with his beard – he does look a bit tough – all 6’6” of him. When he walked up behind me and touched my shoulder, – and I looked up and said “Oh, hi.” Michael said “Whew, I was hoping he was someone you knew.” Gave me my laugh for the day. And we old folks think we had pre-conceived notions!
Michael asked me why I was nervous. I told him I was tense about getting the loan. He said, “Oh you have the loan approval. We are just deciding how much you need now.” WOW! I can remember loan approvals, even on the last house I bought ten years ago in Texas, taking days and in the distant past, even weeks. And I had approval before I even got to the bank, just from the internet.
Michael put me in touch with a realtor and also set me up with an internet housing guide that gives me photos and descriptions of houses that meet my personal guidelines – price range, area I want to live in, nothing in the foreclosure or short sale process (those take months and months and I need to be out of my apartment before my lease is up on May 31), 3 bedrooms, 2 bath, garage and fenced or better yet walled backyard – the fur kids need a play area. There were dozens, and while I waited to get a realtor, I started looking. Michael did give me information on a realtor he knew and she was going to get in touch with me.
Moving after 65 - a really crazy grandma's diary
Early January – have decided I have to move from the apartment. The dogs need a place to run – and it seems that every time I want something it is on the floor of this apartment that I am NOT on – which makes for lots of trips up and down. Have looked at a few houses for rent, but cannot really do a lot until it gets close to May – otherwise it will cost me a small fortune to get out of my lease.
22 Feb – WOW! Being sick sure changed a lot of things. One is my attitude about being in Nevada. I had a lot of WRONG thoughts about being here – maybe not so wrong but definitely crazy. For some reason I was fearful of being a burden on my kids so I thought maybe I should move back to Texas. Their care while I was so sick most of February showed me how crazy that was. So, now I am home, weak and deciding that instead of renting a house I am going to buy one. As soon as I am strong enough, I will go down to the bank and get pre-approved for a loan. Without pre-approval, realtors struggle with the idea of working with a client. After all, in the atmosphere of LV, where unemployment is rampant, why work with a client only to find they cannot get a loan.
Before I went into the hospital, I was looking for a house to rent. My two fur children – Angel, the most misnamed dog in the world, and Maxi (named for the cartoon Maxine because of her attitude) need a place to run. Living in an apartment with two very active little dogs is difficult – more for them than me – because they must be leashed to go out. There is no yard for them to play in. As I started getting better, and lay in that hospital bed thinking, I realized a lot of things. Besides the realization about my being here in Henderson for a reason, I started thinking that if I rent and the landlord does not pay his house payments, I will be facing moving maybe more than once or twice. Those were not good thoughts!
22 Feb – WOW! Being sick sure changed a lot of things. One is my attitude about being in Nevada. I had a lot of WRONG thoughts about being here – maybe not so wrong but definitely crazy. For some reason I was fearful of being a burden on my kids so I thought maybe I should move back to Texas. Their care while I was so sick most of February showed me how crazy that was. So, now I am home, weak and deciding that instead of renting a house I am going to buy one. As soon as I am strong enough, I will go down to the bank and get pre-approved for a loan. Without pre-approval, realtors struggle with the idea of working with a client. After all, in the atmosphere of LV, where unemployment is rampant, why work with a client only to find they cannot get a loan.
Before I went into the hospital, I was looking for a house to rent. My two fur children – Angel, the most misnamed dog in the world, and Maxi (named for the cartoon Maxine because of her attitude) need a place to run. Living in an apartment with two very active little dogs is difficult – more for them than me – because they must be leashed to go out. There is no yard for them to play in. As I started getting better, and lay in that hospital bed thinking, I realized a lot of things. Besides the realization about my being here in Henderson for a reason, I started thinking that if I rent and the landlord does not pay his house payments, I will be facing moving maybe more than once or twice. Those were not good thoughts!
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