Hey hey! We’re back!
Missing me yet?
So, here’s what happened: my vast web empire is all based on my friend Jann’s machine. Jann moved. And as we all know, moving is fraught with frustrations, one being the installation of internet service.
Remember a little while back when I was so elated about getting a new high speed connection, only to find out on the day of installation that I couldn’t get it? Well, that’s what happened with Jann. Then he got a cable modem only to discover that the cable company had blocked all the useful ports. So it’s been a delicate situation of late, because not only were my websites and email down, my friend Sara’s were down as well… and she needs that email to get gigs. And Jann has been graciously hosting my stuff for years, for free, so it’s not like I could really yell at him or anything.
Anyway, everything is running again and we’ll take away a few lessons from this — I’ll be working on a little redundancy once I move myself.
Speaking of moves: the last week has been hellacious, and I’ve not been able to vent to you about it. I’m working on getting my house ready to sell, and spending huge wodges of cash in the process. Well, credit at least.
I’m having new windows installed. New carpet is coming Saturday. And the moving van to California? It’ll set me back $3700. All in all, I’ve spent nearly $10,000 this week. But that expenditure is offset — thankfully — by the realization that my house will most likely sell for more than twice what I owe on it. The home values in this area are completely insane: a 600sq. ft. 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 1 floor condo around the corner has sold for over $300,000; I fully expect my 1,056 sq ft, 2 bedroom, 1-1/2 bath, 2 floor townhouse to fetch $400,000 or more. It’s scary, really, this contemplation of riches. (Of course, it still will only go so far in California, although the housing prices around San Jose seem to be comparable to here.)
I’ve been working like mad on the house, and I’m finally burned out. I’ve been painting every day, throwing away years worth of stuff (the trash men really hate me now). The house is still a wreck, and I despair of being finished tomorrow evening for the Saturday morning carpet. I’ve been doing it all myself, except for a beautiful new tile foyer which my Dad laid for me. Still, I wish I had a team of people helping me, it’s not easy to move furniture, paint walls and ceilings, and haul junk out to the curb all by myself. I’m exhausted and tired of doing it; I had planned on getting mostly finished today and took the day off to do so, but I find myself listlessly wandering around with spackle and masking tape and still haven’t taken the lid off the paint.
But time is running out. The house goes on the market next week. And the moving van comes in exactly 30 days. I haven’t found a home for my cats, I haven’t finished painting, and I can’t even begin to contemplate the cleaning and styling for a showing.
Help!
Welcome back!
And, btw, “wodge” is my new favorite word.
Gene, I know what you’re talking about. When I bought my little house 2 years ago, I thought I’d go insane with all the work, which I did with help–my fiance,our children and a few good friends, one of whom happens to be an electrician. And my best friend’s husband is a commercial contractor, so on went a new Elk roof and the whole house got tile. And a new kitchen with red oak cabinets. And French doors where the flimsy, ugly sliding glass door resided. We scraped off old wallpaper, put in new toilets and a tub, painted and painted some more. All this took almost 3 months. We felt like just pitching a tent at Home Depot and living there, but when we stepped back and realized how much we had accomplished, we were on cloud 9! And you will be too, when you sit on your chair with a glass of wine and look around at your very sellable home.
Good luck. And don’t forget to bake some cookies and have candles glowing when you show your house.
Love
katgirlsorryihaven’tbeenaroundlately
Welcome back.