Knee Deep in Water Chloe
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Post by Knee Deep in Water Chloe on Jun 22, 2021 9:49:07 GMT -5
Good morning! Guess what's on my list today? Ordering a porta-potty. There's a first time for everything, right?
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Sharon
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Post by Sharon on Jun 22, 2021 10:10:03 GMT -5
Good morning! Guess what's on my list today? Ordering a porta-potty. There's a first time for everything, right? I had a porta-potty in front of my house when they were doing the whole re-siding project. I was amazed at how much use it got by other people, various assorted delivery drivers, the garbage man, mail person, other trades people.
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Iggy aka IG
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Post by Iggy aka IG on Jun 22, 2021 12:46:08 GMT -5
Hope everyone is doing well. I loved reading about the organization and productivity these past few pages.
Our annual Solstice gathering (aka, DH's Not Birthday Party) went very well. In the future, I will remember to take the day off beforehand to get most of the preparation done, as it made a huge difference this year. DH's BBQ'd food was delicious, and I received positive feedback about my pasta salad and cupcakes. The latter were baked in the Traeger and turned out well. As the sun set, per my direction, the children handed out red, white, and blue glow sticks. Our adult brother neighbors put theirs on their dogs, and it was quite hilarious. The last of the guests left around 1:30 Sunday morning.
From the party, the tables and chairs have been put away, and the dishes finally caught up. I didn't get to the laundry, which I'll start tonight.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jun 22, 2021 16:08:47 GMT -5
Glad the party went well Iggy aka IG ! Knee Deep in Water Chloe I'm sure I'm not the only one wondering why you rented a porta-potty LOL! Can you enlighten us? Are you having your DD's wedding at home? startsmart I'm trying to imagine your pool ... could you please post a pic, or a link? I was offered another Job 2 Interview day next week. Thankfully I had scheduled the postponed Professor classes, so I could refuse. The new Staff student finally got back to me, we start next week. I'm doing more hours than planned next semester, story of my life. But I'm still doing fewer hours than last fall, and 1 less class (so less prep/marking). It's in my interest to accept the Staff/Faculty classes, because they're easy (no marking) and I can do them after I retire.
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Jun 22, 2021 22:43:07 GMT -5
Debthaven- check your messages!
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moneysquirrel
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Post by moneysquirrel on Jun 23, 2021 8:18:29 GMT -5
This busy week:Home Service Appointments -- Monday and TuesdayCar Insurance -- not sure which dayExercise class -- Wednesday Craft Retreat -- Thursday through Monday Zoom Meetings -- Wednesday and Sunday Grocery -- Perishables/Produce run -- Just Updating -- Also a stop at the dollar tree the other day. Always go in with the idea of one or two items and come out with a few more. All will be used but a few were not needed at this time. Needed to get out of the house so this was better than other things as I needed to do so sooner or later
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jun 23, 2021 14:51:27 GMT -5
You're forgiven moneysquirrel , since it was at the dollar store! I am THRILLED to be WFH tomorrow after three 12-hour days at Job 2!!! I can wake up at 8am instead of 6am!!! I'll be there again on Friday, and then it's the weekend. Only 3 days there next week. Catching up on laundry. The weather has turned and it's very chilly here. I'm also washing all the bedding since the kids haven't been home since Christmas. My cleaner has been a huge help! DS1/DDIL/E/Baby I move into their new house tomorrow! Unfortunately we still can't go without quarantining for 10 days. It looks like we won't see them till they arrive in mid-July.
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Jun 23, 2021 16:52:33 GMT -5
Tomorrow is going to be a big day. The Organizer is coming!!! I can't wait. I don't think the room can be cleaned out in 3 hours, but with her leading the way, maybe it can.
I've cleaned everything I can for the cleaners on Friday. Some things can't be done until the last minute--like wash dishes from breakfast and clean the cat box.
I just hope when the Organizer is done with the room tomorrow, I don't have a mess to clean up tomorrow evening.
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Jun 23, 2021 21:15:07 GMT -5
Today and tomorrow are big prep days for the electrical work on Friday. I have 2 rooms I need to clear out and I would like to start emptying the cellar which is full of junk.
I had a good time watering the garden tonight too. The wisteria is growing slowly up the fence, my hibiscus and hostas are looking good. I do need to anchor the raspberry bushes but not right now.
I also cut more lumber for garden boxes and it should be nice and windy these next few days which keeps the temps down. I have 12 more fence boards to cut and 12 more corner posts and then I’ll begin assembling more flower boxes. Maybe on Friday when my power will be on and off most of the day.
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bean29
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Post by bean29 on Jun 24, 2021 9:03:39 GMT -5
SS I am jealous of your construction abilities!
And Tax Pro-Good luck with the organizer tomorrow. I often think I just need someone to give me some direction. Congrats on the progress you have already made!
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jun 24, 2021 14:19:51 GMT -5
TheOtherMe how did it go with The Organizer?! The UK updated it's "green list" tonight. We were hoping for a miracle so we could leave for the UK tomorrow night. But France isn't on the updated "green list". The UK has also been talking about waiving quarantine for fully-vaccinated travellers. That didn't happen either. Last 12h day of the week tomorrow. No plans for this weekend since we had hoped to be able to go to the UK.
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Jun 24, 2021 17:08:53 GMT -5
The Organizer was worth every penny. The 2nd bedroom is cleared out of "stuff". She had me going through boxes of receipts, etc to separate for recycling and shredding. It was easy to make decisions when she would just ask stay or go. I found the article about my mom playing high school basketball which I had no idea of where it was. Found a box that I thought was receipts and it was half genealogy and has pay stubs from my paternal grandfather, who I never met. I did have one box of Hallmark ornaments from the early 2000's. I know they are worth some money but I also know my sister only uses Hallmark ornaments on her tree and the same for my niece. I made a quick call to her and she wants that box. So I made her happy with something. I am so happy I did this. I don't know why I'm so tired. I guess the emotion because they were definitely some things of my parents that I could not let go of. She had a mini van and it was full of donations and broken down boxes. The room is now useable. There is a chair in there that I haven't used since I moved here. It is so comfortable. I don't want my mom's sewing machine in a cabinet so I have to decide if I want to try to sell it on FB Marketplace or get my niece's husband to come haul it away. I'm not asking until after we go through the other room next month. I actually have hope that room can also be done in one day. I did not think this could happen in 3 hours. I do have a few more things to do before the cleaners come tomorrow. debthaven I'm sorry you can't go to the UK. So sorry. You know I'm in the same boat with going to Toronto. Border is closed until at least July 21.
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finnime
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Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a great battle.
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Post by finnime on Jun 24, 2021 17:27:07 GMT -5
You got so far with the organizer, TheOtherMe! That's great. Sorry about the continued border shutdown for both you and debthaven. I was so relieved when I was finally able to see my DS in NYC. This pandemic is a true hardship for personal relationships.
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Iggy aka IG
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Post by Iggy aka IG on Jun 24, 2021 17:28:44 GMT -5
TheOtherMe, a and for going through the process. It sounds like the organizer and you are a terrific match.
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Jun 24, 2021 18:22:18 GMT -5
I think it was harder than I realized. I am exhausted.
It was worth it and the room looks so nice.
Office room will be done in a month.
Probably garage after that
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Jun 24, 2021 18:54:03 GMT -5
What a day!
I have electricians coming tomorrow and they’d prefer to be paid in cash so I had to go to my bank which is 150 miles away. All of 10 miles into the journey I got a flat tire and had to call my tire place for a service call. The spare is full size and fine but I’ll need to buy new tires soon.
I am so tired and being on the road for so long is to blame. Tonight I need to clear out the laundry room for the electricians tomorrow.
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Jun 25, 2021 7:47:47 GMT -5
The house is ready for the cleaners.
The 2nd bedroom will get vacuumed today. It has a rocking chair in it that is quite comfortable. After it is vacuumed, I just may go sit there in the peace and quiet.
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Jun 25, 2021 9:35:11 GMT -5
We've already discovered more issues with the electrical and now my laundry room is missing a section of drywall 4' x 6' because some people (previous owners) don't know how to do electrical.
Let's just say that if I had installed the shelving already I might have electrocuted myself.
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snapdragon
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Post by snapdragon on Jun 25, 2021 10:44:09 GMT -5
startsmart - So glad you you found out about the electrical before a fire occurred. Also- Just with how far you are from a bank and the way it is where you moved to I would start to keep a small fund of cash on hand. I already do just so I don't have to go to the bank as often. Could you look into opening a account with a bank more local to where you are? Than you could do a transfer and not have to do a long drive to get money. Hugs to those who need them and congrats to those who have done anything helpful, productive or healthy. We are getting ready for our hottest temps EVER in the western PNW. I already have 3 fans and a ceiling fan going hoping that it wont be to unbearable. I really and looking forward to moving out of state and making sure that I have AC when I move. My big plan is to declutter some reading and attempt to stay coolish. I am checking on a neighbors cat until Monday and I already have the fans out and running along with extra water for her.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jun 25, 2021 12:22:08 GMT -5
Holy cow startsmart ! Glad you caught it in time! Yes you need to find a closer bank I think. FABULOUS progress TheOtherMe ! Like Iggy aka IG said, you and The Organizer seem like a great match! So you're doing one room per month? That's a good rhythm! Done with the first of two weeks of the Job 2 Orals. I do 3 days next week (instead of the 4 days I did this week), so I have a 3-day weekend.
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Post by empress of self-improvement on Jun 25, 2021 12:28:44 GMT -5
I'll be decluttering my sense of smell. One of the fosters, I think Ares, has decided he doesn't like the litterbox or something. The fact.that.he has't been neutured yet plays a huge part in it. That's next week. Like I told my handler, for lack of better word, it really doesn't faze me at all. I've had cats for 30 years or so and a husband with medical issues so I'm used to this. Just need to hit Home Depkt for some vinyl to throw down on the floor, get a shower curtain for the bed and then wash everything in the room, including the floors, walls and windows (just because).
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Jun 25, 2021 13:02:15 GMT -5
FABULOUS progress TheOtherMe ! Like Iggy aka IG said, you and The Organizer seem like a great match! So you're doing one room per month? That's a good rhythm! I didn't think we could do that room in 3 hours but we did. I don't think we can do the office in 3 hours. Time will tell. If we get the office done in one session, I will wait until September and do the garage. ETA: in hopes of cooler weather I also might do closets because she holds me accountable and I don't seem to be able to do it myself. There isn't good enough access to the dreaded basement room until DN3 gets his stuff out of there. That's the plan. Partly budget but mostly emotionally. Some of it is very hard for me to decide to keep or go. Some is very easy.
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Jun 25, 2021 14:33:04 GMT -5
snapdragon - finding a local bank that I can transfer funds to is a priority. I usually keep some cash on hand but had not replenished my stash after vacation. While a few hundred dollars is usually sufficient, 1-1/2 days of electrical work required more than that. Normally not an issue except I found out they preferred cash on Monday and needed it Friday.
There are more holes in my walls than ever before but the electrical is coming along. -New outdoor light is installed, just needs bulbs (arriving Monday) -"extra" outdoor light is removed along with the switch which controlled nothing -2 new GFCI outlets in the kitchen are installed and wired correctly (the 4x'6' section of drywall was removed for this) -new laundry room light installed -half bath GFCI and light switch wired correctly -new bathroom GFCI outlet wired correctly
Next up: -Rerun wires for outlets in the office, bathroom and bedroom
And then we'll be done for today.
I did go and buy lunch for the guys and they were very happy with the local diner food. I will have a lot of cleanup for the drywall and wires torn out but at least, at least, we are finding and fixing issues that could have caused major problems.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jun 25, 2021 14:47:29 GMT -5
startsmart even if you get frustrated with the house sometimes, and even if you end up having to pay to fix things you hadn't realized needing fixing, remember how amazing it is that you own the house outright, without a mortgage!
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Jun 25, 2021 16:27:09 GMT -5
debthaven - I need that reminder because.... dun dun dunnnnn... we can't run the wire to outlets in the office because they are tied into knob and tube!
It's a general WTFery kind of day because there are so many things they did incorrectly. Tying new wire to knob and tube - check Refusing to install junction boxes - check Running wire behind drywall instead of through studs - check Leaving live wires disconnected in the wall - check "Connecting" wires with electrical tape - check
It's giving me such a headache to wonder why they cut so many corners and did such a terrible job when any one of these mistakes could cause a fire.
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Post by empress of self-improvement on Jun 25, 2021 16:35:35 GMT -5
I'm sorry, did you "connecting wires with electrical tape? As in instead of using caps and stuff?
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Jun 25, 2021 17:18:35 GMT -5
It's a wonder the house has not already caught fire.
My house is clean! It really feels good, but introverted me is tired of peopling. I don't plan on seeing any people except to do grocery pick up tomorrow and FaceTime with toddler on Sunday.
We did get over 2 inches of rain in two hours so because the sump pump is working so well, I have a lake in the backyard. That happens every time we get rains like this if the sump pump is working.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jun 25, 2021 17:29:46 GMT -5
Startsmart that’s not just insane, it’s downright dangerous!!! Might you have any legal recourse if you chose to take that route?
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Jun 25, 2021 17:45:53 GMT -5
Yes, there are some connections with wire caps AND electrical tape, which is ridiculous because if you're already in the crawl space, just run new wire! I think the previous owners were cheap and lazy, possibly stupid as well.
debthaven - there's no legal recourse because I did get an inspection but the inspector didn't note these issues that were visible under the house and couldn't see some of them behind the walls.
For example, we wanted to swap the GFCI outlet in my bathroom. Easy enough. But the wires which are supposed to come through the wall and into the box are, for some reason, behind the box. Right there a 10 minute job becomes a 45 min job and the reason I have a hole in the drywall to repair. That's just one example out of a dozen.
My client who teaches meditation mentioned that I appeared quite zen about things today and here's what I figure:
1. don't get mad at the people trying to fix it, they didn't cause the problem 2. it's a problem that can be solved with time and money so I'll make the money that I need to get it done right 3. get as much as you can done and do it right so you don't have to do it again later 4. thank god I got my insurance reinstated!
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nidena
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Post by nidena on Jun 25, 2021 18:55:52 GMT -5
There is nothing worse than bandaids on safety-related repairs. I can understand using the "toothpaste in a nail hole" kind of thing but the stuff you mentioned, startsmart , is definitely infuriating. Even me having to fix an a/c duct that was "sealed" with duct-tape can't compare. Maybe they didn't have metal tape four decades ago. I don't know but I'm fixing this stuff right. The biggest project I'm dreading is removing that bath-fitter that was installed over the bathroom window, along with floor to ceiling wall linoleum to really do the job "right". I like your "I figure..." list. Great things to keep in mind.
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