That is the name I use when I refer to the rental we are working on. The little house.
We bought the little house right before the world fell apart from the Corona Virus Pandemic.
It's a bit stressful at times. Though Frank and I are both still employed, we are worried. He's worried about layoffs at his work and I'm worried that my job would never pay the bills if that happened.
Today we were bemoaning the timing of our big risky purchase.
Frank said that in some ways it was good because while other people are cooped up in their homes while they practice social distancing, we are able to be completely socially distant while also having a project to work on. We aren't stuck at home getting on each other's nerves! We are actively working and accomplishing things, which has been good.
I said that if we were stuck in our house together I would probably have to leave because he would be in a foul mood, no doubt. That man doesn't like being cooped up and he is always busy doing something. Quarantine would be rough.
He laughed and said, "This house is saving our marriage!"
He decided that even if we can't rent it right away and no matter how much it ends up costing us, it is worth it because it saved our marriage. HA!
But I really hope we can get the house done and rented soon.
I will feel less stressed when that happens. I mean, less stressed about one thing at least.
Saturday, March 28, 2020
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Botox
Today was my scheduled day for my Botox injections that I get as treatment for my migraines.
It's also day who-knows-what of the COVID-19 Pandemic which is causing closures and cancellations around the world.
It's been a rough few weeks for headaches for me. Sometimes the Botox wears off and the headaches come roaring back before it's time for the next injection. Stress or illness seem to make that worse.
Well, I can tell you that the stress has been high. And the headaches have been plentiful. So I was very much looking forward to getting my injections and hopefully some relief.
A few days ago I got an email from the Neurology department saying they were rescheduling most appointments and gave a link to reschedule my appointment. It said that if I didn't reschedule on my own, someone from the office would call.
Well, I did not click the link! Heck no. I figured once someone called, I would beg if needed to be able to get my shots. I was imagining what my life would be like if I had to wait weeks or months for my injections (when will the COVID crisis be over? No idea.) and it seemed bad.
Some time went by and no one called. Then we had an earthquake. I figured I better call.
I called the office and the girl who answered said that everything was down from the earthquake and that someone would call me.
No one called.
Another day went by.
This morning, the day of my appointment, I tried to call again. This time I got someone and she said that I did indeed have an appointment and it wasn't being rescheduled!
I was elated!
The office was a little fortress. Doors locked and only let in after answering questions about health and travel and getting a squirt of hand sanitizer (from a distance).
I sure am grateful for my doctor who is working when other people aren't.
I sure am glad I didn't click that link.
It's also day who-knows-what of the COVID-19 Pandemic which is causing closures and cancellations around the world.
It's been a rough few weeks for headaches for me. Sometimes the Botox wears off and the headaches come roaring back before it's time for the next injection. Stress or illness seem to make that worse.
Well, I can tell you that the stress has been high. And the headaches have been plentiful. So I was very much looking forward to getting my injections and hopefully some relief.
A few days ago I got an email from the Neurology department saying they were rescheduling most appointments and gave a link to reschedule my appointment. It said that if I didn't reschedule on my own, someone from the office would call.
Well, I did not click the link! Heck no. I figured once someone called, I would beg if needed to be able to get my shots. I was imagining what my life would be like if I had to wait weeks or months for my injections (when will the COVID crisis be over? No idea.) and it seemed bad.
Some time went by and no one called. Then we had an earthquake. I figured I better call.
I called the office and the girl who answered said that everything was down from the earthquake and that someone would call me.
No one called.
Another day went by.
This morning, the day of my appointment, I tried to call again. This time I got someone and she said that I did indeed have an appointment and it wasn't being rescheduled!
I was elated!
The office was a little fortress. Doors locked and only let in after answering questions about health and travel and getting a squirt of hand sanitizer (from a distance).
I sure am grateful for my doctor who is working when other people aren't.
I sure am glad I didn't click that link.
COVID-19
Obviously, it's an unusual time. Stress levels are high all over the place.
The novel coronavirus is spreading across the world and in an attempt to slow the spread or "flatten the curve" we are all trying "social distancing" and staying home while at the same time supporting small business and being helpful to one another. The death toll at this moment is not that high but the economic repercussions from the virus are staggering.
It's all quite confusing and hard to do, to be honest.
People have panic-shopped and there is no toilet paper, milk, meat or bread to be found on store shelves. No pain relievers. No formula for babies.
Frank already worked from home so his business life hasn't changed much at first glance. But all of his travel has been cancelled and, with the economic effects of the coronavirus spread, business everywhere is suffering. Everyone is worried about their jobs. Frank is too.
My work has not closed. So, though people are trying to work from home, I still go into work. I feel mixed feelings about this. I feel bad for going out and possibly coming in contact with the virus that could hurt my husband or myself. I feel obligated to go to work to help the people who are coming to the chiropractor because they have pain or have been in a car accident. Our daily numbers are obviously going down as people decide not to go out but still, someone has to be there when people do come in. We are a small business so I worry about weeks or months with not enough money coming in.
We are also working on the rental house we purchased 6 weeks ago. When we bought it, we knew nothing of the coronavirus and life was normal. We did the demo ourselves and then got some contractors for some of the things we need done: stucco, framing/drywall, mudding, electrical and plumbing. As one might expect, we've had glitches along the way. Miscommunications. Mind changing. Poor planning. And, of course, unexpected world events.
Stress levels are high at our house too.
Today we had an earthquake. It felt like the straw that broke the camel's back in a lot of ways!
One contractor got put back a day, one didn't show up. We had to cancel the electrical inspection because it wasn't ready. We are nervous that the city will shut down and we won't be able to get an inspection which means we won't be able to rent the house. Two mortgages when jobs are in peril feels ominous. It's one thing after another.
Carter's wedding plans are in question too. It's unlikely that Katy and Austin will be able to come out. Who knows if it will also affect travel for Branden and Amber as well.
Sigh.
I know we have it better than a lot of folks. We are currently both still employed. We were good about emergency planning so we didn't feel the need to panic shop and we have plenty of toilet paper and food. We have a home that is dry and warm.
Frank is generally keeping in good spirits but when he talks about all the things going wrong or potentially going wrong, I get super stressed out.
I still feel stressed and down when I go visit the rental house. It just needs so much work still. It's overwhelming.
The junk food is out. The carbs are back. The sweets are purchased. The soda is being consumed.
I'm not proud of my reaction really, but it is my reaction. Bring on the comfort food!
These are the days of COVID-19
The novel coronavirus is spreading across the world and in an attempt to slow the spread or "flatten the curve" we are all trying "social distancing" and staying home while at the same time supporting small business and being helpful to one another. The death toll at this moment is not that high but the economic repercussions from the virus are staggering.
It's all quite confusing and hard to do, to be honest.
People have panic-shopped and there is no toilet paper, milk, meat or bread to be found on store shelves. No pain relievers. No formula for babies.
Frank already worked from home so his business life hasn't changed much at first glance. But all of his travel has been cancelled and, with the economic effects of the coronavirus spread, business everywhere is suffering. Everyone is worried about their jobs. Frank is too.
My work has not closed. So, though people are trying to work from home, I still go into work. I feel mixed feelings about this. I feel bad for going out and possibly coming in contact with the virus that could hurt my husband or myself. I feel obligated to go to work to help the people who are coming to the chiropractor because they have pain or have been in a car accident. Our daily numbers are obviously going down as people decide not to go out but still, someone has to be there when people do come in. We are a small business so I worry about weeks or months with not enough money coming in.
We are also working on the rental house we purchased 6 weeks ago. When we bought it, we knew nothing of the coronavirus and life was normal. We did the demo ourselves and then got some contractors for some of the things we need done: stucco, framing/drywall, mudding, electrical and plumbing. As one might expect, we've had glitches along the way. Miscommunications. Mind changing. Poor planning. And, of course, unexpected world events.
Stress levels are high at our house too.
Today we had an earthquake. It felt like the straw that broke the camel's back in a lot of ways!
One contractor got put back a day, one didn't show up. We had to cancel the electrical inspection because it wasn't ready. We are nervous that the city will shut down and we won't be able to get an inspection which means we won't be able to rent the house. Two mortgages when jobs are in peril feels ominous. It's one thing after another.
Carter's wedding plans are in question too. It's unlikely that Katy and Austin will be able to come out. Who knows if it will also affect travel for Branden and Amber as well.
Sigh.
I know we have it better than a lot of folks. We are currently both still employed. We were good about emergency planning so we didn't feel the need to panic shop and we have plenty of toilet paper and food. We have a home that is dry and warm.
Frank is generally keeping in good spirits but when he talks about all the things going wrong or potentially going wrong, I get super stressed out.
I still feel stressed and down when I go visit the rental house. It just needs so much work still. It's overwhelming.
The junk food is out. The carbs are back. The sweets are purchased. The soda is being consumed.
I'm not proud of my reaction really, but it is my reaction. Bring on the comfort food!
These are the days of COVID-19
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
House update
I'm writing this post mid-march. Had I written it a few weeks ago it would be a completely different sort of post...more happy and full of optimism. As it is, I'm feeling a bit stressed about the whole thing.
Anyway, thank heaven one of the houses is currently rented! I'm so glad we don't have two dilapidated houses to work on at the same time!
When we looked over the house that we are renovating, we went back and forth on just how much to do. We thought about gutting the place, then decided to just mainly paint and fix the bathrooms. Then, after having several people come give their opinions, went back to gutting.
We pulled out a kitchen (mixed feelings about yanking out the solid wood cabinets), gutted two bathrooms. tore out almost all of the walls and reconfigured the space. We learned that neither Frank nor I am very good at picturing a space different than it already is. But luckily other people are.
We moved the laundry upstairs and opened up the main living space but lost one bedroom. It will be so much nicer to live in but it is A LOT OF WORK.
We did the demo ourselves.
At the beginning...so full of hope and vigor
Doneen helped
Frank worked long and hard for many days!
We hired out plumbing (all new water lines and many new drains), electrical (all new), framing and drywall and mudding. Also putting stucco on the exterior. The contractors have been both great and frustrating. The plumber quit his company after one day of working on our job so they had to send other plumbers out who weren't as familiar with the plan. Felt like we were constantly clarifying and fixing miscommunications. Stucco guy is awesome but it's been snowing here and there and he has recently hurt his shoulder. Framer has been great but, again, we make changes or we miscommunicate (often TOTALLY our fault and sometimes not) and things have to be changed or fixed. Even after much planning, measuring and discussing-a door turns out to hit the ceiling where it is sloped. How did that happen?? The only option is to chop a corner off of the door and move on. It's a quirky house anyway.
Stucco looking good!
old bathroom/bedroom closet
New bathroom walls
We found weird stuff in the walls. Strange ductwork made from downspout, load bearing walls that had been cut out drastically. The framer said he would fix the fact that the house was currently held up by magic. Ha!
We found out after closing on the houses that their utilities are connected. We had no idea that was the case and it has added a level of annoyance and frustration for us.
We've always been the type of people to plan for emergencies so we've been buying all of the supplies we think we might need so that we can work on the house without interruption. Then we heard about the whole Coronavirus thing and started to worry about the supply chain for needs products. When other people were panic shopping for toilet paper, we were at Lowes and Home Depot buying up faucets and door knobs and trim work and paint! Our garage is full of supplies and I'm sure we've forgotten some items. We've got a washer/dryer on the way (hopefully) and a refrigerator waiting to be brought to the house.
The drywall just finished and next is the taping and mudding. Then I will paint like crazy so we can get cabinets and floors in.
We are hoping that the electrical inspector can come sign off on the work to divide the electrical service before the city shuts down from coronavirus. Nerve wracking.
We really need to get the place rented so that we don't have two mortgages to pay.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)