power vs. water

* * * * *

The biggest element I fear is water in a house.

The damage can be overwhelming.

And in Michigan, we're special...

much of us is clay and therefore

rain doen't drain very well.

We need HELP for our basements & out buildings.

Here's the formula:

PLUS

EQUALS

water doesn't stand in one's basement

nor does it flood.

Well...in the new house, although I called Edison (power) last Friday

to transfer the account to me,

the Seller had cancelled service and

it didn't get turned on till 4:40 yesterday afternoon.

Thank God the contractor went there last eve to get a few more

measurements before our meeting this evening  - and found gushing water...

(from the rain over the weekend).

He fixed it, it's pumping and now I need to go find that

old box fan to run down there to dry it out.

There's a place for water and in a home is not one of them.

Off to meet the contractor with my fan.

(Hey, even the Washington Monument has a few cracks these days!)

* * * * *





Preparing...for the best? worst? whaaaat?

* * * * * 

I am so not good at waiting for something.

Whether it's the coffee to brew

or the final proposal for the renovation of the new house.

I'm awful.

Can't sleep...pace...more water...maybe a beer...

Builder Silvio (do you love his name? nice Italian boy...)

called to make a date for tomorrow evening...

we'll go tour a home that he renovated to see his work

(altho I already have references)

and then:

We'll review MY home's proposal.

Proposal. Nice word.

Make me a proposal and I may or may not say "I do".

I'm thinking "peeking" might made the medicine go down easier!

Keeping a good thought.

Keeping a happy thought.

This is my castle - I'm worth it.

Keeping a good thought.

* * * * *

Randolph, the Locksmith

* * * * *

Randolph met me at the new house today.
Silver haired, North Face ball cap,
lightweight jacket, jeans, tennies.
He reminded me of my Dad.


He was kind. He apologized for Friday.
He is smart. This is his own locksmith business.
As we chatted, we learned more about each other.
He never stopped working to change 3 doors knobs
deadbolts and keyed them all alike.  I have a title company.
He is a flight instructor also.  I'm a dog Mom and rescuer.
He is married.  I'm a widow & this is my retirement home.
He went out to his truck to write out the invoice.
When he returned, he said:

"When you're all done with construction and upgrades,
call me; I want to come back and give you brand new keys
so anyone that worked on the house will then not have
working keys.  I also want to install a peep-hole in your
front door as I think you need more security on your own;
you appear very confident, but you need to be safe."


"Ok, Randolph, I'll call you".

He handed me the keys to my new Taj Mahal, got into his truck and drove off.


I like Randolph and I look forward to seeing him when he comes back.

* * * * *

And so it begins...

* * * * *

One must be VERY flexible when it comes to the schedule of others.
As in, yesterday after the closing I had a time scheduled

to meet the locksmith at the new place.

Nope.

He called AT our appointment time that he couldn't make it.

"How about the same time tomorrow in the afternoon?" says he.

"Nope", I say;

"but I'll be there meeting contractors at 8:30 a.m. Come then."

"I'll check my schedule and call you back".

I did NOT get a callback!

And now...on to meeting the contractors this morn.

I think I'll stop at Panera for coffees and pastries.

Do you think that will help hold down the bid price

on the work I need done?

Mommy said that a way to a man's heart was ....

Nevertheless, today begins anew.



...which means I need to find a new locksmith.

* * * * *

Key to the new Homestead forthcoming

* * * * *

Well...here's the plan:

The closing is at 11.  I'm not going, as my paperwork was presigned.

My Realtor and closer will bring the KEY and GARAGE DOOR OPENER

back to my office where we will break bread together

and celebrate the fact that I have two homes and two mortgages.

 

THEN -

Off to meet the Locksmith to change all the locks in the place...

Once he leaves, I'm sure I'll stroll thru the place a few times,

question what I've done,

dance and giggle at what I've done

and revel at the idea of planning the work to be done

and the eventual move into my

next chapter.

THEN -

I'll go home, open a cold one...

...and fall over!!!

THEN -

Saturday morning the games begin ~

Meet with the contractors.

Eeeks.

More to follow.

* * * * *

Exciting Scary Newest Chapter

* * * * *

Well, it's too late to turn back now!

Tomorrow is the "Walk-Thru" on the new "retirement home"

and Friday morning, the closing.

I'll certainly be spending alot of time having work done

on the new place (it's not new construction, so some

updates are absolutely requisite!!!)...then moving in.

That's the new chapter.

(Ain't she cute?)

And then I'll need to deal with putting this marital home on

the market and I have no doubt it will bring up

lots of conscious and unconscious recall and

my emotions will vascilate all over the place.

It's ok.  It's part of moving on - staying alive - staying engaged.

It's ok.  It's good.

It's right.

* * * * *

Pardon....what?

* * * * *

 

What do you mean, you don't understand the picture?

Wait - you really don't?

Claudia and Jimmy get it...ask them!

* * * * *

Taking off my high heels! Stay Tuned!!!

* * * * *

Yet if a woman never lets herself go,

how will she ever know how far she might have got?

If she never takes off her high-heeled shoes,

how will she ever know how far she could walk or how fast she could run?

 ~Germaine Greer 

* * * * *

another PERFECT snowglobe

* * * * *

No, really - what the heck has happened to people's minds?

No one is thinking clearly

nor talking coherently.

No one is making sense.

and No one knows how to read a complete e-mail transmission,

so they respond incorrectly or incompletely.

So, since I'm a snow globe lover

(came from the "doobie-days),

I thought this would be the PERFECT snowglobe

for this holiday season.

they WERE sold by Urban Outfitters and

they are sold out - completely.

I'll have to enlarge this foto and tape it to the top of my monitor

...for reference, of course!

* * * * *

Sweaters

* * * * *

So-o-o-o ready!

* * * * *

Want Want Want

I Want that bike.

I Want that architecture.

I Want that skirt.

I Want that colour lipstick.

I Want those shoes.

I really Want that teeny waist.

But if I only get one...I'll keep me and take the bike.

* * * * *

Labor Day...gone to the dogs

* * * * *

 

Labor Day, 1956

At Grandmaw's in Pennsylvania

Last weekend before school starts

It's not a holiday without a puppy.

Labor Day, 1971

Mom & Dad's patio

Weekend off work
It's not a holiday without a puppy (Maggie).

 

Labor Day, 2011

More rain due this eve.

BBQ with friends and horses later.

But it's not a holiday without puppies..

* * * * *

...September...back to school...shopping...

* * * * *

I was reminded very recently by a dear friend that

this is the time of year she and I were off

getting ready for school...SHOPPING!

We were not loaded in cash, but man, we were cool!

And we shopped at J.L. Hudson - one of the

finest department stores in Michigan at the time.

I told you we were cool.

Thanks for the memory recall, dear Claudia ~

Good Stuff!!!!!

* * * * *