The sale of the farm went off without a hitch, and forgive me if I say I am sooo relieved. Perhaps now the "curse" is over for me, and maybe the new owners will never have it on them. Time will tell, and I do plan to keep an eye on what happens here in the future.
In the meantime, I have been so busy with moving preparations, I've not had time to update this journal. Never-ending tasks, lots of hard work, sweat and, hopefully, some signs of progress.
Today my sister helped me; Saturday she and my brother-in-law and nephew helped a great deal. I am truly grateful I have them, otherwise I WOULD be lost! My other sister, who had surgery, continues to improve, but of course, is unable to do the kind of physical work involved in moving.
Here's the progress so far:
The screen porch is finished for the cats.
All but two small rooms (laundry & storage rooms) have been painted.
Tomorrow the new tile in the bathroom should be finished.
All the carpet has been ripped out, awaiting the laminate flooring (soon to be installed.)
I doubt I'll get to move this Friday, but perhaps Monday I can. The sooner, the better.
I DID find GREAT homes for Ginger and Festus. A middle-age couple heard about them being for sale, and dropped by Sunday afternoon. They have four acres with a pond, and only want the ponies for pets, have no large horses now but have in the past. They fell in love with Festus and Ginger, and will get them as soon as they have their fencing done (about two weeks.) This means I can sleep at night KNOWING they little devils will have a wonderful home. The lady said I can visit anytime, or she'll send pictures to keep me updated. What more could I ask for?
I've been gradually moving various things, such as extra stuff in the closets, cabinets, etc and in a few more days, should have the bulk of my clothing moved. Tonight as I drove home though, the "Service Engine Soon," light came on in my car. I have no idea what that means, but will find out tomorrow. That's all I need: car trouble. More expense.
In addition to the first work I had planned, I ended up having a plumber do some extensive work to change all the drains to PVC pipes and add vents. That helped drainage, but it was somewhat expensive. Still, since I'll probably be in this house the rest of my life, I may as well get it all done now. I also decided to have ALL the rooms where the carpet had been changed to laminate; at first I'd planned to leave carpet in the two bedrooms. But I hate carpet so badly, just decided to get it all done in laminate.
Oh well, when it comes to money, "You can't take it with you." I'm not trying to create a million-dollar mansion, just a clean, durable, MODEST home for comfortable, inexpensive living. Because as soon as I am settled (and have taken care of the last details here) I don't want to be involved in on-going remodeling house projects, just live in peace and quiet.
More when I have time.
My Novels
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Monday, May 22, 2006
Weird Day
So far, the closing on this farm is set for tomorrow...however, I got a phone call from the bank loan agent today saying that the attorney's computer system would be down around 4:00 tomorrow (the scheduled time of the closing) and had been set for 3:00 instead.
Okay.
Um, isn't that a bit strange? I mean, considering everything else that has been happening lately in regards to the sale of this farm and my move?
Maybe I'm just stupidstitious, but nevertheless, I DO hope I get the closing over with, whether I can move soon or not. If it were not for my cats, I'd just tell the painter to finish quickly and move this coming weekend. Or maybe I should consider letting the cats live inside the house until I can find a carpenter to work on their special quarters?
I did go to the house in town today, looked at the samples of paint on the wall. I don't like a couple of colors, so I'll have to tell the painter to change those. All the closets and shelves are almost finished, and I could move stuff into those soon. I also went on a long, enjoyable bike ride; it helps somewhat, since I DO need my regular rides to feel healthy.
It's rather comical in a way, this year turning out to be a worse train-wreck than last year. I had titled last year the "Year from Hell," so what is this one? Maybe the "Year in Purgatory?"
Okay.
Um, isn't that a bit strange? I mean, considering everything else that has been happening lately in regards to the sale of this farm and my move?
Maybe I'm just stupidstitious, but nevertheless, I DO hope I get the closing over with, whether I can move soon or not. If it were not for my cats, I'd just tell the painter to finish quickly and move this coming weekend. Or maybe I should consider letting the cats live inside the house until I can find a carpenter to work on their special quarters?
I did go to the house in town today, looked at the samples of paint on the wall. I don't like a couple of colors, so I'll have to tell the painter to change those. All the closets and shelves are almost finished, and I could move stuff into those soon. I also went on a long, enjoyable bike ride; it helps somewhat, since I DO need my regular rides to feel healthy.
It's rather comical in a way, this year turning out to be a worse train-wreck than last year. I had titled last year the "Year from Hell," so what is this one? Maybe the "Year in Purgatory?"
A Setback...or worse?
If I hadn't been a part of this, I wouldn't believe it...but just when I thought everything was going great with the move, I got some disturbing news.
Earlier today I called the contractor/carpenter about the small renovations for my cats at the house in town. He said that he was ready to start in the morning, which was great news because he's been putting it off for over a week now, making excuses for why he hasn't started on it. I was also glad he would get started because my closing on this farm is Tuesday afternoon and I was hoping to move in a couple weeks. The painter has been making progress, but it is slow; however, he DOES work regularly.
After I talked with the carpenter, I managed to wedge my bike into the back of my car, tie down the half-shut trunk-lid and take it to the house in town. I was determined to ride my bike in town today, or die trying. NO ONE was available to help, and in fact, I'm beginning to believe that (other than family, who are beginning to grow weary of my predicament) all those gracious offers of "call if you need anything" from friends after DH died were just gratuitous offerings, not sincere.
At any rate, I did get the bike to the house, went on a long ride in town...BLISS! No SUVs trying to run me over, hardly any noise, no strange looks at the biking lady! I was in my element! Quiet small town streets, sunset, wonderful ride.
I got home, and around 9:00 the carpenter's wife calls and tells me (between sniffles) that his mother has died and he can't do the job. I offered my condolences, and she said the carpenter said for me to "just do what I needed to do to get the job done." In other words, he won't do it. Now...it seems to me either this is one lying basta*d because he found a more lucrative job in place of my small one, or his mother DID die. If the latter is true, then I fear I am NEVER going to get out of this house alive. Just like DH I'll be trapped here and die.
Take your pick.
I am sooo disgusted with all this, I just want to take my check from the sale of this place (providing I live long enough to get it or something mysteriously weird doesn't interfere to keep me here) and disappear forever.
Earlier today I called the contractor/carpenter about the small renovations for my cats at the house in town. He said that he was ready to start in the morning, which was great news because he's been putting it off for over a week now, making excuses for why he hasn't started on it. I was also glad he would get started because my closing on this farm is Tuesday afternoon and I was hoping to move in a couple weeks. The painter has been making progress, but it is slow; however, he DOES work regularly.
After I talked with the carpenter, I managed to wedge my bike into the back of my car, tie down the half-shut trunk-lid and take it to the house in town. I was determined to ride my bike in town today, or die trying. NO ONE was available to help, and in fact, I'm beginning to believe that (other than family, who are beginning to grow weary of my predicament) all those gracious offers of "call if you need anything" from friends after DH died were just gratuitous offerings, not sincere.
At any rate, I did get the bike to the house, went on a long ride in town...BLISS! No SUVs trying to run me over, hardly any noise, no strange looks at the biking lady! I was in my element! Quiet small town streets, sunset, wonderful ride.
I got home, and around 9:00 the carpenter's wife calls and tells me (between sniffles) that his mother has died and he can't do the job. I offered my condolences, and she said the carpenter said for me to "just do what I needed to do to get the job done." In other words, he won't do it. Now...it seems to me either this is one lying basta*d because he found a more lucrative job in place of my small one, or his mother DID die. If the latter is true, then I fear I am NEVER going to get out of this house alive. Just like DH I'll be trapped here and die.
Take your pick.
I am sooo disgusted with all this, I just want to take my check from the sale of this place (providing I live long enough to get it or something mysteriously weird doesn't interfere to keep me here) and disappear forever.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Priceless Quote
Just a brief post, with a quote too good to pass up for widows/widowers:
Widower: "When someone dies, people invariably ask a list of questions about the causes of the death, length of the illness, was there suffering involved, etc."
Response: "Just what would you like to know in order to confirm, for your own comfort, that Justice has been served, that there is Order in the Universe, God's goodness is confirmed, Karma is balanced, etc?"
Sure have "been there, done that" during the past months since DH died. People can be sooo rude, and sooo in denial that DEATH itself comes to ALL human beings, no matter how hard they try to avoid it. The Grim Reaper always gets us, sooner or later. (As a creative writer/poet, I've ALWAYS dealt with death and it should NEVER be a shock or surprise that it happens.)
Closing on this farm will be Tuesday afternoon at 4:00. Whoopee, I'll be "free" of chores here once I'm gone. It will probably be at least two weeks before I move, due to improvements at the house in town, but I'm anxious to move. Sure, I'll be sad in some ways to leave here, but frankly, I am not a "farm" person and cannot wait to get back to city life. Hopefully I will eventually have more time to actually write, instead of work every day doing farm chores!
Widower: "When someone dies, people invariably ask a list of questions about the causes of the death, length of the illness, was there suffering involved, etc."
Response: "Just what would you like to know in order to confirm, for your own comfort, that Justice has been served, that there is Order in the Universe, God's goodness is confirmed, Karma is balanced, etc?"
Sure have "been there, done that" during the past months since DH died. People can be sooo rude, and sooo in denial that DEATH itself comes to ALL human beings, no matter how hard they try to avoid it. The Grim Reaper always gets us, sooner or later. (As a creative writer/poet, I've ALWAYS dealt with death and it should NEVER be a shock or surprise that it happens.)
Closing on this farm will be Tuesday afternoon at 4:00. Whoopee, I'll be "free" of chores here once I'm gone. It will probably be at least two weeks before I move, due to improvements at the house in town, but I'm anxious to move. Sure, I'll be sad in some ways to leave here, but frankly, I am not a "farm" person and cannot wait to get back to city life. Hopefully I will eventually have more time to actually write, instead of work every day doing farm chores!
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