Wednesday, October 29, 2003
It has been a very busy week. We've spent a lot of time unpacking and organizing. I've done tons of laundry since almost every blanket, comforter, and pillow was used as packing material. Then there is still the normal, everyday work.
To top it off, I'm supposed to stay off my feet. Well, foot to be more precise. The top of my right foot started to hurt one week before the move. I just figured I had a bruise and it would get better. It got worse. Thinking maybe it was a stress fracture I went to the doctor. It is not broken but there is a very deep bruise. All the activity of the last two+ weeks has got it inflamed so it isn't healing. So, even though there's boxes piled three deep in the whole dining room and DD's clothes are all unpacked, I'm sitting around doing Big Bird in cross stitch (by Janlynn) for DD so I don't make my foot worse. The upside is I should get the design finished with a little over one week's worktime so I'll have something ready next week to put on the wall in her room.
We are still negotiating with the buyer for the old house. Their inspector came in and ripped the top off the vanity which damaged the drain plumbing and caused a leak in the cabinet. Of course they didn't bother to shut off the water or notify us. They just stuck a bunch of paper towels in the cabinet and hoped we wouldn't say/do anything. Since I'd cleaned the bathroom out the night before and no one else had been in there, I knew what happened. Then they turn around and demand that we pay to have the plumbing fixed before they move in. Not a chance! They broke it, they buy it. Until then, we have shut off the water to that sink to prevent further damage.
They also want insulation batts removed because of allergies and want the electrical service replaced because, while it hasn't been recalled, it is old and potentially dangerous. Some insurers won't insure a home with this type of service. We refused to do anything with the insulation because we aren't responsible for their allergies and since it wasn't a problem for us, we might not notice if some was missed in the removal process. They will also probably want to replace it with a different type of insulation since houses of that era are drafty--they can run around between the allergist and a contractor to find a tolerable type which can be used. We agreed to split the cost of the new electrical service with them since we understand they can't get the mortgage without proof of insurance. We won't pay for it outright since it isn't a recalled unit. DH had central air added just a few years ago and the system passed inspection then and the electrician didn't mention any problems.
The pool table is being moved tomorrow and that should clean all of our stuff out of the old house. Getting DH to agree to look for a larger house, build the new house, and prepare for the move was like pulling hen's teeth. Now that he's here, he loves this house. Change-resistant people drive me nuts sometimes...
To top it off, I'm supposed to stay off my feet. Well, foot to be more precise. The top of my right foot started to hurt one week before the move. I just figured I had a bruise and it would get better. It got worse. Thinking maybe it was a stress fracture I went to the doctor. It is not broken but there is a very deep bruise. All the activity of the last two+ weeks has got it inflamed so it isn't healing. So, even though there's boxes piled three deep in the whole dining room and DD's clothes are all unpacked, I'm sitting around doing Big Bird in cross stitch (by Janlynn) for DD so I don't make my foot worse. The upside is I should get the design finished with a little over one week's worktime so I'll have something ready next week to put on the wall in her room.
We are still negotiating with the buyer for the old house. Their inspector came in and ripped the top off the vanity which damaged the drain plumbing and caused a leak in the cabinet. Of course they didn't bother to shut off the water or notify us. They just stuck a bunch of paper towels in the cabinet and hoped we wouldn't say/do anything. Since I'd cleaned the bathroom out the night before and no one else had been in there, I knew what happened. Then they turn around and demand that we pay to have the plumbing fixed before they move in. Not a chance! They broke it, they buy it. Until then, we have shut off the water to that sink to prevent further damage.
They also want insulation batts removed because of allergies and want the electrical service replaced because, while it hasn't been recalled, it is old and potentially dangerous. Some insurers won't insure a home with this type of service. We refused to do anything with the insulation because we aren't responsible for their allergies and since it wasn't a problem for us, we might not notice if some was missed in the removal process. They will also probably want to replace it with a different type of insulation since houses of that era are drafty--they can run around between the allergist and a contractor to find a tolerable type which can be used. We agreed to split the cost of the new electrical service with them since we understand they can't get the mortgage without proof of insurance. We won't pay for it outright since it isn't a recalled unit. DH had central air added just a few years ago and the system passed inspection then and the electrician didn't mention any problems.
The pool table is being moved tomorrow and that should clean all of our stuff out of the old house. Getting DH to agree to look for a larger house, build the new house, and prepare for the move was like pulling hen's teeth. Now that he's here, he loves this house. Change-resistant people drive me nuts sometimes...
Tuesday, October 21, 2003
We are in the new house. We still have stuff to bring over and lots of cleaning to do at the old house, but we are living here and as far as I know nothing was broken during the move. And we are tired...
We have phone service--the dude who did come out Saturday to fix THEIR external line problem said he was going to charge us $110 for it. We have complained. Will complain again if it does show up on the bill. Cable company came out here and connected us for $10. That seems quite reasonable since they actually did have to come in the house and connected our various gadgets for us.
One of my projects is to install various items around the house. I started with the deceptively simple toilet paper roll holder. Mistake #1: I tried to follow the directions to the letter. I drilled the holes for the first bracket where I wanted them. No problem. Then I measured over 5-7/8" horizontally to drill the holes for the second bracket. I measured three times to make certain I was correct. Put up the second bracket and the sides of the holder. Great! Then I tried to install the spindle. Big problem--it fell right out. It seems the spindle is exactly 5-7/8" long from the tip of one pin to the tip of the other. Obviously the brackets really needed to be about 5-5/8" apart instead of the 5-7/8" stated in the instructions. Grrr, patch holes, wait overnight, drill new holes 1/4" closer to other set. What do you know--it now works! Thank goodness the bracket covers the patch job completely so no one else needs to see it. Now I know why some people never bother looking at the instructions! I have since installed two more toilet paper roll holders (different styles), two towel bars, a shower curtain rod, a house number plaque, and a cabinet door pull all without benefit of instructions. I would have installed many more door and drawer pulls except for one small problem. The pulls all come packaged with 1" long screws. Our drawer fronts are over 1" thick. The cabinet doors do not have an extra piece of wood behind the front the way the drawers do so the pulls will work as packaged for them. But I do have to go buy longer screws for a whole bunch of drawers. Until then, I have a lovely pilot hole drilled in one bathroom drawer. Will it ever end?!
We have phone service--the dude who did come out Saturday to fix THEIR external line problem said he was going to charge us $110 for it. We have complained. Will complain again if it does show up on the bill. Cable company came out here and connected us for $10. That seems quite reasonable since they actually did have to come in the house and connected our various gadgets for us.
One of my projects is to install various items around the house. I started with the deceptively simple toilet paper roll holder. Mistake #1: I tried to follow the directions to the letter. I drilled the holes for the first bracket where I wanted them. No problem. Then I measured over 5-7/8" horizontally to drill the holes for the second bracket. I measured three times to make certain I was correct. Put up the second bracket and the sides of the holder. Great! Then I tried to install the spindle. Big problem--it fell right out. It seems the spindle is exactly 5-7/8" long from the tip of one pin to the tip of the other. Obviously the brackets really needed to be about 5-5/8" apart instead of the 5-7/8" stated in the instructions. Grrr, patch holes, wait overnight, drill new holes 1/4" closer to other set. What do you know--it now works! Thank goodness the bracket covers the patch job completely so no one else needs to see it. Now I know why some people never bother looking at the instructions! I have since installed two more toilet paper roll holders (different styles), two towel bars, a shower curtain rod, a house number plaque, and a cabinet door pull all without benefit of instructions. I would have installed many more door and drawer pulls except for one small problem. The pulls all come packaged with 1" long screws. Our drawer fronts are over 1" thick. The cabinet doors do not have an extra piece of wood behind the front the way the drawers do so the pulls will work as packaged for them. But I do have to go buy longer screws for a whole bunch of drawers. Until then, I have a lovely pilot hole drilled in one bathroom drawer. Will it ever end?!
Saturday, October 18, 2003
It took us about five minutes on Thursday to sign the papers. The house is ours! We've moved over some essentials and think we are mostly ready for the big move in about nine hours.
We negotiated with the buyer all week and got them to come up to our bottom line. Our realtor is supposed to bring the papers over early tomorrow while we are still loading up the moving van. It will be nice to get all this stuff done!
Good old SBC was out at the new house today to hook up phone service. The house was wired during the build so all they needed to do was connect the house to their line. They put the box on the house but decided their line out at the street wasn't working so we have no phone. Someone might get out there tomorrow to fix it. Yeah, right. Monopolies suck.
Now I get to back up important files on this gadget, shut down, and hit the hay.
We negotiated with the buyer all week and got them to come up to our bottom line. Our realtor is supposed to bring the papers over early tomorrow while we are still loading up the moving van. It will be nice to get all this stuff done!
Good old SBC was out at the new house today to hook up phone service. The house was wired during the build so all they needed to do was connect the house to their line. They put the box on the house but decided their line out at the street wasn't working so we have no phone. Someone might get out there tomorrow to fix it. Yeah, right. Monopolies suck.
Now I get to back up important files on this gadget, shut down, and hit the hay.
Tuesday, October 14, 2003
Wow! This is really happening. We will have a new house in about 60 hours. The grading is done, the garage door opening is installed and working, the drywall touchups are done, a bunch of the little things are finished. The paint crew will finish their work today and Wednesday and the cleaning crew will make it look better than it ever will again on Thursday. The packing is, well, kinda happening. We can haul little stuff over anytime we want so I guess there is no hurry.
We did get one offer on this house. It was so pathetic we outright refused it instead of making a counteroffer. There is no way we will accept something more than 12% below our asking price especially since they wanted us to provide a warranty on top of everything. That would push the proceeds below what DH paid for the house seven years ago and would mean all the improvements were for nothing. Bah. We can make double payments for quite a while before we would be desperate enough to take that kind of offer.
We did get one offer on this house. It was so pathetic we outright refused it instead of making a counteroffer. There is no way we will accept something more than 12% below our asking price especially since they wanted us to provide a warranty on top of everything. That would push the proceeds below what DH paid for the house seven years ago and would mean all the improvements were for nothing. Bah. We can make double payments for quite a while before we would be desperate enough to take that kind of offer.
Thursday, October 09, 2003
DD took her first steps without hanging on to anything! She was standing in front of the TV and walked to DH and then over to me. She was quite proud of herself.
The walk-through of the new house was basically good but took longer than we expected. The foreman was very displeased with the work done by the paint crew and marked a lot of things for their attention. The garage door opener needs to be installed, the sump pump needs to be replaced (he was embarrassed to turn it on and have nothing happen), and the lot needs to be graded. Otherwise there are just a few cosmetic things. Nine days until move-in. Thank goodness for our buddy John who could babysit on short notice and stay for as long as needed!
DD gets to have her one-year pediatrician visit this morning. She probably will be sleepy all afternoon so maybe I can get a lot of packing done. I also have a list of phone calls to make regarding the move. It's going to be a long day...
The walk-through of the new house was basically good but took longer than we expected. The foreman was very displeased with the work done by the paint crew and marked a lot of things for their attention. The garage door opener needs to be installed, the sump pump needs to be replaced (he was embarrassed to turn it on and have nothing happen), and the lot needs to be graded. Otherwise there are just a few cosmetic things. Nine days until move-in. Thank goodness for our buddy John who could babysit on short notice and stay for as long as needed!
DD gets to have her one-year pediatrician visit this morning. She probably will be sleepy all afternoon so maybe I can get a lot of packing done. I also have a list of phone calls to make regarding the move. It's going to be a long day...
Wednesday, October 08, 2003
The open house was well attended and it sounds like there may be three serious parties as a result. This afternoon we get to do the formal walk-through of the new house and then we get possession next week. That's right--ten days until the big move. Packing is in full swing around here. We went out to the new place to take a picture now that the driveway and sidewalks are poured. Looks good!
I was getting over the bronchitis but have come down with an upper respiratory mess. Really drains my energy.
DD's first birthday was yesterday so we got an ice cream cake and went out for dinner. She was only marginally thrilled with the whole process. She liked a couple of her gifts but we did give her mostly clothes so I suppose I shouldn't have expected effervescence. She ate one little bite of ice cream. At least she enjoyed sticking her hand in it and wiping it all over her face and clothes. More pictures for Grandma! Note to self: I managed to change diapers for a year and never threw up once. Wow.
I was getting over the bronchitis but have come down with an upper respiratory mess. Really drains my energy.
DD's first birthday was yesterday so we got an ice cream cake and went out for dinner. She was only marginally thrilled with the whole process. She liked a couple of her gifts but we did give her mostly clothes so I suppose I shouldn't have expected effervescence. She ate one little bite of ice cream. At least she enjoyed sticking her hand in it and wiping it all over her face and clothes. More pictures for Grandma! Note to self: I managed to change diapers for a year and never threw up once. Wow.
Sunday, October 05, 2003
We had another showing on Friday and an open house this afternoon. One of the showings from last week sounds promising--they want to come back and show the house to their parents.
The Master Of The Move will get to go out and see our house for the first time this afternoon. Then he can plot and plan to make all of this work like magic. LOL A mountain of boxes are now filled with a large part of our book collection. Wish all the rest of the stuff was packed too.
Congrats to the Iowa Hawkeyes for their win over Michigan!
The Master Of The Move will get to go out and see our house for the first time this afternoon. Then he can plot and plan to make all of this work like magic. LOL A mountain of boxes are now filled with a large part of our book collection. Wish all the rest of the stuff was packed too.
Congrats to the Iowa Hawkeyes for their win over Michigan!
Thursday, October 02, 2003
How disgusting! It was snowing when I woke up this morning. It won't last but I didn't want to see the white stuff until after the move.
Wednesday, October 01, 2003
My cough didn't quit; turns out it is bronchitis. Quite unpleasant. At least the doc can prescribe better cough syrup and let me know that it isn't pneumonia.
The additional computer memory is helping to keep programs running. The difference is most noticeable when I'm online.
DH talked to the construction foreman this evening. Almost everything is done on the house. The siding was being reapplied to the bashed-in corner of the garage. The cleaning crew has done their magic. The driveway and sidewalk will be poured tomorrow, weather permitting. We will have our walk-through with him in one week and get possession on the 16th. We move on the 18th!
Boxes are being filled at the old house and another carload of stuff was donated today. The realtor is doing another open house here this weekend. We all hope someone actually shows up to see the place this time. This cold snap and the recent drop in interest rates seems to have fired up the buyers again.
The latest news I've heard on the Burtnik CD is putting the release into next April. Man, I don't know if I can wait that long! :-)
The additional computer memory is helping to keep programs running. The difference is most noticeable when I'm online.
DH talked to the construction foreman this evening. Almost everything is done on the house. The siding was being reapplied to the bashed-in corner of the garage. The cleaning crew has done their magic. The driveway and sidewalk will be poured tomorrow, weather permitting. We will have our walk-through with him in one week and get possession on the 16th. We move on the 18th!
Boxes are being filled at the old house and another carload of stuff was donated today. The realtor is doing another open house here this weekend. We all hope someone actually shows up to see the place this time. This cold snap and the recent drop in interest rates seems to have fired up the buyers again.
The latest news I've heard on the Burtnik CD is putting the release into next April. Man, I don't know if I can wait that long! :-)
