Mucho Good Vibes Needed...
...so my family and I can sell our house and buy
this one.
As if things aren't crazy enough here on the threshold of Festival time, something we work all year to help produce, we are now frantically cleaning out our house and preparing to paint and patch so that we can sell it. Tomorrow, my wife and kids are going to look at it a second time while I await the delivery of a 16' PODS container to my driveway into which will go everything we don't absolutely *need* for the next 2-3 months. Then, upon returning from Fest, we will feverishly paint and repair as cheaply as possible and hope that the sellers, who are split up due to relocation of the husband out of state and who have had the place on the market since October of last year, will accept our contingency offer.
Why am I telling you all of this? Because I believe implicitly in the power of *intent* and the force of human energies, and I would like you all to take a good look at this place, and then send me and mine all the positive vibes you can spare. We need this place, if for no other reason than the nifty "guest house" out back in which my eldest son, who is cognitively disabled, can continue to live independently, but close by. Also, it would keep my wife from going stir crazy in the 1,000 square foot ranch house we've long since outgrown.
Think good thoughts for me, folks.
Patrick, that's a nice looking house! I love the idea of a guest house in back. Sending good vibes you way right now...
Best intentions and wishes are being sent your way.
Let me know if you need anything in particular sent your way.
Kellie
My first impression of the house was that it is beautiful. Then I started to really appreciate the lines and the structure. Like the stair case in the guest house and the comfy lines of the big houses bedroom.
I hope your son gets this gift. How precious.
I got lots of positive energys to send :) I wish you the best!
ohh, mine are on the way!!! Its a lovely place.
Good Luck 'spode
Many good thoughts are on their way to you from here in Kansas. I hope that you can get the house, it is beautiful and you deserve it. Good luck!!!
Got my fingers crossed for ya! :fingerx:
I'm in on the vibe party...especially if you put some color into the new place, once you own it :).
*makes mental note to think of you often until I hear good news*
Positive thoughts are coming your way!
A guest house too....... and now I know the address! Schweet..... I'm packing my bags!
Rock on Splode !!!!
That looks like a NICE house !!!!!!
Good Vibes comeing at ALL YA !!!!
Nice, let us know how the cleaning/sale/move-in/redecorate progresses.
The place looked like a great value to me before I even got to the guest house pics - lots of luck with it Patrick.
Patrick, it's as good as done.
That is an awesome deck/backyard hillock. I see you and yours peacefully, happily enjoying it.
That would cost you two million easy in CA, lol.
Good vibes sent :)
I’m pickin’ up good vibrations
It's giving me excitations
I’m pickin’ up good vibrations
(oom bop bop good vibrations)
It's giving me excitations
(oom bop bop excitations)
Good good good good vibrations
(oom bop bop)
It's giving me excitations
(oom bop bop excitations)
Good good good good vibrations
(oom bop bop)
It’s giving me excitations
(oom bop bop excitations :grouphug:
I also have a son that is ED. I wish you the absolute best and I'm wishing vibes for the people coming to buy it. No nonsense vibes. Just let them walk in....see it, take it and sign for it.
Good luck
Good vibes sent. They should arrive shortly. Lemme know if I can help in any way.
Nice house, man. So when's the first Cellar GTG at the new place?
Wife and kids just left to meet the realtor and show the kids the place...and probably to make an offer. Meanwhile, I am heading outside to clean off the driveway and await the POD delivery.
First Cellar GTG in the Fall. I hope to have a fire pit by then, as I believe outdoor burning to still be legal in Greenwood.
Beautiful home!! I'm wishing you fantastic luck and a smooth purchase/sale.
I'm so jealous...shhh.
Stormie
for what it's worth.. I'll send you what positive energies I can spare
more good vibes on the way..... :D
Local POD truck parked across the street today. Gave me another excuse to think of you and yours. Oom.
The POD thing is pretty cool. I'd never seen one in action before today.
I'm in massive pain. Spent the whole day working in the yard, and if you'd ever seen my yard, you'd understand. I bought a brand new chainsaw chain last night, and it is now dull. I tried to cut down a volunteer tree of some sort, and it was *so* goddamn sappy that the new chain just puked and died. Now I have two chains to drop off for sharpening tomorrow.
I also learned that gas powered weedeaters, particularly my 30cc Bolens straight shaft model, scatter shrapnel in the form of small rocks and such, which chew up bare legs rather nicely. I did wear safety glasses however. I'm stupid, not insane.
Front yard is pretty much shipshape, now on to the back in the coming week. Meantime, we're going to watch "Rent" while we sort through our old VHS tapes to pull out the rare stuff in preparation for giving all the rest away to someone who hasn't made the jump to DVD yet.
I hope to have a fire pit by then, as I believe outdoor burning to still be legal in Greenwood.
You probably know this already, but greenwood doesn't burn that well.
ok I won't do it again.
/drift
I also learned that gas powered weedeaters, particularly my 30cc Bolens straight shaft model, scatter shrapnel in the form of small rocks and such, which chew up bare legs rather nicely. I did wear safety glasses however. I'm stupid, not insane.
I just got a 4 stroke weed eater , STRONG !!!! But Damn it hurts when whearing shorts !!!
Best of luck to ya ,
If I can help in ANY way just let me know !!!
I like the master hot tub. 5 bedrooms for $200k? Wow. In Philadelphia area you might be able to still get a row home for that.
Belated good vibes from Scotland on their way. Hope it all works out for y'all.
:destiny: I couldn't find a smiley that said "good vibes", but this one is destiny.
I have no idea why, either. But best of vibage your way.
I like the master hot tub. 5 bedrooms for $200k? Wow. In Philadelphia area you might be able to still get a row home for that.
It's gone up that much? I should find out what our place is worth these days.
I know Gambone Brothers built a metric assload of McMansions right next to the parcel we're on...I had a real estate agent and her client show up on my porch one Saturday morning (while I was coloring my hair) wanting to buy my backyard...since the McMansions essentially didn't have any.
By the way, anybody know if the Gambones are out of prison yet? They were supposed to go away for 37 months for tax fraud...:-)
Zippy, Elspode: you can't weed-whack wearing shorts. Honest; I've tried. And I still have a scar on my shin from the time a lawn mower picked up a stone about the size of a .22 and flung it at me. Was moving so fast I didn't even feel the pain...immediately.
Hi Els -- got all digits crossed here for a good outcome! I was planning to go to HSF this year but must go to Albuquerque for bidness :( . Oh well, maybe next time... but a GTG sounds like a happenin' deal!
Thanks for bumping this thread back up again. Move vibes heading your way. That house is as good as yours.
Hi Els -- got all digits crossed here for a good outcome! I was planning to go to HSF this year but must go to Albuquerque for bidness :( . Oh well, maybe next time... but a GTG sounds like a happenin' deal!
Dammit! I wish you would come to Fest. There's damn few Cellarites within reasonable driving distance of Gaea, and meeting some of you there would be awesome! Besides, this is my last year as a mucky muck. I'm just going to be one of the rank (really rank) and file for awhile.
Add another wild card to our current crazed mix. We received a call last night from my mother in law, informing us that Mrs Elspode's grandfather was beginning hospice care this morning. It is entirely possible that he could pass on very soon, and we'll have to drop everything to be there. I don't mean to sound callous...I love and respect this man very much, and wouldn't dream of not being there when he takes his last ride, but this couldn't possibly come at a worse time.
I now have to write up a contingency plan to cover my absence from Festival at any time - before, during, and after. This means getting out of my head an onto paper dozens of facts, notions, inspirations, possible pitfalls, etc, etc and into the hands of my appointed minions, who will have to take over for me at a moment's notice. Additionally, the guy who was in charge of the Festival brochure (which includes workshop scheduling) has majorly dropped the ball and left most of my Honored Guest Speakers off of the schedule, so I am now going to have to produce posters and handbills to update the damn brochure. Finally, the 15 year old begins his new job today, and so we have to run him back and forth to work from now until we go to Camp for Fest setup, all the while still being down one car to breakdown.
And we're still trying buy/sell houses and move.
Last year at this time, Mrs Elspode and I were only remodeling one room and moving our office from the old room into the new. This year, we've raised the bar a bit...or rather, had it raised for us.
Next year, I'm thinking of starting a manned space program or perhaps forming an independent nation. You know, something a bit less strenuous and time-consuming.
I’m pickin’ up good vibrations
Sunkist Orange Soda taste sensations . . .
....perhaps forming an independent nation.
Count me in.:thumb:
Next year, I'm thinking of starting a manned space program or perhaps forming an independent nation. You know, something a bit less strenuous and time-consuming.
I'd be willing to run the moonbase mining and habitat construction...
good vibrations btw
When you really be building a super duper accelerator collider.:smack:
He needs a Mini Me first ;)
And sharks...... with fricken laser beams. :smack:
Next year, I'm thinking of starting a manned space program or perhaps forming an independent nation. You know, something a bit less strenuous and time-consuming.
I'm really good at unpacking and decorating - for your new nation of course.
...so my family and I can sell our house and buy this one.
As if things aren't crazy enough here on the threshold of Festival time, something we work all year to help produce, we are now frantically cleaning out our house and preparing to paint and patch so that we can sell it. Tomorrow, my wife and kids are going to look at it a second time while I await the delivery of a 16' PODS container to my driveway into which will go everything we don't absolutely *need* for the next 2-3 months. Then, upon returning from Fest, we will feverishly paint and repair as cheaply as possible and hope that the sellers, who are split up due to relocation of the husband out of state and who have had the place on the market since October of last year, will accept our contingency offer.
Why am I telling you all of this? Because I believe implicitly in the power of *intent* and the force of human energies, and I would like you all to take a good look at this place, and then send me and mine all the positive vibes you can spare. We need this place, if for no other reason than the nifty "guest house" out back in which my eldest son, who is cognitively disabled, can continue to live independently, but close by. Also, it would keep my wife from going stir crazy in the 1,000 square foot ranch house we've long since outgrown.
Think good thoughts for me, folks.
Are you kidding me? Holy crap!!! That house is awesome. The price listed can't be right. You can't buy the guest house in CA for $200,000.
Yeah, but around here, a family of four can live on $60,000 a year...you can't do that in California. Hell, you can't even get your car worked on for that in California.
Hang in there, 'spode. Keep making lists, writing it down. If it's all going through your head so's you can't sleep, write it all down so it's there for you in the morning. Wishing you the Best of British Luck!
And sharks...... with fricken laser beams. :smack:
How about a really angry sea bass?
Think good thoughts for me, folks.
i'm sending you powerful daimoku.
The offer on the house has been sent. Our place is in total disarray as we now set the house issue on "pause" for nine days.
My camp is set up for festival. I just finished making an addendum to the festival brochure and the schedules it contains which was completely and utterly hosed by the guy whose job it was to do it this year (interestingly, the same guy who raked my wife over the coals for a couple of relatively minor errors last year when she did it). I have purchased appropriate clothing for myself and the kids for going out of town for two days of funeral festivities tomorrow and Wednesday.
Gods willing, I will return to Camp late Wednesday night to resume that part of my insanity, with Fest's official beginning on Thursday. Somewhere in all of this, I need to go by my band rehearsal site and get my guitar and drum...
Next year...I'm relaxing, I swear.
Wow, I can't stop thinking about that house. I really hope you get it. I've been thinking about moving to Montana or Wyoming
(Idaho is nice but too many white supremacists)
I wish I could make my current salary, but live over there. I have thought about buying some land and building an earthship.
If you're not familiar with earthships, they are bio-friendly/self-sustaining houses. You should check them out.
http://www.earthship.orgNever mind the earthship, you're going to congress.;)
I hope so, but I've got to raise more money. I need to get $3,000 before the end of June. The Republican Liberty Caucus is interested in me, and hopefully I can get some gun groups and tax groups behind me too.
I am late (shame faced) to this, but all the good vibes your way, els. You are a wonderful fellow and deserve good things--the Universe knows this.
As for Radar--dude, I really hope you DO win a Congressional seat even though you called me all sorts of names that we cannot re-print in a family newspaper. I hope you win so that you can SHAKE THEM UP and MAKE THEM SWEAT. If someone ran on that platform, I'd vote for them*.
*never voted for James Traficant
Thanks Brianna. I know if I'm elected, C-SPAN will become one of the most popular channels. But let's not forget that this thread is for Elspode. Let's hope the house is his. I love that house. I wish I could convince my wife to move out of California.
I hope you win so that you can SHAKE THEM UP and MAKE THEM SWEAT.
You're thinking of Richard Simmons. ;)
That looks like a nice place Ep. Here's my contribution of positive energy/ expectation for you.
:thumb:
Positive energy was never my strong suit though. And...if negative thoughts and energy made actual visible results, most everyone that I've ever worked with would be long dead.
But seriously....I hope this works out for you.
Nice photo in the member photos section too.
How's Mrs Elspode, and the grandgrandkiddies?
Has anyone thought that Ep and Toad sorta look alike?
And that maybe they are the same person?
[SIZE="1"]OK, I just needed another post to hit 2000.[/SIZE]
No, Undertoad is talented and motivated. I just *am*.
Mrs. Elspode is doing quite well, and as for grandkiddies...well, I have but the one, and we enjoyed spending some time with him during the Pagan Festival last weekend.
About half of our posessions are now boxed and in the POD in the driveway. We are going to pause now, and clean up what we have, preparing to begin painting/fixing up cosmetically our house to get it ready to show. Lot of work, here. AC evaporator shot craps and has to be replaced at a cost of $500, coincidentally the exact amount of money we had set aside for earnest money on the new place. Not sure how this will impact the deal, so please keep the good vibes coming, my friends.
... good vibes ... good vibes ...good vibes ...
Just hoping for an update, still thinking about you.
My house is in complete upheaval. PODS is full, and we are now beginning the paint and patch process. The owner of the prospective house is awaiting our earnest money deposit (probably this weekend), and we must have our house available to actively show before they'll accept the contingency.
Life is *extremely* stressful and difficult right now. There's so much going on that I haven't even really had time to write about it here. We're still on the beam, but it is going to be a lengthy process.
Luck to Ya ALL !!!
Any thing good is worth working for !!!
Focus on the rewards man!
Yeah, that new house looks like it would draw lots of people wishing to dance naked. ;)
Good vibes sometimes work in ways you don't really expect, but they do indeed work. Witness the new La Casa de Elspode, a short acre slice of heaven located in a mature (original plat in the 1930's) Raytown, Missouri neighborhood two blocks from 350 Highway.
As the Greenwood owners balked at our contingency offer, we continued to pack and begin painting on our current abode. At the same time, we kept on looking for appropriate residences to meet our needs.
Last week, I picked up a FSBO publication on a local grocery store rack. I brought it home to Mrs Elspode, who quickly focused on the below property, as I had while looking it over in the store parking lot as I waited for my son to come out of the video store.
Monday, we went to an open house. Tuesday, we called the owner and arranged for a meeting this morning so we could make an offer. Minimal wrangling was conducted, and our offer of $165k with owner paying closing costs was accepted!
I will, of course, get some site photos to share with you all later on, but I wanted you to see the Google Earth shot of this magnificent property. The lady who lives there has been a big time gardener for many years, with the result that the place comes with pecan and walnut trees, a large grape arbor, blueberry bushes inside of a wire birdproofing construct, a pair of apple trees, and gooseberry and blackberry bushes to boot. An enormous, blooming, heavily perfumed Mimosa tree joins pine, maple and other deciduous trees to provide copious shade around the yard perimeter. The front yard is small, shaded, and entirely "naturalized", planted heavily with Columbine and gladiolus.
The original house was built in 1939, with a large addition built on top of it in 1972. There is an attached two car garage with central stairs leading up to a dormer loft above, which is in turn accessible through the Master Bedroom. Two full baths, a woodburning fireplace, nearly innumerable closets and another complete unfinished dormer space are also upstairs. There is a covered front porch with porch swing, a small concrete back patio, and the large asphalt turnaround that used to be for getting your car into the original basement garage.
The clincher, of course, was the separate huge barn/garage...with a full studio apartment as its upstairs, ready for my son to move into.
There is still a chance that someone will come in within the next five days and top our offer, but we think that we're in. This means that, in about a week, I will be asking for your prayerful and energetic assistance in selling our current house, which will need to happen quickly once we've moved out.
Time and again, my experiences with all of you here on The Cellar have proven beyond doubt that the power of Group Will and positive thoughts reap mighty dividends. I thank you all for your contributions in our efforts to change not only our home, but our entire lives in the process.
Hey, nice layout! The existing nuts and fruits are a big plus as well. Congrats man, you guys deserve every good thing that comes your way.
Looks beautiful! Glad the extra studio apartment works out well for your son. Enjoy those fruit trees.
Keeping my fingers crossed for you Elspode!
Sweet! The good vibes are still pouring forth from Northern Va.
I'm sure this deal will close just fine, and the sale of you old place will go smoothly. I LOVE the barn/apartment.
Wow, looks and sounds great! Good luck :)
Actually, I had the boyz down in sat imagery do a little "fixin" with the property line records as a little housewarming present. Seems the surveyor forgot to include a "water feature" in the original so we "took care of that."
I'm sure the neighbor won't mind checking with you whenever he wants to take a swim in your new pool from now on. :-)
Thanks, Beestie! I'm also told that one of the neighbors has their own natural gas well, so if you could arrange that transfer, I'd be 'bout set!
That is one great looking house, els! Good for you guys!
I got dibbs on the room in the barn loft.
You're gonna have to room with my kid...
Okay...I guess it is ours...or at least, the owner is definitely going to sell it to us. Onward to the mortage company!
We are shooting for a July 21st closing. In the meantime,
I took today. I hope the panorama shots I put together help lend a sense of perspective to the size and beauty of the place.
Whee! Congrats Elspode, the place looks amazing!
woot!!!!
My heartiest congratulations to you and yours!!!!
Party at Splodes new Place !!!!
Congrats !!!!
Holy moly - all that for 165k?? Property is freakin expensive here, so I am always amazed to see how much you can get for your money "down south"!
I'm getting a sign in and password page from that link?? :(
Try this, then select the house album.
Or this... Holy moly - all that for 165k?? Property is freakin expensive here, so I am always amazed to see how much you can get for your money "down south"!
We have nearly the cheapest housing costs in the USA, at least, for a city the size of KC. Frankly, I don't understand how people who live elsewhere can afford to live at all. I'm guessing most people make a hell of a lot more money than we do here.
Same same , Splode :(
Some of you guys can see them, and some of you can't? That doesn't even make sense. Frigging Kodak.
I couldnt see them except on the slideshow, that worked and didnt ask me for a password or anything.
WOW - its gorgeous splode, I am considerably impressed
"or this" link worked. Looks like lots of steady yardwork ahead.:D
http://www.flickr.com/photos/elspodepics/
I'm too tired to do the captions again, but I probably should have been using Flickr all along.
Els - it's insane up here. Here is a link to the house directly across the street from us that just sold for the full asking price.
http://www.sitkarealty.com/ForSaleDetail.asp?Profile=72
If you go to the very last page and look at the last picture, you are looking at our house! :) it's a tad embarrasing since we haven't painted the exterior yet.. eep
Good lord (the price, I mean, not the condition of your paint).
So yours is the two story white number? It must be comforting to know that your house is worth $600k... :right:
wow, els! Excellent digs! Nice job!
I can't get a run down shack in a neighborhood of crack dealers in Los Angeles/Orange County for less than $400,000
There's pretty good money in crack, eh?
Time to buy a riding lawnmower!
I love it when you don't get what you want, and it turns out you get something even better.
I am really happy that things worked out even better than hoped, congratulations!! Sweet yard!! I hope the weather is nice for moving day. Good luck selling your current place.
Closing day approacheth. Friday is the scheduled day. There has been much last minute foderol from the prospective mortage underwriters (lots of documentation of income sources, primarily...no, I didn't tell them about the prostitution ring or the meth lab :yelgreedy ). We had things rather thoroughly planned around being able to have the PODS container delivered on Friday or Saturday, but alas...can't get it dropped until Monday.
We have a contract for deed on our existing place, and at the price we needed to get, but the term of the contract is six months (secured by promissory note, of course), so it might be Spring before we can contract on the room addition we'll need. Before we move in, now have to forage up enough money to purchase and install a dishwasher in the new house...it is the one thing my wife won't move in without, and the one thing the place doesn't have. Sigh. Should be trivial compared to everything else we've been doing, though. Anyone ever installed one on their own...in a house that never had one before, I mean? All advice earnestly accepted.
We're about done with the major inside painting, and will be starting on the new tile soon here in the old place. That, and moving out, will discharge our final obligations under the terms of the contract for deed. I'll be glad to get started emptying this place out and filling up the new one. My son is eagerly looking forward to his new digs as well. Should be *much* nicer for him, being in a structure of his own and out of the suburban ghetto fourplex.
I can't tell if things are happening too quickly or not quickly enough.
I have extensive kitchen remodeling and dishwasher installation experience. I also used to plan and sell kitchen cabinets. The biggest problem with dishwashers is dealing with a "built-up" floor, where a second floor is installed that doesn't go under the cabinet but meets the bottom of the cabinet.
The newest dishwashers can now accomodate built-up floors with adjustable feet. But a few years ago, I had to lift the countertop to get the dishwasher in. It is especially bad when you have a secondary floor of thick ceramic tile. Last month I installed a new dishwasher and could only do it because the design accomodated the thick built-up floor. In this case, I would not be able to lift up the ceramic countertop without breaking it.
There are three connections: intake water, waste water, and electricity.
Spend the extra $10 and buy a flexible intake hose for dishwashers. It's almost impossible to correctly cut and bend copper tubing while on your belly reaching under the dishwasher.
RS, if they made stuff that was dehydrated or inflatable, and cost ten times as much, that is what I would use. No brainer on the flex for intake water for me. That's good info on the adjustable feet thing, too. Something I never would have thought of, but which is highly possible in this heavily modified home I am buying.
My biggest concern is getting the output water and power to the dishwasher, really. We're going to have to sacrifice some cabinet space to install one at all, and the cabinet I'm going to install in is on an "L" peninsula from the water/drain/power location. Tricky for a non-builder like myself.
... My biggest concern is getting the output water and power to the dishwasher, really. We're going to have to sacrifice some cabinet space to install one at all, and the cabinet I'm going to install in is on an "L" peninsula from the water/drain/power location. Tricky for a non-builder like myself.
It sounds like you are asking for trouble. The waste pumps can push water about 6 feet into a drain pipe. Do you have a basement to get underneath do to that work? I would seriously consider finding a location next to the sink.
Listen to him Els.
Also, maybe a pro install deal from the local big box hardware store, Lowe's Sears etc...sometimes the install is free with a large enough purchase.
I've done two in our house here and I won't do the next one. I'll hire it out. Big ass pain in the neck head knuckles etc. and get a good mop and some towels too.
didn't you once reveal your lack of plumbing skills/experience? If this is your first project, you'll definitely get some experience, but you may wind up only increasing your cursing skills. Plumbing + electricity + finish carpentry +++ all thehassles of a new home anyway...is this a battle to pick or pass?
me agan withanother edit...What about a rollup/external unit?
I'm definitely listening. My construction skills are well below par, I'd guess. Hell, I can't even paint real well, if my current project is any indication. Then again, it is a lot harder with people and furniture still in the house...especially when trying to paint the entire upstairs.
Portable DW won't cut it. Takes up too much floor space, and the kitchen, while okay, isn't exactly spacious, either. No, we truly bought a great yard with a nice house on it, not the other way around.
... we truly bought a great yard with a nice house on it, not the other way around.
That's a terrific plan. Good for you.
Just, be careful of remodeling projects. Over 22 years, I've owned 5 houses in two metro areas and I was a commissioned salesman at a home remodeling retail store for 4 years. I've done projects and gotten my hands dirty.
Go with Best Practices. Don't go against the grain.
Specifically, if you can not connect a 6' rubber drain hose to standard plumbing already in your home, do it differently. You don't want to invite serious problems. Listen to BigV, he's on target.
Specifically, if you can not connect a 6' rubber drain hose to standard plumbing already in your home, do it differently. You don't want to invite serious problems.
Huh? I'm sure you meant to say something here, but I missed the translation. If you can't do it the right way, um.. what?
I understood Rock Steady to mean "If installing the diswasher in your preferred location will prevent a proper hookup, then try a different location that will work better."
I can't help with the putting the dishwasher, but I did want to mention the Sears clearance centers. Basically, they are scratch and dent stores. If you don't mind a nick or scratch, you can get a good discount. I don't know your zipcode to look if there is a store near you. I know someone who got great deals by shopping there. If you go to sears.com, at the bottom is the store locator. Make sure you un-check All Sears Stores and check Sears Appliance Outlet Stores.
Good luck with the install, whatever you decide to do.
We bought all scratch-and-dent appliances. All damage is to the back or side where you can't even see it. And you get standard service warranties like on undamaged appliances.
Congradulations! I know moving is probably one of my least favorite things, so good luck with it. Good vibes are on the way! :D
We looked at Sears Clearance Center here in KC for a new fridge awhile back. We weren't terribly impressed with those prices, although there were some stellar deals on other appliances. In fact, we ended up buying a model at Home Depot which was *identical* in every way except for nameplate (Hotpoint versus Kenmore, and both actually made by GE) for $20.00 more than at Sears Clearance...with no damage at all.
The bar for our lives keeps getting raised on a nearly daily basis. Yesterday, it was word that our closing was being moved off to Monday, a spectacularly bad day for me in terms of my job. Today, my wife was informed that she has drop foot, cause unknown, and she is at the neurologist's office as we speak. For those who don't know, drop foot is the inability of the muscles that allow you to point your toes up to...well, point your toes up. This causes you to drag your foot, and to trip a lot. In my wife's case, to trip and *fall* a lot.
Keep the vibes coming. We clearly still need them.
I'm sorry to hear that about your wife..hope she gets to feeling better soon
She's done with the neurologist visit now. He says it could be cancer...or the fact that she's been crossing her legs a lot since she's lost 130# from the gastic bypass surgery. He's betting heavily on the latter, but testing for the former just to be sure.
I would characterize the visit as encouraging. He says it should pass in a few weeks if she just keeps from crossing her legs. Electromyelograms were all negative for significant nerve injury of any sort. No herniated disc problem, joint damage, stuff like that. She feels a bit better about things now as she's relatively sure that she is not cancerous, and so am I.:jig:
Glad to hear the good news. Still sending good vibes your way...
woohoo!! I have heard of the leg crossing thing myself. I doesn't sound unreasonable.
btw, congrats to MrsEls on the 130# loss. My hat's off to you. I could follow your example. wtg!
All these moving in things are temporary, Els. Just keep your head the way you always do and things will work out.
Still sending those vibes from across the Atlantic ...
We will take possession of the new house sometime tomorrow afternoon. Now the *real* work begins!
Cool, don't let the ghosts and gremlins that live in the old place bug you. It's just a last ditch effort to get you to stay. After all, you've provided considerable entertainment over the years. ;)
No worries. Well, none much. I've lived in this house since 1969, with the exception of the periods from 1976-80 and 1985-1990, and there is much here.
I patched a hole in the door the other day that was made by my mother throwing an ashtray at my asshole stepfather. As we've painted and cleaned and packed, vestiges of the people and events that have made this house a home have passed by my sight and through my mind, evoking many memories, both good and not so good. I've seen layers of wallpaper that date back to my aunt and uncle's ownership of the place, and that made me think of the sad death of their hellbound young son Steven from drugs and general misuse of his young and handsome body. I removed the little wood blocks from a bedroom door frame that were used to brace the child gate back when my son was a toddler. I patched holes made when we hung a pullup bar in the kitchen doorway so my sister could practice her gymnastics when she was a child.
There are probably too many such things to even try to list, or even contemplate at length. I think I've put them mostly to rest, but unpacking in the new place will stir even more such memories as items long since tucked away resurface and are again stored.
The energies of this home and the people who have lived here will come with us to the new place, because they live in my spirit, not in this assemblage of wood and concrete. I hope they like the new place, too.
May your new house Tomte welcome you with open arms!
No worries. Well, none much. I've lived in this house since 1969, with the exception of the periods from 1976-80 and 1985-1990, and there is much here.
....
The energies of this home and the people who have lived here will come with us to the new place, because they live in my spirit, not in this assemblage of wood and concrete. I hope they like the new place, too.
What a great and evocative post, Elspode. I wish you peace and contentment in your new home.
Yes , I like those lines of Elspode's too . Many years ago , I decided that I did not want to buy a house for those very reasons . I don't know how it is in America , but there is an obsessive house-ownership frenzy in the UK . People are worried sick , and up to their eyes in debt and speculation . I prefer to live , eat and drink like a queen , and have experiences of different places .
My house is in my family , and I have my ancient language in my head . I don't wear a hat , so home is also wherever I hang my bag of books .
I wish you all the best in your new house , Elspode .
Thanks, guys. Housing is pretty much insane here in the US as well, but *much, much* less insane here in the Heartland than it is elsewhere. When I showed the pics of the place to my old girlfriend (who lives in hills above Dodger Stadium in LA), she thought I was buying a million dollar spread. She was actually shocked when I told her it was 165k.
Today was tantalizing and frustrating at the same time. We were to have closed yesterday, but our mortgage company didn't get the paperwork done in time, so closing is pushed to Monday. However, we had arranged with the owner to be able to start moving stuff over there today, despite the fact that she was not in fact going to be moved out yet. We didn't get to go over there until 5:00 because she *still* wasn't done (she told us she'd be done by noon), and so all we were able to haul over was three carloads of boxes and our considerable potted plant collection. Well, that, and the camper, which *had* to be moved so that the PODS truck can transport the very, very full PODS container on Monday.
The whole family is pretty excited and energized about the new place, though, and spending some time over there today just reinforced that. Still much, much work ahead.
Best wishes for a quick n easy move 'spode and many years of building new memories :)
[HTML]Still much, much work ahead.[/HTML]Yeah, but it'll be the more funner work of the project, than you've been doing up to now. :D
We have the house. The owner and her elderly parents (yeah, seriously...this woman's children and friends hosed her out so badly with the help she was expecting, she was crying telling us about it. Her mom and dad must have been at least eighty. We kept offering to help, and she kept putting us off) loaded up the last of anything she was going to take at about 6:30, and drove off as Mrs Elspode and I were earnestly scrubbing the bathrooms and kitchen counters. We were left with a bounty of boxes (about ten times more than we actually need. To think, we actually went out and bought a stack of boxes last week. Sheesh), a bunch of decent wood planks and such, a stack of cinderblocks and bricks in the back yard, and a pile of appliance manuals and phonebooks. Also, about twenty odd keys to the doors and padlocks of the place.
Tomorrow, if I don't have to kill any of my coworkers, I will sign the closing papers at some point during the day. We have now moved over six carloads of the "small stuff", as well as cleaning supplies and whatnot. Our coven met on our new front porch (more a front patio, truth be known) this evening, and we determined where our new coven space would be. We will be holding all open Sabbat rituals at our new place from now on out, so we had a lot of details to discuss. After all, hosting upwards of fifty people eight times a year takes some logistics. Mrs Elspode and I have a pretty good idea of where everything is going to go when the furniture gets moved next weekend.
The moving truck is reserved, address changes have been submitted, cable/Internet/phone goes in tomorrow, utilities have been in our names since Friday, POD is delivered tomorrow, youngest son has already bought the paint for his room (it seems he doesn't care for pink for some reason) and started taping the trim this afternoon...busy, busy, busy.
I have indoor pics to show you all, but I'm headed for bed soon as I have a hellish day tomorrow at work.
This is all pretty exciting for a guy who has essentially lived in the same place for over 35 years.
Els, it's really good of you to take the time to share your excitement about your move day by day! I, too, wish you very many years of building happy memories in your new house. It is SO great to move into a house which is just about everything you've ever wanted (I know, I've done it!) and then do/get done the last little bits that make it perfect (I'm doing that, too!).
All the best to you and your family!
Thanks, Limey. 19:30 CDT, and I'm just now finishing up at work. Now I have to go to the new house, stuff a sandwich in my face, and start helping unload the PODS container. Long day.
The title company still doesn't have the paperwork. No closing today. Not happy about that...
Good luck with getting everything settled in your new home, hon. It's so crazy trying to get comfortable, but as soon as you do, the house instantly feels like you've never not lived there. Have fun creating tons of new memories!
Thanks, Brooke, and welcome to The Cellar. Kinda feels like I've always been here, too, and I'm still a relative newbie.
Wishing you a speedy and uneventful move Elspode! Man, we accumulate a lot of 'stuff', don't we?
My family just moved 3 weeks ago (apt to house) and I have never been so exhausted as I was during the 5 days it took us to get everything from point A to point B. We lugged carload after carload and then a moving truck crammed to the top with furniture X 2. My former step-daughter works for TJ Maxx (clothing store) and unpacks the boxes, so she brought us stacks of bundled boxes for us to use. After the thickness of the pile of bundled boxes reached 3 feet, I was like...omg, NO more boxes! But guess what, we used every single one!
If it's possible, take it slow and don't overdo it. It is nice to unpack a room and set it all up so you have at least one spot that isn't total chaos :) .
And when you get a chance, I'd love to see pics of the inside. I'm very shocked at all that you got for $165 also, as that won't buy you 1500 sf house on a 60X60 lot here in Clearwater. Maybe I should move to the midwest!
Stormie
The move is in progress. We are closing on the new house at 3:00 today, finally, six days late.
I now own two houses, and can't really live in either of them... :) Big move from the old place to occur on Saturday, with an open public ritual held in our new backyard on Sunday.
I have a busy life. While on the way to the new house on Tuesday, Mrs Elspode spotted a tiny kitten in the middle of the six lane urban artery, 350 Hwy, and wheeled to the side, ordering me out on a rescue mission. The little guy's eyes were sealed shut with infection, essentially rendering him blind. It was blistering hot on the asphalt, and he has blacktop stains on his face, paws and tail. He was emaciated from starvation and anemic from fleas. She rushed him to an emergency vet, and now, only two days later, the little guy is becoming quite spry, eating like a horse, and responding to the vitamins, antibiotics and eye goop very well indeed. He is as yet unnamed, but the barely six week old kitten will go to live with my cat loving oldest son next week. Steve has been unable to have pets in his apartment, so here' s yet another benefit to our move.
:)
I am so incredibly happy for you Elspode!
He is as yet unnamed
Roadkill.
Oedipus or Homer (because of the eye issues)
or ... Sticky, Tar, Double Yellow ...
What color is he?
He is orange stripey. I believe that he was named "Raden" this morning over breakfast burritos. Raden is a Chinese thunder god, I believe.
We spent our first night in the new house last night. Not on a bed, mind you, but Mrs Elspode on the couch and I on the loveseat. Didn't matter, as we were, and are, exhausted. We got a bunch of stuff moved yesterday, and I finished off my son's apartment today. Now we've got to get him a bit better set up in his new place, but at least we're completely *done* with one of the dwellings we've been dealing with. Our old home has a long way to go yet.
We brought all the cats over last night, and they are totally freaking out. We won't let them outside until they've had a week or two to get used to the new place (i.e., until they realize that this is where the food lives). Durga in particular is about half crazy. She only ever comes into the house to eat anyway, so it is especially important that she relate food to new house lest she try to find her way back to the old home. Tomorrow, the birds.
I'm making this post from my living room couch on the laptop over the now functional wireless router. Little steps...little steps.
We also had our first sabbat ritual in our new backyard. It was awesome. Everyone was nearly giddy with the coolness of the vibe. The biggest reason we bought this particular place, next to having a residence for my son, was to have a place for our coven and community activities. If today's attendance of 50 was any indication, we're going to be rather successful at that. We even had angry neighbors call the police because of the parking situation. Off to a great start.:)
That is a remarkably good likeness of this cat...
The move is in progress. We are closing on the new house at 3:00 today, finally, six days late.
I now own two houses, and can't really live in either of them... :) Big move from the old place to occur on Saturday, with an open public ritual held in our new backyard on Sunday.
I have a busy life. While on the way to the new house on Tuesday, Mrs Elspode spotted a tiny kitten in the middle of the six lane urban artery, 350 Hwy, and wheeled to the side, ordering me out on a rescue mission. The little guy's eyes were sealed shut with infection, essentially rendering him blind. It was blistering hot on the asphalt, and he has blacktop stains on his face, paws and tail. He was emaciated from starvation and anemic from fleas. She rushed him to an emergency vet, and now, only two days later, the little guy is becoming quite spry, eating like a horse, and responding to the vitamins, antibiotics and eye goop very well indeed. He is as yet unnamed, but the barely six week old kitten will go to live with my cat loving oldest son next week. Steve has been unable to have pets in his apartment, so here' s yet another benefit to our move.
Awwww!!!! That kitten is extremely lucky. It makes me sad and happy at the same time when stuff like this happens. I am sad because a living being was in that condition, but happy that it is going to turn out all right. You are both wonderful people to help this poor guy out!
And congradulations on the progress. Like you said, little steps. You will get done eventually. :) In the meantime, I will be sending many good vibes your way!
At last, I have five consecutive free days to attempt to get the hell out of my old house completely and into this new one. By Friday night, I could be sleeping in my bed again instead of on a loveseat. I could have my desk and my desktop computer and a chair instead of sitting on the floor, typing on the laptop which is sitting on a box.
Tonight was spent picking up a free portable dishwasher, courtesy of a friend who had been looking to get rid of one. Bonus! This freed up the money to pick up the riding mower I'm getting in the AM. Unexpected expense for today was oldest son's air conditioner failing to keep up with the 102 degree heat in his barn attic loft, and so $350 later, he has one three times the size freshly installed.
Part of what has made this housing transition more difficult is the fact that I have had two households to deal with...Stephen's, and ours. In addition to getting his new AC installed, I also got him onto the wireless broadband connection. Fortunately, that was simple, but he isn't setting any broadband records...11-18 mbps, as opposed to the 54 mbps we're getting here in the main house. Still, it is over 20 times faster than what he had with dialup, and it works quite usably. He's pretty damn happy with it, anyway.
New kitty is settling in with Stephen quite nicely, but two of ours managed to get outside today. One came back, and one has not. We'll see what happens. She's a wild thing, and perhaps she's just getting the lay of the land.
Busy day tomorow, as usual. Nite, all.
Tonight was spent picking up a free portable dishwasher...
What is a portable dishwasher? A freestanding thing that just doesn't get installed under the counter? Or something else?
What is a portable dishwasher? A freestanding thing that just doesn't get installed under the counter? Or something else?
We had one that came with our house. When we redid our kitchen and got a real installed dishwasher, we gave our portable one away to a co-worker who was VERY happy to get it. This portable dishwasher was the same size as a real one, but was on wheels and could be rolled around the kitchen. You hook it up to the faucet of the sink via a special adapter. Turn the sink all the way onto hot, plug the washer in, and start it. It discharges into the sink. It had a butcher block top, so it was used as a giant cutting board too.
Only problem was that it was noisy as hell, especially as it discharged into the sink.
We were actually going to buy a new one, on purpose, so as to not have to lose any cabinet space. We do have a perfect wall for it to park against when not in use, though, so it was a good solution. It is a Whirpool, probably about six or seven years old, but it looks and works like new, and is reasonably quiet.
Did the explorer cat ever come back?
Have been offline for a few days. Am really glad that things are moving along nicely for you, Els. Continuing to send good vibes from Scotland (and England next week when I'm on holiday!).
Durga is now three days gone. We are officially concerned, but there was really nothing to be done about it. We had kept her in long enough that she was literally insane, shredding part of the curtains and dashing from room to room, yowling at the top of her lungs. I still hold out hope that she will return.
We're still pretty crazy busy. Old house is mostly empty now save for fridge and garage. As if things weren't stimulating enough, my father, whom I haven't seen in 15 years, pulled into my new driveway with his camper today and is staying over for a day or two. We are also expected to attend a family reunion tomorrow. It isn't that I don't want to go, but damn...we still have a lot of work to do, and we're down to a week to do it in. We've been putting in twelve hour work days the past couple of days, and it is going to be cutting it close to be done at the old place by next Sunday.
Pretty much bedtime now. More as I am able. Thanks for all the good thoughts and words of encouragement.
... my father, whom I haven't seen in 15 years, pulled into my new driveway with his camper today and is staying over for a day or two...
Put the old man to work; hell, no freeloaders here. "OK, Dad, when i've moved this stuff, sweep this room." and "Be a sweet guy and go get the stuff on this grocery list".
Actually, I wish I could go to that family reunion of yours. Sounds like a Hoooot.
Did you tell him you moved....and where? :whofart:
He came, he saw, he left. Dad pulled out about 4:00 this morning. It was a pleasant, if brief and none too intimate visit. Not that our relationship has ever been terribly intimate or close. Interference with the business of moving out and moving in was fairly minimal. I guess we lost about a half day of efforts over it all. Still got the fish tanks moved and my computer desk and computer set up, complete w/new wireless connection installed. The family reunion was also a brief affair, by necessity. None of my favorite cousins were there, but I did see a couple of relatives that I had not seen since I was 12 or 13.
This whole house-buying and moving process has been fraught with odd coincidences and things that would have seemed unique or strange even if we weren't going through all of this. I find it to be something of affirmation that we are doing the right thing, as though the Powers That Be are coaxing us along with little clues and hints somehow. With each succeeding day of being in the new place, I become more and more certain that this is a place we were meant to be for some reason, and that my time at the old place was well and long over. The overarching sense of rightness associated with our new home is palpable and ever-present, and it is a satisfying and encouraging feeling for me.
Now, if we can just get done and rid of the old place in the next ten days...
Now, if we can just get done and rid of the old place in the next ten days...
You can do it! And if not... have you met the new owners of the old place yet? We let the previous owner of our house, an old woman who was dependent on her son's muscles and vehicle to move her things, leave some items in the garage for several days after we "officially" moved in, until her son could get there the next weekend. Maybe your new owners would be nice too.
The new "owner" is a guy who will effectively rent out the place to cultivate a FSBO situation. When it sells, he pays us an agreed-upon price.
Getting everything out of the place and the flooring laid by 8-15 will save us $400.00, so we're motivated.
Three months. It has been three months, nearly to the day, since the PODS container was dropped in the driveway of 13130 Sycamore in preparation for getting the hell out of Dodge and on to a fresh locale. I had finally decided that 37 years in one place, in one suburban town, was enough. I was finally prepared to leave the known for the possible, the staid for the transitional, the familiar for the mystery.
Yesterday at about 7:30 PM, I handed over the keys to the house that my mother and stepfather bought from my aunt and uncle when I was not quite 13 years old - to a perfect stranger. I had just taken one last walk through the place where I smoked my first joint, got my first blow job, built my first marital bedroom, raised my only birth child, nursed my paralyzed mother, held my mother's wake...and found that I could, in fact, leave it to someone else, someone who might make their own memories there.
Today, for the first time in three months, I did not walk into my Grandview home and pack something, clean something, paint something, throw something away. I carried nothing from house to car for transport to my new house. I picked nothing up from the old front yard, watered nothing that grew in the flowerbed, turned off no forgotten lights or dripping faucets.
Today was my first full day living solely in my new home. I awoke in Raytown, went to work from Raytown, returned to Raytown, helped my son put things away and hang pictures in Raytown. Tonight, I sat on my front porch and listened to the cicads and the small fountain make their buzzing, burbling sounds. I stood in my back yard and realized that I might actually be able to mow it and pull its weeds this week. I smiled when I considered that I will be able to attend band practice for the first time in a month.
My grapes are ripening on the vine, and my winemaking friends are jockeying for position to get a share of the harvest. As summer wanes, a new life begins for my family and me. Thanks to everyone who has thought of us, sent us good thoughts or major juju.
It worked. We're here. At long last, we're *just* here.
Would you care for a mint Julep or bourbon and branch water, Suh? ;)
You cain't serve a mint julep that'a way! You've got to put a little slide into it, son!
Either will do fine, thanks. :)
Very nice. Peace to you and yours.
Congrats on finally being in your new home :)
Great, Big, Giant SIGH. Ain't life grand? Savor, savor, savor.
Fantastic! And thanks once again for sharing with us the joy of finding a place that is Just Right. My move to my current habitation was equally a homecoming to a new place, and you've just reminded me of how good that feels!
OK Els, it's TTGTGTGTG!
(time to get that get-to-gether to-gether or else it's got something to do with genetic sequencing ;) )
Finally took the time to dump some pics taken of the inside of the house the first day we started moving stuff in.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/elspodepics/
It looked a lot more roomy, then.
That's a really nice looking place. I like the front yard a lot with that nice shady tree and the long porch outfitted with chairs. I can picture hanging out on that porch in the shade.
Also, I'm very envious of that barn with the apartment.
You've got a nice place there. But you already knew that, didn't you?
Indeed. I'll have to shoot a pic of the porch now that we've inhabited it. Got some planters with herbs, a small fountain and a fish tank (!) on it. Great for your of-an-evening sittin' needs.
Very nice home! Congrats!
Indeed. I'll have to shoot a pic of the porch now that we've inhabited it. Got some planters with herbs, a small fountain and a fish tank (!) on it. Great for your of-an-evening sittin' needs.
Raytown is fast nearing the top of my list of places to visit in the States, nay the World .... :)
It is a truly egalitarian, seriously blue-collar place. The West side approaches sluminess in places, the East side has old farmhouses on one side of the street and near-mansions on private lakes on the other. 'Tain't boring, that's for sure. 350 Highway (formerly US 50 Hwy) runs right behind my place about 1/8 mile or so, and there's pretty much every sort of business, from retail to car lot to industrial, sited all along it.
In truth, I *prefer* an area like this. I like the multiculturality of it. I like the matured trees and established lots. I like the mixed age demographic, the ease of access to the places to buy stuff, and the fact that, despite all of the nearby hubub, my own street and chunk of neighborhood is amazingly quiet.
Els, you don't know how happy I am that you've got your piece of paradise and are setting up home in it. Stick insects ("walking sticks") and all ... It just makes me smile ... I suppose it's good to know that some people do get lucky, are happy, that it works out some of the time ... :earth:
Trust me, Limey...we are in a rare time of life here, a time where we are seeing more roses than thorns. My family suffers the same trials and tribulations that everyone else does, and perhaps even a little more. If you doubt this, read many of my past posts.
I think what is different right now is that we are so consumed with the whole process, that there's little time to dwell on the difficulties. Even as we savor the newness and continue the hard work of setting up Home, we have job difficulties, two of four cars broken down and four drivers in need of them, one child entering treatment for major depression and suicidal ideation, a frighteningly dwindling bank account, the loss of two of our four cats...in other words, Life Goes On.
We just had to get tougher recently. The new Home is the reward for that toughening up.
I find that attitude inspirational. I wish my boyfriend understood that. The downward spiraling has to stop sometime.
Happiness is out there to be had, if you are willing to do the work to find it. Thanks for the reminder, els.:)
Trust me, Limey...we are in a rare time of life here, a time where we are seeing more roses than thorns. My family suffers the same trials and tribulations that everyone else does, and perhaps even a little more. If you doubt this, read many of my past posts.
I think what is different right now is that we are so consumed with the whole process, that there's little time to dwell on the difficulties. Even as we savor the newness and continue the hard work of setting up Home, we have job difficulties, two of four cars broken down and four drivers in need of them, one child entering treatment for major depression and suicidal ideation, a frighteningly dwindling bank account, the loss of two of our four cats...in other words, Life Goes On.
We just had to get tougher recently. The new Home is the reward for that toughening up.
Still sending good vibes you way :grouphug: