I'm back in Chicago for a while, thank goodness. We got enough of the house done to get it on the market. I still have some stuff I'll have to move out eventually, and I didn't get carpets cleaned or a pot of flowers on the porch. I don't even care right now. The sign goes up tomorrow, and I don't care that I won't be there to see it. I'm just flat out tired and half hoping it doesn't sell for a month or two.
I learned some things this month, besides the fact that my family rocks and works like dogs. The first is that I need to be more aggressive in giving away things. When I walked into the garage last week for a can of paint and put my hand on it right away without having to climb over anything to get to it, I realized I don't want to live like that anymore. The other thing is when we buy our next house, we're going to find a neutral-ish paint color we both like, and every room will be that color. I might allow one feature wall per floor, but no more separate colors for each room. I literally had a dozen paint cans, and I was missing some of the colors. Mom went nuts taking down pictures and filling holes, so I had to touch up almost every wall in the house. I did learn one thing that made it easier. When you shake the can to mix the paint, you get a nice layer on the inside of the lid that you can dab off with a paper towel to touch up paint, rather than getting out the roller and pan and pouring too much and having to clean them after. I wish I'd figured it out earlier. I touched up three rooms (two different colors) in about 20 minutes. Oh, and I did my first scrap yard run to get rid of some stuff Vicky's ex abandoned. It was cathartic to fling his stuff into heaps of twisted, rusted metal, at least until a heavy metal desktop slipped and landed on my shin. The swelling has gone down, and the bruise is lovely.
I realized this morning my spiritual focus has shifted. For a few years, God's been saying, "It's not about you." I got that nudge on a pretty regular basis, and in the last several months it shifted a bit to "it's not my business" or "I don't know their story." This morning, what I got was, "There's no perfect time." I've always known that, but for some reason I internalized it this morning, maybe because I interviewed for a part time job yesterday. (New frozen yogurt shop across the street--the commute will be about 200 yards.) Historically, work, writing, and housekeeping have not played well together. I tend to be focused on one thing, and I dump all my resources into it. I think I need to learn to compartmentalize better, to actually see other things that need to be done and put what I'm working on aside for a bit. Ironically, that's harder now that I don't have kids around. I don't know how I'm going to do that yet, but it will involve stumbling around in the dark and light cursing, probably. That's how I roll. Since there's no perfect time, the only course of action is to jump in. Here's the list of things to get done:
- Unload the van
- Find homes for everything unloaded
- Read KOD and make notes for the rewrite (I've already inserted the new opening scene, Stephen, even though I decided against the contest)
- Dishes
- Laundry
- See if the local book store wants to do a BSF signing
- Maybe start the new job (need to go shoe shopping if it pans out)
- Figure out when to start publicizing the storytelling gigs at the Peoria Library in early May and the Springfield Games two weeks later
- Start pricing local storage so I'm ready when the house sells
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Monday, March 30, 2015
Blackbirds Second Flight On Sale Now!
March 30, 2015
MANY RIVERS HARBOR PUBLISHES NEW FANTASY ANTHOLOGY
ADA, OKLAHOMA—Many Rivers Harbor announces the publication of Blackbirds Second Flight, an anthology of thrilling fantasy stories and chilling poems by new and established writers. The book is on sale now at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Lulu, and other online retailers.
“We're proud to publish Blackbirds Second Flight,” said Kyra Childers, MRH associate editor. “This book follows last year's Blackbirds First Flight and features fantasy stories and poems with a dark twist.”
Childers said the book offers short stories that continue several characters' lives after their appearance in Blackbirds First Flight. "Both Stephen (Bagley) and Wendy (Blanton) return to characters first seen in last year's anthology. Stephen gives us another story about monster hunter Justina Grave, and Wendy tells us about another man's encounter with the powerful fairy Maeve."
The book retails for $12. For more information on Blackbirds Second Flight, readers can visit blackbirdsflights.blogspot.com.
The book features works from Stephen B. Bagley, Wendy Blanton, Gail Henderson, Ken Lewis, Jean Schara, and Heath Stallcup.
Stephen B. Bagley wrote Tales from Bethlehem, Murder by Dewey Decimal, Murder by the Acre, Floozy and Other Stories, and EndlesS. His works have appeared in Blackbirds First Flight, Creations 2014, Creations 2013, Creations 2012, ByLine Magazine, Free Star, Nautilus Magazine, OKMagazine, and other publications. He graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism. He is a member of Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc.
Wendy Blanton published three fantasy novels, The Dragon’s Lady, Rogue Pawn, and Sword and Scabbard under the pen name Elizabeth Joy with co-author Scott Carman. She has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Management from the University of Mount Olive and served in active duty for the United States Air Force for eight years. She is an apprentice bard and tells Celtic folk tales at Scottish Highland Games and other venues.
Gail Henderson collaborated with noted Oklahoma photographer Michael Duncan to produce Bare, a book of poetry and photography. Red Bird Woman, a collection of her poetry, was published in 2013. Her work has appeared in Blackbirds First Flight, Creations 2014, Creations 2013, Creations 2012, and ByLine Magazine. She holds a Masters of Education in English and Social Studies from East Central University. She is a member of Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc.
Ken Lewis's articles, memoirs, short stories, and poems appeared in Creations 2014, Creations 2013, and Creations 2012. He graduated from East Central University, Ada, Oklahoma, with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology, with a major in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. He is also a graduate of the Long Ridge Writers Group, Danbury, Connecticut. He is an amateur astronomer and is currently involved in a global effort to gather visual information of double stars. He enjoys handcycling and has completed numerous marathons.
Jean Schara retired from a 28-year career in the United States Air Force in 2008 and took up residence in Texas. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland University College with a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing and of the Troy State University with a Master of Science in Adult Education. She has had several book reviews published in the Air Power Journal and several articles published in Vision: A Resource for Writers.
Heath Stallcup was born in Salinas, California, and relocated to Tupelo, Oklahoma, in his teen years. He joined the US Navy and was stationed in Charleston, South Carolina, and Bangor, Washington, shortly after junior college. After his second tour, he attended East Central University, Ada, Oklahoma, where he obtained Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology and Chemistry. He then served ten years with the State of Oklahoma as a Compliance and Enforcement Officer while moonlighting nights and weekends with his local sheriff’s office. He lives in Oklahoma with his wife and three of his seven children. His books include Whispers, Caldera, Forneus Corson, and the continuing Monster Squad series: Return of the Phoenix, Full Moon Rising, Coalition of the Damned, Blood Apocalypse, Homecoming, and Wayward Son.
MANY RIVERS HARBOR PUBLISHES NEW FANTASY ANTHOLOGY
ADA, OKLAHOMA—Many Rivers Harbor announces the publication of Blackbirds Second Flight, an anthology of thrilling fantasy stories and chilling poems by new and established writers. The book is on sale now at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Lulu, and other online retailers.“We're proud to publish Blackbirds Second Flight,” said Kyra Childers, MRH associate editor. “This book follows last year's Blackbirds First Flight and features fantasy stories and poems with a dark twist.”
Childers said the book offers short stories that continue several characters' lives after their appearance in Blackbirds First Flight. "Both Stephen (Bagley) and Wendy (Blanton) return to characters first seen in last year's anthology. Stephen gives us another story about monster hunter Justina Grave, and Wendy tells us about another man's encounter with the powerful fairy Maeve."
The book retails for $12. For more information on Blackbirds Second Flight, readers can visit blackbirdsflights.blogspot.com.
The book features works from Stephen B. Bagley, Wendy Blanton, Gail Henderson, Ken Lewis, Jean Schara, and Heath Stallcup.
Stephen B. Bagley wrote Tales from Bethlehem, Murder by Dewey Decimal, Murder by the Acre, Floozy and Other Stories, and EndlesS. His works have appeared in Blackbirds First Flight, Creations 2014, Creations 2013, Creations 2012, ByLine Magazine, Free Star, Nautilus Magazine, OKMagazine, and other publications. He graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism. He is a member of Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc.
Wendy Blanton published three fantasy novels, The Dragon’s Lady, Rogue Pawn, and Sword and Scabbard under the pen name Elizabeth Joy with co-author Scott Carman. She has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Management from the University of Mount Olive and served in active duty for the United States Air Force for eight years. She is an apprentice bard and tells Celtic folk tales at Scottish Highland Games and other venues.
Gail Henderson collaborated with noted Oklahoma photographer Michael Duncan to produce Bare, a book of poetry and photography. Red Bird Woman, a collection of her poetry, was published in 2013. Her work has appeared in Blackbirds First Flight, Creations 2014, Creations 2013, Creations 2012, and ByLine Magazine. She holds a Masters of Education in English and Social Studies from East Central University. She is a member of Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc.
Ken Lewis's articles, memoirs, short stories, and poems appeared in Creations 2014, Creations 2013, and Creations 2012. He graduated from East Central University, Ada, Oklahoma, with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology, with a major in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. He is also a graduate of the Long Ridge Writers Group, Danbury, Connecticut. He is an amateur astronomer and is currently involved in a global effort to gather visual information of double stars. He enjoys handcycling and has completed numerous marathons.
Jean Schara retired from a 28-year career in the United States Air Force in 2008 and took up residence in Texas. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland University College with a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing and of the Troy State University with a Master of Science in Adult Education. She has had several book reviews published in the Air Power Journal and several articles published in Vision: A Resource for Writers.
Heath Stallcup was born in Salinas, California, and relocated to Tupelo, Oklahoma, in his teen years. He joined the US Navy and was stationed in Charleston, South Carolina, and Bangor, Washington, shortly after junior college. After his second tour, he attended East Central University, Ada, Oklahoma, where he obtained Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology and Chemistry. He then served ten years with the State of Oklahoma as a Compliance and Enforcement Officer while moonlighting nights and weekends with his local sheriff’s office. He lives in Oklahoma with his wife and three of his seven children. His books include Whispers, Caldera, Forneus Corson, and the continuing Monster Squad series: Return of the Phoenix, Full Moon Rising, Coalition of the Damned, Blood Apocalypse, Homecoming, and Wayward Son.
Sunday, March 29, 2015
The Curse of the Water Glass
We're sitting in the Metropolitan Lounge at Union Station in LA relaxing until our train leaves at six tonight. I was all set to spend the afternoon working on the laptop on their WiFi. Then I spilled a full glass of water on the keyboard. Now I'm waiting to see if it will dry out and still be alive.
We still do not like LA. The Westin Bonaventure was a very good experience (for the price, it darn well better have been!). Unless you count the tram ride, we made it through both Disney theme parks yesterday without riding a single ride. Seemed like a waste of money to me. We didn't find the scooter rental area until we finished the first park, which had one ride we would have liked to ride on, but I didn't want to stand in line for 45 minutes and then try to walk the rest of the park. It went better once we got the scooter, but still not a great day for us. Paramount was okay.
Sacramento was good visit. I think we could find more to do there.
Luggage is taking a beating. No surprise. My left knee is giving me fits today.
We had a wonderful visit with my parents. It was short, but I think it was about all they could handle. We got their AC serviced--a broken control wire and a worn relay was all that was wrong. They're waiting for estimates on two projects, and we'll see how that goes.
I had a great visit with a long lost friend. We talked non-stop all afternoon catching up.
Hope y'all have a good week.
We still do not like LA. The Westin Bonaventure was a very good experience (for the price, it darn well better have been!). Unless you count the tram ride, we made it through both Disney theme parks yesterday without riding a single ride. Seemed like a waste of money to me. We didn't find the scooter rental area until we finished the first park, which had one ride we would have liked to ride on, but I didn't want to stand in line for 45 minutes and then try to walk the rest of the park. It went better once we got the scooter, but still not a great day for us. Paramount was okay.
Sacramento was good visit. I think we could find more to do there.
Luggage is taking a beating. No surprise. My left knee is giving me fits today.
We had a wonderful visit with my parents. It was short, but I think it was about all they could handle. We got their AC serviced--a broken control wire and a worn relay was all that was wrong. They're waiting for estimates on two projects, and we'll see how that goes.
I had a great visit with a long lost friend. We talked non-stop all afternoon catching up.
Hope y'all have a good week.
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Same
Same stuff, different week, new set of helpers. That pretty well sums it up. I had Alex last week, this week it's my mom and stepdad. I came home this weekend for a Celtic festival we committed to a month or two ago. I made some contacts for storytelling and got to hang out with friends, so that was good. I head back tomorrow morning for what I hope will be a fast, final push to officially list April 1. I'm taking several copies of BSF with me.
At this point, things to do for the week are everything, plus look forward to getting the house listed.
At this point, things to do for the week are everything, plus look forward to getting the house listed.
BSF book Trailer
Book trailer for the new dark anthology Blackbirds Second Flight from Many Rivers Harbor. BSF features dark fantasy stories from Stephen B. Bagley, Wendy Blanton, Gail Henderson, Ken Lewis, Jean Schara, and Heath Stallcup.
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Counting down to Horror Hound
I'm leaving Wednesday.
My friend Michele lives near Iowa City/Cedar Rapids which is about 3 hours away from us, so Bill and I have decided to head down there Wed afternoon/evening, have a leisurely supper with Michele and her family, stay overnight, then he'll drive back home and I'll continue on to Ohio. We'll arrive Thursday evening since my Con participation starts Friday lunchtime for a pre-conference Samhain party thing, then the Con starts that evening. I won't be home until late Sunday, at best.
I have no real idea what my schedule will be there, other than I'll be at Samhain's book signing table at some point. They're supposed to have printed copies of SPORE. I'm assuming full length novels, but they might just be excerpts in a collection of upcoming releases. I honestly have no idea what they'll have ready. Posters? Postcards? Bookmarks? Something else? I have no panels scheduled, no nothing, and it's weird to go into a conference so blind. I do have not-quite 1500 bookmarks - I've given some away already - and the tshirts, plus I'll be taking my very limited stock of Dubric books along. I can't sell them at the Samhain table, but I surely can sell them myself outside of the conference space. Surely.
I'm crazy nervous, stressed, and hoping I'm not making a mistake to travel so far. But meeting my editor and the Samhain team is important, so there's that at least. I'll be fine once I get there, I always am, but by sheer numbers, this is larger than WorldCon, and when I went there I had like 6 different panels to work.
I hope it'll be all right.
In other news, I haven't written a bit of fiction in weeks, not since Laura started her new job. I need to get back on it, somehow, but my brain is fried, my body is exhausted, and I have no creativity left. Still, somehow I must.
Weight's up, but my sinuses have received the 'all clear, surgery was a complete success' score from my doc last week.
Mostly things are good, other than exhaustion, fried brain, con stress, etc.
{{hugs}} and have a great week!
My friend Michele lives near Iowa City/Cedar Rapids which is about 3 hours away from us, so Bill and I have decided to head down there Wed afternoon/evening, have a leisurely supper with Michele and her family, stay overnight, then he'll drive back home and I'll continue on to Ohio. We'll arrive Thursday evening since my Con participation starts Friday lunchtime for a pre-conference Samhain party thing, then the Con starts that evening. I won't be home until late Sunday, at best.
I have no real idea what my schedule will be there, other than I'll be at Samhain's book signing table at some point. They're supposed to have printed copies of SPORE. I'm assuming full length novels, but they might just be excerpts in a collection of upcoming releases. I honestly have no idea what they'll have ready. Posters? Postcards? Bookmarks? Something else? I have no panels scheduled, no nothing, and it's weird to go into a conference so blind. I do have not-quite 1500 bookmarks - I've given some away already - and the tshirts, plus I'll be taking my very limited stock of Dubric books along. I can't sell them at the Samhain table, but I surely can sell them myself outside of the conference space. Surely.
I'm crazy nervous, stressed, and hoping I'm not making a mistake to travel so far. But meeting my editor and the Samhain team is important, so there's that at least. I'll be fine once I get there, I always am, but by sheer numbers, this is larger than WorldCon, and when I went there I had like 6 different panels to work.
I hope it'll be all right.
In other news, I haven't written a bit of fiction in weeks, not since Laura started her new job. I need to get back on it, somehow, but my brain is fried, my body is exhausted, and I have no creativity left. Still, somehow I must.
Weight's up, but my sinuses have received the 'all clear, surgery was a complete success' score from my doc last week.
Mostly things are good, other than exhaustion, fried brain, con stress, etc.
{{hugs}} and have a great week!
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Three Days!
Then we'll be on the train, and the Grand Tour 2015 will be under way. I have blog posts for both blogs written and scheduled through our return. Suitcases are packed and ready to go. We'll tear down the last of the scaffolding tomorrow after Mr. L finishes his paint session. I'll get a picture and add it to the property update post before we leave.
Monday morning, we'll load up the cats and drop them at Dr. Val's on our way out of town, then we have a bunch of errands to run in San Antonio before calling for a cab to come get us at 5:30 Tuesday morning. We board the Texas Eagle and depart San Antonio at or about 7 am.
The HVAC systems are working for now. The primary technician stopped by yesterday to discuss layout of the new system with Mr. L and survey the attic for how to do the install of a single 5 ton heat pump system for upstairs instead of two smaller gas systems as it is configured now. I'm not wild about the heat pump, but he's insistent. They'll work up an estimate while we're gone and we'll arrange for the replacement when we get back. This should give us a nicely efficient system before summer heat hits.
I helped Mr. L install the plexiglass panels over the damaged window. It went pretty smoothly, and we both feel better about the durability of that window for now.
I got the house lawn mowed and trimmed and the critical areas of the store mowed. The game camera is operational at the ranch. The outside cat feeder has been filled. I'm luring Junior with Fancy Feast. Sneaky has been getting her Fancy Feast fix as well. Walter is showing up regularly on the new game camera I bought to track cats. There's another cat showing up as well. I can't tell if it's a different cat or it if might be Boomer. It's been four weeks since a confirmed Boomer sighting on the camera. This cat looks similar, but I'm not sure if it's him or not.
Mr. L has not finalized the taxes yet, but since we owe, I'm not too worried about it. We know what they are, and we have plenty of time to get them sent in after we get back from the trip. I'm satisfied with the Wildlife Management Report, but Mr. L has no interest in looking at it, so I can't really turn it in yet. Again, we have plenty of time to do that after we get back, so I'm not too worried about it either.
The Week Ahead:
Mr. L had asked for minimal computer time on this trip, so I've planned accordingly. And he wonders why I'm amused when he talks about spending time on his laptop working on a parts database for his cars and a few other things. Apparently, he's perfectly okay with me spending time on my computer while he's working on his. I laugh because it's better than trying to express how annoyed I am at how much this looks like the control freak in him running amok.
Monday morning, we'll load up the cats and drop them at Dr. Val's on our way out of town, then we have a bunch of errands to run in San Antonio before calling for a cab to come get us at 5:30 Tuesday morning. We board the Texas Eagle and depart San Antonio at or about 7 am.
The HVAC systems are working for now. The primary technician stopped by yesterday to discuss layout of the new system with Mr. L and survey the attic for how to do the install of a single 5 ton heat pump system for upstairs instead of two smaller gas systems as it is configured now. I'm not wild about the heat pump, but he's insistent. They'll work up an estimate while we're gone and we'll arrange for the replacement when we get back. This should give us a nicely efficient system before summer heat hits.
I helped Mr. L install the plexiglass panels over the damaged window. It went pretty smoothly, and we both feel better about the durability of that window for now.
I got the house lawn mowed and trimmed and the critical areas of the store mowed. The game camera is operational at the ranch. The outside cat feeder has been filled. I'm luring Junior with Fancy Feast. Sneaky has been getting her Fancy Feast fix as well. Walter is showing up regularly on the new game camera I bought to track cats. There's another cat showing up as well. I can't tell if it's a different cat or it if might be Boomer. It's been four weeks since a confirmed Boomer sighting on the camera. This cat looks similar, but I'm not sure if it's him or not.
Mr. L has not finalized the taxes yet, but since we owe, I'm not too worried about it. We know what they are, and we have plenty of time to get them sent in after we get back from the trip. I'm satisfied with the Wildlife Management Report, but Mr. L has no interest in looking at it, so I can't really turn it in yet. Again, we have plenty of time to do that after we get back, so I'm not too worried about it either.
The Week Ahead:
- Relax and enjoy
Mr. L had asked for minimal computer time on this trip, so I've planned accordingly. And he wonders why I'm amused when he talks about spending time on his laptop working on a parts database for his cars and a few other things. Apparently, he's perfectly okay with me spending time on my computer while he's working on his. I laugh because it's better than trying to express how annoyed I am at how much this looks like the control freak in him running amok.
Gearing up
Y'all are going to be so relieved when I finally sell the house and quit yammering about it. I'm heading back south Monday morning. In addition to working on the house, I'm planning to see a movie with Vicky (The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) and have dinner with my friend, Jenn. Not on the same night. I have to ration the fun so I get some work done.
I've been thinking about blogging again. Not just here. Here is more about accountability than entertaining the masses. This is mental health. The main reason I haven't been on the other blog in a while is I don't feel I have anything to say. While I didn't exactly hibernate all winter (though I wish I could have!) there wasn't really anything interesting going on and I couldn't think what to write about. On the rare occasions I did think of something, it was too much trouble. I was talking with a friend about living here, and he suggested I start a blog about it. Maybe I'll start the "Darwin Would Be Appalled" feature on my current blog. The very last thing I need is another blog to maintain.
I don't know about where y'all are, but here it's starting to feel like Spring might really happen. There is still a chill in the breeze, but it's been in the 50's and 60's here for a few days, warm enough to open windows and air things out a bit. The cats are less twitchy. We must be getting close. I'm itchy to plant things and have been trying to remember if I still have small flower pots in the garage at the house. I'm going to try to make do with herbs inside and flowers on the balcony.
I think that's about it. Tammy, have a great time at the Con! Jean, safe travels for your trip! Stephen, try to get some rest now that the book has been put to bed.
I've been thinking about blogging again. Not just here. Here is more about accountability than entertaining the masses. This is mental health. The main reason I haven't been on the other blog in a while is I don't feel I have anything to say. While I didn't exactly hibernate all winter (though I wish I could have!) there wasn't really anything interesting going on and I couldn't think what to write about. On the rare occasions I did think of something, it was too much trouble. I was talking with a friend about living here, and he suggested I start a blog about it. Maybe I'll start the "Darwin Would Be Appalled" feature on my current blog. The very last thing I need is another blog to maintain.
I don't know about where y'all are, but here it's starting to feel like Spring might really happen. There is still a chill in the breeze, but it's been in the 50's and 60's here for a few days, warm enough to open windows and air things out a bit. The cats are less twitchy. We must be getting close. I'm itchy to plant things and have been trying to remember if I still have small flower pots in the garage at the house. I'm going to try to make do with herbs inside and flowers on the balcony.
I think that's about it. Tammy, have a great time at the Con! Jean, safe travels for your trip! Stephen, try to get some rest now that the book has been put to bed.
Friday, March 13, 2015
Video Chat!
The first Many Rivers Harbor Video Chat. A few minutes of fun and information about the new anthology "Blackbirds Second Flight" with authors Stephen B. Bagley, Wendy Blanton, and Jean Schara in which they discuss their short stories, feral cats, murderous muses, fairies, dragons, and a few other oddities they didn't expect.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Respite
We had another fun-filled week at the house. (Note to self: invent a sarcasm font.) We were both worn slam out by Friday, but we packed up a bunch of stuff, lined up storage and took a couple small loads over. It was just Mom and me this time, and while we got a lot done, it wasn't as much as we did with the girls.
The second realtor was better prepared than the first. She had all the paperwork handy along with neighborhood comps. Long story short, the listing goes live April 1 for $179,900. That's the tippy-top of what she thought we could get, and our real target price is $172,000. If we don't get any nibbles in a month or so, we'll drop the price a couple grand and it will effectively generate a new listing in the MLS and get more attention. Houses have been selling better in our neighborhood, so I'm hopeful.
I'm taking this week off and will be at home. I need to write, and I have a game plan for that. KOD is very short, so I'm adding a subplot for my antagonist that I hope will highlight his descent into crime while my protagonist struggles to leave her life of crime behind.
Next week and the week after I'll be downstate (home on the weekend because we have a Celtic Festival the middle Sunday). Alex will be spending his spring break helping at the house, and the following week my mom and stepdad will be coming down. It's great having a retired handy man in the family! I hope to get Vicky and maybe Erik out there a day or two, too. If nothing else, Erik has a pick-up truck. Maybe I can get the guys to load up my garage to take to the storage unit. Between the truck and the van, maybe it wouldn't take too many loads. I hope to get the painting done next week, too.
So there you have it. It's not at all fun, but I hope it will be worth it. The faster we sell, the better, not just because selling will save us a bunch of money, but also because the house needs a young family. I'm just grateful to have so much help getting it all together. Hopefully by summer we'll be free and clear.
The second realtor was better prepared than the first. She had all the paperwork handy along with neighborhood comps. Long story short, the listing goes live April 1 for $179,900. That's the tippy-top of what she thought we could get, and our real target price is $172,000. If we don't get any nibbles in a month or so, we'll drop the price a couple grand and it will effectively generate a new listing in the MLS and get more attention. Houses have been selling better in our neighborhood, so I'm hopeful.
I'm taking this week off and will be at home. I need to write, and I have a game plan for that. KOD is very short, so I'm adding a subplot for my antagonist that I hope will highlight his descent into crime while my protagonist struggles to leave her life of crime behind.
Next week and the week after I'll be downstate (home on the weekend because we have a Celtic Festival the middle Sunday). Alex will be spending his spring break helping at the house, and the following week my mom and stepdad will be coming down. It's great having a retired handy man in the family! I hope to get Vicky and maybe Erik out there a day or two, too. If nothing else, Erik has a pick-up truck. Maybe I can get the guys to load up my garage to take to the storage unit. Between the truck and the van, maybe it wouldn't take too many loads. I hope to get the painting done next week, too.
So there you have it. It's not at all fun, but I hope it will be worth it. The faster we sell, the better, not just because selling will save us a bunch of money, but also because the house needs a young family. I'm just grateful to have so much help getting it all together. Hopefully by summer we'll be free and clear.
Saturday, March 7, 2015
Preparation
A little over a week until we embark on Grand Tour 2015. We're excited. We're almost packed. We're trying to make sure we take care of everything before we leave.
I scheduled my blog posts for the month. I have two A-Z Challenge posts to finish, but the events I'm posting about haven't happened yet. I can put together a draft, but I won't be able to finalize it until later this month. I've requested a guest poster for my second Tech Stuff post this month, and if the poster decides he doesn't want to participate, I'll have to come up with something. Maybe the Apple Watch? It's supposed to be revealed on March 9th, but I'm not particularly interested in it.
The VA rep gave me a much simpler form to complete and even gave me the verbiage to use for my temporary 100% disability request paperwork. I need to know what my recovery time is expected to be from my doctor, and I can submit the paperwork. I'll do that on April 10th.
I tried out the lift chair recliner I wanted at the medical supply place, and it's ideal. Since it's in stock, we'll pick it up when we return from the Grand Tour. We're hoping it sells between now and then. If it does, we'll order one in Cabernet (think red wine color) instead of the Palomino (medium brown) of the showroom model. Also, we'd love to get it in the original packaging instead of a floor model. We're trying to negotiate a lower price. We got him to knock $60 off for us picking it up (that really should be $120, because it would take his guys two hours to drive over, deliver it, and drive back -- we're still working on that), and we haven't brought up the floor sample argument and the cash discount argument yet. I think he'd given us as much discount as he could do without getting his boss involved, so we'll revisit when we go back in April. If we have to order a new chair, we'll be more flexible on the price. On the other hand, maybe I should just order one on line for $1099 and pay no shipping and no sales tax and be done with it. Mr. L has devised a method for getting it into the house, so delivery isn't an issue. (Fully recline it, turn it sideways on the piano dolly, and roll it in.)
Mr. L has inventoried the luggage to make it easier to find anything we're looking for on the trip. This will work well until after the first stop. Grin. He's so funny.
HVAC. Ugh. After multiple trips, they finally have a work around in place for the front upstairs unit. We plan to replace both upstairs units in April or May, but until then, they need to work. The downstairs heat pump blew a fan blade this week (boy did THAT sound terrible from right behind my chair in the parlor!). Thankfully, they had one in their shop boneyard they installed in a matter of minutes.
Most of you have probably heard about the BBs to the shop window episode. This is going to be an expensive year. The reason that window hasn't been replaced before has to do with changes in safety laws from when the building was built until now (That side to side and top to bottom break in the glass was there when we bought the building). To put plate glass in that window, it has to be at least 18" above the ground, and that window is about a foot or less off the ground. We'll have to raise the bottom of the window. Mr. L wants to use glass brick to do this, but he has to check with the glass people to ensure this meets safety regulations. I hope it does, because I love glass brick.
The Week Ahead:
I scheduled my blog posts for the month. I have two A-Z Challenge posts to finish, but the events I'm posting about haven't happened yet. I can put together a draft, but I won't be able to finalize it until later this month. I've requested a guest poster for my second Tech Stuff post this month, and if the poster decides he doesn't want to participate, I'll have to come up with something. Maybe the Apple Watch? It's supposed to be revealed on March 9th, but I'm not particularly interested in it.
The VA rep gave me a much simpler form to complete and even gave me the verbiage to use for my temporary 100% disability request paperwork. I need to know what my recovery time is expected to be from my doctor, and I can submit the paperwork. I'll do that on April 10th.
I tried out the lift chair recliner I wanted at the medical supply place, and it's ideal. Since it's in stock, we'll pick it up when we return from the Grand Tour. We're hoping it sells between now and then. If it does, we'll order one in Cabernet (think red wine color) instead of the Palomino (medium brown) of the showroom model. Also, we'd love to get it in the original packaging instead of a floor model. We're trying to negotiate a lower price. We got him to knock $60 off for us picking it up (that really should be $120, because it would take his guys two hours to drive over, deliver it, and drive back -- we're still working on that), and we haven't brought up the floor sample argument and the cash discount argument yet. I think he'd given us as much discount as he could do without getting his boss involved, so we'll revisit when we go back in April. If we have to order a new chair, we'll be more flexible on the price. On the other hand, maybe I should just order one on line for $1099 and pay no shipping and no sales tax and be done with it. Mr. L has devised a method for getting it into the house, so delivery isn't an issue. (Fully recline it, turn it sideways on the piano dolly, and roll it in.)
Mr. L has inventoried the luggage to make it easier to find anything we're looking for on the trip. This will work well until after the first stop. Grin. He's so funny.
HVAC. Ugh. After multiple trips, they finally have a work around in place for the front upstairs unit. We plan to replace both upstairs units in April or May, but until then, they need to work. The downstairs heat pump blew a fan blade this week (boy did THAT sound terrible from right behind my chair in the parlor!). Thankfully, they had one in their shop boneyard they installed in a matter of minutes.
Most of you have probably heard about the BBs to the shop window episode. This is going to be an expensive year. The reason that window hasn't been replaced before has to do with changes in safety laws from when the building was built until now (That side to side and top to bottom break in the glass was there when we bought the building). To put plate glass in that window, it has to be at least 18" above the ground, and that window is about a foot or less off the ground. We'll have to raise the bottom of the window. Mr. L wants to use glass brick to do this, but he has to check with the glass people to ensure this meets safety regulations. I hope it does, because I love glass brick.
The Week Ahead:
- Finalize tax forms, write the check, and mail it in.
- Finalize Wildlife Management Report and turn it in.
- Call HVAC guy - he wants to check a few things so he can prepare an estimate for us
- Do some yard work
- Keep working on Polar Bear on the Loose
- Keep doing my physical therapy exercises to strengthen my legs. I need to remember to do the upper body stuff, too.
- Set up the game camera at the ranch and refill the deer feeder.
- Fill the outside cat food tower next weekend.