Becke's House After the Renovations

[becke_davis]

---

Fricka wrote:

---

eadieburke wrote:

---

becke_davis wrote:

---

Nice house! Good idea to get rid of alot of stuff before selling - rooms look more spacious!

---

I agree with eadie--all the experts always say to make your home look as free from clutter as possible. That's a very beautiful house, though-- two things occur to me. One, I would have a hard time leaving a house like that, especially if I'd lived there for decades with my family. It must be hard for you to leave all those memories, becke.

Second, I hope you can get a price for the house that reflects its real worth, and don't have to accept a lower price just because you are wanting to sell now. I hope whoever gets the house now will be a good caretaker.
Reading Patti, I am sorry to hear you didn't get the full time position you were hoping for. You might ask some discrete questions after a bit, like if you took some library science classes, would it improve your chance of full-time work? becke had a good suggestion about checking with retail stores for a second job. You might also check with some of the schools in your area--there are usually support positions like lunchroom/cafeteria work and so forth. Some people here in Arizona work the crossroads during the morning and afternoon shifts--they move the stop traffic signs when there are students ready to cross. You might check to see if there's anything like that available in your area. Also, since you've had experience working in a library, have you given any thought to applying to a nearby bookstore? They might not have a full-time position open, but I bet you could find they might need some extra weekend help. Anyway, good luck! Hope you can find something that you can enjoy doing, and that will help your earn more money. BTW, not sure where you live, but you might think about working in the luxury business-- I mean like house sitting for people who own a summer house or need someone to maintain their guest cottage, stuff like that. Something to think about, anyway.

Checking with the schools is a really good idea! A good friend of mine is a recess helper at a local elementary - it's just a few hours a day but it gives her a decent income. Another friend of mine works in a school cafeteria. A lot of schools are hiring now, too, before the start of the school year.

Fricka - It's kind of bittersweet knowing we'll be moving away. We have a lot of wonderful friends here, and it's a very friendly neighborhood. The backyard is very quiet - I love to sit on the deck and read, listening to all the birds. Once a quail even serenaded me! My cat will miss sitting on the deck, too. All he does these days is bask in the sun, so hopefully he'll find a sunny spot in the condo. 

This was a great house for the kids to grow up in, but it's a lot of house for just Marty and me. It needs a family. We have so many great memories - we won't forget this house!

[ReadingPatti]

Fricka, thanks for the suggestions. I live in Somerset, PA. I live about 10 miles from Flight 93, and the Quecreek mine rescue site.

Somerset is a really small town. We recently lost over 200 jobs from one of our mining companies. Wal-Mart is the only main store we have which is not in Somerset itself.

There are not stores in uptown Somerset. There is one bookstore run by the lady who owns it. I would have to ask if she needs any part time help on the weekends. I really don't think she does as she barely getting by as it is.

I am looking into doing typing at home for a temp agency. They advertised in our paper. I need to talk to them on Mon.

I wish I could go more places but I don't have a car so I need to go to places where I can walk.

I am going to ask in November when my 4th year anniversary comes up if I can get full time.

I did ask LeeAnn that is I took some library science courses would I get full time and she said there was only one position and that it has been filled. She is going to tell me more on Mon.

I am also looking for a part time job in an office when I can help on Thurs and Fri. when I am off.

ReadingPatti

[ReadingPatti]

Becke, The house looks great. It must be bittersweet to leave but I can see why you have to or want too.

It remodeling looks great.

I am glad that the books all got good homes and that some of came my way.

I will learn more on Monday about what is going on. I do know that LeeAnn said that if I take the library science courses that I would not get the job because it has been filled so I will wait and ask in November if I can get full time or possibly more hours.

So you will be moving soon.

I hope that you like your new home.

ReadingPatti

[becke_davis]

---

ReadingPatti wrote:

Becke, The house looks great. It must be bittersweet to leave but I can see why you have to or want too.

It remodeling looks great.

I am glad that the books all got good homes and that some of came my way.

I will learn more on Monday about what is going on. I do know that LeeAnn said that if I take the library science courses that I would not get the job because it has been filled so I will wait and ask in November if I can get full time or possibly more hours.

So you will be moving soon.

I hope that you like your new home.

ReadingPatti

---

It sounds like you are looking into all your options - I hope you succeed in finding something!

[maxcat]

Becke, I know how it is moving from one city to the next. What made you decide to move to Chicago? And will you be in the city itself or a suburb? I lived in Philadelphia for 19 years before I got married and moved away. We went back there in 1989 for my Dad's Funeral and things changed and not for the better. You know the saying " you can never go home again". It's true as we lived in a cul-de-sac surrounding a park. It's still there but the tavern my Dad and Granddad went to every Saturday afternoon is gone as is the public playground where I went swimming and broke my teeth in the playground itself is gone. Things change and will forever change supposedly for the better. We've lived in our current house for 30 years, the longest place I have been living. Our mortgage will be paid up this year and then we don't know whether to sell and move to a less taxable county or keep living here. The neighborhood has changed. We have a lot of renters whereas when we moved here, everyone owned their house. And it is a mixture of people living here, young, old, black, Ethiopian. Different cultures and they pretty much keep to themselves. It will be difficult at first but you and Marty will adjust.

[becke_davis]

---

maxcat wrote:

Becke, I know how it is moving from one city to the next. What made you decide to move to Chicago? And will you be in the city itself or a suburb? I lived in Philadelphia for 19 years before I got married and moved away. We went back there in 1989 for my Dad's Funeral and things changed and not for the better. You know the saying " you can never go home again". It's true as we lived in a cul-de-sac surrounding a park. It's still there but the tavern my Dad and Granddad went to every Saturday afternoon is gone as is the public playground where I went swimming and broke my teeth in the playground itself is gone. Things change and will forever change supposedly for the better. We've lived in our current house for 30 years, the longest place I have been living. Our mortgage will be paid up this year and then we don't know whether to sell and move to a less taxable county or keep living here. The neighborhood has changed. We have a lot of renters whereas when we moved here, everyone owned their house. And it is a mixture of people living here, young, old, black, Ethiopian. Different cultures and they pretty much keep to themselves. It will be difficult at first but you and Marty will adjust.

---

We'll be in the city this time. I lived in Rogers Park and Lincoln Park when I was a kid, but lived in the suburbs mostly. I have worked downtown, and I've always loved the city. I'm excited about it!

We've been looking at condos for a couple years - here in Cincinnati, in Florida and in Illinois. We weren't in any rush but this place needs a family; it's too big for just the two of us. 

Two things made the decision for us - well, three. My son decided to stay in Chicago for grad school, my husband's job is now based in Chicago instead of Cincinnati and - the biggie! - my granddaughter lives in Chicago! Also, since I work from home I'll be able to help out with child care when Kim goes back to work. It's a win/win!

[Jimcolombo]

Hi to all, It's sunny and beautiful over my house today. That's a good thing since my air-conditioning unit died over the weekend. Representative coming in a half an hour to sell me a new one. Oh boy! Becke your house in Cincinnati looks beautiful. You should have no trouble finding a buyer. Patti I am keeping my fingers crossed a better opportunity will arise for you! You do the same! It's off to do my chores. Have a great day. Jim

[becke_davis]

---

Jimcolombo wrote:
Hi to all, It's sunny and beautiful over my house today. That's a good thing since my air-conditioning unit died over the weekend. Representative coming in a half an hour to sell me a new one. Oh boy! Becke your house in Cincinnati looks beautiful. You should have no trouble finding a buyer. Patti I am keeping my fingers crossed a better opportunity will arise for you! You do the same! It's off to do my chores. Have a great day. Jim

---

I hope so, Jim - big open house tomorrow!

[maxcat]

Becke, those are wise decisions and well thought out if you have been looking for a while. You have a beautiful house and I'm sure it will have a loving family with kids to make their own memories. I hope Casper will like his new home.

[becke_davis]

---

maxcat wrote:

Becke, those are wise decisions and well thought out if you have been looking for a while. You have a beautiful house and I'm sure it will have a loving family with kids to make their own memories. I hope Casper will like his new home.

---

I'm a bit worried about Casper. He's much better, healthwise - he lost two pounds during the week he had the high fever, but he could do with a little weight loss. (*cough* so could I...)

The thing is, he'd hardly been going outside at all until our renovations started. But he did NOT like all the strangers tramping all over the house, bringing equipment and making noise. So he developed a new routine of going outside every morning and basking in the sun on the deck, and not coming in until the workmen were gone. 

I hope he makes the most of his time outside now, because he won't be able to do that once we move. He'll have plenty of room, just no deck or backyard. Also, we'll have to have our vet tranquilize him before the actual move. He's not fond of cars, and it's a five hour drive to Chicago. :-(

[eadieburke]

---

becke_davis wrote:

---

Jimcolombo wrote:
Hi to all, It's sunny and beautiful over my house today. That's a good thing since my air-conditioning unit died over the weekend. Representative coming in a half an hour to sell me a new one. Oh boy! Becke your house in Cincinnati looks beautiful. You should have no trouble finding a buyer. Patti I am keeping my fingers crossed a better opportunity will arise for you! You do the same! It's off to do my chores. Have a great day. Jim

---

I hope so, Jim - big open house tomorrow!

---

Good luck and hope you can add a nice sold sign to the front lawn soon!

[becke_davis]

---

eadieburke wrote:

---

becke_davis wrote:

---

Jimcolombo wrote:
Hi to all, It's sunny and beautiful over my house today. That's a good thing since my air-conditioning unit died over the weekend. Representative coming in a half an hour to sell me a new one. Oh boy! Becke your house in Cincinnati looks beautiful. You should have no trouble finding a buyer. Patti I am keeping my fingers crossed a better opportunity will arise for you! You do the same! It's off to do my chores. Have a great day. Jim

---

I hope so, Jim - big open house tomorrow!

---

Good luck and hope you can add a nice sold sign to the front lawn soon!

---

I sure hope so!

[ReadingPatti]

Hi, my friends, I did not full time. So it is what it is. The new lady starts next Monday. Not sure what she is like or how long she will be there. So I am still part time. I did get more responbilities. I will be on the list to check the e-mail for obitutarties. I don't do that now. So I guess that is good. I am going to get to recommend books from McNaughton for the library. I check ones I think would be good for the library then LeeAnn will check what I recommended. My schedule remains much the same. I am not getting any more hours or a pay raise. So I guess that is something. I am going to ask in November when my 4 year anniversary comes for full time and if not that then ask for more hours. Like another day. All they can tell me is no. I am working on getting the continuing ed courses I need. I have 4 of the six I need.

So I am sad, disappointed but at least I have my job that I love and I will make do with what I have.

Working on my cross stitching and working on my manuscripts to get at least the first finalized to send out. I hope to get published.

Still looking into doing typing at home. I really need to brush up on my speed.

Just wanted to Thank you all for your wonderful support.

ReadingPatti

[maxcat]

Hi, Jim, buying a new air conditioner is a costly adventure. We had to replace our furnace a year ago and decided to get a Gaspak, a combo air conditioner and gas  furnace. We used to have room air conditioners but found that they only last two years down here because of mold growing in them and they were not as productive. I think we are saving money on the unit as it's hard to tell because of rising costs in utilities. But I do know we are using less electricity and gas when the unit runs.

[maxcat]

Becke, I remember when we made the move from Virginia Beach to here. Our crazy diabetic cat had to be trnquilized as he howled in the car on trips to the vet. The vet said the shot should last 8 hours and it didn't. After 4 hours, the cat came out of his stupor and started howling. Four long hours of howling! Then we had to stay at a motel here as the moving van was not due until the next day. The cat developed an ear infection and we had to find a vet to have him checked out. On medication, we moved into a rented house and one of the workers stepped on the cat's toes and it was bleeding as the guy had big shoes and he was big also. It was a bad day but the cat survived as did the both of us and our daughter. But what a nightmare!

[becke_davis]

---

maxcat wrote:

Becke, I remember when we made the move from Virginia Beach to here. Our crazy diabetic cat had to be trnquilized as he howled in the car on trips to the vet. The vet said the shot should last 8 hours and it didn't. After 4 hours, the cat came out of his stupor and started howling. Four long hours of howling! Then we had to stay at a motel here as the moving van was not due until the next day. The cat developed an ear infection and we had to find a vet to have him checked out. On medication, we moved into a rented house and one of the workers stepped on the cat's toes and it was bleeding as the guy had big shoes and he was big also. It was a bad day but the cat survived as did the both of us and our daughter. But what a nightmare!

---

Oh no! I'll be sure to mention this to our vet!

[ReadingPatti]

Becke, Leslie, who got hired has a Masters degree in Library Science. I can't compete with that.

ReadingPatti

[becke_davis]

---

ReadingPatti wrote:

Becke, Leslie, who got hired has a Masters degree in Library Science. I can't compete with that.

ReadingPatti

---

Maybe they'll give you more hours later on.

[becke_davis]

Today is the birthday of our fearless leader, Jeremy Cesarec. He supervises all the moderators and is our primary troubleshooter.

Help us wish him a big Happy Birthday here:

http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t5/Mystery/Happy-Birthday-Jeremy/m-p/1375754#M54165

Thanks!

[becke_davis]

I'm soooo not Suzy Homemaker, but right now I have to do my best. Today we had some people come look at the house, and Sunday there's another open house. I'm a basket case - I sure hope it sells quickly!