The Work - and Noise - Begins

So the foundation retrofit work has begun...and my oh my is it noisy! Drilling, pounding, what sounds like ratcheting...poor Winston is freaked out. Earlier today he came slinking out from the bedroom and the poor boy was shaking! I had to take him in my arms and go outside for him to calm down.

I admit to a couple of moments of being discomforted myself, especially when the guy was working just about under where I was sitting AND THE FLOOR MOVED. It was like a mini-earthquake. Not fun.

There's only one guy making all of this noise. I saw another guy walking in my backyard around to where the crawl hole is. He must have been checking on the guy, Luis. 

The project manager called me this morning and asked if I wanted Starbucks. Sweet, huh? He came by to ensure the worker got there and started and to have me sign some papers. He hugged me good-bye just like the other day. I tell you, this is one friendly pm. 

Tomorrow I am going to Disneyland. My friend wants to get an annual pass. We've been planning this for a while. But with all the noise I don't want to leave Winston alone. So I talked my friend into going tomorrow afternoon and staying for the evening. He agreed (yay) so that's a big relief off my mind. I'm just not comfortable taking off while a guy is working under my house. I'm not worried about him stealing anything; what I worry about is if he hurts himself and no one is around. I already think my house is haunted without adding to it.

I've had a good day though. I worked on my resume some more and read my new comic books. I'll probably turn on the TV in a little while. Or I may take a nap. I like naps, naps are good. I just wish I had someone to cuddle and nap with. Any volunteers?

Our weather here has cooled down a bit. We're in the 80s now with an occasional breeze. Quite nice. Definitely cuddling/napping weather. *sigh*

BEHR HUGS
PS: This is my 1,055th post!

Another Curve Ball

So this thing called "Life" never ceases to disappoint. As you may recall, I was laid off back in mid-June. I'm collecting unemployment and a severance so financially I'm doing okay. The mortgage is getting paid, there's food in the fridge and cupboard, and I'm able to basically live my life normally except I don't have to go to work.

I have been working on my resume and completing some online assessments in order to better "sell" myself, so I haven't been a total slack.

Unfortunately I've just inherited a huge debt. I did the unthinkable yesterday - I answered the phone and agreed to a "free no-obligation" inspection of my house's foundation. It wasn't good news. In fact, had the guy not shown me pictures I probably wouldn't have panicked. Here's the pic of one of the wood supports that rests on a cement pier (that holds up the floor):

Yes it's about 2 inches off where it is supposed to be. There are gaps in the beams and in some places, rather than there being a bolt there are two nails holding beams together. Needless to say, this is something that I must take care of before the next seismic event. If I don't, and the house moves again it's possible that the floor will crash to the earth and possibly the rest of the house with it. So I signed on the dotted line and work begins this Thursday. It's costing me $11000.

Yet here's some good news: the guy who did the inspection and signed me up is a project manager not a salesman. He gave me a senior citizen discount (20%) even though I am 12 years too young. AND he got me a better financing deal than if I put it on a credit card or depleted my savings. I got the paperwork today from the funding company and I'm not happy about the rate or the amount of interest that I will end up paying but beggars cannot be choosy. 

This project manager was VERY nice...straight, married, a new father...but an incredible man. Beautiful smile, a really good spirit. I feel I'm a good judge of character and I believe him to be a good man. How many straight businessmen do you know who are so thankful that their customer got approved for financing that they want to hug you? Yep....he asked if he could hug me. That is not the sign of a deceitful person.

So although it is an expense I do not need it is - in the long run - something that I cannot live without. If I were to sell the house this would be a major setback. So better now than later. And may I suggest for anyone who has a raised foundation and many cracks in the ceiling/walls...have your foundation checked out. It's better to do it proactively than when it's too late.

And here's hoping the work crew will be gorgeous even if they will be working under the house!

So that's my latest news. When it rains!!

BEHR HUGS