Well part one of many more on the financial front...
Heard back from the inspector a few minutes ago. There a couple of floor joists that need a second opinion (a structural engineer for about $200) but most of the items he noted are cosmetic in nature. The inspector was really impressed with the painting crew out there who are also doing some exterior repairs - so I felt good about the validation to go with them.
Next step is another pow-wow with W and the real estate agent to get an action plan together. It needs to happen by the end of next week since W is going out of town with the kids the following week. And I am out of state the following weekend so we'll see where all of this goes...
Me 52, STBEX 52 D 17, S 12 M 20 years Em Sep since 2002, Phys Sep Sept 2009
Well W and the kids are away for their week of fun at a church related retreat in the mountains. The kids were naturally happy that they were going but somewhat sad that they would not see me for over a week. The kids needed to come by the Bobcave yesterday to get a couple of things that they had forgotten and we made each other promise that we would call during the week. They get back at the end of the week but I will be gone for the weekend with friends north of here at a festival and it will be good to get away.
Late last week W sent me an e-mail asking if I could take care of the kids on one of her weekends next month while she is away out of state. Now I have known about this mysterious weekend trip for the past two months since she put it on the online calendar we share so it was not a surprise. She will also be gone for a couple of days into the following week so I have to get the kids to and from their summer camp activities.
I replied to her that I could cover for the kids and that I have known for quite a while about her trip. I also mentioned about my trip next weekend (leaving Saturday morning and returning Sunday night) that the dogs were going to be at the vet and I would pick up the kids as usual from their weekly camp Monday afternoon. She replied back that the kids would be fine with her until then.
Now what W does with her time is none of my business anymore. But why wait nearly two months to ask me to cover for the kids on one of her weekends and part of the following week? Makes absolutely no sense to me...
On the house front - we had an evaluation done on the mold in the unfinished basement. Looks like the vapor screen and affected insulation will have to be removed before the wood can be treated. The environmental conditions in the basement are relatively good (low relative humidity and decent temperature) so after I get back from my trip next weekend it looks like I will be removing and carting off the affected material...
Me 52, STBEX 52 D 17, S 12 M 20 years Em Sep since 2002, Phys Sep Sept 2009
"Now what W does with her time is none of my business anymore. But why wait nearly two months to ask me to cover for the kids on one of her weekends and part of the following week? Makes absolutely no sense to me... crazy"
Too bad you're not busy that weekend! "Sorry, you should have asked sooner, I'm trimming my nostril hair that weekend" (not saying that it needs trimming, of course! LOL)
In a way - it's a good thing that I did not schedule something for myself. I suspect that W will bring up my trip out of state this weekend and how unfair it was of me not to give her prompt notice and I can easily reply: "Pot - meet kettle!"
Anyway - it looks like the painters are going to be finished no later than the end of next week. My last action item for that is to stop by the nearby Home Despot and make sure of the off-white color that the painters are using for the interior walls and that will be knocked out tomorrow.
I also received an e-mail update from my L asking if I could update a spreadsheet that W started with items that we are supposed to split the costs (such as the house inspection, garage door, money I have already paid the painters, etc.) As part of the e-mail, my L included the latest e-mail (over a month old) that W sent to her L. W seems really mystified that I have a new bank account which she cannot access for information.
No reason for the mystery - all of our prior bank accounts were joint accounts. Besides - W has had a separate bank account for a year now so I don't see where she has any right to question or complain about it...
Me 52, STBEX 52 D 17, S 12 M 20 years Em Sep since 2002, Phys Sep Sept 2009
Even though the kids have been gone all week with W, it has been a busy one for me with work and meetings. And it helps that I had the dogs to keep me company. Knowing that I was taking them to the vet for boarding this weekend, I made sure to have steak for dinner last night.
After delivering the dogs a couple of hours ago, I just got a phone call from the vet. Although both dogs have tartar buildup, the older one's is pretty severe so the vet called to get my OK for them to clean her teeth on Monday. Between the cleaning, anesthesia and bloodwork, that will set me back about $400 on top of the boarding fees. But I knew it would have to be done eventually so I just have to bite the bullet...
Most of my packing for my weekend excursion is complete (leaving early Saturday morning and getting back to the house very late Sunday night). So it's time to kick back and relax knowing that it will get very hectic tomorrow evening and into Sunday afternoon.
I did get an e-mail from W saying that she and the kids were having a good time. I didn't feel like responding although I am glad they are enjoying the time away. I did call D the night before and left a message but I guess cell phone coverage is hit and miss where they are staying. That's OK - I will try again tomorrow while all of us are on the road (them returning to W's house while I am going north).
Me 52, STBEX 52 D 17, S 12 M 20 years Em Sep since 2002, Phys Sep Sept 2009
Great to be back home. Although I had a wonderful time, it was just too blasted hot - temperature wise, that is...
As I was getting ready to leave, I got a phone call from the vet where the dogs are being boarded. Seems the older dog's buildup of tartar on her teeth was really bad and they wanted to clean them - which requires putting the dog under for the procedure. I knew this was coming for the better part of a year and a half so I gave my OK for it. It will set me back another $400 but she is only 7 years old and we love her a great deal. Part and parcel of being a committed pet owner...
I called D a couple of times to see how she and S enjoyed their week away but did not get anything but her voice mail. Doesn't matter - I'll see them later today when I pick them up from this week's camp. I halfway expected to find an e-mail from W but nothing from her was waiting for me.
I'm so glad I asked for today off from work - I need to rest a bit and catch up on laundry and procuring food for the week...
Me 52, STBEX 52 D 17, S 12 M 20 years Em Sep since 2002, Phys Sep Sept 2009
So it will be a weekend sans kids but I'll have the next three with them plus extra obligations to get them to places while W is out of state doing heavens knows what. But it will be fine - they'll have a great time with me and the dogs and that is what is really important...
Me 52, STBEX 52 D 17, S 12 M 20 years Em Sep since 2002, Phys Sep Sept 2009
I know I need to update but got off the phone with W a short time ago. FIL (in his mid 80s but very active) suffered a stroke while he was out of state. Severity is unknown right now but he was looked at right away and is in the hospital. Never lost consciousness, was responsive and talkative but not making a lot of sense. BIL is going over now while W and SIL are waiting for an update.
I offered to W that I would help out in any way possible when she gets more info. She sounded appreciative for the offer and we should know more during the weekend. I broke the news to the kids and D was very worried but I stressed that it was early and that FIL was in the best of care...
Me 52, STBEX 52 D 17, S 12 M 20 years Em Sep since 2002, Phys Sep Sept 2009
The kids needed to come by the Bobcave yesterday to get a couple of things that they had forgotten and we made each other promise that we would call during the week. They get back at the end of the week but I will be gone for the weekend with friends north of here at a festival and it will be good to get away. 
