Saturday, July 11, 2009
Am growing one and losing the other!
Sigh.
Been tossing and turning since 4am so finally got up out of impatience. Took some pics of the 5am rising sun, had some cereal and am now unsuccessfully trying to convince myself to try to get a bit more sleep.
My damn brain just won't shut off, so annoying!
It may have to do with the hours of physical work I put in yesterday... I mean it was non-stop from 8am to 8:30pm. Non. Stop.
It's great to be building muscles and to be slowly but surely able to do more with less repercussions, it's great that the projects are moving along but man oh man, it's getting annoying to have SO many open-ended things laying around, you know?
Can't get the chickens this weekend, the coop won't be done until mid-week. Vegas is too busy with his job, the contractor hasn't been able to give us more than one or two hours a day the past two weeks (thankfully next week he's almost all ours! TTFC!) and wow, there is just too much to do and I can't maneuver the big machinery so it has to wait for the mens.
Status update: no deck in sight, no dog run either. No horse shelter.
The big dog run is half grated of the vines and rock residue, that will hopefully get finished today as we have the Kubota until tomorrow night (at $200 a day, you want to get your money's worth!).
The contractor is supposed to finish tiling the basement today, then it needs to be grouted so hopefully tomorrow I can have my washer and dryer back. Then we need to get the ceiling & walls done. Lordy.
The chicken coop work has been started but it's a bigger job than planned, dunno when Vegas will have the time. He has to dig a trench by the side of the stables today for drainage, and another one by the side of the house in back. Insert drainage tube, cover with the clean cracked rock and then dirt. Biiiig job.
One load of ledge has been spread in the back of the stables, after the broken cement slabs and ginormous pile of horse crap were removed. Looks much better now, but I have to order another load of ledge this morning - one wasn't nearly enough as the sludge went that deep.
Soooo gross to inherit other people's shit. Literally.
In essence, we have all the wood, the rocks, the machinery, the tools, etc - just need the manpower and the hours (and weather that cooperates!).
Rare commodity!
Oh and I won't mention the pile of other side-projects that need to be done, like weeding over a thousand vine plants gone wild... at least the other flower beds look decent now. Mother of god, what a job.
Vegas looked deflated last night.
"I'm just wondering when we get to have a break and enjoy this place."
Well... We did take on a lot of projects straight after moving in! However, I admit that between knowing that things take longer and cost more than expected and actually living it, the reality can be a bit daunting.
No idea when I'll be able to start my business, either - I'm sooo not there yet. But it needs to be soon cuz we're broke, I mean really broke.
And the puppy arrives in less than three weeks.
Um.
I think I should go back to bed now and try to get a bit of sleep, LOL!
Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!
/end of I Can't Keep Up But I Love It post/
14 Comments:
Unfortunately what I have learned over the years is that a house is in general an open-ended, and never ending project.
Unless you have endless amounts of cash....that is....
Essentially you'll get used to the "get one thing done, something else breaks/needs doing" situation.
I think a human can get used to anything....
Reality is daunting. Always. :)
Having a used house, you will have endless projects. Having a house with the major projects done, you will always have repairs. I will never get used to that. Reality.
get some sleep.
Suz
wow, reading that got me exhausted! even though I've never owned a home, I have to agree with what what the others said based on everything I've heard. That homeownership is a never ending project. pace yourself!
I guess you need to prioritise, get the things done first that enable you to make some money. Then take the rest at a slower pace..
Good Luck :)
Tell me again why everything has to be finished in the first ten minutes of living there? You guys are going to burn yourselves out and start resenting the house and each other if you're not careful.
You have a lifetime. You know? You don't need eggs this minute... Or even this year....
Girl...you have so much on your mind and on your plate to get things "just right" that I can see why your mind wont shut off. Sounds like it probably wont until you check the last item off your to-do list. Better take a breather and "pace" yourself. Dont run yourself ragged and just enjoy the here and now - ya know?
Excellent advice from Prin :o). Enjoy the summer a wee bit while you can!
Myself, yep they can! We don't mind the ongoing projects, however we just need certain things to be done so we can finally enjoy our home and the summer (like our deck! poor dogs have nowhere to go right now. we want BBQ!)
Busy Bee, we'll be pros by the time the repairs start kicking in. Oh wait, they already have! ha ha!
Surfergirl, no worries it's more fun than frustration. We'll pace ourselves once we're finally settled in :)
Lady B, you hit the nail on the head. What's being done right now are the essentials in order to generate revenue... gawd do we ever need to get some money in, LOL!
Prin, we are focusing on the items that need to be done ASAP in order to start earning money with the place. No luxuries, all necessities. Unfortunately they are all labeled P1 so that's where we go gaaah! All will be better in a week, our contractor is finally giving us full time! w00t!
Daring, believe it or not we are enjoying the work... it's very satisfying and since it's all increasing the value of our property, it's also rewarding! At least we're outside getting sun and fresh air, too!
Teri, we're outside most of the time (rain or shine) so definitely enjoying the summer! The aches and pains are just side effects, LOL!
listen to prin.
don't overdo it. one day at a time man.
there will always be work to do! :)
and remember to have fun!
Hugs, honey. I'm amazed with what you have done so far. You guys have been all work and no play.
And you know what happsns with no play.
You should both take a day just to relax and appreciate all that you've done before diving back in.
Wish I was closer so I could come help you out.
this should be the last full burn weekend - hiring a digger means that we had to get everything done in the allotted time. We have to slow down after today. At least the sun is shining - digging french drains, installing and then backfilling is a shitty job. Doing it last night in thunderstorms was somewhat disheartening (especially when one side of the trench kept falling in because of the rain).
Anyway - thanks for all the concern :)
Man! It's been so long I feel like I landed on another planet. This post is a good dose of reality for us city people romanticizing country life. Like me with my pie in the sky animal-rescue-shelter-when-I-win-my-millions dream project...
Sounds to me like you took the efficient can-do city mentality with you and expected it to work out there in the wild. I guess you're finding out for yourselves deadlines don't really work in places where horse manure can be so bountiful.
Best of luck to you kids. And thanks for the b-day wishes.
p.s. since you're been gone I've been kicking myself for not having spent more time with you while you were so nearby. But fact is I'm still having a hard time reaching outside the bubble. Think of you lots though.
xx
Lola, we are having fun no worries! Every day is a blessing and the work feels awesome and so rewarding :)
Katie, awe you are so sweet! We're taking a break on the renos the next two days - our contractor gets to pick up the slack :)
Vegas, you are and will always be my hero!
Smiler, let me know when you're ready to venture out and do come for a visit - I miss you loads!
Yeah . . . a house is a never-ending project. We have a 1400 sq ft condo and there's always something to be done. No joke. (As I sit here and run through the list in my head). HOWEVER, you and V have taken on quite a few projects immediately upon moving in. Slow down. Breathe. Enjoy the newness. At least for a minute or two.
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