November 30, 2004

• Monday was a weird day, spent the day scrambling around, felt like I was treading water, getting nowhere. I actually did get a lot done, but just things didn't go well. I really don't like days like that. Took the hydrant back to Orschelns, got the refund and spent that money on parts for the mandolin and violin at Dietze. Cheapest bow they had was $45, so left it there. Found out the glue I need to repair the violin is called "hot hide glue", I have to get it at a wood specialty shop. It looks like little plastic beads and you mix it with water and heat it to dissolve, then use a syringe to apply it. Sounds like a pain in the ass frankly. Labor of love. Returned the motorcycle seat cover, Great Plains took one look at the seat, said they had never seen one like it. Seems like I always come up with the oddball stuff. Go figure. Took the seat to an upholstery shop, yes they can re-do it, $130. Double what the seat cover costs. Naturally. Dropped one report off at the Selling Agent's Office, before I could drive over to the Listing Agents Office to give him his copy, he was on the phone calling me about it, said he found out there was a copy of the report out there, and why did't he have his, it was embarassing when the Buyers Agent called him to discuss and he didn't even have the report. I told him I was on my way over with it, "Well, why didn't you deliver mine first, etc". Sheesh, talk about acting like a little kid. Then the buyer agent calls back and wants me to meet with the client at the house to go over the report that afternoon. OK, let me drop what I am doing and run right over there. So I had to make a beeline home, get my lockbox key, my copy of the report, etc., and head back in to that house. Meeting went OK, but sometimes people's expectations, whew! Picked up wiper blades for Allen's El Camino, only to find out later I had replaced them already, and his were just iced up, he didn't know to reach out and "snap" them to knock off the ice. So now I have another $10 worth of new wiper blades laying around. I know we'll use them sometime, but...  Turned in receipts for photocopying from the Citizenship Class to the Elks Lodge, got reimbursed for that. Kind of nice not having to wait months for the $$. Went back to the house on S.71st to take another look at the roof, and check for mold. There was no mold, the guy saw the discolored paper on the back of the insulation along the foundation, thought it was mold. It is just the way the insulation was made. I am going to have a fine time convincing him of that, when he is in Arkansas. Oh well. Figured out the roof was the original, 25 years old, but wearing well for that age. Recommend he replace it in 3-5 years. So now I have the info to revise that report.  Picked up Kyle and got his supplies for his homework project, then made a beeline for Pickrell to do the Termite Inspection on that farmhouse. Had a hard time finding the house out in the country, took an extra 20 mins, and then found the new family had already moved in, they haven't even officially bought the house yet. They had already painted several rooms and cleaned the place up. He had the furnace running, but the chimney vents outside the foundation right under a window, I cautioned him on that. No termites, but it took 45 mins to do by the time I was done talking to the guy. Usual questions, but it sure made me late. Headed directly for Lincoln, stopped at the Bennet corner to get gas, 6 pm, Allen called, said he just got out of Wrestling practice himself, so we met at Godfathers for Pizza. He was worn out from his workout. I didn't have time to get Scout Uniforms, so we went in street clothes. They had Elections, Kyle is OA rep, Allen is APL for his Patrol. I know they are losing interest in it, not much I can do. Hope to keep them going until they at least get their Eagle Ranks achieved, then they can quit if they want to. No disgrace in that. I am lined up to do a Woodworking Merit Badge next week, bring a drill press, router and table, sander and some sealer, kids will make wood toys. That will be quite a production. We headed home, snacked on turkey while Kyle did his homework project. Made several large posters for his Shark speech, did a really nice job. Printed off about a dozen color pictures off the internet (there goes $10 worth of colored ink!) oh well, at least he is interested in doing a nice job on his projects. Sure wished Allen had the desire to do more than the bare minimum. At least he is passing his classes. It's just that he could have gotten so much more out of them by such little extra effort. We watched Scrooge with George C. Scott. not bad, still not my favorite. Allen made some Jello for a dessert, at least it is lo-cal. I finally got them all to bed at midnight. Ran a load of laundry, got up and 5:30 and threw them in the dryer, made Kyle wear his slacks again. He hates that when that happens! Took a pitcher of water down to the cats, I knew they were dry, didn't want them out. I will put them out later this morning when it is not so cold. Fed Willie, he is sleeping in his stall, really likes to kick that straw all over. Ran a little more water (the hydrant works great!) and gave him some grain. He is a happy camper I think.  Played catch-up on the computer all morning, re-did that report, went through a bunch of receipts and logged them in. Bought a violin bow on E-Bay for $25 with shipping. And managed to buy the boys Christmas present on E-Bay as well. New in box. Gave a premium price, but at least it was available. And I know they'll enjoy it. Started making my Christmas list for everyone, now to work on finding (and paying!) for it. Sure wish a few of these Inspections would pay off, House payment and Child support due tomorrow and I don't have either one. Not to mention my checking account is at $10. Sure hate to dip into reserves, but may have to. Guess that is what it is there for, but sure makes me nervous dipping into it. It would be nice to have that trailer rented out, get some income there, but in a way that is more of a pain than it is worth too. Don't know how that'll all work out. Have to be at a house this afternoon at 4pm to do some handyman work, bowling later tonight. Meet tomorrow at 5:45 at the church to discuss the door again. Made arrangements to have the Scouts come from their lock-in Saturday the 11th, unload all the lumber and sheetrock and take it up three flights of stairs in the church. They'll get some service time in that way. And it saves my back. Then the 18th we can converge on the place, get the wall framed up and anchored, get the sheetrock up and insulation in. Hopefully by then we'll have a door figured out, and a frame bought, ready to install and finish. It should be interesting. At least we have the funding for it, so I am not constantly shelling out $$ for this stuff. Well, best scram for now, need to get the cats out, do some measuring for lumber for the staircase, stop past Menards and get that stuff. Thank God for MasterCard. Drop off reports and pick up mail.  Always something....later....

  • 12:10 pm
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