WithSomeTack

Monday, September 9, 2024

Saturday afternoon and evening date

We went and got our hands...I mean, our gloves dirty again! I sucked up all sorts of things...some I recognized and some I didn't want to recognize!

I started to get mad about the clumps of hair, dirty q-tips, and fake fingernails that littered every single room. Seriously?!?! There are trash cans for that kind of stuff! Gross!

At least there was tp!

It hurt my frugal bones to throw away unopened items...but no way was I willing to use it considering the surroundings.

Why? Why did our tenant not tell us of water issues under the kitchen sink? Because...he had a 5 gallon bucket?

Got some trimming to do sometime.

Talking scope of the rehab work on the house.

Thankful for the truck and trailer!

Made a dent in the pile!

A souvenir I claimed for myself...my own screwdriver!

And more dirty money! Sad to say, several pennies got sucked up in the shop-vac because it was just too gross to pick up.

A date for supper again...this time Portillos in Livonia!

Yum! It tasted good after a hard work for the afternoon.

Playing...

As we drove along...

it occurred to me that people might think this was our mattress that we were moving. GAG! Nasty. NOPE!

Ted is smart! He used a board to prop the nasty up so I didn't have to hold it as we pitched the bags of garbage into the dumpster.

I changed my shoes out of work to leisure. The tennis shoes will be going into the trash when the job is done. We travel with hand sanitizer and wet wipes too!

Saturday, September 7, 2024

When fall comes knocking on the door...

and it is 47 degrees outside...Ted spoiled me and made a fire as we drank our coffee. We got a security camera update that the dumpster was picked up early this morning! We were told it wouldn't happen till Monday. Praise the Lord for that surprise blessing!

Friday afternoon date

Ted picked me up after work and we headed down to do a walkthrough and garbage pickup at the house-o-fun.

Made me laugh as I shop-vacuumed the living room...had to stop and pick up a lost marble and loose screws!

Looks a little better...now it can be cut in strips and removed without projectiles. There are hardwood floors underneath! We will sand and seal.

Ted's new shirt! He is serious about this business and enjoys the variety it brings to life.

The scrap guys visited and dealt with the heavy appliances! We picked up all the garbage! I should have taken a picture before we started. Nasty...because the guys didn't tie off the bags when they carried stuff out....and someone went through stuff at the curb and in the dumpster. We gained tires and other things in the dumpster overnight!

We are whittling away at things to let the neighbors see a difference.

A supper date on the way home. A stop at the shop. A stop to check in on friends. Thankful that we can do this job together and enjoy the changes that each season in life brings.

"Go ahead...do the deluxe package! You deserve it."

I sat in the massaging chair and got a pedicure. I could have almost fell asleep...if my feet weren't so ticklish and sensitive!

Ready for Mexico! But with shorter nails for working to clean up the house-o-fun! I have to be able to work and not poke through the rubber gloves!

Thank you, honey, for this treat!

How do you prepare for something like this?

It is not always easy managing rental property! I am learning more and more each day. Investment property dealings are not for the faint of heart! I have learned that I have to get my hands dirty with hard things. We had to evict a tenant for non-payment. It is not a fun process because there is a lot of money lost, and nothing is done quickly! I have so many more thoughts on this. Shame on everyone for dragging this process out...there was no need for it...and it made the tenant double-down on stupid choices.

Thursday morning, we met the bailiff and his team with the keys. Turns out...the keys did not work! But they found a way in when a lady walked out after they found entrance through a back bedroom window.

These men were not messing around! They were strapped up with all the gear and directed us to be out of range till they made entrance. The choices we make can make or break us! My heart hurts for the hard way this went down. These are people that God loves. There were children that lived here and were at school. The female side of me had tears and a little bit of angst because of all the unknowns and crazy that could happen as I prepped for the day.

Then, the business side of reality took over as we watched the process while calculating what has been, what is, and what will be! We watched the crew bring out the tenant's things and got busy taking care of securing the house.

Catching a glimpse of the inside...made me mad and sick to my stomach. How and why do people live like this? With children in the home? Garbage...belongs in a trash can. The crew had to use shovels for time sake to deal with removal of tenant's things.There is a lot of work here!

We stayed out of the way as we set things up.

We made our way through the house to get an overview.

The smell. The bugs. The improper working of the sink...never reported to us to fix...and now the resulting damage.

This was the sight we pulled away from...there is no excuse for this to happen. We worked with our tenant for months. We offered an easy out. We had to follow the legal process all the way to the end. It did not have to end like this!

How do you prepare to deal with something like this? Have a policy and procedure in place. Have a group to gather ideas and how-tos and names of people to deal with locally. Have a partner to challenge you and help you. Ask God for wisdom and help. Pay the money to do it right...you have to have the law on your side or things can go incredibly sideways. Mr. Brown's team did a great job.

In the still of the morning...

God's Word reminds me that people are important! No schedule, no thing, no idea, no amount of money...time with those you love. Today's memory from a year ago...Mom started chemo treatments. I am so thankful for the time I was able to spend with her in Florida. Remembering so many lessons my Mother taught me through the years. This week has had many opportunities for kindness.

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

The girls added another girl to their team!

Ashlynn met a lady through her job that was looking for a new home for her little fur baby. And, of course, the girls' hearts flipped over the thought. They both are missing Velle and Chica. So this week...little Coco joined them with all her toys and cuteness.

She is getting used to her new home. She like treats. She likes to go for car rides. She likes to snuggle. Yep, she will fit right in with her new girls!

Give a guy a power tool...

and he will work on Labor Day!

Clearing trees to improve his driveway.

I see campfires in his future! Love getting life updates from our children!

Sunday...time with God's people, with my husband, and with friends

Sunday dinner...oriental chicken salad

A quick trip to the grocery store for needs of the week...and ended with a want as I felt a headache coming.

Time with friends...talking and working on a vehicle ended with pizza on the patio and a fire in the firepit!

A beautiful Michigan afternoon and evening to be outside...celebrating the last hours before school starts.

Time to be thankful for where we are...where we have been...and encouraging others in the path!

The dogs were tired! Velle got the grand treatment...a ride upstairs to bed! And we get to sleep in...it's Labor Day tomorrow!

A song that brought tears to my eyes this weekend

Lord, it's me again talking to my friendI'm grateful I can always count on youYou know I've asked for help before, for you to open doorsAnd you've been faithful to forgive the foolish things I do

But those were the prayers of a young believerAnd hopefully by now my faith has grownIf you made wine out of water at a wedding dinnerCould you make my life a greater song?

And let it be an anthem of your graceA symphony of praise, lifting up your name foreverAnd Lord, let me live a melody that would sing of CalvaryAnd all the mercies I've been givenThen Lord, let the song of my life be music to your ears

I want to know you more like I never have beforeI long to have a deeper walk with youAnd I want to make you smile singing all the whileEvery song you give, I'll sing it back to you

...Let the song of my life be music to your earsMusic to your ears...

Time out to craft

I sewed. I painted. I made cards. I sat and stared at the mess that needs to be gone through and organized.

And then I walked away and turned the light off!

Statements you don't often hear

If you will not give the Lord your tithes and offerings, you will not give Him anything else either!
In response to my telling the kids to "go find something else to do instead of watching t.v.". "Mom, that is just mean."
"Mom sat around and did nothing all day," according to Teddy...at least, that is what he told his Dad at supper!
"Excuse me for burping. Oh, the fizz tickled my nose and it doesn't feel very good." said Alisa. "Yeah, I know what you mean." answered Teddy.
"Mom, there is stuff in the washer. Would you like me to start it?" asked Alisa.

Suggestion Box

OCT: When proof-reading...read out loud and start from the bottom...or you will miss simple grammar and spelling mistakes! Do this before you publish!
OCT: Always defrost frozen whole chicken the day before you need it...you will have to start the roasting process before you can pull out the little sack of goodies from inside...and it makes a big mess! You may smell like the chicken juices that splash too.
NOV: Never put something (key to cabinet) away in anger or frustration (with, say, children) because it usually, only affects you later (two seasons, I believe). How? There is Christmas music locked in that cabinet and I can't get to it!
NOV: Is an all morning hunt, with no results, worth your sanity? And said children are oblivious to how it affects you..."Mom, you took it away...we don't know where it is."
FEB: When asking your children to fold contents of laundry basket, remember what you added and remove it yourself. Women's foundational articles of clothing can make the task take forever. Children will deem it necessary to try on and model articles for the enjoyment of their siblings...and the amusement of the woman.
DEC: Wise move...put the detangler spray on a different shelf from your hairspray...that way you do not have to recurl your hair!

What Will They Think of Next?

"I wish I didn't have talking sisters!" stormed Teddy
"Mom, your glasses kind of make you look pretty!" said Ashlynn. Well, thanks honey, I was going for the smarter look...do I look smarter? "I guess, you kind of do." sigh
Teddy was scratching his face and a little out of sorts with how bad it itched, "Mom, my face is itching, I think I am getting a beard like Daddy."
"Mom, you have some little brown hairs by your lip...you are going to look like Daddy," said Teddy. Time to wax!
While watching me work on banquet projects, the girls informed Teddy I was doing ladies banquet crafts for the chocolate fever party. "Nuh, uh, if there aren't banks, it isn't a banquet!" he retorted. (he is a little miffed he can't go)
"Dad...just do what Mom does...call them a moron and drive around them." instructed Alisa. Of course, I got the 'look' to which I retorted, "I do not drive around people!"
"Hey, guys, if you don't sniff or smell...you'll die! Seriously!" another piece of wisdom from Teddy. I think you mean breathe, son!
Ashlynn asked as she was looking at our wedding pictures, "Mom, were you afraid to get married?" No, baby, I wasn't...your daddy is the best man in the whole world!
"Mom, it hurts when I bless you." Oh, you mean when you sneeze? "Mom, bless you and sneeze are the same thing!" explained Alisa.
"Mom, we are going to God's house. You know Ash is at God's house. We go to school there!" "Nu-uh, Alisa, God house is up there!" argued Teddy while we drove to pick up Ash from school.
Alisa expressed that she "won't ever get dunked because you can't wear goggles!"
Ashlynn wants to "get dunked in the big bathtub". Umm, that is she would like to be baptized. We will first talk to her and then we will talk with Pastor...about getting "dunked" and make sure she understands!
Alisa wanted to take M&Ms for a snack at school and was trying to convince me "they don't have sugar on the inside!" (referring to the peanut M&Ms) Ask your teacher...see what she says!
Ashlynn informed me she didn't want to get married...ever. "Why?" "I don't want to get yelled at." (Ok, I know what you are thinking...we have moments and so do you!)
Hearing the phrase "you make your bed, you have to lie in it", Teddy piped up and said, "I made my bed!" (Little pitchers have big ears!)
Alisa's prayer request in class this week: Pray for my Daddy...that he wouldn't get fired from his job. She told her teacher, Daddy had two bosses. When asked their names, she said she only had seen one of them.

Overheard from the 4-6 year old crowd

"Mom, I'm going to stay plain!" said Ash. What do you mean, I asked? "I mean, I am not getting married or having babies and I will just live with you." hmmm
"Mom...don't believe whatever Teddy is going to tell you...." shouted the girls as Teddy came bounding down the stairs.
"Hey, I see Grandma in the sweat room!" said Teddy while looking out the window from the play area at the Y.
"Mom, will you inside out this for me?" asked Alisa.
"We have two girls, one boy, one daddy, one mommy, and one lazy dog living in our house," cited Alisa.
The first day of school at 10 am, Ashlynn raised her hand and asked her teacher, "Are we going to be here tomorrow ?"
Ashlynn asked, "Mom, have you ever lost weight? Does it hurt? Can you ever find it again?" QUIT MEDDLING, LITTLE GIRL!
"A tickle wickle...look, a tickle wickle!" screamed Alisa as she was swinging. I looked out and saw the little white puff (seed puff) floating in the air.
"Look, I have shiver bumps!" explained Alisa to Grampy while she ate an ice cream sandwich.
"Little Miss Muffin, sat on her tuffet, eating her curves and waves..." quoted Teddy.
"Oh look, we have cocktails!" exclaimed Alisa at supper one night. Trying to dress up their lemonade, I added a red popsicle...thanks to Sandra Lee...my kids know the word...and thanks to me they know Sandra Lee...
"Come on, Mommy, it's a sunny day, wake up!" shouts Teddy every day! I'm up but not happy about it always.
"Mom, why aren't you turning on the windwipers...it's raining!" asked Teddy.
The kids were discussing indians and Alisa let us know that girl indians wear "skirtians with their moccasins".
"Ashlynn, you are six and you know better." "Dad, I am not six yet!"
Daddy trying to ask Teddy what he was doing as he ran through the house..."Can't talk now, Dad!" (on the run to the indoor bathroom...yes, this has been a problem!)
During pm church service, Ash was getting fidgety and ornery, "My Sunday school teacher taught me all about Jesus, so I don't need to learn anymore."
Alisa was commenting as we weeded the flower garden, "We are the weed girls, Teddy is just a play boy (he wasn't helping us)."
"I goaled a score!" shouted Alisa while playing bball with her siblings.
I was proud of a shirt I bought for "just a dollar and some change". Alisa said, "Oh, you mean a rectangle and some circles!?"
Ashlynn to her uncooperative brother, "You are making the devil happy right now!"
Alisa commented that she just loves to eat skillets! (skittles, dear)
Caden asked his mommy (Mari) why she had two chins.
Teddy was not thrilled with the clothes that were layed out for him: "This shirt is ridiculous!"
Alisa asking about the ice cream social after church: "Is the ice cream situation tonight?"

Things I Have Learned (and counting)

WHEN A BATHROOM DOOR IS SHUT FOR A LONG TIME...IT IS NEVER GOOD!
Ranch dressing is not a condiment for a child, it is the entree...the entree is the condiment!
Manners don't exist at grandparent's houses...it is mortifying!
Being an adult is not as fun as we once thought it would be!
Our worst days are often repeated in child's play.
Pre-schoolers and Kindergarteners have a fascination with scissors.
A mother's purse is a child's playground.
Doing work in the garden causes broken nails, dirty fingers, and sensitive hands.
Girls...make you wait...it starts at a young age.
Boys think differently about everything!
The Magic Eraser by Mr. Clean is a great invention!
Markers are not for 3 year olds! Neither are ink pads!
Check pockets for gum, chapstick, pens, receipts, rocks, pocket knives, AND money before washing clothes.
Baking soda makes horrible biscuits! Use baking powder!
If you turn your oven to broil, accidentally, cookies will bake from the top down!