Best/Worse/What did I learn today? Chat with friends new/old

Susan, how many months do you have before the couple that has your mobile moves out? I know its hard living without a lot of comforts but I would stop any work that you are paying for that isn't absolutely necessary - I wouldn't have even hooked up the dishwasher.
The situation you are in is made harder because you are trying to have both a business and personal relationship with your landlords. This month away may be a good thing, it will give you time to consider other options.

What I see from your posts is that they are not paying for everything you ask them tor so that you can live as if this is your home and in turn it looks as if they are resenting you asking for money at pretty much every turn because they are doing you a favor by letting you stay there and develop the space..
This is just what I am seeing from your posts, its not a put down for either of you as I really don't know her side of the story..

Did you go into this relationship with the idea that it might be a permanent home? If not, then no need to make a short term dwelling into something comfortable for you and fully rentable. All you need are the basics, and you have most of them correct?

I was laid off in 2009 and had to take jobs in other states which necessitated my renting apartments. I was happy with a bed, tv, a comfortable chair and some pots and pans and dishes. My DH insisted on a full bedroom suite and living room suite, plus a table and chairs, even though he know I only took the jobs to pay off the mortgage. We ended up having to move more junk on the second move and then on the move home, there was even more crap because we kept buying things to make ourselves comfortable because we felt bad about not being home.
What I'm trying to say is that if it's pnly for a short term, it will never be your home so there is no sense making it like one.

Mid June of 2016 is when our tenant's lease is up
The dishwasher is ours, and we get to remove it when we leave, as is anything else we brought that's not permanently affixed.
They are resenting any request for funds, telling me that she said not to go overboard, and suggested we only get free, etc - not new, and it's my fault for going over.
Yes, we have most of the basics covered. Don't have the door they were supposed to give us, from the shed in the back - the shed is locked, and so we don't have a lockable door between upstairs and down.....
I'm not sure what will happen by the time they get back..... it's all up to us now.

Drats, wrote a long post and cyberspace did its thing

Very well said Terri!

And yes likely it isn't zoned for basement apartment and if approached municipality just might give them notice that they are not to rent.
Susan, did they have intentions odd renting out or did they after hearing your plight offer their basement..that would make a difference. Is she the one who does day care and thought you might be able to help and earn $$$ ?

Lovely fall day here, can feel it in the air.

I flit from downstairs to upstairs, can't settle down, takes a week or so after a trip ..
Remember the wooden candle holders we made in the Christmas workshop, hmmm maybe 2 or 3 years ago? Well found 4 on my wood room shelves so thought I'd base coat them black..as well found a metal windchime, will base it deep blue then paint hydrangeas on it

Layer out quilt blocks I got in a swap, thinking of what I can do with them

Also looking at the chesterfield, nap would be nice as well. Lol

our tenants in the mobile are the ones with the daycare. He thought it would be great if I helped Carolyn with it.

Grace told me they were going to rent the basement, and were going to rent to us earlier, becaus of our plight. He said it wouldn't be ready until Sept. Their son, Ryan, said he didn't know where they got that date, because he thought it would be longer than that.

Big sigh

I second that big sigh.

Sounds like they are not living in the real world as far as time and costs involved in finishing a basement. My Dh tends to do that, then he gets frustrated when all the little extras and other problems popup

Susan, I think your "friends" thought they could get you and Bob to do the work necessary to get the apt ready to be rented. And also to pay all the necessary expenses involved. Talk to the tenants rights people. I had similar experiences with a couple of landlords here. One of them was a "friend" for whom I did a number of favors. Discovered the hard way that she thought owning property gave her the right to exploit me. The reason I finally bought my property here was that landlords were completely unreasonable. I'd lived in my apartment in Berkeley for fourteen years and got a great recommendation when I moved. But here, no matter how much work I did or made improvements, the landlords just wanted more. It was very frustrating as I had put a lot of money into my "friend's" place.

As Terri said, do what you need to to survive. I still think you should move upstairs and let them move into your downstairs place when they return. That would be so funny. Put the shoe on the other foot.

That's a cute dog. Hope he adjusts to you quickly. Max has been really good but it may be that he has me trained!! He's really happy to have me home and sticks to me like glue. But that may be that he's hoping for some random food scraps.

I'm having a BofA meltdown. I'm tired from the trip. Couldn't get to sleep last night until about 3am. Didn't need a bank problem today. I'll survive.

hugs, katie

I just got off the phone with the Health Dept. They can't do anything about the sink, because it's being looked after today, but they ARE opening a case about the door - there needs to be a lockable door at the foot of the stairs, and regardless of what the lease says (we were to install one), the Landlords have to provide it.

Landlords & Tenants Advisory can't do anything for us, but they're the one's who suggested we call the Health Dept.
They said we could take them to court for the costs we incurred creating the kitchen.
Our lease says we would install the cabinets (didn't say anything about counters), remove the wall between the 2 halves of the kitchen, and install a door at the bottom of the stairs.
Also, they cannot evict us until the year is up, so we're ok that way, AND they would have to give us 3 month's notice (not the two they stipulated in the lease), and we have to give 2 month's notice as stipulated in the lease we all 4 signed.

Think you will be creating a bees nest if you go this route Susan
Another 'hard feelings' that you will either have to endure or move
You are tired, on edge/frustrated' why not take the month to recoup, get stronger and see what happens when they return. What does Bob say about all of this?

Good news. Might be a good idea to have legal papers done and ready for when they return. Push back and let them be on the defensive for a change. katie

I tried putting them on the defensive, Katie - that's when she refused to accept things that she told me before and said that she Never said they would pay for the plumbing (she did, and by saying this, she was calling me a liar - a fact I shared with her husband and he talked to her. That's when she gave me one of her phony hugs....... blech) I told her that maybe she was thinking out loud, and didn't realize she'd said it - she denied it.
Bob's fine with this - he's really pissed off at them himself.
Grace said that Robert would have helped with the plumbing, but given other jobs I've seen him do elsewhere in the suite, we weren't comfortable with him doing anything more. I haven't said this to either of them, because we didn't want to hurt their feelings......
When I stipulated the work that was done on our behalf, in this suite (which would benefit Them in the long run), I said that electricians and cabinet installers are not cheap, and we saved them this $$, she said that the electrician messed up and wasn't worth the $$ (even though he was not paid - it's OUR tenant, and he's wonderful.....).
They didn't supply the materials that the lease said they would, to build the kitchen. They weren't going to pay for any counters - they wanted us to use free stuff, which had a hole cut and couldn't be used, given where the plumbing was - didn't match.
Anyway - I know you agree that we've been ill-treated, and we do too.
She doesn't see it - obviously does not know her Landlords & Tenants Act. ok ok, she's new at this Landlord stuff, but she didn't research it.

Glad that bob is seeing things your way..be prepared though if you follow this route to getting your notice..now time to think, 'shall we make do until we can return to our own home' or 'best get looking for a place to live' it is apparent you are not happy there.

With your tenants knowing they are only staying the year and a few months has already gone by that they might look for a rental that guarantees a longer lease

Sure hope that happens

You say everything is taken up in Calgary,very little available, that makes things more difficult doesn't it so Kating, taking the defensive might not be in Susan's best interest unless she and Bob are prepared to move out in the fall if not sooner. Not trying to be negative or mean but lots of thought should be given to this..they might as some landlords do say it's not worth the extra $$ we take in, want our home back..as you know, takes lots of money to move as well as energy.how Bob is coping at work is beyond me..poor fella

They cannot give us notice, based on our lease, until three months before the end of June.
We can give 2 months notice before then.
Already tried the logical route with Grace, stating back what she'd said in the first place, and she denies everything - got her back up. So, that won't work. The Matriarch of their family "Has Spoken", and that's all there is to that. The males all go with whatever she says - even though they privately tell me she's either wrong (Robert) or taking advantage of us (sons).

Bob is coping at work rather well. I think the Big Boys must have had several chats with Ker, because Ker's acting like the whole rental thing never happened. He tried to complain to the Big Boys, but Bob was following their instruction for rearranging the warehouse, and Ker didn't have a leg to stand on.
Bob heard Ker complaining to one of the big bosses when they came back from vacation. Guess he got "told".........

So much turmoil in your lives
Know I could not stand up to the test, nope, no could do

Oh happy days, my drivers permit and debit card were in the mail..lucky me, was going into town tomorrow to replace both.. Will have to email hotel a 'thank you'

Should go out and cut grass but keep thinking I have all weekend to do so

Aren't I a lazy cuss

Had to laugh, went to get a few things at foodland, decided to buy a box of sweetener to replace sugar I use..no sooner picked it up that I was in the ice cream freezer looking for a treat
Said self, put that ice cream back, you are on a mission to cut things out that contain sugar
Hate the thoughts of diet pop though

This message was edited Aug 6, 2015 3:57 PM

Glad they arrived so quickly.

It is so hot here. Very quiet in town. Lots of businesses close for the month of August. I had a visit with Saul. Stopped to visit neighbors across the arroyo on my way home. We haven't officially met but know each other as neighbors. I told them about my little jackfruit trees and they may take on in the fall. They have a pear tree which produces well. I may follow up on what it is when it's not so darn hot.

Good news about Bob and work and Ker getting nowhere with complaints. Wonder how Ker and Mike are doing - snicker.

Too hot to do much. Maybe a nap is in order.

I agree with Betty that you should probably not attack but I'd get as much as you can in writing regarding tenants' rights and the health department stuff. Best way to deal with her changing her tune is to hand her written regulations.

hugs, katie

Katie, interesting thing about the 911 memorial in NYC that came to mind when you mentioned pear tree

Almost between the two ponds (memorials) was this tree pear tree fenced in, people were gathered all around it..I sauntered over to hear a tour guide say it had withstood 911..imagine such a frail tree to have survived.

It's terribly hot here as well Katie, think we both should stay inside, not exert ourselves. Lol
Do you have the a/c you brought back working? Would imagine in your heat not many shoppers would be out, great time for them to have a holiday

Lindakay, glad they were able to give you a shot..maybe another call to the doc? You aren't doing too much are you?

Stew again for supper, decided to freeze yet another container, although delicious I've had it 3 times so in the freezer it goes.

I was thinking I might pick up hamburger and make a few meatloafs..am enjoying these frozen meals

No, not doing much, taking a chair into the spare room Dad used to sleep in. It has become a terrible mess with the catch all crap that ends up in there. I bought a bunch of plastic tubs, and every day, I get about 3 or 4 tubs organized and labeled. A bunch went to the trash!

As long as you take your time..amazing what we accumulate, is it from his stay or everyone's..how is your dad and sister?

It is everyones accumulations.
They are doing really good. Sis has lost about 150 pounds after her surgery about 15 months ago. She said she feels so much better. She said she would like to lose another 100 or so.

ahem - Health & Safety dept are coming tomorrow to look at the fact that we don't have a lockable door at the entrance to our suite from their place. And she'll look to see if there are any other issues. Told them that Grace et al are in Malaysia for a month - doesn't matter, they want to see the suite as it is now.

I may be stirring things up, but at this point, I (as a tenant) could care less....... they're not looking after us, as per the lease.

omygosh,LK - she surely must have been a heavy lady.........

Yep, she was close to 400 pounds. My nephew weighed 600 when he had his surgery. He has lost 400 pounds, and if he could have surgery to remove all the excess skin, he would probably lose another 50 pounds.

Yikes....... she must really be feeling light. Good for her.

Of lindakay, kudos to them for losing all that weight..is there an operation to get rid of the excess skin? Both must have been housebound

Can understand having everyone's excess, happens in my craft room, someone always dropping craft materials

Linda just called, she found a man selling old windows a few towns over for $15 each, not bad just not too sure they aren't too big for what we are doing

yeah, Betty - it's called an apron of skin, and they can remove it - tummy tuck :-)

They can have it removed, but insurance will not cover it. It is considered cosmetic surgery.

That's right - a neighbour of ours lost a lot of weight and they wouldn't take the "apron" off, because it's cosmetic surgery..................

My Insurance says if there is over a certain amount of "apron" they will cover it. I have also heard the skin can be donated to burn centers and thus surgery is covered.

yes, I'd heard that too, about donation. This is an awesome deal

Cool rainy day, but, as of tomorrow, bring on the heat and sun :-)

The 100th bday party for my Aunt was very nice .. 45 of us, and, at least 7 first cousins missing due to holidays and residency far from TBay ..
Aunt Gladys thought she was my Mom ... god bless her.

Have to run into town..

Susan .. I tend to forget how this whole situation started .. why did you move from your trailer, was it because they were thinking of closing the park ?

Off n runnin

~M~

Morning all,

Very interesting,especially about the apron being used to help burn victims.
A friend of Rita's lost mega weight, had breast cancer and breasts removed, the apron was used to restructure her breasts.

Having coffee and will get some outdoor work done, promised myself 1 hr this am, 1 this aft and 1 this evening as not to overdo..

Just changed the blocks on my calendar stand, can't believe that it's the 7th and summer almost over...no stopping time right

"m" dear soul, likely all the celebration buzz confused her. Hard to get all family members to a gathering these days. We have sunshine till Monday so please don't send me and Dianne your rain.

Not sure if Linda or I will be travelling 1 1/2 hrs to check out these windows, great price so I will buy extra's

Today tear off of the roof starts, yesterday the house was power washed, and there is one crew that's supposed to paint today, and another crew to start on the roof. They said they'll be working over the weekend to get it done.

Tomorrow the trees come down, and in the middle of all this, I have a ton of laundry to do (and a broken dryer and I can't hang outside with the work going on), plus cleaning and loading up the car, bathing dogs, and packing. I leave on Tuesday for dog shows in Colorado.

Lordy Deb, that is a lot going on in one household, hard to keep track..if you are like me although you want everything washed you have enough clothes to get you through. Just think, work will soon be over and you will be thrilled with the new look of your home.couldnt believe the difference with just pressure washing the house.

Colorado is a long way off, are you driving on your own? How long will it take?

Sit and enjoy a coffee, think of how much you are accomplishing and relax

Didn't make the hour, skitters are just as bad as they were early summer
Guess if I want my work done I'll have to endure them

Marilynne - no, it was not because they were closing the Park - that doesn't happen until Sept 2017. It was because Bob's boss asked us to take over as Property Managers in his new place (promised all sorts of things, including the ability to evict Mike, then rescinded that, and other promises). He encouraged us to sell our mobile, and I'm glad we didn't.........
Bob has learned a hard and valuable lesson (yet again) and yet again he promised he won't believe people like this when my "spidey sense" tingles as it did with this move.

Colorado is about 1000 miles, yes, I'm driving, just me and the pups! It will be fine, only nagging issue is a grounding problem with the gauges in my car. Sometimes, when I start it, the needles go all crazy, and swing wildly from one extreme to the other. I sharp whack on the dashboard over the gauges usually stops it, then it's fine. My mechanic told me that it wouldn't effect anything else in the car, and it could cost thousands of dollars trying to track down one little short. So, for now, I'm living with it.

I'll be so glad when the work is done, and I'm sure the house will look completely different. It will be so nice, I just have to make it through the next few days, without the non-stop barking dogs driving me crazy!

Good morning everyone, Think I slept about fourteen hours. I'm feeling almost human again - but not awake yet.

About six more little jackfruit trees have popped up and need to be potted up. The neighbor I met yesterday said there have been a number of jackfruit trees around his property but they get about five feet tall and then die. We'll see what happens with mine. Meanwhile, we have lots of dragonfruit coming and papayas.

It's very quiet here. Many Americans have gone north for the summer.

I need some coffee.

Back later.

hugs, Katie

P.S. Susan, you will probably get some very good news from the inspection. Glad you called. The best way to deal with bullies like that is with correct information from authorities. It should make them back down. And losing them as "friends" would not be a great loss.