Where will I go in 2013?

2013...Yes, a new year. They come and go so fast. Now that I'm not a kid waiting for Christmas, or my birthday. Not fast enough than and yet too fast when it was summer break. Seems now the days fly by. Soon my youngest will be out of the house, married and maybe not even living close by. To recall an event in my life I parallel it to one of my pregnancies, to when one started walking or to a birthday. What will I use now? Days will blend one into the other. At one time I was juggling getting to not one but two volleyball tournaments for both girls and a basketball schedule with my son. Seems suddenly it went down to just basketball tournaments and soon those will be over too.

Will that mean I have more time for the rentals? Or creative times in the garden or maybe even still, time to do some writing and photography? Seems I am busier now then I have ever been. How did I do all I do WITH three kids and their activities and lives? Could be I still do as much it is just that it takes me longer now. This body and its parts are rebelling more and more.

Resolutions? Anything different than the last ten years? Hmmm, well it's up to 30lbs now I need to lose-or should I say, want to lose. Yes, I need to be less judgemental, exercise more, try to read every day and get together with a friend (if I still have any) once a month? or am I kidding myself?
Actually what I think I want to do this coming year is just relax. Have more faith that things are OK. Things are the way God has planned for me. Trust that with all that is going on in this country and our so called leaders and the world that some how, it will be 'ok'.

-less stress-

So that's the plan Sam. And who knows, maybe somewhere in there I will have some fun. Whatever that may mean.

Silent night

We got our first snowfall/snow storm this winter. And a big one at that. On top of the 9 or so inches, there was 30-40 mph winds. That makes blowing and drifting snow a big concern. And not just on the highways and roads.

Four of our 13 rental properties are located on large corner lots. (The two single family units are repsonsible for their own snow removal)
The snow blows and creates these hard-high-drifted-covered sidewalks and parking lots. We really do not want to go out and spend a lot of energy and muscele shoveling because within an hour or so, the wind blows the snow all back in.
We waited until 5 pm to load up and head out. It was windy! And it was cold! But that is what long johns and double socks and layered shirts and face masks and scarves and wool mittens are for. Needless to say, I was ready.

I have been shoveling for 21 yrs and most of those times, by myself. Two years ago Creig purchased a large snow blower and a smaller lightweight one AND a trailer to haul them around. How did I/we do it the past 19 years with simply a shovel(s)? I have to admit I was the one saying no to blowers all those years. Being the tight wad I am, I just couldn't justify spending that kind of money. But than, I for one, love to shovel. I love the exercise, being outdoors and just the quiet after it snows. The kids were younger and it was good exercise and work for them. They each had a shovel and from the time they could walk were out bundled up and going with us. And they enjoyed it too. Than as they got older and busy and smarter, they weren't enjoying it so much anymore. Now when they help it is because they need money. Hmmm

Thursday night was exhilerating but by evening's end, Creig and I had a hard time moving. We ain't spring chickens anymore. I have to rest more often and that shovel gets heavier and heavier. This snow was heavy. Melting underneath made for packed and slushy stuff that clung to the shovel.

Three hours later after the last property, with snow stuck to our red wind burned faces, frozen melted snow on our boots and pant legs, frozen toes, and numb fingers we fell into the Jeep and looked at each other. Creig says "Just like old times huh?" And I thought to myself...yeah, just like old times. Out alone working together and actually enjoying it.
That is until we try and walk the next day.

Luck

I cleaned hallways and stairs at my apt buildings. I found five pennies
See a penny, pick it up--all day long you'll have good luck
I think I am good for the rest of the week.

It's in the contract

Over and over again I have people I share stories of my rentals with. You know,so they are aware that owning property isn't only about collecting money and having a big bank account. They hear these stories that sound made up. And almost every time I get, "You should have in the lease that they can't...." or "You should have in the lease that they have to pay if...." Uh huh... WELL in my lease (which by the way is very simple so even the simplest minds can read and understand without all the legal jargon) I have a section that reads PAINTING; Tenant agrees not to do ANY painting. Maybe I am wording it wrong?

Thanks

Sometimes, helping a tenant out does make a difference.

WTF?

I just called someone back that left a message inquiring about a 1 bedroom I had listed in the paper. This is the voice mail recording.

If you gettin this
Than I don't give a shit
An if you don't know what to do--
Figure it the %*#$ out.

Yah, I think I want to rent to her.

Before and After

This is how the kitchen looked after we spent months working on it. It was fun doing something different than the traditional white. The upper cabinets have been here a long time. Very retro. There are light fixtures throughout the building with similiar porcelain bases and color. We opted to paint the bottom wood cabinets to brighten up the tiny kitchen. Cleaning behind the stove and counter has been a long time battle. We are always looking for different back splashes that clean well. This time Creig cut, bent and installed stainless steel panels. Tenants don't seem to understand-or care-that wiping off grease right after it is splattered on the walls, makes for much easier cleanup. I even give them a little speech when they are signing the contract. "oh yeah, I keep my kitchen clean" uh huh.... I just spent a couple months trying to get the new tenant that moved in this one bedroom apt OUT. She lost the job she had when I agreed to let her have it. And even though she told me she would move if she didnt get a job that month, she would find a temp job, give me a hundred bucks and drag her stay out even longer. Too bad while she was unemployed 3 weeks out of the month she didnt take the time to cleanher apt. I ended up taking her to court and filed a money judgement against her. The night before the sheriff was scheduled to come and supervise while I took her to the curb, she was actually moving out. At that time she assured me she would 'sweep up' so I could get it rented out right away. I think she needed a better broom.

This is what the shiny kitchen cabinets looked like. You can imagine the condition of the rest of the place