Pam is gone...she has moved out of the Drama house. The other tenants had a going away dinner/party for her. Little did she know it was more of a celebration than anything.
No more constant phone calls to let me know about how much money her conservator was allowing her that week. The updates of her meth addict son or the mother of his baby's in and out of jail news updates. From now on I will have to go to bed at night wondering how many men hit on her as she sat on the front stoop of the building drinking beer out of a coffee mug.
No longer will she be there to hit on my husband when he stops by the building for any repairs. Who will she call with the little stories of the harrassment she got from the locals about not wearing a bra? I doubt my son will miss her standing on the sidewalk watching him as he mows the large lot.
I am wondering how long before her new landlord will tire of her requests for help in reading her legal papers, filling out an insurance application, or that the temp in her apartment needs to be changed to accommodate her hot flashes.
No, I will not miss her. Hopefully she has me off her friends list and no longer on speed dial.
Only time will tell.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Such a whiner
Seems I only talk about the tenants that are 'bad'. Or the situations that are 'bad'. I have 53 tenants and of those, all but 3 or 4 are good tenants. Sure some drive me batty but they pay their rent, keep their apt clean...police dont get called over once a month.
Well, I whine about the 'bad' ones cause I get so upset and so frustrated and so ANGRY that I just have to.
Ok, so I dont rent to professionals or middle class people. And I have accepted the fact that the type that apply for my apartments will be less experienced, know little about responsibility and have their priorities all messed up.
I try to explain to them when they move in about budgeting and planning ahead for bills- Not wait for a certain paycheck and than to spend it all on one bill. That advice usually goes right over their heads.
If they are putting me off all month withot paying, again I try to get through to them. I use the example of them not paying is the same as if they would not get a paycheck week after week. It is very doubtful that they would put up with excuses from their employer.They would not tolerate it.
I havent gotten my 'paycheck' from a new tenant for four weeks now. Yeah I let it go on too long. She has run out of excuses.
She doesnt know that but, I do.
Well, I whine about the 'bad' ones cause I get so upset and so frustrated and so ANGRY that I just have to.
Ok, so I dont rent to professionals or middle class people. And I have accepted the fact that the type that apply for my apartments will be less experienced, know little about responsibility and have their priorities all messed up.
I try to explain to them when they move in about budgeting and planning ahead for bills- Not wait for a certain paycheck and than to spend it all on one bill. That advice usually goes right over their heads.
If they are putting me off all month withot paying, again I try to get through to them. I use the example of them not paying is the same as if they would not get a paycheck week after week. It is very doubtful that they would put up with excuses from their employer.They would not tolerate it.
I havent gotten my 'paycheck' from a new tenant for four weeks now. Yeah I let it go on too long. She has run out of excuses.
She doesnt know that but, I do.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Hmmmph
Showed my 2 bedroom today to a young couple. Clean, tats, some piercings, tri colored hair--he had a mohawk. They walk around, the guy goes "I bet you have a hard time renting this out"
I said,"Why?"
He goes, "Well, look at it"
(grrrrrr)under my breath
She liked it. As they were leaving she said they would give me a call if they couldn't find anything else.
I said,"Dont bother".
"Why?"
"Well, look at you"
I said,"Why?"
He goes, "Well, look at it"
(grrrrrr)under my breath
She liked it. As they were leaving she said they would give me a call if they couldn't find anything else.
I said,"Dont bother".
"Why?"
"Well, look at you"
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Like a rock
Made the rounds last night to different properties and dumpsters in the old truck. Seems anyone and everyone thinks it is ok to dump their junk for free alongside a dumpster. Than the city sends us a citation so now we have to spend time and money to haul it away. Doesn't seem right but we do what we gotta do.
I got to thinking about all the trucks we have had over the years. We don't go for new or fancy or expensive. Practical, affordable is our middle name. And besides, we never had to worry about it getting all scratched up or dented.
The first one we purchased was from a farmer way down in Dysart. He had the Ford parked out in the middle of his dairy pasture with hay piled high for the cows. I think we paid a hundred bucks for it. Big ol stick shift right up out of the floor. In time we could see the road below us around that stick shifter. And oh to find the gears! Around and around one had to work that stick to get it in first second or third. Reverse was pretty easy. My poor father in law had too many bad experiences with this truck. Brakes failing, flat tires etc.
Eventually we sold the thing to the guy who worked the scale at the landfill.
Next one we had was an old brown Ford again. This one was cool. It came with a topper. Cool for the kids because they loved to ride in the back all hidden away. This is the one we used for mowing. Loaded up four mowers in the back and five of us up front. My son would sit on my lap and the girls would squeeze in between me and my husband. Three on the tree. Eventually we took the topper off because it was hard to load it up with 'stuff' from the properties. We sold that one to a junkman that made his way around town. I refused to drive it any more because it was getting so sensitive. I would 'lose' the gear. My husband was the only one confident enough to attempt it.
Next one was a Chevy. And we paid 1500 for it. That's a lot of money! Husband bought it from a co-worker. It is the one we still have today. It is an automatic so the kids could drive it around on their own to mow lawns. When my son got his license and there was no junk car to hand down to him to use, the truck was next on the list. He decided to pimp it up by taking the dash cover off and plans to replace it with a new one. Well, like many of his ideas..this one did not go very far. He never put the cover back on so we drive it around today with all the 'guts' exposed.
Ya have to pump the heck out of the gas before you turn the key. And when you do get it running, you have to really ride that gas pedal. Reve it up so to speak. Have to do that a few times before it will stay running. In the winter it takes that and a prayer or two and some other colorful language to get it started. The gas tank cover hangs open on one hinge, the tail gate needs to be opened with a big ol screwdriver, there is no radio or AC. In all the years we have had this honey, we have had the oil changed twice and had one major tune up done to it. It has hauled furniture when the kids moved in and out and back in and out again. I cant count the number of trips it made to the dump. I have loaded more dirt sand and stone on it for my yard not to mention mowers and lawn equipment. She aint pretty but she has been around a long time.
Maybe our next one will be a shiny one
I got to thinking about all the trucks we have had over the years. We don't go for new or fancy or expensive. Practical, affordable is our middle name. And besides, we never had to worry about it getting all scratched up or dented.
The first one we purchased was from a farmer way down in Dysart. He had the Ford parked out in the middle of his dairy pasture with hay piled high for the cows. I think we paid a hundred bucks for it. Big ol stick shift right up out of the floor. In time we could see the road below us around that stick shifter. And oh to find the gears! Around and around one had to work that stick to get it in first second or third. Reverse was pretty easy. My poor father in law had too many bad experiences with this truck. Brakes failing, flat tires etc.
Eventually we sold the thing to the guy who worked the scale at the landfill.
Next one we had was an old brown Ford again. This one was cool. It came with a topper. Cool for the kids because they loved to ride in the back all hidden away. This is the one we used for mowing. Loaded up four mowers in the back and five of us up front. My son would sit on my lap and the girls would squeeze in between me and my husband. Three on the tree. Eventually we took the topper off because it was hard to load it up with 'stuff' from the properties. We sold that one to a junkman that made his way around town. I refused to drive it any more because it was getting so sensitive. I would 'lose' the gear. My husband was the only one confident enough to attempt it.
Next one was a Chevy. And we paid 1500 for it. That's a lot of money! Husband bought it from a co-worker. It is the one we still have today. It is an automatic so the kids could drive it around on their own to mow lawns. When my son got his license and there was no junk car to hand down to him to use, the truck was next on the list. He decided to pimp it up by taking the dash cover off and plans to replace it with a new one. Well, like many of his ideas..this one did not go very far. He never put the cover back on so we drive it around today with all the 'guts' exposed.
Ya have to pump the heck out of the gas before you turn the key. And when you do get it running, you have to really ride that gas pedal. Reve it up so to speak. Have to do that a few times before it will stay running. In the winter it takes that and a prayer or two and some other colorful language to get it started. The gas tank cover hangs open on one hinge, the tail gate needs to be opened with a big ol screwdriver, there is no radio or AC. In all the years we have had this honey, we have had the oil changed twice and had one major tune up done to it. It has hauled furniture when the kids moved in and out and back in and out again. I cant count the number of trips it made to the dump. I have loaded more dirt sand and stone on it for my yard not to mention mowers and lawn equipment. She aint pretty but she has been around a long time.
Maybe our next one will be a shiny one
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Hardworkers all around
My inlaws were here for the weekend. They came for my daughter's wedding shower. My husband and I and they were sitting around the table reminiscing. Talking about the days back when my father and mother in law and even my husband's grandma would come for an entire weekend, sometimes a whole week to help us out at the properties.
Oh the memories. Taking down an 80+ cottonwood tree, a 20
foot chiminey, loading junk on the old crappy truck lookin like the Hillbillies moving to Hollywood. Breaking up cement sidewalks, building porches, stairs; drywalling, painting, stripping woodwork, laying floors. There were days it was so hot we couldnt stand being around each other. Other days it was wet and cold. Some of my best memories of them is sitting together in the old brown truck, driving off somewhere to unload or load.
Poor Bernie! All the troubles he had with our old trucks; loss of brakes on the highway, breaking down on the highway, flat tires, shot alternator.
Love you Bernie.
There is no way we would have been able to get this far with our properties without their help. Such unconditional dedication they gave us. I wondered, how old were they when we were going so hard and heavy back than? Turns out they were the age we are now. How the heck were they able to do that? My husband and I for years now have struggled with this work. Course, he is doing physical work all day at his job, than comes home and works at the houses and of course all weekend. The body wears down lots faster that way I guess.
Love my inlaws and appreciate all that they have done for us and continue to do for us and our kids. Hope they are around a long time.
Oh the memories. Taking down an 80+ cottonwood tree, a 20
foot chiminey, loading junk on the old crappy truck lookin like the Hillbillies moving to Hollywood. Breaking up cement sidewalks, building porches, stairs; drywalling, painting, stripping woodwork, laying floors. There were days it was so hot we couldnt stand being around each other. Other days it was wet and cold. Some of my best memories of them is sitting together in the old brown truck, driving off somewhere to unload or load.
Poor Bernie! All the troubles he had with our old trucks; loss of brakes on the highway, breaking down on the highway, flat tires, shot alternator.
Love you Bernie.
There is no way we would have been able to get this far with our properties without their help. Such unconditional dedication they gave us. I wondered, how old were they when we were going so hard and heavy back than? Turns out they were the age we are now. How the heck were they able to do that? My husband and I for years now have struggled with this work. Course, he is doing physical work all day at his job, than comes home and works at the houses and of course all weekend. The body wears down lots faster that way I guess.
Love my inlaws and appreciate all that they have done for us and continue to do for us and our kids. Hope they are around a long time.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
On the Safe Side
One gets comfortable after awhile and probably doenst take the care and precautions we should. The areas most of my rentals are located are not exactly the best to be alone in the evenings. But over the years I have gotten 'used' to running here or there when needed after dark. I probably should not have money in the car with me as most of the areas know my vehicle by now. When I am around quite a bit the beginning of the month it's a good indication I might have money. And maybe when I drive out to two properties that are right in the hood, so to speak, I should go around the drug dealing house. The house where at least 10 male youth stand around 24/7 waiting for business. But like I said, one gets comfortable after awhile.
I don't take lip anymore either. I have said I am not a bitch but I can be when I am pushed to the limits. My son is a big guy and he has to take lip all the time. Smaller men like to pump up their chest and get lippy with him. I guess I had similiar experiences growing up too. The other night he was pushed a bit too far and he reacted. Not a wise thing when it is four against one. Even if the one is 6'10" and over 250lbs.
So, I hate it when tenants or anyone associated with any of my tenants tell me I am disrespecting them. Why is it when I remain calm and collected they accuse me of not caring. And yet when I get a little attitude in my voice (attitude but never raised), I am being 'all that'. This is coming from those that breathe with an attitude.
Damned if I do, damned if I don't.
Just a couple of nights ago I took this young gal to court. It has been a year of constant battles with her to get her rent. And she makes little effort to inform me of her situation or contact me. It is hard when I have no way of talking to many of these people. They are very low income so they don't always have a phone and I can drive out to their place numerous times and leave notes but that doesn't mean they will try and contact me.
So, with this gal, I had had enough of it and filed against her. She gets legal aide involved but not until the day before the hearing. We made an agreement that if all May and June rent was paid by the end of June 1st she could stay. I spent two hours after 9:30 pm sitting in my car waiting for a boyfriend to show up with the money. And by the time he showed up, I was very tired and irritated.
Guess who had the attitude?
I don't take lip anymore either. I have said I am not a bitch but I can be when I am pushed to the limits. My son is a big guy and he has to take lip all the time. Smaller men like to pump up their chest and get lippy with him. I guess I had similiar experiences growing up too. The other night he was pushed a bit too far and he reacted. Not a wise thing when it is four against one. Even if the one is 6'10" and over 250lbs.
So, I hate it when tenants or anyone associated with any of my tenants tell me I am disrespecting them. Why is it when I remain calm and collected they accuse me of not caring. And yet when I get a little attitude in my voice (attitude but never raised), I am being 'all that'. This is coming from those that breathe with an attitude.
Damned if I do, damned if I don't.
Just a couple of nights ago I took this young gal to court. It has been a year of constant battles with her to get her rent. And she makes little effort to inform me of her situation or contact me. It is hard when I have no way of talking to many of these people. They are very low income so they don't always have a phone and I can drive out to their place numerous times and leave notes but that doesn't mean they will try and contact me.
So, with this gal, I had had enough of it and filed against her. She gets legal aide involved but not until the day before the hearing. We made an agreement that if all May and June rent was paid by the end of June 1st she could stay. I spent two hours after 9:30 pm sitting in my car waiting for a boyfriend to show up with the money. And by the time he showed up, I was very tired and irritated.
Guess who had the attitude?
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Questioning
I found it very disheartening...almost disturbing after cleaning this last apt. Living in it was a gal, a bit older than my 26 yr old daughter, works in the same place but each has such a totally different life. How does one get up each day to such a filthy messy unkempt life and not be bothered by it? How does one take a shower in such grime and feel 'clean' after? Come home each night and work all week to what? An abusive-lazy-good for nothing-take all the money I make, boyfriend. Than sit around and smoke and have some beers and watch tv and discuss what? Develop what? expand on what? no hobbies, no interests, any goals? How can the world survive if this is the future? I am saddened and scared. Too many children are being raised in an environment of no pride in where they live or how they take care of themselves. Many are not taught HOW to take care of themselves, respect themselves let alone respect others.
I have my garden, my photography. I keep up my house, my yard, keep creative with projects. I teach my kids to clean, cook, sew...love themselves and others. Patience and compassion-respect and honor...More of this needed. Not money, not hand outs nor sympathy but encouragement and a hand to teach.
I want it to be different for my tenants. I help them, I give them chances...but too often it doesn't matter. They don't seem to want it. And that is sad.
I have my garden, my photography. I keep up my house, my yard, keep creative with projects. I teach my kids to clean, cook, sew...love themselves and others. Patience and compassion-respect and honor...More of this needed. Not money, not hand outs nor sympathy but encouragement and a hand to teach.
I want it to be different for my tenants. I help them, I give them chances...but too often it doesn't matter. They don't seem to want it. And that is sad.
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