Hard day to do office
Good morning again. We’re going to try doing this for a little bit … we’re trying to calm down back into working. We’ve been at work for about a half hour and have just been reviewing a few things. We also spent time with the DSP – Brandi.Candice isn’t in yet and we’re not sure what is going on there. She missed two days last week … wouldn’t be good for her to be losing more time this week. We heard from Brandi that she isn’t doing very good work with Group I, and she’s already complaining about doing that part of her job.
Brandi confirmed that yes, we had to go through DSP training when we first got here too. We had done 10 months of DSP training 6 hours a day, and then 2 hours of Q work. After that we backed off the DSP, but we took on CARF. The training was very important in understanding what was going on and in handling groups. We also at 10 months got the job of doing the Thinking Group with the larger bunch. I think that Candice is having a hard time with it, because there is some work involved.
Candice wants to be doing just the Internet stuff. She complained that this isn’t what she wants to be doing to Brandi. So, this means that we have to start watching for signs that she is going to be leaving. Not showing up is like a sign that she could be going on job interviews.
So that’s that. Hehe … we’re watching out the window two of the clients. One is ours and the other is Candice’s. They are working on a walking goal. They are just going back and forth in the courtyard. The movement keeps catching our vision.
They seem to be doing well … they are going up fairly to the parameters of the yard. Ok, we’re still floating here … what would help us concentrate.
We stayed up with Fishyman after the mover guy left. We watched a show together, but it wasn’t very good. It was journeyman. I think what had caught our attention was that we were still wound up and Fishyman was going to have popcorn! AHA! You know that’s a good idea for us. I’m still feeling a little tired now though. Maybe that has something to do with our being distractible. There is a lot to do with the thoughts on moving. Maybe we can talk about that just a little bit longer and then move on, Hmm?
Well, for now it seems that we are moving, but we haven’t even seen the new place yet. We don’t know how it is going to go on our credit scores. We know we score low. Especially, because of the student loans and hospital bills. It is about 10 years now too, so we don’t know if the bankruptcy is still on the records. It was the last time we had a chance to look. We’re at the ten year point, but not sure when it ends exactly. The other point that we have trouble with is that we don’t have any credit cards to show that we can pay down. We just have the VISA bankcard. The opposite side of that coin, is that Rich doesn’t want to be on the lease and he is the one with the good credit rating. He doesn’t want his name showing up on a lease because of the divorce. So far everyone thinks he’s living with Bob. He did say this last week that his kids are asking questions leading us to believe that they are questioning the living arrangement.
Another thing that is problematic about moving is not only that Rich has adapted to the balcony, he also just over the weekend gotten his room moved around. The bed was turned 90 degrees and he moved the desk back by the window instead of the middle of the floor, so there is now access to the chair and a big wide open space in the middle of the room. He also hung up about half of his pictures after we took down most of ours. I think it meaned a lot to him to have his things up. We made sure to take out some of the other things like extra clothes out of the room too.
A lot will depend this week as to liking the apartment on Grove and whether we pass. Rich really does have the best credit score, but he knows that the other lawyers can look up this information in doing their surveys. I understand why he doesn’t want to be on the record as being with me. I thought it unfair to think that he shouldn’t be living somewhere. It was an option to have him signing the lease on his own, but then if that got out his kids would want to know why they couldn’t come visit him. That’s the clause there.
I think this new landlord is a little more uptight than Mike … both of them are really into protecting their interests. I think that as time went on and through many calls back and forth to each other, Helen, the new landlord, was thinking through extra questions just like we were. I had the impression that she really wanted a tenant in there. Our best thing we got going is that us alone have a 7 year history with the building. Plus, we have an 8 year history of working. We were thinking that maybe what we could do to help booster her confidence in us was to let her see Rich’s pay stub from JVS. That would indicate that we have enough money to cover rent. I don’t know what Mike will say if she calls him for our payment history. I’m not sure the right time to tell him we’re looking. I didn’t give him that impression yesterday.
To be fair, I hadn’t thought too much about it because I wanted the other scenario to work out. I think she had more time at the later part of the week to be working out a contract – and checking ratings. I think she likes me personally as far as that kind of thing goes. She was very empathetic as to the aches and pains of getting older. But, then she is married to a military person … thought at least a captain if not Kernel. She seems of that wealth bracket. There were things she thought of as necessary in the apartment like getting a new microwave in and a dishwasher. I’m thinking that they are built-ins. Oh yeah … one other thing I forgot to feel good about. There is supposed to be two bathrooms. I thought that a really good deal.
It’s hard to say what the room arrangement will be without looking at the place, but there is naturally a master bedroom, which I’ve learned could be a difference of a foot or two bigger. There is also a dining room combined with the living room. I don’t know if that means we have to use that space for the table, or if there is eating in the kitchen, plus dining room. I’m thinking to fit three bedrooms into the place that they might be small. That’s going to be a big deal. And, I’m not sure, but thinking that with the extra cost of the apartment, we will not be able to get extra storage. We’ll have to see. I’m thinking that our best chance of all this is if Helen doesn’t get any other offers this week. But, in general, we want to think through a moment what we are going to do about room arrangement.
I’d like to think first that we don’t have to use a room for just storage. I’d like loosely to think again of the master bedroom being big enough for both Rich and us.
That means having my recliner in the bedroom. That would give me a great deal of joy to be sleeping at least the same room as Sweetie Pie. That’s our number one choice. The two apartments we saw yesterday wouldn’t have allowed for that. That way we could get Rich’s two chairs maybe in the living room. I’m thinking already that what there is of a dining room will be the computer room – mine. I’m desperately hoping the kitchen is big enough to eat in. We don’t need a formal dining room, although I think Rich has that formal dining room table and chairs.
I’d like to think I can keep using Dad and Sandy’s table and he can use his table as a central part of the third bedroom.
I think that that is one of the most exciting parts – to give Rich a play room, ok, maybe it’s more like a den … I’m not sure … it would be his room to decorate. I saw him hanging pictures over the weekend and I think it meant a lot for him.
Hmm, back again … well, now I’m back to a little confused again. Ok, we’ve been like that all day. When I was driving around yesterday, I put calls at 2 other places on Maple … That’s another main street for apartments like ours, or at least the kind we like. I don’t think it had the balcony, but the woman called back and said she had one that is again 6-7 steps up. It is only a 2 bedroom, which would mean we’re looking at the storage option again. This one is only $850 - $20 less than we are paying now. It is a 2 bedroom WITH 2 space parking. The big thing is that it includes all utilities. So, it’s just $25 more than the one that Mike offered, but he was having us pay heat. Hmm, more to look at! Cool!
We are going to see the newest one at 6:15 and the 3 bedroom at 7:15 … we are going to pretty much know for sure by then. They are both 6 to 7 steps up … we’ll see, we’ll see … she seemed younger than the 3 bedroom one, and both women seemed eager to get a call. I think it’s a good market … there are so many places up for sale and people are having a little harder time with credit. She acknowledged that all Brookfield apartments are basically the same. That showed some globalness, but also a sense of carelessness in that her place or none other could be special. I think with the 2 bedroom and storage – we were thinking that it would be nice in some respect of placing into storage some of the stuff we don’t really need up for a “one-year” place.
In the meantime we called Rich and he said he should be able to do the 6:15 … she was looking for after her husband got off of work. I think Rich is planning to come in this way in a couple of hours … maybe he can calm us down … there is too much happening for me to slow down. I did talk to Sr. about 15 minutes ago. That way she’s seen me. Now until the group at noon, I don’t have to be accountable. I don’t do this often, but Man-o-man … I just can’t look at Q-notes.
I wasn’t getting good reception on that last call so I had her call me at work. I thought that would sound good. She got to hear Rosa say, “Good morning, St. Rose Center.” Hehehe that’s my character reference.
I remember when we rented apartments. We would get a gazillion calls, apartments never stayed empty long.
Ok, let’s organize here again … if we go two bedroom, how would we do it? I think we would put in storage all my bedroom stuff – we would cut out the idea of a guest room altogether and make the 2nd bedroom Rich’s den space. I think it would have a TV for said fishy shows, but maybe not a couch. Too many needs for a table and a table to be used … PLUS if he’s going to be lounging, I want him to have that space with me in the living room.
Shoot forgot the group was 10:30 ok, better be on my way brb
Hmm, we’re back now … it’s about 11:45. We finished the group and we ate our lunch. There was something of an accident, but I don’t want to go there because it’s too much for me at the moment. BUT, that’s all over and now we want to go back to our thoughts.
I’m guessing about now that one way or another … smoochie face and us are going to come across something and it will feel right one way or another. I think during the time that we were talking to the mover, I saw Rich trying to be accommodating, but he was being unnerved. He had to hear the bottom line that it was probably going to be 5-6 hours, no more than 7 hours. The more organized we are the better it will be for the movers. I plan to have everything in order. I don’t know if I will get to buy the boxes though because Rich always seems to have a storeroom full of them. I will let him decide that part. BUT, I won’t be frugal as far as needing to box everything. Then I figure we can save in our storage room boxes … just in case he wants to buy a condominium next year.
We emphasized with the confused mover that Rich had been in the same house for 35 years, so the concepts were more difficult for him. For us … it’s our twelfth move. We are used to the boxes. We’re just not used to boxes in this bad of personal shape. To the mover Rich said, we might just leave the organizing to her.
I’m pretty good with figuring out space, and packing things together so they show up at the right end. I’m also very good with tape and marker from our days as production/shipping receiving at JVS. I can do it. I noticed though with helping our buddy fold T-shirts the other day that our arms got achy after folding over a dozen shirts. We will have to build strength quickly. The mover confirmed they don’t like having to pack up. Probably because they are not efficient at it. That let me know that I would have to do it. If Rich doesn’t bring home boxes it would cost about $45 to pack the books alone. Shhh … ok ok … are we going to go anywhere different today?
We only have a month to pack and move, you know? I think the books are the first to pack. We’d have to think through that. Maybe Rich could get boxes so that I could pack this weekend? Or, maybe if getting the boxes is too tough, we could focus on getting rid of stuff. But, that doesn’t sound like quite the deal. Plus, there might be some advantage as to taking care of the cat problem that we get out of here sooner like within 2-3 weeks. Man that would be a push. Really need those boxes.
Nice to have them before Fishyman left. I don’t like the idea that we would need to live with stacked boxes, but that’s the crux of moving. Yesterday, we saw the other apartment and her mess all throughout the laundry area. Partially filled boxes and stuff hanging out. Nope nope … Movers can move faster and more efficiently if bags are marked, taped and square … even if moving a couple of houses down. We still don’t have the parking situation under control if we were to park at the 3 bedroom.
Hmm, can’t get over that one. Better move on. Probably mushy face wouldn’t like it
if we asked him today to pick up boxes because we haven’t even found for sure a place to live.
I don’t think Rich plans this year to tell the kids we are together as much as we are. That and the likelihood of selling his house within a year are our deadlines as to next possible set of changes. One of the things that Rich brought up was just that we stick it out. He likes the place, what we’ve done with it, the balcony and his bedroom. I’m guessing that we are going to run into a situation where the bedrooms are like 10x10 and I wouldn’t be surprised if one were in the inside without windows. That be kind of strange though. I don’t think this is a straight back apartment like ours is or the other 3 bedroom one we had with the boys on First Avenue. That one was a 3 flat – so we had windows on each side of the building.
But, it wasn’t as attractive as this one is. I feel like a squirmy oyster looking for a bigger shell. Shoot.
I think at this point we’re pretty obsessive. Would be a good time to talk to Dr. Marvin. Rich basically was saying … I know it is harder on you, but what happened if we just stuck it out and stayed. Then he talked about getting both of us memberships somewhere we could both be giving each other incentives. That would be a good idea, but something we should be doing whether we stayed or left.
There we are getting better. We finished a letter to Dr. Marvin. This is it.
Dear Dr. Marvin,
Just wanted to touch basis with you. I’ve been feeling the pressure of this contract needing to be renewed on the apartment. I’m not sure which way it is going to go at all. Yesterday, I had Rich’s blessing to call the landlord and start things off. He had only two places to show us that were on the first floor. One was too small and dark and the better of the two was down 6-7 steps down to a sub-level. I didn’t care for it and I thought the place looked like a real step down.
He was saying that it was “only” $825, but the catch was that we’d have to pay our own heat. I was thinking there it would be at least $2-300, plus no stop button.
Both of the apartments were two bedrooms, so we drove by a couple of big storage places in Brookfield. I got the idea that generally a 10x10 space would be $140 and a 10x15 would be $180. Everything else was arguably pretty much the same … the one that was $8 more had temperature control in all units, where I’d have to pay for the service in the second. We’re still not sure how much space we would need.
We got the recommendation for a mover from the second company. He seemed like a real nice guy and he came out to the house with Rich there. He said it should be about 5-6 hours, and that the last person it took an extra hour because she wasn’t organized. I plan to be organized … I always am. But, we’re looking at something that has to be done within about 3-4 weeks – maybe less.
We’re not sure where we would move to. I drove past 3 additional apartments I would take – that looked decent enough on the outside. This keeping in mind that we’re looking for some upward movement. None of the 3 apartments had balconies and I don’t think we’re going to get even a patio on the first floor, though one we looked at had a half porch that is supposed to be community property of 4 units.
Two people called back – one last night and one this morning. We have appointments to see them both at 6:15 and 7:15. They are both in Brookfield the further one is ½ a mile away on Maple, and the second on Grove is just in back of us, but two places down. Maple is two bedrooms, one bath at $825 and includes 2 parking spaces, and the Grove one is 3 bedrooms, two baths at $1050 and includes 1 parking space. Both owners were married couples the Grove one is older and the other younger. Both – all utilities are paid, not like Mikes. The couple hundred difference is a matter if we want our things in storage for the next year, or if we want to live with them. One then offers less clutter and the other more clutter. Of course, we could throw away extra and be clutter free, but I’m not sure where Rich is at with all that.
When the mover came over … it was obvious that he was confused over the moving process. When we made gestures to include stuff from his house being moved, he got even more confused and said he wasn’t ready for that. I couldn’t get him to acknowledge that he was going to have to get rid of some of it. He obviously could keep anything he wanted and loved, but most of the stuff giving him memory problems has to be dealt with. Like games for the kids, he had wanted for his grandchildren, or clothes from Jillian, or skates he had saved from being a kid. From what I’ve heard the wife is looking for another place, but because of their relationship, Rich doesn’t have time to go sort things out, even if he could make decisions. If he wants to keep it all, we will need some things stored. He just isn’t dealing with that at all. Turns it down just to discuss it. We have to go slow not to pressure him. I don’t want to hurt him, but I know it is going to hurt him to let things go. Hmm, maybe I should work on that … tell him he can keep it there until the wife moves out and then just take it all. That be up to him. It would have to be more organized though and definitely come out.
It’s just that all those years with Rich he had this thing going on where he couldn’t ever get around to cleaning the basement or garage. I don’t know what to do about that. If we got the third bedroom, and I’m thinking even with two, we’re going to hand that over and let Rich make a “sports/rec room” of it. I think he’s getting an extra table and he can put in anything he wants of his sports officiating/fishing stuff wherever he wants. If he wants he could also fill it with Rembrandts of his childhood, or his kid’s childhood. I felt bad because he’d finally rearranged the bedroom and really liked it. And, I took down most the old pictures and he hung up part of his collection. Those maps need places to go. Rich used to talk about having just the top of the fridge for his stuff. And, then he talked of their separate dens and living rooms. That’s why he can’t have a couch or too comfy a chair in his space, if he’s going to sit back, I want it to be with me in the living room.
Shoot, now I’m back to just going over everything over and over again. I’m just as obsessed as you know we get. Hmm, just thought … his maps are all over a couple of hundred years old and are framed. Maybe we could decorate the next kitchen with all those maps I’ve been saving up from the National Geographics. I wonder if we have enough yet. It would match up with the tapestry map in the living room.
Or … we could just stay at our place. Man … I just don’t know … if you had some secret solution for getting through the day, the week?
Me.
And, we need direction on the cholesterol. This is not a big problem is it?
Hmm, ok … we’re back … that was the Dr. M. part at least. But now I was having another idea. Rich came in a few moments ago. He was fairly dry and listed out a stack of things he would have to do. He said he’s leaving here (work) in three hours and that he would meet us back at home with sub-sandwiches half an hour before the first appointment. I put out a couple of probing questions. He was like hmm, what did he say … I guess it was like he was very non-committal … he said he just wanted to see his options. But, he was leaning against the idea of having a 3rd bedroom. So, I think in my planning, which women always do without men is to plan on not having the second bedroom if there are only two, or the third bedroom if there are three. Basically, it means that we are going to dedicate “the extra” bedroom to Rich … but being a man he naturally doesn’t know what to do with the space .. he’s too busy being stunned by all this. AND, we know someone has to watch the ka-ching, ka-ching. He’s got that part covered. I think this move would wipe him out for a couple of months and that is very scary to him, because he’s the head of the household and always has to be prepared.
Ok, now as to the idea? I’m wondering what would happen if we made the extra room into a room we could call Rich’s fidget room. What I was seeing and am crazy enough to get is at least three big pegboards – like the kind that you put in your workshop. He can’t do the car there, but he should have some place he can play and organize.
Hmm, we’re back and quite some time has happened … not sure last time, but it is now 2:30. We moved our obsession over to finding out about today’s pegboards and slatboards. Pswhoo … quite a bit of information and all kinds of hooks and specialty items. I found myself moving deeply into the area of store displays. I guess that’s what it is like – really. Matter of fact I found myself wondering about his friend Doug and how he managed his store. I know that he’s moved several times and then there is all the display work … he must be an expert with expert connections. But, then after a while I begin wondering if the new landlord would appreciate all these boards plastered onto her freshly painted walls. There are probably some rules there. I don’t even know if they are going to let us hang things or paint. Not that we want to start painting. I’m all into those boards that are already pre-painted.
It was getting a little overwhelming trying to figure out which system is better.
Basically, what we had in mind was something out of the order of those fishy shows we were watching. We’d gotten connected to one where they were visiting the “storage” areas of some of the best fisherman – the pros. Some were pretty tough!
Hmm, better not look now … I had in mind going that direction
Hmm, now it is 3 pm … I think that half hour went to looking for that fishing group. There are too many. I will have to wait until hmm … couldn’t do that either. We’re downloading iTunes. I don’t remember if we had an account or something … think it saved information for us which means there was something there to save me, unless it did to the computer. Couple of more minutes. I know that I can put in bass and it will take me to that radio station for bash fisherman. And from there we got to the other place I think … all we want to do was see how they fix up their fishy spaces. We want to get something neat for Fishyman … sort of an indoor workshop that is guilt free. You know … no lawnmowers or shrub cutters.
Nothing big like the tools that would signify regular house maintenance projects not being completed. This is just fish friendly stuff, and maybe sports memorabilia … you know somewhere that one day he will be proud to show off.
posted by Ann Marie @ 10/02/2007 04:09:00 PM
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