There's Good & There's Bad

[tree_lady]

Do you want the good news or the bad news first? Well, since I have to write this without anyone's input, you get the good news first.

The big bright note! I finished checking the Spencer Hill editor's suggestions for my "Shadow Harper" story yesterday.  It took far less time than I had anticipated because I agreed with nearly everything that

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Update to original entry-- Warning! Boring & Long!

[tree_lady]

You really don't want to read this. Way long, and only of interest to me. Here's a few developments--or lack of developments re the apartment.

The washer is still brimming with water. The mini-flood around it has dried up, at least on the surface. Since it's possible that the padding underneath is still damp I continue to use the anti-mold spray, attempting to spray enough to soak past the surface and down to where it is needed.

The inspector came out yesterday, just afternoon. I had been hurrying to straighten a few things before he arrived, but only had a chance to finish the most critical ones.

He used a smart phone to take picture of various things he considered to be "violations of code". Naturally he took pictures of the washer, inside and out, and also of the tile floor around it within the laundry room. He reminded me that they would near a clear path from the apt door to the laundry room so some things would have to be shifted. That bit of advice amused he. He spoke as if the switch in machines was imminent. After 11 years here, I know better. I did remind me that they would first have to pump the water out of the old washer.

He also noted the water stains on the ceiling in the living room and bedroom. In the bathroom, they only got as far as putting up plywood to replace a nearly bathtub section of soaked drywall they had to take out from over the tub. They promised to come back to finish fixing this but never did of course. All water marks on the ceiling have the same cause; substandard piping running along the crawl space above my ceiling.

As for the water bills, we've made a bit of progress. I filed a complaint with the BBB of FL which is where the billing company is. Their GM wrote back yesterday fairly courteously but holding the line when it came to some of my claims. He asserted that the wildly fluctuating water bills and their recent alarming increase might be due to the toilets malfunctioning or leaking, since that increases measured water usage more than any other thing.

The problem with that theory? It doesn't explain the months in which the bills have gone down. Last I heard, toilets or other water-related machinery do not heal themselves briefly and then go into relapse. ;-P

He suggested that I have the apartment people check this out when they come to check things. Where does he live that apt repairman actually come out on their own and check anything. They don't even come here when I call repeatedly. I managed not to laugh. What I really need is an independent plumber coming here to check the meter and the toilets as well as long as he's here.

Anyway.. the final stop was the backstairs landing between my floor & the 2nd floor. I just discovered that one of the two panes is missing. Showing it to him, I reminded him (unnecessarily) that a certain hurricane was coming. That was it. I believe he will be back to check in a couple of weeks, to see if everything has been attended to. I wonder if I'll have a new washer by then.

Yesterday, someone came though and nailed something over the missing window. I'm sure that will keep Irene out. ;-P

Finally, according to my downstairs neighbor--who often knows stuff--the complex is officially up for sale. Look out below! Headed for true absentee slumlord time!