BUGS!!!!!!
Okay. So. There are cracks in the kitchen wall that were growing and beginning to worry me. I figured before I called the insurance company to ask for a structural engineer and a fix, we'd better check for termites (not covered) first. And besides, we have no annual contract on the house at present because the local rates gave me a fit of rebellious sticker shock. Seriously, the rates I've been quoted have been 6-8 times what they were back when we lived in a flippin' forest.
First guy came out, found that our septic line is broken, appraised that we needed new vents and vapor seal, and found no termites. The good news is, he also found nothing majorly wrong with our support beams or foundation.
Second guy, on the other hand, found termites.
So the plumber is coming to repair the septic line (lucky him), now that the septic-tank guy has already been here and appraised (as I'd tried to tell the girl making the appointments) that this was not his problem. It's been an unusually social day.
Also an unusually expensive one, basically. Appraisals are free, but the results are not. I've boldly gone job-hunting and asked about audition preferences for the local symphony. It doesn't pay, but local symphonies tend to lead to local wedding gigs, which do. Local community college is also looking for music and English adjunct profs, and I think I'm qualified for both spots. After watching my husband teach classroom stuff for years, I'm not sure what they're paying is worth it, but it might be worth a go. It'd pay more than the writing, alas.
The Little One has also added to the costs for last month in a major way by outgrowing his car seat. My father found out the crib had been recalled and insisted on replacing it, so that's all settled and reimbursed, but car seats are our own problem. We now have one per car. I optimistically ordered a convertible one and discovered after a day or two that he still needs an infant one -- just a much BIGGER infant one than we had. One we can carry into stores and restaurants. I'm back to pondering the once-discussed half-giant baby story, now that I've done more RL research.
And once it's written, when I send it out, I will I will I will remember the SASE. Unlike on the last story.
First guy came out, found that our septic line is broken, appraised that we needed new vents and vapor seal, and found no termites. The good news is, he also found nothing majorly wrong with our support beams or foundation.
Second guy, on the other hand, found termites.
So the plumber is coming to repair the septic line (lucky him), now that the septic-tank guy has already been here and appraised (as I'd tried to tell the girl making the appointments) that this was not his problem. It's been an unusually social day.
Also an unusually expensive one, basically. Appraisals are free, but the results are not. I've boldly gone job-hunting and asked about audition preferences for the local symphony. It doesn't pay, but local symphonies tend to lead to local wedding gigs, which do. Local community college is also looking for music and English adjunct profs, and I think I'm qualified for both spots. After watching my husband teach classroom stuff for years, I'm not sure what they're paying is worth it, but it might be worth a go. It'd pay more than the writing, alas.
The Little One has also added to the costs for last month in a major way by outgrowing his car seat. My father found out the crib had been recalled and insisted on replacing it, so that's all settled and reimbursed, but car seats are our own problem. We now have one per car. I optimistically ordered a convertible one and discovered after a day or two that he still needs an infant one -- just a much BIGGER infant one than we had. One we can carry into stores and restaurants. I'm back to pondering the once-discussed half-giant baby story, now that I've done more RL research.
And once it's written, when I send it out, I will I will I will remember the SASE. Unlike on the last story.