Making a list (or two)

We've had a busy week! Monday was inspection day at my son's new house. There were a few minor issues that we hadn't already noticed, and one potentially major problem that we could not have seen. Some of the simple things were a extension on a downspout that needs to be re-attached, smoke detectors that need to be replaced, and a dry sump hole. The latter is actually a good thing in my mind, but the inspector seems to think it means the weeping tile outside has failed. As long as we keep the water away from the house, we should be fine. I would note that the sump hole in my current property has been dry for the last 13 years (that I know of).

The more potentially dangerous issue is due to the use of aluminum and copper wire through the electrical system. The inspector advised that there was a 40/60 split of the use to the breaker box. When these metals are mixed, there can be arching resulting in a fire. The fix is to have an audit performed, testing each plug/switch in the house, and adding some sort of goop (his word) to the ends of the wires. Not fixing it could result in insurance companies refusing to insure the property. Our realtor contacted theirs when we left the house, and discovered the sellers had the necessary work done in 2019. Interesting that it was only recently identified as an issue - the house was built in 1971, and they purchased it in 2005. 

So Tuesday was the big day, as the conditions were lifted and the house is officially C's as of November 6. He seems a little less excited than I am. But I think he's feeling a little overwhelmed. He was reading the inspection report - things like anode rods (water heater), a/c coil and furnace/duct cleaning made his eyes glaze over. I think he's recognizing too that yard work is going to be part of his routine as well. I'll help of course, but I don't always plan to be there. 

In fact, I've booked a bus trip to Minot in late November. The price for three nights of hotel, breakfast, and transportation was very good. I haven't really started my Christmas shopping - I've got Eli's gift - so I'll try to get some done there. A stay over 48 hours allows me to bring back up to $800 duty free and I can't imagine I'll come anywhere close to the amount. The fact they have shuttles to Joanne's and Hobby Lobby were definitely tempting. Do you suppose I'll come back with more yarn? I have to remember this is meant for Christmas gifts. It's also an opportunity to meet others on the trip and I'm sure I won't be the only solo on the bus.

I also made calls to several moving companies, as my first choice has no availablility for the date we're planning to move. I spoke to two representatives of companies that operate across various provinces, including here in Regina. Wow, have prices increased since my last move. I'd hoped that one of the local companies will provide a better rate. In addition, I'd sent requests to a couple of cleaning companies, as I'd like to have a move-out cleaning done that I don't have to do myself. We'll move on the Monday, but the new owner won't have possession until the Wednesday, so I will have time to clean myself, if need be.

Wednesday was also Stitch and Chat, four of us in attendance, as S is away visiting family in Victoria. We had another woman pop in, wondering if any one of us knew anything about hooker rugs. I said, rug hooking? and she said, no it's another form of making rugs that uses material rather than strips of yarn. None of us have ever heard of it, but we asked her to come by with her project to share it with us. It would be nice if she does, as our group will soon be even smaller as two of the members will be heading south in about 3 weeks time.

I did get some more packing completed this week, including the rest of the basement craft room. All that is left downstairs is to pack up the laundry room, and for my son to pack his clothing and personal items. There is lots of time to get the main floor packed, though I have gone through drawers and other storage items to sort and pack some items. I've found more things for donation. I'd packed up a box of books and that silly cat of mine got hold of an edge of tape and pulled it off. We've always said he's the "eat the paste" cat and it is true.

Friday, I was feeling frustrated by the lack of response from the movers and cleaning companies, so I made the decision to stay on the phone until I reached a real person. The first moving company didn't answer, but the second one did. It is a local company, with availability on the date I want to move. Their price seemed a bit high but there are no hidden fees - it's an all-in price. To save the movers time (and thus me money as they charge by the hour), we'll move all of the boxes to the garage. They'll only need to enter the house to move the furniture pieces, none of which are particularly heavy. On the other end, we'll do the same with boxes to the garage and furniture into the house.

After that, I phoned a cleaning company and they answered almost immediately. They, too, had the availability I needed and the price is about what I had anticipated. So that is booked too! 

Now I get to move on to the more mundane tasks, cancelling my cable and house insurance, setting up a mail forwarding, and changing my address with a myriad of businesses and governmental departments/agencies. That's where the lists come in. I'm sure I'll forget something - but hopefully not something that is very important!

This weekend I'm going to be cleaning up the yard. We had frost overnight into Friday, and the first of the annuals, the impatience gave up the ghost. Poor sad thing, it did so well this year. While there may not be frost for the rest of the week, the window of decent is closing quickly so I can't procrastinate any longer. Of course, I'll have to fit it in between baseball (sad that my Blue Jays are done for the year), football, and curling. :)

I'll leave you with a photo my daughter sent of Eli. She remembered to get his hair cut before school pictures this year, and this was a photo she took before he went to school that day. I do hope he behaved during his school photo!

Have a great week ahead everyone!