Tick Tock!

TOMORROW!

and I'm in Last-Minute-Frenzy mode!

ShitShow!

Four days! tick tock, tick tock...

Vinny just adopted a Golden Retriever a couple of days ago. Baron is an awesome dog, but Shadow doesn't think so. Then again, Shadow doesn't like ANY other dogs besides Chip.

We introduced them outside, on leashes, and walked them around the yard. Things went pretty well, as long as we Humans controlled the situation.

After about an hour, we finally went inside. A few minutes later, Vinny thought it would be a good idea to let Baron and Shadow off-leash, and "just see what happens." I refused. He insisted. OK, fine.

Less than 10 seconds later, Shadow nipped Baron, and Baron ran to Vinny, crying and yowling. Vinny got mad at Shadow, and I got mad at Vinny. We've been living with Shadow for 2.5 years. Did he really think that Shadow would respond differently? Did he not hear me for the whole past week, saying "we need to keep them separated" ????

So now we are keeping them separated. It's breaking my heart, because I can see that Chip & Shadow feel pushed aside. I have now moved into the spare room, so they can still sleep next to me. But they are Sad Dogs, and I have no way to explain to them that it's just for a few days.

Also, this morning, Zorro got in Baron's way, and Vinny ended up with a shredded arm. I need to get my cats and dogs into the Little Farmhouse ASAP.

10 days and counting!

Farewell Old Friend

Logan

Thank you for finding me, and sharing your life

You have always been exceptional

and so brave

~~~

9.15.10

I might have a stroke...

...if things get delayed by another week!

I met the owner at the little farmhouse yesterday, to go inside & take a look around now that its empty, take measurements, gauge what needs to be done...

Status: FAIL

Prior tenant did not leave the key, or her new phone number / address. She is actually paid thru the 15th.

Owner will give her until the 15th to bring back the key, then maybe change the locks in a day or so after that.

Next tasks:
~sign & make a copy of the lease agreement
~schedule utilities (gas & electric, maybe garbage too)
~have check prepared for deposit and/or 1st month
~continue to get boxes & pack during evenings

Once Inside later this week:
~confirm that owner is buying fridge and stove
~check for appliances like dishwasher, microwave
~measure space for washer & dryer
~measure all rooms & doorways (furniture, rugs, etc)
~gauge cleaning supplies needed for paint prep
~when can I have the key?

More Small Steps

Seems like Vinny has moved into the Acceptance stage over the past couple of days. It's a big relief. Now we have things to talk about again - like how to split apart some of the financial responsibilities. Makes me realize how much I love making plans, even if they are difficult ones!

My Recent Accomplishments:
~made announcement to family & friends about this
~went to credit union for near-future financial planning
~opened new account for savings & checking
~submitted paperwork at work
~submitted change of address at Post Office
~started my own car insurance policy
~submitted a transfer of ownership for my own cell phone plan

Still To Do:
~inspect little farmhouse & take measurements
~collect boxes from work, continue to pack
~get owner's opinion on when I should start utilities in my name (gas, electric, etc)

I'm sure there's a thousand other things, but they will materialize as I proceed.

The owner is now wanting to have his "guy" do the painting. That's OK, I guess. Kind of a relief and a disappointment all together.

Polarizing

We haven't really spoken to each other in a couple of days. There just isn't really anything to say. Not even goodbye or goodnight. Just a waiting game, now, until Oct 1.

I spent some of the Labor Day weekend gathering things from the basement, consolidating storage containers, washing the extra set of dishes, laundering a couple of old comforters that I had forgotten about... Started a "staging area" in the spare room, for boxes that I will be packing. I figure I'll use an hour or so each evening to pack & organize over the next 3 weeks.

Last Friday, I started working on some of the financial preparation. I opened a brand new account, and met with the loan officer. (Rene is no longer there.) We talked about untangling various loans and the credit card, and I'll find out more over the next few days.

Today I am going to submit some paperwork to Peter, like change of address, direct deposit form, and vacation request for moving day.

I told Mom about all this over the weekend, too. She was shocked, but then supportive. I told her upfront, without being rude, that what I want above all else, from everyone, is to not have opinions or suggestions pushed at me. I do not want other people's extra stuff, and I do not want to discuss the details. I just want to get this over and done, and move forward. And I want to slowly collect my own treasures and furniture. This is all very important to me, and it is the one thing I am asking. Soon I will break the news to the rest of the family.

Lastly, I confirmed over the weekend that Logan has lost the majority of his eyesight. He bumped into Chip and Trin while he was moving around in his room. I am certain that he has discomfort every day, but he is not yet suffering. However, now that he is virtually blind, and well on his way to becoming disabled, I will be making another great decision very soon. I am deeply concerned that a strange new environment will be terrifying for him. What if he is unable to make the adjustment? It is now crossing my mind that when the time comes to move him into my little farmhouse, maybe I should just bring him to the vet instead, to be put to sleep. I will make a final evaluation when the time comes, but I am trying to loosely plan for what lies ahead.


This is the rose I'd like to plant for him, when the time comes.

Illogical

Apparently, Vinny is so attached to the house that he is willing to try to keep it on his own. This is just not going to work. He is quite resourseful, I'll give him that. But the burden of the $2200/month mortgage is crushing, plus all other expenses that go along with it. If we couldn't handle it toegther, he sure as hell can't do it alone.

He says that all the work we've done means so much to him, that he just can't let it go. Plus, Maverick is buried out in his own Garden, and Vinny won't just leave him there.

Yet... (this kills me) ... once he says goodbye to Chip and Shadow, he doesn't want to see them again.

WTF is that about? He is willing to keep a house he can't afford because that's where we buried the cat, but he is not willing to visit with the dogs, who are alive and well, and who love him very much.

I'll respect his wishes, but I just do not understand the thought process.