5.19.2009

Grateful


I am grateful tonight. I am grateful for all the support we are getting from family, friends and new people that we have met. Our families always know what to say to keep us hopeful and they have no idea how much that means to us. Our friends are helping us sort this out and doing their best to do everything and anything they can to help get us out of this mess. And for all that, I am grateful and so very thankful.

I have to think that everything happens for a reason. I have to believe that God would not have us in this situation if we couldn't handle it. My Mister is healthy, our families are well, and we have each other. A house is just a house. A very expensive house, but still just a house that may or may not make it. And whatever happens with the house is something that we will just have to live with. As long as The Mister is by my side I know we can keep facing whatever comes out way.

We will get through this. We learned a big lesson and we won't make this mistake again. I promise you that. Cross my heart and hope to die...

If it means we scale back, we scale back. If it means that we don't get to do what we wanted to do, we don't do it. I would rather have everything done right and by the book and maybe not get our "dream house" because our sanity is much more important than that. Being able to sleep at night knowing we have nothing to worry about, beats a second bathroom, or tile, or adding a hallway any day of the week because nothing is worth our health.

I am exhausted. I haven't slept in months and I pray that this is all over soon. All I want is for this to be over. I want my life back. I just want to move into my house!!!!

5.18.2009

Smoke and Mirrors

Today we went to the Architect's office and he didn't have good news. To any and all who are going to buy a fixer and or who plan to make any changes to their homes please check your city's permit requirements. Each city has different rules.

If anyone tells you, "Hey don't worry about it, you don't need permits" don't take their word for it. In the city we are working in, you need a permit to fart in your own house. You can't even change a toilet without a permit. We were led to believe that we had nothing to worry about and now we are paying a big price for it.

When plans were drawn to make our house into a proper two bedroom home, like anyone in our shoes, we got excited. I had visions of tile and floors and paint and closets. Turns out the city won't allow extra square footage to be added. Had we known this, we would have saved ourselves a lot of grief, time and money.

Where are we now? Well according to the architect, because we demolished without a permit, we may not get the space back that we tore down. So even though we paid for a two bedroom house, this hiccup may have now cost us that 2nd bedroom. We have been demoted. Welcome to our Monday!

I cried like a baby in that office today. I felt so stupid but I couldn't hold it in. As he handed me a kleenex the architect says, "You should have come to me before you did anything. Why did you do this?" We acted out of faith, and we trusted in the advice given to us. I feel stupid but more than anything I am unbelievably angry.

The only sure bet in my life is The Mister. Of anything or anyone else I am not certain of. This quite possibly has to be the worst month in my life. When is it going to be over?

5.13.2009

Divine Intervention Needed


As you all know we are trying to avoid getting nicked by the city. We went yesterday and lucked out, no citation. I hope we can get permits this week. The wait is hard, but if we can make it to the end of this week we should be fine. It sucks knowing your luck is about to run out, I pray to God, it doesn't. If a person takes a peek at the back we're screwed. The back of the house is missing. I hope the nosey people in the neighborhood don't call the city. I have never been so exposed in all my life. I am still waiting for the engineer to call, i hope he pulls through, if not it's plan B. I still can't believe i am in this situation. To all reading say this out loud. "Dear God please help the housestupids they really need your help. Amen"

5.11.2009

One Step Forward 20 Steps Back

So you remember all that work we did? The beautiful trenches for the foundation? How "far along" we were? Well we are right back to where we started.



The Mister took me to see a movie yesterday. Smart move since it starred Gael Garcia Bernal. I'm on cloud nine enjoying being back until he takes me to the house where an 8 ton dumpster full of dirt is parked in our driveway. Huh that's weird!



I asked just how much of the 8 tons we had to shovel. He never gives me an answer. So I shoveled, trying my best to hold it together and not cry from pent up anger. We didn't finish and it felt like we only put a tiny dent in the hours that we worked.



Today my back hurts, my arms burn, and my hands are blisterd, the skin on them thin. We shovel again. This time until the 8 ton dumpster is empty and the trenches filled. I couldn't feel my hands until I poured water on them which felt like acid rain. Not even the joy from watching a beautiful movie yesterday makes up for it.



Never have I wanted to yell "I told you so" in the loudest voice I can muster.

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STOP IN THE NAME OF LOVE



Before you break my heart, think it oh oh over.

We need to think it over. Turns out the city we are doing our remodel in are super sticklers. They have the hardest hitting city planners / inspectors in the LA area. We had no clue, we should have known, but hindsight is not only 20/20, it's worthless. We are in the shit. In the trenches digging for dear life to put back 8 tons of dirt back into the ground before the city inspectors come down on me like a 300 pound jail mate. I feel like Macgyver using camo techniques to escape detection. We have an engineer/architect drafting some plans to get the approval from the city. They should be ready to go tomorrow. We are in limbo and i can feel the flames licking me.

5.10.2009

This blog is called house stupid for a reason

This last week I learned a ton by the cost of being rash, hubris got
the best of us. I have been too tired to post. But i will tonight.

Going to have breakfast with the beautiful misses who is back. Stay
tuned.

5.08.2009

This Pots A Boiled

The Mister filled me in on yesterday's events. I was livid, angry, and felt let down. I was stressed about my job and then this curveball hit me like a ton of bricks.

I don't do well with surprises especially when they involve an investment in which I have dumped every penny to my name. An investment in which every cent has been accounted for and has a place in our budget. Shortcuts don't exist.

Today The Mister spoke to the city. I'm glad I wasn't there because not only would I have been devastated and completely destroyed but the lid to this boiling pot would have finally blown. He says there might be a way to work it out. I trust him and I hope he is right. Once again its The Mister and me against the world. I miss Texas. I miss my family and I miss my friends. Over and out!
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THE NAIL IS NOTHING COMPARED TO THIS


Today I learned a very painful lesson. Acting without a proper permitted plan only leads to double the work and money. Our ambition must be scaled back for now. The city code states that if any work is done to increase the square footage of the house, we become subjected to everything short of public flogging. Jerry introduced me to a standup engineer architect Nick, who specializes in the draconian laws of our town. keep you posted and please keep your fingers crossed.

5.06.2009

Mhm...

I was so worried about The Mister. I was traveling all day and couldn't check in on him as often as I would have liked. Before I left he had orders to go to the doctor. I get a message from him telling me he was at the doctors but the reception was so bad I couldn't understand all that he said. We finally touched base once he was out of the clinic.

The Mister tells me he is feeling fine but I know he is only saying that so I don't worry. I get an e-mail from Jerry and I come to find out his foot is the size of a small country. Thank God he is at the studio tomorrow and not working from home where he seems to attract all sorts of danger.

If his foot is the size of a small country, does that mean he is getting close to world domination?

Day 3: Wasted Days and ......






Wasted the majority of the day waiting at the hospital to get the foot looked at, while the demo dumpster was taken away. The guys dug the trenches for the new foundation and it looks great. (Like i know the difference) I wish i could of been more hands on today, but i will tomorrow. Our goal is to have the foundation in by Saturday. How can keep myself out of the hospital before Vanessa returns?

I will try my best to keep up the Blog Vane. Missing you. CHOTO



5.05.2009

More Pictures of Day 2











They are in reverse order but you get the point right? Notice anything out of place? El Rookie, AKA The Mister is not sitting on the ground with an nail in his foot and not one single picture shows him almost decapitating Jerry "Dozer" Mendoza our contractor with the load of lumber he was carrying to the dumpster.

I Still Can't Believe This is My Life

For so long I have dreamed of a house. After living in apartments for so many years where the only thing we had control over was how we furnished the place, the freedom that comes with something as simple as keeping a window, or getting rid of a sink, or getting to decide how a space works best in our daily lives is truly a gift. We for once have control of our dwelling. We are humbled, excited, and so very grateful for this wonderful blessing. We have a great team of people helping us. We can't thank any of you enough. Please pray that The Mister doesn't get any more rusty nail piercings. He promised to get his shot tomorrow.

NOT CRAZY


Thanks to the crew of Mendoza Dev. and the help from the MR and Misses, we are ready for tomorrow. Trenching out for the foundation.

CRAZY?


The Mr. is Going to the Doctor tomorrow

Going to get a tetanus shot tomorrow afternoon. My brother the doctor who just graduated told me about all the lock jaw horror stories. I don't want to go like that.

2 inches

Of pure fun went into my foot. Jerry removed the nail with a shovel. I
got a tet shot 3 years ago. So all good.

First Nail Through Foot

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5.04.2009

Ready for tomorrow


We finished for the day, the addition has been torn down. Tomorrow our goal is to dump all the trash, trench out place for the foundation, and demo the bathroom. Keep you posted. Reaching for the Tiger Balm.

DAY ONE




We found this in the wall. It reads "Dine Dance Romance---BURTONS PALACE ENTRANCE Edwin James Contractor / Builder 5¢ Stein Beer. When was the last time beer was 5¢?

I nearly crapped my pants when my legs when through the roof.

Back Room Almost Down

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MachoMachoMan

A little coffee and a power bar and walls come down.
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5.03.2009

MY BUDDY AND ME





It felt good to meet a new buddy today. I got a good feeling about this guy, he can lay it down. What a gangsta.

The least help ever

This is some shmuck from homedespot. We asked about some tile we saw on their webpage. He said, "you have to be stupid to buy tile online." aren't you the one selling it online?

Lost and Found

We found this painting when we took out a cabinet. Made me miss my father in law.
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Cabinets

The Mister went to town. Cabinets down! We got a head start on our big day tomorrow.
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Inspiration

Saw these while taking a walk with The Mister this morning. Would love to have something like this in my front yard.
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5.02.2009

Home Not Sweet Home Depot

We are picking up some more tools. Amateur stuff. Nothing fancy. Every time we come here I get so frustrated though because I never get an answer to my question. Their customer service sucks! They make me feel like a moron. I wish we had a Lowe's close by!!
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5.01.2009

Under Linoleum Lies...

The house is finally ours! We had a busy day so we didn't get to the house until the evening. We were curious to see what was under the kitchen floor. The Mister took the crowbar to the linoleum and to our surprise was the most beautiful wood floor. Maybe it's a sub floor? If it's not then the floor is a keeper and we know what color we want to stain it!
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Uneventful

We watch too way too much HGTV. We thought closing was going to be like it is on television, a big event. We got up, showered, and got dressed up because we were getting our keys today. We pictured ourselves sitting at a table signing more documents pretending to be soooooo bothered that the stack of papers was a mile high and then we would hand over a check and someone would actually hand us the keys. Yeah not so much. It was like opening a bottle of champagne and the cork not making a sound. Sigh.

GREETINGS FROM THE HOUSE STUPID MISTER


Yeah we're tight, but we'll be just fine, we've come this far.

I am the House Stupid Mister, I am even more dangerous than the Missus. because I pretend that I know something even when I don't. That gets me into trouble. Blogging isn't my thing, but I'm going to give it a go.

Last night I had a conversation with my father, he always knows what to say. He is not your typical father knows best, slacks wearing type, but more of your straight shooter with a rock for a fist and a heart of gold. It got me to thinking how blessed we are to have this opportunity. If it wasn't for our family's and friends this couldn't be possible, but most importantly, God. Things work out when you let them.

Enough sap from this tree. WE ARE CLOSING TODAY!!!!