Moving out of the Village

 April 29, 2021

Rose across the street fractured her hip and is in assisted living and the house is being cleared out.  It is so strange that both of us are clearing out at the same time.  Jim is not able to help at all, so it is up to his wife, who has been so very friendly to me; I wish that I could remember her name.  A couple of men in a pick-up truck happened to be passing by and offered to take away what they didn't want.  They hauled two truck loads for a nominal fee.  They had a special pick-up last week and today.

Claude came in the afternoon to remove the legs off the workbench.  He had taken the top off and boards from below, but the frame was a problem because the legs were welded and the bench would not fit in his SUV.  He thought he'd have to saw off the legs, but he researched how to remove the legs another way.  It was a nice day, so I pulled up one of the patio chairs and read while he worked on his project.  He had to drill and somehow remove the rivets that held the legs in place. That must have taken him about two hours.  He then piled a lot of my trash  including the Weber grill into his SUV to dispose of it with his trash and take some to a metal recycling place.  Jay is planning to come on Saturday to take my stuff to the dump, but will have considerably less to take.  This is all that needs to be taken to the dump.

Condo Inspection

 April 27, 2021

Two inspectors plus the realtor, Lisa Pfaff, were here at 2:00 pm for the condo inspection.  The first thing they did was turn on the dish washer and let it go through its cycle.  I sat and read my Kindle and chatted a bit with Lisa.  There was a lot of moving about as the two inspectors did what they had to do.  As they were finishing I asked if there was anything I needed to be concerned about.  The inspector said everything looked in satisfactory condition.  Gary, the buyer,  came about 3:00 pm.  He works in medical equipment at St. Luke's, which would be a convenient drive from here.  He also will take the sofa bed and treadmill!  The sofa bed was the real problem; no one wants it.  But it will work out nicely for him.  He loved the layout, and that he did not need any dressers, also the built-in book shelves.

Monday,

May 3, 2021

Jean called while I was doing errands: a trunk full to Goodwill, shredding checkbook copies at Office Max and shopping at Walmart. She said I had to download the report and sign the agreement by 5:00 pm.  I never heard of such pressure.  I was about to drive to her office with my signature, but I signed the document, copied and emailed it to her.  I need electrical work done, plus I need to install a radon mitigation system.  Jean gave me a name of an electrician.  I sent an email to the condo manager; hopefully, the association will take care of the radon.

I did some research and made an appointment with Accurate for May 8th.

Keith explained what has to be done: drill a hole in the basement floor and sink in a pipe that will go out the wall close to the rain pipe.  There is a unit with a fan that will draw out the radon into the air.  Radon problems are cause by gas coming from the sump pump.  He will need to go into Heather's basement to do something there also.  He wrote a proposal which I forwarded to Hunt Manager Brandon Goetz.  He said it would have to be approved by the board.  I explained that I am on a timeline with moving and closing.  I talked to Mike Daniels and he thought it shouldn't be a problem.  I couldn't believe how,quickly the board convened, even though there was some disapproval, but Mike assured me that it would be approved, and it was.

May 18, 2021

Mike and two other men were here at approximately 9:30 am and started drilling in the basement. A lot of noise, but it didn't disturb me too much.  All three were very pleasant and industrious.

 

They finished at about 2:30 pm.  Keith waited for the electricians, a husband and wife team, to install the electricity for the fan.

Red Hats

 April 16, 2021

Six Red Hats (Julia, Jane, June, Kathy, Terry and I) met today at Casa da Georgio for lunch at noon.  Julia thought it was at 12:30; it was really my fault for not remembering that we had previously met at the later time.  Snow was falling pretty steady and June and Jane had a difficult drive getting here from Hartford.  The big news was my move, but there was a lot of news to catch up on.

Afterward I stayed at Terry's to see her new kitten and visited.

Biggsby

 Today was opening day of  Biggsby.  I'm not a really big coffee person, but I do appreciate a good cup of coffee.  My breakfast was a toasted asiago bagel with cream cheese and a 16 ounce coffee.  It was crowded and noisy.  Now I know why I love eating breakfast in the quietness of my home.  There was a lot of loud talking and shouting among the staff, plus banging.  The acoustics of of the place didn't help, with all the hard surfaces.  It was good to see the support that the place is getting.  I read the paper and worked the crossword, read on my phone.

On the Market

 Monday, April 12 

Jean Henning put a lock box on my front door with my house key enclosed. Agents open the box by punching in a code to get into my house when I'm not in. I started getting text messages beginning at 7:15 pm, to view the condo on Tuesday.   Unfortunately,  the lock box was too thick so the door couldn't close completely; I removed it.

Tuesday, April 13 

I put a notice on Franklin Community page for mover recommendations.  Many positive comment about Two Men and a Truck. I left a message and got a prompt call back.  I listed the items to move and arranged for May 24th, between 8 and 9 am

I kept getting showing requests throughout the morning.  I tidied up the place before I zoomed with the book club.

I had to stay to open the door for the 1:30 pm visit because there was no lock box.  A middle aged couple went through it.  

Jean came with another lock box,  but it too was too thick. She clamped the original one to the clematis trellis.

An agent with a woman came just as Dolly and I were driving off.  I had to take Dolly because she'd run out of the house and I don't think agents would be too happy chasing a cat.

How does one kill 5 hours?  I picked up You Are Not Alone at the library for next month's book club, drove to the Domes, but it was closed, took a slow drive to St. Rita's and now I'm sitting in Leon's parking lot after feasting on a caramel pecan sundae.

Dolly made some little noises, but all in all she was fine.

Wednesday, April 14

I changed bedding, did the laundry, then cleaned out the linen closet of excess towels.  I continued discarding and donating clothes, mostly discarding.  I put in a good day.  Jay invited me for dinner because Aleksei was home between jobs.  That  was a godsend because I had two showings, one at 6 and another at 6:30. I really can't fix dinner when I'm having a showing.  I tidied up in readiness for the showings and was at Jay & Laura's by 5:30 pm.  Jay prepared delicious chicken cordon bleu with asparagus and rice.  We had such a pleasant visit.  I drove Aleksei to Annika's where he will spend the night.

Thursday, April 15

Good thing I tidied everything up; I forgot the photographer was coming.  At 10:00 am, Andy came to take photos of inside and outside the house.  He thought my condo was very nice and I made his job easy.  We only had to move some cat apparatus on the side, but he was out of here within 15 minutes.  Just in time to leave for my 10:45 blood donation.

https://www.remax.com/homes-for-sale/WI/milwaukee/city/5553000?property={%22uPI%22:%2210774079211453348495%22,%22listingId%22:%221734813%22,%22oUID%22:%22M00000662%22,%22fullAddress%22:%228150-s-legend-dr-franklin-wi-53132%22}

Friday, April 16

I had Kat do my hair at 1:00 pm.  I had one showing at 4:30, but I did not see the 6:00 show up.

Then I met Peter at Steak Out for our first dinner since the pandemic began.  I had a 7 ounce fillet with a martini.  Afterward I had a Grand Marnier.  I slept soundly.

Saturday, April 17

One showing at 2:30 pm

Sunday, April 18

It was a tight schedule today.  I got up at 6:30 am, did my usual routine, then out of the house by 9:15 am for a 9:30 showing.  Dolly is so heavy getting into the car and being sure she doesn't run out.  We drove around then parked up the block waiting for the people to leave, two men plus the realtor.  It was after 10:00 am and I had to lector at the 10:30 am mass.  I tried unlocking the front door, but the agent locked both locks and I have to pull the door to me to unlock it.  Impossible holding Dolly.  We went through the garage like I should have done in the first place.  I was totally exhausted getting back in the car.  Luckily, I was settled down by mass time.  The 12:00 pm showing canceled due to illness in the family.

Peter called to find out how he can see if he got a text message.  He kept asking the question over and over, never waiting for an answer.  I hung up once, but connected again.  He finally got it.

I'm reading You Are Not Alone most of the day.

Tuesday, April 20

At 8:55 am I got a text for a showing at 9:15 am.  I panicked; dishes were not put away and I was really not ready.  Within 5 minutes they canceled.

I went to Biggby for breakfast.  I spent most of the day straightening my accounts spreadsheet.  I don't know how the amounts and items got mislabeled.  

Stephanie London called in the afternoon after Wendy told her I was moving to St. Rita's Square.  She has an appointment with Mark tomorrow.  She is also looking at a place on Rawson west of 76th.  Her address would be Baseball Ln.

I got a request for a 6:30 pm showing. As I was turning on the lights and getting finishing touches done, the agent with a couple came at 6:15.  I managed to Dolly in the car, but it is so very exhausting carrying her squirming body.  Once she is in the car she is quiet and well behaved.

I drove to Culver's for a cashew chicken salad that I partially ate in the parking lot.

This is Janice's week to call me, but she has not called yesterday or today.  Laura called and we had a nice visit.

Wednesday, April 21

Dolly waited in the car while I had breakfast at the Honey Butter Café on 76th near Pick'nSave before my house showing at 8:45 am. It is operated by Open Flame, but I understand the sons of the owner of Pantheon bought it.  The place is huge.  It started filling up the longer I stayed. With my coffee I was served Loukaumades (honey puffs), egg shaped fried yeast puffs coated in sugar in a pool of honey.  They were pretty messy to eat; I had to lick my fingers with each bite.  Next time I would eat them off my fork.  I had eggs over easy and toast, with a refill of coffee.  

I was home before 9:15 am and the viewing was already over.

Thursday, April 22

I called Jean to find out if there was any feedback from people that looked at my condo.  She said that I should have received comments after each visit in my email.  I should look in my spam folder perhaps for mail from Showing Time.  I found nothing.  When I called ReMax to tell then that I did not receive any messages I had Amanda verify my email address.  There was the problem, legenddrive@gmail.com.  After we got that corrected I got some remarks.  Also Jean had some comments that a lot of work needs to be done to the interior.  We discussed lowering the price to $195,000 to allow for upgrading.  Jean changed the lock box, and thought the new price would be more attractive.

I called to have the rug and couch shampooed.

Peter came about 1:00 pm with some nice egg cartons that I could use for packing.  He took two shelf units, plus we took down the stained glass eagle.

While he was here I got three requests to show the condo, all because of the lowered price

Jean called again; the lower price brought in a solid offer to match the asking price with a deadline to accept by 11:00 am Friday? Saturday?  The buyer had been to one of the earlier showings. She needed to come over for me to sign the paper with the lower price, also discuss the offer.  After a lot of consideration, it is best to accept since it is solid with no contingencies.  I signed a paper to accept the offer of $195,000, minus commission and other costs for the transaction.  Jean left at 9:15 pm.

Clean-up

 Jay, Laura and Anton were at my house at 10:00 am, ready to work.  Laura armed herself with the vacuum cleaner and got into all the corners and crevices; poor Charlotte will have to look very hard to spin her web.  We removed all unnecessary clutter to make things look more spacious.  Jay and Anton cleared out the basement of all the bags that will go to the dump or Purple Heart.

Then Jay had the brilliant idea of suggesting that I call the fire department if they could use my treadmill.  Ed Schmidt was quite receptive to the idea and will come to look at it tomorrow.

We had ham and rolls before they left at about 1:30 pm.

Tomorrow Peter will be over with the trailer to haul things to the dump.

I didn't go to church this morning because we were getting this early start, so I thought I'd go to Our Lady of Lourdes for their 6:00 pm mass.  No cars, it looked very deserted.  That is always my backup parish when I can't attend a regular mass at St. Martin of Tours.  The virtual mass from Our Lady Queen of Peace had a ridiculous introduction; some woman loved hearing herself talk.  I watched the mass from St. Patrick's.

Monday, April 12, 

Peter was here with his trailer at 11:00 am., and he and I began filling it up until Jay came.  We piled stuff not only in the trailer, but in Peter and Jay's vans.  Jay cut up the carpet in the basement and that went also.  They worked so very hard.  We drove to the dump with carloads of stuff and Peter's trailer was wobbling whenever he went over 35 mph.  Jay pulled up alongside of us and told Peter to slow down.  

We stopped for lunch at Culver's then headed back to my house.  Jay made another trip with the dresser mirror.  Then we decided that the bedroom rocker and recliner were not worth selling, so we took the rocker to the dump with the short cabinet from my office.  I might be able to clean up the head rest on the recliner.

Peter came back with me and took some things he thought he could use.  

Jean Henning called and wanted room dimensions.  She came about 7:00 pm to put a lock box on my front door; however, the door doesn't close.  The door spring is in the way.

I got a text message that someone wants to look at my house tomorrow between 1:30 and 2:00.  I started working like a whirlwind trying to put things in order.

Then Jay made another trip with the dresser mirror.

Monday, April 19

I culled the Family and Friends photo albums to eliminate photos that would be of interest mostly to me, i.e. travel, groups, gardens.  I whittled them down quite a bit.  Filled more boxes, discards and donations.

Friday, April 23 p.m. 

The Purple Heart truck drove in at 9:28 am.  Without any question, two very friendly men cleared out EVERYTHING, except some containers of rug shampoo and flower preserver.  They left at about 10:10 am.  They couldn't take the treadmill today, but said I should call and they will come at a later time.  They said I'd have a problem with the sofa bed.  Nobody wants them; bedbugs are a concern, also the weight.  I might have to call John's for a special pickup, and maybe pay $50. 

Real Estate

 Jean Henning came on Thursday, April 8th, and was very impressed with my condo.  Because it is not a traditional condo she had difficulty finding comparable prices.  But after going through it she thought it would sell fast, probably around $200,000.  We went through a number of documents for me to understand the various aspects of the sale.  She will return either Friday or Saturday to finalize our agreement.  Jean also was able to suggest a person who might be able to clear out the condo.

Jean had a full schedule today, so she asked me to come to her office to look at comparable sales in my area.  We settled on $215,000, and maybe someone might bid higher.  A photographer will come in a couple of days to take pictures.  I also have to look for a title to my condo.

When I got home and looked at the mess and all that I still have to do, I panicked.  As I was thinking of calling Laura and Jay, Laura called and I explained my stress.  She and Jay will come on Sunday at about 10:00 am to clear out their part of my garage and haul things into the garage for removal.  Peter will bring his trailer on Monday to take things to the dump.  Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the Austrian American Birthday dinner.  After we have not done anything or gone anywhere for all these months, I have to cancel the one event that came up.  Peter will invite his friend Rudy to take my place.

I worked the rest of the day boxing and sorting.  This is very strenuous work.

Household Handlers

 Marcia from Household Handlers was here promptly at 2:00 pm to go through the house and determine what I will dispose of.  She was not very positive.  Most of the stuff I have no one wants.  I don't have enough for an estate sale.  Nobody uses formal dinnerware, plus many other items that I have.  She could put things on Craig's List and would take 35% of the selling price.  Marcia suggested that I try selling the dining room set by myself on Craig's List.  Many donations outlets to not accept everything.  They require a picture with measurements and most do not come into the house.  The biggest and heaviest items are the biggest problems.  The treadmill, sofa bed, dressers and kitchen set in the basement will take considerable manpower to hoist up/down stairs.

I voted today and Roger approached me about my move.  He suggested selling items with the house

Moving Fast

 The basement got really thinned out, with bags for Purple Heart, recycling and trash.  Mark called to say that St. Rita's could make use of my craft supplies, so I had to pull a lot of stuff from the donation bag.  Jean Henning said she'd be over Wednesday afternoon. Marcia will here tomorrow afternoon to discuss what I want to keep and get rid of.  I then proceeded to shred old tax returns.  It was an exhausting day.  Laura's dinner was a godsend for my dinner.

Big Decision

 Laura joined me at 10:00 am, to meet with Mark Pietila for a tour of St. Rita's Square.  We started with the two dining areas

 and looked at an apartment with a den that I thought I'd prefer instead of a balcony.  The den is rather small and a dead space.  We next looked at one with a balcony that was much brighter overlooking the piazza.  What I liked about it was the wooden floor where I would put a dining table; I did not want carpeting where I eat.  Another one-bedroom was very large with a large dining area; much bigger than I'd need.  The bathrooms are large and very safe, with space for a litter box.

 Laura was a very big help pointing out some storage options.  And I'll need to be very creative.  Extra storage costs  $45.00 per month for a very limited area.  We looked at the fitness room,

 the garage and the church;

 I don't have to go out the door to get there.  The church right now is open  only to residents of St. Rita's Square.  Then we went back to #1210 to confirm my decision.  

Laura left and I stayed with Mark to put a deposit to hold the apartment until June 1st.