And the road goes on forever...

Saturday, January 17, 2015

The Spa Makes It!

Marc is still in Yuma, wrapping up the final stages of our move but hopes to be able to leave Monday as he needs to return to work, via his new project in Rapid City, S.D. He sent me pictures indicating that both the spa and his beloved welding bench both fit and he had the weight capacity for them as well. It’s been one long, arduous process for him and it didn’t help that upon seeing his Mexican dentist in Algodones, she found a cracked molar, so he had to undergo a crown which took him an additional two trips and lost time. Instead of a bill for over a thousand dollars though, the bill was only $230 so well worth the time spent. She did a crown for me about six years ago and it is still going strong and my new dentist in Waupaca told me what a good job it was, so we have found there is no reason to be afraid of dental care in Mexico.
The drywall contractor finished hanging the sheetrock at the house and now it’s at a standstill until Marc can get some heat going in there for them to put the texture on the walls. It was amazing to walk in for the first time seeing it all hung and actual walls up—it makes it look so much more like a real house. I was also pleasantly surprised that it was as bright as it was because I was afraid with the large front porch overhang it would be dark inside but as you can see, that is not the case.
If you’re wondering about all the angle iron hanging from the kitchen walls, that’s Marc improvisation for the support for all three courses of the hanging shelving which will run the entire length of the kitchen and also curve around the end wall to the stove. Obviously with the way Marc builds things, weight will not be a factor on those shelves! Next to the stove sits the refrigerator and opposite those will be our temporary island (a 48” stainless steel work table from Sam’s Club) and our large butcher block. Ultimately, once we decide upon size and shape, Marc intends to build us a permanent island but that will come later. He also, in addition to all the shelving, will also be building some type of “statement” vent hood above the stove. I have grown tired of the small, ineffective budget versions so I want something that will pull my socks off and also look fantastic from across the room. More and more I am leaning towards trying to have him build something out of old barn wood, which is readily available around these parts for the right price. 

Although this first picture shows our hallway without a pantry closet, there will be one as Marc can build it in opposite the fridge at the end wall on the left. This area sits above the stairwell so Marc wants time to plan it out to be able to most utilize the space efficiently so thought walling it in for now would be the best bet so the cats aren’t bailing down the basement stairwell through a hole in the wall. At my behest, he came across a screaming deal on an 1880 front door out of an old Victorian house, so we plan to clean this baby up and it will be the opening into the pantry closet. It sits right now in his office and has aroused all sorts of envy and curiosity from co-workers. The door, of course, is all handmade and complete with most of its brass hardware. How cool will this be?
Wisconsin is still cold and I’m still working on some projects. I got my kitchen window covering made, repainted a nightstand with chalk paint, and also have been working on more fabric bowls. Don’t ask me what I’m going to do with all of them besides gifting many of them but I thought this flatter one went especially well hung up!

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Yuma Foothills Park Model and Lot, $95,000 or ** Trade

List price is $95,000. We are selling because work took us to Wisconsin a year ago and for the foreseeable future, so we are now building a home there. We purchased this lot as bare dirt and did all the work and landscaping ourselves, which has had a nice chance to mature. All landscaping is on drip irrigation and easy to maintain. All of the lot is either gravel or concrete; there is a very spaciously sized custom patio for entertaining which features a privacy wall & nearly new 3-tier concrete fountain. In addition there is a small stick built shed on slab and a portable storage shed/trailer which is highly insulated. The lot has a slab for RV parking (any size rig) and 50 amp full hookups. We have been able to rent this space every winter we have wanted for an income of $325/month. The park model has never been rented. Annual taxes run approximately $726. Note: the spa and sea container have been removed.
The park model is a Dutch Park 2007 model (unfurnished) with 10 foot interior ceiling height which really gives it a particular feeling of spaciousness as compared to many park models. There are clerestory windows throughout and two bay windows on the patio side, so light and views are abundant. We upgraded the counters to tile in the kitchen, the stove is a digital 36” GE Profile smooth top, and we added a quiet Maytag dishwasher. The spacious pantry closet has pull-out shelving and right next to that is an alcove with a hookup for a stack washer/dryer (not included).
The bedroom is complete with a high quality queen sized bed and built-in storage and closets. All cabinets are solid oak throughout. The bath has a built-in hamper and linen closet, a corner sink and a shower stall with a seat. The built-in entertainment center in the living room and buffet in the dining area provide convenient and ample additional storage. A highly efficient and low cost to run split system was recently installed (for AC and heating) which cut our electric bills by two-thirds.
The lot is approximately 7200 square feet and is surrounded by high quality stick built homes with the exception of one neighbor who has a well done manufactured home. This truly is one of the most upper end sections in the Foothills, and has proven over our years of ownership to be very safe and well maintained. It sits one long block from the edge of the desert and state and BLM land, which is available for recreation. For those who golf, it is midpoint between the two Foothills golf courses. We had the block walls all raised to six feet and with the addition of the privacy wall and a tall gate on the park model side, you will find extreme privacy. The neighbors are friendly and gregarious and the street, being a short spur road, is very quiet with little traffic.
**Please note we are very open to doing an “even Steven” trade of this property for a home of equal value in Central Wisconsin. We’re not interested in bare land or lots, but if you desire your place in the desert sun and have a home that would make a good investment property for us in Wisconsin, we’re all ears. (Trade property must be free and clear of any liens or mortgages with no major HOA fees). You can contact me at itchyhitchatyahoodotcom. We have a current tenant who is willing to vacate so quick possession is available this season if you are in the area. We are motivated sellers and look forward to your inquiries. Thanks!

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Yuma Move is Underway

Marc told all the neighbors yesterday they were invited to the side show which was to start at 8 a.m. this morning. That show would be seeing various things swinging from the huge crane he hired to lift all of the heavy items for their move to Wisconsin. The main thing was to get the sea container emptied then loaded onto his flatbed trailer so it could be packed with what will fit. Unfortunately, there are many more items than space, so it is looking like we are going to be donating a heap of goods to Helping Hands for their annual yard sale.
I had asked Marc about his heavy welding bench and I see by the picture he sent me, it also is flying through the air, but I’m not sure of its final destination. Not only is space a consideration but weight is as well, so he is off to the scales to see just where he is weight-wise. If the bench doesn’t make it, it will be sold as scrap—a terrible shame for such a useful and expensive “tool” and one of Marc’s favorites.
This afternoon he meets with the Realtor for the possible bad news on the value of the property; Yuma has not enjoyed any real estate recovery so we are fully prepared to actually lose money on its sale. If all goes well, once it is listed, I will post an information page here as well which will make it easy for folks to view via a link. There will still be much packing up for Marc and tomorrow he goes into Algodones for some meds and dental check up, so he is one busy man. 

Me: not so much. Recent weather and storms often leave the highways less than desirable for travel and I’m also not real anxious to be out and about when the wind chill factor brings the temps into the -25 range. Given that Yuma is due to be 78 today that means that Marc is enjoying about a 100 degree difference. Boy, that hardly seems possible, does it? 

Right after Marc left, one morning when I got Spirit out of the bathroom (where she spends the night so the other cats don’t bother her) I noticed she was limping. As the early morning wore on, it got worse so I called our local vet and they were able to work me in right away. After x-rays determined she didn’t have a broken leg, they went ahead and put a splint on her to better protect its healing. I will take her back in for its removal on the 14th. She was in quite a bit of pain for the first few days and mainly kept to her bed but now seems much better and hops along pretty well on her wrapped leg. She has even learned to climb the chair with it on. It was really sad the first few days seeing her trying to manage and not understanding why she was all wrapped up. I told Marc now that we have $148 invested in her; I guess the decision on whether we keep her or not has just been made for us. It’s not a bad thing though; she already had our hearts and wasn’t letting go.