[SeptemberMorn]

It's been years since I've still been awake at 4:54 am! I'm wide awake with no hope of catching any z's! My sky is literally falling, er... well... my tin can is! That's my mobile. First, a portion of the deck and the railing that goes with it is rotten and the railing fell off. The plywood on the floor is peeling off in layers so it's cordoned off so no one walks on it. Second, this year I decided to get the furnace fixed because I'm tired of getting up to turn the oven off and on plus the danger of heating the space with it has been in the back of my mind. The heater worked for two days. Third, the water heater sprung a river yesterday sometime but I didn't realize something was wrong until about 2 pm when I was getting ready to take a shower. Fourth, about four hours later, I saw that the wall the sink is on was pulling away from the frame. Fifth, later in the evening I heard something fall and it was a piece of the ceiling above the wall that's falling.

Before today, I was thinking of replacing the furnace. To replace it with one like it would cost $3300. To replace the water heater it's going to cost over $700. I have no clue what it's going to cost to fix the wall and ceiling in the bathroom. No doubt there is more water damage on the floor of the mobile. There was already some there when I moved in, probably for the water heater. It's been modified.

When I was having my kitchen remodeled, one of the top cabinet doors fell off and made a huge hole in the floor. If pressboard can do that to a plywood floor, what does that say about the floor? Taking into consideration that this mobile is 40 yrs old, it's not good.

The windows are the kind you roll out and the screens, what screens exist, are on the inside, not to outside. All of the windows whistle when the wind blows and everything gets covered with fine but gritty dust.

The first rain after I moved in five years ago left water stains on the ceiling of the bedroom. I need a new roof that at the very least, will cost $1000.

I know that if the State came to inspect, they'd condemn this tin can and make me move out.

The only thing going for this space is the front and back yard, although they're getting weedy since hubby's been trapsing across the countryside.

I've sent him four emails in the last two days and none of them were answered, so... I logged on to his account and didn't see any of my emails. I assumed he'd read them and ignored them. Then today I saw an email from my daughter to him that was there yesterday. Decided to check his spam folder just in case. Sure enough! All of my emails were in his spam folder... and I had taken his head off in the next to the last email! So I promptly apologized and told him what had happened to his emails. I signed off by asking him when he was coming home. He hadn't planned on heading this way until Thanksgiving. That's another WHOLE MONTH!! Nah... that's not going to work. Or... I'll be gone from here when he gets back.

It's now after 5 am, the plumber is supposed to come in three hours and I'm not sure it's worth replacing the water heater. I have to heat up water to wash my hair and give myself a PTA bath, then it's party time! My grandson's birthday party is tomorrow at 2 pm. Block party. Combination birthday/Halloween festivities. My ex is going to be there and it will be the first time I see him after his mom died, whom I loved dearly, and he didn't let me know. There's no way I'm going to create a scene but there's nothing I'd love better than to set his fat *** bouncing down the street! I don't know if my youngest son will be there, but I'll have my granddaughter's hand made fairie costume with me! Even if the youngest is there, I don't expect any support from him as far as my ex is concerned. No, my ex isn't his father, THANK GOD, but he is my oldest son's father. (The birthday boy's father)

<font color="red">CRAPOLA!!!</font> Never mind what I'm REALLY thinking!!

Anybody got any suggestions?

Sorry my rant was so long, but I had to spill it. No lightbulb moments, either.

[(JD)]

(((SEP)))) I don't recall how old this home is, but it sounds as though it is now trash. The ending value of it isn't even worth the costs of repair! They are just really large aluminum trailers and not made to last like solid houses. Sigh. You're feeding a dead horse (oops did I say that, esp with the other thread...)

[SeptemberMorn]

You never fail to get a giggle out of me. Yeah, I know I'm beating a dead horse, but... do I pretend I'm camping and just heat water when I need it until I find something newer that I can afford? How about flushing the toilet? ewww Ha! It's time to drag out the five gallon buckets again... like on the farm when the septic system backed up.

Crap with an "s"!!

[Wants2Fly]

Hi September -- This is a lot to deal with all at once. It does sound like it might be time to investigate purchasing a new model, instead of sinking a lot of money into this one. Of course, easier and presumptuous to figure out someone else's finances for them -- when I can't even manage my own!!! I know a solution will happen for you. I hope you will be able to enjoy something today. Peace &amp; blessings.

[Peanut61]

Do they have that senior home rehab. project in California? They have something like it here, (although I haven't given you (because I don't know ) the correct name of the program), so I'm thinking that surely something similar to it is available in CA.?

The focus of the program is usually to fix heating, plumbing and roofs, etc., which sounds like it might be what you're looking for.

Maybe they would list it under senior housing, or...

Wish I could be more helpful... I'm going to take a little search on the web to see if I find something...

XOXO, Jill

[Peanut61]

Here's what I've found so far... Hope it helps!

The mission of the California Department of Aging (CDA) is to lead and advocate for the dignity, independence, health and community involvement of older Californians, family caregivers, and adults with disabilities. The CDA Senior and Housing Information and Support Center has provided the following resources to assist interested parties in locating useful information about the broad range of home- and community-based services available throughout California.

[url=http://The California Directory for Home Modifications and Repair Services(.pdf)[/url]
[url=http://Guide to Better Living(.pdf)[/url]
[url=http://Home Modifications Fact Sheet(.pdf)[/url]

XOXO, Jillers

[Peanut61]

((((((((((Tomi)))))))))): Can you fix the links = I just can't seem to get them right, but they are active links on the California Division of Aging website.

[SeptemberMorn]

It's not presumptous of you at all! It's really obvious that this little tin can of mine just isn't worth the time, trouble, much less the money.

Maybe I forgot to mention before, but when my son bought me this place, it was a last ditch effort to get me a place to live. When we looked at it, we were aware that the floors in the bathroom, the corner of the living room closest to the bathroom, and the floor and part of the wall in the bedroom had dry rot or water damage. It was there already and the water heater running for half the day or more did it no favors whatsoever. So add what's been happening to that and it's just not worth it. The only thing I'm curious about is the cost of tearing everything out and leaving just the metal frame compared to looking at some of the newer mobile homes that are for sale here in the park. There's a couple of new ones, but I'm afraid to ask how much they are.

Anyway, I had no choice but to replace the water heater. The old one was all rusted out. Son of a gun tried to rip me off for an extra $200! I told him "Nope! I was told $700. See ya!" He then came down to $800. Told him the same thing. Finally he gave up and said $750 so I said ok. LOL He didn't know who he was trying to mess with! JERK!! I feel better since I've got running hot water but I've decided that if I move, all the new stuff is going with me! This place will just get demolished. It's not livable anymore.

Golly gee! Duh, that's not what I would normally say, but I can't type what I'm thinking. LOL Anyway, not sleeping last night is catching up to me. Gonna finish checking out the new posts and I'm headed for B-E-D!

[SeptemberMorn]

Jillers, you know, they just might! My retarded neighbor down the street says the City is going to pay for a bathroom remodel for his mother. She's got to weigh at least 500 lbs and has trouble with the shower being too small for her and no place to sit. Only thing is, Mike's parents are way worse off than he is so I don't know what I can find out from them. For all I know, it's not even the City that's going to do it. Maybe I'll ask Mike if they'll let me see the paper work. It will give me the name of the agency, anyway.

Don't you love the new server? None of the codes work when you edit a post! No problem, though. I'll copy and paste the addresses. You're a doll to look those things up for me. You know I love ya, don't you?

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Jillers}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

[Wants2Fly]

Hi September -- This past Thursday, I heard a talk by an attorney who invests in "wobbly boxes" in the midwest someplace. He buys them for $3,000, fixes them up a bit, and sells 'em for $9,000 to $10,000. I don't know what kind of condition the units are in.

The way he acquires the properties is by cultivating relationships with several parks that are independently owned (not franchises or chains). The owners can't afford to have the homes empty, bec. they lose the lot rents when they are. So they are happy to let him know when a trailer hasn't sold.

In Florida, I was more interested in getting a home for myself in a park where one owns the lot. They ran $50,000 to $70,000 in Palm Beach County, but I found a park in Martin County -- less populated and chic -- where a member of the Board of Directors said you could buy a trailer and lot for around $30K. He added that it would usually be a "pull out" that needed to replaced. The lots in Palm Beach County did account for around $30,000 of the purchase price.

The best way to look for trailers is to go around to the lots and look at the bulletin boards for sales.

I hope things work out for you, September, and you find the solution that is just perfect for you. These kinds of worries are too stressful for us.

[SeptemberMorn]

I just found out this morning that there's a person, one man, that does that with the mobiles in this park. In fact, he's renovating a unit right now. I haven't talked to him, but I'm gonna go find him after bit and see what he has to say.

But, really... this place I'm in right now isn't worth anything but the metal frame. I doubt that the manager would ok any kind of work on this place. It's just too old. ... ... Nah... I'm not going to think that way. There's also a chance that the City's Senior Housing could help.

Keep your fingers crossed for me, ok?

[SweetCrusader]

Let us know how it goes Tomi!!! My fingers are crossed for you!

[SeptemberMorn]

Hubby called yesterday. YeeeeeHaaaaaaaa! Said he hadn't been able to open my emails for some reason but could tell by the subject line that I "was having fun." He wanted to know everything from the very beginning so I told him. His idea was for me to call Housing and find out how and if they can help. He had talked earlier with a neighbor that used to do construction, is now the one everyone calls on him to fix things around here, and he said that this ole tin can was worth fixing up or rebuilding because of the metal frame. He said he would help. Ehhhh... I think I'll hire someone to do it all if that's the way we decide to go. Hubby just won't stay with it until it's done. He loves to tear down or take apart, but that's the end of it.

Yesterday, I had Mike drive me around the park and there were a few mobiles for sale. Only saw one that I thought might be worth it. It's a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom place. Sounds perfect to me!! I could have a craft room!! But... it's got an asking price of $42,000. The mortgage on that plus the space rent would take us to $900. No can do. At least, not right now. Don't know that I could do it again, but I could get excited enough about this mobile to talk hubby into putting a sizable down payment on it. (teehee) But like I said, don't know that I could do it again. You know... the wiles and ways of a woman.

ANYWAY! There's good possibilities, too, to rebuilding this place. It's so small, that it wouldn't take that much material to do it... and we could add a room to it, too... enclose the deck.

Oh! And hubby is heading for home mid-week! Three weeks sooner than he had planned! YEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! I'm a happy camper!!

[shakes]

Sis Tomi,
Glad that the hubby is coming home early. Maybe he can help you straighten some of this stuff out. You sound like you have a lot on your plate lady! If you need someone to talk to you know that I am here.

Jessica

[SeptemberMorn]

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Jessica}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} Thanks, Hun. I know you're here for me and that's one heck of a comforting thought.

[SeptemberMorn]

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Jillers}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} Thanks so much for the info! I've found a wealth of information there! Even began sorting through the processes. Will be making some phone calls today to find out what paperwork I need. It's a job, though, especially when making phone calls is uncomfortable. Can't figure it 'cause once I start, it's okay.

[Peanut61]

Glad it helped, and that your DH called. I still have the 'phone phobia' thing, too, but, like you, once I start...

XOXO, Jiller-be-bad...

[SeptemberMorn]

LOL {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Jiller-B-good}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Gollly.........you've got your hands full, lady!! Glad the hubby is coming home and hope it all goes well..........Pat

[SeptemberMorn]

Hey, Pat! Thanks! Just knowing he's coming home sooner than expected has given me some relief.

[Wants2Fly]

So glad to hear the hopeful tone of your recent posts. The sky fell -- and you survived! And now you are trying to build a castle for your home of the pieces. Brava!

[SeptemberMorn]

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Wants2Fly}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} Your words to me are beautiful! Thank you so much! Wooo! They make me want to take flight!

I thought of you all last evening.....please take a hot bubble bath , if you can, and play some MUSIC !!!!!!!!xoxox

[SeptemberMorn]

OMG!! What were you thinking about me? Dare I ask? LOL Passing on the hot bubble bath, but I'm already playing MUSIC!! Ahhhh....

[SeptemberMorn]

WHEW!! I made the call, Jillers!

LOL I thought I'd be on the phone, getting passed around from this person to the next, but it didn't happen! The girl that answered took care of my questions. She's sending the application in the mail.

It's a 50/50 grant, up to $10,000. The City pays for half, and I get to pay for the other half. Gulp! Until I remembered hubby will split the "other half" with me... or move! LOL