Where have I been for the past six months? Obviously, not writing my blog! Instead I was working on a new project. An interesting, fascinating, huge project. I moved to new digs. Again. Here’s the true story. Nothing is changed to protect the guilty.
Last summer I knew I needed to move to a different home. I thought I would be happy living in a beautiful condo in a 55+ community. My unit was on the third floor, overlooking a golf course. What’s not to love? For me, it was everything.
I was so desperate to move that I asked my son, Jason, to negotiate a trade ~ my beautiful condo for a filthy, mouse-infested free-standing home occupied by an extreme hoarder. If you have ever seen a show about hoarders, I assure you that this place was worse. After a whole summer of drama, the hoarder and I finally closed the deal on September 15. And then the fun began! But not before the previous owner (P.O.) filed a police report, accusing me of stealing all her things and “ruining her life.”
My renovation began by moving mountains of P.O.’s possessions. She took some things with her ~ a full Pod plus two U-Haul trailers full of things. What was left behind filled eighteen roll-off dumpsters. Ramón, who had no front teeth, oversaw a crew of ten skinny men, who worked tirelessly for six days filling dumpsters. Every time they thought they had cleared another room in my home, they opened a closet and found a mountain of smelly worthless possessions oozing out onto the floor.
My neighbors were overjoyed that someone new was moving in and that P.O. was moving out. They sat outside in small groups on their lawns and watched the action. They cheered when another dumpster rolled down the street. By the fourth day they were drinking champagne and toasting the dumpster drivers, as yet another dumpster lumbered down the street.
I bought the house, sight unseen because it was not possible for anyone to get past the front door, including an inspector who deemed the house, “the worse (he) had even seen.” When the last dumpster roared away, I was finally able to see the inside of my new home. I was overjoyed. It needed a lot of work and smelled terrible, but it was clearly a diamond in the rough.
Some people rescue children. Some rescue the environment. I guess I rescue houses. I used more than thirty-five vendors in all. They were kind, funny, incredibly skilled tradesmen. They worked well together and sang while they worked. The put in long hours, and often came on Saturdays to finish a project. They were my loyal friends. I could never have moved into my new home without them. I am forever grateful for every one of them.
My story has a happy ending. I spent four months and a considerable amount of money rehabilitating my new home. It’s now beautiful and no longer smells of urine.
I love my new neighborhood and I have great neighbors. I rented the upstairs of my home to a delightful couple from Columbia. I feel like I am back in Mexico, sharing my large kitchen and living with friends from another country. I know I am lucky, indeed.
So glad to see you back cousin Lynda!
You have used all that time well, and we wish you joy and happiness in your new home! xx
If anyone could take on such an overwhelming project, anyone who knows you knew you could do it. It’s a lovely house…now. Congratulations on this new chapter of your life.
The house is beautiful now! You did an incredible job rehabilitating what looked like a lost cause. Now, when are we going to celebrate your victory?
Oh you gotta know Peter and u loved reading this! And applaud your willingness to take on this adventure. And ColOmbian neighbors paying rent to offset the moving costs and company add to the charm. We still have such fondness for Colombia after Peter’s two years there for Peace Corps and my time there in college. Enjoy and glad the blogs are back! Carol and Peter
So glad to see you back on the blog! It’s amazing how you transformed that house into your home!
I am also happy that everything has finally settled in and that you are enjoying your home and the company you keep… we’ll have to get together again toward the end February when we get back from our trip.
Lynda! So glad it all worked out in the end. I am still a wanderer at heart and am writing this from Aruba, after a wonderful month here in a tiny, funky studio apt near the beach. Returning home to the cold Wednesday. Enjoy your new digs and I need to check if I have that new address. Life is an adventure to be lived and you and I have never lost that interest in adventure. Take care my friend.
What a journey! Good to hear from you again.
Hi Lynda…I wondered what happened to you.
I’m glad you’re well, organized and comfortable now:) It sounds like you had quite the project and how brave to buy the house not knowing it’s condition inside.
I see that you have lots of space…to start writing again.?.?
I was going to start a YouTube channel but the technology was beyond ny capabilities so I am talking a course on how to Podcast. The course seems very good. Angels around you, Leslie
OMG! But in the end , the Colombian couple sound like it was a great trade… who ever heard of trading dwellings in Aurora.
So glad you shared pics. It is pretty hard to believe so much junk! I look forward to seeing you sometime this summer. The transformation is amazing and you are an amazing woman.
I am so proud of you for undertaking this enormous project and still being sane.. How could we have guessed , when meeting 70+ years ago what life would have in store for us.
Thank you for making me feel like a total lazy bum…
I love you !!
Kathy M
I am so happy you found your home (in more ways than one). It’s great to have you back. Want to hear all the stories soon.
Good for you Lynda. Hope you enjoy it and make lots of friends. Enjoy your ventures in Mexico.