plumbing estimate. Yikes

Hot water heater,  new pex pipes, water softener.... drum roll... ball park around 13,000.

Also, the plumber asked if someone was actually living here before.

 Fun times

 

Fence guy came today.

 I should be getting a bid soon. Not what I was hoping for but oh well. He recommends doing 5 foot chain link in the front yard and 4-foot agricultural fencing in the rest. I don't love the look of chain link but I can soften the hard corners with plants and curving beds. I was also hoping for taller fencing around the perimeter but oh well. I don't have a million dollars either. 

Just met a guy from the township

Met a guy named Noah with Wood River Township. He was out with a big mower thing trimming back the tree mess on my road! Woohooo I was worried Inwas going to get fined for the over growth but nope. 

Also, he said the township is working on getting other townships together to put in a drainage ditch at my intersection. Apparently it floods. Sure glad that was disclosed. (it wasn't)

Tree Removal

 I got the estimate today to do some tree work on my over grown property. I really liked Jake so I'm glad the bid was reasonable.

 1. Services Removal of arbor vitae on front of pole building 1 $50.00

 2. Services Removal of large arbor vitate and siberian elms surrounding old summer kitchen. 1 $150.00

 3. Services Trim large silver maple on west side of house 1 $700.00 

 4. Services Trim line of siberian elm on roadside. Lift lower branches and trim off house $600.00

 5. Services Removal of 2 leaning boxelder on north side of house. 1 $1,600.00

Also he replied after I accepted with "Looking forward to making your property beautiful again!"

Now I will be balancing a whole bunch of contractors around the same time and Mr Hoss. Good thing I still have trazedone. 

Adventures in lawn mowing

 I tried out the lawn mower today, there is quite a learning curve! ha ha atleast for me. I managed to do the front yard and part of the big yard before the battery got low. It wears down the battery to go slow and I was learning so I totally expected it.  It will get easier. So much work to do on this property and house but I need to keep reminding myself I've only been here 2 weeks. 

neighbors

I met the guy that owns all of the land around me tonight. Something like 230 acres. Very nice retired school teacher. He was out on his atv spraying for weeds and then they plant for deer.  Got a little bit of the scoop on previous owners (they had a lot of people living here apparently) and we exchanged numbers so that's nice to have a few local contacts.

 

He said we have fisher around here (small mammals), wolf and who knows what else. I'm sure he will send trail cam photos. 

things I didn't know...

In Wisconsin they charge 3% every time you use a credit card.... ugh 

I think I need this!

 I've been trying to figure out how to get rid of all the tall stuff and then I saw this! I love to burn thru money!

Today was ok!

Today didn't suck. I got everything done on my to do list. Went to Siren to put down a deposit on my boiler/mini split project and putzed around the yard doing clean up. Took Hoss for a walk to the end of my road.

 

dear diary...

I think one of the reasons this move has been a roller coaster is because the property, location etc was not what I had imagined in my head for the last 3 years. It has bits and pieces, and matching criteria but a little too much northwoods and not so much vintage house vibe. On the other hand, the views are killer and the wild life has been fun to see. So many different kinds of birds! (Blue jays, woodpeckers,  robins, pheasant, sandhill crane efc) chipmunks, red tailed squirrel, lots of rabbits, mice, garter snakes, deer. 

The traffic on this little road of only 2 houses is pretty high and the speed limit on rural Wisconsin roads is 55 unless marked otherwise. So cars go zooming past which also kicks up a dust storm. I'm getting more used to it, its nice to know when someone is coming. 

I met a nice neighbor on the road heading 2 my house. 2 retired sisters and we exchanged phone numbers,  nice to have a contact. 

The Smoland house is just a mile down the road and they are also very nice older folks. Incredible breads and baked goods but they are not young and I feel sad that they may have to give it up at some point. 

The grocery store in Grantsburg was pretty gross. I almost cried. Everyone suggested going to Siren to grocery shop at The Four Winds and I'm glad I did. I again, almost cried but this time out of relief. Its about 15 miles away so not a bad drive.  I can also go to Pine City, there is a little co-op and a Walmart (ick). 

So, I've only been here a couple of weeks. Its been a process of gross things and change. Ups, downs, surprises. 

Hoss struggled the first week but is finally settling in. The upstairs is off limits because he runs up there and marks. I'm assuming there are other dog smells up there in addition to him being an adolescent, insecure male dog. This week he is starting to play more. Hopefully we will get some fencing in soon so he can have a little more freedom than the 50 foot leash allows. 

Learning to be patient because I want everything fixed NOW. So many projects are dependent on another. So many projects are bigger than I thought and things I didn't think I would need to replace are needing to go. Frig, stove, washer, dryer probably dishwasher. All unexpectedly gross. 

Boiler, hot water heater,  gutters, mini splits are all expected but dang. $$$$ 

learning all about bait stations today

Why did I move to the country? 

my stupid cell phone

I'm not receiving phone calls or voicemails. Sigh. 

grrrrr

Had an appointment for with gutter company today. I made sure I was up early and ready, I get Hoss settled in his room and am outside waiting. Crickets.  I finally call and they say "oh, Bill is out sick and I left you a voice mail". I see no voicemails... scheduled again for next week but they aren't booking installs until end of August early September.  Sigh. 

it seems with every positive is a negative

This house... yes I am cussing this afternoon. I'm starting to realize I over paid for this property.  Honestly I don't know how people live in some of these conditions.  I think just about every appliance needs to be replaced and home systems. Sigh. No wonder they accepted my offer so quickly. 

And just like magic - delivered!

 

No cussing today

 I have the boiler and mini splits being ordered and scheduled for the week of August 12th.  I think I found a riding lawn mower in Pine City that can be delivered. Gutter guy is coming tomorrow for quote and pest control is coming tomorrow! Money is flying out the door! 

HVAC Quote came in today.

 Just under $22,000. It is what it is. I need both a new boiler and mini splits. (12,200 2 head mini splits with heat and ac and 9600 for a boiler)

Today's critter sightings

Sandhill cranes and a dead frog found by Hoss

 

so much for blogging

This app doesn't work. Locks up when I try to upload an image