Home Ownership

We hit the ground running when we got home - and there doesn't seem to be an end in sight! And we've discovered - once again - how similar home ownership and campground ownership really are!

Had only been home a couple of days when the electric bill arrived - and it was much higher than it should have been. Actually it had been all summer, but we thought perhaps it was because the boys were working on the house and had the A/C running. Wrong! Having experienced this once before at the old 'home' place, Roger went out to the well and flipped the switch - only to have the pressure tank gauge drop instantly. Seems we've been 'pumping water' back into our well all summer! A call to the well repair folks and by the end of the day we not only had a new well pump, a leak in the piping fixed, a new pressure switch, and water tank. Basically a new well! NOT one of the 'improvements' that we had budgeted for, by any means!

Know this sounds familiar to many of our campground owners out there!

But we've had fun making final decisions on the planned improvements and, come November, it should all begin to come together. Carpet & wood flooring ordered, cabinet tops, sink, faucet selected and ordered. Paint colors chosen - and a bit of it on the walls, with more to follow in the next week. One bathroom almost finished; Roger (with Hunter's help) installed the new toilet just yesterday.

Now the dirty work begins, for Roger has to remove old ceramic tile in three rooms - and grind the floor - before he can begin installing the wood flooring. I'm feeling pretty useless, but spend most of my time lending moral support to Roger. We've decided that - for us anyway - this is definitely the way we like to buy a home. Buy an older home at a good price, that needs updating - and then we get to pick the colors, flooring, etc. that we like! And not feel bad about the expense, either.

We've always been into 'earth tones' - Roger likes the tans, I like the greens. The only 'deviation' has been the main bathroom, which we are making our 'ocean' room - complete with sand, shells and lighthouses. The walls are BLUE! Some say a bit too blue, but we like it! We've been collecting 'coastal stuff' for 5 years now and we can't wait to see it come together. Will have to post some 'before and after' pics once we get moved in.

Will finally get in to see my doctor on Thursday and begin the process of attempting to get my right shoulder 'fixed'. It won't be a moment too soon for me!

Stay tuned!