Mama, no repairs yet, tree work, future plans

Mama is having a great time in Florida. It always comes at a cost but I have planned the finances for that. Even though it is not the most financially prudent expenditure it keeps peace in the home and joy in Mama’s heart as she sit with her grandchildren and helps out Cori and Nate – not to mention a quick run to the beach. I am still wondering just what the real purpose of this trip was. It certainly did not meet the objectives as outlined in the beginning. If Cori can slow Mama down for the next couple days I will have less to make up for when she gets back home but we will manage either way.

The person I contacted on Friday to come and look at the septic system came yesterday. He did not like what he saw to the point that he hustled away and has not called me to discuss it. I am still waiting on another man I called to come out. He had jury duty yesterday but is supposed to get with me today to look over the system and tell me what he recommends.

I was impressed with him in our initial conversation because he treated the whole mess as a problem that could be solved without it seeming too distasteful to him. Everyone else I talked to likes to put in new systems – clean, unused, unsoiled systems. This individual seemed to realize that this is a part of life and seemed willing to really look into the issue with the intent of fixing the problem with as little disruption - or drama - as possible. Hopefully, we will meet him today.

With the change in weather we are expecting that the repair, unless it is a very minor one, may not happen this week. Rain starts this evening. The temperature is supposed to fall from a high in the fifties to the mid-twenties through the day Wednesday. We are expecting an accumulation of ice and snow by morning on Thursday. We already have plans in place to close the office early tomorrow and start late on Thursday.

I also had an individual come out yesterday to look at the three trees near the back of the house that we need taken down, partly to save future damage to the house and sunroom and partly to save our next leach field. He gave me a fair price for the work. Interestingly enough, the price is lower if I keep the firewood from the felled trees; which he will cut to length for us. That sounded like a good deal to me so I will call him back today and set the time.

Grandpa is trying hard to get Norman to relocate to Texas. Part of the draw is fixing up Victoria’s house so the four of them can live in it while Norman restarts his business here. Additionally, Victoria is looking into getting started in a lawn and landscape business; although she is not enamored with the idea of going into business with Norman (a wise decision) as Grandma is pushing hard for her to do.

They are looking at houses in the area as though Norman could buy one when he moves here and Victoria is wondering if Grandpa will lose his drive to get her little house repaired/restored to her liking as he gets distracted by more interesting - and less time consuming and less costly - projects related to Norman and Seth. We will see how it all works out in the long run.

Past practice has been long on dreams and short on delivery, but this could be different.