Tuesday, June 23, 2020

All The Planning

I hate having workmen at our house - it drives me bananas.  Yesterday we had more workmen at the house, this time removing moss from many wet winters from our roof.  We have no large trees around our house and yet the moss still grows.  We've never had it cleaned and if we didn't get to this maintenance job, a reroof would be likely much sooner.  It cost $785 to have this done.  We likely could have done it ourselves but there is no way either one of us is going on the roof in a pandemic.  This is one time where you just pay people to do it.  They scraped off the moss, cleaned the gutters, sprayed, and have a 2-year guarantee to come back for free if we see anything growing in the next 2 years.  A new asphalt shingle roof costs around $18,000 to $25,000 for our house so prolonging the existing 14-year-old roof is super important.  Other than the moss, it is in good shape.  This was a planned expense although we did underestimate by a couple of hundred the cost.  At least now it is done.  




So we've been very busy planning hubby's trip to Alberta to see his Mom a final time.  The urgency is not what is at stake, the home simply thinks that she has weeks to 2 months left and at a certain point likely in the next two weeks no family visits can take place afterwards due to Covid.  There are no inside visits at all.  She must be wheeled to an outside area and if it is raining the visit may be postponed.  We are hoping and praying at this point for a break in the weather.  

I spent hours calculating distances, booking ferry reservations and hotels that hubby will be comfortable staying in.  We are packing up a cooler full of food and drink so takeout will be minimized to reduce his risk of being in the public.  

I've probably spent 2 hours trying to find a decent park where the kids and hubby can meet outside for a takeout meal (likely McDonalds) so they can socially distance and visit at the same time.  My stepdaughter just started working at a nightclub that reopened so she is petty high risk (she knows it but needs to make a living and her hours at the liquor store are cut down to 2 a week now - plus she is an adult and must make her own choices).  My stepson also takes transit to his jobsite everyday as it is in an area with no parking.  I think I've found the right one finally with a shelter and washrooms.  None of the kids own homes and we don't want to risk an inside visit or restaurant visit at this time.  We also don't want to call upon friends and other family to make this happen and bring risk to their house, that just isn't right.  

Anyway, most of the preparations are done - I just need to do a grocery shop and then he can leave on Friday, drive 2 days, do the visit on day 3 and drive back 2 more days.  And yes, when she passes we will be doing this all over again.  Good thing I used to be a travel agent long ago, the booking and research  part is easier for me.  

In good news, I have found a sitter for the next trip for Buddy.  The college girl next door is home and will be doing online courses only for her next year as there is only one class she has to do live and they have deferred that until 2021 and she will take other courses this year.  She is entirely trustworthy and has a cop for a dad and they live directly next door.  I trust her and Buddy loves her.  As a backup to that Mom could come but - she has a cat and feels more comfortable at home.  Buddy needs someone who is energetic to look after him.  And yes, this girl can stay in our house.  I can always sanitize the house afterwards.  Anyway, she has agreed and knows it could be days, weeks or even months away now. She is not hanging out with high-risk friends, her parents are way too careful for that.  She is the most responsible 19-year-old we've ever met and it is a relief to know when we get that call she can help us out.

I feel pretty good although had a bad stomach acid day yesterday, I am not sure why, maybe stress.  I only have a week and a half of pills left so next week will have to do another telephone Dr visit to see what is next.  I do know I cannot go off this medication yet, I simply can't see living without it right now.  

We've been able to go for walks again most days subject to weather.  Part of why I love living on Vancouver Island is the great abundance of beautiful trees and shrubs.  They are everywhere and some bloom year round.  We have very colourful neighborhoods here.  It was quite windy during the picture below, Buddy looks a bit like his ears are sticking straight out.


In other news as our business is drying up, we now qualify for some financial relief from our government through our business.  Likely 2 months' worth.  We have been living on company savings, have a couple of billings coming up next week but that is it for the year.  If this can help us get through another couple months added to what we have in our company bank account hopefully we can make it several more months to when our business will stand on its own feet again.  Self-employment is not for sissies but even more importantly, we are so lucky we were super careful with company funds this year so had a good cushion in the bank when this started.  If those funds run out we still have personal savings but we don't want to tap into those unless we absolutely have to.  The idea of me getting a part time job outside the house right now is freaking both of us out, that was the original plan if hubby semi retires.  Instead we will live on what we make and use savings.  For now at least.

After going 4 weeks without a Covid case on Vancouver Island we now have one again.  Unfortunately, none of us can let our vigilance down, no matter where we live.  

Such is life, everyone has different trials and tribulations these days.  I get that, it just seems like we are all running a marathon right now with no end in sight.  Anyway, I am not depressed, just will be so relieved when hubby is back home - and he hasn't even left yet. This next week is going to be a super long one. 

27 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh, you've got such a lot on your plate right now. I'm so sorry to hear about your MIL. It's very stressful when you live a long way away isn't it. I had gone home for a wedding in June and knew I would never see my dad alive again (he died July 17th) but I'm so glad I went. It's still tough though isn't it. And then the worry about your business. I'm glad you'll be getting some relief from the government but as you say, self-employment isn't for sissies. It's times like these when you're glad to have been financially responsible isn't it. Imagine those that always spent every penny they earned. Goodness, it's a tough time for you. Stay strong!

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    1. Yes, we feel so fortunate to have been frugal all these years, to be debt free. We have minimal salaries right now and the government is paying 70% of those for 2 months which may make or break some companies. After years of paying into the pot we feel it is totally ok to collect after a life of having never pulled from that pot. A tough time for everyone frankly. We are good. Just venting. I am just so grateful for my hubby and my dog right now, it is killing me that I can't go with hubby on this trip though.

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  2. During this time, I've learned, when extra stress causes my stoicism to wobble, to work in some treats for myself. I've bought new nighties (long overdue), light scented candles every day, use the best soap, spent money on more expensive facial products and listen to more music. P.S. I won't be giving these up after the all clear, just too good for the soul. Any other small, self indulgent tips gratefully received.

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    1. Early in the pandemic I stocked up on chocolate (my vice) but now that's out along with wine (I've got lots of both, but not sure when I will be able to have them again). Bread is my new thing. I usually stay away from it as love it but..... I have been indulging in rewatching british mysteries (19 seasons of Midsomer Murders on Prime which we get because we have it for free shipping for our company) and reading. My new fun thing is visiting free libraries and trading books. If only I could wean myself off social media :)

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  3. I'll send good thoughts for your husband. tha tis a lot of stress to face with ht ehalth cirisis. So mnay people are actin glike it's just been and done, with no worries at all. We still are cautious, and I want to make sure those aorund me are safe as well. I know my daughters habits-but both are still in the public and while they take precausitons, I don't trust others, I was th eonly one on my banana and milk stop wiht a mask. I hope you have good weather while he is gone and you can get outside with your mom, neighbors, and friends. Your neighbor soudn slike my 19 year old. I think this crop of young people will do good things.

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    1. Yes, there is hope for the future with young people like that. I was the only one (other than 1 staffer) at the grocery store the other day with a mask too. Maybe now that there is a case on the island again people will wear them

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  4. I sure don't blame you for getting that done. I know you have had many things happening at once. So have we. I feel cursed at times. No kidding. I am praying for you and your husband. Also your family. Blessings, xoxo, Susie

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    1. It does seem like the never ending cursed year, doesn't it?

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  5. I started writing a comment and then the page disappeared, so if there is a partial comment that got through, my apologies.

    Wishing your husband safe travels and a good visit with his mom. It has to be difficult being so far away.

    Your stomach issues may relate to the stress level you're under, or it's not helping anyway. It's great you have a responsible young person next door for Buddy.

    Take care and stay well!

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    1. Yes, the stress is not helping but I've just got to learn how to deal with it. Thanks!

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  6. It sounds as if your planning for your husbands trip is coming together well. I do hope the visit with his mom is not postponed due to the weather.

    We have had a few more cases pop up in Saskatchewan this week (and part of last week). Most on Hutterite colonies close to the Alberta border. Turns out they had visited another colony in that province and brought it back with them. Even though it is across the province from me I am worried about Kurt coming home as he passes quite close to that area.

    God bless.

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    1. It's unfortunate that most of the outbreaks now are from within peoples own families, colonies and coworkers. I guess more people need to take social distancing seriously.

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  7. Very, very sorry to read about your mother-in-law. Glad you found a sitter.

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    1. Thank you - Buddy is our 5th child and he has never been kenneled. We'd even considered taking him with us but a 2 day road trip each way is hard on us let alone him.

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  8. You have a lot of balls in the air right now, with some unknowns thrown in. It is a difficult time, I know. At one time both TheHub and I were self employed, in different businesses. It is not a job for sissies and though you get the spoils you also have all the costs and responsibilities. Glad y'all have be thrifty all along.
    BTW we went skiing in Whistler for several years and the moss on the roofs of homes between Vancouver and Squamish always enchanted me. I guess I never thought of the damage it might cause.

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    1. It takes a good couple of years for the moss to be an issue. It seems all the roofs on our street have it now, likely due to 13 year old roofs. A couple of neighbors have done what we have. I just don't want to reroof until absolutely necessary. On a wood shake roof (we have those here too) it can cause leakage and be even worse. Houses, they always need something but right now I am so glad we live in a stand alone house during this pandemic.

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  9. I don't think I have ever seen moss on a roof without trees nearby. Hopefully, everything goes well for your husband's trip. It seems you have planned extensively and well.

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    1. We get so much rain out here, daily in winter that eventually the moss takes over. They spray something on it (organic they tell us) and it dies then they scrape it off and respray to prevent more for a period of time. Hopefully it works! At least for now it is moss free

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  10. Wishing us all a vaccine and you a better, more stable and stress-free life! You underestimates by a couple hundred? You're my hero. We bought a beautiful (on the service) money pit in 1989. Every project we estimated (with the help of our crooked realtor) turned out to be double. $8,000 for the $4,000 deck... etc!

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    1. We all need a more stress free life, don't we? Yes, houses are sure money pits. Fortunately we've done well on real estate values here almost doubling what we paid for it since 2012 (if the market holds, which we think it will). Still, paying for it as we go is painful.

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  11. Mending a roof is definitely one left to the experts! Luckily for us we know an amazing chap, after a couple of quotes bordering on ££££s, a friend recommended him, it cost us £50 and a crate of beer to sort out a handful of errant slates!
    Love Buddy's ears flapping in the breeze. The pink tree is gorgeous.
    Thinking of you both. xxx

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    1. Wow, that's a great deal! These guys did the roof across the street (super picky neighbor) so we knew they did good work. In the end they were here for 6 hours so we feel like we got our money's worth. And they cleaned the gutters so there is one less job we have to do in fall :)

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  12. This pandemic is causing so many difficult issues for so many people. I feel for you. Living in the tropics we don't get moss on our roof like you do but our gutters do fill up with leaves which need to be cleaned out in preparation for the cyclones and all that rain in the wet season. I would have loved to see Vancouver Island one day, but that all seems a very distant dream now. Your yard and garden look lovely and the pink tree is a winner. Best wishes with everything, Pauline

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    1. Thank you Pauline. Yes, Vancouver Island is one of the prettiest places in North America in my opinion :) One day it will be safe again to do that road trip

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  13. Good idea on getting the rood cleared of moss for a reasonable price. It will go a long way tp making it last longer. I"m sure that the stress of all that planning and the worry have added to your health issues. You area perfectionist :) At least you now have a sitter for Buddy for when the time comes to go back to Alberta. Once less thing to have to think about.

    Sorry to hear that about your business but then you know we have not worked yet this year. Good luck with the government financial aid. We don't qualify for the 40K interest free loan as my wages are not third party arms length.

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    1. We qualify for the loan but aren't taking it. You should qualify for CEWS as you don't have to be arms length which is why we qualify. If you qualify for one month you qualify for at least 2 automatically. We qualified for May and June and hopefully won't need to or qualify after that

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    2. To take CEWS you need to take salary thru CRA payroll which we don't.

      Our financial advisor told us the there day to take the loan as basically you are getting 10K for nothing. Put 30K in a term deposit and you have it to pay back when needed and put the 10k into your operating account.

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