Friday 28 January 2011

Mojo Hunting

It seems a lot of people are having the same problem as me, so I'm putting it down to January. Oh, and probably being slightly overwhelmed by everything that's going on at the moment.

- Have learned that the furnace for basement under floor heating (a must in Chicago stone floor basements) was incorrectly installed 7 years ago. Of course, I can't contact the company in question, nor would I want them back in. Unfortunately, the crap installation job has rendered the 15 year warranty on the furnace null and void. We can have it patched up, but the new company (a stellar company) can't guarantee how long this will last, and if we ever try to sell the house, we'll have to put it right anyway. We are now getting quotes to replace the entire system, which is a huge job and very expensive. (Think thousands.)

- But first there is the problem of how to vent this furnace to the outside. (It's currently vented into the big furnace which is against code, not to mention dangerous.) Since the front two thirds of our house are joined to next door, we have to figure out a way to get the pipe outside without having exposed pipes everywhere on the inside walls. Fortunately I am a dab hand at reading architectural drawings and I think I have figured out a way to come up through the floor, through the coat cupboard and out that way. We'll still have to "open the walls up to see what's going on" though. Argh!

- Then there's the summer. I have my ticket to CyberMummy (June 25th) and had planned to come over with kids and park them with aunt or mother for a day or two. Now it transpires, mother, aunt and third sister are swanning off to Italy from June 21st to 29th. Not only that, but because they'll be at aunt's when they come back, there's no room for me and the kids.

- The summer is a bit up in the air anyway since we don't know where the Queenager will be going to college yet. Unlike the UK, colleges over here all seem to start at different times. If she goes to one, her first class will be August 22nd; another college will be September 2nd. Before the start date, she has to do a week's orientation, but again, they're all different dates.

- And then, me and the Queenager are supposed to be going to Ghana for a week to visit the school we help support. Obviously it makes more sense to fly from England, but I now have to figure out what to do with 15 year old and 7 year old.

- Yes, there is the Ball & Chain to factor into all of this. Being the big boss of his company, he can't disappear for weeks on end, but usually comes over for a week to ten days. My dilemna now is, do I have him come over at the beginning when I'm at CyberMummy, or the end to take the boys back to the States.

Oh, and I  have started peeling the wall paper off the Man-Child's bedroom walls. I don't want wallpaper on top of wallpaper so I decided to get it down to the bare walls to see if we should paint or paper again! The paper is coming off in one inch pieces. It took me two and a half hours yesterday to do a strip that's about seven feet by two, above his closet. I know I should get a professional in, but I can't face the prospect of trying to find someone reliable, getting estimates, hanging around for them to turn up etc. Besides, perhaps ripping bits of wallpaper will be theraputic?

I need to go and lie down. Again.

.

16 comments:

  1. It doesn't sound terribly therapeutic... Can you get some good wallpaper stripper?

    Organising logistics with unknowns is draining. Don't really know what to suggest...

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  2. With all that going on I think it's just as well you've misplaced your mojo. One less thing to do.......

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  3. Your summer sounds like a nightmare to organise. I can't even follow all your needs, let alone try and coordinate them all!

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  4. Did you check down the back of the sofa for your mojo?

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  5. Just decided that I need to rent/buy a wallpaper steamer. It's taking too long, inch by inch.

    And when I looked down the back of the sofa this morning for a music folder that had been "mislaid" (sigh) the mojo wasn't there. Perhaps it's gone in search of warmer weather!

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  6. It sounds like you're having a very frustrating time right now. Having to invest in a completely new furnace is a darn financial shame and one you were bot counting on, I'm sure. Home ownership is full of unpleasant surprises.I remember those days. It seems simple now to have a rented apartment. Less headaches for sure. Good luck with everything.

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  7. ok- June babysitting sorted. Bring them to us. I will be much stronger by then- they can stay in Christine's and Cal can stay with us if that makes you a bit calmer ( a closer eye). We can do tons of boat and lake and stuff and I would be so happy to reciprocate. And when I can afford insurance again ( thousands) to come to the US- I can feel happy to ask for a visit so I can sit on your roof terrace and visit Michigan avenue every single day to shop. Heaven. XX

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  8. Can you not find a wallpaper guy through Twitter? Give it a shot...seriously! You might have to ask a few times but maybe someone will have someone for you. Other option is going to local wallpaper and/or hardware store and seeing who they recommend. When I last lived in Chicago, I asked the True Value on Lincoln north of Addison for a handyman recommendation and that guy was the best thing that ever happened to me. Honest. Cheap. Did everything. Great. Went by Kramer.

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  9. Ug..nothing hurts like spending money on the boring things like furnaces or windows! Yuck.
    Hope you get your Mojo back:)

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  10. I'd have a night out that'll get your mojo back.

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  11. No wonder you've lost your mojo. I'm sure everything will be just fine, but it's always mummy who needs to sort it, right?

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  12. I'd been feeling sorry for myself about the busy week I'd had. But anytime someone thinks it's less effort to remove several layers of wallpaper inch by inch rather than track down a pro to do it quickly/efficiently, I know they've got me beat by far.

    In the meantime, bask in the knowledge that your woes are cheering up readers throughout the world. (Not exactly what you were going for, but important nonetheless.) Here's to finding your mojo pronto!

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  13. ugh, all those little things can really build up and drag you down, can't they. How great that you are going over for Cybermummy though, should be fun!

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  14. Boy you do have alot to chew on, so I'd be sipping on a G&T!

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  15. There's nothing to January except bad weather and a spiral in moods after the holidays. January is seriously the worst month of the year. It's just bleugh. Thank goodness it's over! I'm sure you'll get your mojo back in time for Valentine's Day! :)

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  16. We have a wallpaper steamer. I actually like steaming wallpaper off with it, its that good. Go for it.

    The furnace is a giant bummer.

    Summer: I hope it gets sorted for all kinds of reasons including that I want to have a drink with you!

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