I'm Really Ready To Be Stress Free!!

[Janet]

You all know I've been a little stressed with the adventure in dialysis with Mom. We did go to the dialysis center this past Friday and addressed our concerns and I think we're on a good path. Mom slept great last night. We were hoping for no alarms, but I guess it's normal to have a couple throughout the night. If she happens to lie on a tube and crimp it or something so it doesn't flow as freely...an alarm will go off. It's just something she'll have to get use to. Last night the alarm went off twice, but she was able to go right back to sleep. I am so greatful to God for Mom's strength in getting through this. She's really is doing great.

I've also been stressed with Ricky driving so far to school. It's so hard to completely let go and give it all to God. It's what us mother's do...;)....we worry. So continued prayers for his safe travels would be greatly appreciated.

Now...the people who rented our house in town have moved. They told us there was a possibility they would move, but didn't say for sure. I got a call on Friday saying that they had most everything out and were cleaning and that if we wanted the electricity left on we had to let the light company know by Monday morning at 8. Wow....thanks for giving us plenty of time. I did contact the company and the lights will be left on.

Now I'll be stressed worrying about getting it rented again. There are so many "FOR RENT" or 'FOR SALE" signs all over this town. We will be able to keep up for only a couple months before financial problems will start and grow rapidly.

My husband doesn't handle things like this well....he's a nervous ninny who drives me insane. I just wish he would be the strong one once in awhile instead of leaving everything up to me. It would be so nice to not be so stressed and know I can count on someone else besides myself.

I know I've asked for a lot of prayers lately, but I sure hope you can keep it up just a while longer. Seems like a lot of us here are in need somehow...whether it be family, financial, etc. We're a close group here and I know as long as we have each other we'll continue to get through. We just need a little help now and again. :ghug:

[gja1000]

Janet, I do understand, I truly do! Things just get overwhelming when they pile up! I know you've had such a stressful time helping your mom. It sounds though, like things may improve there. I hope she is feeling better, physically, with the dialysis - she should feel better soon, if not already!

I would worry about Ricky driving too - but the payoff is that he will have a great education with many many employment opportunities. So, in the end, all of the worry will be worth it - but you already know that, and it doesn't lessen the worry.

I would worry too, about renting a house. But all you can do is get it clean and sparkling so it will be ready to show to prospective renters. Make it as inviting as possible. Can you plant some pretty fall flowers in the front? Anything to make it welcoming. Surely, you will be able to rent it quickly.

I am the worry wart in my family. I know it drives my husband crazy and so I just try to keep it to myself. Worrying doesn't do a darned thing to change things, so why do I do it? Just like your husband, I worry too much, and I don't even know why. But I do try to keep it to myself as much as possible - or I rant to you all. LOL!! :p

[DianaB]

I'm so sorry that your tenants gave you such short notice. I know that you were worried that they might move. I'll be praying that you get new tenants soon, really soon!!

Your baby is growing up and, let me tell you that you never stop worrying about them. Sometimes it's not as much as other times but what they're dealing with is always a concern. I know that you're worried about him driving back and forth and again, I'll be praying.

And you know that I'm praying for your Mom!!

[Janet]

Gayle...Mom is starting to feel better. For the last few nights, the alarms have only gone off once or twice and Mom is able to go right back to sleep. She sounds better and seems to have more energy. For this....I am truly grateful.

Ricky is enjoying classes so far. I know he'll do great at something he will enjoy.

We went in to the rental house last night. A little disappointed in how they left things. They said they painted and they did, but they didn't fill any of the nail holes and there are many. Left some stuff in the basement that needs hauled off and the berber carpet I had put in two years ago has runs in it. There is also a car that belongs to their son in the back yard. It is suppose to be moved today and it better be or it will be towed at their expense.

I worry too...but I know I have to "carry on." Rick kind of goes numb....not sure why except that he knows I'll get us through it. It's just that it's getting harder the older I get.

It will get better....I know..... and I know I'm not the only one stressed. Times are hard for everyone for one reason or another. It will get better.

[gja1000]

It is harder as we get older, cuz we have pileup stress. It's not just one or two things, but multiple things - as you know, your mom, Ricky, and the rent house, just to name a few. If it were only one of those things, it would be easier to handle. But all three together just multiplies the stress.

I'm sorry, it will get better, and you know that. It's just the pits between now and then. :love-hug3:

[Janet]

It's not much fun for you either dear friend....but that's why we all have each other. :)

[DianaB]

....but that's why we all have each other. :)

How true!!!!

[2tiredmom]

Janet,
My prayers are with you everyday. I hope things start looking up soon.
I don't know of any one that needs a place down there. But if i do I'll send them your way.

[Janet]

Thanks Linda!! I'm really nervous about it. I drove around the neighborhood where the house is and there are 3 other homes with FOR RENT signs in the yard. I think ours looks best, but we'll have to make it even more attractive and try not to spend too much.

[Marilyn]

Janet, will definitely be praying for you. Sounds like your mom is doing well now and I know it's tough getting used to your baby being on the road so much. We deal with that, too. Hope your rent house is rented very soon!!! Try some of those air fresheners with that plug in and warm the oil. I use the lavendar vanilla, and they make the house smell so good. Little things like this can make the home seem more inviting.

Thoughts and prayers are with you!!

[Tiramisu]

Hey Janet, hope you're feeling better!

[Janet]

Thanks Marilyn...that's a great idea! Sandy..I'm feeling fine...just the stress. Talked with Mom this morning...she slept good again last night. So good to know she's getting rest. She asked if I was coming in town. We have spent so much time together that she is now starting to expect it. I still have lots to do. Keep this house up and getting ready to head to town to start working on it. Told her I would try to stop by for a minute or two.

I just don't want those guilty feelings to come back if I can't make it to her house when she wants me to. I don't want to deal with guilt and stress....lol. It will get better! :)

[DianaB]

Or try the baked bread, cake, or cookies smell. They do that on the "Sell this home" shows!!!

[Janet]

You ladies are full of great ideas!!!!

[Gina]

Thanks Linda!! I'm really nervous about it. I drove around the neighborhood where the house is and there are 3 other homes with FOR RENT signs in the yard. I think ours looks best, but we'll have to make it even more attractive and try not to spend too much.

Just a little suggestion if you haven't rented yet and there are a few rentals in your area. Try to find out how they compare to your place and if lets say for instance your rental is a two bedroom home, see what other two bedrooms are asking for, and go a little lower. Better to get a little less in this market than to have it empty.

[Janet]

Great idea Gina. We have checked about a few others in the area. Ours is the only one with a new furnace, new water heater and central air. The prices are a tad lower, so we are going a tad lower too...lol. We do have a couple interested and have filled out an application. Soon as I get them checked out we can hopefully have new tenants.

[Gina]

QUOTE=Janet;98089]Great idea Gina. We have checked about a few others in the area. Ours is the only one with a new furnace, new water heater and central air. The prices are a tad lower, so we are going a tad lower too...lol. We do have a couple interested and have filled out an application. Soon as I get them checked out we can hopefully have new tenants.[/QUOTE]




:thumbup:

[gja1000]

Great idea Gina. We have checked about a few others in the area. Ours is the only one with a new furnace, new water heater and central air. The prices are a tad lower, so we are going a tad lower too...lol. We do have a couple interested and have filled out an application. Soon as I get them checked out we can hopefully have new tenants.

YAY!!! I hope they decide to rent it - I know that is a worry and has been lots of work for you these past few weeks. Maybe you are getting closer to having less stress!!!

[Janet]

I sure hope the stress is coming to an end...at least for a little while... :) Everyone's advice has been really helpful. We're meeting another person interested in the house today... hopefully those who have applied.....check out as good potential renters.

[judy]

I just found this. Ii am sorry I had not sent you my loving thoughts and support before Janet!

These are all stressful things! My heart is with you. I hope these renters do come through.

[Janet]

Don't you feel bad at all Judy. I know you would have been supportive if you had seen the thread.

We may have a renter. I have to check him out tomorrow and then let him know. We both like him so far. Also...the lady across the street from this house came over and is interested in buying it. We may just sell. She said not to wait, go ahead and rent it and if she can get it, she'll already have a renter.

We really hadn't planned on selling, but we're seriously thinking about it. We wanted to be able to have it for retirement...a little extra coming in every month, but with renters...they move in....they move out....and then we have a lot of clean up to do. We are really thinking about it. Gina...what are your thoughts on this?

[gja1000]

Janet, you didn't ask me what I think, so pardon me for butting in. But, I agree that the upkeep and maintenance, as you grow older, may not be something you want to do or are able to do. IMHO, if you can sell it and make some profit - you could put that into savings for your retirement years and probably be better off than if you still had it.

However, it would be more beneficial, tax-wise to keep it, I am sure. And it would increase in value, so you could sell it later and make more profit. So, just pardon my advice = I don't know what I'm talking about! LOL!!

[Janet]

Gayle...I admire you advice....no matter what the subject. We've thought the same thing. I just can't paint anymore. Climbing up and down ladders just kills my knees and then I ache for days. So I'm pretty sure if she really wants to buy...we'll sell. If not...we'll just keep it for a while.

[gja1000]

Janet, now that Gary can't help me with any kind of physical labor activity around the house, I've come to the conclusion, that while I can do some things, I really don't want to, nor do I want to risk injury in the process of trying to do them. Last year I injured the rotator cuff in my shoulder from dragging limb and rose bush trimmings from the back yard to the front to be loaded on a trailer and hauled off (we hauled them off, so then I had to pull them out of the trailer at the recycle center). I had to go to therapy for 3 months to repair my shoulder, at some expense because my insurance co didn't pay 100% and now my shoulder is OK, but will never be the same and I find I have to be very careful with it.

The point is that we need to stay active and engaged as we grow older, but hauling limbs, climbing ladders, and the like is probably not the best way to do it. If the sale happens, yay, if not, then it will happen later, I'm sure.

[Janet]

So true Gayle. My husband thinks the lady interested in buying the house is just blowing wind....lol. Says she likes to hear herself talk. So we'll probably be keeping it for awhile yet. We have another person interested in the house too. Now we'll have to choose. I checked them both out and they are both responsible....so I don't know. I'm sure we'll talk about it this evening and try to come to some kind of decision.

[DianaB]

Janet, I think that having rentals is a wonderful idea. My Mom and Dad had a lot of rentals when I was growning up. They would buy small and inexpensive homes, fix them up a little, and rent them out for enough that the rent covered their payments. I know that back then they tried to have the houses paid for in two or three years (this was in the 70's)because the sooner you can get them paid off the sooner you can make money. I will admit that they did rent to people who weren't the best and Dad always had to go and find them to collect rent but they did make money. You have to be able to do your own maintenance work if you have a lot of houses otherwise repairs can take a big cut in your profits.