The Story of Lori, Chapter 2

[Stottie Girl]

It's all go for you Lori!

RE the dirt, why not get a foldable sack barrow to throw in the car? No point putting your back out or you'll be waiting for another MRI

The non foldable ones have more rugged wheels if you need that.

[Lori Dee ✅]

It's all go for you Lori!

RE the dirt, why not get a foldable sack barrow to throw in the car? No point putting your back out or you'll be waiting for another MRI

The non foldable ones have more rugged wheels if you need that.

That is a great idea, and I have a hand truck with a 400 lb capacity. It has inflatable tires, so it can handle cross-country okay. It doesn't fold, but I can strap it on top of the Jeep with my tent and shovel. I may have to do just two buckets at a time, or maybe one, since I will be pulling it uphill slightly.

I agree, work smarter, not harder!

[Stottie Girl]

That is a great idea, and I have a hand truck with a 400 lb capacity. It has inflatable tires, so it can handle cross-country okay. It doesn't fold, but I can strap it on top of the Jeep with my tent and shovel. I may have to do just two buckets at a time, or maybe one, since I will be pulling it uphill slightly.

I agree, work smarter, not harder!

I have a heavy duty sack barrow at home and I use it all the time they're great! Would be handy if you end up moving homes again!

You can stack the buckets too so you can carry probably 3 at a time if you're careful.

[Lori Dee ✅]

I'll be going to look at a neighborhood about an hour drive away this morning. There is a house there for sale that I might be interested in. It needs a lot of work, but it might be doable. I have driven by that area many times on my scouting trips to the gold fields, but never really paid attention to the neighborhood. This time, I will be driving to it instead of through it.

On the way back, I'll stop and pick up groceries and supplies. So it may be later toward evening before I am back online. I am still waiting on a call from the local hospital to schedule an MRI for my knee, but I won't sit by the phone waiting. I gots things to do.

[Stottie Girl]

Sounds intriguing Lori. If you can buy a place instead of renting that is the better option in my mind. So what if it needs a lot of work. You've camped in the woods! Once you are in you can chip away at things bit by bit.

I look forward to hearing whether it is a goer.

Do you not have a mobile for the docs to ring?

[Lori Dee ✅]

Sounds intriguing Lori. If you can buy a place instead of renting that is the better option in my mind. So what if it needs a lot of work. You've camped in the woods! Once you are in you can chip away at things bit by bit.

I look forward to hearing whether it is a goer.

Do you not have a mobile for the docs to ring?

I looked at two houses, since one was on the way to the other. The one that checks all my boxes is a bit over-priced for the amount of work it needs. Photos show that every room needs new flooring except the kitchen and bath. It is a 3-bedroom, 2-bath on a treed .5-acre corner lot, with two fireplaces, a detached garage, and a workshop. It is also much, much closer to the gold fields. For all of that, I am willing to do the work if we can make a deal, but I need to do a walk-through first and see just how bad the floors are.

The other place is small. I mean, really small. 1908 bungalow, 1 bedroom, 1 bath. But has a nice backyard and was recently remodeled. It is closer to my price range, but also much closer to my neighbor... as in almost within arm's reach across the fence. But the neighborhood is an older, historic area of a sleepy little town. The women I saw out working in their yards seemed to be my age, so I think the neighborhood works. I need to do a walk-through to see if the house is too small to be comfortable or if I can make it work.

I messaged my realtor, and I think we are going to walk through them on Sunday. He is working out the details, getting information about the properties, etc. It may not work out for either place, but I gotta look.

[Sephirah]

Hah, for a Brit, one bedroom and one bathroom is a bit of a luxury.

My house has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. I do not need one bathroom and two of the bedrooms. It is just storage space. You can't pee in more than one place at once.

[Lori Dee ✅]

I do not need one bathroom and two of the bedrooms. It is just storage space. You can't pee in more than one place at once.

One of the bedrooms will become a writing area, but I agree that I don't need two bathrooms. That's just extra cleaning. But one has a shower, and the other has a tub, if I remember correctly. We will see.

[Sephirah]

One of the bedrooms will become a writing area, but I agree that I don't need two bathrooms. That's just extra cleaning. But one has a shower, and the other has a tub, if I remember correctly. We will see.

Wait, you don't do them together? Like... a shower over a bathtub, so you can do either? That seems like bad logistics.

[Lori Dee ✅]

Wait, you don't do them together? Like... a shower over a bathtub, so you can do either? That seems like bad logistics.

Many places have that. In my current place, I have a shower in the master bath off the master bedroom, but the main bathroom has a tub with a shower. The standalone shower never gets used, so it stores my mops.

I have seen places designed for his-and-hers bathrooms, so I suspect it was along those lines. I am only guessing, since the photos only show a walk-in shower, but the listing says two bathrooms. It might only be a bath and a half. It won't be the first time a seller lied about what they were selling.
😁

[Sephirah]

Do I dare ask how many mops you have?

[Lori Dee ✅]

Do I dare ask how many mops you have?

One can never have too many mops.

Wait. That can't be right.

OK. I'll see if they have a Mop Collectors Anonymous meeting.

🤣

[Stottie Girl]

Oooooh! They both sound very interesting Lori.

By flooring do you mean floor boards or carpet or laminate? If you are handy, all of that is possible to do on your own. It does sound like a lot of space. A workshop for your mining equipment, a bedroom to be converted to a dedicated study. A spare room for friends/family visiting. This one is the best option in my opinion IF you can stretch to it. I have had to buy a wreck because everything that is done up is out my price range or has far too many comrimises.

I do like the sound of the little one though. It sounds very characterful and a lovely neighbourhood. I just wonder about the single bedroom. Where's your study space going to go, what about your mining stuff?

Personally I'm a big fan of a character property. I like to have a house that is a little bit different. working as a heating engineer for 17 years, I have seen sooo many different houses and the majority of them are just shoeboxes with slightly different bits bolted on. And if I never see another silver and grey interior design again it will be too soon!

[davina61]

Well my flat has an on suite as well as a separate toilet, handy for visitors. Just the one bedroom but its as big as my living room, good job as I have a triple wardrobe as well as a double with a matching chest of drawers and a 70s dressing table!!

[Lori Dee ✅]

My realtor has confirmed our appointments to walk through both houses tomorrow. I will know more after inspecting them more closely.

[ChrissyRyan]

If it just a toilet and sink it is a half bath for sure.  If it has a shower too it can be a full bath or a 3/4 bath.

Renting unit you wish to settle is the way many more people are going now as housing is expensive.  No ownership but none of the other costs of ownership.

Pros and cons abound.

[Lori Dee ✅]

I've crossed the bigger house off the list.

My realtor called this morning to tell me that they have verbally accepted an offer to buy. So tomorrow afternoon, I'll get to walk through the smaller house. They had an Open House today, so it may be that they have several offers under review by the time I get there to see the house for myself. Oh well. If it is meant to happen, it will happen. If not, it won't.

Fortunately, I am in no hurry.

If you happen to find yourself at a No Kings rally or Pride festival tomorrow, do us all a favor. When you are talking to people, encourage them to call their representatives in Congress. Let them know what is on your mind.

It doesn't matter what the subject is. If it is a concern of yours, tell them. Elected officials have a small circle of whisperers who talk to them every day. They need to hear from you. Good or bad, they need to know what is on your mind.

Anyone can walk around with a slogan on their shirt, pins on their hat, or even carrying a clever sign. Congress doesn't see that. Call them. Call them every day. Not to berate them, but to let them know what they are doing right, or what they need to do. Even just checking in on them to see if they are okay shows that you are a genuine person with a heart.

On our local ballot, there is a new candidate (a veteran) who said he felt the need to run for office because Congress has lost its spine. They have abdicated their responsibility to be a check on the Executive Branch. Maybe you agree. Maybe you disagree. But if you don't tell them, they will never know.

If I were an elected official and I lost an election, I would want to know why. Make it clear.

If all else fails, elect me as your Queen, and I will get this mess sorted in my first year in office.

😁

[Stottie Girl]

I've crossed the bigger house off the list.

My realtor called this morning to tell me that they have verbally accepted an offer to buy. So tomorrow afternoon, I'll get to walk through the smaller house. They had an Open House today, so it may be that they have several offers under review by the time I get there to see the house for myself. Oh well. If it is meant to happen, it will happen. If not, it won't.

Fortunately, I am in no hurry.

If you happen to find yourself at a No Kings rally or Pride festival tomorrow, do us all a favor. When you are talking to people, encourage them to call their representatives in Congress. Let them know what is on your mind.

It doesn't matter what the subject is. If it is a concern of yours, tell them. Elected officials have a small circle of whisperers who talk to them every day. They need to hear from you. Good or bad, they need to know what is on your mind.

Anyone can walk around with a slogan on their shirt, pins on their hat, or even carrying a clever sign. Congress doesn't see that. Call them. Call them every day. Not to berate them, but to let them know what they are doing right, or what they need to do. Even just checking in on them to see if they are okay shows that you are a genuine person with a heart.

On our local ballot, there is a new candidate (a veteran) who said he felt the need to run for office because Congress has lost its spine. They have abdicated their responsibility to be a check on the Executive Branch. Maybe you agree. Maybe you disagree. But if you don't tell them, they will never know.

If I were an elected official and I lost an election, I would want to know why. Make it clear.

If all else fails, elect me as your Queen, and I will get this mess sorted in my first year in office.

😁

Queen Lori I - I like the sound of that your majesty (curtseys in deference)

I would echo what Lori says. Even though I'm not a US citizen elected officials are the same all over. We refer to the Westminster bubble, where politicians get so absorbed by Westminster and London that they forget to champion their contituents needs. Not all of them are like this, some really will care.

All MPs are supposed to hold "surgeries" in their own constituencies where anyone can book face to face time with their elected official to make their views heard. I'm not sure if the US has a similar sort of thing but if you don't tell them how you feel they will carry on in blissful ignorance. Of course they could just ignore you but if they do, they loose your vote and if enough people feel the same they will be out the door come election time.

The power really can rest with the people if the people are bold enough.

On a side note, I have always wondered why is it that there are only two parties in the US? or are there more and we just don't get to hear about them? Are there any representatives who aren't Republican or Democrat? Both of those parties are very right wing compared to the UK. A comparison here would be choosing between the Conservatives or Reform. Even Bernie Sanders is a bit right leaning compared to us. Where is your political left?

I hope this isn't breaching any new political rules in place. I'm not wanting to say one side is better than the other. You are free to make your own choices, that is kind of the point.

[Lori Dee ✅]

On a side note, I have always wondered why is it that there are only two parties in the US? or are there more and we just don't get to hear about them? Are there any representatives who aren't Republican or Democrat?

 We have many political parties, including Republican, Democratic, Libertarian, Green, Socialist, and more, and some candidates run as Independents. You can guess which ones have the most money, so get the most media attention and, in turn, the most votes.

It's funny that you mentioned Bernie. He serves as an Independent but is a self-described Socialist. I have lived in quite a few cities where the Mayor was an Independent and was successfully re-elected each term.

Politics is like gender; it covers a spectrum of views from conservative to liberal, with extreme radicals on each end. Where each party lies really depends on what subject is under discussion. It is not as simple as saying one group is Pro-Gun and the others are not. Or one group is about less government, or whatever. Each has a platform for representing that topic.

[Stottie Girl]

Oh really? I always thought Bernie was a Democrat. Interesting, so independants or other parties can absolutely rise to the top and get elected. That is good to hear, you would have thought that in the age of the internet, money on advertising wouldn't have such a big effect and people would get tired of the same old choices.

Growing up in the UK I always thought the UK would always be a two party country but right now, it looks like neither party will be electable at the next election. Alas I have a fear that it will be reform who get in but my hope would be the greens can pip them (or labour returns to it's core pre Blair values but I can't see that happening).