"Help Me" -- Joni Mitchell (1973)

Help me

I think I'm falling In love again
When I get that crazy feeling
I know I'm in trouble again
I'm in trouble
'Cause you're a rambler and a gambler
And a sweet taIking ladies man
And you love your lovin'
But not like you love your freedom

Help me
I think I'm falling
In love too fast
It's got me hoping for the future
And worrying about the past
'Cause I've seen some hot hot blazes
Come down to smoke and ash
We love our lovin'
But not like we love our freedom

Didn't it feel good
We were sitting there talking
Or lying there not talking
Didn't it feel good
You dance with the lady
With the hole in her stocking
Didn't it feel good
Didn't it feel good

Help me
I think I'm falling
In love with you
Are you going to let me go there by myself
That's such a lonely thing to do
Both of us flirting around
Flirting and flirting
Hurting too
We love our lovin'
But not like we love our freedom

"The Base of it All"

"A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him" -- David Brinkley 

As I just finished 3 hours of working on my Social work portfolio due in a few weeks, I decided a little blogging was allowed.

The Non-Stop Puddle

My insurance adjuster is coming out again Friday and my independent contractor will be here as well, to show her just what he had found. This claim was started back in March, with a little tear out here, and a big fix there. My foundation. Yes, a very important component of my house needed some attention. It made that known with a leak, a puddle coming out from under the subfloor of the back of another room's closet. This winter sure did a number on a lot of people, with the constant freeze and thaw. But I am pretty sure the previous owners new of this little gem when they sold it to me and decided to put new lino down, etc. Nothing like putting a bandaid over a gaping wound.

The Thaw 

As per suggestions of what the 'cause' was from a company recommended by my insurance company, I shelled out a lot of money in July to have my foundation excavated, patched, waterproofed, and weeping tile and sump pump installed, since a crack in one spot is likely indicative of cracks elsewhere. Well, almost 2 months after the 'fix' there is still moisture in the same place. Hence, the call to the insurance adjuster again, agreeing that a bit more tear out is reasonable and under the same claim. But alas that construction company has not returned, though we spoke about it last July 26.

Thank goodness for my independent contractor from Timeline Construction. I had consulted him on doing an estimate for my basement bathroom and informed him of my situation. He brought out his water meter, and not sure if its good or bad news. I'll have to see Friday once the insurance adjuster comes back.

Some more tear out is indeed necessary. To see if the found 'cause' is actually the cause, or did someone else not do such a great job with the 'fix', or is it a whole other issue? We shall see.

Bye Bye
Below Grade Concrete

On the bright side, I now have an extra R10 insulation all the way around my house. Window wells on all 10 basement windows, proper drainage to hopefully help my house last another 65 years. And my landscaping being done to address a very poor grade.

R10 Insulation and
Drainage Assist

So much done and so much more to continue on. The new eaves with screens match the original colouring of the house trim in navy blue, new  soffits and facia done too, so I never have to paint and makes it so sharp.

Downspouts to match the colour of the house stucco so it blends in better, so you see house not random white lines traveling everywhere. Now landscaping to finish, fence and gate, and my next DIY project of revamping the stair case. Already took the wire brush out last night to attack that rust. Primer coat tonight?

"Emptiness"

"Courageous - that's how you see me; Successful - that's how you belive in me; Happy - that's what you expect of me; But...Emptiness - that's what's inside of me." -- Author Unknown

Ruminating on all I have done, all I have been through, and all that is to come. Wondering why the outcome is the same, when I feel that I have grown, when I feel I have really tried, when I feel I have the power to effect outcomes. Is it so engrained in me that I cannot escape it's grasp? Why is it always there and no one else is?

"Ah, Neighbours Continued..."

So it's August 14th and there has been no resolution to the fence issue. Still waiting and waiting and waiting. Another email sent today with a bonus topic.

Garbage. Yes, Garbage. I went outside about an hour ago. I needed to get into my garage, I needed to exit out my gate, but I couldn't. Why? Well...

Did I mention, that the neighbour said this fence was fine? He even said it's 30 years old and the maintenance over the years has worked, and even his tenants have backed into it a couple of times and it's still standing. Well, since most fences are only good for 15 years or so with no one backing into them, and with posts at a depth of 4 ft instead of the current 2 ft depth, and built without the majority of weight on one side (my side), I think it's reasonable to build a new fence that doesn't have boards hanging off of it and exposed nails everywhere.

I even offered to pay for the labour and he'd have to pay for only half the cost of materials. He jumped on that, but still wanted all the licensing proof, and insurance proof, etc my landscaper has, without even knowing how much my landscaper was going to charge. Control anyone?

Well, I asked for the couch that was thrown in front of my back gate to be moved as soon as possible and for him to let me know about the fence. I also provided him the above photos as well. Yes, documentation is good. The story continues...Oi.