It only took 3 weeks, but it’s happened.
I didn’t take a single house photo during the entire week. Ryan did work on several projects, including pulling out nails in the dining room and kitchen. (This is almost done after HOURS of hand-breaking work. His hands were so sore.) I also spent a little time pulling up staples.
The outside pretty much looks the same as last week:
As an aside, we tried to get rid of our railroad ties – for free – on Craigslist. Someone came, grabbed a few and stuck them in the truck. Promised us they’d be back to get the rest. And never showed up.
Which leads me to my:
Rant of the week.
People are very inconsiderate. I get TONS of emails asking to see the free (railroad ties/freestanding shower/cabinets). Then, they say they will come to pick it up at a certain time and never show up. So here I am, driving to and waiting at an empty house (no Internet) for some bozo to stand me up.
Annoying.
We decided to give things away for free so that it would be quick and easy. And, sometimes it is. (The cabinets had two no-shows before we found our new friend.) But, the number of people who say they are coming over at a certain time and don’t show up bothers me.
So, my PSA – if you say you are going to meet a person from Craigslist to buy or get something free, please show up. Or call.
It’s just about being considerate. That is all I’m going to say about that. You can call me Emily Post from this point on.
On a positive note, we did get rid of the kitchen cabinets and the bathroom vanity. And, we got rid of the shower from the depths of hell, which was tucked in a corner of the basement. A really nice gal came, took it apart and hauled it home.
I told her she’d probably need a gallon or two of bleach. But we gave it away for free so I feel no guilt.
Someone’s got gas
But it isn’t us. Supposedly, the gas is (finally) going to be turned on tomorrow. Which is approximately 24 days after we closed (for those who are counting). And, this was with consistent action to try to get it turned on. We had a contractor in an hour after closing to get the ball moving. It wasn’t his fault.
It took a minor act of God. And, me having a minor meltdown. (Trust me, my meltdown could have been worse.)
To make a long story short, I am a pretty persuasive person. And, Ryan typically asks me to take care of things that involve people. So, I’ve been the go-between with all the contacts at the city. It takes some give and take. Without getting into too much, I met my match and my persuasiveness rendered useless. And, what I learned is that sometimes you have to play the game. And, sometimes you cannot win, even if you this (or know) you are right.
All in all, I’m thankful that we are finally getting our gas turned on. But, it was not an easy or a pretty process.
Daydream believer
So, this week – the kinks are getting worked out. And, when our home is finished, all of the nasty phone calls, the sore hands and the dusty clothes will be worth it.
No checklist changes this week.
Did you like this post?
We'd love to send you more inspiration and encouragement for your home. When you sign up below, we'll send you our free guide to save thousands on your next home project. Because your home shouldn't own you.
Oonafey says
Ouch. You poor doll. This really makes me glad that we are not “movers”. Our house is right on the road and there are things that bother us, but all in all, it’s just easier to stay put and deal with the road noise. We hate change.
after builders cleaning says
Your bathroom need renovation in deed. I have to be very desperate to take shower in bathroom as this.
Jenny @ Anything Pretty says
What a week…. People can be so frustrating and inconsiderate. But when the house is all beautiful and finished it will all be worth it. It sounds like you are immensely busy and I impressed how much are getting done. Go Kim (and Ryan)!
Sara @ Russet Street Reno says
I also cannot believe someone would take that shower! GRODY. Craigslist people do suck sometimes, there should be an ‘etiquette’ page somewhere….
yeoldesandwichshoppeva says
High five on getting rid of that shower. I’m sorry Craigslist people often suck. I am totally with you on that one. Why can’t people be considerate, even when they don’t know you personally??
Leigh says
ugh, Craigs list can be more of a pain than it’s worth. I can’t believe someone actually wanted that shower (no offense).
And YES, I’d totally love to get together when you’re in DC. I’ll email you.
Amanda Sevall says
What a week Kim!! I hope that this next one goes more smoothly and that you finally have gas!! 😉
Emily says
Ohhh yeah, and Craigslist. 1st come, 1st serve lights a fire under people… your house will be cleared out in 5 minutes.
Emily says
See, you and I are opposites. I have to have B take care of all persuasiveness because I get too spicy when I don’t get my way in the public utilities sector. B is much nicer…and therefore more persuasive. I’m impressed that you have that skill!
Nikki says
Craigslist people can be very annoying. Sometimes I wonder if it’s really worth the hassle, but I still do it to myself.
I’m sorry it’s been so frustrating for you.
Kristen says
I hate things like that with craigslist. It goes both ways though. I went to meet someone to buy something and they didn’t show up at the meeting place. Never called me, I called her and she never answered. nice!
carrie @ brick city love says
That shower is a whole lotta nasty! I’m so curious what the person who took it for free plans on doing with it.
Amanda says
My brother lives out of town and has several rental properties here (where I live). He sometimes will ask me to meet a potential tenant to show them the place. On the phone I always say (politely) “OK so I’ll meet you at noon? Great. I’m leaving work to do this so please let me know if you can’t make it for some reason.” Let them know that you’re going out of your way to meet them and all they have to do if they change their mind is send you a text. Works pretty well!
Jenna says
we sell/give away a lot on craigslist. After my first craigslist experience, I do NOT hold anything anymore. It’s worked out well for me. if you get to the house first, you get it. I don’t care if you called me first – it might be mean but i have been burned SO MANY times trying to be nice to inconsiderate people.
Wendy says
Okay.. now I’m going to worry about you. Please don’t say that you’re waiting in an empty house for someone that contacted you through CraigsList???? =( Too many horror stories out there about people that have been victimized in that manner.
And I wholeheartedly support your rant! Very, very frustrating!
Continued good luck with the reno!
The Brick Cottage says
Do you have freecycle in your area? If so, I’d give it a try over craigslist for giving away free stuff. We’ve had much better luck with the freecyclers.
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
I had to laugh at “someone’s got gas.” I really look forward to your updates, Kim!! 🙂 You guys should consider sending your story into a magazine!!
*claire* says
i hear you about craigslist. it’s great, and i will keep using it, but i can’t even count the number of emails i get from people about stuff we are selling – saying they are interested – and then never call or show up and 100% disappear. annoying! (and a little scary, since it makes me wonder if they just wanted our address/schedule or something…)
and that shower looks pretty rough – glad you got rid of it!
thanks for keeping us updated 🙂
longbrakeliving says
I always felt bad when I would price things out, but found something that would be too expensive. I didn’t want to call them back and say, “hey, you cost too much!” but with free things? I mean, I wouldn’t be offended if someone said, “this thing you don’t want? Yeah, I don’t really want it either. Thanks but no thanks.”
Hope this coming week is better!
Deb says
Glad you posted – I was wondering how it was going. Frustrating, I’m sure, but it’s great that it’s getting done!
Mrs. Adventure says
Wow that seems like a hell of a week! I totally agree regarding criagslist people. When we moved we listed our fridge for free a lady called with a sad story so we held it for 2 days for her (even though we had hundreds of emails) then she never called or showed. I called the number she had called me from when she answered she said she found another one closer….eeeek I was so mad.