Hi y'all,
Just wanted to throw out an update to all about the work we've been having done around here. That's in large part to all the donations BARF & the ZRXOA gave during the fundraisers. Likely ~30% of what's been done in the last year have been directly due to your donations, & I also had a very timely small inheritance (low five figures) that came from a distant uncle's passing. {I'd only seen Uncle Rodger (RIP) ~eight times in my entire life. He lived in Austria after WWII which he participated in as a OSS agent. I knew very little about him other than he lived & worked in Europe.}
Thanks to the fundraiser & the above help, we've been able to get many things done. The new heater (warm!) & plumbing repairs helped immediately. No more cold showers for the family & I, no more plunging the commode multiple times each day. Nothing like a new commode not having problems that makes everyone happy!
We've had lots of painting done; the kitchen & bathroom, both the kids bedrooms, & the yet to come part is Mom/Dad's bedroom & living area/Dining room. We still have a lot of repairs to do, the carpets shot & there's 8-10 hardwood floor boards that are warped/need replacing (too much water by a shady carpet cleaner. Get a Brand name one folks!) Think we will end up w/hardwood floors as the fix will run us low on the $ again. So that's that. Still several leaky windows to be replaced yet. Soom doors/locks/other windows needs fixin'. Too much to list all...
Still need the garage door & spring replaced; very difficult to open, even w/help. The spring is “sprung” so you have to lift entire door weight now w/o help. Current estimate is $1.5K for replacement. I'm going to get a few more estimates. Need that to get to the bikes! All the other things I wanted to do will have to wait as I'm back down to normal fixed income. My wife hurt herself last Spring @ work, so she's off on disability too. Because she was part time (4 yrs), looks like she's gonna get screwed by her employer. Oh well. Win some, lose some.
I'll get some pics of all this work that's been done & post them soon. Still having hard time getting pics from tablet to PC for posting here. Seems the different formats make it difficult. Operator error is at work big-time. Duh.
Roof's been leaking for years; finally got enough $ to get it done. Estimate started at $12K, that's ballooned to $15K due to a bunch of dry rot & extra $300ea. county inspections x2. Woods done; now they just need to put shingles & gutters up. I discovered nails everywhere all around the house, big/hairy ones. Going to have to do many searches; can't think of a better way of finding nails in the grass? Anyone; Bueller? I could have got a new bike....waaa
As previous messages/updates this year, we've been spending all of our time/$$$ at the docs. Between the two of us it's 3-5 doc visits per week w/long drive & increasing deductibles. So it's becoming costly, & time consuming. My wifie has several eye/dental surgeries coming up; so I'm going to be cab-driver. Eye surgeries for both of us is going to be a PITA. We both also need vast dental work. Owe.
Finally, riding is still on the horizon. I haven't given up. Since I got Uncle's extra $ I ordered a new set of shocks, & have already received a 4-1 “Black Widow” Full exhaust system (I'm in the dog house for those, oops! :teeth. ) So, at the very least, a good ride remains in the garage, I'm doing slow improvements w/it, & it maybe will be ridden this winter? Hopefully soon. I still need front tire, a rebuilt brake system as it's broke.
Lots more going on w/kids, & other things keeping me busy so I haven't really been on as much. I'll try to get back on here more w/pics of all the stuff been done, & am still doing. Thank you all again for everything you've done, & been doing! You've kept me w/a positive outlook on things. I've had a lot of things going on, but still have a bright outlook to someday return to the twisties on my ZRX enjoying life w/a ear to ear motorcyclist grin.
Thank you,
-Dave