I spent a quiet morning at home. I walked the dogs one by one and each did their business. It was nice and cool this morning after the storms that came through last night.
I had gotten a rain gauge a week or so ago but I must have it in the wrong place as so far it has not measured any rain and it has rained twice since I got it. I’ll have to find another place to put it. I don’t think we got much rain either time but I think we got enough to have measured at least some of it.
I sent an email to my builder and told him to put my build on hold. His estimate for pricing was 40% higher than I expected and was too much for me. There were lots of things that the estimate didn’t cover so the real cost would be even higher.
I kept seeing and feeling red flags from this builder and gave him a couple of chances to show me a different side of him. But that never happened. I had been very clear what my budget was from the very beginning and he had assured me he could meet that. I had given him some changes to the floor plan in his time table before he finalized them. He ignored my email and then had to change the plans which pissed him off.
I had made several requests such as Class 4 shingles and in the estimate he put Class 3. I am already tired of him not hearing me and decided to back out before we got into the real work of building a house.
His secretary sent me back an email that told me he can adjust the finishings to meet my set price. I think I will pass. Why didn’t he listen to me the first time and do it then? I think he underestimated me. Not a smart thing for him to have done. I’m proud of myself for recognizing the red flags and stopping this process before I got in over my head and it got so far down the path that I couldn’t course correct.
I went to Emporia early afternoon for my 2:00 exercise. Traffic was one lane for about three miles and so it took a bit to get to town and back home again. I did exercise and then came home. I needed to go to the Chiropractor but couldn’t make myself drive downtown to take care of that.
My tummy is still a bit angry today. Sure trusting it will calm down before my trip. It will be a bit challenging traveling with an angry tummy. It usually doesn’t last more than a day or two so things should be OK.
No plans for tomorrow except for packing. Still not sure what to take. Guess I will decide as I pack and see what I have room for. I only take a carry on bag so won’t have room to take extra stuff. Wish I could take hiking sticks but they won’t fit in my carry on and most times they don’t let you take them on board. Maybe I can get some there. We have a three hour climb to get to the waterfalls and lots of steps to climb. I have found hiking sticks help me a lot. I didn’t know about the hike when I booked my flights and I don’t think I can change them to allow me to take a big bag without paying lots. I’ll make do with what ever.
I leave Sunday around 10:30 for the airport. I have a 3:00 flight to Houston and then a couple hour layover before my flight to Costa Rica. I’ll spend the night in a hotel by the airport and then I have a flight Monday early afternoon to the town close to the retreat center I will be staying at. One of the other retreat participants will be staying at the same hotel and we will meet up Monday morning to go to the airport together.
I’m tired today. I took a short nap this morning before I went into exercise and feel like I could find more sleep quickly if I laid down again. I haven’t eaten very well this last 24 hours as my tummy is yelling at me. Hoping this is just a quick upset and that my tomorrow it will have settled down and I will feel better. Not a fun way to start a vacation.
Feeling a bit down and off today. I’m sure part of it is the disappointment in my builder. I will sit with this change and then decide what I want to do. I can always talk to a different builder if I still want to build. I am very happy in this house and might just decide to stay here. I could add a garage somehow and fix that problem. I have lots of choices and options. Just have to do a mental change of plans. No rush on any of it. The next step, if there is one, will present itself soon enough.
Grateful I saw the red flags and took the proper action, grateful tomorrow is a rest day, and grateful I love the house I am in.