WEEK FIVE UPDATE

Saturday afternoon the rain and cold puts renovating on hold and we visit the ReStore.




Ummm.. $720.00 for a dresser at the ReStore?

  Not What We Bargained For

Being able to afford materials is a big issue for us and we received many recommendations to check out the Habitat for Humanity Restore.  Since the rain, cold and childcare situation were making it difficult to work we decided to drive out to the Restore off Florin Perkins and see what we could find. What we found was pretty disappointing for us.



There was a complete hodge-podge of items from stuff that looked like it belonged in a Macy’s furniture gallery to stuff (trying not to use the word “junk”) that we were amazed they were even trying to sell. What seemed consistent was the pricing, way too high. It was actually pretty shocking for us and our hopes fell for the ReStore as a resource. From what we observed, the ReStore could be a good resource it you had the time to blow to check it out often (couple times a week) and snag a good deal right when it came in. We had neither the time nor the spare gas to make trips way out to the ReStore in the hopes that something may work. (Did I mention there is a No Returns policy?)



$75 for a dirty, ancient range that we
don't even know works and can't return.



It seems like with the tough economy a lot of us are looking to second-hand solutions for our needs and those selling second-hand (thrift stores, ReStore, even many craigslist posters) know it.  With the used market being so hot right now so finding actual deals is harder and harder. I was at a thrift store looking for clothes and found some prices for the SAME EXACT article of clothing was the same or even more than the sale price at the regular retail store! Some used cars end up being more expensive than a stripped down new car. In this economy retail stores have become motivated sellers. Sometimes used can save you a lot of money but don’t assume that going used is getting you a better deal folks, you may get less than what you bargained for.

Excited to see a yard sale with flooring and
windows until we saw prices. We saw better
deals at Home Depot the night before!

NOTE: Habitat for Humanity is wonderful organization that does great work in the community and we hope that our readers will support them. We plan to donate any of our extra materials to their organization. We also believe that good deals can be had there but it just isn't time and cost effective for us to keep going there.

 

Adventures in Babysitting
Our son, Jax, just turned two years old last week. He is such an amazing, beautiful boy. He has the brightest smile; loves to give hugs; is so amazingly intelligent, active and strong. He is a gift, a joy and our personal tormentor. Chris had two boys previously and I had two girls previously so collectively we have done the “Terrible Two’s” four times before Jax came along. NOTHING could prepare us for handling this little guy.



Jax in his car seat. Chris entertains
him while I fix the lock on the front door.



To this day he still wakes us up multiple times a night (renovating on a few hours of sleep a night SUCKS! Especially if you have CFS!) and when we try to go shopping it is always sheer terror. He wants to run around and will scream if we put him in a cart, try to carry him or hold his hand. We even attempted those goofy, backpack safety strap systems with him. Unless he is running full-tilt through a store with no concept of his own mortality he is screaming at the top of his lungs. He will scream for HOURS without ever getting tired, I have NEVER seen that before in my life.

In short my husband and I are “whipped” by our toddler and with both sets of grandparents elderly and physically unable to handle him we have very few options for babysitting. Our saviors have been our 58^th Street neighbors (and friends for well over a decade) Becky and her teen daughter Leah. It has come to the point where they have helped us so much that I feel guilty and that I could never repay their kindness.

I just finished installing a new lock.

When we arrived at the house Saturday morning, I could not move from my seat. I felt hot tears spill from my eyes. I knew with the cold and the rain that if we hoped to get any work done we needed to find someone to watch Jax and so far it seems like our only viable option was Becky and Leah who just last weekend had him at their home (albeit with Cassie there helping) ALL day Saturday and ALL day Sunday. Now it was just Jax with no older siblings to help. I just could not bear to make the call to see if Becky and Leah would watch him yet again. I sat there crying in the car. Chris watched me for several minutes until he finally asked me if I would call them. My chest felt heavy but I knew he was right, if we wanted to get anything done we would have to push ourselves onto Becky and Leah again. They have been such wonderful, supportive friends over the years that I fear that pressing on their kindness too much may strain the relationship. These are two extraordinary women that we are lucky to call friends.

Just Chris and I this weekend,
pulling up particle board floor.

Finally, I asked (after my husband entertained Jax in the car for a half an hour while I replaced a door lock he (maybe both of them?) was sick of being cooped up). Becky urged us to come right over and for several hours on Saturday Chris and I worked alone in the freezing cold house continuing to pull up crumbling particleboard floors, cleaning and taking the last remaining items of my parents to their storage unit while Jax could enjoy the warmth and love of our friend’s home.

Becky and Leah, we know the huge debt we owe you. If you ever need us for anything; from helping you give your cat a bath to driving out to the depths of Oakland in the middle of the night because your car broke down –and we won’t even ask what the heck you were doing there in the first place- please never hesitate to ask it of us. We are forever in your debt, not just for what you do for us but for the love you show us as you do it.