Where can I cut?

**Natalia** · 02-07-2012, 06:38 PM

They have some nerve to pull your credit report to lower your limit!

Maybe i just live in a low COL area, re the rent.

What will you do if you are in your favorite chair and you hear the headboard hitting the wall? Lol. That might be awkward when you go downstairs to break it up.

**peanut** · 02-07-2012, 08:39 PM

Might have to send DH down to 'investigate'!

Or just get up with a thud on the floor, sigh in disgust, and make a caustic comment. Our floors/ceiling is that easy to hear through. Old house, hardwood floors. I think DH and I will do most of our discussions upstairs.

Finished rug hooking a hot pad for sale the other night. Forgot to phone the lady about the craft sale again today. Man! A memory like a sieve! Lost my calendar with all the 'to do' stuff on it. That's part of my problem. Have to look for it tonight. need to get to work planning my week. It's Wednesday tomorrow!

Basement utility room is looking good. DH is down there working now.

I'm off to see if I can help. Talk to you all later.

**peanut** · 02-08-2012, 01:29 PM

The old shower has been pulled out of the basement bath. Had the contractor in to look over the situation. He's booked for the next 3 months solid on other jobs, but offered advice and help should we need it, on an informal basis. However he also has a pregnant wife, so we will not be taking advantage of that situation unless we *absolutely* have to! They have a 2 year old at home right now.

DH has done this sort of work before, so it's really not that hard for him. He thought he could save time by having the contractor do it. But this way saves us more money. So I am happy with it. I was down there helping him this morning.

The contractor did look at our basement situation and suggested we call in a structural engineer to look it over and tell us if we need another telepost and where to put it. Could take 1 1/2 months to get a structural engineer in, but so be it. Our house foundation is moving on the liquid soil we seem to have here. Our cold air intake vent is buckling with the moving foundation. So it's becoming a bit of a necessity to do something.

Posted online for a free microwave and mini fridge. Already scored a coffee pot for free for our renter. Actually, she'll get the old small one and we'll keep the bigger one for company. They like coffee. Posted for a free desk/small table too, to put everything on.

**Natalia** · 02-08-2012, 02:52 PM

You'll probably be able to score the microwave, but I'm guessing you'll have to shell out a few bucks for a used mini fridge. There always seems to be more demand than supply (dorms, man caves, etc) and new ones typically seem overpriced except the super duper tiny ones.

**peanut** · 02-08-2012, 05:46 PM

Friend and I pulled up the shower pan and vacuumed the bathroom. All ready to install the new drywall! DH will be glad to have one less thing to do I'm hoping.

Friend also dropped off some canning jars, much appreciated, and a cookie mix in a jar for some company on Friday evening.

**peanut** · 02-09-2012, 01:50 PM

Checked out used mini-fridges and they start at $50CAD. Used microwaves start at about $20. We'll see...

DH has trimmed up all the drywall in the basement bath nicely, all ready to receive new drywall...which we'll pick up on his next day off we think...Monday.

I am hooking for my course, but also for sale. A small mat with many colours. Really a colour exercise.

**peanut** · 02-11-2012, 11:42 AM

Students didn't show for cooking class yesterday. Turned out they had an exam and went home for a nap. Didn't wake up till I called them. Wanted to know what day it was!!!

It was an expensive no show. I had thawed some hamburger to teach them how to make burger and fries. In the end I made burgers and meatballs for DH and I. Put the meatballs in the freezer and had the burgers and fries for supper after all!

They want to try for next week, but I doubt that will happen. It's the end of exam week and they always have a party that Friday evening. So I'm thinking this group will be a no show then as well. I'm not busting my butt preparing anything new for them. They'll have to make do with what I decide to teach them. Next week will be muffins, just like I started the other group on. We'll go from there...if they show... If this isn't a priority, then I don't want to teach them at all. I've got better things to do with my time.

DH and I discussed the bed situation for the homestay student. We are debating buying a new futon, or a real bed. I think a real bed would be more comfortable. But a futon would be more useful when she leaves. Not sure what to do here. Anyone with BTDT experience?

By the way, the homestay student chose $600/mth. rent and I cook for her. Not surprisingly... She said don't bother to cook Korean. She is wanting a Canadian experience. So here we go! She moves in the beginning of March.

**shoiji** · 02-11-2012, 12:03 PM

You can easily get a twin bed. It can be made up to look like a sofa with a cushions on one side. A daybed is another idea. I had a futon with a wood frame. Can tell you it is not the most comfortable thing to sleep on night after night.

Sounds exciting. Hopefully everything will work out for everyone. Since you were so open about what you expected and she accepted it then everything should work out.

**alotofgooddeals** · 02-11-2012, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by pollypurebred39

Peanut, I don't think $700 is too much to ask for room and board. It's $100-$150 a week, no food around here. Very often that means sharing a bathroom, and often time no kitchen privileges, or laundry room privileges. Most likely that would be the $100 a week rooms. Most people will not allow boarders to have any access to any part of their home other than the room the are renting and the bathroom. If the person wants air condition for their room that would be an extra fee each week. Visitors may or may not be allowed, depends on the family, but most assuredly no overnight guests. Anyone I ever knew who rented a room had a house curfew for guests.

If I were sending my kids to school I'd jump at the chance for either of my boys to be in a loving family's home, with meals provided at the price you are offering.

ummm.....maybe when my daughter gets older and she chooses to go to college in canada i may look you up.....haha...

**peanut** · 02-11-2012, 01:59 PM

alotofgoodeals: I'm a tough homestay mom...no smoking, no drinking, no drugs, no boys, quiet time starts at 10 PM, you eat what I cook or fend for yourself...I tell ya, could be rough for a kid!

Shoiji: I hope you're right.

ETA: I finished another 6"x6" piece of rug hooking for sale.

**peanut** · 02-15-2012, 04:01 PM

Updates

Renovations: Drywall is up and mudded in the basement bath. Looking for leveling cement to fix the floor before tiling and installing the shower.

Selling Stuff: Went with my friend to drop off photos of things we want to sell at the sale this spring. The organizers wanted them. My friend mentioned we should have a business card with our names on it. I already have my own. And I have some leftover cardstock I can print some for her as well. Technically she could print her own, but her printer is tempermental at best.

I'm thinking I'd like to rent a Visa machine for the day too. I do not want to be taking personal cheques for my rugs. I don't know how to rent one of those machines, or get signed up for one...especially as I don't have a business license and this is just a 'hobby' right now...hmm... Anyone have any ideas?

Finished hooking a few more pieces since I last posted. I have 3 6x6" ocean scenes to sell and 2 8x10" pieces to sell - one modern textures one and one of a night sky over a garden. I am waiting for some linen backing to arrive to make some serious hot pads/trivets for the table.

**my4littlebuffaloes** · 02-15-2012, 05:17 PM

For the credit card machine. Do you or your friend have an iPad? I think you can get an attachment to make it so you can accept credit card payments. I have paid that way before at a home party and it was pretty slick. They emailed the receipt right then and there too.

**peanut** · 02-15-2012, 09:01 PM

Thanks, unfortunately no...neither of us has an iPad.

**peanut** · 02-16-2012, 05:57 PM

Made the business cards and they're sitting waiting for my friend.

Learned a new way to dye fabric today that will save on electricity and water. Instead of hours over the stove or in the oven, and copious amounts of water, my current rug hooking course teacher had us try washing machine dyeing this week! Talk about a blast! I was able to dye a large amount of material with yellow to make a variety of colours in just one medium sized load. I am sold!

Now to hook it up...

DH is leveling the concrete floor under the shower.