Bad Ross
2021.
2021.
2021.
2021.
2021.
This is year that…ROSS WILL MOVE INTO THE CROSS HOUSE!
After buying the house in 2014, I have not spent a night in it. Seven long long long and expensive years.
Seven years and not a night in the house. How insane is that?
All this will change though in 2021!!!!!!!
But (drum roll, please) what did Ross spend the first month of the year doing to get him into the house?
Sigh.
Nothing.
An entire month of 2021 gone by and NOTHING was accomplished to get ME into the house.
Now, I did a lot this month. And had a good time. Indeed, I had a great time, for I am sooooooooooo glad to be doing anything other than shingling. Even cleaning a toilet feels like a thrilling new adventure by comparison! Squee!
But…but…I am now scared. One month of twelve has been crossed off the Move In List and zip was accomplished.
Ross bad.
Monday is Month #2 of the Move In Year and I will profoundly refocus.
Each day thereafter I will focus only on projects which: willgetmeintothedamnhouseaftersevenlongand$$$$years.
As such, I am profoundly grief-stricken to announce the suspension of the ongoing Octagon Suite. I know! While my heart and soul have been captivated by this project it has nothing to do with getting me into the house.
In addition, today I was looking at the profoundly overpainted trim in the kitchen and thought: Wow! I’d love to restore at least some of this! How cool would that be?
But, this has nothing to do with getting me into the house.
Sigh.
Ross just wants to have fun.
But Ross won’t let him.
I do have some good news about Ross Moving In Accomplishments!
I have “handsome” Justin scheduled to repair all the flooring on the second floor, and refinish all the flooring. Crossing my fingers, he will begin after next week. I just installed a temporary 220 outlet on the second floor for his big equipment.
After much much much ado these past seven years I have finally selected a 60×60 shower pan for my bathroom! I plan to place the order this week. This is very much a required item on the MOVE IN LIST as it will allow me to take a shower in the house. And a clean Ross is a happy Ross. (Contractor Justin, upon being informed about a 60×60 shower pan, asked: “Why do you need such a big shower?” My reply: “It’s a big house.” Justin pondered for a moment, and nodded.)
Tearing myself away from the exciting Octagon Suite, I will refocus on restoring the Round Bedroom, which will be my office. This room needs to be 100% restored before I can move my desk and computer into it as there is nothing worse than trying to run a business out of a room pulled apart and caked with dust. This means the ceiling, walls, and flooring need to be done. I have no idea of what the decor will be but blue will be a color.
And Kenny’s settee.
.
The all-important cat fence was started…then abandoned in early 2020 due to pressing Heritage Grant work. The plan is to restart the fence in the spring after the rainy season but before the HEAT. Pray for Justin and I.
Speaking of heat, I lose heat due to massive holes in the second floor ceiling, and to even entire ceilings missing (like the Sewing Room). This will make it difficult to live in the house as a cold house = an unhappy Ross. So, for the next 11 months restoring ceilings on the second floor will be a priority. Even if, in some rooms, this just means covering over some ceilings with thick plastic.
Of course, holes in walls also = heat loss. So, every effort will be expended to close up holes in walls.
In short, this is what needs to be finished to GET ROSS INTO THE HOUSE:
- Fully restore Round Bedroom for use as an office.
- Shower!
- Finish cat fence.
- De-hole second-floor ceilings and walls.
This is not a terrifying list. As long as Ross focuses and does not wander off to, say, reinstall the lost dumb-waiter (sooooo tempting!).
Another essential aspect to GET ROSS INTO THE HOUSE, and something I have never previously mentioned, is moving my massive stock of lighting from its current location to the basement of the Cross House. This will be an overwhelming task. The plan is to, each day, fill my minivan with lights from their current location, drive the load to the big house, and place everything in basement. The timing of all this will be critical as, if too soon, I will sell lights that are no longer nearby, but are 20 miles away. That will be bad.
I am dreading this.
But…I dreaded moving my library from A to B, and this was somehow accomplished without too much damage to my soul.
So, Monday will be a new era of focus. Focus! Let us hope that Bad Ross will transform into Good Ross.
2026 Note: Ross is sill not living in the house. Yes, poo.
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Good luck, bad Ross. Good Ross has his mind made up and resistance is futile.
But Ross, besides your office, you will also need a functional place to sleep, prepare food and clean up (use the facilities). Some prioritizing needs to be done and I am sure you’re well aware of this.
Mark, the kitchen has been functional for several years now.
The Long Bedroom will be mine. It’s a mess, visually, but I just need a bed to use it. Importantly, it has heat and AC!
The former servant’s room in the SE corner will be my bathroom. It currently has a toilet. It will soon have a huge shower. Then a sink. So, the room will be functional this year, but it will not become pretty until later.
I’m excited. I have a truck that could help you with a move
Hurrah, Lindy!
Thank you, Lindy!
Good luck Ross! I’m sure you can get the important things done, maybe even a little more like what Mark mentioned about preparing food.
I am worrying about what and where you will eat, as well. This does not seem that important to you because although you have mentioned the kitchen, you have not mentioned making it habitable right now. Do you eat squirrel food like a good friend of mine prefers?
Yes, but only gluten-free squirrel food!
The kitchen is functional. There’s a sink, electric range, fridge, and lights.
It ain’t pretty, but I can use it.
Measurements… reading this I thought “What? 60×60? That’s one tiny shower! Wait… does he mean… inches?!? That’s a HUGE shower!” 😀
For those of you not familiar with metric units: 60×60 is pretty much 24″x24″, which is one cramped shower. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one that small!
Yes, Ragnar, inches!
Yes, HUGE!
I am of the shower without walls school. Put a drain in the bathroom floor, tile the walls to or near to the ceiling, and get a shower massage type head, the kind on a hose, so you can hit all of the vital parts. It is great to have the central floor drain when cleaning too. You can use the hose to clean the exterior of the other fixtures and dirt and mess can be washed down the floor drain. It allows me to shower and clean the bath at the same time, while giving me elbow room.
Stewart, my huge shower will not cost too much money.
Your shower ideal will cost a great deal of money!
You can do it Ross. Just Focus. One area at a time. Get there before noon each day. Stay until dinner time. Put a big piece of paper with your list on the wall so you will see it every time you walk by. Forget all other little things you want to do.
Good Ross, please let Bad Ross out once every week or two to do something nonessential that makes his heart happy. Best of luck with a smooth move.
Bad Ross seconds your motion!
It can be done. ☺ An agonizing Focus will speed the progress. 🌻
Only Ross would casually mention that he “just installed a temporary 220 outlet on the second floor” as if it were an everyday occurrence and no big deal at all!
Well, contractor Justin installed it.
But I directed!
Ross, regarding those holes in the walls and ceilings. I rather think you can do quite a few smaller tasks while plaster dries, no?
Oh, yes! The Cross House is an endless list of tasks!
You stated, “After buying the house in 2014, I have not spent a night in it. Seven long long long and expensive years.
Seven years and not a night in the house. How insane is that? All this will change though in 2021!!!!!!!
You could make a difference tonight. Order a new bed, with set of linens. Sleep in the house tonight. You might want a change of clothes, and I don’t know if you have a working fridge yet.
Wifi hookup and your laptop may be required for you too. You could even camp in the house with a sleeping bag. It will completely change your momentum. There is nothing better than being able to walk and see the spot when you are planning in your head.
I strongly believe that sleeping in the house will break a mental block, even if it is only for a night. The cats and everything else will work themselves out although you may want to bring one of the indoor cats to keep you company. You are already accustomed to driving between the Cross house and your current residence most days anyway.
I get so much pleasure out of just sitting and looking at each accomplishment at the end of the day.
Stewart, I currently have a very comfortable house.
In addition, my lighting business is at the same house.
Every night I work on my lights: preparing old fixture for shipping, restoring a light so I can photograph and list it for sale, answering the myriad questions emailed to me, and so on. Indeed, I’m most productive between 6PM and 2AM.
Most mornings I have to be up early (no matter that I went to bed at 2AM) so I can finish getting a sold fixture packed and on the porch for FedEx to pick up.
Also, cats DO NOT travel well. I’ve never had a cat which enjoyed car rides! That’s a doggie thing!
For Ross’ cats’ thinking: car ride = veterinary clinic. 😉
My past cats too! Saw an idea: leave cat carrier open and in sight; cat’s will eventually go in and feel non-threatened by it. Then take them for rides that don’t involve vet. May take the fear out. How many cats do you have – and names?
Laurie: this post by Ross might be of interest to you: When I Became, Officially, A Crazy Cat Person
October 18, 2018.
Hmm, I’ve been lucky with my cats. Most were not enamored with the carrier. One, I used to let into the back yard, all I had to do was open the car door, and she was in. She was raised in a school bus, which I drove during my college years. To say the least, she was very well socialized by all the kids and handling! Today, all I have to do is take the carrier out of the closet, open the door, and set it on the love seat, and Howie is in it. I have a wonderful vet, and they love him up, and he actually looks forward to it. He would sleep in the carrier if I left it out.
Howie does not have motion sickness, E.J., and based on your story, a great cat!
Agreed that Bad Ross should have 1 non-essential, frivolous, fun thing to do each week to assuage Good Ross’s guilt! I echo Linda Cade!
However, Good Ross needs focus….
Biggest priority is to seal 2nd floor ceilings & walls! Between now and your birthday is 2 weeks….
Sealed holes begin & patching/sealing process on a path by then!
Heating cost & $$$$ & losing $$$$ by having sections heated and lost heat thru holes….
Once those other items are accomplished …..then move into Cross House.
Lighting inventory in basement and office on 2nd floor? Does the dumbwaiter go down to basement & up to 2nd floor? Hahaha. I think I know answer to that…. That’s going to be a lot of steps back & forth…. & perhaps rethink inventory in basement? I suppose restoration in basement?
Oh well, you know what is needed for Good Ross to triumph!
You will move in 2021….& perhaps later in 2021?
Don’t put too much pressure on Good Ross! Bad Ross is not so very bad, just naughty 👿 sometimes—hahaha
As your “sister”, I was enjoying your updates on the Octagon room , wallpaper and upholstery choices,….and then your kitchen paint stripping questions arrived and I went a little nuts!!
I wanted to scream, ” Start plastering!! Get out of the kitchen!! Quit looking at wallpaper! ” I felt as if my “brother” Ross had developed ADD. Just running from thing to thing!! Where was his focus?? His drive?
And then I thought. Those damn shingles made him blow a fuse. They took the bounce out of Tigger.
So, I am glad to see you back on track, brother!
2021
2021…
2021!!!😘😁😃
Best advice I can give you: Finish completely one room at-a-time. It’s demoralizing to live in a mess, and have to make do. Years ago, I had a co-worker, an man in his early 30’s, with wife & 3 small kids, that were living in a house that couldn’t even receive the compliment of “fixer upper”. Every room was torn up. The kitchen had to be seen to be believed. His wife was on the cusp of divorcing him. He never had a moment to himself. He’d come home from his full-time day job, only to see the mess at home, and listen to the bitching of a very unhappy wife/mother, who is trying to keep 3 preschoolers clean & fed, and food on the table. It wrecked their marriage.
Get an internet connection & phone installed, and then move your stock. Perhaps it might be possible to add new stock at the Cross House, and leave old stock where it is, for a while? Know where things are, make lists!! Introduce yourself to delivery people, and to your local pack-and-ship places. Don’t make “wasted” trips with an empty car, always take something with you. Set up a place at the Cross House to do your photography studio stuff, before you move. Been in this place, did it all wrong, learned a lot about how not to do it, good luck!!
Loved your post “bad Ross”. Easy to get sidetracked. 🙂
first, my apologies Ross, please remove this comment from the previous post as it will confuse many:
4 cents worth:
1) complete the office stat.
2) Have a spring break slumber party. Cost of coming: large sheets of clear sturdy “drop sheets”, lots of cereal boxes cut into 2 inch squares and a staple gun with 1/2 staples. Must be willing to do what Ross needs to stop the gaping holes in all the rooms so cats cannot get into walls and so that heat/cool air stays where it is supposed to. If we are not willing to do exactly as he wants, stay home! Masks should be worn for both dust, dirt and virus protection (I am in the recovery stage, I know we do not want to pass this around, believe me, please). Ross, is there somewhere we can rent tall ladders as I am assuming these are high ceilings?
3) if some big strong folks come and time permits, split the crew and finish the cat enclosure at the same time.
4) after that: move in and have a great summer and be moved in long before the end of 2021!
How much have I missed and over simplified?
I have very little to add, except…Keep. Rather than go to the trouble of making the interminable lists on paper, use your phone. The “Keep” app is available for both operating systems, and it makes short work of lists, honey dos, urgent, the list is endless. You can also share your notes with others, coordinate all the things, and all in the mini computer you carry around with you. Best of all, it’s free. I’ve had it for three years now and it’s a permanent fixture on my phone.
Good and Bad are harsh labels. Why not be Aspirational Ross and Practical Ross? It seems somewhat kinder. Semantics aside, I have no doubt whatsoever that this time next year you will be ensconced in the cRoss house full time!
I like this Nancy, very positive thinking. Practical Ross can treat moving into Cross house like an historical grant deadline. Whenever Aspirational Ross thinks of projects, Practical Ross can judge if it gets him closer to moving into the house. Wish I was a neighbor. Would like to see the house up close and help. Aspirational Ross can keep ideas in the back of the mind of Practical Ross to dwell upon for the future.
I like this Nancy, very positive thinking. Practical Ross can treat moving into Cross house like an historical grant deadline. Whenever Aspirational Ross thinks of projects, Practical Ross can judge if it gets him closer to moving into the house. Wish I was a neighbor. Would like to see the house up close and help. Aspirational Ross can keep ideas in the back of the mind of Practical Ross to dwell upon for the future.