The Home Depot -- $72.20
This "little" shed removal project has turned into a huge out-of-control monster set on devouring my entire checkbook. We took out the shed. That left the foundation sticking out like a sore thumb. So we poured a new retaining wall. Now we're removing the foundation and the old cement walkway beside the shed/foundation. The project has taken on a life of it's own. I'm paying for the equipment rentals and paying the handyman an hourly wage. Eventually it will all be good because the shed will be gone, the side yard will be re-landscaped (though I really have no solid plans for what will be done, who will do it, or how I'll pay for it), and I will have learned a very valuable lesson about home-improvement projects -- don't start them until you've looked at every aspect of what will be involved, always work with a professional, and always have them provide a flat bid for the entire project at once.
Handyman -- $140.00
This covers today's work plus last Friday's efforts. Today I realized that this project is an excellent opportunity to apply the concept of "sweat equity" so all three teenagers and I went out and busted our humps shoveling and hauling cement debris away from the demolition site. It was hard work but made a huge difference as to the amount of work the handyman was able to achieve with the rented jackhammer. I figure if the kids and I can do a little more debris removal before next Friday and then be around to help again like we did today, I'll only have to pay for one more jackhammer rental session. I might have to pay for two days of handyman labor but that's okay -- it's really the equipment rentals that have really inflated the overall cost of the project.
Subway -- $23.41
I sent the newly licensed Daughter to Subway for sandwiches to feed the Handyman, The Daughter, The Son, and The Nephew.
Target -- $54.72
All but $2.58 (plus tax) of this amount was spent on a ridiculous amount of Easter candy and party favors for the goody bags that will be handed out to children at church this Sunday. This will by my children's first Easter at the church in an assisting and/or supervisory capacity rather than as participants. We'll have to run back tomorrow for a few extra colored bags because I learned tonight that we're expecting 12-16 children instead of the 9 or so I'd estimated. The non-Easter portion of the purchase covered a school portfolio and a sheet of stick-on letters The Daughter claimed to need for a school project.
Gap -- ($55.09)
Returned the three pair of shorts I bought last week for The Son. He ended up liking the Old Navy khaki shorts the best.
Shoe Store -- $48.63
Shoes for The Daughter. They are silly and ridiculous red and black open-toes high-heeled shoes and she loves them. They do, admittedly, look pretty cute with a strapless dress her Grannie bought for her last year. She wants to wear the dress to the high school dance coming up later this Spring. The Daughter's done fairly well the past two months with her clothing allowance -- actually building up a $223.29 credit. Intially she sent me a text (I was in line at Gap) with a photo and a note saying she'd found what she wanted for Easter. I told her to ask the Easter bunny. She replied that she was. I said, no, the real Easter bunny -- the one with long ears. She was thinking about whether to be indignant or disappointed when I reminded her of her monthly clothing allowance at which point she perked right up. When she got home from the store the first thing she did was put on the dress with the shoes and parade around the house. I gave her a hard time but her dad said they looked cute. I know when to give in 
Banana Republic -- $9.72
First, it's an outlet. Second, everything in the store is currently on sale for 40% off -- even clearance. I'd like to drag The Son down there before the sale ends on Sunday but it probably won't happen. Nevertheless, I did manage to find him a classic (boxy) fit plain black t-shirt that he needs as part of his baseball uniform. Each player receives a jersey but they are vests and the boys each need to provide their own black undershirts. The Son really needs a black long sleeve tee and, ideally, a black turtleneck since the games will start in April and the weather will be very unpredictable for at least the first month, if not longer. I can't find any long-sleeved tees much less turtlenecks. And since The Son is so picky about his clothes and since I insist on cotton, we may have to consider ourselves lucky to have found the short sleeve tee and call it good. The only thing better than finding exactly what you're looking for is finding it on sale for 40% off.
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Day 202: Jackhammer, Handyman, Easter, and a Plain Black Tee
The Home Depot -- $72.20
This "little" shed removal project has turned into a huge out-of-control monster set on devouring my entire checkbook. We took out the shed. That left the foundation sticking out like a sore thumb. So we poured a new retaining wall. Now we're removing the foundation and the old cement walkway beside the shed/foundation. The project has taken on a life of it's own. I'm paying for the equipment rentals and paying the handyman an hourly wage. Eventually it will all be good because the shed will be gone, the side yard will be re-landscaped (though I really have no solid plans for what will be done, who will do it, or how I'll pay for it), and I will have learned a very valuable lesson about home-improvement projects -- don't start them until you've looked at every aspect of what will be involved, always work with a professional, and always have them provide a flat bid for the entire project at once.
Handyman -- $140.00
This covers today's work plus last Friday's efforts. Today I realized that this project is an excellent opportunity to apply the concept of "sweat equity" so all three teenagers and I went out and busted our humps shoveling and hauling cement debris away from the demolition site. It was hard work but made a huge difference as to the amount of work the handyman was able to achieve with the rented jackhammer. I figure if the kids and I can do a little more debris removal before next Friday and then be around to help again like we did today, I'll only have to pay for one more jackhammer rental session. I might have to pay for two days of handyman labor but that's okay -- it's really the equipment rentals that have really inflated the overall cost of the project.
Subway -- $23.41
I sent the newly licensed Daughter to Subway for sandwiches to feed the Handyman, The Daughter, The Son, and The Nephew.
Target -- $54.72
All but $2.58 (plus tax) of this amount was spent on a ridiculous amount of Easter candy and party favors for the goody bags that will be handed out to children at church this Sunday. This will by my children's first Easter at the church in an assisting and/or supervisory capacity rather than as participants. We'll have to run back tomorrow for a few extra colored bags because I learned tonight that we're expecting 12-16 children instead of the 9 or so I'd estimated. The non-Easter portion of the purchase covered a school portfolio and a sheet of stick-on letters The Daughter claimed to need for a school project.
Gap -- ($55.09)
Returned the three pair of shorts I bought last week for The Son. He ended up liking the Old Navy khaki shorts the best.
Shoe Store -- $48.63
Shoes for The Daughter. They are silly and ridiculous red and black open-toes high-heeled shoes and she loves them. They do, admittedly, look pretty cute with a strapless dress her Grannie bought for her last year. She wants to wear the dress to the high school dance coming up later this Spring. The Daughter's done fairly well the past two months with her clothing allowance -- actually building up a $223.29 credit. Intially she sent me a text (I was in line at Gap) with a photo and a note saying she'd found what she wanted for Easter. I told her to ask the Easter bunny. She replied that she was. I said, no, the real Easter bunny -- the one with long ears. She was thinking about whether to be indignant or disappointed when I reminded her of her monthly clothing allowance at which point she perked right up. When she got home from the store the first thing she did was put on the dress with the shoes and parade around the house. I gave her a hard time but her dad said they looked cute. I know when to give in
Banana Republic -- $9.72
First, it's an outlet. Second, everything in the store is currently on sale for 40% off -- even clearance. I'd like to drag The Son down there before the sale ends on Sunday but it probably won't happen. Nevertheless, I did manage to find him a classic (boxy) fit plain black t-shirt that he needs as part of his baseball uniform. Each player receives a jersey but they are vests and the boys each need to provide their own black undershirts. The Son really needs a black long sleeve tee and, ideally, a black turtleneck since the games will start in April and the weather will be very unpredictable for at least the first month, if not longer. I can't find any long-sleeved tees much less turtlenecks. And since The Son is so picky about his clothes and since I insist on cotton, we may have to consider ourselves lucky to have found the short sleeve tee and call it good. The only thing better than finding exactly what you're looking for is finding it on sale for 40% off.
Related posts: