Home Repair
My dad's home clean up continues. Lots of stuff to get rid of. After his first inspection report, he decided to fix up as much of the things in the report himself. I try to explain to him that he shouldn't take inspection reports so seriously. It's all a part of the home sale process. It's an old house, and I think he takes it personally.
Started off with the vines growing on the side of the porch. My parents had hung wires across the screens to allow a grape vine to grow. I liked them there. Gave a little more natural privacy to the screened in porch. I felt bad ripping them all down, but evidently the town wouldn't issue a certificate of occupancy if they were still there.
Basement clean out continued as well. Got rid of a bunch of old ski trophies and other high school things. I haven't looked at any of this stuff in years, so it wasn't too hard throwing this stuff away. I still can't believe how much junk was in that house. My mom kept everything! My dad had a friend come by and take all the furniture out, except for his bedroom. It's definitely awkward seeing the house so empty now. My dad has decided to get the floors cleaned up, the walls spackled and painted, and the outside of the house powerwashed. I think it's needed and will definitely help sell the place, but at the same time it's awful seeing my dad so down, now that everything is gone.
Found these toy cars during the clean out. I just couldn't bring myself to get rid of them, so I took them back to my place.
Most of the plants are gone now, but we couldn't bring ourselves to throw away this 3 foot cactus. My mom always liked this cactus. It was a pain (literally) bringing this thing back to my apartment, but I like the memories it brings sitting next to my bookshelf.
Towards the end of the day, we came to all the Christmas stuff we had stored in the basement. My dad got really sad at the thought of throwing out all our Christmas ornaments and stockings that we would hang up in front of the fireplace. These obviously came back to my garage. I'll fly them out with me when I go to Colorado for Christmas this year and surprise him with them.
I told him we could go anywhere for dinner that he wanted, and this is what he chose. Rolling my eyes as we drove up, he told me him and mom used to come here a couple times a week for lunch. I guess he wanted something familiar. I wish I could make my dad feel better about this whole process, but I guess I just have to let the whole thing run its course. I try to get him to come into Hoboken during the week to get dinner. He must be having a rough time, because I think when he actually goes to a restaurant that I've picked and spends money, he enjoys himself instead of worrying about the final cost. Hopefully this home sale will be behind us after this summer, and he can try and relax out in Colorado.
Still got the birds to keep me company, and my dad enjoys saying hi to them whenever he's in town.