We are looking for a pet sitter on Dec 26th and Dec 27th. You would only need to come in on the afternoon/evening of the 26th and then twice on the 27th.
The lucky volunteer might receive goodies from Trader Joes in Pgh!
Janelle's Journal
My Podcast Link
12/16/2008 09:38 #47079
Pet Sitting12/09/2008 11:02 #47005
Illinois PoliticsAs happy as I am that the governor of Illinois is finally getting his comeuppance, I hope that this is just one more stepping stone to taking down the dynasty of Chicago and upstate politics known as the Daley family which has worked every which way to screw over downstate Illinois.
Go downstate!
Go downstate!
jim - 12/09/08 14:37
I'd take that bet... of course, we won't know for 4 or 8 years.
I'd take that bet... of course, we won't know for 4 or 8 years.
jason - 12/09/08 14:33
Eh, seeing as Obama comes from the Chicago cess pool he may be more likely to pardon the guy. I'd bet a fiver on it.
Eh, seeing as Obama comes from the Chicago cess pool he may be more likely to pardon the guy. I'd bet a fiver on it.
janelle - 12/09/08 13:08
A US attorney that was appointed under his administration, I mean.
A US attorney that was appointed under his administration, I mean.
janelle - 12/09/08 13:06
No *angry face* It would not be hilarious. Downstate Illinois makes a spitting gesture towards you.
Well, maybe a little funny if Bush pardoned a man who was investigated and prosecuted by a US Attorney that he appointed.
No *angry face* It would not be hilarious. Downstate Illinois makes a spitting gesture towards you.
Well, maybe a little funny if Bush pardoned a man who was investigated and prosecuted by a US Attorney that he appointed.
james - 12/09/08 13:01
It would be hilarious if President Bush pardoned him. Just because, you know, he can.
It would be hilarious if President Bush pardoned him. Just because, you know, he can.
12/04/2008 20:02 #46960
The PlumberWe had a fixture in our bathtub break off. It is the fixture that controls the plug to make the tub drain or retain water. It was beyond our ability to repair, sadly. After a couple of months of a do-it-yourself fix using a wire coat hanger (hat tip to Drew on that one), we finally called a plumber.
We got charged a lot of money for the plumber to put two holes in our wall. Whatever homeowner put the plumbing in must have been awfully optimistic that there would never be a plumbing problem, because they didn't put in an access door to the plumbing. I guess they won, because we're the ones stuck with the problem.
Apparently, putting holes in the wall was a hit or miss kind of thing because here's hole #1 leading to nothing:
And here's hole #2 which led to what he needed:
And here's the two fixtures that he replaced in the bathtub I now need to clean:
Apparently the large sum he charged us didn't include putting a door on or replacing the plaster or tidying up a bit in the bathroom. So, we'll be doing those fun little projects ourselves.
We got charged a lot of money for the plumber to put two holes in our wall. Whatever homeowner put the plumbing in must have been awfully optimistic that there would never be a plumbing problem, because they didn't put in an access door to the plumbing. I guess they won, because we're the ones stuck with the problem.
Apparently, putting holes in the wall was a hit or miss kind of thing because here's hole #1 leading to nothing:
And here's hole #2 which led to what he needed:
And here's the two fixtures that he replaced in the bathtub I now need to clean:
Apparently the large sum he charged us didn't include putting a door on or replacing the plaster or tidying up a bit in the bathroom. So, we'll be doing those fun little projects ourselves.
gardenmama - 12/04/08 23:54
Definitely use the pix you took to go with your other stuff if you challenge your assessment - bathrooms are expensive.
Definitely use the pix you took to go with your other stuff if you challenge your assessment - bathrooms are expensive.
paul - 12/04/08 22:20
I really don't understand of how it can be hit or miss. Is it not measurable where the bathtub is? Its not like the bathtub pipes could be anywhere but behind the bathtub.
I really don't understand of how it can be hit or miss. Is it not measurable where the bathtub is? Its not like the bathtub pipes could be anywhere but behind the bathtub.
janelle - 12/04/08 22:06
To be fair, what he quoted us is the same as someone else quoted us. So it's the going rate it seems. And I suppose he's a plumber not a contractor. It just didn't occur to me that we would have to repair the wall.
To be fair, what he quoted us is the same as someone else quoted us. So it's the going rate it seems. And I suppose he's a plumber not a contractor. It just didn't occur to me that we would have to repair the wall.
paul - 12/04/08 21:44
Why don't you say their name. SOunds crappy.
Why don't you say their name. SOunds crappy.
james - 12/04/08 20:39
If you assess your home the way the city of Buffalo does that should drop your value by at least 20k
If you assess your home the way the city of Buffalo does that should drop your value by at least 20k
12/03/2008 15:19 #46937
House AssessmentsAny of you fellow homeowners receive the new assessed value of your home? Any of you have experience in challenging increases in your assessment before? Any assistance would be appreciated.
I have the basic forms and information on how to do it. But I'm looking to see how others have approached their argument for a decrease in the assessment. So far, I'm not sure we have grounds to challenge it on the basis of current real estate prices. Maybe I can only challenge it on the basis that the house needs a lot of updating. We have an outdated electrical system, a roof in need or repair, etc....
I just can't believe that our house would increase in value by $15,000 in 20 months, a little less than two years.
I have the basic forms and information on how to do it. But I'm looking to see how others have approached their argument for a decrease in the assessment. So far, I'm not sure we have grounds to challenge it on the basis of current real estate prices. Maybe I can only challenge it on the basis that the house needs a lot of updating. We have an outdated electrical system, a roof in need or repair, etc....
I just can't believe that our house would increase in value by $15,000 in 20 months, a little less than two years.
heidi - 12/03/08 21:36
new paint jobs make a big difference.
new paint jobs make a big difference.
gardenmama - 12/03/08 19:25
You can take pictures if you have older electric - like fuses instead of breakers, also, if you need work in the bathroom, if the basement leaks, if you have an older furnace/water heater, etc. There are other things you can compare also - do you have no garage/driveway when maybe others do; or is yours a one-car when others have a two-car? Older windows? Yard size... You just updated the kitchen so you don’t want them to see that. You might want to be a little careful about the roof business because you don't want the city to send out the inspectors who will then cite you for a roof in disrepair, which then might require you to get it fixed sooner than you had planned. They would expect you to compare prices to other houses that are comparable in size that have sold on your street or very nearby. If you don’t do any price comparison they will assume their assessment is on target. You could also hire someone to do an independent assessment but it usually costs around $250 and, therefore, might not be worth it in the short run but perhaps could be over time.
You can take pictures if you have older electric - like fuses instead of breakers, also, if you need work in the bathroom, if the basement leaks, if you have an older furnace/water heater, etc. There are other things you can compare also - do you have no garage/driveway when maybe others do; or is yours a one-car when others have a two-car? Older windows? Yard size... You just updated the kitchen so you don’t want them to see that. You might want to be a little careful about the roof business because you don't want the city to send out the inspectors who will then cite you for a roof in disrepair, which then might require you to get it fixed sooner than you had planned. They would expect you to compare prices to other houses that are comparable in size that have sold on your street or very nearby. If you don’t do any price comparison they will assume their assessment is on target. You could also hire someone to do an independent assessment but it usually costs around $250 and, therefore, might not be worth it in the short run but perhaps could be over time.
james - 12/03/08 19:06
For some reason the city of Buffalo has skyrocketing home values when they assess it.
For some reason the city of Buffalo has skyrocketing home values when they assess it.
matthew - 12/03/08 15:50
Ours went up $50,000! Check out (e:pmrk)'s journal.
We might be sending a letter as well, if we do I'll let you know our details. I think the cut off date for filing a complaint is December 31st.
Ours went up $50,000! Check out (e:pmrk)'s journal.
We might be sending a letter as well, if we do I'll let you know our details. I think the cut off date for filing a complaint is December 31st.
jenks - 12/03/08 15:43
See two posts down in the recent posts list. ;)
See two posts down in the recent posts list. ;)
11/29/2008 10:17 #46881
HomeI enjoyed my drive to Illinois.
I spent time over beer with my good high school friends.
I've had my Steak n Shake fix.
I'm gonna go to Avantis to grab some food for the drive home.
I had fun with my family, but I also endured my family.
And now I'm ready to go home to Buffalo.
I spent time over beer with my good high school friends.
I've had my Steak n Shake fix.
I'm gonna go to Avantis to grab some food for the drive home.
I had fun with my family, but I also endured my family.
And now I'm ready to go home to Buffalo.
james - 11/29/08 16:57
"I had fun with my family, but I also endured my family.
And now I'm ready to go home to Buffalo."
amen.
"I had fun with my family, but I also endured my family.
And now I'm ready to go home to Buffalo."
amen.
That could might be us, I just gotta check our schedule
Said person might also check in on cats. I don't think the cats would do well in another home--do you?
Update. We only need somebody to feed cats--I found somebody who wants Buck to live with them for a few days.
Jim, we should hit Trader Joe's while we are visiting my folks.
James and I are out of town...