Day 36/100 Possibilities

[Carolyn Campbell]

This photo pretty much sums up the past three weeks. It's been grey, raining, icy, sleet, snow, and humdrum.

Update: Landlord is still being well ... him. I guess my feelings are related to disappointment that I have been accomodating, compromising and supportive - yet when it comes down to the wire - it is not being returned. So, when I finally accepted that he is a liar, and has never had any intentions of making things right here, I decided that I will move out and take him to the RTB (our form of landlord/tenant dispute resolution). I lost a lot of money being ill, and as by all accounts it was because of this home (doctor, building inspector, friends who have experienced similar problems with their homes - and who immediately repaired problems, especiall when it involved their tenants.)

I was pretty stressed out as rentals are hard to come by at the best of times, and often are out of my price range at least. But! As the saying goes, it's often not what you know but who you know! I rang a friend who owns a duplex - which just happened to come up for rent a couple of days before I rang her! So she had a chat with hubby and it was available and Yes I could move in immediately if I wanted it! ....

I went by to take a look at it, as I had a feeling that since there had been a group of young men, including at one time her son, it would need to be cleaned and possibly repaired. And yep, definitely needs serious cleaning and repairs in the house. So I had to have a think on it, as I am leaving one sick house and would I be doing the same thing by moving to the duplex?

This past weekend pushed my decision forward - the landlord was here, but didn't bother to come and talk to me - yet he had construction work going on in the suite next door (the source of all the trouble with the former owner/neighbour). I thought "well isn't that special! You won't do the repairs you promised nor fix the newer problems that are making me sick - but you will fix next door?".

My friend who owns the duplex, who has been a landlord for many years, said go ahead - clean it up, repair what needs to repaired, clean the carpet (if it is just awful, have it replaced and send me the bill). All of which is to be deducted from the rent. This is how she has been with every tenant she's ever had and she only has ever had to evict one person in 29 years of renting. (An inherited tenant when she bought the house who was having trouble accepting that there was a new sherrif in town and she had the right to bump the rent up 25.00).

So from one extreme to the other! She wants a long term happy tenant.

Which was the plan here, but ... I have no idea what happened and why he just all of a sudden started being a *#$*@Y%& ! Honestly - I just have no idea. But, you know as I write this, it's been like being with an abusive partner. Promising but never delivering, lying and forgetting what lies they've told, changing agreements or denying outrightly they ever agreed to whatever, and then suddenly becoming nasty and refusing to communicate as if you've got the plague all of a sudden, when you say enough is enough ,and make it clear you're not going to accept that behavior from them anymore. No longer wanting to play their game, confuses them - so they try again, and when they finally realise that you are serious, and it's over as they've known it - you become the enemy. :)

And yes, one could say let it go, however bad landlords are a pet peeve of mine. They give good landlords a bad rap, as do bad tenants. All the legislation and time consuming disputes are because of bad landlords/tenants. That our behavior has to be legislated never ceases to boggle my mind, yet people are always crying - too much government interference! HAHAHAHA. Can't have it both ways. I have had generally exceptional landlords, and have been treated with respect as a tenant. So when something like this happens, you just feel sick inside. This landlord's behavior affected both my personal and professional worlds.

On a happier and more positive note!

My friends are here for a few days, and are going to help me move the big furniture, and I can move all the little stuff over the next few days.

Other than that, didn't have a Christmas - due to weather, it was postponed til New Year's and due to weather and illness, it just didn't happen. So I spent the day in bed, watching movies and sleeping.

Really great friends gave me breathing space re a loan I have with them, my mother lent me the money to buy the snow tires I have so urgently needed to get and had planned to get but then got sick and couldn't afford them, (which is one of the effects of this sick house), and had a nice New Year's Eve with friends watching movies after a gorgeous salmon dinner where I didn't have to lift a finger!

Work is fine, slow. Health - am looking forward to getting out of this house which I think just psychologically will make me feel better. Money - tight/non existant.

And there you have it. Life one day at a time.

Thoughts and prayers to those of you who are experiencing some type of health challenges currently - wether it be you or your family or a close friend or child. WIth the death of John Travolta's son, it brought back memories of being with other friends of mine, who have lost children as well, including my mother-in-law when my husband died. It is a loss like no other.

My good wishes to all of you that have been experiencing frustration and challenges lately. Stay strong, watch lots of movies!, stick to positive uplifting people, be true to yourself no matter what!, and keep the faith brothas and sistas.

Lots of love oxoxoxo
Carolyn and Baxter

[Maggie]

thinking of you a lot lately- I hope the new living situation works out beautifully, and you can begin to heal physically AND emotionally! All the best in the new year. I also hope you get a little SUN sometime soon!!