Wow, 4:45 is definitely early! I love hearing about Marilyn's coin collection--that woman's quarters are such a cool hobby!

Retro Bowl

U poor thing!!! plumbing issues - especially those involving sewage R th WORST!

I can walk U thru this Mel Ive installed at least 3 new sewer pumps myself because they burn out from storm pressure and continuous use ( and adjusted them bunches more ) - but $4000 including basement yuck water pump out sounds frankly like a bargain .

Buy Urself some high rubber boots ( and long sturdy rubber gloves of course ) from Tractor Supply and sweetly supervise IN THE BASEMENT in th water with them th whole time - trust m they appreciate it !

The perfect excuse is Ur helping ur plumbers by cleaning out the drains from clogging debris ... then the plumbers wont come 2 U , lie because they consider U inexperienced AND a woman and demand double th munny 2 finish d job .

Theyll respect U , like and recommend U and werk their little butts off trying to impress U instead ... and ( hopefully but probably not ) charge what they quoted .

If they charge U a little more - theyre trained 2 do that - jes pay it w an unnerstanin smile .. and congratulate urself that U got a huge bargain n quality job later !

U made enduring friendz too ... and thats invaluable when Ur in desperate need of experienced help ...

Make sure U try chemical root dissolvers ( not Home Depot household strength but from a professional plumbing supply ( like Blackman - overpriced but the guys will fall all over themselves to sincerely help n advise beautiful U ) before U commit to $20,000 ... thats a ridiculous price and the snake could very easily rupture ur rusted pipe four feet underground ... try what U can FIRST ... gently .

I cleaned out VERY overgrown roots from a giant tree fronting a 150 year old Brooklyn brownstone ( with never updated plumbing ) jes using professional chemicals .

My biker dude friend who belonged to the NYC plumbers union and made $250,000 a year ( and is a dead ringer for the hairy long haired sturdy actor in Harry Potter ( also a biker lol) quoted us $4500 some 15 yrs ago to replace all the buried cast iron 6 inch sewage pipe buried the length of the basement ( 55 feet ) to the curb ( another twenty feet - tying it in to the City system to give U an idea) .

PVC replacement pipe , pipe dope and cleaner n purple glue are super quick cheap and easy 2 work with ... again I can teach U ... the digging and tying in is the ( slightly ) harder part .

Thank God the root disolvers worked and we didnt need to dig up anything ( but the offending giant ancient curb tree) .

Here are pics of a similar sewage pipe replacement I personally planned , permitted and dug ( w day laborer help of course ) at my rental house in Asbury Park NJ again years ago .

Good morning !

Visited the apartment yesterday and the ( very expensive - $160 5 gallon can Behrs Ultra Pure White flat paint I usually use for ceilings and some walls 1) wasnt enough for two coats ) apartment has massive ceiling beams and super large rooms and 2) has had the pigment left out of it 2 make Behrs more profit I guess ... grrr

So all my tipping the painters n the super 2 supervise them wasnt effective ... had to spend almost a thousand $ more for three five gallon cans of " stain hiding " UPW one semi gloss for bathrooms n trim - rest flat for one room n all ceilings .

Hope its enough !

No lease as yet - THATS very frustrating too - the wire payment to the Guarantors which will release some of my savings cant be made via their chosen method because it requires 1 1/2 times the required amount to be in the account - and theyre still holding my munny ( paid 2 a different department were no longer using thank God ) hostage for ten business days ( which they never told me about till this morning ) means I have to run around buying and depositing certified checks when the banks open and praying no other snafus happen .

I know landlord is ( understandably ) getting very impatient w m !

Yesterday - chicken soup broth about one cup

greek salad w ff blue cheese dressing olives feta cheese and stuffed grape leaves

one quarter of a HUGE roast beef cheese n tomato panini

snack - red pepper hummus w pretzels

coffee n tea ff sf lattes w a very little booze ( naltrexone / buproprion is werking !

Jes cant wait 2 sit ( and sleep )on real FURNITURE - make my gardens ( fake grass , containers w climbing roses on trellises , rose trees , annuals gorgeous perennials like reblooming irises , tree amd regular peonies n spring bulbs ) .

Doesnt sound like it but it looks amazingly full and is self supporting in terms of water ( timers n leaky hose system) ( might switch over 2 more elegant n invisible emitters )

Outdoor tv and swing that converts 2 an outdoor bed ( and heater ! ) makes the private garden year round n complete .

Building has gym amenity and large landscaped roofspace w barbeques tables n cushioned lounges ... fun place 2 host and work ( has wifi ) and enjoy ...

Todays eating plan - perhaps a lunch buffet. Right now Im jes totally sick 2 my stomach w fear the lease will somehow fall thru ..

Yesterday was Gorgeous ... th day before th storm .

Fell asleep under a knitted comforter on a sunny porch jes enjoying life , the fresh air , my beautiful paid off home ... kvelling ... the trees r finally turning - th drive out here was beautiful.

Woke up one AM snow falling all around m - never felt so cold in my life !

Took m about an hour to even get 2 the roo and her heater.

This morning I plan 2 hire a guy to do what I hav no time to do - work like a dog ( they dont work .... that has 2 be ironic ) ... well work like Eva ideally .

He knows my property and thinks its amazing also hes an ex electrical engineer. If he can help m make her beautiful n desireable by May well both profit .

Bites of middle of d nite cold pizza - ff milk n coffee ****tail - lean smoked turkey n Canadian " Bacon" ( pork loin) sandwich . About 1/3 of a payday bar and a bite of chocolate covered English toffee.

Oh and some green mango w chili spice about 3 pieces.

After I speak w him and Jerky Boy about d dredge heading 2 d City for a view of the paint job and a well earned bath.

All this hell you are going through is going to make the victory of finally having your own apartment so much sweeter!

Prayers said, fingers crossed and good vibes sent for a good meeting tomorrow!