ce à quoi vous avez échappé
(What you escaped)
They're going to let us know when it's safe to return.
Showing posts with label house. Show all posts
Showing posts with label house. Show all posts
Monday, 12 April 2010
Saturday, 20 February 2010
Nick does stuff, too
He's been laying the floor in the workshop machine room and taking down the ceiling to make a sturdy floor for the living room above.
Sunday, 31 May 2009
You Know Who Your Friends Are - 1
Here are the pictures from Cleaning Day. Cast of characters:
Meanwhile, the baby birds are no more. Our cats escaped. Mother Nature is red in tooth and claw.
- Anne - English, cleaning queen
- Michael - her husband, English, retired (!) plumbing & heating contractor
- Polo - Chilean, baker, husband of
- Nadine - French. It is their house that we've been helping to build.
- Laurence - Belgian (French), she only spills paint on herself
- Marie - French. She and her doctor husband lived in Old School before us.
- Mireille - French. It was fruit from her trees that we used to sell by the roadside
Meanwhile, the baby birds are no more. Our cats escaped. Mother Nature is red in tooth and claw.
Wednesday, 13 May 2009
Dear Diary
Mon., 11 May
At last, we signed for the house. The sellers were there, brushed and sober for the occasion. The notaire was happy because she has been trying to sort out the property and inheritance mess since 2003.
Nick had his sonagram and I had my CT Scan. Tumours are growing, again, and there is a new little one on the peritoneum or something. I'm not good at interpreting the results, but will see the oncologist on Friday. Chemo will probably be commencing soon.
Tues., 12 May
Cleaned and painted. We had a crew of 5 in the morning and one of 6 in the evening. We finally got home around 10. You really know who your friends are when you're moving.
Found a bird nest in a niche in the wall of the courtyard with little ones. Got some neat pictures, but have to wait for Polo to get them to me. I forgot to charge the battery in mine.
Wed., 13 May
Moved stuff. And moved stuff. And moved stuff. And didn't finish, so we continue tomorrow. And clean the apartment and move to the new house tomorrow night.
We have a lot of things to do on Friday, so I didn't feel it was fair to dump the animals in the new house and go off shopping and doctoring. We'll all sleep there tomorrow and the may have hope that we'll return. Bad enough they've all been alone all day all week.
Cats are now locked in. I hope that haven't forgotten what litter trays are for.
We have had no phone since this morning, but, oddly, we still have the internet. Think I will post this before we lose it.
At last, we signed for the house. The sellers were there, brushed and sober for the occasion. The notaire was happy because she has been trying to sort out the property and inheritance mess since 2003.
Nick had his sonagram and I had my CT Scan. Tumours are growing, again, and there is a new little one on the peritoneum or something. I'm not good at interpreting the results, but will see the oncologist on Friday. Chemo will probably be commencing soon.
Tues., 12 May
Cleaned and painted. We had a crew of 5 in the morning and one of 6 in the evening. We finally got home around 10. You really know who your friends are when you're moving.
Found a bird nest in a niche in the wall of the courtyard with little ones. Got some neat pictures, but have to wait for Polo to get them to me. I forgot to charge the battery in mine.
Wed., 13 May
Moved stuff. And moved stuff. And moved stuff. And didn't finish, so we continue tomorrow. And clean the apartment and move to the new house tomorrow night.
We have a lot of things to do on Friday, so I didn't feel it was fair to dump the animals in the new house and go off shopping and doctoring. We'll all sleep there tomorrow and the may have hope that we'll return. Bad enough they've all been alone all day all week.
Cats are now locked in. I hope that haven't forgotten what litter trays are for.
We have had no phone since this morning, but, oddly, we still have the internet. Think I will post this before we lose it.
Thursday, 30 April 2009
Squatters
First of all, my GP explained the chemo thing to me. Chemo is hard on your system, to put it mildly. It damages more than the cancer cells. So, if the cancer is inactive, they prefer not to give you chemo.
As to exactly what is left beside the two main tumours, she said to come in after my next scan and we'd go over it.
I like my GP and feel kind of bad that we are leaving her because WE ARE MOVING!
We still don't know what the hearing was about, but . . . let me back up: Inheritance law in France is unique. Napolean wanted to break the tradition of the aristocracy and the landed gentry leaving everything to the eldest son (primogeniture; it's what makes those vast estates in England to this day), so now the law is this: Your spouse is entitled to 1/4 of all your property and has the right to live in your house for the duration. Your parents and your children are entitled to equal shares. It's more complicated than that, but that will do for discussion.
So, consider. A couple die and they had 7 children. The property is divided equally among the 7. Some have died, though, and their shares devolve equally on their children. You now have many, many heirs who are scattered to the four winds, some of whom don't talk to each other. None of them want the damned house, anyway.
You come along as a buyer. The heirs, including those who have been lost for thirty years and must be traced, have to agree a price and the division of spoils. Need I say more?
Back to the present, we are dealing with an uncle and his nephew, who appear to be acting on behalf of the rest of the family. Both have their own notaires -- do you get a feeling of family harmony here? -- and both notaires have hired their own liquidateur-judicière. The l-js are dealing with the debt (back taxes and mortgages) and the judge.
One of the l-js, probably, asked for the most recent hearing before the judge. The judge ruled favourably and the release was sent by one of the l-js to our notaire. But not the other. ("He agrees, he agrees," say our notaire and estate agent, "The paper is only a formality." A formality, without which, we cannot sign the contract.
Earlier this week, I called our notaire and the estate agent and said that the following day was the last day we could cancel the contract, so I was going to. We couldn't take the chance that everything would be postponed indefinitely. Cutting to the result:
We have a letter from the uncle and his nephew saying that we can move in as of Wednesday of this week. And that, if the signing date gets postponed for whatever reason, we are still the buyers and we get the house.
And the second l-j has sent through the paperwork.
So we're moving. Over the next two weeks.
Whew!
As to exactly what is left beside the two main tumours, she said to come in after my next scan and we'd go over it.
I like my GP and feel kind of bad that we are leaving her because WE ARE MOVING!
We still don't know what the hearing was about, but . . . let me back up: Inheritance law in France is unique. Napolean wanted to break the tradition of the aristocracy and the landed gentry leaving everything to the eldest son (primogeniture; it's what makes those vast estates in England to this day), so now the law is this: Your spouse is entitled to 1/4 of all your property and has the right to live in your house for the duration. Your parents and your children are entitled to equal shares. It's more complicated than that, but that will do for discussion.
So, consider. A couple die and they had 7 children. The property is divided equally among the 7. Some have died, though, and their shares devolve equally on their children. You now have many, many heirs who are scattered to the four winds, some of whom don't talk to each other. None of them want the damned house, anyway.
You come along as a buyer. The heirs, including those who have been lost for thirty years and must be traced, have to agree a price and the division of spoils. Need I say more?
Back to the present, we are dealing with an uncle and his nephew, who appear to be acting on behalf of the rest of the family. Both have their own notaires -- do you get a feeling of family harmony here? -- and both notaires have hired their own liquidateur-judicière. The l-js are dealing with the debt (back taxes and mortgages) and the judge.
One of the l-js, probably, asked for the most recent hearing before the judge. The judge ruled favourably and the release was sent by one of the l-js to our notaire. But not the other. ("He agrees, he agrees," say our notaire and estate agent, "The paper is only a formality." A formality, without which, we cannot sign the contract.
Earlier this week, I called our notaire and the estate agent and said that the following day was the last day we could cancel the contract, so I was going to. We couldn't take the chance that everything would be postponed indefinitely. Cutting to the result:
We have a letter from the uncle and his nephew saying that we can move in as of Wednesday of this week. And that, if the signing date gets postponed for whatever reason, we are still the buyers and we get the house.
And the second l-j has sent through the paperwork.
So we're moving. Over the next two weeks.
Whew!
Monday, 20 April 2009
House
Terry Kidder wrote a book called House. I recommend it. I think I'll be able to write my own soon. Mine will be about buying, instead of building. Buying from drunks. (Word gets around in small places.)
You will recall that, back in February, the owners of our prospective demeure, finally sobered up enough to send the papers required by the juge d'instruction, so that the house could be cleared for sale. And the judge ruled. And sent papers to us. The house could be sold and the sale was to be completed within three months. Deadline: May 10.
Still trying to get an actual date for signing, I telephoned the notaire a couple of weeks ago. There seemed to be a holdup; the judge wants to hold another hearing. None of the notaires and lawyers involved know what the problem is, but they suspect it's about the succession. The current owners inherited the house, along with its debts, and succession is complicated in France. Maybe the judge just found out it's complicated.
The hearing was set for May 6. This is the same judge that set the sale deadline for May 10. It took a week for said notaires and lawyers to get in touch with the judge (the judiciary in France is so independent, it doesn't have to talk to anyone), but they did succeed in getting the hearing re-set to April 27.
If the outcome of the hearing (whatever it is about) is favourable, the judge will then send more papers. If the papers arrive by May 1 (they won't; it's a public holiday), we should be set to sign on the 11th.
If the outcome of the hearing (whatever it is about) is favourable, the owners have said we can move our furniture in at the beginning of May. But not us. They have a house we can rent, though. Excuse me, while I go clear the steam from my ears.
If the outcome is not favourable, I don't want to think about it.
You will recall that, back in February, the owners of our prospective demeure, finally sobered up enough to send the papers required by the juge d'instruction, so that the house could be cleared for sale. And the judge ruled. And sent papers to us. The house could be sold and the sale was to be completed within three months. Deadline: May 10.
Still trying to get an actual date for signing, I telephoned the notaire a couple of weeks ago. There seemed to be a holdup; the judge wants to hold another hearing. None of the notaires and lawyers involved know what the problem is, but they suspect it's about the succession. The current owners inherited the house, along with its debts, and succession is complicated in France. Maybe the judge just found out it's complicated.
The hearing was set for May 6. This is the same judge that set the sale deadline for May 10. It took a week for said notaires and lawyers to get in touch with the judge (the judiciary in France is so independent, it doesn't have to talk to anyone), but they did succeed in getting the hearing re-set to April 27.
If the outcome of the hearing (whatever it is about) is favourable, the judge will then send more papers. If the papers arrive by May 1 (they won't; it's a public holiday), we should be set to sign on the 11th.
If the outcome of the hearing (whatever it is about) is favourable, the owners have said we can move our furniture in at the beginning of May. But not us. They have a house we can rent, though. Excuse me, while I go clear the steam from my ears.
If the outcome is not favourable, I don't want to think about it.
Sunday, 8 March 2009
House Pictures
Silly me; should have posted a link. Here is my Picasa album. I'll be keeping it up to date with before and after pictures. After will be a long time a-comin'.
Tuesday, 3 March 2009
No News is House News
What can I say? I'm feeling better, more active, waiting for appointments with cardiologist for ECG and anaesthesiologist pre-op.
Shall I talk about the house?
We've made another visit to sort out measurements. We're still unable to decide where to put another staircase or how to replace the current one, so that people don't have to enter the living room via the workshop or the kitchen.
Should visitors have to ring, be buzzed in through the gate, walk through the court, up and around to the back where the living room will be? Outside? The buzzing and the stairs -- inside or out -- are unavoidable, whatever the final decision.
Still haven't decided where the bathroom should be, , either, although we ordered the sink I've been looking at for a year. I was afraid they wouldn't have it any longer by the time we're ready.
The bathroom-in-a-wine-vat will be in full use while we're "camping." The toilet and sink are O.K., but the previous owners' solution to a shower was to put in a square shower pan and hang plastic currents all around it. Needless to say, the pan, itself, is disgusting, and what it has done to the wall doesn't bear looking at. So, first, we'll be tiling the wall and building in a new shower before moving in. Fortunately, in my years outside the States, I've gone from Jewish American Princess to Tiling Queen. Is that a promotion?
Our friends, Polo and Nadine, have not only decorated their walls beautifully, but Nadine tiled the shower in a pattern that would never have occurred to me. I told her that's why we have so many books: I have no imagination. I've just ordered three more: tiling decoration, kitchens, and lighting.
I've found a kitchen manufacturer that looks good and reasonably priced (I hope). I've had a terrible time trying to make a layout with all the little cutouts they gave me. It's easier now, though, since Nick realised he made the drawing at half the scale it should have been. I suppose it's his way of checking to see if my brain is still functioning. Answer: no.
Shall I talk about the house?
We've made another visit to sort out measurements. We're still unable to decide where to put another staircase or how to replace the current one, so that people don't have to enter the living room via the workshop or the kitchen.
Should visitors have to ring, be buzzed in through the gate, walk through the court, up and around to the back where the living room will be? Outside? The buzzing and the stairs -- inside or out -- are unavoidable, whatever the final decision.
Still haven't decided where the bathroom should be, , either, although we ordered the sink I've been looking at for a year. I was afraid they wouldn't have it any longer by the time we're ready.
The bathroom-in-a-wine-vat will be in full use while we're "camping." The toilet and sink are O.K., but the previous owners' solution to a shower was to put in a square shower pan and hang plastic currents all around it. Needless to say, the pan, itself, is disgusting, and what it has done to the wall doesn't bear looking at. So, first, we'll be tiling the wall and building in a new shower before moving in. Fortunately, in my years outside the States, I've gone from Jewish American Princess to Tiling Queen. Is that a promotion?
Our friends, Polo and Nadine, have not only decorated their walls beautifully, but Nadine tiled the shower in a pattern that would never have occurred to me. I told her that's why we have so many books: I have no imagination. I've just ordered three more: tiling decoration, kitchens, and lighting.
I've found a kitchen manufacturer that looks good and reasonably priced (I hope). I've had a terrible time trying to make a layout with all the little cutouts they gave me. It's easier now, though, since Nick realised he made the drawing at half the scale it should have been. I suppose it's his way of checking to see if my brain is still functioning. Answer: no.
Saturday, 14 February 2009
What I Am Doing -- Or Not
Nick has reminded me that, no matter how the scan goes on the 18th, I won't be going into the hospital until early March. Thirty days are required between chemo and surgery.
O.K., I am forced to accept the fact that with each chemo treatment, I get knocked back further, take longer to recover, and don't achieve the previous level of energy. Sigh.
I was going to try skiing with Polo and Nadine and family yesterday at a little, local ski station until our friend Patrick reminded me that I'd just be tired and hurt myself. Duh! (Ski injuries are rampant when people are tired at the end of the day and insist on just one more run.) Next year.
However, the Chows and I are still helping with Polo's and Nadine's house.
O.K., I am forced to accept the fact that with each chemo treatment, I get knocked back further, take longer to recover, and don't achieve the previous level of energy. Sigh.
I was going to try skiing with Polo and Nadine and family yesterday at a little, local ski station until our friend Patrick reminded me that I'd just be tired and hurt myself. Duh! (Ski injuries are rampant when people are tired at the end of the day and insist on just one more run.) Next year.
However, the Chows and I are still helping with Polo's and Nadine's house.
Tuesday, 10 February 2009
House and Home News
Bad News: Home, first. Chemo is very wearing. It annoys me to be getting more tired all the time. Weakling! So, I haven't been posting much. Yesterday, I had a little upchuck episode, so now, in addition to not being able to look at ham because they always serve it at the The ham they serve at the hospital is excellent and it's not like I'm sick when I go. Must be something deep, deep down that makes a bad association.
Good News: If no one objects within 10 days, we have a house! I can't imagine who would object. We're going to sign the compromis on Thursday -- that's the down payment document -- and it will take about 6 weeks for the acte -- the sale -- to be signed. Homeless, no more!
Middling News: In dog news, we have had Nala x-rayed (again, the first ones got lost in the move) and sent them to an orthopetdic (I was going to correct this, but I like it) surgeon who has a friend who invented replacement elbows for dogs. I'd have called the friend, but he's in the States at Michigan State U.
Bad News: Nala is beyond medicine helping the pain of her arthritis, so it's either replacement time or wheels time and we're told that front wheels don't work too well.
Very Good News: Other than that (and her eyes), she's healthy, so I expect to have her for a long time.
Good News: If no one objects within 10 days, we have a house! I can't imagine who would object. We're going to sign the compromis on Thursday -- that's the down payment document -- and it will take about 6 weeks for the acte -- the sale -- to be signed. Homeless, no more!
Middling News: In dog news, we have had Nala x-rayed (again, the first ones got lost in the move) and sent them to an orthopetdic (I was going to correct this, but I like it) surgeon who has a friend who invented replacement elbows for dogs. I'd have called the friend, but he's in the States at Michigan State U.
Bad News: Nala is beyond medicine helping the pain of her arthritis, so it's either replacement time or wheels time and we're told that front wheels don't work too well.
Very Good News: Other than that (and her eyes), she's healthy, so I expect to have her for a long time.
Tuesday, 18 November 2008
Details
We hope to have the house by the end of the year. There has been a lot of legal stuff to clear because it had a lien on it. Actually, it all cleared up pretty fast. Now we have to put a rocket under the notaire and sign some papers.
We're not really sealing the attic. We're going to clean it up, with the help of Saturday Kids, and ignore it. A quick look among the filth says there will be careful triage required. I saw letters and receipts dated around 1900 and there is a pile of stuff.
I'll get the kids to do most of it, while I read and sort.
The kids, by the way, are two brother/sister pairs who lived next door to us in the old house; two 8 year olds and two 13 year olds. They still come around borrowing tools, bicycles, anything they need -- our adoptees.
We're not really sealing the attic. We're going to clean it up, with the help of Saturday Kids, and ignore it. A quick look among the filth says there will be careful triage required. I saw letters and receipts dated around 1900 and there is a pile of stuff.
I'll get the kids to do most of it, while I read and sort.
The kids, by the way, are two brother/sister pairs who lived next door to us in the old house; two 8 year olds and two 13 year olds. They still come around borrowing tools, bicycles, anything they need -- our adoptees.
Monday, 17 November 2008
Home Movies
... or their dispiriting equivalent.
We went to visit the new house yesterday. Measured up and took photographs. You can view 54 of them right here.
I forgot to photograph the Elf station. Next time.
We went to visit the new house yesterday. Measured up and took photographs. You can view 54 of them right here.
I forgot to photograph the Elf station. Next time.
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