Ann's Weblog

I always liked that word, "thwarted", I just don't like it done to my great ideas.

Yesterday, a meeting took place that I was invited to but couldn't attend. I preferred to be on a mission of another kind... to deliver a friend's dog (not boarding here) to the vet in Valemount, for an acute medical problem, and bring her back.

The meeting consisted of representatives from several Ministries and offices, as well as the private sector. There were private housing consultants, Community Futures officers, Home Support Society members, professionals from Northern Health Authority, Canada Mortgage and Housing, and others. My "vision" for the group home/hostel whatever, was on the agenda.

The short version as told to me by our local "Economic Development Officer" is that none of the attendees shared my vision, based on the fact that there are STAIRS in the building. "Elevators are expensive to install and maintain." No shit. I hadn't planned an elevator. I don't know whether it's a good thing that I was unable to get to the meeting, or not.

I haven't been requesting government funding, though I believed that if the Northern Health Authority could "get behind" my project, they might LEASE my building for housing for three or four seniours, and provide wages for someone (like ME for instance) to provide "hospitality". That's laundry and perhaps some meals, or a shared kitchen or both.

It was discussed at said meeting that the building might be more suitable for a women's shelter or housing for the mentally ill. While I recognize the need for that kind of facility in our town as well, I will not be participating, partly due to security issues.

The idea isn't "dead in the water" yet. If I apply for a mortgage and obtain it, I can rent to whomever I please. That's the short version. It is disappointing that the people who met yesterday were NOT more positive, but at least they didn't leave any room for misunderstanding (and dreaming) on MY part. The project will be private or not-at-all. I'm only short about $70,000, which is preposterous; I'm sure I can't get a mortgage for that much based on my modest income from other businesses.

Another notion that I had that could POTENTIALLY work, is to buy a modest little house in McBride for what I've already saved and borrowed, "pretty it up", resell it and see if that GEM of a building is still available. ME "flip a house"? It's so crazy it just might work! Or, perhaps I'd let go of the big idea and stick with a small home for the same kinds of "services"... sleeping rooms, laundry, etc. for whoever is in need.

Thanks for checking in with me. I'm going outside in the chilly autumn air to dig some more plants and trees into the vegetable garden to save for the spring. It won't get my mind off things, but I'll get something accomplished. ~ Ann

The scrabble game in Facebook, "Scrabulous" is having big issues and is unplayable. Have been trying to induce games to load most of the afternoon, and I should have given up sooner.

The chapter in the saga that I referred to is regarding the building/house that I had or HAVE my eye on. The "housing consultant" who made such a great presentation in McBride called me back on Saturday to say that she had given my vision and ideas some more thought. She is coming back to our town on Tuesday, and invited me to a meeting of government people and business people who want to achieve solutions in McBride, for our housing problems. Unfortunately, Tuesday is the ONE day this coming week that I can't attend a meeting in town, as I'm in Valemount for the morning. I sent some paperwork including the realtor's package over to a business advisor who works for the Provincial Government, so he can take those to the meeting.

Today I was talking to a lawyer (a friend) and shared what has occupied my thoughts. He has a great deal of experience in law, business and finance such as tax matters, and gave me a lot of information. He was very encouraging, and to make a long story short, he advised me to form a corporation to (potentially) partner with the Northern Health Authority. In other words, potentially, the Health Authority could lease my building AND pay me for services. Would that be "conflict of interest" ? I'm sure it's done all the time, but for such a good cause, I would hope nobody would mind. Officially and legally, it sounds like I'd be fine.

This all sounds too lofty and complicated for me... I just wanted to provide room and some kind of board to people who need it, for a price. If, at the meeting on Tuesday, some people with greater minds and significant postions in government think that mine are sound ideas, some doors might open. On the other hand, if the Northern Health Authority feels that my vision is seriously flawed, I'll be willing to scrap the whole thing.

So.. more to mull over and more waiting and, well, it doesn't seem so discouraging. I'll get back to you on this.

We had our regular breakfast out, and that was a nice break. I've really taken a break most of the rest of the day too!

~ Ann

I've been playing Scrabulous all evening, and though the Internet connection hasn't been perfect, it has been satisfactory. The number of games I've won has also been just swell .

Through supper and the evening I gave the situation regarding the housing investment some serious thought (as I have for weeks). Although I know it's good to aim high, I realize that even if the rental house (the office building) worked well and reached my optimistic goals, it would be a source of stress for many years. There isn't enough of ME to provide care to seniors needing "supportive housing" though it fits so well with my idea of doing some good in the community. The business would have to be wildly successful to pay mortgage and renovations and ongoing expenses; if that was my only house and I lived there, it could work... but that won't work, not here, not now.

Therefore, I'm relieved to fall back to my original position of wanting to buy a SMALL home in McBride. I'm not even all that anxious about THAT at this point. I notice real estate prices rising, but perhaps soon I'll get news about one of the houses I'm interested in (and have discussed this with owners or heirs or realtors). So far, I'm not committed, though I would return a "gift" that a friend proffered in support of my quest. Her interest in the house, ANY house I choose, will be to have a secure sleeping room for occasional use. Otherwise, I was looking to invest and to maintain a small "commercial" kitchen, laundry facilities, and to fix and beautify an older home.

I'm exhausted from stewing about the details of the brainwave I had about the office building, most of last night. And of course, that is partly the reason that I've taken so much of the lack of others' enthusiasm so personally. Gary was coaching me and offering his wisdom about the causes for those bad attitudes and possible conflicts with others' agendas.

I can still cook and bake and grow vegetables and take those to senior friends... that can be my role. I don't do enough of that as it is.

I didn't even tell you about hearing the African Children's Choir a few weeks ago, and on another occasion, we heard The Arrogant Worms. No one should complain about the entertainment, culture and inspiration which comes to our little town.

Earlier today, I spent a few hours planting my leftover nursery stock into the vegetable garden. I still have quite a bit left to do, including some very large heavy pots of trees. I will be cautious when buying (fewer) trees next Spring, and intend to go get my order myself, because the freight charges were appalling. I'm finding the work quite difficult physically, and though I think I should get MORE exercise, this work bothers my joints quite a bit. We're thinking of employing some "WOOFERS" next year, and I'll tell you more about that another time.

Take care everyone. Thanks for reading my blog. ~ Ann

Sorry I haven't been in touch for awhile. I think it could be therapeutic to talk to you folks.

My immediate frustration for the past few days is that our Internet connection has been fleeting. As I recently got "addicted" to Scrabble in Facebook, "Scrabulous", it was aggravating to start games (several games at once) and then lose my "link" to the online community!

At first we blamed the problems on the weather, as that has often caused problems with the signal from the tower on the mountain across the river. I don't actually know WHY wind will cause the loss of the signal, as there are no trees in the way at any point. Maybe the tower sways!

This afternoon I finally phoned our service provider. I'm intimidated by the owner of the business, and am almost in tears at the very idea that I'll have to discuss our problems with connectivity with him. Now, as it turns out, I've talked to both the owner and his technician about the trouble, with NO trouble. Neither were sarcastic or otherwise unkind, and at first they suggested the problem was with some upgrading that they had done on the tower, and then, when I lost my connection again and the usual steps didn't restore it, they suggested that the whole problem was a mystery. I hope, then, that our Internet doesn't mysteriously disappear again.

I've had a weepy day, and nothing that is happening is really worth crying over, but some dreams and schemes are not working out for me. I simply might have to scale back something that my original idea about purchasing a house in town had "morphed" into.

I had considered another building in my small town as a "rental" property, but thought that the whole structure wasn't good for what I wanted. It is an office building, not too old, that is already wheelchair accessible on the main level, and has some potential on an upstairs level as well. The "partly finished basement", which includes the boiler room/furnace, could not be considered suitable as residence (but great for storage). Previously, I thought it would be a "stretch" to think I could rent out rooms, laundry facilities, maybe Internet/computer service, and as a facility the structure has limitations in that it has neither a bathtub/shower NOR a kitchen! Therefore, it would take plenty of work and money to use as a commercial kitchen or living space.

So... on Monday night I attended a meeting that was a fact finding mission and a presentation about housing needs for seniors in our town. As I listened, I decided (firmly, in my mind!) that the office building would have GREAT potential for meeting the needs of at least four residents, possibly seniors. On Thursday, I found the time to "view" the building, and then I thought that it "had my name on it", and then I went to see a business counsellor who thought my vision was a sound one.

Today I was trying to do some fact finding of my own, which resulted in about ZERO encouragement from several sources, resources and bureaucrats. Even B.C. Housing Authority, which is purpurted to OWN the building, denied that they own any "office building in McBride", and said that there was currently "no call for proposals for Supportive Living facilities in McBride. Instead, he gave me a number for the Regional District Director, and he gave me the WRONG name and number. The Robson Valley Home Support Society person who I talked to was extraordinarily discouraging (she was assuming that I could not afford to build a kitchen and bathroom in the "house"), though that Society had once tried to buy the same building.

I finally got a return phone call from the very person who had done the presentation about senior housing needs in McBride and she did promise to give this some more thought. I told her that I was not seeking government funding and had already BEEN told that there were no "calls for proposals". I'm also aware that only "non-profit societies" are eligible for funds. She said, "But that building is on three levels!", though when I asked, she said that she had not seen the structure. I explained that there were at least four "bedrooms" on the one level, and that the upstairs level had potential as a separate rental unit (keeping in mind that not all seniors have trouble with stairs, and also there are other folks seeking rental units). This gal, a private "housing consultant", proceeded to explain a model of housing that was almost exactly what I'd envisioned, except that this model of housing contained more than four, and up to twelve rental bed/sitting rooms, with common dining and activity areas. Okay, so WHERE in McBride could I find any such OTHER facility for under $100,000 anyway? There isn't one.

I was seeking encouragement today, and found none, after yesterday's consultation with the business advisor being so positive. I think that if a person just "jumped in" with the "If I build it, they will come." mentality which has served me well in the past, the government would find a way to regulate the hell out of one's project in the interest of "protection for seniors", or public protection or whatever.

I've dried my tears for the moment, and am thinking of procuring the fucking building to rent to sledders.

I must run along for now, and I'm so pleased that our Internet connection is still, well.... connected. It's time for supper, which is a veritable smorgasbord of great dishes from days past.

Love you! ~ Ann

Although some of my friends and sagest advisors have said, "If it's meant to be, it will happen.", I'm having a hard time waiting patiently for a "sign". You know, the Dead Dog Cafe's owners say, "Stay calm, be brave, watch for the signs.". It's good philosophy, but difficult.

I can't decide if my best MO is to keep my mouth shut (with less danger of being thought a fool), or to ask everyone I trust if they know of a little house for sale in McBride. One night the idea came to me, after looking at Real Estate on the 'Net, that I could settle for a particular small house that is actually listed (as opposed to the one I'm waiting for that isn't). I got back out of bed at 3 a.m., having not slept, to look at the ads again, and so help me, the pictures of the home made it look like it had... potential. Then I didn't sleep very much the rest of the night.

In my mind, I believed I could offer about half of what that property is listed for, and then I started making plans. The trouble is, if I bought it, I would not be able to get the original house that I have my heart set on. When I was able to get away from work and home, I did a "drive by" and realized just how very humble the structure is, and the yard isn't an asset for what I'm planning. The neighbourhood is not as appealing either. Therefore, I've let go of that idea, I THINK.

Lo and behold! My youngest daughter surprised us by coming home this Thanksgiving weekend. That is a wonderful event, and we had a nice visit this afternoon. I happened to ask if a certain friend of hers wants to sell her home in our town, and K. said that she'd ask. Isn't it good to have a plan B, C, or ... W ? I can see "Pros" in each of three possibilities. Perhaps I should jump at the first opportunity, OTHER than the "fixer upper" I just wrote about. K's friends house is already fixed up and lovely just the way it is, but of course the price tag might be shinier too.

We have several dogs boarding for this long weekend, but not a "full house". All is well around here.

Happy Thanksgiving to all Canadian readers of this blog, and Happy Columbus Day (do you guys celebrate that? it's on my calendar) to my American friends.

Thank you for reading my rambling whiney blog. I appreciate all of you. ~ Ann

I'm up at 6:30 to greet a customer dropping off her dog. Officially, we "open" at 7 am., but we like to be flexible, accommodating and friendly when others need us. I'm not usually out of bed until 7 because I go to bed quite late.

It is pouring rain outside and has been raining all night. I know that winter must come but I've been waiting for a DRY spell in order to get my nursery stock planted in the vegetable garden. The winter that Dad died, I sunk the pots into trenches that I dug right THROUGH the snow, because I couldn't get the job done earlier. I WILL get this done and not let the stock freeze.

I remain giddy and anxious about the planned purchase of the little house. It looks like I can swing the expense of buying it (one of the most humble houses in our town or the Western world), but there's a small chance that the owner may decide not to sell or might put it on the market. If the property is listed, I would probably lose out to a higher bidder. The house isn't special but has attributes that I'd hope are not noticed by others. I'm not a person who is egotistical or smug, but my plan to "score" this property is making me feel 10 feet tall and bulletproof, like I'm "high", which of course, I'm not. Must think positive thoughts, as there isn't another house that "will do" at this time. Come to think of it, this is exactly how I felt when I found this acreage, and things all came together for me that time, so I'm hoping it will work out again.

We have new friends in our town, who I'd met at the Dunster Farmer's Market more than a year ago. I remember so well that Mrs. B. said to me, "We are travelling and looking for HOME.", as she bought my jam. This spring, she phoned and asked if I knew of any places to rent; at the time I thought very hard about it, and then got busy with my own projects and forgot. I wasn't any help to them at all. As it happened, they put all of their furniture in storage, sold their Toronto home, and came out here to rent or buy, as they felt that they'd found "home"... here in McBride.

This couple still intended to rent or to housesit for the winter, but quickly they felt welcomed and also found a great house. So our friends are getting "settled in"; they are retired and will contribute in many ways to the community.

Yesterday I had three little dogs to groom... a tiny sheltie and two Jack Russells. Today I have, so far, a Llasa Apso, "Mocha":

It's time to make coffee and officially "wake up". Our dear doggy friend Aurora has arrived; she's just here for daycare:

Have a good day everybody! ~ Ann

 

Okay, if I HAD 10 friends who didn't hate "forwards" I'd have done what I was told and sent this on. But I don't, so I won't, but I can share in here:

***************** 

    Breakfast
          1 grapefruit
          1 slice whole wheat toast
          1 cup skim milk

    Lunch
          1 small portion lean, steamed chicken
          1 cup spinach
          1 cup herbal tea
          1 Hershey's kiss

    Afternoon Tea
         The rest of the Hershey Kisses in the bag
         1 tub of Hagen-Daaz ice cream with chocolate chips

    Dinner
         4 glasses of wine (red or white)
         2 loaves garlic bread
         1 family size supreme pizza
         3 Snickers Bars


     Late Night Snack
       1 whole Sarah Lee cheesecake (eaten directly from the freezer)

    Remember: Stressed spelled backward is desserts.

**************** 

Talk to you later, am busy grooming dogs today. Have a good day too! ~ Ann 

Here's something sent to me by a friend:

1. Grab a calculator. (you won't be able to do this one in your head)

2. Key in the first three digits of your phone number. (NOT the area
code)

3. Multiply by 80.

4. Add 1.

5. Multiply by 250

6. Add the last 4 digits of your phone number.

7. Add the last 4 digits of your phone number again.

8. Subtract 250.

9. Divide number by 2.

Do you recognize the answer?

************

I don't know how the math works.

~ Ann