Is it simpler to stay or go?

Given my 2009 motto, and yesterday's post... which is more conducive to simplicity?

• Stay in this duplex and continue to get pissed off, being ignored by the landlady, while major appliances remain broken, and being spoken to like a crazy lady because I'm irate about _____________ (fill in the blank... freezing my tootsies off... going outside for my veggies... broken promises), praying that nothing else breaks so I never have to call them, and basically having to stalk her three times a day just to get her to answer the phone, when I barely have time in my day to eat or call my own family... all for the sake of convenience and a manageable price tag;
  

• OR, take the first vacation week I've had since last May, and instead of relaxing, pack up a 3-story house, find a mover and a new apartment (in the price range which is tough), including the extra costs associated with moving, disconnecting utilities, etc... running the risk that this landlord is equally as difficult, possible jerkface neighbors, less space, or the most common barrier -- not being able to bring the brand-new washer and dryer?

I just want to come home from a tough day and just BE. I'm tired of fighting, and something always being wrong!

My simplicity theory is already being tested. I need you guys' thoughts...




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My outdoor freezer and other apartment horrors

In my effort to be oh-nine classy, I upgraded to the newest, latest, fanciest freezer equipment...

You like??

I know you're jealous. See? You can't even hide it.

Which of Santa's elves is responsible for my Frigidaire remix? My friendly, responsive, competent landlady. Do you remember her? The one I told you all about in "I'm Hot!"... the one who has worked her way up to numero uno on my "I hate you" list?

I renewed my lease last summer because I was working way too much (80 hours a week) to pack up a 3-story duplex. And find a new spot. And find the time to move. Besides, after calling on average 7 times per problem and waiting an average of 2 months for each response... landlady finally apologized for being a spaz, and offered the option of calling her more "responsible" husband instead. That lasted about as long as it took for me to sign the lease.

Let's recap shall we? (June 2007-present):

1. A week prior to move-in day, "I will fix the towel rack before you move in." Yea... we fixed it, a month later.

2. The bathtub repeatedly leaked into the downstairs kitchen cabinets. Took 2 months to respond.

3. No heat for 3 months, with temps dropping below 30 in a poorly insulated house with a 2-year-old. Countless excuses, "we need a new part," "the repairmen won't call me back," "oh, it's starting to warm up anyway!" (my personal fave).

3. No A/C in the summer. It leaked despite being "fixed" twice, flooded the basement each time, including our boxes and photos. Finally needed to be replaced. Took about 1 month for the first repair. About 2 months before it worked properly. And, don't forget she had taken my window screens, "to fix," back in April... Hence my sweltering. My favorite landlady quote from the A/C era: "Well it's not really broken is it? It just leaks. Why don't you run it until we can get it fixed?"

(Oh by the way... the A/C leaked directly onto the brand new furnace. Let's see how far into this winter we get)

4. Landlady dropped off 2 screens when she came to check out the dishwasher that repeated melted my tupperware, an UNbreakable plastic cup, and my favorite coffee mug... the dishwasher that would stay stuck in one part of the cycle (usually the drying cycle) until I woke up to the smell of melted plastic. Anyway, she left me this note:

Translation: If you don't run the dishwasher in an effort to wash your dishes, then it won't melt your stuff!
(I guess I'm the idiot)

We called her back, demanded they fix it, and Mr. Repairman said a totally new dishwasher was warranted.

5. Nearly $300 of gas heat per month escaped out my front door last winter, so I asked landlady in December 2007 to please install a new door or insulate it better. Well, the new door was installed (in September 2008), albeit a lil' crooked. Us: "It's crooked." Repairman: "It'll swell and fill that space."

Almost two months later... I call them about the water bill. I remember the door and call her back.

Me: "I watch the sunrise around my door every morning. Do you think you can fix it?"
Her: We've been calling the guy and he won't come."
Me: "Okay when will it be fixed? Because I am going to call my own person."
Her: "By Tuesday."
Me: "What's plan B if that person doesn't come?"
Her: "They will."
Me: "Put it in writing."

An hour later? Landlady and hubby are letting themselves into my apartment (while I'm in there asleep after a 30-hour shift nonetheless) to fix the what? That's right. The door. Ridiculous.

8. So this Sunday night, I call about the water bill again, as well as the fact that the freezer doesn't work. She hung up on me during that conversation. But, her & Mr. Repairman came the next day (gasp). The verdict?

"The repairman said you need a new refrid. & I will order you one this week! -Denise"

You can't make this ish up. I'm convinced they duct taped everything in this house just so it would pass the walk-through.

So now, I'm rocking my 1950's ice box. And still waiting for my new "refrid." No, seriously... Those really are my veggies and meats out on the back porch.

Don't you dare come and steal them.


Dr. Ty
From the GAL Blog
www.getalifecampaign.com
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