I have a condominium in a neighboring city called Garden Grove. I acquired it back in 2009 when a friend of mine from my poker club decided to move to Utah. He had only had the place for a couple of years and was just going to walk away from it and let the bank take over. Then he offered it to me- so I said sure, I will try and rent it and if all goes badly, then I will let the bank take over.
I have been renting it via HUD for 13 years now. The rent covers the mortgage, so in a few more years it will be pure profit. My renter is an elderly lady named Mary. HUD does a biennial inspection, but because of COVID, there hasn't been one for 4 years. I got quite a list of repairs:
1) No working smoke or carbon monoxide detectors in the living room - $35 from Walmart
2) Living Room and Den - replace carpet and padding - $1200
3) Stove hood filter fan does not work - I cleaned it and now it works
4) Dishwasher does not work - $600
5) Bathroom cabinet drawers not on track - $9 for new brackets, installed them myself
6) Gas wall heater does not work - pilot out, I relit it
7) Bedroom closet doors have peeling paint - $30 for paint, roller and tray - I painted them
9) Garage door opener broken - $250 to fix
So there you have it !! Mary will have a nicer place to live for a couple of years. She picked out the carpet, and says that it is beautiful.
Taking care of this, along with working and helping out my in-laws, has been taking up most of my free time. But I can still show you a few outfits:
On November 1st, I wore a pair of corduroy slacks from INC with a Loft sweater.
I finished it off with a necklace that I got from a neighbor's jewelry sale and my LV belt.
On top, a perforated suede jacket from Belle Sport.
On November 2nd, I wore some very old maroon slacks with a striped silk blouse from New York and Company, and a sweater vest from Nine West.
On top, a maroon and gold lurex coat from Bisou Bisou.
On November 3rd, I went really sparkly - tis the season !! I wore a Tahari gold brocade top, some Ann Taylor wool slacks, and a crinkly greenish metallic jacket from Victor Costa.
On Thursday, I wore a sweater dress from Loft.
On top, I wore a waterfall cardigan from Style and Co.
For accessories, I wore my black and gold Escada belt, a costume necklace, and the usual suspects. I also busted out my Gucci fishnets for the occasion.
On Friday, November 5th, I wore a vintage knit jacket from Le Roy. I always get a ton of comments about this cool jacket.
I wore it with navy slacks and a red velour turtleneck. My necklace is from Paparazzi Accessories.
On top of this, I wore a blouse from Apostrophe. It just happens to be black and maroon with gold studs on the collar. I wore my jet and gold tassel necklace with this outfit.
On Tuesday, November 9th, I wore a plaid dress that I got in Philadelphia. It has a tie waist, bell sleeves, and a real wrap skirt (so you have to mind the wind).
I finished it up with my Tahari boots and a red faux crocodile moleskin jacket from ie.
On Thursday, November 10th, I wore the same outfit that I wore to get my passport - Fendi slacks with a vintage silk blouse from David Hayes. It was extremely hot on both Thursday and Friday.
The only embellishment needed was my black plastic waterfall necklace.
The biggest attraction were my Reaction Kenneth Cole shoes. They are pink satin, sort of reminiscent of ballet shoes, but with a twist.
They have two pink velvet straps and two black grommeted straps that wrap around the ankle. I don't get to wear these shoes all that often.
On Friday, I wore a dress that got compliments all day long. It's a tricolor flat knit (similar to Santana knit) and is made by Anne Klein.
My accessories included a White House Black Market belt, my Hermes bracelet, and a necklace that I got long long ago in the Phillipine Islands..
Today, it was back to our normal 74 degrees all year round !!! So I wore a Chanel-inspired tweed dress from H&M. It had gold lurex woven through it.
Along with it, I wore my black leather pirate boots from Lewit. They can be worn as knee high boots with a cuff, or as over the knee boots. I have only worn them over the knee twice.
I got my Ipsy bag very early this month. I loved it because it was green velvet. Inside, from top to bottom:
1) In the back - two masks - Youthful Glow Mangosteen and Peachy Glow Hydrating. They are from Glowiest.
2) Sonage Lighweight Lustre Eye Creme with Squaline, Green Tea, and Chamomile
3) First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub
4) VC Collection Highlighting Powder in Coin.
5) PUR 4 in 1 Sculpting Concealer
Doc informed me that we have a new room mate. Daddy Long Legs. He usually lives in Doc's shower, but he turned up under the bedroom window - maybe he was hiding from the housekeeper?
On Tuesday the 16th, I wore an outfit that I seriously considered as "too young for me". But I wore it anyway because I liked how it looked, and got compliments all day long. So go with your gut.
This is a polyester dress from Leith . I got it and the boots at Savers.
It has a grey, khaki, and burgundy pattern on a lavender background.
I wore my grey leather waterfall jacket with the Venice lace back and these unusual boots.
I got them at Savers as well. I like them.
I got my Birchbox. It's a nice bright orange mesh bag. Inside, from top to bottom:
1) Davines SOLU Shampoo
2) Pur-lisse Youth Glow Vitamin C CC Cream
3) Megababe Space Bar Detoxifying Charcoal Underarm Bar - I have two of these now. You rub your underarms and let it sit for 5 minutes then rinse. I should try it.
4) Sunday Riley CEO Vitamin C Brightening Serum
5) Arrow Undereye Brightening Serum
Then on Wednesday, November 17th, I could not get my act together. I ended up with a very school marm outfit. But the Ivanka Trump booties kept it from being geriatric.
On Thursday, November 18th, it was the Great American Smoke Out. I was invited to participate a few months ago, and if a invite involves a costume, I am in.
I was a vape pen, my friend Robin was a pack of Hariboro cigarettes, and my friend Suellen was a cigarette.
This is us with our ICU Director.
This is a pathologist.
It was fun. I love costumes.
We received another order from the Vermont Country Store. First up were these Glenfiddich Luxury Mince Pies.
They are topped with Walker's shortbread.
And we got an Advent calendar from Abtey, a French chocolatier.
Look at all the beautiful liquor filled chocolates - all brandies - VSOP, apple, orange, pear, lemon, and champagne, and Scotch whiskey.
On Friday, I wore a polyester satin blouse from Jessica that was on the keep or toss pile. I wore it with my Mossimo slacks from Target and a sweater from INC.
I liked this outfit, so I will keep the blouse for another year.
Also included in our Vermont Country Store order were these French Griottes from Abtey.
They are cherries in liquer enrobed in dark chocolate. Delicious.
Today, we went to Trader Joe's . I got this little bouquet there.
It's pretty and delicate, which is a different choice for me, but I like it.
We also got a Triple Liquor Fruitcake from the Vermont Country Store. It has brandy, bourbon, and rum, and is absolutely delicious. Run and buy this !!
