Hello 2022!

So here we are in 2022. What have we been doing? Well, I was reminded that we haven’t posted in over a year. Sometimes it doesn’t feel like we’ve made much progress on the BAB, but looking back, there have been things accomplished. We’ve got a bunch of updates that we’ll be posting to catch up, plus some new stuff that is getting started.
In this photo, you can see some of the white security cameras next to the first floor windows that were installed over the summer. We’ll need to do a post on those- the recorded videos have provided us with entertainment, as well as some intel on some not so welcome visitors to the neighborhood.
We’ve continued to ‘shop’ for unique and useful items we need for the upstairs construction- plumbing fixtures, tiles and light fixtures. More on that in future posts.
Our insurance has been cancelled yet again. Our previous broker’s firm had been sold to a new company and they thought the BAB was unoccupied. We’re working on that, fingers crossed.
We’ve met with several general contractors that seemed interested in our second floor project, but they have all faded away or let us know that it wasn’t for them- the project is too odd, they’re too busy, etc. We’re continuing to look for that unique and important partner. Our construction loan has still not yet been finalized because, since we started the loan process, we now need detailed construction bids from a licensed contractor, not just our estimate. Hence, the importance of finding that partner. Our comparable real estate sales, or comps, have also expired. In the past year, there have been more favorable comparable properties sold with the recent real estate boom, so that task should be easier this time.
Speaking of the real estate boom, we tried to buy the little house that is attached to the east side of the BAB, without luck. We weren’t looking to expand our fixer-upper real estate empire but it would have been beneficial for us to be able to keep it in better repair.
Our urban mint patch continues to thrive, spreading without consideration of manmade barriers.


We took a long awaited trip to our happy place, St. John, USVI!


Unfortunately, I ended up sick, which landed me in the hospital for a bit when we returned.

The doctor thinks it was an e-coli infection. I’ve realized that my family has a common, thought not recommended, approach to serious illness. We can call it the “I’m Fine Syndrome”. Each one of us has had a run in with a serious affliction that put us in the hospital. The entire time we insist that “I’m Fine”. No one else in our travel group got sick, thankfully, and I’ve recovered. Seriously, I’m Fine. Really.
While we continue to search for a general contractor, we are starting on some work upstairs that we can do on our own in preparation for their part of the work. More posts to come- I promise, Fred! The sweet smell of sawdust hangs in the air.
We’ll end on gratuitous Maisy and Lily cuteness.

Glad you are on the mend and “Fine”. We’ll be in STL for a short stent in early March….hope to see you then….or come to San Miguel!
Getting more Fine every day- thanks!
Oh, yes! That mint loves to travel! I planted some along my fence by my A/C compressor unit, and it has since taken up residence in the patio cracks and along the edge of my back porch foundation. One lovely thing, in the summer when the compressor fan is running, when I step on some of the mint, the scent gets drawn in by the fan and the whole area smells minty-fresh!
Glad you’ve recovered, Sue. And gratuitous dog cuteness is always welcomed!
Stephen
Thanks Stephen!