Friday, October 8, 2021

 The new dispatcher has the personality of a rock. Any social graces such as thank you, please, you're welcomes are lost on deaf ears.  She literally doesn't even want to talk to anyone, just send dry, curt text messages and nothing back. She asked me yesterday what trailer I had brought back and I told her in a return text. She didn't say thank you or anything, so a couple of hours later, I replied "you're welcome".  I didn't receive any response to that, either. 

Beyond that, since she started a week ago, I've only had 2 Oklahoma runs.  I mean, yes I love staying at home, but it doesn't pay the bills and doesn't get me ahead.  I'm spending some money right now. After I got back from that 14 days off, I was being given a lot of great runs with Oklahoma's interspersed into them. I didn't mind that, but next week's paycheck is going to be less than a thousand gross pay.  That doesn't work.  I've got $452 in new expenses every month starting the beginning of November. That was expected of course, and with normal running in the truck, I can easily afford it.  

To that end, I asked my manager about it the other day, he said he would look into it for me.  Of course, he is overworked and inundated with other driver's calls and texts, heard  nothing back. So, I just texted him again and of course heard nothing back - but that is normal for him.

Meanwhile, I am upping my search for a designer to blueprint my RV park.  I've been looking locally, finding nothing, I am now going out of my territory and looking for anyone in the US that specializes in it, of which there are several that I have found thus far and reached out to.  I also asked the SBA consultant if he knew anyone local, also awaiting any kind of word on that.

The land clearing company came out yesterday, but he wants a blueprint. He charges a flat rate per hour for his work, I said I needed an estimate and he just said give me a blueprint to work with.  Okay, well, that's where I've been stalled so far.  That isn't stopping me from going out to the property and cutting down trees, but even the chainsaws I bought are offering even more trouble than the first one I bought. These things are apparently heating up and the chain guides are warping.  Yes, they are adjusted properly and yes there is bar/chain oil in them.  Not sure what the problem is, the instructions give nothing beyond if it's heating up, make sure you have bar oil and the chain isn't too tight. lol

I was going to go to the tax sale auction the other day, but after taking another look at what was available and the starting bids, I scrapped that idea. I was off work that day, but it just seemed to me that I didn't need to be getting involved with another purchase of land right now. My money needs to be reserved for getting the property blueprinted.  I put up a local request on a facebook group for all of the estimates I need to get this thing moving along here. 

I really didn't think this was going to be an issue so I never looked before now.  Literally all I need is around 75 spaces, an office, a bathhouse, a swimming pool/jacuzzi, laundry, dog park, the electrical,water and sewer hookups and design, a pond dug out, the land cleared etc.  I mean, I know what it needs is the point, I'm not clueless, but I can't draw up blueprints!  Lol

Well, I have stuff to do today beyond the property, I can't spend all of my time out there.  The small property needs a paper notarized - totally forgot about it, probably making my realtor a bit unhappy, the house in AZ said the satellite isn't working - the bill is paid thank you, no clue what's going on there.  I need to go do some grocery shopping and I'd lik toget these dogs out for a walk.  The property will just take as much time as it takes. If it's years, it's years.  Shrugging my shoulders. I can't make anyone do anything faster than they are going to do it.

Even the water tap installer was questioning why I need a 2 inch tap?  I will need the capacity at a future date, please just install it. Well, you know a water meter that size is $1,100?  ..... he originally quoted $1,100 for the entire project, but that was a 3/4 install. Yes, sir, I know, it's not cheap. Neither is the 2 inch ball valve, the saddle or the copper tubing. The meter box should be cheap, about the only thing about that setup that won't cost a fortune. I originally figured 4 to 5 grand, it's probably going to cost me $2,500 to $3,000, so I'll consider that a wash.  

I've come to the conclusion the park area is going to have to be leveled, meaning clearing out all the trees.  I'll have to start all over with vegetation, unfortunately, but there is no way around it. I can't have a swimming pool on uneven lot and RVers aren't particularly fond of unlevel sites, especially in a new park.  the trees will come down and I will just have to plant new trees and shrubs.  It's a big loss in my book, but it has to be done. At least it's just small maple trees, not the giant majestic pines that are prevalent in the area.  The views surrounding the park will still be stunning, I do believe, plus I will still have the forested walking trails in the back. 

I was quoted, btw, $2,000 per acre to clear it all out.  Pretty penny, $14, 000 to clear it all off, I guess that's really not that unreasonable with large, heavy earth moving equipment and the experienced personnel doing the job, he said it would take less than a week to clear it all.  Yes, if I had access to a large trackhoe with the proper attachment, I could easily do all of that myself and save a  ton of money.  I'm still trying to find a bulldozer, plowing those trees down would be easy work for a large dozer.  These are things I am keeping in mind incase this loan doesn't go through. And I don't just want to stop working out there because I "might" get a loan.  That will easily take months at least to come up with an answer.  

Now what? I'm just looking up RV designers all over the country and sending off emails.  And waiting on my manager to give some kind of an answer as to what's going on .  Maybe there is something happening at work that I don't know about. There was a rumor that the plant was shut down, but I just got a text from another driver in the driver group saying he is loading. Obviously that can't be true.

Looking for another job right now is really nothing I want to do, so I'm keeping my tones down and good attitude, but I do want some answers.  

Well the day ain't gettin' any younger.

G'day.  


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