Probably would have been a good night's sleep ... if the tv hadn't turned itself on in the middle of the night.  That just freaked me right out and I was wide awake.  The remote didn't have anything on it, there was no rhyme or reason why it did that.  

So, I'm lagging this morning.  Not saying I won't get anything done, I'm just not feeling it right now.  I will have to go to the property, get the trailer, go to Lowe's buy all of that stuff, haul it back, get anything that rain can damage inside the shed and then I can start working on it.  

However...

The door. They are standard 80 inches tall, I am finding out.  That is going to blow my intended framing structure out of the water.  I am totally clueless atm and will have to go into the shed, measure up 80 inches plus the frame and see what I've got for height.  And then stand there gawking at it for a while to try and figure out how to frame the damn thing in there.  I'm starting with the door, everything will be framed around it cause honey, I have no idea what I'm doing and even watching videos, this sucker right here? Is way different than anything I've been seeing.

It's a shed and it's got a v-shaped roof and the framing is going to have to go up into the v now, I am guessing.  It can't be that hard, right? LMAO.  I dunno.  Get out my tape measure and figure it out.  I may have to just frame the thing all the way up to the ceiling, which was not my original plan.  Should have known that something would throw in a monkey wrench into my plans.  It also dawned on me that I have no idea whether these people installed a p trap underneath the shower stall.  They say they have been doing this for years so I never gave it a second thought.

Well, last night I was giving it all second thoughts.  You must have a p trap on anything drain related unless it's a toilet that has a built in p trap.  

Anyway, some pro could walk in there, look at what I've got and say, yes, well this is how I will have to frame it in there ...and go on with explanations of how it works.  I will go in there this morning, try to stay optimistic and just have to figure it out.  I suspect I will have to run a beam horizontally along both sides of the shed where I want the crossovers to connect.  There isn't much room where the rafters connect to the wall studs, it's just a tin shed and tho it mimics a house setup, it's much smaller in scale and not much room where the rafter meets the stud. 

Oh well. I'll figure it out - eventually. I don't have the funds to be spending on having someone come and do it.  They are all very high priced to do even small jobs and that's just out of the question right now - and yes, it needs to be done now.  I can't wait until I go get a job and start pulling paychecks.  In fact, this shed needs to be fully operational before I even think about going back to trucking.  That and the Hipcamp setup - which isn't that much more.  The trenches are 85% dug, the rest will have to be by hand - or I suppose I could rent that trencher. It's not too bad in pricing and much cheaper than a track hoe.  It's still probably 40 feet of trench I need dug out. 

Find a laborer to do it! Right? Good luck with that!  People balk at manual labor nowadays, they don't want to do anything but they sure want that pay!  I'm done with trying to get people to help me work on the thing for pay, it just isn't a happening event. And if you contact a handyman?  They will likely be doing work on the side but they will still try to charge you the same rates as a general contractor.  It's just the area I live in, it's no like in a big city where there are so many options you can find.

You play their game they way they want to play it - or you shrug them off and do it yourself. I can't even imagine how much everything I've done so far would have cost to pay a contractor to do it for me.  For the shed? 15 grand? More? Not less, rest assured.  They now only get you for labor, use of machinery and all that entails, they rape you on the prices of the parts they use.  I don't mean they get you a little bit, I mean they reeeeeaaaaam you for parts.  I know these people are in it to make money, but there is a point where greed sets in.  I think greed has settled into the American culture now, especially since Covid. It's give me give me give me spoken like a 3 year old but give back?  I ain't giving back nothing, you can go stick it! 

This whole project from the beginning when I was looking to get the land cleared has been rather - not sure the correct word here. Deflating? Saddening?  Unbelievable? It's the idea that people want so much for so little in return. I didn't grow up this way and I am dumbfounded when confronted with this attitude.  Even with rent pricing.  One dude thought my rates were outrageous.  It was $400 per month including all utilities and free wifi. I didn't bother to ask him what he thought was a good price, I didn't want to hear about it.  Take yourself to a trailer trash park and that's what you will get for what you want to pay, thanks and have a great day.  

Just time to take a deep breath and face the day and this week. It poured rain yesterday. I mean, our front and back yard were covered in moving water. If we weren't on a hill it would have flooded.  It was an intense rain with lots of thunder and dogs going berserk. Well, Addler doesn't actually panic, he just gets  bit uneasy. But that other dog here? lol.  And it's supposed to rain again tomorrow.

Well, nothing will get done me sitting here drinking coffee. No regrets, tho, I have to have at least one cup before I do anything. It's just the way it is......

 Well, this air conditioner is a 5,000 watt thing.  That's pretty much the smallest, standard window unit that is sold.  I'm not sure it's going to cover a tin shed sitting in the baking sun running a dryer in the middle of summer. Insulation will help, for sure, I guess it will be a wait and see thing.  I have the hot air from the dryer being pumped outside, anyway.  If it doesn't work out, it can go on the other side to cool the bathroom. I'm not necessarily inclined to cool the bathroom atm, but if I end up with an extra unit, I'll put it in there. Otherwise, I intend on installing the bathroom door in the center so that cold air from the ac unit on the other side can move in there when the door is left open.  

I really need some trees to shade that shed. I do have some on the east side, but the western sun will be baking it most of the day.  Oh well, trees are not a priority atm. At some point, they definitely will be and I do intend on getting some fast growing evergreens for the southern end to replace the trees they cut down.

Church was great.  Very inspiring message.  2 men had just returned from a missionary trip to a place on the other side of the world on some islands near Papa New Guinea.  I don't recall the name of the village, but it takes 6 days to get there starting from here, including an 18 mile trip by foot which takes you over numerous rivers. They had plenty of video to show it.  These tribal people used to be cannibals that went around killing other villagers nearby in other villages and apparently those villagers did the same thing back.  God, however, had other plans and sent a missionary there to preach the Gospel, of which a particular man gave his life to the Lord and started a church there.

These people are hungry for the Word and hungry for learning more about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit and all that the Bible entails.  It was really inspiring and took me back to my missionary days traipsing around Mexico to villages in the middle of nowhere, mostly without electricity and very much with people that spent their days getting water and food.  

Now that I've ordered the wire, I can think about tomorrow's activities.  I took a snapshot of the different style, flexible, plastic tubing style pipe they used to hook up the shower and toilet. I'll need more of that to hook up a vanity.  I will need some fittings for the sewer setup, but that really isn't my first priority. Besides getting that AC hooked up, I need to buy the stuff to finish the bathroom.

I have a list.  It includes 2X4's for the walls but also I will need some to frame in a spot for the AC unit.  You can't just install a unit on tin, lol, you have to have the framing for it. The people that built the shed did frame for an ac  unit - but on the other side.  I will be running an ac outlet for it in case I decide I want to install one over there.  This is stuff you do now and it doesn't cost much more in wiring that I already would have had to install over there.  

Basically, on the circuit, will be the main shed light, the bathroom light, the ac outlet and probably another general outlet.  Oh, and I will need to have a feed for an outdoor light.  I'm trying to think of everything I will need before I go to Lowe's.  I know that undoubtedly, I will end up having to make a few trips, but at least try to get most of it on the first trip.  I suspect a lengthy stay at Lowe's tomorrow trying to gather everything I will need.  

Why not do that today? Because it's Sunday and I don't feel like it, that's why.  I typically despise working on Sundays. It is a day of rest and my body tells me it's a day of rest in no uncertain language.  My goal for tomorrow is get all of that stuff, frame in the AC unit, install the AC and seal it. All holes coming in are going to be sealed, I bought a gallon of that duct seal and I am going to use it on everything, not just the electrical wiring it was recommended for. I need holes plugged up to keep hot air from coming in during the summer.

If I get anything else done after that, great, if not, my goals for the day have been accomplished. If I do, indeed get further, it will be to start framing everything up.  I will have to look at some youtube videos about installing a pre-framed door.  Lowe's has an entire row devoted to them, there are all kinds of them. I just need something cheap that can lock.  One would assume you can just stand the entire, framed door up wherever you want it and frame it in.  But, my assumptions on this particular project have been wrong many times over. Hence, watching videos and asking professionals questions.  The electric has been on for several days, no issues. The water has been on a week now, also no issues. 

The first tenant to use the washer/dryer setup is doing that as I type this. I gave her a key, she texted a while ago asking if she could use it? Yes, and please let me know how it goes. Oh, am I the first one to use it?  Yes, beyond my trial runs.  She did, for some reason, experience excitement over this, that coming from her.  I just need the thing to work as it was designed.  30 minute wash, 45 minute dry.  

Well, the Sunday afternoon yawns have hit me. They always do. It's time to take a nap. 

 Sunday - early morning.

They completed the installation of the shower stall and the toilet yesterday. Well, most of it anyway.  The trench still needs backfilled and I had them add an extra T to the 4 inch sewer line that has a 2 inch inlet on it for a vanity. I decided a bathroom without a sink would be....stupid....on my part. Lol.  I found a small, brand new vanity for $100, if it hasn't sold by Monday I'll go pick that up.  

They, of course, charged me far too much for "parts and supplies". They kept to their original labor quote but the amount of money they charged me for parts was way too high for what they did.  I mean, unless there's something there I don't know about that costs a fortune.  He said he added a 1% fee to the parts cost, so that wasn't it.  I'm wanting an itemized list with the cost of each item.  

But, I paid up regardless. At least it's done and it would have taken me a long time to figure all of that out, I was watching them going the trials and tribulations they were going through trying to get the plumbing into the correct spot. I knew that would have been a big-time headache for me to figure out.  These guys do this stuff all the time and they were having trouble. 

In the end, the toilet flushes and the shower stall is working without any visible leaking.  So, tomorrow/Monday I will be getting the supplies necessary to frame the walls.  Just enough 2x4's and drywall. I will grab the insulation for the entire shed if they have enough available.  But the rest of the drywall can wait. It's not a priority.  I don't have anywhere to store it, either, so getting 22 sheets of it in there would be - problematic. I likely will just have to buy enough sheets to use per day, since I intend on opening this thing up before it's totally completed.  

As it turns out, James ended up going to Maria's yesterday to help her fix a lawnmower, so he brought home the ac unit she was going to give me.  I haven't even gotten it out of his truck yet, but I hope it works. A small, 5,000 watt window unit at Lowe's was listed at $279.  

That's incredible.  The last time I priced those things it was $125 to maybe $160.  I get the inflation junk, but there is some corporate greed, IMO, going on here.  Suddenly, the cost of living - everything including electricity and natural gas - has gone way up.  

As I say, I'm just doing the bare minimum to get the bathroom walls up so people can start using it.  I changed my description on my HipCamp site a few days ago and now I have someone asking if the bathroom is ready yet? By the time they get here? Yes.  14th through the 17th, I have plenty of time.  Framing isn't technical. Measure a length, cut a board, screw it into place.  Lather, rinse repeat.  Yes, the door will probably be a pain, but not near as much as those drains.  

Actually, if the AC unit works, that will be the first order of business. It gets warm/hot in that shed and Monday and Tuesday it's going to be warm/hottish outside.  I want that thing going. It's no more than framing a place for the thing to sit on, cutting the metal out, slide the AC unit in and plug it in. I already have a heavy duty plug right there where I want it.  

If I work hard enough this coming week, I should be able to frame and drywall it including the door, get the wiring in, get a ceiling light up with switch and at least get started on the vanity set up.  The problem will be bringing the drain pipe through the wall, just like it was on the other side.  But, I should be able to reduce the 2inch to whatever side vanity's have, I think it's inch and a quarter or inch and a half, before bringing it through the wall.  I already had them put water lines in near the spot where I want it.  

They promised to come back and do that - for an extra fee. No thank you, I thought, your prices were high enough, I'm not spending another grand on that stuff. This is just pipe, no floor drains, I can do this, I have already done it  for the washing machine setup. It wasn't easy but it wasn't the end of the world, either. Just tedious and tight spaces.  I'll get it done, that's a fact.  

One thing that's nice: I have a toilet over there now. No going into the woods to do my duty or if the boys come - it's almost guaranteed one of them will have to take a dump once we get over there.  Even if I ask them if they have to go before we leave the house? It doesn't matter. "We JUST left the house 10 MINUTES ago, why didn't you do it there?!!!".  "Because I didn't have to go then, I really have to go NOW!".  Lmao.  There's no choice in the matter, but now the choice is to simply lock the shed door and have a nice toilet to flush it all away. 

Oh and I have this mystery for the extra check that the welding company sent for those 3 workers. I'd love to cash it, but I am certain it must have been a mistake.  I haven't contacted her  yet, I've been too busy with the shed.  Get that done today and find out what's going on. If they are giving me free money, woo hoo! We all know that likely isn't the case.  

I feel like once I get this thing up, running and done enough to call it good, I will start getting more of these HipCampers like the one that emailed me last night.  I have spartan overnights and now I have 2 long term I need to fill.  Don't know what to say, I'm doing what I can to get people in there, in the end, after I have done everything I can, I can sit around and fret or just go on with life, happy that I've got the operation up and running and sooner or later, the sites will fill up.  

I'll tell ya one thing: I'm going to be busting butt to get that bathroom done this coming week so I can get it posted on all the venues and get it out there.  I figure that if by the end of April, I don't have a "flood" of people wanting spots again including filling up Hipcamp - or at least having enough coming in there to make it worth it - I'm just going to go back to work.  I will probably end up doing that anyway, just that now I'm getting closer to the "do or die" scenario, where this park either works and pays my bills and then some - or it doesn't and back to trucking, get some debt paid down and make plans to add amenities and expand.  

I'm ordering enough wiring to have 2 HipCamp sites up and running pretty quick.  That's the direct burial stuff.  If it picks up, I'll order the rest for the other side to make up 4 of them.  If it really picks up, I'll go to 5, but 5 is where it ends.  The people that contacted me last night have a small, pop up trailer. This is exactly what I'm talking about. They don't need a lot of space and they only will use 20 amp electrical outlet.  Some of those have AC units, yes, but it's the only thing drawing power. I will have sufficient gauge wire to ensure they have plenty of power to run their ac's.  

My last resort going here for a loan would be a commercial refi-cashout, like I did with the house.  I have been looking that up.  I don't know how hard it is to get one of those loans, but I will be reaching out to a few of them to get info on it.  

Anyway, I just crunched the numbers for everything I want to do with the shed and we are pretty much where I expected to be with it and just got through ordering the wire for the Hipcamp operation.  I found a place much cheaper for wire so I ordered all of it. We're at around $1,200 maximum to finish this out besides all of the drywall.  So, the money I received is covering all of that.  

Well, it's time to go to church. 

 It isn't unfortunate that they are coming early - like in 25 minutes - to do the shed. It is unfortunate that I was sleeping so well and my sleep had to be distrubed by the alarm clock.  As I have stated numerous times in the past, when I do, finally, get a night where I can sleep, I want to sleep as long as that ride will go for.  

But, getting this project done supersedes sleep and I'm writing this one out pretty quick and getting out of here. The property is only like 8 minutes away, shorter this morning since there will be no traffic holding me up.  Trying to gulp down a cup of coffee quick so I can have another for the road.  

I dunno, but I'm getting myself prepared, mentally, yet once again, to go back on the road.  I hate the idea but I don't see a lot of other options here. If it comes to that, paychecks will go to paying down debt and saving up for another septic system.  Septic system first, very likely.  I'm thinking about it, that's all I can say about it right now. Still some stuff left to do before I will call it good and go driving trucks endlessly.  

As I said, it's sitting there in my mind. I've been trying to get myself back into that thinking for I see no other way around it atm.  Unless Hipcamp and the overnight spots pick up substantially in reservations, I have no choice in the matter. 

I would also like to add more amenities to draw those people in, namely: a swimming pool, a jacuzzi and a sauna.  Those are more on the resort style of amenities, but in Texas, hot summers, it's really a must if you want to get people in.  People like swimming pools.  I need more lots before I do that tho.  

Basically, I'm working towards automating this park as much as possible so that the amount of things that I would have to tend to personally is either completely gone or very much diminished.  I can ask the older couple if they'd be interested in running the place -not physical labor, just the nuts and bolts of dealing with guests. They've done it before, I've come to find out and at a much larger park elsewhere. The only reason they are staying at my place is because it was the best thing around and for the price.  

I don't want to pat myself on the back too much, but taking a trip down memory lane, after I finally and begrudgingly went to actually look at the property, I instantly fell in love with it - sans the gas operation.  That's what originally turned me off to the place to begin with.  But, I have managed to work around that nonsense. I didn't realize I could just put the park in the front 7-1/2 acres until I really started thinking about it.  This could work!  And now that spring is approaching, the trees are budding and it's beautiful.  That's the front 7, the rear 15 should be getting pretty nice now too.  

I haven't been on the trails in at least a week.  Just haven't had the time.  Addler loves it back there, I'll have to take him this weekend. Get a feel for what it would take for tent campers to get back there with their equipment and get ready to start heavily advertising both tent and HipCamp camping.  

Whatever the case, my time is up.  I need to be there to show them exactly what I want  and where.

C'ya later.  

 Uhh, I have a few draft entries that I probably won't even put on here.  I just get distracted by something and start working on something.  Such is life at the moment. 

A few highlights tho.  First and very thankfully, the rest of the project in the shed is paid for.  It is a huge weight off my shoulders.  I started figuring out the costs to do the whole thing with the foam style insulation and cover it up with drywall.  The lumber to build the 2 walls needed for the bathroom. A pre-framed door, a keypad entry, an outdoor lamp for the front of the shed, a vanity for the bathroom - I wasn't going to do it but I think I will so people can wash their hands after using the toilet.   

And other stuff.  It got to the 3 grand point and that became a little overwhelming.  I may have the money for that, but it would deplete my banking account to uncomfortable levels.  The point, I can now finish the entire thing without worrying about money.  I've just spent so much money putting this park together, it went far beyond anything I imagined it would in terms of costs. Inflation also drove prices of everything up. 

There will still be work to do after they finish this weekend, but a huge chunk of the hard stuff will be out of the way.  

I also tried that dryer again.  I put the quarters in it and turned it on, setting the time. At 46 minutes, it shut itself off.  That is exactly what it is supposed to do.  I am not going to cancel that appointment with the repair dude, tho, I want him to see if he can figure out how to change the price for the wash.  I want $2 wash and $1 dry - $3 for all of it.  It's currently set at $1.50 wash and that's just too low. I need to be able to cover the cost of the payments on those machines, at least.  

I did the numbers today as far as income.  At current rates, there is no way I can survive off of that.  It's just not enough money left over after expenses.  It's like 3 plus grand, but you have to take taxes out of that.  That's just with the current setup with 11 long term and 3 short term.  Amazingly, all of the calls have stopped.  It figures, lol. I've only had one call - that person said they were going to come and would call me when they were on their way.

Yeah, that didn't happen.  I'm still pretty hopeful I can get that lot rented soon, hopefully within the next week.  I know of one person that is leaving at the end of April.  So, if I get the 12th lot rented and then this amenities shed starts getting more business coming in, no worries for me, I can keep that lot open after that guy leaves.  

Tomorrow, I'm getting up early to meet the contractor out there, answer any questions, show them what I want and then get to measuring the length of the trenches in the Hipcamp area.  It's for electricity only. I will have to order that wire and I want to be pretty close to exactly what I need.  They have the right sized wire for $1.09 per foot. That's a good price for direct burial - underground wiring that doesn't need conduit.  I'm going to set up 4 outlets and call it good.  If they get used, that would be wonderful.  If they don't, then I spent $200 on nothing.  I'm optimistic.   

The Hipcamp is a gamble, but not a huge monetary output.  I already had the bobcat for backfilling the trench for the shed, it was a no brainer to clear out that area for hipcamp and also deal with the driveway.  The driveway is no longer a muddy, sloppy mess, I am grateful that my efforts paid off, I"m hardly a pro earth moving laborer.  

But I want to wind down spending gobs of money on this park.  If there's anything I would really like to get going, it would be a glamping setup in the back.  I just can't figure out how to have cooling back there.  There's no power and the closest connection would be the shed at something like 800 feet away.

No doable.  I have to figure out the power part first because that's what glamping is - the comforts of home in a tent.  Think of it as tenting camping in a huge, giant canvas tent set up that is more like a hotel room.  King sized bed, TV, heating/cooling, small kitchen, etc.  When I say kitchen, I am definitely not referring to running water.  That's not a part of any glamping setup I have seen, tho I suspect there are probably some out there. 

More like a coffee maker, a small refrigerator and a microwave.  But anyway, I will eventually start looking into it, I just don't need to right now, I don't have the money for that atm.  It would cost 5 to 8 thousand to get one built.  Just not in the cards - right now.  

I'll be happy to just get some of the regular tent camping sites going after I can finally get my attention off of park issues.  It's still going to be weeks, probably, before I finish that shed.  Drywall alone will be a pain - putting it on the ceiling isn't going to be easy.  Hold  sheet up there while trying to drive in screws.....Not going to worry about it, I'll figure something out and get it done.  But the bathroom wall and door will be first priority.  

Well, I'm tired, it's getting late and 6:00 am comes early, at least for me. 

 So yesterday, I tested the machines.  I still have to go get an exhaust piece for the dryer, but it works whether the exhaust is vented outside or not.

The washer ran fine. 30 minutes and it was done with its cycles.  

The dryer also ran fine.  In fact, it ran too fine. I put 4 quarters in the thing and it ran...and ran....and ran....at about 45 minutes, I figured it should be done. At almost an hour I was scratching my head.  It an hour and 20 minutes I started laughing.  At an hour and 44 minutes? I shut the thing off by opening the door. It then turned itself back on after closing the door. It's not supposed to do that, either.  It should force you to hit the start button. 

Well, I called the company I bought it from and they hooked me up with a local appliance store to come out and fix it. I didn't know that store had appliance repair. There is just one problem with this appointment: they have it set for 3/6/2023.  Noting that today is 3/31/2023, lol. I will be calling the store this morning to find out if that was just a type - 4/6/2023 is likely what the agent meant to write into that email.  I'd like to see if they will come sooner. I'm not opening up the laundry until that thing is fixed, I'm not giving away free hours worth of drying.  

At least the company purchased it from didn't give me a hassle about it. "Yea, that doesn't sound right" after telling her the thing ran for getting close to 2 hours without shutting itself off.  

Anyway, I made a lot more calls than that yesterday.  I got on a roll and spent around 7 hours on the phone. 2-1/2 of them were calling Verizon about the internet gateway device.  I turned it off, I want them to stop trying to bill me for service, I cancelled the service and I have an actual email from them proving it. It took me over 2 hours to finally get through to the business department.  I kept calling and it kept directing me to the personal side, then they would try to transfer me over.  It should be needless to say that I was getting very aggravated with that nonsense. 

But, I also called a CPA, he is too busy right now to take me on.  I also called T-Mobile, Dish Network, Direct TV to name a few. I'm trimming the budget.  I don't need to be paying what Dish Network was charging me, I dropped the service at my place and got the service reduced $50 at the other house.  I don't know why they wouldn't drop the price over here. 

I called Direct TV to switch over, they tried to jack me around.  The lowest they would come was $120 per month. That's $40 better than Dish, but it's still pretty high for only 2 receivers and basic channels. But, I decided to go ahead and do it. This dude promised me 10 times the total price was going to be $120 per month.  But at the end?  It went up to $127 and then $128 and then $127.  What kind of buffoonery am I dealing with here?  I told him he promised the TOTAL bill with taxes was going to be $120.  He didn't care and neither did I, I hung up on him.  He called back, attempting to explain away the extra money, I hung up on him again, telling him do NOT call me again.  

So, the house over here has no satellite at the moment. James and Taylor don't watch satellite, the boys like the cartoon channels. I watch reruns of old shows and some news.  But, last week, I found Tubi on the apps on the TV and it plays all kinds of movies, many of which I like.  

New tenants took over lot 13 last night - or so I was told.  It's Friday morning right now, I'll be heading over there soon enough.  I knew they were moving in, lol, this isn't like the other guy that showed up out of the blue. I think the lady is stay at home mom - she has 2 young kids.  So they should be there to make payment this morning.  I have an overnighter that should also be there - they said they were coming in after !0:30 -  yup, please be quiet, I won't be there, thank you.

I still don't have that much for overnighters going for April. I'm intent on renting out the lot 12 for long term.  

I ordered 2 cameras from T Mobile yesterday.  One for the inside of the shed and one that will be attached outside showing the driveway.  I will be able to see who's coming and going and  I will be able to determine who did what if the facilities get trashed.  I'm pretty much of the idea that I want a locking door handle on it.  The cameras add $40 per month to the bills. These cameras have a sim card and you can access them from anywhere that you have internet access.  It's just the price I feel I must pay to ensure that people keep themselves behaved.  

Someone dumped a bunch of insulation in my dumpster the other day.  I have put up a sign stating the dumpster is for RV park and guests use only.  This was the thick, attic type insulation, it certainly didn't come from anyone at the park.  I am considering placing a fake camera up in the tree and a sign saying "this area is under video surveillance" or some other such thing. The only other alternative will be the pain of having to get a lock and a bunch of duplicates made up.  It was suggested to me, but I had already thought about it and thought, gag, not really wanting to do that.

I placed that dumpster about 100 feet off the road so people couldn't just stop and dump. They actually have to drive up the driveway.  So I dunno, but I do know they sell fake cameras that look real.  

Since having the electrician come out and check everything cost nothing, the person of interest that was going to pay for it has now offered to pay for the rest of what's needed done in the shed. "Price it out and let me know".  So, that's what I'm doing today.  Measure everything, determine how many 2X4's I will need and how much drywall and insulation I will need.  A door for the restroom and they sell a small vanity with sink and mirror for relatively cheap at Lowe's.  

I was only going to put up drywall for the bathroom to start with and just do the rest later when I have more money, but since the offer has been made....might as well get the drywall for the entire thing.  It's going to cost some money.  The insulation is $12 per panel.  Ii remembered I already have a ceiling light at the house - brand new - haven't installed it. I thought it was corded, its wired in, which is what I need for the shed for the bathroom.  

So, I need to find out how to connect 2X4's on the tops of the vertical studs and where the joists connect to it. I think it's just a metal piece you screw or nail in there if I recall correctly.  Won't need too many, just enough for the bathroom, the rest of the shed will remain open including the high ceiling.  I don't have the motivation to bring the ceiling down, it's just a waste of time IMO.  

Well, that was easy.  Finding out how to connect them, that is, easier than I thought.  Off to the property, get my measurements and then off to Lowe's.  

 Well, one of the short stays - it was only an overnighter and it was done through Roverpass - cancelled. Roverpass doesn't allow a full refund.  They apparently charge their fees regardless and warn the person making a reservation of such.  The fees can be passed on to the customer, split or the business can eat the costs.  But when it comes to a refund, Roverpass keeps their fees, forces the business to give back everything but those fees which are retained by the business. 

There are deterrents in the industry to making reservations and then canceling. My research has provided me a snapshot of why.  People used to make multiple reservations at different parks for the same day and then they would decide where they would stay when they arrived.  Whoever the winner of the draw got the business, everyone else got shafted.  They would simply cancel their reservations at the other places - or not even do that much - with no consequences.

So, the industry stated shifting towards all kinds of policies. Some places made them pay the fee it cost to make the reservation, ie: campground software costs and credit card fees.  Others forced a full, one night charge to cancel regardless of the customer's "excuses".  Even more forced customers to pay for their entire stay upfront and allowed no refunds, whatsoever.  

I decided not to do any of that. The business is new, it needs as much business as possible. I do force a one night's fee up front, but I will refund their money minus $2 for the campground software.  Anyway, out of a $27 payout to me, the guest only got $21.75 back.  Roverpass fees are rather pricey, at least from my perspective.  I'm on there because I hoped it would generate some business. So far, only 1 guest has actually showed up, 2 others have cancelled.  

Alright. On the cusp of getting this project at least functioning even if not completely done, that is the goal today.  Get the washer and dryer set into place. Get a sign in there - I forgot about the "Rules" sign and I really need those cameras.  I will not have people destroying my brand new machines with negligent acts of overloading or dumping things in there that shouldn't go into them. These are just basic machines, they aren't good for comforters or other large items and I don't want oily or overly muddy clothing putting in there.  This is where rules and cameras come in.  

I'll just tell ya, it is standard, industry-wide practice for laundromats to have cameras all over the place, inside the building, watching everything.  It isn't spying, it's "Who just did this to my machine?".  

I may get the setup done today, but until I get that sign made - which I will be ordering today - and the cameras in - same as sign - I am not opening it up. And, I want the work crew in and out of here with the shower and toilet assembly finished as well.  There, sign ordered, he usually has them ready in a couple of days, which works for me since I don't plan on opening it until Monday at the earliest.  

Today's proposed agenda:

Finish machine setup.  

Install sewer dump station

Dig up a length of the sewer line to ensure it's at a good slope

Probably install a T on the 1/2 inch CPVC so they have access to run it to the shower/toilet

That is a lot right there. I also need to construct the shed - that takes half a day, seriously, but at least I know how to do it now, it's the exact same one as the first one I built.  I also need to figure out how I can cool the router - summer is coming and I don't think it's going to work getting that hot.  The only idea I have is go place it in a mini fridge, such as I have for truck driving. The one I have isn't big enough but they do make them bigger. I would have to re-do the setup I have now.  As long as the fridge has plastic walls, the signal will pass right through it.

Oh and I definitely need to clean some stuff out of the shed.  But, if I get those machines set up, I can just pile stuff up in front of them on that side of the room. They won't need access over there.  I have 2 days to get some of this stuff done. Oh, and the window AC unit. Maria found it wherever she had it stored and is giving it to me.  I have no idea if it even works, but I'll hope that it does. I'll have to make a trip over there.

I don't know when I'll go over there. 

I'm still concerned about this other RV park that hasn't opened up yet.  What kind of competition will it give? I keep thinking it's too far out of the way - and it is. It's 10 miles to downtown or any grocery stores.  I'm 3 miles from the nearest grocery store and less than that from various other businesses.  I think I gave them too much info.  The contractor was asking me my rates and such.  I did tell him - he has given me some free work.  I mean, tell him or not, that competition is coming.  

Basically, if they don't sell it before summer, they are going to open it up.  I really am a bit too open about things sometimes - I told them I had turned away at least 50 potential renters.  That's info I should have just kept to myself.  This all started back up again in  my mind after finding out about that other park that opened sometime late last year.  

They are doing poorly. It's a 16 spot park and the electrician said there is hardly anyone staying there. That owner is killing themselves with very high pricing.  And they are way out of the way.  The nearest towns are probably 15 miles in either direction.  They don't have any discounts for longer stays, like a weekly rate and they don't even have long term listed. Now, some parks don't do long term for they don't want to do long term. Perhaps the dude isn't hard up and doesn't care.  

I'm not in the position right now to be lackadaisical or cavalier about pricing and whether anyone stays or not.  I wouldn't want to come off like that regardless.  I'm thankful for each person that comes and I thank the Lord for the blessing of having the park almost full.  Another moving in today, one more long term I'm trying to fill.  

I'm paying myself April 1st.  That way I have received zero compensation from the business up until then.  The first quarter of being open will show a lot of expenses, it will show income but it won't show any paycheck being taken.  I've decided to up the amount I take to $3,500. Whatever the taxes are on it, it is what it is.  My numbers crunching shows I can do that and still have around 2 grand in the checking account after I pay everything out.  My expenses will decrease as well in the next month what with switching over to T Mobile and getting rid of one of the trash services.  Oh, and dumping Verizon. I took the router out of the park.  

Get rid of all of that and I have over $500 per month savings.  Whatever the case, the first is almost upon us and several rents will be due, thankfully.  The business account is far from broke but I will be spending money this weekend and the initial start up for the dumpster service is quite high.  Electric - water - pay myself. Paying myself will deplete the account quite a bit. I went into business to make money, not pay accounts and nothing else.  Lol. 

Anyway, I need to get out of there.  I will probably need to pick up the boys after school today so I need all the hours I have before then to get everything done.  

G'day 

 Well, another 4 hours and I'm getting close.  All the outlets are working, the dryer is working - tho I don't have the vent outlet going yet, I ran out of steam. That will entail cutting a large hole in the metal in the shed.  The washer is probably working, I have it all hooked up, I just didn't have enough quarters on me to make it run.  The water heater is pumping out hot water, the ceiling light is working, it's all going.  

Tomorrow I will install the vent outlet and the feet on the dryer -it's for leveling purposes and it should be ready to go.  That room is getting warm, I will be needing that AC unit quick. I mean, a person could prop the door open and open the windows for now, it's warm not hot, but hot days are coming.  I also need to clamp down the water lines. They flop around every time the water goes on and off, that will cause a leak sooner or later so yeah, I'm going to deal with that as well. 

After I get that stuff done, then I can work outside.  It never did rain.  I mean, literally it went from it's going to rain to it's not going to rain.  Whatever.  I got distracted anyway after the electrician showed up, the washer and dryer took priority status.  

I also have a couple coming today sometime after 5 to take a look at the last, remaining long term lot.  If they take that, I will have 12 lots rented for long term and just 2 for short.  It's okay tho, 2 is enough for now. If the amenities shed creates an uptick in short term, I will have another one vacated sooner or later. And frankly, I don't want to have to deal with 4 lots open if someone leaves.  3 is okay, I can deal with it, but 4 is too much.  

_________________

The people supposed to move in today moved it to tomorrow.  I pretty much believe they are coming since they are close friends to the people they are moving in next to.

After all of that conversation with another person today, saying they would show up after 5? yeah, no shows and no contact.  I just blow people off like that and move on.  The dude that showed up last night paid up and said he might have a friend that would want to move in.  Well, I replied, it's that lot right there. It's the last one available for long term, the other 2 lots over there are my short term stuff.  I just told him it's available, whether anything comes of it? Who knows.  This guy says he's going to be around for a year.  They are rebuilding the entire electric infrastructure for a 25 mile span between our town and the one north of us.  Yup, there's all kinds of poles, substations, high tension lines, etc.  He said he checked out all the other rv parks around and said he wanted nothing to do with them.

I do understand my small little park has it's appeal, but so much so that a lot of people are saying the same thing? If they think it so great, why can't they please leave me a Google review? lol.  

Anyway, I came home the second time today but ended up going back over there to collect the rent.  He's paying a higher price and I have no problem charging it.  So, 3 trips over there and a lot of work done.  More to come tomorrow - a lot more.  Lord willing, of course.  

It's been a very long day.  I am not complaining, but I'm tired.  A re-run of something and I'm going to bed early - early for me anyway.   

 Update.

The electrician finally left a job site to come up and take a look.  When he arrived, he said he was surprised to see the park near full.  Yes, well I have done heavy advertising.  He said they built a park south of town on 59 and he hardly has anyone in there.  Hmmm.

I looked it up after the electrician left, sure enough there is a new, small park down there. Well out of the way, tho.  Not near the city. People wanting long term probably don't want to have to drive that far to get to town. He is also way over-priced. $50 per night? Lol.  Ok bud, no wonder you are sinking over there.  Try bringing down your prices, more business at a lower price is better than almost no business at a higher one.  It's why I have my prices where they're at.  I'm competitive with everyone but my nightly fee is undercutting most everyone.  My monthly as well, but I'm bringing that up. 

Anyway, I showed him everything I had done and asked the big question: Do I need a ground wire running from the pedestal to the shed?  I showed him the grounding rods I had installed.  He thought about it for a minute and said, yeah it should be fine.  But you could see he wasn't quite sure about his words.  So he called a person he works with. I could hear the conversation coming from the person on the phone.  My electrician explained that "he has ground rods in the ground at the shed, but he doesn't have a ground coming from the pedestal. Do you think that will be okay?"

I could hear the guy saying yes, as long as there is a neutral wire running from the pedestal.  The neutral wire apparently saved me along with the double ground rods at the shed. 

I had him take a look at everything, tho.  He went inside and asked if the light was hooked up? I have a ceiling light up.  Yes, it's all rock and roll time.  Ok! I'm going to go throw the circuit breaker and see what happens!  Uhh, oh.  Well I didn't hook up the lines at the pedestal, there is no power going to the breaker box yet, I was afraid of making an error, hence I wanted a professional to look.  

This guy went on and on about how he was surprised to see the park with so many RV 's in it.  Time to expand!  Yes, I said, I want to but I am having trouble getting a loan. It's at least 100k to build another 14-15 lots and right now, it's pretty tough. Plus they want 2 to 5 grand for an appraisal. What if I give that kind of money only to find out I can't get a loan anyway? That's just way too much money to lose for nothing.

He still went on, telling me everything I'd have to do.  I just threw up my hands, I totally wish I could!  Those people - the contractors - are loaded with money. It's nothing to them to talk about throwing 100k at a project.  Me? not so much lmao.  Too bad these contractors won't lend me the money, I could pay them back in about 4 maybe 5 years with plenty of interest to make them happy.  

So what's next. Well go back to the property and hook the thing up, of course.  I was leaving when he texted me back saying he was coming from Carthage.  I was leaving for lunch, I was starving, very hungry.  So I'm home, just got done with lunch, going to head back over there and see about getting this thing fired up!  

The new people haven't moved in, yet. That's likely due to having to tear down where they're at, put everything up and get it all moved over to my place.  

I am SO glad I don't have to throw another $500 at this project on top of everything else I've already spent and what I'm going to have to pay these other contractors to do the bathroom.  It's a breath of fresh air.  It's not just the money, either, I'm just really tired of toiling with it.  It's heavy labor and it's a lot of "thinking" in realms that I have no expertise. Looking at endless YouTube videos and trying to get a grasp on what I am doing.  

I just wish I felt a little better today. The pollen in the air is apparently getting me good.  It's still hitting everyone around here and the vehicles are still getting covered with green dust - pollen.  It takes the energy out of me. I have the drive to get this stuff done, but when the energy goes I'm just lagging and not feeling it.

Well, I'm heading back over, I feel better after having had a nice, keto friendly, Reuben sandwich.  

  

Posted this story on Facebook, but definitely posting a version of it here. 

The thing about having people at my park that watch out for things for me is that people who don't belong there don't get away with anything.  Or, people who do belong there but are doing something errant/contrary to the rules (think: blasting loud music that is going right through the walls of the next door neighbor and disturbing their peace or a loud party outside or a general disturbance after 10:00 pm).  

So when this guy pulls in last night, no-one actually thought anything of it. My eyes and ears over there know lot 11 is an overnight lot, so they thought it was just another person coming and going type of thing.  He just happened to take one of 3 lots in a row that were empty that is also one of the designated overnight things.  

However, this guy was not on the reservation list and I had no calls besides the people moving in today that there was anyone coming for long term. I was 100% sure of that, it's my park, it's only 14 spaces, it's pretty easy to manage, especially with campground software taking care of the short term people.  They make the reservation, they pay one night up front, bam, it's done.  The spot is reserved automatically on the calendar, the only thing I have to do is send them an automated confirmation letter and clear the "reservations needing attention" queue. When they arrive, I process their card for the rest of the payment if they are staying more than one night. One of those is showing up tomorrow. That person just put in a reservation yesterday for two days, explaining that he was coming in late, after 10:30 pm.

Does your park allow that? Thought about it for a second, yes we allow it, you just have to keep it quiet. People are sleeping and don't want to be bothered.  What I was thinking about? I have discussed this with long term in there and they have indicated that they either didn't know a person had come in overnight or that it didn't bother them.  Many parks will not allow it for a variety of reasons.  It's dark, you can't see what you're doing and you can run over things, such as pedestals. Many of those parks have lots so close together it's no wonder they have to worry about that.  I will allow it as long as no one complains.  

So what happened was, a set of eyes texts me asking me if the the T Mobile 8865 is the WiFi to use? She couldn't remember because she switched over to her own, personal hotspot for internet.  I'm lucky that all the carriers I have encountered so far have decent to very good reception there - it's close enough to the Interstate and there are cell towers within 2 miles.  Yes, that's the correct one.  I didn't know she was referring to this guy having had come to their lot to find out - versus calling my @$$ and first, asking for permission to take a lot and 2: finding out the wifi password.

Are you not getting a signal from it there?  She says no, the new guy on lot 11 needed it.  Say what? What new guy?  She instantly knew from my reaction that something was amiss.  I suppose with this person, it's helpful that they want to get their nose into everything they can possibly get it into.  A short discussion.  I didn't tell her, but I hopped in my vehicle and headed over there. No one is spending the night there for free, or at least not without my permission.  

The trailer was sitting there, on lot 11. It was all setup, including sitting on railroad ties they apparently brought with them.  The sewer hookups were in place, the 50 amp service hooked up, the water line hooked up and the lights were on inside the trailer. However, the pickup that brought it there? Was gone.  I knocked on the door a couple of time and then sort of banged on it.  That apparently got the attentions of the eyes as some of them started looking at what I was doing.  I wanted to make sure there wasn't someone in there that could explain what was going on. Some of these oil field workers travel around with their girlfriends/spouses or even family members.  

No answer, I threw up my hands and left.  I wasn't going to call the sheriff or a tow truck - yet - I wanted to find out what this person was doing there, why they hadn't called and why they assumed they could just pull into private property and park without permission.  It turned out, the eyes had gotten his phone number so they could text him the picture of the password. It's lengthy, it came with the device and I never changed it. 

So, I texted this dude.  "I was given this number from a guest at the rv park.  You positioned on lot 11. After coming over I think you are the quality control guy for the power plant?" I said that because the trailer looked the same and the setup was the same.  But, it turned out, it wasn't that guy.  "I am not.  I'm in space 11 but not with power plant" and "who is this". 

My thoughts exactly, who are you? I told him that there is no reservation for lot 11, no one coming in for long term, I'm the owner of the park.   He immediately called me - a very wise move on his part.  He went into this lengthy explanation of how he's been doing this for 20 plus years and that anytime he shows up at a park late, management never answers the phone, so he didn't bother to try calling.  That he was going to call me in the morning, etc, ad infinitum, he was profusely apologizing, at least.  

Getting some idea of what this dude is doing, he is friends with the 3 people that are paying through some 3rd party company to stay there.  I informed him that tho his friends are paying $400 per month, the revised lot rent now is $475 per month. I'm just not willing to eat electric costs that are coming my way and $475 is the going rate in my area for long term with 50 amp service. Either everyone is charging that much or some places are charging more and in some cases, much more.  Those 3 people are going to get notice in the next couple of days that the rent is going up to $475 for the summer, it's up to y'all whether you want to stay or not. 

This guy blew it off like it was nothing. He said he's paid as much as $900 per month to stay in west Texas.  Yes, I can imagine. There is a shortage of parks over there where all that gas and oil exploration is going on and even the slimiest of parks are charging a fortune. So I stood myself down.  I was getting a bit - jumpy. I'm not going to have people just pulling in there taking up a space without my getting involved the instant I find out about it.  I'm no pushover and I'm not going to get that kind of reputation. I don't want to come off as a hard@$$ either, but you can't just allow yourself to be walked over like a doormat. 

I was actually talking in civil tones to this person, it's what was going on inside of my mind up until I got a full explanation that he probably wouldn't have wanted to hear about.  In reality, the 2 people that just left have been replaced within 36 hours.  And, the replacements are paying $75 more per month a piece for that privilege.  So, he did me a favor coming on over, taking a space and probably going to be there a while.  I still want to rent that 12th space, but the pressure is off to keep at least 11 spaces filled up.  

I will probably be losing another guy within a month as well. His stay was semi-long term, meaning about 3 months to do his work and then move on somewhere else. He may actually be leaving sooner, I really don't know, he didn't know for sure.  So it only seems prudent to fill up a 12th lot to keep the monies flowing in. And as I replace these people, I am raising the rate.  

I have contacted everyone that said they wanted a lot, I have not heard back from any of them save the person that is moving in today.  I have my Facebook ads running, I am hoping to hear from a potential renter any time now considering it's near the end of the month.  

All's well that ends well, right?  

Today? Well, out of the blue and certainly not forecasted until this morning, it's going to rain.  I am not going to bother going over there to dig up that line.  Well, I will if the rain doesn't hit us, but so far, the forecast is remaining the same: "rain likely around 9:45 am".  It's almost 9:00 am right now, I have been dealing with "stuff" related to the business this morning at my home office (my bedroom lol, but I have this huge desk that is devoted to the business).  

I have to deal with T Mobile as well. The sim cards are in and I was trying to make heads or tails of how this works. Apparently, I have to pay my phone off with Verizon first out of my pocket to get it unlocked, then I can switch over to T-Mobile and then, after sending them a screen shot of what's left owing on the phone, they will send a prepaid card to pay for it.  

I didn't know I had to pay that phone off first out of my own pocket. It's $500 left owing on it and I don't really want to lose that much cash right now.  I may take the phone in for a screen replacement.  It's got scratches all over it. They won't do a screen replacement, lol, they'll replace the phone.  I'll just have to think about this for a minute, I've got 3-1/2 weeks before I "have" to switch over or lose the opportunity for the payoff. My other phone is paid off, I don't have to worry about that. 

Anyway, I have some receipts left to take photos of for quickbooks. I went through 83 of them yesterday, probably a dozen or so more left to go. I'll be checking to make sure all of my business expenses are showing up on the business accounts - checking and quickbooks - and then I can go make an appointment with the CPA. .I'm working on it, that's what I can say, if it rains, I will endeavor to finish this today and get caught up.  I've been inputting receipts going back to August of last year.  Including the huge receipts for contractor work.  I seem to be missing one for the land clearing, but I still have stuff to go through. That was 12 grand, I'll definitely want that in the books. 

I am labeling all of that stuff "new construction". That way, all of those receipts can be shown in one column, added up and walaah, there is what it cost to build the park. Tree clearing, dirt work, septic, water, power, signs, etc etc etc.  Ohhh, I need receipts for that mulcher man.  He never gave me any. I know what i can do, tho, find the checks I gave him for the work and use those as proof of payment. That is definitely part of the construction expense. All of that money spent on the bridge and the stairs is already input, that was easy, it was all on a Lowe's card.  

Well, anyway, it's good that it's only Wednesday.  If it rains I can just get out there tomorrow and get that stuff done.  I really need to build that other shed, maybe I can do (or at least start) that this afternoon after the rain leaves the area.  I need to clear out half the shed for these people to have room to work.  Some of it can go outside and not be bothered by weather (just stuff I don't want stolen, but I can put it back in the back where I park my trailer, well out of sight of anything).  The generator I may just bring home, I really have no place for it, it's pretty large and would take up half of a shed.  The rest I can move to one side of the shed, out of their way.  

Taylor said yesterday she will be happy to go camping - after I get a toilet in there.  I wonder how many other people think the same thing? ... and why I am getting no tent campers.  That's a possibility, but it's also possible it's just not that popular around here. The guy that runs the 2 parks says they get occasional tent campers in, but not very often.  Yes, but he doesn't have a deep woods set up.  I have something pretty cool, I think anyway, that might get people in there. I will start heavily advertising locally on Facebook and on my google account for tent camping. It will be cheap and it will have water, firewood, a toilet and shower available.  The toilet and shower aren't close to the camping area, but who cares? Maybe some people do, lol, no biggies.  

Having thought about it, I should have dug out a pit for an outhouse in the back.  At least have something available right there for them to do their duty.  HipCamp owners use outhouses a lot, I found out after doing some research. It's not unusual and it's a relatively cheap answer for something that we all have to do every day: go to the bathroom.  Urinating in the woods is one thing, having to relieve solid waste in the woods is entirely another and probably not that many people want to do that.  I don't personally care that much and I've had to engage several times while over there working.  Shrugs shoulders, I'm not driving all they way home to use the bathroom!  And soon, that problem will be eliminated, thank God Almighty!

That windshield check hit the bank, finally, glad to get that out of the way and hopefully that will cover the entire cost of it being replaced.  I just wanted it cleared out of the account.  I'm getting another $950 in today, replace that money but then another $1,200 plus parts right back out the window.  I have really struggled with this one, paying them to complete my work, but I think it's the right thing to do. They know what they're doing, they will get it done quickly and that's the operative word: it will be done. I will immediately get to framing up a wall and get a door in there. I remembered I already have a light for the ceiling, I will just need to wire a switch and the light and perhaps an outlet. 

I don't really want an outlet in there, but I'm thinking, what if it turns out I really need to have one in there? It's way easier to do it now while the walls don't have drywall on them.....

This electrician is starting to annoy me. He's had that effect on me before. Promise to come out and then not show up and give no indication or even communication of when he might be coming.  I am not blowing up his phone, but I am sending him text messages on a daily basis. Do you still think you can make it out this week?  I want that laundry setup running.  It should already be running.  

This has been a long entry but there's lots on my mind. I am definitely - I think anyway - making the right choice to go ahead and try to rent out that 12th lot.  If it turns out that short terms start flowing in after getting a bathroom in there, I will have another lot opened up soon enough. And that's the thing, I don't want to be caught having to try and rent another lot when someone leaves, I will already have a 12th lot rented and it won't sting me with that loss of revenue.  

Well, I just remembered I need to get my hair fixed.  I got a haircut yesterday from a "stylist" that butchered my hair.  It was a really bad haircut. I encountered this stylist a month ago getting one of the boy's hair cut and she also messed his hair up badly.  I like that cutting salon, I will never allow her to cut my hair again. But I'm not going back there to fix it, I will go try out a barber shop in the area and see how they do.  

I also need to go to Lowe's for - something not business related for once.  My pond water-sterilizer isn't working. It's a lamp that kills algae as it moves through it.  The lamp is burnt out and just so happens Lowe's sells replacements. The water is dark green, you can't see the fish lol.  

I am going over to the park rain or now. My daily drive through plus i can start organizing stuff out of the way inside the shed even if it rains. I'll get something  done over there today!

G'day

 So I sat down and started crunching the numbers.  I'm going to get paid regardless of what else happens.  Bills paid, of course, keep the electricity, water, wifi and trash service going.  But I haven't taken any pay and I'm at the point where I must get something out of this.  The people moving in this week are 99% for sure coming. I would say 100% but you never know. 

There have been people driving through here today, looking of course.  There have been inquiries, haven't heard anything back from others that said they were interested.  Some people will call back at the end of this week, or so they said. It's near the end of the month, I am hopeful I can get these other 2 lots re-rented quickly.  

There were the 2 overnighters in here this morning. One of them didn't feel like talking, I didn't bother them. The other guy wanted to talk.  I was out there applying a coat of wood sealant to both picnic tables, something I have put off but there is no way I want almost $400 worth of tables going back simply because I was too preoccupied doing other stuff.  Maintenance is a thing.  

I got all the topside stuff done on both of them, in a couple of days I will turn them over and apply the sealant to the bottom of everything and especially thick coat it on the bottoms of the legs.  I have no plans of buying more picnic tables right now, people aren't asking for them.  

Anyway, the guy got back to me to completely install the toilet and shower setup. That includes doing the sewer pipe outside and running it to the inside, the water lines, everything it will need to work.  $1,200.  I said I would get back to him, that's when I sat down crunching the numbers of money going out and money coming in, in the next 2 weeks - that is, of course, if no one else leaves.  I'm fairly confident I'll get these other two lots going again soon.  

I came up with enough money to cover my pay for April and May, pay the $1,200 plus parts and all the current, monthly bills I have and still leave me almost 4 grand in the bank. That also includes paying taxes on the income. I"m probably going to pay my self 3 grand. I still haven't called the tax man yet, I won't take that check until the beginning of April. I can hold off a few days to keep this quarter in the red as far as personal income goes.  

I don't know what happens after April and May, I just know that I can survive off of 3 grand per month, just don't do too much extracurricular stuff like too many restaurant visits. My house pays for itself, that doesn't really come into the equation.  But, I do have high credit card payments right now and then the regular monthly bills beyond my house.  I've got a couple of loans - small payments - on the personal side.  The business related loans are paid out of the business account and all of that has been accounted for in crunching the numbers this morning.

I will have professionals doing the installs of the shower and toilet, really just don't want to do all of that work. Besides the endless trips to Lowes and watching endless videos and getting some headaches (literally), I need this setup done to get HipCamp going.  I'm not going to worry about the electric stuff now, if there is something that needs modified, changed or whatever, I will have them do it and a person of interest will pay it for me.  I wish the contractor would make up his mind when he's coming, he only said "this week" and that doesn't necessarily mean he'll be fixing things that he deems inferior/no good enough. I will be putting the pressure on him tho, I need this thing operational and very, very soon, please.  I want tent campers to consider staying here, what with shower and toilet, I want HipCampers staying here, same reasons and I want people that want long term to be more interested by having laundry available.  

Really, I'd like all of this done within the next week. The shower/toilet install people said they will come Saturday morning, work all day and finish up on Sunday. They have good, local references and seem to know what they are doing.  I think they are even licensed and insured.  Hence the high hourly wages they are demanding.  It's $200 more than I wanted to pay, oh well, shrugs shoulders, let's get it done.  

The "only" thing I'll have left to do is install a ceiling light and frame the rest of the bathroom.  I won't even be starting on that until they are finished.  I can finally hope that this project's light at the end of the tunnel is clearly visible and within reach now. 

The other pressing matter - I have procrastinated admittedly - is taxes.  I'm sure a pro will charge me accordingly, I'm also sure that there is money to be left on the table without expert advice on paying the quarterly taxes.  Supposedly due mid April, I hope I'm not wrong because if I am, the IRS will administer a penalty.  They are good at doing that, of course.

I'm actually sitting in the shed at the property.  I didn't feel like going home yet.  Tomorrow I will be out here digging up some of the sewer line - I want to make sure it didn't settle too far what with it not completed and the end just sticking out like it is. I'll dig back about 8 feet - it's not as bad as it sounds, it's not that deep and it wasn't long ago it was filled in.  I want that assurance that it's all good under there. If it is, fine, if it isn't, I'll fix it. Then I'll install that sewer dump station and then they can do the rest.  I want a sewer dump in there for "just in case" purposes.  This will allow even Hipcampers to dump any holding tanks if they so happen to have them, they will have 110 volt electric available and there is now a water spigot next to the shed.  

In fact, all of my water is turned on and has been on for a week in here.  I'm thankful there are no leaks. 

_________

Long interlude.  Phone calls, talking with the older couple and then the new people showed up. Turns out the kids are a baby and a toddler, they won't be causing any trouble anytime soon.  They are moving in tomorrow. That leaves 2 more spaces to fill back up with long term, hopefully I get some calls coming in the next couple of days.  I basically counted on those people moving in for the numbers crunching and didn't count the other 2 lots since - there is no way of knowing if someone will actually show up to rent them.

I'm really only sitting out here hoping the electrician will show up. Considering the time of day it is? Highly doubtful.  Tomorrow I am dressing to get dirty, finish up with the portion of sewer I need to do - which will probably take most of the morning what with the digging and all. They aren't showing up til this weekend so I have plenty of time to deal with "unknowns".  I'd really like the electrician to get here before this weekend to let me know about whether I need to install that ground wire back to the pedestal or if the ground I have going to 2 grounding rods is sufficient. I don't really want to fill in the trench along there if I need to also run a ground wire through that portion of the ground.

Whatever the case, I'm starting to get my hopes up a bit with the prospect of getting this all done.  It's HipCamp season and I'm not Hipcamp ready.  It's also tenting season and I really need to get some verbiage out there promoting the tent camping site/s.  They won't make a lot of money - but I'll take whatever.  Once I can say I have a toilet and a shower, I do expect I will get some HipCampers in here.  Especially if I can also say they have access to an electrical outlet.  I am hoping anyway.  See, if you are a HipCamper and want those things, you input them into the fields.  Any place that doesn't have that stuff?  Doesn't show up.

This is why I am hopeful I can get some of them in here.  I can list laundry, shower and toilet.  And eventually, a small kitchen (not on the priority list atm).  I don't think a kitchen is mandatory, it's just and added amenity that will work for some people, but not everyone needs that so it's going to be a while before I get to that.  

Well I'm a little more optimistic at the moment. The windshield thing kind of got me down a bit, it was a needless problem that I should have really seen the potential for.  I won't be making that mistake again, but the damage is done and it was a chunk of change to pay for it.  Yet, I feel good that I did the right thing and didn't try to argue or just say no, it's not my responsibility  - or just be a bad business person and not own up to it and pay for it.  

Okay, well, I'm going home at this point.  I think my day here is done, I have a list for tomorrow and if I can get that done with the sewer, I shouldn't have any more to do with that setup at all. Just pay them and move on. There are other things I need to start thinking about, especially where to set up this other wifi router.  

And Taylor just texted me, she needs a ride home. They are going to replace her tires but she doesn't want to have to wait there. I can feel that, she's pregnant and has been getting nauseous quite a bit.

\

 Well.

Tuesday morning.

The person that came out to look at installing the shower stall and toilet called earlier to give a quote.  I don't know why he couldn't just print the quote in the same messages he was sending me to call him for the quote? He said they could start Saturday morning and be done by Sunday afternoon. It's mostly labor, I have almost all of the stuff to install it.  But, there is some labor there for sure.  I fear what quote he may give me, it sounds like he is going to want more than I want to shell out for this.  But, after I wake up  a bit more and some coffee in my system, I will be calling him. 

The idea of a loan is out of the question.  I was informed that, like most if not all banks, appraisals are farmed out to companies that do appraisals and for RV Parks? The cost of an appraisal will be anywhere between 2 to 5 THOUSAND dollars.  He wouldn't give me a ballpark, I've already come up with my own. It may be that in the end, I will have to get an appraisal if the county decides to give me some over-priced valuation on the property for the next tax year.  But that isn't a bridge I need to cross right now.  Going by other parks for sale, I'd say the place is worth around 400k.  Acreage alone has skyrocketed in this area over the last year- year and a half.  The property without anything is probably worth around 200k.  Add a park and you have minimum 400k. If I go by other properties in the region, it's more like 500-600k - but you have to be able to find a person that wants to pay that much, of course.

Anyway, putting that out of my mind for now.  I'll keep looking around for other types of loans is all I can say about that.

2 people left yesterday. Just magically, out of the blue, they are gone. One of them gave no notice - his rent is paid until the 12th of April if I recall correctly. The other? That was a bit strange. I texted him yesterday morning and informed him he is a couple days overdue for the rent, can I go ahead and run your credit card? Yes.  I am glad I got that in writing, because, 10 hours later? He texts me that he's moving out of the park and onto his parent's land. 

I've got my feelers out for people that have inquired about moving in - several messages.  One of them is moving in this week, I'll be needing two more, so I reactivated my facebook ads and notied my Google business account that i have a lot available.  It's near the end of the month, the inquiries for lots should come in.  Now, I have been getting calls nearly every day for some time now for long term, I do hope that trend doesn't stop now.  I need those lots refilled quickly.  Well, the dude that isn't due for awhile I'm not terribly pressured, but the one that left after paying the same day? Well, I will repay him after I get someone to move onto his lot.  IT doesn't seem fair to me that I should be eating this on a notice like that.  It also wouldn't be fair to him to make him eat an entire month's rent for nothing. The middle ground is once the lot is re-rented, pro-rate the days from the due date of the rent, subtract that and give him back the balance.  

So what's on for today? Well, find out what this guy wants to charge.  Go to property, start painting the picnic tables if nothing else.  Depends on what this dude tells me for a price. I won't go around shopping for prices, if his is too high, pretty sure everyone else's will be up there, too.  If you take 3 guys and give them, what? $15 per hours?  That's $720 right there plus the parts.  He's part of the crew of people working. I'd say this dude is going to want $1,500, just taking a guess paying his crew and taking a chunk of change for additional profit.  

I have no idea when the electrician will come. Par for the course.  He'll show when he wants to, that's pretty much how they operate. I will have to drop everything I'm doing, if I am doing something, and rush over there if I'm not already there.  I'll say that waiting much longer isn't on my schedule.  I need that coin op up and running and really, the only thing holding it back is electricity.  I can set up that dryer and washer pretty quick now.  Just have to cut a hole for the dry exhaust, the rest is just hooking up the electric lines to the machines - the come separately with them and you have to screw them into place, hook up the drain lines and hook up the water inlets.  The rest should be nothing more than plugging it in, putting some quarters in the slots and make sure it's going to work properly. 

Shoulda, woulda, coulda. Eternal waiting games are not my forte.  I've waited for long periods of time for this contractor or his associates to come out to do whatever.  

With that, I am going to get a very long overdue haircut and then over to the property. 

G'day.  

 I just went ahead and pulled the trigger on lot 11.  I was over there thinking - too much thinking/over-thinking I do believe - but it just doesn't make sense to not get the revenue from a lot that I can readily fill.  Waiting to see whether people will come short term or not seems to be irrelevant considering 1: they really aren't, at least not at the moment and 2: there is going to be another pull through available at the end of April. 

Losing that money for an entire month seems stupid on my part.  I'll keep 2 pull throughs open for short term and hope it fills up more than it currently is.  I've already got someone to move in in the next couple of days.  I raised my rent to $475 per month - it will be that rate from now on.  It includes electricity and the electric part is why I'm raising the rent.  I'm doing great with electricity right now, but give it a couple of months and that bills is going to steadily inch higher.  Get into June and it's going to sky rocket.  

I'm probably going to start telling everyone that the rent is going up as of 30 days from their payment. Not everyone tho. The older couple I'll leave, another guy that is almost never there and doesn't leave his AC on all the time I won't raise and another one whose trailer is maybe 20 feet long and he also doesn't have AC running all the time will have their rates kept at what they are. 

I'm targeting the people that have their AC's on all day long - but mostly that targeting is the 50 amp trailers that have 2 AC's and I just don't feel like paying that much for electricity without more money coming in to replace it.  

In about 2-1/2 weeks, I am figuring with the long term people that I will have around 10 grand in the bank. That's after paying the windshield, the electric and water bills. The water bill is amazingly low considering how many people are in there. But, I suspected the usage wouldn't be that great with people gone all day long.  That means the septic system isn't getting strained, either.  

Anyway, I'm trying to figure out how much to pay myself to keep myself afloat.  But I think 3 grand is good and figure around $1,500 worth of taxation added onto that.  So it's actually $4,500 gross pay.  I still need to make an appointment with the CPA and I'm going to do that this week.  The taxes on that 3 grand may be slightly higher.  I definitely have to spend the money on an accountant, I just am not going to take that chance with the IRS trying to screw me.  I haven't paid myself anything thus far.  But it's a coming, and coming soon. 

Now, I am waiting on the electrician - still.  I have sent him 2 texts today and have received no reply.  It's been hours now.  Since I have a person paying for the use of an electrician, I'm not going to worry too much about what needs left done. I have done the lion's share of the work.  I have saved myself probably 10k worth of money.  That's not even an exaggeration, that is probably low balling it.  

But what about this shower and toilet install?  I'd like to have someone come install those for me.  Especially the shower.  I watched a very lengthy video about the shower stall installation this morning and it gave me a headache. The least I can do is try to find a competent handyman and see what they would charge.  I have the shower stall, the toilet and the sewer line is at least close to where both will go.  I just placed a request in the local gossip facebook forum.  The worst that can happen is a ridiculously high price which will motivate me to do it myself. But if I got, say, a grand quote, I'd be all over it. Yes, please and thank you.  

I just want it over with and I don't want to have to fool with it forever.  I want to get HipCamp going and for all the time it took me to get to where I'm at with the washer and dryer, I could see it taking another month.  I am not a framer, shower installer, toilet installation person.  I have to learn as I go and I don't really want to have to learn skills that I may never even have to use again.  

Oh good grief, I forgot to take a look at a potential 15th RV lot.  I am quite sure my septic system can handle another RV in there full time.  I just don't want the potential lot too far from where the pipe runs into the septic system, it will be easier to install and not much pipe.  Same with electricity, it can run off the closest pedestal and same thing, not too much wire equals not too much cost.  If I can get away with 2 grand to make a new lot, I'm all over it. That's do it myself, but that is much easier than all of that stuff in the shed, gag.  $400 pedestal, $200 at most water line, same with sewer line, $300 wiring (at most), rent a machine - $400 and a truckload of gravel - $700.  $2,100 give or take.  $400 more if I rent a bulldozer (probably recommended).  We're talking 5 months to repay itself.

Actually, now that I think of it, if I run it off the end of the line, it's going to be 26 feet to the next proposed set up. Yeah, my calculations are probably pretty close.  It will be more gravel than I need, but I have plenty of use for gravel elsewhere.  The 2 pull through lots that are short term both need extra gravel put down on one side.  

 I was pleasantly surprised this morning to see the next electric bills. There are 2 of them, 7 lots on each meter.  The total is $600.  That isn't much more than I paid last month.  Now, I know it's going to go up for summer, but for right now? I'm seeing some savings on power that can go towards getting my business checking account starting to go up instead of all of these endless start up payments and such keeping it - well not too low but certainly now where I want to see it. I'd like 5 grand minimum in there and then after that, just pay myself.  

Well, I'm paying myself out of necessity before that. I was at $4,400 in there, but that windshield is going to knock it down and so is the high Verizon payment, should be the last one.  I have a "final" bill for the first trash company and have yet to receive a bill from the new one, but the new one is $160 per month.  

 The extra bills will be gone this coming month or maybe a final verizon bill and I should hopefully be able to get a grasp on my monthly expenses. Not just in theory, but actually seeing it in the banking account.  It's been a tough road.  I've decided to - probably - let another long term in. I dunno.  Traveling season is coming if not already here, it's kind of hard to decide on this one.  

One thing for certain, lot 11 only has one reservation now that this weekend is over and done with.  It's in April.  I just blocked that date out for the pull through lot 5.   It just seems like the right thing to do, get rid of it as a overnight deal and fill it up with monthly payments.  Something is better than nothing - unless - there is a wave of reservations coming.  It's very possible, it happened last month.  

I have 2 coming in today for the pull through lots so I want to check and make sure they are clean and ready for the next campers.  I also put in a text to the electrician - are you coming today or what is your schedule?  It is still early, I got up early in case this dude shows up.  But it's been 20 minutes so far and no reply from him.  I would say I don't want to to go over there with nothing to do - but there is plenty.  

I can start taking measurements for the bathroom to go get the lumber to build the walls/wall.  I suppose I could make the bathroom the entire width of the shed at 8 feet, but it seems unnecessary.  The stall is 36 inches square.  You already know how big a toilet is,  the setup could fit in a smaller space.  I dunno, but I also need to watch some videos about framing in a shower stall.  It's probably harder than it looks, everything else has been. 

That will be my agenda today.  It's lumber, drains, a door, run electrical, finish the underground stuff outside. At least get the sewer pipe run around the corner to the other side of the shed so I can fill that trench back in.  Oh, and water pipe inside the shed as well.  Water pipe and electric will be the easy stuff.  I would just go as wide as the shower stall, but I think people need more room to move around in there and for the toilet. I wouldn't mind putting a small bench in so people can sit down after showering and drying off to deal with their clothes and redressing.  

So, I really don't have a good idea yet of how I want to structure that.  It will come to me after I get in there, start looking at it and thinking about it.  

Oh, and that other shed. I haven't built that one yet. It's for my tools. But I will have to get the trench filled in first. It won't be that much to install the rest of the sewer pipe around the corner.  And I have decided to go through the walls with the water line, so I don't need to run that any further than what it is.  I will likely cut that valve off where I stopped with it and put a cap on it instead.  

I completely spaced turning the water off to the shed.  I guess it's a good trial run, it's been on for some 5 days now with now leaks anywhere. I was over there yesterday getting my rent book - one person owes rent as of 2 days ago.  I will be contacting them today.  

I shaved that goatee/beard off this morning. It was becoming unmanageable and looking - not very good, at least in my opinion.  I would have had to buy a beard trimming kit and I just decided I don't want to fool with it anymore.  So, people are likely going to be giving me stares today once they see me without it.  No one staying at the park has seen me without a beard before. I've only had it since November, but I didn't open up until the end of December and my first guests didn't come in until either the end of December or the 1st of January.  

It's whatever to me, I might try again sometime and keep it nicely trimmed instead of just growing all over the place.  Just not good a beard trimming, I've never really had one before.  I can trim my mustache, been doing that since I was 15.  

Weight hasn't dropped any for around a week or more.  The fat loss is noticeable, tho.  Especially my gut.  I'll be keeping at Keto and doing some things to try and kick start the weight loss again.  A 2 or 3 day water only fast will help with that. 

Yesterday, I was not in a particularly good mood when I woke up.  I didn't want to go to church.  The granny and oldest kid left maybe an hour before church was going to begin.  She left without saying goodbye.  She has made it perfectly, crystal clear that the "only reason she comes down there is to see you, you and the boys".  It was so rude, she said this right in front of me, pointing at James and Taylor.  I know she isn't coming to see me, but she didn't have to do that the way she did.

She is, in fact, a fairly rude and obnoxious person, IMO, as it stands.  I tolerate her because she is James' mother.  There was a wildly drama-filled event this last week with her - well I'm not going into that on the internet.  Personal stuff that will just have to stay within the family.  I will just say that I wanted nothing to do with it and while the worst of it was going on, I was at the movies, thank God Almighty.  

The idea of living with her, tho.  She eventually wants to move down here, buy a piece of property and build a 5 bedroom house on it.  We are to all move in with her.  With her controlling style of behavior, well, I didn't sign up for that.  If it came down to move in with her or leave, well it would be an awfully difficult decision just because I've lived with this family for a long time now, but I would definitely consider leaving.  

This may be years down the road tho.  She's mostly interested in being with her grandkids.  All nice and fine, but she tries to throw the rules out the window with them when she comes.  Ensuing chaos, tho we have all started pushing back.  I'm beyond tired of it, especially on the longer stays. They were here 8 full days and 2 partial days.  That's a long time with a person that - is like that. 

Anyway, the kids finally got their way.  I decided that not going to church because of my mood was denying them an opportunity to learn more about Christ and generally be around Christians, so we went anyway.  I knew there was going to be a special guest speaker, I didn't know she was going to go on for 30 minutes beyond the normal church service time.  It was interesting, tho and a message to challenge everyone.  After that, to the property to take a look, then to Kroger's for dinner stuff and then home, where I spent a few hours cooking and then just hanging out. 

It's generally what I like to do on Sundays - versus - driving trucks down to Brownsville, Texas. I used to absolutely hate that run on Sundays.  It's an all day drive down there and you are expected to - get down there same day unless there is an issue with the truck or if the plant took too long to load.  As it stands, I am in a Facebook group devoted to drivers for that company, there are people complaining about the way the company treats it's drivers all the time on there.  And the way the company operates in general.  

The flip side to that, is that a lot of companies are extremely controlling and intrusive into driver's lives.  After GPS became publicly available decades ago, it was the first step into manipulating and controlling drivers.  "I can see where you're at and that you're stopped somewhere" s***. Yes, I stopped to take a pee, get something to eat, refuel the truck -whatever.  I always pushed back against that stuff, truck driving jobs are plenteous, they always have been even in troubled economic times.  

Then satellite got a foothold into it and then they could install all kinds of devices that they could constantly monitor 24 hours a day.  Then the cameras came - this was the most intrusive thing.  Not forward facing, but the inward facing cameras with the microphones.  I couldn't deal with that when they installed that junk in my truck and I covered it all up. 

I don't ever forget, while I'm not driving and facing having to go back to it, the ways that trucking companies treat their drivers.  I will - likely - not drive for a company ever again with inward facing cameras.  No idea yet. I can survive at least another month if not longer.   If I can keep the lots filled, probably quite a while before I cave in and say, ok, I lost, I have to go back.  But, I am going to still keep trying to get a loan to expand. I only need about 125k.  That isn't really that much money in the business world for getting money to - make more money.  I could easily afford to make the payments and still take in a tidy sum of profit after expenses.  Increased electric bill, water bill, yes.  

Well enough of this. Off to the bank to deposit cash and a check and then off to the property.

G'day

 Family leaving tomorrow morning, it's all been - exhausting.  Too many kids.  Too much fighting and stupidity.  The kids aren't stupid, they just do stupid stuff that they know is dumb but they do it anyway.  Not going into it, it's just that I'm glad they are leaving, the grandma and the oldest brother.  Things can get back to normal around here.....

I'm just waiting for Monday, really. I need the electrician to come out and tell me what I need to do about this ground. If he doesn't show up, I'm just going to go get the ditch witch, dig out the trench which shouldn't take too long with that kind of machine, take the machine back and get the wire from the electrical supply house. Hook it up to the shed breaker box, fill in the trench, take off the panel again on the pedestal, turn off the power and get the wires hooked up.  

Turn the power back on to the park with the main breaker in off position on the shed, go to the shed, flip that main breaker and .... see what happens.  Nothing should happen.  Well, the water heater will start heating the water, but that should be the only thing that turns on.  That's the plan whether it happens on Monday or not. 

Just one more delay in a line of many.   

I paid for the new windshield this morning.  The man was in a much better mood and thanked me for dealing with it without turning it into an ordeal. No problem, it was my fault, the only right thing to do is to pay whatever it costs and write it off.  It's a chunk of change, money I was going to pay myself with.  I still have more money to pay myself with,  I was just trying to leave a large cushion for any issues.  Such as, who knows what this next electric bill will be.

Speaking of that, I am looking into having a solar array installed on a frame.  I know summer electric bill is going to be huge, I'd like to do something to mitigate those bills. First is to raise the rent rate, second is to see if I can get my own power generated.  It's worth a look, the federal government is giving out 30% of the cost of solar. 

This coming month I'm going to let everyone know the rate is going up to $475 per month. If they don't like it, they can certainly find somewhere else to move to. They'll have 30 days to make up their minds.  May, I want that increased rate because it will start heating up. June, well, we all know what happens in June concerning outdoor temps.  Oh, this rate is pretty much the going rate in this region, with one or two exceptions going lower and several exceptions going higher - much higher.  

I was informed by a guest the other day that I should be charging more than I am.  She said "at least $500 per month".  But that isn't realistic.  I replied that I am going to have the 50 amp trailers paying $475 and the 30 amp trailers paying $450.  30 amp trailers only have one AC unit, the 50 ampers have two - and occasionally 3.  

I did not feel like hanging out at the park today, we went to the 8 year old's soccer game this morning.  It was getting warm outside. His team had several no shows, meaning the boys had to play the entire game without any subs to come in to take their place to let them rest.  The other team had 4 subs and were moving  kids in and out of the game.  Our 8 year old was toast. And when I say toast, I mean, not talking, bright red face, barely walking. I felt his forehead, he wasn't particularly hot, he was just completely exhuasted.

After that we went to a birthday party down the street and after that..home. I have no plans for the rest of today.