I'm doing everything I can to keep the park full.  But if I don't get at least another long term in there soon, it may not be enough.  It's because I'm fixing to lose probably 3 people who are moving on to new job assignments. I'd rather find local long term than these energy related people, it would be a lot more stable, but they are either unwilling to pay the going rate for a decent park around here or they have old junk trailers that only fit in with trailer-trash parks.  I just saw an old, junky trailer leave and I don't want any of that back regardless of the money. 

People in the park don't like it, I don't like it and the people I got in that junky trailer also were trashy people, not keeping their site clean, not taking care of their dogs, broken windows, open panel doors - ti was a very bad appearance.  Lesson learned - if I'm going to let older units in, I want pictures of the entire thing, not cherry-picked pictures that show the parts of the trailer that are in one piece.  

I see plenty of older trailers that are in excellent condition. This really isn't a trailer issue, it's the people issue. If a person wants a decent looking rig they can make it look nice regardless of age.  If they don't, it seems it's a indicator of what type of person or people that is or they are.  

I have a couple of interested people for renting long term right now, but no commitments. One just said we need to move this weekend and I said, great! I have a spot available!  They didn't say they were going to move in.  That new park that hasn't opened is still on my mind.  Number one, how are they going to fill that place up? They  might attract oil workers from Shreveport, but seeing other parks farther away from town, people don't like it. They like the country feel of park outside of town but they also like to be able to get to town in a few minutes. 

It lends to the idea that if someone could get the city council to build a park IN town, like right along the main highway, they would probably fill up and stay full.  Maybe.  Maybe not, people also like peace and quiet and you definitely wouldn't get that along the main highway, especially with all the trucks roaring through constantly.  That will change - in many years from now - once they build the Interstate and the Loop around the city.  

I really just wonder how that new park - it will open sooner or later - is going to affect mine.  It's too far out of town and they likely won't be able to get high rents there.  No one else can.  Maybe if they turn it into a resort. Right now, it's a park with pads, full hook ups a pond and a large building.  Oh how I wish I could get a pool in my place, it would almost guarantee that my park would remain full constantly.  I'd have to raise my rates but the people that stay would do so for the perks of having a pool.  There are zero parks with a pool in my city's area.  In fact, there are hardly any public pools in the entire region. 

All of this is very perplexing to me and I try not to think too much about it, but last night, in the middle of the night, waking up out of a dead sleep for unknown reasons, those thoughts entered my head and it took a while to eject that thinking.  I can only do what I can do.  I just wonder where all of these people went that were looking for long term when I was telling them no, I don't have any right now and now?  I am getting pretty spartan inquiries comparatively speaking.  

I've got my sites listed with a shower and toilet, but it may be too late.  People start booking summers well in advance.  Laundry is quite important to the long term people.  That is the focus of today, trying to get the ceiling insulation pieces cut and installed and hopefully keep the heat down to a minimum once running the AC. It's starting to get warm here with Saturday slated at 90 degrees high.  If you can imagine trying to be in a laundry room with a ceiling that feels like you could fry eggs on it and an AC unit that can't keep up with it...

That's why my long time friend that has a similar setup informed me that it won't stay cool in there even with AC on high pumping out cold air unless you put insulation in it. I was going to do it anyway, but it sort of ramped up the idea that it "must" be done, rather than "Oh, okay, I'll think about it".  It was 79 degrees out yesterday and it was hot inside that shed.

Talk talk talk, yes, I'm fixing to leave here and go get started on it, I had to buy a ladder yesterday in order to do that.  The little expenses - they are the ones that eat you up.  You start figuring all of it out and you realize you have thousands and thousands of dollars worth of little things.  And I still need a riding mower.  The one I really wanted was finally marked as sold.  I even offered the guy $100 more than what was listed on the ad to get it.  

There are a few listed that look ok and are advertised as good running machines, but they are too far away to risk it.  I don't want to drive 100 miles to get a good unit and find out the thing has serious issues such as smoking engine, oil leaking engine,  poorly running engine, needs new blades, etc.  

Then there is the news.  I loathe to go into any depth of what I am seeing in the media outlets.  I'm just not going to go there, at least not right now.  

I'm both looking forward to going home and sort of not.  I just don't feel like traveling anywhere. I think I'm doing this more out of necessity than anything. Haven't seen mom in 3 plus years and she isn't getting any younger.  None of us are, but she's up there in age.  Still walking the dog every day, still getting around well enough for a person in their 80's. But - yeah- I'd like to ensure I see her while she is still healthy and not be waiting until something goes foul in her body and the end draws near.  I'll do both.  Her lineage has long lives accompanied with it, many living into their late 90's. She has taken very good care of herself for as long as I can remember.  So who knows, but it was time to go, especially considering I am paying nothing for the round trip airfare.  

Several people I want to see as well, my son obviously but old friends as well. Go take a look at the house, but I'm sure it's immaculate as always.  If Mark weren't there taking care of the place I would shut it down and sell it.  Well, right now may not be the best time to be selling houses, who  knows.  The fed is likely to raise the  interest rate again, housing markets are cooling off all over the place and housing prices are coming down.  If Zillow is any accurate definer, my house has shed 55k worth of value over the last several months.  

Well, I guess I best be going to the property and getting this thing started.  It's really quite the pain.  Measure the space to be filled, then mark it on the insulation, cut the insulation and then install it.  But this is going to be additional "pain" because it's on a ladder and it will need glue to help hold it in place.  I am going to make sure I have tight fits that have to be squeezed in there tho, that helps with not having the insulation falling out of place. Still, on the ceiling, it's going to need glue and I will probably end up taping it as well.  And then, adding foam insulation around the cracks.

Off to the races!

G'day

 

 Long day.  Cut out the side of the shed, installed the AC, put in the press-in insulation and then start installing the wall insulation.  It was getting so hot in there, even with the AC on, the ceiling light was emanating a lot of heat.

Or so I thought. I started thinking, no, that light couldn't possibly put out so much heat that it negates the AC unit. I touched the ceiling - it's all thin metal. It was hot.  I don't mean warm, I mean hot.  There is no way I can install the ceiling insulation without a stepladder. The little thing I borrowed from home isn't high enough to get me clear up to the ceiling in the middle. 

Well, I kept working on the walls anyway, but at some point I said no more.  Headed to walmart for other supplies before I was going to go to Lowe's for the ladder. Noted that they have a stepladder for $89. They aren't cheap anymore. Go price ladders - any ladders - it may be shocking see how expensive they are.  

Done with Wally World, I headed to Lowe's.  The only thing I wanted from there was that ladder. So, I found the one that is listed at $69 - all the ladders that were in the bin were the wrong ones. I found the one the fit the description of height - 4 feet tall instead of 6 feet, but I knew I could make it work. Took it up front. Rings in at $75.  I wasn't about to start arguing with associates, I took it back and brought up the one that was listed for $89.  It rung up for $107.  Started looking at it, it was busted.  It was the only one they had. I just leaned it up against a rack and left.  Just not in the mood to try and get the price to where the tag said it is.

Back to Walmart, an actual metal, 6' tall stepladder priced at $89. What am I supposed to do?  I'll rarely need the thing but we don't have a stepladder at home, either.  It's going to be a pain in the @$$ to install the stuff, I just said screw it, get the 6 footer. Walmart had a 4 footer for $20 cheaper but I thought, no.  

I didn't go back to the property, it was mid-afternoon.   Got dishes done and then I finally had a chance to sit down.  

No regrets today, got a lot done and that's that.  Tomorrow I hope and expect the same. In fact, my goal is to get the entire ceiling done and get the heat factor in there dealt with. It's crazy how hot that ceiling was in 80 degree weather. I know, the sun is beating down on it all day long when it's not cloudy, but I just didn't expect it to be that hot. 

Well, Keto has definitely stalled. I'm going to up the ante and cut calories back to a couple of meals a day - light meals at that.  I've had stalls before but this has been going on for a while. The scale moves up and down in a 5 pound range and does that for a long time. I don't much care for that, not with the sacrifices one makes on the strict Keto diet.  I could be doing something wrong - but I doubt it.   I'm not giving up on keto, I just need to figure something out. If cutting back doesn't help, I'll do another 3 day fast.  

Water only fast, that is.  It's not as bad as it sounds. I mean, yes, you get hungry but after a while it tones down quite a bit.  I've got to do something, I'd like to have no gut showing by the time I leave for AZ, or at least slim it down more than what it is now.  In fact, maybe upping the ante is to just go ahead and fast at least a couple of days. 

Well, I kind of have been on and off this entry. It's getting late.  

 Really out of sorts today.  Just wasn't quite right for some reason.  I did 3 hours of grass work and that was the end of any physical labor for me.  I wanted to get stuff done in the shed but that just wasn't happening today.  It took most of the day before I was really feeling normal again.  That waking up  like that out of a deep sleep just does me bad.

I got home after that and went to sleep for a while. I had contacted a few people about paying for lot rent and then contacted some more after the sleep.  The family that just moved in a month ago said they were leaving on the 12th, could they get the rent pro-rated? Yes, and gave them the number.

I've had a couple of people interested in lots today.  One told me he needs to move in long term this weekend. We talked for a few minutes and the call was ended, but no confirmation that they were actually going to show up.  I am not writing them off, exactly, I just don't get the feeling that this is something that is going to happen.  Another wanted pics, so I sent pics.  They asked where it was located, sent that info as well. 

Anyway, rents are collected for what was owed today, which is a very good thing.  

I'm not sure about the grumpy people - whether they're staying or going. Looking at their arrival date, they don't actually owe rent until the 12th.  This dude was inspecting things again.  He thinks I'm a lazy ass and now? I don't really care what he says.  If he wants to get in my space and say something, let's do it. Otherwise, he can mouth off all he wants - for now - but if people start complaining about their foul attitudes, that will become a different story.  

The dude they were trying to influence just paid another month's rent, so apparently he doesn't give a s*** about their behavior.  If the grumpy people leave, I am going to prop up that sight as a "premium RV site" with pics of how much space they will have.  In fact, I will just take a pic of their trailer in that space to show how nice of a setup they have.  They would be leaving to spite me if they did leave and they have already admitted there isn't any place in town that is as good as my place....

Lot 7 is cleaned up.  That's where the trailer trash was at. They ruined a lot of grass and I was still finding cigarette butts and bud light beer caps in the ground today.  I closely examined the entire site and got all those dug-in caps out of the ground, picked up every cigarette butt I could see, mowed everything and that was that. I did, in fact, throw out a lot of trash today.  If I see trash, I pick it up.  I know, I shouldn't have to do it but if I don't, who is going to? I have no idea who the perpetrators are, I just pick the stuff up and throw it away.  I'm not going to spite my park by leaving trash laying around. In other words, get mad because people are throwing the stuff on the ground and therefore, somehow justify just leaving the stuff laying there.

It does get old, however, picking up after adults.  

Whatever the case, I do hope to feel normal again in the morning and get with the shed.  There's still so much to do.  

I also revamped my Hipcamp site with 3 different rental types. One is the RV sites, the other are the Hipcamp sites and the 3rd being the tent camping site. They all have different prices, which is what was tripping me up.  I had to figure out how to have 3 different variables of sites and have 3 different prices.  I got that figured out, done and over with.

I also realized my website says "laundry room in progress" or something like that.  Yes, it's in progress, but it's available now.  So is the shower and the toilet.  So I sent the web designer a request to change that and add tabs to show the newest amenities. I haven't talked to him in a while, I don't really need his services atm.  Changing a few words on the website costs nothing, he only charges for stuff that takes over 15 minutes.  I haven't received a bill from him in quite a while - thankfully - because I opted out of any further stuff being done with the site.  It's just money I can't afford to lose right now and I feel like it's all nicely set up and the rankings are good for Google. 

The fact of the matter is, I create and publish the Facebook ads and also the content on other websites. Hipcamp has been a chore, but I hopefully and finally have it right. Just need to add pics of the Hipcamp site. I didn't take them today because that area should be mowed first before taking photos of it.  I'll try to get that done tomorrow.  I have a bid in on a riding mower with a catcher.  I tried to get on it quick, but others beat me. However, the others haven't showed up yet and the dude said if these 2 people ahead of me are no shows, I can have it.  It's only $400 and in excellent condition. 

Well that's enough.  It's almost 8:30, I'm going to kick back, relax, watch a little tv and go to bed soon enough. Oh, I did fill out the application for the truck driver training position. I might as well try to get the job.  It says I have to have a current CDL and current medical card. Check and check.  But I need to make a resume - I think I have one on my harddrive.  Needs to be updated and finished but I do have one.  I kind of feel like I should just start over and show the last 10 years of work - which is required by federal regulations - and explain in detail my job duties.  I'll get to that in the next few days, apparently there isn't any rush for people to take the training position, it's been up and off and then up again several times. 

Or perhaps, they aren't finding the type of people they want?  I dunno, but the lady is back at my park, staying 33 days this time.  They say they like it out here. Yes, it is probably much nicer than the big city that Dallas is. Or any other large city.  

With that, I bid you a good night.  

 Hipcamp just keeps throwing me curve balls, but I'm working on it. It has my Hipcamp sites lumped in with the regular RV site.  It then had them all listed for the Hipcamp site.  Gag. No, no, no.  People don't follow instructions anyway, it says for the rv sites to please call for availability.  Did they call? Of course not, they placed a reservation for a date that is, fortunately for me, available.  I am not making much money off of this deal, tho, it was Hipcamp priciing.

Oh well. Live and learn.  They're getting a smoking deal on an RV lot with full hookups for the price they paid, I can tell ya that.  Anyway, I need to redo the Hipcamp area separate from the RV listing.  Or just do away with the RV listing altogether.  Whatever the case, I still need to take pics of hipcamp area and will be dumping the pics of the RV park area.  My focus with Hipcamp is the grass area.  My overnighters usually find me through Google, not Hipcamp.  

I finally got my son and mom and board with dates that will work for both of them and pulled the trigger. Went to my credit card perks, went to flights and yes, I booked a flight out of Longview.  I don't know how much more it costs to fly out from there versus driving clear to Dallas, but in  my mind, it's worth a few extra bucks to save the hassle of driving to Dallas, paying exorbitant fees to park there, getting a shuttle to the airport, etc.  You think of driving 157 miles each way and fuel costs, dump all of that and just pay for service out of Longview, it only  makes sense.  

It's free anyway.  I have almost enough in that account for another trip.  I definitely have enough on another card, possibly 2 other cards, to pay for trips as well.  It was over $500 round trip, which I think is outrageous considering being crammed into a Boeing 737 and having to go to 2 airports.  This same flight a few years ago was around $340 with only on layover in Dallas.  

I also hate American Airlines. They are not the most customer service friendly airline and they show it at times.  I could go into stories.....especially the one where my flight arrived late coming back into Dallas, running like crazy to get to the connecting flight only to find they have shut the jetway doors and wouldn't allow me on the plane, even those the jetway was still attached to the plane.  There is only one flight per day going to Longview out of Dallas.  

Anyway, I am not going into that, I'm just saying this trip is now officially planned what with the purchase of the tickets. AA will charge me a ridiculous baggage fee as well unless I can just cram everything into a small suitcase and carry it on.  The problem with that is that I always get loaded up with stuff to take back, usually stuff I really want.  I haven't looked up their current baggage fees, the last time I flew with them years ago it was already ridiciulous.  

This is why I have driven to Dallas on many occasions to fly Southwest with no baggage fees - but you still have to hassle with parking and a ride to the airport depending on where you park. There is a hotel I usually stay at that is relatively cheap and offers cheap parking for however long you need it to be. You pay in advance and get a ride to the airport via their shuttle.  Parking is an amazingly expensive proposition at airports. 

I have settled myself down from last night's venture and have determined to be happy and joyful regardless of a couple of very unhappy individuals.  Today is pay day - not for me but for everyone in the park.  Well, a lot of people in the park anyway.  It's almost 9:00 am and I haven't heard from anyone yet.  I'll be texting them if they don't contact me.  And going over there to see if anyone left.  Well, let me see if I can see if any lots are empty through the camera....too hard to tell. I can see lot 12 is empty - but it's supposed to be empty.  

Those overnighters at lot 7 are probably still there, they said they would be staying as late as my checkout time is, which is noon.  Doesn't look like anyone is home at any of the lots, all vehicles are gone excepting one.  No matter, I have their text numbers : ) I will start texting them when I get over to the property.  

Last night was one of those wake-up-at-1:00am-and-stay-awake fun times. 2 hours. But then, I fell asleep and woke up out of a deep sleep at a little after 8:00am.  This can't go on, I have to find - well cancel that. I just need to start getting up during weekdays at a regular, early time whether I have slept or not.  This should - or hopefully anyway - force the issue with sleep issues at night. Be tired enough at bedtime? Sleep all night! Or wake up and go right back to sleep anyway.  

Ok, had to update my binder.  Lot 2 came in on the 10th last month, he was only supposed to stay a month but now I'm hearing rumors he may be staying longer. Lot 10 came in mid-April and paid through the 1st. He allegedly is staying a "long time" - but he is friends with the grumpy people so who knows how that will work out.  Lot 11, 13 and 14 - 14 the grumpy people - all owe today.  A total of 8 that owe today, 3 are already paid in advance with a check from that company that pays their lodging arrangements.  

So, there are 3 lots.  14, grumpy people. 13, friends of grumpy people with a daughter, they live in the trailer full time, no house.  11 - it would appear he's more of an acquaintance.  If one leaves, do they all leave? I dunno, but grumpy people trailer is plainly visible in the camera, they are still there.  The dude can bi*** about the "hot shed" all he wants, I have the AC unit, I bought the new blade to install it, but now Im going to wait.  He's not my boss and I sure as Hades am not going to bow to his demands made the way he said them. I don't give a s*** what he thinks about me.  I will install the insulation before I put that AC in there.  Just because he did what he did last night. And anyway, it's still cool out in the mornings and evenings, he can do his laundry then - or - they can go to the laundromat they were going to before I opened up the laundry room. 

I take that back. Grumpy people don't owe lot rent until the 12th.  Whatever.  I need to take pics of lot 7 after the overnighters leave, someone is interested in it but they want pics first.  Ok, I'll be happy to take some photos. And also of hipcamp grass area and upload and dump the RV park pics.  

Well, I am finally awake, sort of.  Still kind of groggy, but good enough to get my happy @$$ over there and start getting some work done today.  I've got 7 lots left to mow before I can start on the shed.  

G'day

 I get a call earlier today.  These people are 3 hours out, do I have a lot available for overnight? Yes, yes I do. I have 2 of them actually, a back in and a pull through. They want the pull through.  We work out payment arrangements and I actually forgot about it.  

Until I got a notification. One of the few things I have notifications turned on for, my cameras let me see what's going on over there with anyone coming in.  I don't always look at them. 2 days ago I had over 80 notifications. It's more of a, gee, someone calls and says something happened over there, let me see if I can find something with video of it.

But if someone is coming in, something in my brain says to check notifications.  So here these people are - they didn't tell me there is a motor coach and two vehicles.  I guess I don't really care, it all fit onto one lot.  Ok, they stop and the grouchy people ask if they are staying overnight.  Yes! I can hear all of this on the camera, remarkably.  Not like the camera is 5 feet away.  I couldn't hear what their reaction was, but they got in their vehicles, found their lot and got settled in

Meanwhile, while I was on there, I looked inside the shed.  It was rather startling to see this dude staring at the camera cussing and calling me all kinds of names.  He was smack dab in the middle of this when I came online with it.  WTH.  It's HOT in here, you need to get AC installed in here, you lazy ass.  Then he inspects where I had started to cut a line through the shed wall to get the ac in there.  Then he starts mumbling some unintelligible s***.  

These people. They have the best spot in the park.  It is hands down the best spot to be in.  It faces the doggy park and there are no neighbors, obviously, on the doggy park side. Considering this is where they hang out - on the passenger side of the trailer - and the entrance door, they don't even have to see their neighbors on the other side if they don't want to.  

I got pretty angry pretty quick, this guy can get the hell out of my park, I thought at first.  And other thoughts and potential reactions that I won't go into.  Just human nature, I just let some time pass and let myself cool down.  They have no way of knowing whether I am actually seeing them or not.  I have other people telling me they are talking sh** about me behind my back.  I"m not really sure I should let that phase me.  I'm thinking, just act like I know nothing at all.  It's that or I can tell ya, all hell is going to break loose for about the time I engage them in their gossip, bulls*** and backtalking and they open their stupid mouths and start letting out their vileness, I'm going to let loose.

But I don't really think that's the way to go about this.  I guess for now, until I figure out how I want to engage this without sinking to their depths of incivility and stupidity, I'll act like I never heard what he said. Or they have been saying to other people.  I don't wonder if other people just scratch their heads and wonder what they are even talking about.  or maybe they agree with them and I'll  have a max-exodus out of the park?

But there is a reason they are at my park and not at the others.  The came from the other parks. They can bitch all they want, but deep down, they know they are getting an excellent deal in probably one of most prime areas near town that they can find.  I'll find out tomorrow, but it's April 30, 9:00 pm and they are still there. They aren't going to be moving somewhere in the middle of the night, that would be stupid.  Improbable as well. 

But, they seriously can leave if it's so miserable there.  

Well, anyway, it's Sunday night, the house is quiet now that the kids are in bed and I'm settling myself down as well. I don't need to lose sleep over people like this. They are this way with each other, I've heard it several times now.  They are just miserable people.  They are unhappy with each other and they are taking it out on the easiest targets.  That's my assessment after hearing them cussing each other out and on one occasion, they were in their trailer with their door open, I was probably 200 feet away and could hear them yelling at each other inside the trailer from that distance away, loud enough to understand what they were saying. 

The question I must answer now is: is it worth it having this kind of people in the park spreading their poisonous, toxic attitudes to everyone else? And how many people would I lose if they left? And if I lost half the park, would it matter or would I be better off?  Do I want these people to be the first people anyone coming into the park sees and many times talks to?  I think it's going to come to a head eventually if I do nothing and they will sink themselves. That is the way this stuff usually works out, they get so mad they lose their minds, blow up and then they force their own exit out of my place upon them. 

I can tell ya, the Mexicans couldn't care less about these people, I have already received payment for the 3 that came in together for next month.  The dude on lot 3 doesn't care, either. The new people that are only there for a month have become buddy buddy with them, however, but does it matter? No, they aren't staying long anyway.  There are other people, tho, that they may or may not be poisoning.  

Anyway, I best get off of this thing and get off of this subject and start thinking about something else. 

 Unexpectedly - but thankfully - the trailer trash moved out today.  No notice, I just went to the park and saw it gone. Double checked with them, yes they left.  Good riddance, honestly. Not only was the electrical hookup a fire hazard, they also had a huge water leak in the trailer. I only noticed this when I was over there inspecting the trailer and there was water dripping down from the sides and bottom of it.  I can't even imagine what it must have looked like inside and I don't want to know. An eyesore is gone and I won't be making that mistake again. If someone wants to come in with an older trailer gain, they will be sending me 10 pics of all sides or they won't be moving in.  

I don't need or want people that throw trash all over the place, have busted out windows, dogs that get out and terrorize the park, fire hazard connections and water leaks. If they has asked, I could have directed them to a trailer trash park that would have happily accepted them if they had a site available. My constant cranking on them probably drove them out of there without having to have a confrontation. I simply won't tolerate people living like that, I just built the place, it is getting a reputation as a "clean" park and the first thing you saw pulling in was that setup? 

Since it's the last day of the month, I reposted  my ads and one with a boost.  In case anyone is looking for last minute space before tomorrow/the 1st, I want to make sure my ad is out there.  

All I can do now is wait and hope the lot re-rents quickly.  I also opened up a few days starting today going through Friday for overnights.  People like the pull throughs more than back ins for overnight stuff and I'm not taking a chance of losing a customer because I have it blacked out. Who knows, in reality, how long it will take to re-rent it?  I have my laptop in the vehicle, if it does rent out long term, I can black out the next 5 days.  I have lot 12 available, the 2 nighter left and isn't taken again until Thursday.  That one is being left open since I have 2 more reservations totaling another 11 days worth of reservations on it. 

Tho, if someone wanted a back-in long term, I could switch these overnighters to pull through.  Anyone staying that long - 3 days on one and 8 on another - is here for more than just staying at a park somewhere. They are here for an event - there are lots of them in this region and usually something is going on somewhere during the weekends - or they're here for family. Or whatever, but I doubt it's just here for staying at my park.  I really need to find - decent - long term to take lot 7 because I am still facing losing more people here soon enough.  

Well enough of that. It's Sunday and I really just sighed a great sigh of relief to see them gone.  The boys were with me, we went to church. They wanted to stay and play, so I set out to mow that rather large doggy park while they played.  It takes quite a while to mow that much land.  It's the biggest thing in the park that has to be mowed.  Tomorrow I will try to finish the rest of the park and get it done with - at least for now.  At least I got something done over there today!

A while back, there was a doggy trotting down the street that was totally out of place. You could tell - or at least that's what I thought anyway - that it was looking for home and didn't know where it was.  It let me grab it's collar, so I called the animal hospital listed on the tag.  They gave me the number, I took the dog home and James and taylor started calling the numbers that the animal hospital was giving me.  Fast forward, the people that own the dog were out of town on a trip to a funeral.  The people that were supposed to be watching the dog, we learned yesterday, didn't even know the dog was gone until these people called them and asked them if the dog was there?

Yes, it's in the other room with so and so. Well, you might want to take a look because we are looking at pics of our dog that some people rescued.  The owner's had a friend come over and take it home with them, not returning it to the pet sitter - I wouldn't have wanted to take it back there, either.  We learned yesterday that they had rescued that dog 14 years ago and of course, it is as much family as any human.  I feel that way about Addler, I know plenty of people that feel the same.  

These people came over yesterday with a card for James. They didn't understand that I had rescued the dog, James just happened to call the number that one of them answered. It was a collaborative effort on all 3 of our part to help get the doggy home.  These people expressed their great gratitude and left. The card? Had a handwritten note and a $100 bill in it.  Personally, I would have wanted to hand it back to them.  I would feel like we are exacting a ransom note or something. I always think when I see stray dogs and try to help - what if that were my dog running loose? Wouldn't I want someone to find him and try to get him home?  

Yes, of course. Well, since we have the money, we are going to go out and treat ourselves to dinner at a restaurant somewhere yet to be determined. We are waiting for James to come home - he went back to that barn setup, he needed to get that trailer out of there that the lady was giving him for payment for doing all that work.  But, he's coming home soon and yes< I am looking forward to a nice meal from - wherever.

Later, we have a gender reveal for the folks that are going to end up with the baby that is in Taylor's womb right now.  The baby is healthy, btw, after getting a scare from the docs that she has gestational diabetes. That turned out to be a false alarm.  She found out the gender this week, the folks are begging us to tell them what it is.  I'm not even going to say it on here in case they have somehow found this blog, lmao.  So, that should be fun.

G'day

 I got nothing done at the park yesterday/Saturday.  I didn't intend to.  I put enough hours in this week, I am hanging my hat for the weekend. Of course, there could be the wild hair to go over there and finish mowing what isn't done. However, a lot of people will be home today meaning vehicles all over the place and people attempting to enjoy a day off. I will probably wait - excepting the doggy park.  Unless the grouchy people did it.

See, I saw them on the camera yesterday evening - I got a notification, I do not sit there and watch camera views all day long - and saw the man pushing the mower by the doggy park.  The camera doesn't have a shot of the doggy park, it's on the side of the shed.  Whatever. I've never given them official permission to use the mower, if they blast someone's window, that's going to be on them.  

No, yesterday morning was the soccer game. It was cold, a mist was falling from the sky and it was windy.  The boy wasn't liking it, I wasn't particularly liking it either, but only because I had come with a light coat.  A medium thick coat was necessary to stay warm.  We got done with that, went to Mikky D's for lunch and then home where I started cranking on cleaning projects.  Vacuumed my floor several times over - you know, a dog and such?  Took the shelves out of the fridge, cleaned all of that. Got out the carpet shampooer and did the high traffic areas and especially where the dog is at. 

I also washed his bedding and other laundry.  By the time that was done, it was time to go.  Go where? The boys have been begging to see the Super Mario brothers movie.  I figured I would be bored to death, but I took them anyway.  Turns out that yes, some of it just put me to sleep but some of it was funny.  

That toasted the entire day.  Or, at least, until almost 6ish in the evening.  I didn't even go over to the property yesterday, that's the magic of having cameras.  I can see if anything is going on. It doesn't replace a physical visit and putting eyes on everything, but it works when I don't have time to get there. And anyway, I didn't really feel like going over there and listening to these people bit***** about the grass. I'm taking care of the grass, they just don't see what I am doing when they are at work.  They didn't even know I had sprayed the entire park with grass killer around the areas where the grass is growing tall.  

They didn't ask, they just assumed that I am doing nothing and that "the grass in this park is out of control".  In a pig's eye it is.  I'm not going to mow the damn grass every other day.  I would literally have to mow it twice a week to keep up with their tastes.  I was also out there pulling grass around pedestals, solar lights and other areas where the mower can't reach.  And if they think I am going to use a weedeater next to trailers and cars, they have another thing coming. I already ate a new windshield for a late model truck, I don't have any desire to do that again.  Weedeaters will just spew the rocks all over the place.  

Tomorrow.  I dunno yet.  Lots of things to do. I bought the vanity, that whole setup needs to be installed. I could at least get started on it, but the drain stuff isn't happening until all of that dries out outside in what's left of the trench.  Still, get the thing in there and placed and out of the way.  I have the stuff to finish electrical outlets and a new cutting blade to cut the hole for the AC.  Definitely want the AC going soon, it's going to start getting hot sooner or later.  And that also means getting the insulation installed.  I'll probably wade into the insulation territory and see how that goes.

I have the materials, I just don't know if the glue I bought is going to work.  In reality, since it's sheets of insulation, if I cut it good enough, the sheets will just push into place and stay there without any glue.  I think I'll prioritize the AC tho.  And if the weather holds as the forecast says, maybe by Wednesday I can start fooling around with the final drain assembly I'll need to do until/if/when I decide to install a small kitchen. That project is definitely going to wait.  

Well enough. The church bells are ringing and I'll soon be singing - praises to the Holy Lord!  

Amen to that. 

G'day

 

 Long day.  I decided to start mowing the grass again this morning.  I got 5 lots done, James showed up for the trailer. So, turning off the mower? It wouldn't restart. I took off to get over to Lowe's and get some food.  That done, to the bus stop. Got the kids and then back to Lowe's.  I wasn't done there and I didn't want to buy everything without - buying everything.  They didn't care and then we went to the property. Got that stuff out and then got back to mowing grass.  

I guess I got caught up on pulling grass around the pedestals and such, I didn't even get done today.  k

The cranky people gave me a thumbs down for not mowing their lawn while getting others done.  These people, like really?  I told her that the lawn mower wouldn't restart earlier and that's why I didn't finish.  Im pretty sure the thing just needs  new spark plug, it runs fine once you get it started.  

Oh and fooling with these people with the Great Dane. We went back and forth, I'm not going to have them giving my place a shi*** image.  

I really don't know where the hours went today, I left this morning and didn't get home until almost 8:00 pm, that's all I can tell ya. 

Whatever the case, I'm wasted tired. It's 9:30 pm, I think I'm going to bed.  

 I'm getting close to evicting the people with the Great Dane.  They have an unsafe electrical hookup that I've asked several time to repair correctly, they have 2 or 3 windows busted out, they leave trash laying around and they now have dogs getting out.  I'm not gong to continue with these people forever.  I've tried numerous times to get them to clean up their act.  I picked up the trash myself and chucked it in the garbage - it's a really bad image to have what amounts to trailer trash living in your park.  I'm heading over there today and see what's up, I got a text saying one of their dogs got out from another person in the park.  

Trailer trash. I've tried to keep that type out.  This one got by by taking pics of the trailer that didn't show the windows broken.  And you certainly can't tell if they are living in squalor by words on a message.  I've notified them swiftly about the things they have = wrong - over there and it hasn't done any good. I'm not willing to have them staying there indefinitely, living like that. 

There is one person using the machines that just started using them today.  I need more park guests to be using the machines.  

The people always complaining are at it again about the grass.  I just ignored them. The ground has been wet from rain, you can't cut grass when it's wet. It just clumps up and you are wasting your time.  The grass doesn't cut right, either.  

I need another load of gravel. I don't want to spend $700 on anything right now, but the driveway still needs a bit more gravel on it and there are lots that need some fixing up.  I'm probably not going to do that right now, I may see if I can get some gravel dumped onto my trailer and just use a little bit to fix the driveway and call it good for now.  

The grass killer I sprayed has so far shown nothing in terms of killing off any grass, save a few yellow specks on a few blades of grass.  I'm going to find some other brand to use and see if I can get all the grass along the edges of the driveway and pads killed off. I already did this once, I'll do it again. I don't want to use a weedeater on that grass, high probability of having rocks flying into trailer glass and costing me even more glass replacement fees. No thank you. One guest said it costs anywhere from $700 to over a grand to fix glass on those trailers depending on the size of the window.

Well some of those windows are huge. I have people coming into lot 12 today, if it dries up enough in the next few hours I'm going to mow all sides of that.  The sun is finally shining!

Well, I guess I need to get the generator off the trailer.  James is finishing up today over at that place where he's cutting down a metal barn, he needs it to haul off the scrap.  He's also going to pull out a 21 foot trailer and bring that over as well. I have ample space for it  we really don't have space at the house.  At least not for extended. If he were just selling it, he could leave it on the street and put a hitch lock on it. But I'm pretty sure his plan was to bring it over to the property.  

I don't like to watch people on the cameras, but since this guy is using the machines for the first time, I am going to watch him to ensure he isn't getting into anything.  I haven't seen any erratic or volatile behavior yet, in fact, he's just coming in, moving clothes into the washer and then moving clothes into the dryer and leaving.  That's exactly what I intended.  People can sit there if they want, of course, I do have a chair in there but I'd rather they just come and go.  The beauty of that door keypad, just enter a code and that's it.  It takes 2 seconds to enter the code.  

I remember attempting to decide what I was going to do about the door and keeping the place locked up - this was easily the best decision I could have made for it. No keys, no worry about strangers getting into  it- at least not without force - and having security cameras to ensure that people keep it on the up and up.  

That's about it. I am going over there and likely starting on the insulation today.  I have the glue and the sheets, I just need to start measuring them, gluing  the wall where they will go and get with it. There's a lot to do.  The ceiling will be impossible.  I will have no choice but to buy a stepladder. We don't have one at the house and as much as I hate to spend another $70 on things, there is no question that I must have it.  I was using a 2 step stool to install the lighting, but I can't quite reach the ceiling itself.  

But, to start, I can start on the walls. That will take who knows how long, there are a lot of cuts to be made.  I've got the electrical outlets completed besides a couple of items that I need to buy.  I am installing a light for the outside of the shed, I don't have a switch for it, I haven't started the install yet. I don't want it left half-assed.  Just start the installation and finish it the same day, including getting it hooked up to electricity.  It's a low wattage bulb I bought for it, I likely will just leave it on until I can find a light switch to install with it. I'm sure Lowe's must have them.  

I think I might put some Gorilla tape on those insulation pieces as well, hold them in place.  That insulation will be the only thing keeping the heat out during the summer and the cooling in.  I don't have any heating over there and tho it will need something, it isn't necessary now and won't be necessary until this winter.  It's still getting chilly, but not enough to need a heater in there. I also wouldn't mind installing one of those things that allows the heat from the dryer to escape into the room.  

Well, sitting here writing isn't getting anything done....

G'day. 

 Another day in paradise. 

Up until 2:00 am, the rolling thunder kept me awake for hours. It wasn't here and there, it was constant and it just rolled across the sky, growling like an angry lion, calling out to those that are sleeping.  Thunder and I aren't friends when it comes to sleep. I am a very light sleeper as it stands.  Thunder, especially that type of thunder, wakes me up and keeps me awake. 

Woke feeling cruddy because of it this morning.  Not like I went to be at 2:00 am.  

But, I made it out to the property, cut one piece of drywall, decided this wasn't the day for doing that and went to installing electrical outlets.  I've got all the outlets I'm doing - done. Except the stove outlet. No biggies there, the rest of the stuff is what was priority. I have another list of things I need from Lowe's. As it stood, I needed to get home to get the boys from the bus stop.  

It was funny tho.  I was talking with the lady side of the older couple and mentioned that those other people hadn't said a word to me in a week. She hesitated.  I could tell. Those people b**** about everything.  So they're talking shit about me again, lol. Yes, she said, but they complain about everything.  I replied: they are complaining about the grass again, right?  Of course they are.  I mowed it a week ago, I'm not getting out there and mowing every day.  Why the grass suddenly decided to take off and grow like weeds, I have no idea. It didn't do that for many months over.  

And even more interesting:  I no more got done talking to the older couple and this lady contacts me: the wifi isn't working. I can check that easily, just try to access my cameras.  If the app works and shows live footage, it's because the wifi is working.  Yup, both cameras up and going.  Oh, nvrmnd, it's "finally" working now.  I said hi to her and she complained about the grass. 

Whatever, dude. I'm not spending the rest of my life mowing grass every other day.  If they don't like it, literally, they can leave and take their foul attitudes with them. I didn't say that, but I was surely thinking it.  I don't need this.  What she really wants is for me to buy a riding mower so she can go riding around mowing grass all over the place. Even the older couple lady said that today.  WTH.  I can think of a thousand things I'd rather be doing than mowing grass. 

But even if I do get a riding mower, I'm not sure I want anyone else running it. Rocks. I will eventually get rid of them, but right now, they are still everywhere. I pick them up, I throw them into the woods, done. 1 done, a lot to go. If they go around busting out windows on an RV, are they going to pay for it?  Obvious answer.  I need a riding mower, I don't need recklessness. I already made a mistake once, I don't need more of that.  That goes right into my paychecks.  If I have to pay out a window, I am losing money I can pay myself.  

I spent my retirement money on this thing.  I sometimes wonder if it was the right call. I go through all the logical/analytical thinking.  What if it doesn't pay off? What if it doesn't pay the bills? What if I can't make ends meet? I go there sometimes.  But I then think - property values have gone up like wildfire in my region.  Prices for buying RV parks are unbelievable. Couple the 2 together and you have a property that is worth enough to retire off of coupled with SS payments.  Not my goal, but it's there.  

I dunno. I'm still just sort of grasping my way through this.  People in the industry want to give me all kinds of advice and help - if I pay them of course. I'll just continue on with my dream and hope it pays off.  

I'll be going to Lowe's yet again tomorrow morning.  I have quite the list.  

 5 time repeat customer coming again for a couple of days boosting lot 12's appeal in keeping it short term.  I have never spoken with these people. They show up, they drop the trailer, they hook up, they leave.  I've seen them a couple of times, waved at them and moved on.  Give me another 10 days worth for that spot in the next 30 days and it's paid for itself the same as my current rates of long term.  I don't mind keeping one lot open if it's going to generate sufficient revenue.  

I'm certainly not going to tell those 3 sets of people that I don't have the space available, that's a fact. So, stuck with it for overnighters, I'll just hope I can get some more people in there to rent it. 

I'm feeling much better.  I should be able to go over there and continue work tomorrow.  It's been raining most of the day and severe storms coming tonight, however, that may affect sleep. I'll still go over there but at what time? I'll figure that out in the morning.  It's actually better that I just get over to Lowe's and get that sink and cabinet.  Well, probably just a waste of time.  I'm not getting into what is remaining of that trench after all of this rain and more projected tomorrow.  

It's okay. I have to finish some wiring and outlet installation, the AC installation and start putting in the insulation.  There's plenty to do.  Wiring will take precedence, I'd like to get that over with and behind me, at least the stuff I can do for right now.  Actually the only other wiring I will have left is if I want to install a stove in the future and another wiring setup for another set of machines. The stove is a real possibility, the machines? Not so much.  These machines are getting used on the weekends but slight usage during the week. I see no need to purchase more.  If people want to complain, I will tell them they can use them when there is no one using them.  If it's that big of a deal, they can just go to the laundromat like they've been doing.

The thing about the stove wiring is the expense.  I have to decide if I am really going to do that at some point, for that wiring is expensive. Stoves use 50 amp breakers meaning I think it's 6-3 wiring.  Even 10 feet of that stuff would cost probably around $80. And 10 feet would work, now is the time to do it. I'm going to fill that hole the wiring is coming in through with duct sealant and after that stuff is in there, it's going to be difficult to remove it to push through another wire.  

Oh, btw, I bought the outlet for the stove, the box it goes in and a cover awhile back. I was certain I was going to put in a stove and I am still convinced it may be a good idea.  Ill probably go ahead and get that wire when I get the vanity.  Those are the few big ticket - well not that big actually - but big enough ticket items left.  The stove can wait, the kitchen sink can wait, etc.  I'll need a bench for the bathroom as well, I'm looking for something cheap, not fancy.  I'm tired of spending money on this thing.  I still have hipcamp wiring to go - but I've had the wire sitting there for a month. Just haven't had time to get to it, the priority is to get the shed going for whosoever demands such amenities to be in there.  

I'll be taking a shower in that stall. Yes, I know it works, I want to just stand there with the hot water running and ensure I have it right.  The water drains perfectly, no pooling.  There are no leaks and I have backfilled that setup underneath the shed.  I guess I should get some throw rugs for people to stand on when they get out of the shower. I know I don't like standing on cold, hard flooring.  Several dollar tree cheap rugs or Ollie's will work.  

The point is that you just hang one up to dry and put a fresh one in when one gets wet.  This is far from being a fancy setup here, it's practical and that's all I was aiming for, for now.  It's cost a truckload of money, I hope it pays off. I am very glad, regardless, of having a bathroom to use the toilet now instead of having to go out into the woods or sending the kids out there.  

I did spend time today updating websites where my park is listed to reflect the sewer dump, the water spigot, the grassy area for hipcamp, the laundry, shower and toilet.  I also put out a local Facebook ad in case there are any tent campers in the area that want a place to pitch a tent over night.  My Google site has been updated to reflect the additional amenities.  

I would very much appreciate it if Google would please update the photo from satellite of the property. It's just a forest - people look at it, they tell me so. Looks like you just have trees there? This must be a new park?  I'm just not going to spend $300 on drone footage.  I don't know that the money spent would equate into income.  I could put a link to google maps on there for people to see the footage.  

Well enough.  It's not late but I've got a lot on my mind right now. 

And I was taking a look at Hipcamp. It's crazy. You have to change options in 4 different places. Otherwise, it still shows no laundry, shower or toilet.  I'm glad I went through all of that yet again.  I have now going through the entire admin site and hopefully I have this correct. I am going to go to Google Incognito and take a look. Okay, the only thing left is that I need to take a couple pics of the Hipcamp area.  I don't want people thinking they are getting an RV site for that kind of money - it's cheap.  It's enough to make a little profit and get some extra finances generated.  I'm going to get some pics tomorrow and get those up there quick, lol.  

I guess I best take a pass through my Roverpass site one more time as well! Well that sucks.  I'm on page 4 for a search for my town.  Most of what's showing up isn't even in my town. These other sites must be paying to get their site boosted.  Hipcamp? My listing shows up at the top of the page.  I'm going to start looking for tent camping apps and see if I can get on some of them.

Well I guess I'll leave lot 12 open,lol.  It has 1 3-day and 1 8-day reservation on it for next month all of a sudden.  Put some more days on it with reservations and it equals monthly lot rent rate.  I also have a reservation for December 19th, lmao.  They actually called asking for the date.  Ok?  And a reservation for August 6th?  Ok. People in the business that have a reputation and have been there a while say they have their lots booked out for the summer well in advance.  I dunno if these people are suddenly showing up because I now have a bathroom facility or not.  

Speaking of bathrooms, that guy came in there yesterday twice to "inspect" everything and was mumbling something loudly on his way out.  I have no idea what his beef is and I'm not going to concern myself with it. If he has something to say to me, say it to me, not everyone else that he encounters in the park. Their lot rent is coming due soon, we'll see if they're staying. If they are, I'm going to ask him directly about these shed inspections that occur on a daily basis.

Of course it isn't finished. Of course I have materials in there for the construction.  I freely tell people that the facilities are available but it's still under construction, please "pardon our dust".  There are no surprises, there is no omission of facts.  But, that couple are constant complainers and loudly voice their disapproval about a myriad of things.  Or were, anyway, they  haven't spoken to me in a week and I have no idea why that is. They went from friendly to standoffish.  But again, this is the type of personality these people are, even with each other.  It's not surprising to me that they have turned on me for no apparent reason.

My reaction? If you don't like it, you can leave.  There are other parks in the area. If you find one of them better than mine, feel free to move.    Not a conversation I really want to have with them, in fact, I am just avoiding them. I'll take their money every month and they can stay over there and mouth off all they want.  Others in the park greatly disagree with their viewpoints and have told me that in no uncertain terms.  I do wonder if they regret leaving a good Google review.  I don't know if you can take down a review once you have posted it.  

Anyway, the thing about yesterday's inspection? He didn't go around back to see the massive amount of work I did out there. I didn't work on the inside and I'm still feeling quite bad from that excursion yesterday. Muscle aches and a giant headache this morning, it's raining and I'm sitting in my bedroom office and I don't care if I don't get anything done today.  In fact, the serenity of sitting here listening to the rain drops and the peacefulness of a house without anyone else home is quite amazing.  I still have this headache, debating whether to take meds or just wait it out.  I'm kind of stubborn on taking Tylenol and such. I really don't like taking that stuff unless I absolutely feel that I have to. 

One thing that is nice? That dirt is back in the trench. I wouldn't have been able to do that until next week sometime now that  it's been raining for hours and there are severe storms forecast for tonight, including a 3 on the tornado index.  Yes, there is still some dirt on the sides of the shed to go, but not much and really, the eyesore is gone.  I put that second shower stall up for sale, I don't need it.  I am not going to expand the facility any time soon.  It's one bathroom and one set of machines and that's it. I might put in a soda vending machine, but I'm really not sure it will be cost effective.  Maybe if I got a lot of tent campers coming in? 

I really wish I had the money to build out a glamping setup.  The biggest money is spent on building the platform, buying the giant, canvas tent and installing heating and cooling.  I suppose a good queen or king bed is probably up there as well.  I'm going to price out the materials next time at Lowe's - not to buy it right now, but as a goal.  This is something I want to do, I just need to get it there.  The obstacle? Somehow getting power back there.  

Now, I could build it at the rear of the RV park area - about 300 feet back from where the park is located - and run that aluminum, direct burial wiring to it. But that doesn't have the great views that building it in the trees will have.  Generators are noisy and expensive.  There is no real place to install a solar array - the gas production well takes up all of that.  Having the power company run power back there is likely a non-starter.  I think they gave me the install to the park for free because they figured it would pay for itself eventually.  

Really, the only thing I can think of is a generator, perhaps put in a building with maybe some sound proofing to keep the noise down.  

Why am I going on about this type of thing? Because I must have goals.  I want another 16 RV spaces and at least try 1 glamping site.  Glamping sites are easier than cabins or mini houses in that they don't have running water or bathrooms in them.  You might put a glorified outhouse nearby and perhaps an outdoor shower.  It's an experience, a destination in and of itself.  But it isn't cheap.  And it absolutely requires electricity.  I can see 3k just worth of lumber and supplies to build the platform. 2k for a tent.  A grand for heating/cooling setup.  After that, however and if you have existing bathroom facilities nearby - it's just putting in the furnishings, carpeting, decorations.  It's basically a hotel room in a tent. 

So, there is Austin bank a mile away and a lead to getting a loan from a particular person at that bank who can get loans where others have failed.  I'm going to at least call the person and see what they have to say. Probably not right now, lol, this headache is starting to go away but definitely not a good time to be discussing a business loan.  I don't have down money, it's going to have to be a collateral loan or it's nothing at all.  The point? I'm just going to keep trying.  The worst they can say is no.  If I could ever get a yes, I could get on the contractor's list and have him commit to a timeline - with caveats for weather of course - and get it done quickly.  I didn't do that last time and I was just thrown in there when he had time.  Which ended up not happening a lot because rain would stall the plans.

The biggest obstacle right now would be the appraisal.  Just too much money. 

Out of necessity, I finally took an "owner's draw" and paid myself just a few minutes ago.  Business account? Lots of money. Personal accounts? Not so great. We're just short of 5 months into this and I finally took a paycheck.  After the 1st, I will be taking more, at least another grand.  

I will probably be taking 2 grand now that I'm looking at my electric bills that finally came through. A total of $696.48, it's still low enough to get some money into my personal accounts before the high electric bills hit.  This will finance me through May and into June or longer.  I have gotten rid of a lot of unnecessary payments, lowered others and tho I have high credit card debt, the amount is manageable.  

Credit card usage is about to go by the wayside as well.  I have more items to buy for the shed, but if it's a grand I'd be surprised.  I'm really debating whether I should just go and get a vanity today and get that over with.  Of course, that will pose more installation challenges having to run a drain pipe from outside to it and running water to the faucet through types of water lines I have never dealt with before.  I don't think they are particularly hard to do, but still.  New stuff abounds in this project, hence taking so long to finish.  

Well, I'm not just using credit cards now.  I am using a lot of business checking account money to finance remaining purchases.  I just want to try and end the usage of credit cards.  The IRS check hasn't hit my account yet.  I don't know how long that takes, they would have had that check by now.  Even if I owe them more, I am sure they will cash that check regardless.  Finances will start getting a bit dicey now with having to make extra payments to a savings account - that I have not yet opened - to pay for property taxes and insurance. That insurance due will hit in December.  I'm hoping I won't have to make any claims and keep the premium the same or even go down.  

Whatever the case, I have at least 4 grand worth of money coming in the 1st of May - providing everyone stays of course - which will pay expenses and still have ample money left over even after paying expenses. This is where my pay starts to come in.  I also have to start putting aside estimated taxes. This all needs to go into a savings account to separate those monies from operating capital.  I'm starting to get a little better at this. Not a pro, but at least I have some semblance of a mind of how it works and how I should go about doing it.  There is more coming in after the 1st as well, but it's up in the air type thing whether they are staying.  I'm taking my Facebook ads down for now, will need to make a new one for a new look instead of reusing the same ones over and over.

But not now. All lots are filled besides the one, available overnight lot.  I suppose I could run a free ad for tent camping tho.  Might as well? Yes!

With that? The sun is now shining, I'm feeling better and after I make that new ad, I'm going to head over to the property and get some work done.

G'day. 

 I overdid it today.  Move the generator, move the stuff off the trailer and start shoveling. And shoveling some more - and more.  I got the entire back side of the shed backfilled and then got half the side of the shed done as well. There was some point after all of this shoveling - I was almost done - that I sat down.  

When I went to get back up? I was bent over and feeling it badly.  I continued to work in such position until I got everything cleared out.  If I'm posting Hipcamp is open, then Hipcamp better have everything I say it has, including that dump station.  No, I don't suddenly have a miraculous number of people contacting me through Hipcamp or Roverpass. Instead, I have someone posting a reservation for August through my reservation system.

Say what?  

But I am, obviously, hoping that reservations will start to pick up for the Hipcamp area.  Well, not that anyone has ever stayed there, lol. 

One of the set of eyes hasn't contacted me in many days now.  I don't know what she's pissed about, I'm not going to bother wasting my time asking.  Something is wrong and unless they actually tell me what that is, I'm going about my business. They are bit*** people that find fault with each other and everyone else.  I don't have time for it.  Well, I don't want to be subjected to it, drama is not my thing.

I'm sure it will come at me at some point tho....I haven't said anything negative to them at all, but they talk to all kinds of people in the park.  I don't know what influence they have and I don't care...unless...I find out they are trash talking me for whatever reasons. The dude comes into the shed every night after he comes home from work and looks at everything.  Like he's some sort of inspector. He opens the door to the bathroom, looks in there and leaves. 

I'm not their subordinates. They are my bread and butter, but I'm not going to bow down to them.  If he would have gone around to the back of the shed, he would have seen right away what I had done today.  

I contacted the Great Dane people again today - they are always gone when I come through there.  That electrical connection isn't going to work, I want that fixed immediately. Not tomorrow, not next week, TODAY.  He argued with me that "that is the way they set it up". I don't know who they are and I don't care. I replied that if I had the electrical contractor come in the park and look at that sh**? He would have ripped that thing out of the pedestal. I would have, but there are dogs in there and they need the cooling during the daytime.  He replied "I will try to fix it today". 

No, you WILL fix it today.  I'll post a pic of this nonsense on my Facebook.  

So what else is there today? The work kicked my ass. I came home and laid down in bed.  Taylor and the oldest showed up the same time I did, I didn't expect them at all.  I forgot that there was a field trip to an aquarium and the she was asked to be a chaperone. She is also leaving on Thursday to go be with her friend who asked her to come to be with her during surgery.  This is all preplanned.

I mean, I'm finally feeling better 6 hours later.  I wanted to get more done today. Reality is, I got overzealous about getting Hipcamp ready and just drove myself to get that stuff done back there. I'll see how I feel in the morning before determining what, exactly, I'm going to do.  

I'm done.  

 Oh, and this, forgot to add on last post: my "new" valuation for my property for taxes for next year.  Near 200k.  They want to raise my taxes to almost 3 grand.  It's probably worth more than that, but comparing it to other rv parks? There is no way they should have valuated it for that much.

Just one other park I compared it to has 36 spaces, which is 22 more than I have, several cabins, a house and a large clubhouse.  They valued that at near 300k.  Mine is just 14 spaces, a shed and nothing else.  By that reasoning, either that other park is greatly undervalued or they have greatly overvalued mine. 

It's around $400 per month I will have to set aside for taxes alone.  That's unbelievable.  That's a lot of money eaten up for - nothing in my book. The ISD wastes money continuously and now is going to add a bond initiative to the next election coming next month.  They built this giant, covered stadium type thing for a high school.  That is a glaring waste of money, they already have a full fledged football field as it stands.

They built a brand new Jr. High facility.  Now they want even more to do more stuff to the High School. I asked one of the board members about it, he sounded just like a politician should sound: Full of s***.  I posted that on the local gossip site and hope that people will vote against it.

I wouldn't be able to pay that right now, I can tell ya.  I'm going to have to open a business savings account immediately and start setting money aside. I figured I was in for around $2,500 for property taxes AND insurance combined.  I'm pretty well screwed unless I get with it and start saving.  In 9 months I can have $3,600 saved up, which will pay for the property taxes and get me close on the insurance.  

It was just a sickening feeling to receive that in the mail yesterday.  I knew it would go up, I didn't figure they would value it that high.  I am weighing on appealing this decision - but what if it backfires and they find it should be valued even higher?

I'm going to look up every RV park in the county that I can find on the tax rolls and see how big they are, how many spaces and amenities they have and compare it.  If there is too much of a disparity, then yes, I will appeal it.

 Well...

The shower is done. A little more cleanup and it's ready to go. Hot/cold running water and no leaks coming out the drain underneath, thankfully.

The toilet is fixed as well. Just that tube, no more leaks there. 

The older couple - well the man used to be a glass installer.  He fixed the window on the shed in a matter of minutes after getting the glass - from wherever.  I had already let them have the $25 they collected for me from an overnight stay, that paid for the window and I will let them have another overnight stay fee when one comes in - if they are paying cash - to help finish the deal. He said the glass only costed $6.  

Really didn't need busted glass on a bathroom facility and he saved me a ton of money having someone come out to replace it. I'm no glass man and I don't intend on becoming one.  

Roverpass and Hipcamp amenities have been updated. Roverpass, however, had several items on there that should have already been checked off that I'm sure I had on there before. I must have checked them and then didn't save it? I dunno, but that's all updated. I am also opening Hipcamp - sort of.  The description is a grassy area with access to the amenities shed and for now, we will let you use an extension cord if you need electricity. 

But the thing is, both sites now have listed on them a shower and toilet.  Anyone doing a search that must include those amenities will now see them at my park.  I changed site 2 and 3 on Hipcamp from my regular RV lots - I don't have but one available now anyway - to Hipcamp lots.  $15 per night, they have access to everything.  I also have a tent site on there that I'm hoping that the availability of a bathroom with a shower will help draw people in.  

I'm undecided what to do today. But I think I want to start backfilling that trench. There are still some things to do in it but most of it can be backfilled, that way I can make access to the rv dump station.  It's IN the trench, lol, it's just a part of the sewer line. I don't know if there will be any usage, but I have it listed so I need to make it accessible.  Yes, that trench is an eyesore even if behind the shed, I want it filled back in. I won't finish it all today, that is a lot of work and a big pile of dirt, I just don't want to pay for a bobcat right now. It's too expensive and I don't really have much need for it other than the backfilling.  

Yes, I have plenty to do in the shed, but there are priorities and right now, getting Hipcamp going, now that I have the toilet and shower officially accessible - is a top priority.  

Yesterday I finished that stuff up and then went to the tax guy.  He asked a lot of questions.  Long story short, my task now is to get specific numbers on construction together - which are listed in quickbooks and get him the info.  Although I'd love to do that today (not)  I really must get with some of this shed that needs to be completed.  I want to get the generator out of there as well. I will put it way in the back where I usually park my trailer and put a cover over it.  Maybe fire it up before I do that and let it run a few minutes.  That will get that generator out of the shed.

But to do that, I have to get all of the insulation off of the trailer.  Well, I have to do that anyway, James needs to borrow it. He has been taking down an old barn type thing for a client and needs to haul the stuff out of there. The client isn't paying him, instead, she is giving him the materials left from the barn plus a 21 foot long utility trailer probably worth in the $2,500 range.  

I'm a little behind my time this morning, I got to thinking about things and time just escaped me.  Im' still wondering if I should apply for this truck driving trainer position.  It's 5 days a week, 10 hour days, around 70k per year, home every night, no weekend work. It's a lot of hours and I"m not quite ready for a job yet, there is still stuff to do at the property that needs to be finished first.  I'm working on it, it's getting done, but it seems like it's taking forever.  Whatever the case, I am happy that so far, everything is working including my fixing the contractor's mess.  I have left that trench open on purpose to ensure 1 - it isn't getting backed up and 2 - it isn't leaking.  I have run the toilet and the shower and it's draining nicely with no leaks anywhere, it's time to wrap that up. 

I'll just have the vanity drain, but I only need leave a little of the trench open for that and another small portion of trench open for the eventual kitchen area. I suppose I could cover that up and just mark where the drain outlet is.  I also have a water supply there I need to uncover - got covered over with rain pushing mud down into the trench  - and stick a 90 on it and bring it up out of the ground.  Just another water spigot for customer usage along with the sewer dump back there.  

I'm getting more motivated now that I am getting Hipcamp open.  I don't know what's going to happen with it, but it's officially available and I am now going to be on a race to get most of this stuff done.  

And tent camping. Hoping some people will take advantage of that as well.  I'm trying to get those traveling nomads in there.  

Oh, and the people with the Great Dane. I'm getting to the tipping point with them. They have left bags of trash sitting out on the side of their trailer for days and trash laying on the ground. The dog has dug a deep hole, the windows I asked them to fix are not fixed and the real kicker: they have a 30 amp cord to supply their trailer jerry-rigged to an extension cord and into the pedestal!  I wrote them and told them they need to fix this IMMEDIATELY AS IT IS A FIRE HAZARD.  If it isn't fixed this morning, I am going to give them an ultimatum to either fix that and the windows or get the hell out of my park. 

I can have them towed out of there if necessary.  I will not have that kind of electrical nightmare in my park, period. If that thing catches on fire, it will burn down the trailer and my pedestal. The aluminum underground wiring will melt and trip the circuit to that entire side of the park.  The dogs inside that trailer will be consumed in flames and the possibility of the next door neighbors trailer burning down as well..

I regret letting them in - but - they agreed to my rules. The pics they showed of the trailer were taken so as to not show the broken windows.  It's a no brainer for me, fix it - all of it, keep your space clean or adios.  

Anyway, I need to get ready to get out of here, get over there and start shoveling dirt. 

G'day

 As much as I hated to do it, I had to cancel the 10 day stay for the Hipcamp person.  Those are at reduced rates, tho that isn't the reason I canceled.  The reason I canceled it is because 3 of those days, another person had already reserved a spot through my campground reservation system.  Hipcamp doesn't connect to park software to determine if there is availability, it just gives the camper the options that are listed and I guess we all hope there is a space available.  I mentioned the 3 days that had already been booked in case they want to stay anyway at the reduced rate and find somewhere else to go during the days I don't have availability.

Or, they can boondock those 3 days if they so desire, that's entirely up to them. But it appears that the parks in my area are filling up and mine apparently is just a spillover - I haven't been on the map long enough for people to consider it first before the others that have been around for decades.  I've got 4 good Google reviews so far, tho.  Anyway, I refunded them the entire amount. If they want to stay on the days that aren't booked, that's fine by me.  The reservation just came in late last night so I didn't wait around long to get back to them. They obviously need a place to stay, they will need to find other accommodations.  

As for sleep - I went to bed last night at 9:00 pm, woke up around 1, got to sleep around 3 and then slept until 7 am. So that's around 8 hours of sleep, I'm fine today.   Which is a good thing, what with having to go see the CPA today.  I have my notes I used to calculate my quarterly estimated taxes, I'll be asking him if that is anywhere near being correct.  

Well, Hipcamp is warning me that too many cancellations from the Hipcamp operator can result in reduced amount of viewings that Hipcampers will see when searching. I think that was the 3rd reservation made through that system.  But, I am not looking to piss Hipcamp off, I just need to get the 2 spots up and going ASAP.  I will remove the other spots from the listing and only have the HipCamp operation in the back listed with only the 110 amp outlet, the availability of water "nearby" and a sewer dump also nearby plus access to amenities.  I really think it will work - time will tell.  

If Hipcamp really wants to sanction owners, then they should be giving the ability to connect campground software to their system to give it real time information on availability.  

The lady that came in yesterday for 33 days said the opportunity for the truck driver training job is still opened.  Well, they've had that position open for quite a while now, I'm wondering what's up with that.  It's a Monday-Friday job, I dunno if I want to spend that much time at a job or not.  I think they're 10 hour days as well.  I"m not really sure what I want to do about working right now, I'm still trying to get the amenities shed at least close to some semblance of finished.  I'm going over there in a little while after my morning cups. 

I'm going to put that shower together and I bought a shower rod and curtain to boot. Clean that thing out nice, it will be a nice, hot - or cold - or warm - shower for whosoever wants to use it.  The walls are up enough to block the view including a functioning door with a lock on it.  The light is working in there, the only thing left is the vanity.  I will be doing that soon.  In fact, very soon.  The AC will be installed and the insulation.  Drywall isn't mandatory, I can say it's finished enough to use - actually it's already being used anyway.  That one guy goes in there with a roll of toilet paper every single day now, lmao. 

In fact, he's in there a lot. I think he's using it as a hideaway from the wife - they seem to argue a lot.  It's a small space in even a giant RV - they have a 44 foot long unit. There were 3 different people in there using the machines yesterday, a good sign.  If I could get more days of lots of usage I'm pretty sure I could make the payments with that money on the machines.  I'll be counting the amount of money in both quarter collecting boxes today as well.  

So, I have a few more electric outlets to install, put up a few more pieces of drywall - the inside walls on the bathroom - finished the shower stall and then see what kind of time I have left.  I don't even think I'll be able to get that done before i have to go to the appointment.  It's just critical in my mind to get to a CPA, have them give me the options and what kind of cost they are going to hit me with and then make a decision.   

It's cold outside, my version of it anyway, in the high 40's.  I didn't really expect that and apparently it's going to stay cold overnights for a while, but with daytime temps in very nice range.  Right now, the only available lot is lot 5 - tho those people from last night may still be there, it's available for several days before some people come through that booked it for 3 days.  The lack of available overnight lots is not concerning to me.  The rest of the lots are blocked out on my reservation system, if you actually go to my site to book (versus going through Hipcamp or Roverpass), it will be the only thing showing.  The software works it just takes time to figure something out when something new happens.  

I'm working on getting everyone paying on the 1st of the month instead of having to go around on random days trying to collect money.  Some people make it more difficult than it needs to be to collect. For example, one person that kept saying they will pay but was never home. They wanted to pay in person but at the end of the day?  They finally just gave me their credit card number and that was that.  Why didn't he just do that in the first place? Sometimes involves endless texts or phone calls to get people to pay up.  

Well that's enough. Get another hot cuppa to go and some ice water and get over there and get busy. I'm actually going to spray the grass around the pedestals first thing this morning before doing anything on the shed.  I want all of that grass around those things gone.  I tried to get a kid that was advertising he will work on the side (school) to come over and pull that grass, but apparently that didn't appeal to him lol.  Usually, actual work is a turnoff to these people saying they will do "any kind of yard work" or other such verbiage which leads you to believe they will -.....- do yardwork.  People want paid, they don't want to work for it. I'll just spray the stuff and after it's dead I'll come pull it out myself. 

With that, off to the races.

G'day

 The lady couple got to the park and wanted to change their lot from a back-in lot to a pull through. Lot 5 is the only pull through available, but to make them happy, I instantly agreed, sure! 

Not a big deal, right? No, but some people put in a reservation for lot 5 today before I could black it out.  So I'm sitting here trying to figure out how to change lots with reservations already on them.  I was trying to delete both reservations but they wouldn't let me, telling me I had to deal with pricing in another sector on the software.  

This is something I haven't run into before and now? I have to start watching more training videos to see if I can find out how to manage this. Meanwhile, I sent a confirmation letter to the people that just put in the reservation - we are moving you to a back-in lot - it has ample room but it is a back in lot.

The kicker here? It's just a 21 foot long trailer.  This could have gone to Hipcamp if they were to agree to power only and have access to a dumping station and a water spigot to fill up their tanks. And Hipcamp will be cheaper. 

Anyway, I figure someone will leave soon enough out of the pull throughs and open that up again.  What if they don't? Well the means they're paying money.  The new guy that is there for long term finally said he could pay Cashapp. I'm fine with cashapp, I take payments however people want to pay them. 

What's on tap for tomorrow? Yes, this is Sunday, I did go over there but only long enough to see if the man had come back to pay up and also let the boys eat their Happy Meals in the shed.  The laundry has been getting used all day long.  It's what I need - but on a more regular basis to get the money coming in to at least pay for the payments on the machines.  That was the goal from the beginning, I don't really think I'm going to get that much going in there.  

However, it is beginning to pick up.  The ladies are going to use it, both lots of eyes are using it and a couple of other wanted the access code as well.  That's good news even if the one lady wants to complain she "love having this place all to myself". Yes, well she doesn't have to make $219 per month payments on machines and I don't want to be paying for that kind of amenity, I want to at least break even.  Wifi is a given, it's free, but laundry? 

The people with the Great Dane suggested that "you almost need another set of machines".  No, I thought, I don't. I don't want more machine payments and unless everyone in the entire park started using the laundromat, I am not going there.  I have to average 3 loads per day to pay the payments and so far? That isn't happening. Now that it's starting to pick up, it might get to that point.

I'm going to have to get the directions, sit down and try to make heads or tails of how you change the amount being charged. It's only $2.50 per load and that is not the going rate.  It's more like $3.00 per load.  I am tempted to just have someone come out and pay for them to do it, the instructions are difficult to understand. It tells you to unscrew something but doesn't specify what, just says where. But if you look, there are no screws there.  In fact, I think I will contact the company that sold it to me and see if they can find a person to come out and do that.  

Anyway, tomorrow's agenda does not include reversing that T in the ground. Too wet. Just keep working on stuff inside the shed. Probably get all the rest of the electrical outlets finished and then probably start on installing that insulation.  

Had to edit.  These people show up at the park unannounced. No phone call, no text message, no email, nothing.  They drive through the park looking for a place to park.  There is only one space open - lot 12 - but is available for tonight. So, they call me AFTER they arrived and asked if I had a space available? yes, I have one lot....interrupted, they told me lot 12.  Yes, that's the available lot.  I just find it pretentious to show up like that. Why not call before you get there? What if I have nothing available? They must have been desperate, I dunno.  Nothing on any of my websites invite people to come take a lot without asking. Lmao.  

With that? Bedtime. 

 I've slept so poorly that writing in the blog or much of anything else has just gone by the wayside. Last night, however, I did finally sleep and now I'm feeling much better.  

So this dude calls me for long term lot rental.  "What is your policy on dogs and criminal background checks?".  I mean, just go ahead and send up the red flags.  Well, we allow dogs - "I have 5 of them", ...2 of them are large and 3 of them are chihuahua sized.  Oh.  What about your inference about criminal background checks?

"Well, I was in prison for beating my wife, but that was 30 years ago".  It was an instant no.  My insurance will not cover me if he does something in the park.  But, I just worded it: "Well I'd have to check with my insurance company". He knew what that meant.  He said thanks anyway and hung up the phone. 

I need people in here, yes, but I don't need them that bad. The insurance person made it clear that they aren't going to cover any claims resulting in people with violent crime convictions from the past.  I might have thought about helping him out but 5 dogs in an RV?  I live in a pretty good sized house and I wouldn't want 5 dogs  in here.  My cutoff is 2 dogs ... maybe 3.  The older couple have 2 dogs and a cat.  The other eyes in the park have 2 dogs.  The new people have 2 dogs.  That's it tho, I can't imagine having 5 dogs in a space that small. 

That is the second lead off of the Facebook ad.  I had been getting more with previous ads, I dunno, it's just hit or miss I guess.  We're still a week away from month's end, I'm hoping I'll get another long term out of someone looking for a new place to stay. 

Anyway, last day of the parental unit's vacation, they will be heading home sometime this morning probably  It's about a 2 hour and 15 minute drive, so they can sleep in, take their time, get some breakfast and leave at their leisure.  The youngest has been getting into trouble while they're gone, I don't envy him when they get home....especially taking the Nintendo Switch in the middle of the night. I caught him yesterday and I caught him today. Yesterday, he was grounded by parents from TV, games and playing outside.  I have no idea what they will do now, but I bet it's not going to be a fun week for that kid.  

Meanwhile, the 33 day stay - if that's accurate, I do wonder if they accidentally put that many days in there - is coming today.  That will fill up 13 of 14 lots.  I'm still cruising to fill that last one with a long term.  If I miss a few travelers, that won't be a big deal.  People will be leaving soon enough and I don't want to be caught with 4 open lots like that last time when 2 of them left overnight without any advance notice.  The only thing that might change the number of overnight travelers is getting that bathroom opened up. I'm almost there, I just need to fix the toilet and get the shower working and cleaned out. It will seem odd to have a bathroom without a sink, I suppose, but that will be rectified soon enough. 

So, it's basically going to be a pallet of sod per lot - but a couple of lots it's more like 2 or 3 pallets.  $250 per pallet.  That's a minimum 4k to buy the sod which doesn't include delivery or ground preparation.  Yup, I don't have that kind of money right now.  I'm not sure what I will do, but it likely will be buy a bag of seed and do one lot at a time.  

I did apply for a "part time" trucking job. There were no specifics given on how many days per week or what they mean, exactly, by part time.  In my view, part time means exactly that: short hauls that get you home either daily or possibly longer hauls but only like one per week. Or who knows.  Any ads I see like that I will apply for.  There is another one that says "home several times a week".  That would have to be local or semi-local hauling.  They may - or may not call - back. Some of these places want you to fill out the initial application and then call them. 

There are fuel hauling jobs available I may take a look at, but that usually means night shift to start out with and I'm really not a night person.  I went to bed at 9:30 last night.  I'm going to see what I can find, tho, I don't really think I can live comfortably off of the income of 14 lots.  Hipcamp may or may not work and increase the revenues, but I still don't know that it will be enough to pay for my bills and still have "recreational" money available to do the things I want to do.  

I will be collecting quite a bit of money on the first, but the real question will be: How much will electric cost me this month?  

Good thing I checked my notes. The appointment with the accountant is tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 pm.  I want to find a clear picture of how I can go about legally paying the minimum in taxes I can and how much I can afford to pay myself after paying those taxes. I am pretty sure an S corp will be recommended, which is fine, if they will set that up for me. The money spent is the money saved and then some.  This CPA comes highly recommended by a general manager of a local business that is also a national chain.  They set up the local side of the accounting format for them.

I'm sure this isn't going to be cheap, but I feel like I'm in over my head with trying to determine how much I should have sent to the IRS - what with attempting to determine how much money I can take in an "owner's draw" this year for regular paychecks. I think I got close, but what if I"m way off? Or what if switching to an S corp will save me a truckload of tax payments? 

Whatever the case, time to get ready for church. The youngest will have to sit with me at the regular service while the oldest gets to go to the children's ministry.  He is not going to like sitting at a service listening to a sermon and at this point? That's just too bad. He isn't listening today anyway.  I am thinking this could go bad at the church service with him sitting there for an hour, but we will find out. If the oldest kid didn't want to go, I just wouldn't even go today and let him stew at home.