Friday, August 28, 2009

Lost Causes...conclusion


above photo...we begin work on one of many planters or flowerbeds. Have the stepping stones down and some of the larger shrubs planted. Each pink flag marks where we have yet to place a small plant. So many holes to dig...oh my aching back !

LOST CAUSES...conclusion

In conclusion, Brad was left without a business partner, though in reality BP had not been that beneficial to him. Most of his construction workers and subcontractors had left him, as they were all owed money; and he still had about 2 or 3 homes that were close to completion, but not close enough to be given that coveted CO ... certificate of occupancy.
Ultimately this led to his working every spare moment in a valiant but vane attempt to accomplish everything that needed to be done, doing whatever was necessary to get a home completed, approved and the CO issued. What's the big deal about a CO ? Well without it one can not close on a house but it is also to protect the homeowner. The house is inspected and the inspector makes sure that everything is in order, like there is a roof overhead, running water and that the bathrooms are all functioning... an out house in the back yard isn't good enough. Only with the CO can the homeowner go through closing and receive ownership of the house(though truthfully it’s the mortgage they receive). It is only with this certificate of occupancy that Brad could feel the house was legally finished. Sadly, landscaping is not required to receive that all important certificate !

A short amount of time, less than a year, and Brad’s business had bombed. Within 6 months he appeared to have aged 20 years. Tired, thin, worn to a nub, haggard and barely clinging on by his fingernails, it was hard not to feel some sympathy for the fellow.
The 1st Christmas in our new home I decided to send Brad a card. Knowing the ordeal he had been through, I didn’t have it in my heart to reprimand him, to be facetious or unkind. The card simply wished him a happy holiday, with our sincerest wishes that the new year would be a good and prosperous one for him.


above photo...Hours of labor and the last plant is firmly in place. Mulch has been spread and a once ugly patch of dirt and weeds now looks tidy and pretty.

Photo below...Same planter, different view. The large Ligustrum japonicum bush can eventually grow to be 20 feet tall, it was another one of our fortuitous acquirements. The plant nursery had two of these large shrubs and they were in dire need of being repotted. They offered them to us for half their regularly marked price, which was $120. Basically we got 2 for the price of 1. I'm grateful for any and all little favors that come my way.



Occasionally my hubby, John, would swing by Brad’s house, stop and check to see if anyone’s home. More often than not, no one responds to his rap at the door, but there are those rare moments when Brad would venture to see who had come by. On those rare occasions the two would talk, but not about money. John never asks for our money, that matter is a lost cause, it’s gone and best forgotten. However he does inquire about how Brad is doing. For a time the news was bleak; Brad was fighting to keep his home, it was on the verge of foreclosure, he and his wife were separated, he owed everybody money and couldn’t pay anyone. Then, the last time John stopped by and chatted, Brad was looking more cheerful, he told John how he had finally completed the last house and officially his construction business was out-of-business. He was now back doing what he had always enjoyed, working as a carpenter for a construction company. No hassles with permits and inspections, no longer hampered with a crew of slackers. He gets his paycheck and somebody else contends with all the headaches.

Perhaps, in the future, his wife will return and his life will be back on track again. I doubt that he will ever decided to return to the hellfire of owning his own construction business...or at least I pray that he doesn’t !

11 comments:

  1. Wow, you are a more gracious woman than I!! More power to you. You must have been blessed with some forgiveness gene that they certainly missed giving me! Your story has been greatly appreciated, it is just such a shame there are so many stories like yours and mine (maybe one day I will pen it but I am still too cranky) I wish there were stricker rules governing who can call themselves a "contractor" and more accountability. After all, our homes are a money sink (oh, just like our children He! He!)
    so we want everything to work well and be safe.

    Your plantings look great and your home too!

    Wow, I did go on a bit, have a great Weekend, regards, T.

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  2. All in all, I still would rather be in Florida! Thanks for stopping by my blog. I did finish up the purse and it has been ages since I have done one myself even though I sell the trims.

    Check back, second post down, and let me know. I love critiques!

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  3. Very nice with the gardening! It's amazing the difference some plants can make. :)

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  4. Pink flags... a nice way to let the neighbors know there WILL be more than dirt. We stopped working on a bed when it got too hot to plant.

    Pleasant day,
    Julia

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  5. Oh wow, what a story! I DO hope everything works out for him soon.

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  6. Yes, sometimes it is just better to let it go, wish the other person well and truly pray that their life gets back on track. I'm sure it was due to the generosity and kind hearted spirit of folks like you & John that Brad was able to find some small bit of hope & move on with his own life. Your karma points seriously went way up with this one, good for both of you. And your landscaping is gorgeous!!

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  7. This story touched me! You are a good person, very good person.

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  8. T@POPPY PLACE - As they say; "Time heals all wounds". But I think what helped me most is that, in all truthfulness, Brad was not a bad person, just a bad businessman and a bad judge of character. His choices of business partner and construction workmen were not the best. And thanks for the laugh...yes children are like money sinks. From orthodontics, to cloths, electronics, cars and college, you end up shelling out a small fortune on them.

    SLEIGHT GIRL - DRAWN TO THE SEA - LAUREN - Thank you all for your compliments and comments, they are always appreciated.

    JENN - You are so astute. Yes very little is gained by harboring ill feelings. We learn from our mistakes and share those bits of wisdom with others. You soon learn that you're not in that boat alone and, with time, you can actually begin to talk and laugh about such misfortunes. :)

    ITALO - I thank you for dropping by and reading my blog and I certainly appreciate your kind compliments.
    btw I am becoming very addicted to your own spirited and humorous blog.

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  9. Thank you for your very kind words on my blog! I truly appreiate hearing them, and I am glad you enjoy the craziness I call life!! I wouldn't have it any other way! :) Sounds like you and your family have been through alot. Stay strong and confident. The good at heart will always prevail!

    Thanks again!
    Suzanne

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  10. Your landscaping looks really good! Sounds like it went through quite an ordeal.

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