My faithful RL - sometimes my only friend in home ownership

[r-squared]

Like a lot of you, I got my RL to help me do the DIY home improvement projects.

So far, I've never been let down by the truck. From hauling slate to mulch to lumber, its tackled anything I've thrown at it. It also fits in my garage, which I am very happy about because lately random drive-around-and-mess-with-people's-vehicles vandalism has been popular in my area.

Anyway, I am a little discouraged because over the past 4 years of home ownership, I have learned a ton of things from running electric to sweating pipe, and its been fun. But I am exhausted. This house always needs something. This evening I was enjoying my backyard, the pool, the awning I put up, the fresh stain on the deck and the landscaping, and thought "This is awesome". I went back in the house and found my hot water tank leaking all over my basement. No matter what I cross off my list, 3 more get added. And my house isnt THAT old (1964). At this point, the RL can practically drive itself to homedepot!1

I'm thankful to have a reliable truck like the RL. Cause right about now, I need at least 1 "sure thing". I just hope the garage doesnt collapse over her with the way things have been going!

[Sparkland]

I can certainly feel your pain. Don't let anyone say that the mortgage payment and insurance are the only costs of owning a home. Realtors paint a very rosy picture concerning home ownership. If I had to count up all the money my wife and I have spent on our homes the past 28 years of marriage, it would be close to $150,000, NOT including any of the mortgage payments or insurance premiums. That is a great deal of money.

I enjoy my home, but I must agree, they are money pits.

Brad

[jsbphotos]

I totally agree.

[KrisRidge]

Still better than renting because you are building equity. My grandfather's retirement was supplied by people paying him rent.

My wife once asked 'What are we going do when everything in the house is fixed to the way we like it."
I said, "We'll move!"

[nhridge1]

Bummer story. Good luck with the fix. If you DIY, the RL should easily carry a new tank to the house. The superstor stainless tanks have lifetime warranties.

[leer34]

I know what you mean! My truck can drive itself to home depot and lowes since it's been there 4 times this weekend (needs 2 more already and I just left there an hour ago!) and at least 10 times this past week. I too am exhausted and am wondering how bad it will really be to brush my teeth in the shower for a week or if I should just slam through it all and finish it today. option A, go float in a friends pond and drink beer (and let the puncture wounds, bruises and scratches from rusty nails heal) - option B, sweat inside a 5x6 bathroom for another day to hook the vanity up. hmmm...still haven't decided.

I would have never started this bathroom project had I not been able to get the vanity home! lol. the vanity that was on clearance $100 off - but then add in the $50 faucet, the new $5 p-trap, the new $190 counter, the $6 drill bits, connectors, mirror, light fixture, storage cabinet, this 'clearance' vanity isnt so cheap any more!

I'm so not feeling the joys of home ownership right now - I think I need a beer.

[Sparkland]

Originally Posted by leer34

I know what you mean! My truck can drive itself to home depot and lowes since it's been there 4 times this weekend (needs 2 more already and I just left there an hour ago!) and at least 10 times this past week. I too am exhausted and am wondering how bad it will really be to brush my teeth in the shower for a week or if I should just slam through it all and finish it today. option A, go float in a friends pond and drink beer (and let the puncture wounds, bruises and scratches from rusty nails heal) - option B, sweat inside a 5x6 bathroom for another day to hook the vanity up. hmmm...still haven't decided.

I would have never started this bathroom project had I not been able to get the vanity home! lol. the vanity that was on clearance $100 off - but then add in the $50 faucet, the new $5 p-trap, the new $190 counter, the $6 drill bits, connectors, mirror, light fixture, storage cabinet, this 'clearance' vanity isnt so cheap any more!

I'm so not feeling the joys of home ownership right now - I think I need a beer.

You had me rolling over in laughter. As a matter of fact, I bought a three panel mirror medicine cabinet and two small lavatory cabinets (for over the stool) in the clearance section at Lowes for around $35 each plus a fireplace mantel for $40. All were pretty much 90% off. I used one of the small cabinets in our new bathroom downstairs, but still have all the other stuff in my shed.

Men are lured to a bargain at the hardware store just like women at a grocery store. I had to promise my wife I would avoid the bargain aisle at Lowes.

Hope it all works out with the new water heater.

Brad

[ridgelinematt]

We bought a three bedroom Contemporary Cape with an open cathedral ceiling with a sitting/tv on the 2nd floor back in 01'. A few years later my wife decided she wanted the girls (3) to have their own room. So, I ended up building an entertainment room in the basement, sooner than I wanted, and then walled off the 2nd floor sitting area to create a 4th bedroom. All in a span of 4 months.
Ouch!

Had I known she'd come up with that, we would have bought a 4 bedroom home to begin with.

Plus I thought I wouldn't have anything to fix up in a 11 year old home unlike our previous 72 year old one. It really never ends.

My wallet still hurts. I keep looking at my builds and can't figure how I did it.

[chiph]

Originally Posted by r-squared

Like a lot of you, I got my RL to help me do the DIY home improvement projects.

So far, I've never been let down by the truck. From hauling slate to mulch to lumber, its tackled anything I've thrown at it. It also fits in my garage, which I am very happy about because lately random drive-around-and-mess-with-people's-vehicles vandalism has been popular in my area.

Anyway, I am a little discouraged because over the past 4 years of home ownership, I have learned a ton of things from running electric to sweating pipe, and its been fun. But I am exhausted. This house always needs something. This evening I was enjoying my backyard, the pool, the awning I put up, the fresh stain on the deck and the landscaping, and thought "This is awesome". I went back in the house and found my hot water tank leaking all over my basement. No matter what I cross off my list, 3 more get added. And my house isnt THAT old (1964). At this point, the RL can practically drive itself to homedepot!1

I'm thankful to have a reliable truck like the RL. Cause right about now, I need at least 1 "sure thing". I just hope the garage doesnt collapse over her with the way things have been going!

That would make a great Ridgeline ad.

Homeowner's house isn't as reliable as his Honda pickup truck.

Chip H.

[r-squared]

Chiph - I love your idea to make it a RL ad. Maybe I'll try to reconstruct something with pics and send a demo to Honda.

Got my new water tank today - Stainless steel, 45 gallons. The old one was so old, there actually was water saturating the foam insulation. Drained, it still weighed a ton. And given the amount of rust in the bottom, all my bellyaching over things always coming up really seemed stupid. I wouldnt want to be cooking/bathing...lets face it - fricken anything with water coming from a tank like that.

I had to take down part of a wall to get to the tank. When the previous owner finished the basement, getting the tank out was not a consideration. The plumber suggested that in the section I took down, I should build a recessed shelving unit and make it somewhat removable. I loved the idea and once I get enough money back in my "In case crap happens" account, I may buy some wood and build one. Until then, I'll be happy to go downstairs and be able to see my new tank.

Glad to hear I am not alone. Not really 'glad' - just mean its rough tackling job after job, but there is some comfort in knowing its not just me.