Saturday randomness...

[mandolin]

After having to listen to him nonstop since Tuesday, I have finally solved the Case of the Loud Cricket Houseguest. Since Tuesday, I've been hearing this constant, incredibly loud cricket chirp when I'm in the kitchen or the back family room, and it's just been driving me CRAZY. I could not find the cricket, although it was clear it was inside the house somewhere. Fortunately, it wasn't in my bedroom or it would have kept me up all night. I can't count the number of times I yelled, "Shut up!" at my back room.

So as I was coming downstairs after showering, I heard the chirping, louder than usual. Normally, this would have merited another "Shut up!" but then I realized what I was standing next to.

The coat closet is right at the landing at the bottom of the stairs. Guess who was stuck inside the coat closet?

I know I sound heartless, but I flushed him.

Three days of having to listen to that, plus the possibility of the cricket swarm in my yard getting in while I tried to humanely eject him from my house (and this has happened - those little buggers make a beeline for my door the second it opens!) pretty much condemned him. Not to mention that he was already injured - the first time I opened the door, he jumped at the door and managed to smash himself against it before I could open it wider. Yes, I have read "The Cricket in Times Square." Sorry, cricket, but you were no Chester.

I need to have a word - SEVERAL words - with Roger at Sunrise Home Inspections. Specifically, on the distinction between a functional and non-functional heating system. According to his report, the old oil burner and the system appeared functional and didn't needed to be checked.

I quote the Petro tech: "How can a system be functional if there's no pressure at all?"

*sigh* So Eileen is looking into getting a plumber to come and replace the damn pressure reduction valve that isn't working. And I need to save up for next year for the $3000-$4000 that a new burner will cost. Gah.

The morning after, I'm not nearly as pissed and frustrated about this as I was when the Petro tech pointed out that the burner wasn't going to work without the valve being replaced.

I do like this house. It's cute. The neighbors are awesome. The location's pretty good. (And given gas prices, I suspect that had I gotten the Sykesville house, I'd be crying over having to drive at least 50 miles a day.) I just don't think I should have bought it what with all the damn things that keep going wrong with it. And these aren't even minor little things, and it won't even have the decency to wait until I've gotten something major fixed before letting me know that something else is wrong. I haven't even gotten to the fixes I knew I had to make when I bought it!

I think I was played when I bought this house. I don't think certain people had my best interests in mind when I was pushed to buy it. And I am NOT going to tiptoe around that opinion with some members of my family anymore.

Okay, I need to go get a shower.

Comments

[germankitty]

*hugs*

I fully sympathize with your solution to the Cricket Crisis. We found a frog in our basement the other night -- HIM we caught and let loose in the garden. Bugs, I kill. Sorry, but I hate the creepy things (pun intended); they invade my house at their own risk.

I also feel with you re: costly replacements. Thankfully, our house is fine, but I spent over $15,000 last year on repairs to my grandfather's house, which I inherited. (I have three tenants living in there, so if I want to continue getting rent, I have to shell out on stuff ...) Damn my grandfather and his stingy ways; he only ever had the barest minimum done on upkeep, and ALWAYS went with the lowest bidder. It shows.

No, in my house (new build 20 years ago) the kitchen appliances are giving up the ghost by and by. I already have a new fridge (also approaching its last legs soonish already) and dishwasher; last month, I had to replace my oven for $900. Now it looks as if my hob is due to expire soon; replacing it will cost well over $1000. *winces* Oh yeah, the microwave and cooking fan are getting iffy, too. More $XXX each.

*sigh* Okay, the appliances were new when we moved in -- 20 years ago. I guess they've served their time. But dammit, how was I to know that the models I chose weren't standard sizes? To replace them now, my choices are severely limited AND usually only top-of-the-line. Alternatively, I could chuck half my cookware (also high-quality and thus EXPENSIVE; besides, I chose them for certain purposes) and/or install new worktops in the whole (fitted) kitchen.

Arrrrrrrrgh.

[kevenn.livejournal.com]

My gods. You've had so many problems with this house! You poor thing. I'd be in absolute tears. . .

[weirdweb.livejournal.com]

I was.

Now I'm pissed and starting Monday, will be calling Eileen daily to get stuff done around here. If I'm going to be going crazy, so will she.

[jedi-diplomat.livejournal.com]

That sucks and I would definately talk to the home inspection service. Isn't it their job to point out things that could go wrong with the house before you buy it? That way you know the price is a fair one?? I grrr, ARGH with you.

[tptigger.livejournal.com]

*huggles* Oh, god, that's annoying. Is any of this crap covered under homeowners?

*makes note not to use home inspectors service with "Sunrise" in the name if she does go the condo route*

*huggles again on general principles*

[violetbloom.livejournal.com]

At least you got rid of the cricket. It's a small victory, but a victory nonetheless.

[jennies.livejournal.com]

Congrats on catching the cricket. I've got no sympathy for him whatsoever - unauthorized houseguests of the insectoid variety are asking for it, IMHO, and crickets are too big to squish.

As for the heating system, that sucks. I'd seriously recommend calling up both the Sunrise and the Attorney General's Consumer Protection division. The Home Inspector obviously hasn't done his job here - and to be blunt: it's not YOUR responsibility to know the difference between a working and non-working heating system, to spot seal leaks in bathroons, and to catch insane/unsafe wiring/circuitry. That's the INSPECTOR's responsibility - it's his entire job to ferret out things like these, and he's trained for it. If he missed it, he's liable for it - and if he missed as much as it sounds like he did, I'd say you've got a fair case for damages (or at least his and Sunrise's licenses). But call the Attny General's CPD and check. (I love these people; they're very helpful at pointing you in the right direction and towards clerks that will help fill out your claim.)

My two cents? I'd threaten to sue Sunrise for the cost of repairing everything they should've caught on inspection - plus time and money lost to service calls to identify the problems afterwards - demand they pay for another inspection, and call for the revokation of your inspector's license (if not his job). But, then, I'm tenacious as hell, and calling me a bitch will only tack "slanderous and unprofessional conduct" onto their list of charges. ^_^

Seriously, if you want the AG's number, lemme know. Daddies has it from my dealings w/Bats.

[weirdweb.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure I'd have much of a case due to the fact that the contract specified that the inspection results were the inspector's opinion and weren't guaranteed to be completely accurate.

But yeah, send me the number, maybe even hinting that I've called the AG will scare them into doing something.

BTW, did you get my last e-mail?