The necessity for change

I have been blessed with a super guardian angel whose name is Constance. From the time that God knew I belonged to Him, He made sure I was never without her. So many times in my life I have railed at God for the situation I was finding myself in, only to discover that of course there was a reason and a plan and it would unfold in time. As I continue to write I shall tell you amazing stories about my blessed life and my ever faithful guardian angel. So many people think that good things happening in their lived are just a coincidence, not me.

Being the eternal optimist I felt that when the real estate market took a dive that it would not be a along term thing. 2008 was a bit dismal but 2009 was disaster. My income plummeted and of course the set expenses continued right on. My base housing expense with utilities was a little over $1400 and to operate my real estate business at bare bones was running $1000 a month and I still had to buy food, gas and pay my Visa bill. All this meant that I was dipping into my cash reserves for about $2000 a month and then my investment condo at Northern Way became vacant so my negative cash flow increased to $3000. Wow, I was between a rock and a hard place. At this stage in my life I did not wish to become a bag lady. Fortunately after 6 months I rented the condo and it has rented quickly since.

I met a delightful new friend showing her real estate options in the Grand Valley. She was thinking of buying a small condo for 6 months of the year and then living at Lake Havasu in Arizona for 6 winter months. She has a son and family here and a daughter and family in Arizona. When the market changed, so did her plans as she lost half the value of her Arizona property.

I stopped by the Nellie Bechtel Garden Apartments where she was renting an apartment for the summer to pick her up for a lunch date. I had been looking around for a retirement community that would be less expensive but so far they had been really dismal. She was in a one bedroom apartment that rented for $585 for a ground floor unit including all utilities!!!!! It was adorable! I immediately checked in with George, the owner and put my name on the list for a 2 bedroom ground floor unit which were renting for $745 a month including utilities and this would reduce by half my housing expense. A coincidence - I think not

I then proceeded to put my condo that I was living in on the market. I had purchased it in 2007 for $172,000 and then improved it with carpet and designer light fixtures and ceiling fans for an additional $5000 invested. I just love my condo, it has two bedrooms large kitchen, great utility room and two lovely bathrooms. It is very light and bright. In addition it has an electric Ben Franklin fireplace/stove and a built-in space for the TV. There is also a small covered patio with room for a gas grill and a one car garage. It is located near the Mall - walking distance to Barnes and Noble - my favorite Grand Junction store and minutes from 6 great restaurants and the two movie theaters. I truly enjoyed living there and once I become a world famous author I may move back.

Realizing the market situation I listed it at $169,000 which would mean I took a $7000 loss in addition to the commission. Property was moving very slowly and condos were not any better. Those around me were lowering the price steadily.

After almost 10 months George called that he had a vacancy. I went to look at it and knew it would suit me just fine. I realized that this would be a long term situation so I asked to have the carpet replaced with laminate flooring in the living room, dining room, kitchen and hallway so I could continue having my oriental carpets. I had ceramic tile put in the bath. I paid for most of the improvements as I got to choose the products and colors I wanted. My forever friend Toby, came and installed everything I needed as soon as the products came in. I was paying $3000 as my share and signing a 6 month lease. However, I have the utmost faith in George. Spread out over years, it is a small amount to pay for the comfort and style it has brought.

In the meantime it became evident that I would lose about $30,000 on my condo if I wanted to get it sold. This was completely unacceptable to me - that was money I would need for my old age, although there are those who think I am in that category now just because I am 74. So I prepared to move and rent my condo until the market recovers.

A lady had called me in the Spring and asked if I would come to her house and help her price some Oriental Antiques, she had been directed to me by others in the business since I specialized in Orientalia when I was in the business. She was helping out a mutual friend so I didn't charge her for my time. She in turn gave me the name of a dealer who was looking to buy Flo Blue China. I phoned her up and she came and bought $2500 worth and I still have plenty left to enjoy and use. A coincidence - I think not.

When I began getting ready to move I realized I would have to down size some more. I have been downsizing since moving from Redstone! My new apartment is quite compact and several of my things would not fit. I had decided to sell a lot of really lovely things that I had enjoyed for years and just move the things that had special meaning to me. I gave special things to my children that wouldn't fit in the apartment and prepared to sell the rest. I called the lady I had helped and she told me to set everything out I wanted to sell and she would alert all her dealers.

They all came on a Saturday afternoon and bought $1900 and still there were several things I didn't want to move. One of the dealers was Sue Gomes. She is a completely delightful lady and I made a friend of her right away. Her sister in New York has an antique shop so she bought several things and took pictures and emailed them to her sister, then returned and purchased more. She knows how to sell on EBay and agreed to take all the rest of the things I wanted to sell and put them on EBay and split 50/50 after expenses. Was that a marvelous coincidence - I don't think so.

I had a meeting to attend one afternoon and stopped by United Bank to pay my Visa bill. I had some extra time so I went into a used furniture store that was right next door. It is a fantastic and lovely store. I found a replacement love seat in brown leather - soft as down, a hand painted cabinet to hold my TV that I simply adore, a kitchen cupboard that holds my microwave and all the kitchen appliances and a lateral filing cabinet that my printer can sit on. Everything perfect for the new apartment and it all cost less than a thousand dollars! So from the things I no longer needed and sold, I bought the replacement furniture and had the floors redone. A coincidence - I think not.

I planned my moving day and asked all the kids to come and help and of course they all did and brought the grandsons also. I needed boxes and wardrobe boxes are so expensive - $15 - $18 a piece. Monday morning at my office there was a voice mail from a fellow announcing he had just moved to town and had moving boxes for sale!!! I drove right out to his house and bought 12 wardrobe boxes and several misc. ones for less than $40. A coincidence - I think not.

They moved me on June 5 - 2010. Linda, Lucia and Bonnie packed and unpacked, straightened out and put away everything. It was splendid. The boys handled all the heavy furniture, put the beds together, helped me put up the shower curtain, installed a new mirrored medicine cabinet in the bath and Lucia and Mike bought me a wonderful mahogany bookcase for the end of the closet to put all my sweater in. Mike also installed another hanging rod in the closet. My closet is the best closet I have ever had!!!

As soon as I was settled I finished cleaning my condo and ran an ad to rent it. A lovely lady showed up and leased it. She wanted a 5 year lease! I was elated. Her rent almost covers my costs.

My social security and the rent from Mom's house - Larry gives me his share- cover my living expense. I have to be very careful but I have additional funds if unexpected expenses arrive- I should say when as there always seems to be something.

So there you have it. Just one of the many stories of my guardian angel providing everything I need when I had no idea I was going to need it.

All for now.

Sylvia