Straggling Ants
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I’ve had an ant problem for several months; what I call straggling ants. There wasn’t a slew of them coming in at once. Just an ant here and there. Sometimes two at a time. Enough to be aggravating.
I’d be working on my laptop, and an ant would crawl up my arm to the computer screen. Or I’d be in bed and see an ant on the bedding or crawling on me.
Finally, I let maintenance here know and had the pest control guy come here. He said they were coming in my patio doors along the tracks.
I had sprinkled cinnamon in those patio door tracks, but it wasn’t doing the trick. They were coming in somewhere in my bathroom, too, though there’s no window in there.
Steve put cinnamon in his window, and that took care of the ants at his place.
When I’ve had problems with insects, I seem to see and feel them everywhere. For instance, I might see a black spot on the floor. And I’ll pause for five seconds or more, watching to see if it moves.
Kendra Took My Car To A Body Shop:
Kendra came, got my car, and took it to a body shop guy she knows. She wanted him to give an estimate for the bodywork needed on my Pathfinder.
I told you that I’ve got dents in my SUV from hitting the carport poles. And the right front fender is taped on. When you’ve had a car for 18 years, little things happen along the way. Or at least it has with me.
Kendra came back from and told me it will take 3-4 days, but to have my car ready for her to pick up on August 19. I guess that’s when he said he could carve out time for it.
She said it will cost me $1800, which is quite reasonable for what he’ll need to do.
I took it to a body shop a few years ago for dings and dents before I ever lived here, and then I hit the carport pole. But body shops were backed up due to COVID then.
Now I have more pressing problems—a taped fender.
My thoughts for months have been: Do I rent another place and buy a used but newer car? Or try to buy a home and keep my 2006 Pathfinder? Because I’m not in a position to do both.
Kendra said it would be better to get the car bodywork done and buy a home. After all, the car runs great and has just under 59,000 miles.
She told me I’ll never feel like I can relax living in a rental. Landlords hold all the power. And she renovates properties, so she’s seen it herself. They’re always going to put little band-aids on any rental and call it good, she said.
She’s a businesswoman and deals with real estate for a living. Kendra has rental properties, is a realtor, and she flips houses. She is also a contractor on renovation projects for other property owners. So I trust her on this.
The Stripper Pole Tenant:
Remember the tenant she has who had the stripper pole in the dining room? The house burned over a year ago. Kendra only discovered the stripper pole then.
She had the hardest time finding someone who could figure out how to take the stripper pole out. Looking under the floor and in the attic, she couldn’t see how it was attached.
Well, finally, she found someone to take it out.
Then there was a fire at that rental property.
After the fire, Kendra asked all her real estate friends to donate clothes, household items, and money to this woman. The girl said she wanted to move back there after the house was redone.
Then, after all was said and done, the fire inspector told her that the tenant had lied about how the fire started. He said the fire was due to a candle burning too close to the curtains. The tenant told her something else had caused the fire, and it turned out she had been negligent while burning candles. The fire started in the bathroom.
Then, recently, the woman told Kendra she needed pest control to come to the rental house.
Kendra asked her if she’d mowed the lawn. (Apparently, that had been a problem.) The tenant told her yes. So she called pest control to send someone out.
Kendra went over there, and the weeds were over a foot high. She had lied about mowing the yard.
My daughter rarely raises the rent on her properties. But she went up a little bit on this tenant, and the woman called her a money whore to her face.
Kendra initially rented the house to her years ago, even though the girl didn’t fully qualify. She had been (or said anyway) battered by her boyfriend, so my daughter felt sorry for her and let her rent the house.
When the girl fell on hard times, she reduced the rent. Hopefully, she won’t renew this woman’s lease.
Real Estate, Rentals, & Emergencies:
Kendra brought my car back after it had been at the body shop for about two hours.
And in that time, she’d had four phone calls for emergencies of some variety. She had nothing on her calendar, having blocked off the whole day to deal with my car.
The first thing she said she had to do was head to Target to buy a blow dryer. Someone in the Airbnb called her and said the blow dryer stopped working.
She has been grinding her teeth at night. Her dentist’s office has ordered one of those mouth guards for her.
Kendra recently saw an eye doctor because the corner of her eye keeps twitching. They said it was due to stress.
She will be 50 in November. Something is going to have to give. But she has a son in college and a 15-year-old daughter learning to drive.
Oh, joy, I’d hate to pay for car insurance for teenagers!
Ivy:
Ivy has been needy lately. She wants me to be right with her. I worried that maybe Ivy isn’t feeling well or something. If this keeps up, I’ll call her mobile vet.
She’s obviously eating well and doesn’t seem to be in pain. Maybe she picks up on my stress—the stress of thinking about moving again after living here just two and a half years.
My Neighbors:
I so enjoy my neighbors. A new couple moved into Peg’s old apartment a few days ago.
People came out on their patios to greet them. Just like they greeted me when I was looking at the outside of this apartment. Someone was living here at the time, so I didn’t see the inside till I got the keys.
I have enjoyed Ron and Pat, and Peg while she was here. John, Lisa, and Jeanie.
And of course Steve. He was my first friend here, and we have what I’d consider a lifelong friendship. Ivy adores him, as you know.
But I think he’ll visit us wherever we move. He’ll most certainly be welcome, as well as the rest of the neighbors I’m friendly with.
I hate to leave these lovely people. But circumstances have changed a lot in recent months. And so that’s what I’m planning to do.
I occasionally will have a problem with ants too. Fortunately, it’s usually just the little black sugar ants, so they don’t bite. They’re just annoying. I feel like they are either coming in to look for water or coming in to get away from water if we’re getting a lot of rain. Wow, I’d forgotten about the stripper pole. In hindsight, this renter has lied and played on Kendra’s kindness and good heart. Kendra needs to kick her out. Maybe you could live there. I hope you and your neighbors will all stay in touch.
P.S. Try peppermint oil on paper towel scattered around where the ants are coming in. I use it in my kitchen every Spring when they arrive and it seems to work pretty well.
Brenda, just a question regarding buying your own place: will your income allow for the upkeep and repairs on a house? I am trying to stay in my home and beloved neighborhood–have lived here for 30-plus years and just turned 80 in March–and I am finding that doing the things to the house that need to be done is going to cost me an arm and a leg. Some days I would be happy to just call the landlord-lady and have them take care of it! On the other hand owning a home is an investment which could provide equity for the future. And I know your daughter has a lot of experience with properties so she should be able to help you find something that’s in good shape. I think being “up in the air” about the issue of where you are going to live is very stressful so it doesn’t surprise me that you feel unsettled. And Ivy probably does pick up on your mood. I hope all can be resolved quickly and your life can feel more settled. I send my prayers and wishes for good fortune in locating the perfect place for you to and Ivy to snuggle into for the Winter.
Does you daughter have the equipment to bury gas and electric lines? Only plumbers and utility companies do that kind of work usually.
I think your daughter is spot on, with her advice to you, Brenda. Almost all used cars have issues too…and buying a new one would cost a fortune. I hope the repairs will be done well. I hope you can find a good place to live. Wish we could. I just flat do not know what to do. Our GOOD neighbors are working on moving out…we knew it was coming. I cannot imagine that they will be replaced with good ones cause those are so few in this complex. Guess we will see what happens. I have talked this week to a new apt complex…but I wish we could find something better…but frankly, with being 24/7 caregiver, I just flat do not have time, energy or the ability to deal with owning a place of any sort I do not think. Mr Trump says he is going to lower taxes, we can hope whoever gets in there will help the economy!! HOPE!!!
PS…as to ants…and I have been having a lot of scouts too…like every other day or so…I even put the Terra traps outside on the patio and thought that ended it…maybe these are a different kind of ant? I just read that cream of tartar messes them up and is one method. I have used straight vinegar with some success…and used to mix up borax with some artificial sweetener (the bad kind humans ought not to use) and it at least slowed down the fire ants we had in 1 place. Good luck…if you find something that works, let us know please.
forgot to add…cream of tartar is bad for pets, so only use where they cannot get it.
I know it’s easier said than done but try to relax. I know working on your blog keeps you very busy. Try to find something else to sooth your soul.
I’m very glad that you’ve decided to purchase a new home for you and Miss Ivy Lou. I know Kendra will guide you.
In the meantime stay busy with something other than ‘work’. Step outside for a bit and visit with a neighbor or two for a little while.
BTW, when I opened your blog and saw the picture of your bedroom it took me a minute to realize it wasn’t a picture from a magazine. Beautiful, Brenda!
I’m sitting here with Ivy sleeping next to my feet in the recliner. When I go out on the patio she’s close by watching me. Maybe she just senses that I feel unsettled. It’s a feeling I just can’t get over. At night I watch TV for a bit and read. But my brain just keeps whizzing about condos and where to live and oh, I hate it when I don’t know where I’ll end up!
I can’t wait to see what Kendra finds for you. It does sound like she has a huge amount of responsibility she’s taken on.
She does take on a lot. But she’s like me that way. Always has to be busy. Kasi is the one who can relax better.
Could be the recent work that was done outside by management to address the water drainage problem upset a number of ant nests. This is also the time of year I’ve seen colonies of ants that live around the outside of my house foundation moving out of their old places and moving en masse to new ones. I hope you find the “just right” home for yourself, fingers crossed!
I think you’re right. And there may still be moisture somewhere too.
Wise decision about your car. People do not care about the looks as much as you do. Those on the street see it for a few minutes at the most. Housing is difficult. My input is to find a place with an additional smaller space for a caregiver if needed in the years to come. In some areas a basement works well. That is the stage I am facing.
Well, I sure hadn’t thought of that, but it’s a good idea. I’ll probably be able to afford something like a one bedroom, one bath around 800 square feet.
Benda, IT seems to me you are under alot of stress and you need to put it all in writing and see a different perspective .things could always be worse and someone myself included has had the rug pulled out from them and sometimes your life is changed forever. Try not to put it all on Kendra. Each day explore and research places Does Kendra have one you could rent? How much do you reallyneed a new car? Where do you have to go? Start preparing now.Look into places that are walkable and have things to do that you can make friends.Have an extra space for company.Start cutting down expenses and keep saving . Make lists you can contrast and compare. This will help you feel more empowered less overwhelmed take care
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Your car with 59,000 miles should last a long time mechanically and your need for driving day-to-day is limited, so it makes sense to keep (the car) and use your money for a new home. Ivy may be over this apt like you; however you may want to take her to the vet if it continues much longer. Animals can be very stoic when it comes to pain. I have an ant problem this year in S GA, too.
This huge cat is sprawled across my chair. She takes up a lot of room! I think she’s okay. Pet parents usually have a sense of these things.
We owned a 2 family house before we moved to the country,being a landlord is a nightmare that I wouldn’t recommend to my worst enemy!
Maybe Ivy’s being clingy due to all the workers in and around you’re apartment,my 1 cat has to say hello to everyone,the other one hides,so you never know.
Ivy usually has to say hi to everyone too. Since I got the air conditioner fixed (fingers crossed) I haven’t had to have workers in here. Well, there was the pest control guy last week.