Alright, I left for a second to listen to chapter 3 to gain a better understanding on where you were in the book (I always stress how my memory is poor, but remember what happens in what chapter is something I never possessed
) and by the time I get back you posted again.
So I'm gonna come at this in two parts. Beginning with the most important. the life side of things.
My man, I can't stress this enough, do not worry about the house. Deal with what you can when you can, without letting things get too bad, but do not let stress about the new home get to you. You can always, and I mean always - at anytime, fix things. No matter how bad or how long it may take. As long it is not structural where you fear the house may fall on you, don't give yourself any another burden when it comes to that.
Even if you have to tear down each and every finished wall to coat the block with "water stop", even if you have to dig the side out to get proper drainage, don't sweat it. You are going to have tons of things that need fixing in an old home, though admittedly maybe not as bad as what you are dealing with at the get go. But don't worry. You must save your heart.
(and your sanity)
Also, no home buyers protection in your state? When you get a new mortgage you are offered a insurance that covers the first year from most things. Is that not a thing there or did you, like I, not want to go that route? I know I chose not to take it as it added like $8 dollars a month onto my mortgage and it only covered the first year, but man was I in need of it when two days after we closed and about a week before moving in the water heater exploded and the water (which was throughout the entire first floor) stayed on the carpet too long and it ... ugh ... everything needed replaced. Water Heater, Carpet, panels of sub-floor and the baseboards. Of course that was in October and then three (or maybe four) months later the outside air handler for the heating/ac froze. yeah, we went through a butt load of money all because I, in my infinite wisdom, wanted to save less then $10 monthly.
However, 20 plus years later and all is better. Sure we are due for another housing cost soon
, but nothing like the stress of first time buying and having things fall apart. I know what you must be going through and my stuff was not as potentially bad as yours, but you will get through. You will. Just stay the course, smile when you can and love the family. Things work out. The more stress you place the more things seem to go wrong as well. No idea why.
That being said, I am thinking of you guys. Best of luck, my man
Now onto the second part.
Okay, so I know where you are now and
The journey is set to begin!!!
By the time you meet ... someone else, I will have a better understanding of how you feel about the book, but I think you are starting to see why I wanted you guys to 'listen' to it rather than just read it. I wanted us all to have the same experience and reading this book, while I am sure would have been just as enjoyable (but as you stated, in a different way) would not have hit in the way listening to this will. This narrator is very good at ... his job
, and to me, Much like the audio for IT, it adds to the book greatly. Makes a very good book an incredible experience. If you get me.
Hope you find it even more enjoyable as you go. I am on chapter 39 now (about 3/4 of the way through) but I found myself, when re-listening to chapter 3 to see where you are at, getting so into it again I listened to chapter 4 and almost chapter 5 before I stopped myself.
I can tell this is going to get a reread, probably as you guys are going through for the first time.
And hey, anyone else out there ... Go get this book and join in!!!!