The Craigslist Trap

1/27/15



Elizabeth has spent several days fantasizing about appliances on Craigslist. Yesterday she discovered a fridge and stove pair for $200 that is supposed to be worth $2000. She bought them for $300 (yes, that is more). We spent several hours with multiple volunteers (thank you Jay, Henry, Jim, Debe, and Laura) hauling them out of a house in Edina and over to my parents' garage until we can get them up to the schoolhouse.

It was a very awkward position for me. The shop is in dire straits. The bank loan still hasn't come through. My parents have loaned us money to make payroll. And it kind of looks like we're spending that money on appliances we don't need.

I let Elizabeth answer my dad's questions.

My position is that no matter how good the deal, this is not a good time. Her position is that it's never a good time. The same arguments my parents have been tossing back and forth my whole life.





1/28/15



Of course Elizabeth then parlayed this into a free sink, butcher block style countertop, kitchen cabinets and countertop, living room chair, twin mattress, springs, and bed frame. Tomorrow we pick up some oak wood flooring and a full size bed. The woman (Leslie) selling the fridge and stove is moving out and it all just needs to go.




Elizabeth removing the counter top AND the kitchen sink from Leslie's house 1/28/15




1/29/15



Day three.

She found a house in Golden Valley that is being remodeled and we got their wood flooring. 500 square feet? It took two trips.




So much free hardwood flooring! (Nails included) 1/29/15




We also went back to Leslie's for a dresser, a pair of floor lamps, two doors, and the mattress and box spring and her wood flooring.




I may look happy here, but I'm actually very upset with Elizabeth ;) 1/29/15




1/30/15



Day four.

A huge IKEA "armoire", a short drawer system, a love seat, and screen-type room divider. Leslie has to be out by 6:00.

Our living room is packed. It is beyond packed. I can't see our couch.




There is no good way to take a photo of a hoarders house from inside the hoard 1/31/15




1/31/15



Day five.

She found another refrigerator on Craigslist. This one is broken, but it looks great. It may be time for an intervention.




After a winter of worry. 2/9/15




2/9/15



After a year of trying to refinance and five months working with this bank the loan finally went through today. This feels like a lost winter. So many projects that we couldn't start. But I learned a lot. First, there is a lot of money under the couch cushions. Second, there are people who have a lot of faith in me. I am humbled, empowered, grateful, and gray.

To the schoolhouse! (After a haircut, new shoes, and grocery shopping.)






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Frozen fog. 12/12/14