Consumed

I have been managing our properties for the last 5+ years. Last year I was managing 28 units. We are down to 24 units which is nice but I am ready for my life back. I just managed 10 units for several years which was not bad but then we took over management from a couple different partners adding another 12 units. Then last year we bought another 4-plex adding even more to my plate. 

I am tired of the petty complaints (my mailbox won't shut, I need new fridge shelves because I broke the old ones, I don't get along with my neighbor) and the major emergencies (usually water damage) suck all my emotional energy. 

Tonight we had a pipe burst and I had to coordinate with the restoration company,  plumbers, annoyed and unrealistic tenants, etc. It was terrible and my brain hurts so bad. 

We are going to hire a management company but I have to decide who is best and then do the 10 hours of paperwork associated with turning over the units. I don't want to make a poor choice. 

On the one hand I would love to turn over all the properties tomorrow and never look back and then in kind of a sick way they are like my babies and I don't want to give them to someone else. I want to continue to see them upgraded and get better processes and procedures in place. Plus we get a management fee for our work. It seems like a lot but when you account for my time it's hardly worth it. 

I know it's right to hire a manager. I need to be emotionally and mentally and physically present for my kids. Tonight Macie went pee pee on the potty for the first time and as we were celebrating I got a call from the plumber I had to take. I was not fully there for her in her small moment of success. 

So who cares about the management fee or if we have a little less cash flow at the end of the year...my kids need me. And I need my sanity. 

#2

Matthew lost his second tooth on July 9, 2014. His top tooth is a little wiggly so I told him I would pay him $10 if he pulled it out. That's when he realized his bottom tooth was pretty loose. He started playing with it and within about 10 min it was just hanging on by a thread. It was obviously very ready to be wiggled. I dared him to twist it and so he went in the bathroom and twisted it. Next thing I know he walks out with a tooth!! This was a stark contrast to the first tooth he lost which involved a lot of persuading and screaming. 

Zoo

We went to the Zoo with Jenny and Toni the other day. It was a lot of fun. My kids complained that they didn't want to go to the zoo and that it was "boring". I wanted to just leave then home because it should be a privilege to go to the zoo and do fun things with friends. It was a cool morning so we were able to see the animals move. Yay! 

Some of the monkeys... I forgot how much I enjoy being around these cute monkeys!