If I can weigh in, coming from a place of wanting to help but not knowing how, I would hold off on the kitchen and rent your cabin anyway. The current kitchen is large and functional and most people will be blown away by what you’ve already done to the rest of the house. Download a picture of your mood board for the kitchen and put it in a frame with a note saying, “Coming soon!”. Let yourself know that your reputation is safe with the people who rent the cabin because they know you. For those who don’t know you, they won’t know to care that the kitchen isn’t perfect.
I think that taking a beat before making the decision is a good idea. Let things settle and see what happens during the next couple of weeks. When you're ready to make a decision, your gut will guide you.
I can relate to the loss of appetite from stress. Since my 95 year old mother went into a home a year ago, my appetite has really lessened. I've probably lost 10 to 15 pounds over the year on the mother who has dementia stress diet! I've always been someone who loves to cook and even that has lost much of its appeal. The irony is that I'm a better cook that I've ever been. But at least our very basic meals are delicious!
I'm happy that you finally have some money since it's been such a huge stressor for you. Enjoy the feeling and don't rush into anything. As I've said before, you are talented, articulate, smart, and honest, and you have a huge group of us who want the very best for you. Sending many good thoughts your way.
You are literally doing your best. My biggest bills are my therapist, divorce lawyer and mortgage - in that order. Being broke is just a state of mind until the chaos is over. You’re killing it. You are exactly where you are supposed to be. xx
I love the way you write! thank you for your honesty about your struggles. I relate to so much of your stories - particularly from LA - even though I was there in a different era. Money struggles are - aarrgg. Reality, time sucks, depressing or yay!
You are fully capable of creating some sort of monetary compromise that will allow Londo Lodge to be rent-able, and allow you to have a little breathing room.
Hurray for big chunks of $$! Hurray for friends who bring music to your life ! Hurray for bars that are fun real-time AND great memories!
Lesson while drinking - keep an extra shirt on hand to toss on when a 5 year old recognizes you and needs a pic...you can manage a smile that won't look wasted :) Enjoy those crazy momets, too.
As someone who repeatedly risks my financial future on renovations, they are a bobsled ride, you pick your team and equipment and GO -- once you start you can't get off the ride, so you might as well enjoy it, work hard, be positive and hustle for that finish line!
If it were me, I would build back up some emergency savings (like 3-6 months worth of living expenses, if you couldn’t work for some reason) before reinvesting in the kitchen. You never know what unexpected thing might happen (you break your leg! A family member becomes ill! Your lease is not renewed! A tree falls on your roof! Etc.) and you need access to liquid cash quickly to solve an urgent problem. But once you have that in the bank, spend away!
Good luck, we’re all rooting for you- and whatever direction you decide to go in will be the right one for you at this time, there is never a “right” answer to decisions like this. Trust your gut and commit fully, one way or the other! And please keep writing, your voice is needed.
Orlando - I totally agree. 3-6 months savings and then pull the trigger! Especially if it is in the fall/winter. This will give you a chance to enjoy the fruits of your labors without sharing and also to get the kinks out.
hard decision about the kitchen. is the winter a good time for rentals in your area? if not, wait on the kitchen. If so, go for the kitchen if you book another gig or two. Where is that crystal ball when you need it???? 😍
If the "renowned actress and comedian" (which could have been many people) was Tig, I think I would have applauded too... although that would be unusual for me. Just as your parents were "too cool to care" about celebrities but also "presented" John Waters as "an icon" --- I guess we all have our celebrity exceptions!
It seems that you've been doing it so tpigh, for so l9ng, that so e respite is in order......buuuuuut......my gut says to complete the kitchen, so you can rent Londo Lodge out and have some goal satisfaction and financial stability.
As far as the celebrity weirdness - we're all people that eat, poop, sleep, fear and grieve.
Humans, some good, some bad ... a d we all havered blood inside us.
I live 5 houses away from a famous person (I live in an original, little, almost 100 yr old 2 bedroom cottage surrounded by big mansions!). All my friends are "Oooh, Aaah!" I wave and he waves back.
If I can weigh in, coming from a place of wanting to help but not knowing how, I would hold off on the kitchen and rent your cabin anyway. The current kitchen is large and functional and most people will be blown away by what you’ve already done to the rest of the house. Download a picture of your mood board for the kitchen and put it in a frame with a note saying, “Coming soon!”. Let yourself know that your reputation is safe with the people who rent the cabin because they know you. For those who don’t know you, they won’t know to care that the kitchen isn’t perfect.
Kitchen has been demo'd he can't go back!
I think that taking a beat before making the decision is a good idea. Let things settle and see what happens during the next couple of weeks. When you're ready to make a decision, your gut will guide you.
I can relate to the loss of appetite from stress. Since my 95 year old mother went into a home a year ago, my appetite has really lessened. I've probably lost 10 to 15 pounds over the year on the mother who has dementia stress diet! I've always been someone who loves to cook and even that has lost much of its appeal. The irony is that I'm a better cook that I've ever been. But at least our very basic meals are delicious!
I'm happy that you finally have some money since it's been such a huge stressor for you. Enjoy the feeling and don't rush into anything. As I've said before, you are talented, articulate, smart, and honest, and you have a huge group of us who want the very best for you. Sending many good thoughts your way.
You are literally doing your best. My biggest bills are my therapist, divorce lawyer and mortgage - in that order. Being broke is just a state of mind until the chaos is over. You’re killing it. You are exactly where you are supposed to be. xx
I love the way you write! thank you for your honesty about your struggles. I relate to so much of your stories - particularly from LA - even though I was there in a different era. Money struggles are - aarrgg. Reality, time sucks, depressing or yay!
You are fully capable of creating some sort of monetary compromise that will allow Londo Lodge to be rent-able, and allow you to have a little breathing room.
Hurray for big chunks of $$! Hurray for friends who bring music to your life ! Hurray for bars that are fun real-time AND great memories!
Lesson while drinking - keep an extra shirt on hand to toss on when a 5 year old recognizes you and needs a pic...you can manage a smile that won't look wasted :) Enjoy those crazy momets, too.
You've got this - K
Hi sweetheart. Please finish the kitchen I want to see it 😘
As someone who repeatedly risks my financial future on renovations, they are a bobsled ride, you pick your team and equipment and GO -- once you start you can't get off the ride, so you might as well enjoy it, work hard, be positive and hustle for that finish line!
If it were me, I would build back up some emergency savings (like 3-6 months worth of living expenses, if you couldn’t work for some reason) before reinvesting in the kitchen. You never know what unexpected thing might happen (you break your leg! A family member becomes ill! Your lease is not renewed! A tree falls on your roof! Etc.) and you need access to liquid cash quickly to solve an urgent problem. But once you have that in the bank, spend away!
Good luck, we’re all rooting for you- and whatever direction you decide to go in will be the right one for you at this time, there is never a “right” answer to decisions like this. Trust your gut and commit fully, one way or the other! And please keep writing, your voice is needed.
Orlando - I totally agree. 3-6 months savings and then pull the trigger! Especially if it is in the fall/winter. This will give you a chance to enjoy the fruits of your labors without sharing and also to get the kinks out.
hard decision about the kitchen. is the winter a good time for rentals in your area? if not, wait on the kitchen. If so, go for the kitchen if you book another gig or two. Where is that crystal ball when you need it???? 😍
If the "renowned actress and comedian" (which could have been many people) was Tig, I think I would have applauded too... although that would be unusual for me. Just as your parents were "too cool to care" about celebrities but also "presented" John Waters as "an icon" --- I guess we all have our celebrity exceptions!
It seems that you've been doing it so tpigh, for so l9ng, that so e respite is in order......buuuuuut......my gut says to complete the kitchen, so you can rent Londo Lodge out and have some goal satisfaction and financial stability.
As far as the celebrity weirdness - we're all people that eat, poop, sleep, fear and grieve.
Humans, some good, some bad ... a d we all havered blood inside us.
I live 5 houses away from a famous person (I live in an original, little, almost 100 yr old 2 bedroom cottage surrounded by big mansions!). All my friends are "Oooh, Aaah!" I wave and he waves back.
Human to human.🤣🤣