Sorry for the delay, I was without a computer since Saturday (travelling). Writing on my smartphone is like using a stick in the sand. Slow and hard to read.
Friday was busy. Due to our flood. Nay, our trickle, or perhaps our moistening is a better term. Nonetheless, the our landlord contacted insurance and disaster clean-up as the damage was done. They responded quickly and by 10:30 am, I showered (at a friend’s house as water was off here), picked up a key for the storage locker, co-ordinating the stuff to be moved out, and agreeing to bring dessert for dinner out that night.
By 10:30 am, Emile had been at work for 2 1/2 hours needing to tie up all loose ends that day. After all, it had arrived – his final day with the company.
At about 11:30 am, I was standing downstairs with my friendly landlord discussing whether the laminate flooring in the basement should be replaced with laminate or perhaps Berber carpet for warmth. We were undecided but leaning towards the carpet. The disaster clean-up team was moving boxes/furniture out, starting the ripping out process, and their equipment was all over the front porch. The entranceway was filled with furniture and items that were not leaving, but just pushed out-of-the-way for ease of passage.
The doorbell rang.
A friendly looking fellow was standing there. He said “We were just driving by and saw your sign, would this be a good time to look at the house?”. We stared as him, somewhat dumbfounded – not because he wanted to see the house – but because after weeks of everything being just so, the house was not exactly show ready. Well, never turn down a showing – and this way, they could see the work being done professionally.
Deb & Glen toured the house and were unfazed by the mess (“One time when were selling a house, we had a flood AND I was 9 months pregnant”). They loved the place, and stayed as long as they could until they had to get to their next showing. I casually invited them back if they wanted a second look in the afternoon, and off they went. We forgot to even get their phone number.
That afternoon, I started making Strawberry Cake and Blueberry Muffin Cookies for dessert that evening. Try to make dessert without water and see how that goes for you. I was coated in butter, sugar, floor and the kitchen was completed covered in dirty dishes.
The doorbell rang.
Deb & Glen wanted to see the place again. This time, the basement was cleared up – the crew was gone, the floor ripped up and the furniture all placed back. But now the kitchen was a mess and I wasn’t the cleanest either. I let them have run of the place – afterall, if this was a scheme to steal our stuff, they deserved it after executing the perfect plan.
They wandered around, discussing rooms, asking questions and I baked a cake. This time, I remembered to get their number so we could follow up later.
June 15th, 2012 Extra-Ordinary: Less than 24 hours after showing up unexpectedly, Deb & Glen entered a verbal offer (no conditions) on the house. What is the point of doing all that cleaning?
AND: Emile finished his contract and is ready for our next adventure. I’m proud of how professionally and well he worked to set up robust systems that needed little support. And with little to no direction from headquarters. If you need a Systems Manager, Emile is one of the best.
The Daily EO 