Fritzy 22's Journal, 12 March 2020

Maybe today will be the day I can get the focus back on my diet and start losing weight. But maybe not. I do better when I have a "starting" day - often a Monday or the 1st of the month or year. It gives me some time to get "ready".
I've been needing to have the deck railing replaced for about a year now. Last year I had a carpenter and a handyman both come out and tell me they could do the work and then never heard from them again. Earlier this week I called a "retired" contractor who recently moved to the community and says he can do just about anything. He came over and scared me to death about the deck - which I had installed when I bought this house in 2011. He walked underneath it and gave me the impression that whoever installed the deck did a lousy job and there were so many problems, not just the deck rail but the underneath of the deck, the frame of it. I live on a hill. Said if it was his deck he'd probably tear it out and just start over. Told me it would be costly, looking at at least $15k. Thanked him for the information and started to panic when he left. I am doing some home improvements but a new deck was not on my list. New deck railing is at the top. Don't want to increase my home equity line and it looked like I'd need to use my fund I've been saving for a new car. Then I went on Nextdoor to look for recommendations in my neighborhood and to the website to check out contractors and businesses in California. Couldn't find a license for the first guy (who was so impatient and grouchy I wouldn't have hired him anyway). Finally called a contractor, after verifying he is licensed, bonded and has workman's comp for his employers. He had all positive reviews on Nextdoor. I actually tried to call him when I was thinking of remodeling the kitchen. Anyway, he came out yesterday and told me the underneath of the deck is fine, built to code. He can replace the railing and even find the decking I had put in to get an extra board or two. He did confirm what grouchy guy said, that the steps up to the deck (just 2 steps) should have been placed on concrete, not just the dirt. He said to be up to code there should be a 3 foot area of concrete at the foot of the stairs. He said no problem to do the work, his crew will be getting busy with lots of summer work but this will take just a day or two and he'll send me the cost/bid.

So now maybe I will still be able to get a new car at some point. I also have someone who is going to paint my kitchen cabinets starting in about 10 days. After getting all new appliances I would like the kitchen somewhat updated. Will look for quartz or granite countertops as well.

Had lunch with a friend who is a mortgage broker. She is moving to a new company but still working from home. She said the owner is looking for help and gave me his card in case I want to go back to work. I have many years experience in mortgage lending, mostly underwriting. I also have many years of being retired, since 2011, so not sure how quickly I could learn. But I'll call and see.

Allergies are really bad. I probably make people nervous when I cough and sneeze. It's allergies, not the coronavirus! Still no cases of coronavirus in my county - so far. Read an article that it's probably safer to go to the gym if worried about coronavirus than church. People are usually a few feet away while working out and everyone wipes down all the machines after use. But I'm still wondering about it. There are lots of elderly - even older than my 64 years - at the gym. Although none of them seem frail or sickly. Probably more risk in the waiting room of the allergist when I am waiting to get a shot. So many things to think about and worry about. But that's something I do well!

Finally got the referral from my doctor to the GI specialist so I can talk to him about my gallbladder and also the feeling I have that there is a lump in my throat that the allergist says is probably from acid reflux but a good idea to see the specialist about that as well. The appointment is in 2 months.