Risk, Reward, Adventure, and Uncertainty

It seems like every day, these days, amounts to coffee with Dad, chores, then work on any one of many projects started. There is no shortage of things to do in getting this place up to a level suitable for Jen’s dreams. I might complain here and there, but never about the work, only the body wielding the hammer. My Spring Chicken has given way to my Fall Turkey. By the middle of the afternoon, I’m worn out for all sorts of reasons, mostly the fact that I’m not getting any younger. Everything is done with some sort of idea of building a future in wealth and comfort. Wealth building… never feels like it, but as I sit and contemplate on what we’ve done and still have yet to do, I realize real estate is as much a part of our overall portfolio and equal to the stocks and bonds in our 401K and other accounts. As most know me, I like the idea of building, constructing and re-engineering, but the real joy comes in the fact that Jen is an active part of the decisions being made. Our biggest risk took place today. Uncertainty, unknowledgeable, and merely following a gut instinct that has been pretty good to us in the past.

Challenges, as if we didn’t have enough, but we do have a plan. This part pertains to investment property that eventually can produce some active income along with the long-term investment of appreciation.  We made a bid on a rental property that we’ll partner with my cousin and her husband to utilize for outdoorsman fishing with their guide service. The side benefit will be using it for events like Independence Day family gatherings. If the offer is accepted, then we’ll press forward working to understand the rental process. I’ve mostly shied away from the whole rental territory, but I’ve also learned a lot over time too. There are ups and downs, pluses and minuses, rights and wrongs and we hope to avoid as many of the downs, minuses, and wrongs. Time will certainly tell.

The amount of investment in this property will mostly be through sweat as we will have to do most of the upgrades and repairs ourselves. We have had plenty of practice in our main home. We are starting to have conversations about how much more we really do. In other words, we are narrowing our focus between desire, need, and value. Fingers crossed things move forward with an acceptance of our offer.

This new adventure immediately is a little overshadowed with a vacation. But I’m enjoying the distraction. Don’t get me wrong, I’m looking forward to the trip, I’m just not looking forward to the plane ride. About 16 hours to be exact through seven time zones. But the memories will be great. Then we come back to reality. Also, this week we secured our tickets for the Oaks and Kentucky Derby days next May for the 150^th running of the derby. Next year holds many new adventures and time with family throughout the year along with a whole new round of projects.

My mind is running all over the place. I haven’t written in a while because we have been working so hard on the guest house in prep for the kids coming for Christmas. I’m reminded of it every Saturday when my newsletter comes out saying I’ve been busy writing. I suppose I need to change the message when I’m taking a hiatus from writing. I constantly have ideas from a good amount mumbling opinions. However, I’m usually too busy for a note and by the time I get somewhere to write it down, I’ve forgotten or lost the energy that drives my motivation.

Ok, well like I said, I’ve lost my motivation and path to this article. I do like the fact that I forced myself to do it. Not sure why everything in my life depends on me being motivated or excited in doing it. I suspect it all stems back to the fact that I stopped making lists. I lose focus and my minds wanders all of the time. I need to slow down and take on one thing at a time. And if all the things going on in my life isn’t enough, I’m now fully vested in JD’s career advancement ideas. It feels a little like my old job motivating others in advancing their careers. I sometimes think I might have missed a calling. If I could only get over the hurdle of alarm clocks and time schedules, it sounds like the perfect job at this stage of my life. I just haven’t mastered how to get back into that world. And I’m not sure I really want the responsibility of people relying on me. Enough rambling, I’m satisfied that at least I wrote something, lol.