Curve Ball-First Pitch

  In looking for a new space to rent and dealing with this curve ball of life, I must say I am learning new things and meeting some interesting people. On a few occasions, I took my resume and letter of references with me. I felt that would solidify the type of person I am, and "ya never know" who you'll connect with.
  Jason: he is a man 36 years of age. He has an 8 year old daughter who visits every other weekend, given his recent divorce. He owns his own home and is looking to rent two rooms to two tenants. He needs help with the house payment. It's an older farmhouse, small rooms, basement and he lays claim to the upstairs for his and his daughter's bedrooms and his office. He owns a small construction company while going to school for Holistic Medicine. It wasn't a bad place and he certainly is a nice young guy. Did I mention he is Mormon? He reassured me he doesn't care of others' religious beliefs. However, in conversation I learned there is no cable in the living room, but it is accessible in the bedrooms. Small room=$300, the bigger room=$350.  I actually was able to discuss a price break with him if I rented both rooms, and utilities would be shared. My reasoning for negotiations is I am paying $500 per month w/Jill and no utility charges and $79+tax per month for my storage unit.($583 total). If I could find a space which would allow me to empty the unit and have my possessions about me, it would make sense. He liked the idea of $600 + shared utility costs of $75 each for my renting both rooms. He would only have one roommate not two. Problems here;it still would cost me about $675 per month. I'd have to pay my own cable bill should I go that route.  Too costly and not nice enough of a home to warrant that choice. However, during our lengthy conversations, I explained my knack of organization projects with him so he is going to hire me on occasion to help with his business paperwork. I worked a couple of hours for him the other day @ $10 per hour. He said he'd like me to come back soon. So, I shall see when that happens. (I did take my resume here.)
 Dnana: she is of Hawaiian decent. Of course we talked of my trip there last February and the fact that her family still owns a "pole house" there. We viewed her newer home and I saw the two rooms she has for rent. I'd share the main bathroom with she and the other (potential) tenant on the second floor. The home is quite lovely, all furnished. There goes my chances of emptying my storage unit. No spare storage elsewhere either. $350 + utilities. Cost for me; about $425 per month + unit cost of $83. I would feel a bit of savings here. She is unable to negotiate costs as her house payment is $1800 a month. (gasp here). Interesting things about Dnana; she is a drama queen. I heard all about her family disarray and ill ex husband and noted that she loves having her little grandchildren around whenever possible. I heard which daughter in law she likes and which one she doesn't. I heard about the challenges her daughters are having. Guess I'd probably have more than two roommates here with their comings and goings. I am unsure if I have the patience to be around young kids at the drop of a hat. However, she has recently started her own housecleaning business and has eleven clients. We discussed my old position at the agency and the fact that hubby #1 had his own ceramic tile business, of which I learned the bookkeeping part of it. She struggles with that piece of the business. I gave her a few tips on B & O taxes and recommended she consult a CPA to learn the tax laws and filing requirements this first year of business. It will save her not getting nailed for a huge tax debt each April if she pays Estimated Quarterly Taxes. A CPA can amortize her vehicle and office equipment, etc...She liked me a ton and I liked her a ton, just not sure if I could live with her. We may have a friendship in the works. (I did not have my resume here).
 River: I had two phone conversations with this young gal to set up a viewing. During the second conversation, she kept having to shush her young baby who was, apparently, nestled in her arms or being breast fed. She has one room to rent in an apartment, shared bathroom, shared utilities.(total about $425 each month) After asking me a ton of awkward questions like; how do you feel about breast feeding in the open? Is fish something you eat a lot? My baby has allergies to it and if you don't clean up after yourself and I get it on my hands then touch my baby, he breaks out in horrible rashes. Do you have a boyfriend? Can you prove income? And the questions continued. I don't blame her for the questions and needing security, at all. I did answer them and set up a viewing for last Friday. In rethinking this scenario, I decided I didn't want to take a chance on baby paraphernalia being everywhere, stinky diapers in the bathroom trash, being awoke by baby cries at night, or having to be put in the spot of..."can you watch my baby for a while so I can run to the store?" I called and cancelled the meeting.
 So, with this inning, I decided my first pitch was a ball...nothing struck me out nor did I make a powerful hit. But, I did take some swings and I'm still standing.