An SOS Regarding Housing..This Has Become a Nightmare

I've got to admit - I'm ashamed, humiliated and embarrassed by today's post. My residence, a 1990 Destiny doublewide manufactured home,
is becoming uninhabitable and these pictures aren't pretty.

In 1989, when I was shopping for my first home, I chose a Homes of Merit model that cost about $31,000. The now-defunct dealer couldn't, or wouldn't finance it, although I had a $10k down payment available. I had to settle for a Destiny, for which I ultimately paid about the same after taxes and interest. I wish I hadn't.

Even though I earned only a tad over minimum wage for years, this home is paid for. There's no mortgage. I paid it off in 12 years.

Today I ended up writing to Homes of Merit directly, sharing this story with them and asking for their help. I feel that my family's safety is at risk in our present home.

Before I begin to tell you what you see in the pictures, please note that:

a. There is no power now at the electric outlets you see. They've been disconnected from the power supply.

b. Likewise, the laundry equipment is not in use and is disconnected

Unlike the radio stations, I am not proud to show you this particular tour!!

Starting at the top:

Pic 1 - What's left of the dryer vent. The skirting was defective, got termites, and had to be removed within the first two years.

Pic 2 - Insulation lies on the ground, torn out by a neighbor's dog. It has fallen out in other places. Our electric bill has skyrocketed to over $450 a month. My monthly pay is $623. Something needs to give..

Pic 3 - Signs of a ceiling leak in the hall bath. This area was roof-coated twice last year and the entire roof given a going over, but.. Hurricane Frances blew off some of the shingles.

Pic 4 - A tree fell into the house following a storm, resulting in a huge dent in the front. Also rotten siding which was recalled..the settlement was about a third of what the siding company in Tallahassee would charge to redo the house. So we couldn't afford to do it.

Pic 5 - Power's turned off to this exterior outlet. We don't use it!!

Pic 6 - Likewise, no power at this outlet in the living room which is one of several that look like this. I also have furniture placed in front of these to keep everyone away. I moved a shelf out to take this pic.

Pic 7 - No the load's not unbalanced, the floor is! Only a beam underneath keeps the washer and dryer from falling through. I have to do laundry at a neighboring residence and have not used our equipment for several months now.

Pic 8 - Oops, another doorknob crumbled and fell out - this is the master bath, which is totally unusable. I take my daily shower outside, in the front yard, under the garden hose. Not too bad now, but in the winter..yikes!

Pic 9 - This is the master bath floor, starting to fall in

I didn't take a picture, but the gas company says the furnace is rusting out and I shouldn't use it this winter.

I've written directly to Homes of Merit for emergency assistance. Both my wife and I are college graduates, yet I've had to retire on disability and she's seeking a better-paying job in line with her degree. I'll be doing preschoool learning with grandsons Benjamin and Daniel for at least the next year, which will pay me a little.

I'm really at a loss about having to replace this house. I welcome your suggestions, so please feel free to leave me a comment below. Thanks!

WJJD Revisited - Behind the Scenes..

Back in July I gave you a virtual tour of the MUSIC OF NEW LIFE radio station studios. Today, I proudly bring you a similar tour of WJJD The Country Giant.

Starting from the top, here is a description of what you are looking at:

Pic 1 - Alan's FCC Radiotelephone operator permit - valid for life!

Pic 2 - Equipment rack - cassette decks, CD burner, CD carousel; white box on right with 2 meters on the front is a Volumax; also a UREI peak limiter is in this chain

Pic 3 - Close up of the Cetec/Sparta control board

Pic 4 - Spotmaster 5-spot cart machine, less the bottom deck which was removed by the previous owner. This machine was used by the old WMEN, then WCVC. It still works.

Pic 5 - Spotmaster single-play cart deck, donated by a station in South Florida. It also worls and is sometimes used on-air even now.

Pic 6 - Close up of Cetec/Sparta turntable. A Larry Gatlin LP sits on the platter waiting to be cued up.

Pic 7 - Another view of the equipment racks

Pic 8 - A few of the many records used on-air in WJJD's country music programming. This is about one-third of the country albums

Pic 9 - Basic view of the WJJD studios

Listen online anytime by going to: http://www.live365.com/stations/alanmccall

Marianne's FSU Graduation!!

My wife Marianne's much-anticipated graduation from Florida State University took place
this past Saturday, August 5, at the Tallahassee/Leon County Civic Center. I am very proud of her in making it to graduation..a journey that began the week of January 8, 2001. Two major events occured that week: her decision to go to college as a 'later in life' student and our marriage.

Marianne struggled and struggled with algebra early in her college days before finally being exempted on a learning disability in mathematics testing. She continued to work, first at Deerlake Middle School; then for a time as an aide and later job coach at Wakulla High School; and finally, coming full circle and returning to Chaires Elementary's afterschool program, where she already had logged in a great deal of time.

She also had to deal with family issues involving..kids..of course along the way and I know many times she was tempted to quit. I tried to encourage her and keep house, cook and keep clean clothes available to make the struggle easier.

Marianne graduated with a degree in rehabilitation services with a degree in gerontology from Florida State University.

In the pix:

First, here is Marianne early in the morning on graduation day, waiting for the Civice Center to open.

In the second pic, the family celebrates with her: Benjamin (left front) and Daniel play with balloons while Robby (2nd row) and Rose (two of Marianne's grown children) and me (Alan) and family friend Robert Roe stand with our proud graduate.

YAY!! No more homework!! YOU DID IT!!