Tupp:
No more panic attacks, and the island work continued after I left. My 'renter" had someone chopping on trees and another worker brought the real tree guy to start, which means there's a conflict, but there always seems to be a conflict. I can't please them all, and I certainly can't control them. If I stay calm. Refuse to react, or act, then things calm down, and work out typically.
I think the panic attack was more about the realization I'm committed to other people's dreams. The lake was my father's dream. The island was my husband's. I buckled under backbreaking non stop labor, and paying outrageous sums to cart stuff to the island, while unable to line up workers during my shirt stay. Things worked out, but it was unclear how they would work out.
When we landed, I had to pinch myself, bc the weather was perfect. No bugs. We had everything we needed the first 3 days, and workers simply showed up at my door with great timing. We got the wall mounted ac units ordered, biated in, and picked up, then the installers we're standing on my doorstep when we got home.
Home. That's the first time I've thought of the cottage that way, and I can't wait to share pics with you.
The installers we're unable to get the 18000 BTU unit working, so I paid the guy, I was trying to hire for the install, $60.00 to figure it out. I'll never get used to the locals not answering phone calls, or not having phones in some cases.
Having workers there, while I'm gone is worrisome, bc 2 or more with access means they'll be pointing fingers if tools go missing. Tools are difficult to get, and we're pretty set by now
My brother will bring a large piece of equipment onto the island to tear down trees and level the lot. I'm not worrying about a seawall at this point. The broken seawall was repaired at the walkway fir safety....picture a little wooden bridge. It's solid, for now.
I'm busy making a list for the renter. I'll send her with a key, and lockbox she can install.
I have anxiety about hiring a cook and housekeeper. I know I need several people to make this work as a business, and it's difficult to manage. People want the work, but they also want to do what they want to do, so I need back up cooks, and housekeepers, and my renter to be on top of them all.
Not sure I mentioned it, but we think providing the Island experience, with meals, and service, will be our Airbnb market.
People to help get the fresh seafood, take them fishing, prepare the food in an island kitchen....no one has stoves or ovens. It's difficult to figure out, and dragging groceries, and 5 gallon bottles of water can be difficult, bc taxis and the ferry have to be arranged. It's slow, esp in 98 degree weather when you forgot bug spray, and you're managing small children as well. Been there. Done that. Will try the full service approach. Just finding the cottage can be difficult, to be honest.
An Airbnb host, at the other end of our island, has a huge fancy house on the canal. He caters to rich people with yachts, and staff, and boats in monthly to do his own repairs. I can't go every month, so need to get my renter, who provides security and services instead of paying rent, to step up in an organized meaningful way that works. He'll be off the island when the first renter arrives, as will his sister who he wants to hire for housekeeping.
See? This is a problem for me, and it hurts his feelings when I line other people up, but this is business. When he's covering everything, and not dropping balls, then I can step out.
I'll try to attach pictures now. The bunk room turned out to be shabby chic adorable.
Lighter
