Arlo and Janis by Jimmy Johnson for September 04, 2024

There’s no making her happy

Internet be useful.

Arlo is a dreamer but Janis is a realist.

Go home and stream the movie “Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House” or its remake, “The Money Pit”, before making any decisions, Arlo.

Gus knows how to play Arlo, but Janis does not look like she is on board. Sparks could be flying soon over this, I fear.

Something left to pay all the taxes and fees.

You can’t just buy a house kit from Sears any more.

Yay! Dream House.

And wait how long for it to be completed?

Janis is POed for having her time wasted.

Where will you live while they are building your house? It might take a full year.

Let’s not forget, Gus, that AFTER the house is built, it often takes another year for the furniture to be delivered!

Hear about the farmer that stepped on a rake? He had two acres.

Coworker was having house built and would inspect every day!! Saw something strange. The builders were building each room 1 foot by 1 foot smaller than contracted. Thought it wouldn’t be noticed.

That size house with those two and Luddie? I just don’t think either one would be happy.

Had my parents give me some sage advice once. Never sell or buy a vehicle or property with a relative. Especially an in-law.

Gus = Mr. Zillow

You can use the “something left” to search for water and dig a well, then you can get a mortgage and put in a septic field.

Do they have any idea how much work 10 acres is?

Whatever happened to Arlo’s boat? Did he sell it? Because that seemed like enough happiness.

If Janis ain’t happy…

1,500 square feet!?!?!? We have 1,600 square feet & I certainly wouldn’t move into this house as a “retirement house”!!!

Janis is not amused. I don’t blame her.

I’m not sure why Janis is mad, though I’m sure she has a warm and fuzzy feeling inside that she has something brand new to complain about. I think it might be because it appears Arlo is so smitten with the thought of building a house just as he wants it, and can come out a little financially ahead while doing so.

And be living in your new by MAYBE this time next year. If you’re lucky. And the weather cooperates. And prices on materials remain relatively even.

It sounds a bit ‘iffy’ and shady to me!

With what Gus is suggesting, she has a reason to be annoyed. Far too many logistics in building, and a long tedious project. Ends up costing far more than you budgeted for due to unexpected delays, weather issues, building materials not arriving, changes in house design, plumbers and electricians changing designs due to codes, or not even showing up, then when they do, their rates have increased. So much fun…NOT!

I’d be worried about the other 60 or so neighbors when Gus sells the last 30 acres to a developer.

Smile will be gone quick when Arlo looks left. This is not what Janis was in for. It could be made to work, maybe a temporary relocation to guest house at Gene’s, but will not be a quick easy move. Would hate to see A & J learn the hard way that the city to country transition is a romantic idea that seldom turns out well for those unprepared.Building on an undeveloped and unserviced lot is a lot of red tape and headaches. Gus has experience and local connections to help, but this is not something they can juggle from a long distance commute. And what are Gus’s plans for the other 30 acres?

And where do they live for the avg 18 months it takes to get a home built from scratch out in the boonies?

I thought the idea was to move to the COAST?!

I think a lot of these people commenting need a reminder that it’s just a comic strip, relax.

Janis has folded her arms…………hmmmmmmmm!

My folks when down that path when they moved to the hill country outside of Austin. TX. They acted as their own general contractor to save money. It was a huge mount of work and took the better part of a year to do. They would up with a very nice house; their words on moving in were “Never Again!!!”

And so it begins…The New House!

Does that include connecting to city water, sewage, and power?

Speaking from experience……….staying where you are avoids a bunch of anguish and contributes to wonderful peace of mind.

Ah, the two different reactions, yes, quite amusing!

It’s getting real now, the expert says it’s affordable… is it still a goal?

With ten acres to use, first I build a 40×60 foot basement. Then I’d buy 40 foot containers and stack and pack, come up with a three or four story building with an elevator in the middle. Then I’d stack some 20 foot containers on top of that for a nice sturdy tower.

I wouldn’t trust Gus any further than I could roll him.

Gus is turning out to look like a real wheeler-dealer type.

A. 10 acres is way more than you want to take care of in retirement.

B. It takes a strong marriage to survive building a house.

don’t buy into it Janice.

If they only need a 1500 sq. ft. house they could live in the guest house next to the kids. It is already furnished and they would be close to everything.

Gus has had poor health the last few years. I wouldn’t depend on him being around and able to help with such a big project for 2 years.

They don’t need or want 10 acres to take care of. Gus does not seem like a very good listener.

Janis seems totally against this idea.

We sold our house in Florida and the profit was more than enough to buy our retirement home in Pennsylvania. For those who will surely ask, Florida was too hot and Pennsylvania is where my grandkids are.

Janis is definitely not amused with this proposal.

You do not want to get involved with building a house. The hassle is horrible.

1500 square feet will not be big enough AND they are out in the woods not the beach! no way ! never! nuh uh ! do NOT get talked into this Janis

Tension’s building…

Prices Arlo.

We moved into a smaller new house, in the state my husband grew up. Ended up bringing along our grown son (so much for our use of the 4th bedroom as a storage room). He decided to come along to take care of us (he’s an artist & can work where ever). Then we decided to buy a lot North of us near a lake. Planned to put in a garage for the boat, put in water, electricity, and a parking pad. Then we read the covenants – required a house of equivalent value to neighboring houses to be built on it. So back up for sale – we weren’t planning on living there. Next we heard, the next door neighbor bought it.

So… Janis is looking at the prospect of getting everything she wants, and has THAT expression?

Anybody built a house in an unimproved area? From Janis’ expression and body language, I believe she can imagine the head aches and cost overruns …

Who is Gus trying to help, Arlo and Janis or Gus?

Take 2 acres and order a prefab 2400sqft house.

Wtf is with her, anyway? I’m getting whiplash from her alternating positions on everything.

I’m gonna move, baby, way on the outskirts of town. Cause I don’t want no body always hanging around… Ray Charles.

10 acres and building my own place would be wonderful!

If momma ain’t happy, ain’t no one is! That’s one big evil NO!

And live where between selling their pace now to get the $$$$ for all that building ?

Uh, for a change Janis doesn’t look too happy. Why?

Remind me- what’s their relation to Gus?

She doesn’t want to move. She’s playing some odd game, and it would be easier on Arlo, if she’d just fess up.