I am here!!! I got in this am with the van. Now to unpack and fit all this into the tiny condo. It is such a relief to have the packing and driving part behind me and I will feel even better when the van is turned back in tomorrow. My to young "20 something" cousins are helping me unload .Thank god for family!!! And god bless them!!! That is the main reason I am happy to be here in AZ .I am so close now to many loved and loving family members . Now to get my beloved sister here!!!
O.K. on to a more serious subject .I REALLY hate to have to blog this. I really do !! But once again feel I must and as you read you will see why. Blogs are like journals and we are kind of our own life journalist . Cal's clients, that have not paid their last bill have taken to reading my blog. Then yesterday through an email to me from their attorney, they have threatened to sue me for slander because I said they have not paid their bill and EVERYONE who reads my blog knows Cal's clients (Question of the day what our the names of Cal's clients ???? ) They have also implied that Cal is addicted to oxycontin because I blogged that after nearly severing his finger weeks ago he was given oxycontin for the pain. I am also being accused of "happiness " because we have moved out of town. HMMMM . I am still trying to figure that one out ?!?I guess they expected Cal and I to stay close by and supply them with a warranty and punch list work even though they had not paid the thousands they owed him and the subcontractors ??? Well, to me" no pay" means "no work" !? I do feel really bad that the clients made the choice over 3 years ago to build their home and then in the middle of the project the housing market fell to one of the worse we have ever seen . I am" guessing " that when the clients started building they had grand visions of the sky being the limit and the house going up in value. The opposite is more likely the case. We our self took a horrible loss on our home sale this summer ... well we really just gave it away for what we owed. Many contractors like Cal have had to go out of business as the housing market has dropped, while building cost have gone way up due to the cost of gas . You can now buy a home for way less then you can build one. Well, all thorough the building process the clients spent freely, gladly paying all along and arrogantly spending on costly change orders and EXPENSIVE re do's, simply because they changed their minds "that stone shipped from France was just not the right shade !!!" or" HMMM we ate out at a restaurant last night and now we want that ceiling." All this when many people in this world would be happy to just to have a ceiling over their heads !!!. I personally find this kind of frivolous action shameful in light of our countries troubles as many have faced losing their homes. So now with the housing market crashed and the clients moved in .The careless spending of their past comes into questions when presented with paying Cal's final bill . They reviewed it and have turned on Cal blaming him for their careless choices . They want Cal to take the finical fall and blame along with many unpaid subs. These hardworking subs dearly need their payments as Cal needs his .Our economy needs them to be paid too so that it stays strong and healthy. These hard workers are the back bone of our country, the working middle class. The sad issue here too is Cal charged way to little for labor and his services and these cost swept him under along with the economic crisis . Cal is a great builder but not so great a business man, and as he found this out at the close of the project it sent him emotionally into the space he is in now. He is doing better but not nearly ready to face the world, Yes, I know most of your might ask , Julie why post this , why ask for more anger from the client !!! Well, I do so to say. I will not retract my post( as demanded ) I will not stop my writing and I live in a great free country that allows me these freedoms . This message is for the clients more then anyone. Beware of the humble working man as we are the back bone of this country. We have a voice .We may not have the funds for big powerful attorneys but we have our voice !!!! And so in posting this I encourage everyone with this thought. The only thing we have to fear is fear itself!!!! Let freedom ring!!!!
30 comments:
Julie,
I happened along on your blog about a week ago, and as I read it I could relate. My husband and I have a construction company also, we have been lucky, my husband has just framed houses for the last ten years because we had the same thing happen as you have. If your client has enough money to pay an attorney, than shame on them for not paying your husband and his subs. I know that we are barely making it and if someone doesn't pay us, than we would not be able to pay our workers let alone our own bills. So keep blogging and your "clients" (how can it be slander when no name is mentioned) should continue to feel guilty about their mistakes.
Julie, you are the strength at this time, and you are sooooooo right! They are just playing bully, and no one can take away your freedom's. You stand strong and you will be fine, I feel the fire you have!!
Yep, sounds like a lot of people out there - they overspent because the banks would lend it - they want to blame everyone but themselves. While the banks should not have approved these unbelieveable loans and agreements we are all still ADULTS and responsible for our actions.
I know people, now long retired, who had to declare themselves bankrupt and then spent the next 10 years PAYING EVERY DEBT back - not because they "had to" because of the law, (since the govt. had "forgiven" those debts and taken their only assets to pay partial on the debts). These people paid the debts because - THEY HAD SPENT THE MONEY. What a concept!
The problem your not paying clients have now is their income is too high for them to delare bankruptcy - so they are crying in their soup (or should I say the bed they made?) and blaming everyone else they can rather than admit they played and now they have to pay.
SHAME On them!!!!
Well said girl!
Oh friend, this sucks! I am so glad to see you responding to all this terribleness in such a strong way though. I am a firm believer in karma and these people will get their just desserts in the end. You just keep on being your glorious, creative, loving, and free self and take care of you and Cal.
Julie - you just keep on talking - nothing you have said is slanderous and you have nothing to fear. Don't let them intimidate you.
It is amazing how unfortunately exposing ourselves in the cyber world can turn into a negative.
Keep up that positive attitude. Your strength is such an inspiration!
hugs......
Julie- I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this! what a shame! My prayers are with you! xoxo
Blog on Julie! Blog on! I don't recall you mentioning names either. But this is YOUR space to talk about ANYTHING you want. I think these shameless people KNOW they are in the WRONG. Karma comes around, and if they are at all human, they will rectify their own choices and make things right. Personally, you and Cal should get a lien on the property ASAP to secure a judgement against them. Someday they will have to pay, and at 8% interest anum, paying off their DEBT now would be the best way to go.
I'm so glad you posted this. Cal's clients names are.... :) how could I know!?!?!?!!
whatever, you go girl. Its a rough time for most of us and pouring salt on people's wounds is atrocious!! Be a Happy People! that is what I keep telling myself:) if you get sad, visit my blog. like you said, I try to always do something fun hee hee... thanks for visiting me by the way. love it!
YES!!! you are awesome Julie. absolutely awesome.
xoxoxox
Oh dear, Julie - all that 'stuff'! It's a bit like getting a square peg into a round hole isn't it, but you'll manage, and I hope you will be very happy in your new home always. As for the other stuff, all I can say is they should be ashamed of themselves!
Hugs
Gail x
I'm glad, Julie, that you are simply seeing this as what it is - an attempt to intimidate you! How can it be slander if none of us know who the client is. It just tells me that they know what they are doing isn't right and they are quick to place the blame elsewhere. I also wonder how they can afford to pay an attorney if they can't afford to pay their contractor. Good for you for staying strong!! Hugs, Silke
I am glad you are being strong and your moving near family....Blessings.....your art is such a JOY!
Where in AZ?....if near Sedoan or Phonix...my husband will be doing Christmas concerts....we are coming from Oregon...
www.johndoan.com
www.myspace.com/jdharpguitar
Well said. So many people would bow to their demands....I love that you are standing up for what you believe. THis is America, after all! Some people are so greedy...hence all of the home loan problems.
YOU GO GIRL!!! If I were one of these clients that owed that kind of money to more then one contractor, I would be ashamed to show my face in the community, much less try to accuse some one else for my irresponsible decisions. Slander? I don't recall ever reading a specific client's name. Happiness? ABSOLUTELY! Because when life gives you lemons head west to family and friends who love you, support you and would not screw you over!
Love is not in bricks and boards but in honest, committed relationships.
I love ya,
Nancy
you go girl....cram it all in...the van and your blog!!! truth will hold the candle high and everything else will slip away....i promise!!! cannot wait to hang out in your new digs....much love!
Last I checked, we live in the land of the free and home of the brave. You keep doing what you're doing, be strong and enjoy your new local.
Glad to hear your husband is on the mend.
They'll be many more happy moments, just a bump in the road.
Amen, sister.
Why is it people always turn to lawyers and cry slander. I'm only 13, but even I know slander is a lie said to ruin ones reputation. If it's true then it is not slander it is FACT. Was there a contract? I agree put a lien on the house. Also, if you shop around a lawyer who feels you have a good case will take it under the condition he gets paid when you get paid... shop around and be strong.
good for you for standing up to their scare tactics, at the same time, i would investigate a pro bono lawyer to help you guys get the $$ out of these idiots. obviously if they can afford a lawyer to call you, they can afford to pay the money they owe you.
I awarded you the prize Award Stars Light, because I really like your creations
I hope you play the game
Kiss Nati
Applause, applause to you Julie for standing your ground on such an unfair situation. Those who throw blame and try to make you look and feel bad, really know the truth and it will come to them don't you worry!!!! This has really has been a crazy year huh? You are just the sweetest and most inspiring and I wish you lots of sweet days ahead...keep on going girl! Hugs to you and your sis too!
I am so very proud of you. Clients like that can put you in a downward spiral but has done just the opposite with you. Your art show your love of life and others.Just being you can bring nothing but good karma. love you
It's odd that people can't pay their bills but can afford an attorney. Makes you wonder, huh? Hang in there. These tough times are bringing out the best in a lot of folks and the worst in a lot of others. The cream rises to the top though.
Unbelievable, Julie!!!! Let's call it like it is--these people have STOLEN from Cal and the subcontractors. They are THIEVES. How shameful of them, let alone ILLEGAL. Personally, I think you should publish their names--take a large ad out in their local newspaper--so other people don't become victims of their thieving ways.
Lorie
Julie :)
I for one am SO excited that you are in Arizona now! I stumbled upon your blog shortly before the Bohemian event a couple months ago. I went and I saw your little beauties in person and just about freaked out! :) Pictures don't do them justice!
I'm excited to take one of your classes! I tried to sign up on your blog, but it opened a window offering a free trial for marketing. Would you please make sure I'm on it? I want to know when your next one is asap! :)
My email is mwrightaz1@yahoo.com
Thanks!
Mere
Julie,
I am sorry that things are going like this for me and Cal. I wish that I was there to give you a great big hug!! I now that we only met for a few hours but I feel really connected to you, hang in there. That is all any of us can do right now. I hope that you get settled in and things look up for the two of you. Thoughts and prayers, Karen
AMEN !!! As a self employed couple my husband and I are aware of clients who think they don't need to fulfill their finacial obligations...we usually go the route of small claims court etc. We have property liens against some. There time will come!
Julie, I'm finally catching up on your blog and this entry just made me angry. Why do people act like this? They made the changes, they should own up to the responsibility of the payments. As to EVERYONE knowing who they are, I have no idea who they are and they should quit hiding behind their lawyer and face their actions (or their guilt which must be bothering them to act so). I'm so sorry you and Cal have had to endure all of these challenges. I, too, have been having rough times and I know how trying and morally demoralizing it can be. I hope Cal is feeling better and I can totally understand how one can sink into a depression like that when it's been your life's work. I'm glad he got the help he needed. I hope you both can now start a better life together in AZ. It's a wonderful place to live (I used to live in Gilbert, AZ). Continue to stand up for your rights and needs. And I send all my best thoughts and prayers to you both for your continued happiness!
Amen....keep talking!!
Post a Comment