Don't Cry For Me Bob Vila

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TV host Bob Vila has cut the asking price of their vacation home on Oyster Harbors Island, off Cape Code, to $6.99 million, from the $8.5 million he originally sought. The new price tag for the home, built in 1983, and first put on the market in December, is $4 million above its assessment. But hey, it does have a lap pool, private beach and a deep-water dock.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), September 28, 2000

Answers

Gee Ken, we have been thinking about needing to relocate. Our propertt taxes just went up a mere 19.7% this year. So, I think we will want to look directly into that. Since you and Bob are close personal friends, why not ask him to give me a holler!

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), September 28, 2000.

Is it just me or does The Bob give you the creeps, too? He reminds me of every smarmy contractor that my husband has quit on, the type that wanted him to do substandard work and keep quiet about it. My DH refuses to be paid to do crap (YEAH), even when it has hurt us financially. I support him on this issue. People are putting their whole lives into these homes. Some of you know, but to the others - if people only saw the "quality" of work that goes into these McMansions that they pay upwards of $200,000 for, they'd bust a artery! Projects for the stupid-wealthy, if you ask me (which you did not) - unaffordable housing. Anyway, if The Bob and his ilk built it, no wonder he wants out of it, full price or no. It's probably falling down around his professionally depilated ears!

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), September 28, 2000.

Soni, I'm not sure what a depilated ear is, but I'll agree property costs are skyhigh. Property is the new status symbol. After all, there is only so much land. It cannot be generated.

SO it will only increase in value. Even for these ridiculous stick houses. Don't huff and puff too loud or they will come down!

-- Anne (HT@HM.com), September 28, 2000.


And at the OTHER end of the stick...

... is Norm Abram on New Yankee Workshop. I just love his little projects like,

"Today we're going to build a classic Chris Craft wooden yacht out of obscenely expensive materials and special tools that only Bill Gates can afford. I just happen to have everything in my workshop and we'll have this baby in the water by the end of the show".

(:raig

-- Craig Miller (CMiller@ssd.com), September 29, 2000.


Just for fun I like to watch the New Yankee Workshop and count how many different power tools versus hand tools Norm uses to finish a project. I doubt if the man even owns a hammer. :-) Sherri in IN

-- Sherri C (CeltiaSkye@aol.com), September 29, 2000.


Only on an all male post would I have to explain that depilation is a fancy word for hair removal. I love Norm, too, and yes he has a hammer - uses it to unstick his 8HP, self levelling, all wheel drive, torque-inhanced turbo right angle screwdriver set when it freezes up in the chill of a New England winter. My fave is Steve Thomas - a real contractor of the old school (do it right the first time and you can have Bob's parking space!). He actually does some of the dirty work, looks good on camera, speaks highly of his family on the air and has a nice butt. What more could a girl want!?! LOL

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), September 29, 2000.

Soni, I can always count on you for a great laugh! Yes!

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), September 29, 2000.

What about Hulio ? Hulio is the little mexican guy you never see on Norm's show. Hulio keeps the place spotless ! Never do you see one ounce of sawdust on anything, Hulio is a pro !

I like the Woodright Shop on PBS ! No power tools and the guy is great ! He always gets cut on every show, just like me. Furniture ain't worth diddly unless it's built with sweat and BLOOD !

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), September 29, 2000.


Joel, you'd love it then on the outside of the house we are working on! My husband sliced one of his fingers big-time while hanging shutters...blood all over the white siding! The siding is white and the shutters are green...red blood is a really nice accent!

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), September 29, 2000.

This post has me LOL! Craig...I love your Norm imitation! I love to get up before my husband and watch all those shows just to learn how to repair things. I make do with a jig saw and cordless drill. Someday I'd like to have a few more tools...each Christmas and birthday I get stuff like drill bits and such!(after I say hundreds of times that I REALLY do want them and not jewlery!) My husband's nickname for me is Jennifer "Vila"!! I just try to keep things together! Early in our marriage we identified the mechanically inclined partner and it wasn't him! I have to agree with others though, that most things they make or build don't relate much to my life, but the process of doing things does. Who knows, maybe when I get all of my absolutely necessary repairs finished I'll have time to make my own yacht!!!!

-- Jennifer (acornfork@hotmail.com), September 29, 2000.


Hey, I love those shows. I just love watching other people work, especially on Saturday mornings when I'm still in my jamies drinking hot cocoa.

-- Cheryl Cox (bramblecottage@hotmail.com), September 30, 2000.

i suppose by now that everyone is aware the state of arkansas is doing major repairs on the governors mansion in little rock. all employees working in the governors mansion, including the governor and family, had to move out while this work is being done. the humorous part is that they brought in a triple-wide modular home to operate out of in the meantime. this has been on all the news, abc nbc cbs, cnn, npr, jay leno, david letterman, etc etc etc. pity the first family of arkansas, and the citizens of that state, for being the butt of many jokes

so now, you are wondering what this tidbit of information is about?

drumroll......this has brought out a new idea for a new show on pbs, taped in arkansas. its called "this old trailer" starring...tada.... billy bob vela..... ( and of course, his trusty sidekick, billyjoerayjunior who does all the actual work)

lol giggle....smile everybody

gene

-- gene ward (GWARD34847@AOL.COM), October 01, 2000.


Hey Joel & Sheepish, ever see the Saturday Night Live spoofs of Julia Child? Funny! Perhaps Saturday Night Live needs to film you guys?

-- Michael W. Smith (kirklbb@penn.com), October 01, 2000.

Say Joel...

Thanks for the insight. I always wondered how the term "wood stain" came about! :)

(:raig

-- Craig Miller (CMiller@ssd.com), October 02, 2000.


really LOL!

This is getting funny. I do think I could participate somewhat since I have lived in two "This Old Trailer"(s). Both of them were purchased (extremely) used (complete with "Biology Experiment Starter Kits"...unnamed molds, mildews, and probably biohazards!) But hey, we called it home...

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), October 02, 2000.



Bob when down hill when he got greedy and left PBS. I like the current TOH cast, but it would be nice if they did "affordable projects" Sorry but $10k kitchen make overs are not for me. It would also be nice if the went back to you can do it, not the hire a contractor for everything mode they have been in for a while.

Norm is great in yankee workshop. I guess I could do a good job if I have $100K in tools and a huge dedicated barn. It is nice to know that norm doesnt down the workshop or the tools. they belong to the producer.

-- Gary (gws@redbird.net), October 05, 2000.


This thread is way too funny. I often wondered why PBS is always asking for viewers to contribute. Well " its all in Norm's Workshop". Man, that guy has a tool for everything and I thought I had tools. I suppose it won't be long before Norm is sitting behind a keyboard telling use all how to program our new infrared powered laser precision cutting tool.

There is also another program on PBS called "Hometime" They do the same stuff up here in MN and surrounding areas. Boy, was I mad at them. This is a true story but happened a few years ago so now I just beginning to laugh about it. They have a web page with various links to suppliers. When I moved my small business, I was blessed with a fax number that was on their web page. I was getting faxed to death. I received orders from the US, Canada, and the fax machine was just a just really tired. We worked it out but it was a pain.

-- Bill (sticky@2sides.tape), October 05, 2000.


If we only had some rural-based media to do some home improvement shows. I would love to see a show called "Making Do." Baling wire, duct tape, straw bales, pliers, hammers, etc. Got some stuff lying around? If you would cross MacGyver with Joel Salatin, that would be entertainment. I might even buy a TV.

-- heath oates (heathoates@hotmail.com), October 05, 2000.

I think PBS buys the shows from whoever produces them. And I suspect all those tools in the workshop were either donated or discounted from all the "sponsors" of the show that scroll at the end. I still enjoy the show -- but not as much as I did when they did reasonable projects. I also enjoy Hometime, but they're tending to get more and more expensive too. :-(

I like the "making do" show idea too -- but who would you get to support/sponsor the show? If they can't sell their products, why would they bother. I'd really like to see one utilizing alternative energy!

-- Joy Froelich (dragnfly@chorus.net), October 06, 2000.


Well, Jd, what are YOU doing these days???? Wouldn't that be a new medium for Countryside to explore!!!!

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), October 06, 2000.

I know that there are at least two PBS shows produced and filmed here in Wisconsin -- Sewing with Nancy (shows nationwide I believe) and Outdoor Wisconsin (no idea if anyone outside of Wisconsin sees that one).

-- Joy Froelich (dragnfly@chorus.net), October 06, 2000.

Joy, I live in Northern Michigan and get both Sewing with Nancy and Outdoor Wisconsin. Outdoor Wisconsin airs Saturdays at noon and is a family favorite. I really enjoy Nancy's show. Kathleen

-- Kathleen Kruger (dkruger@torchlake.com), October 07, 2000.

Yeah, but let's get Nancy (or is it Norm in drag??) off her computerized 15 thread embroideromatic serger with auto needle up/down and low-bobbin light in a well lit sewing room with lots of space.....could she sew on my 120 year old Singer treadle???



-- Juno redleaf (gofish@presys.com), October 13, 2000.


Heath (and others),

PBS in fact DOES have a show about "Making Do" and duct tape is a major factor in almost every episode. It's called "The Red Green Show" and it's absolutely hilarious. Check it out sometime. ;o)

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), June 27, 2001.


Ah, the Red Green show. Almost makes me wish I had a TV ...

-- Sojourner (notime4@summer.spam), June 27, 2001.

Making do, huh? The last thing I would ever want to broadcast to the public is how I make do with substandard stuff. Next thing I know, the Social Services would be breathing down my neck for raising my children in unprivileged circumstances.

-- daffodyllady (daffodyllady@yahoo.com), June 27, 2001.

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