In the words of Frank Costanza, 'Serenity now!'

All last week Noel and I played contractor while Indy was dealing with the passing of his dad. We, however, are very happy he is back in the saddle, because Noel was ready to fire everybody.


We have remedied the cabinet situation...we hope. The cabinetmaker is working on the missing utility room cabinets, and they have a plan to correct the current cabinet that resides over the washer. I will say that on my visit to the shop, I dealt with two very competent gentlemen, because the cabinet lady (even though I emailed her only 4 hours before my arrival), who had created this whole mess, said she 'forgot' about our meeting. I highly recommend she see a neurologist promptly regarding her short-term memory lapses.


We also had to delay the granite guys, who were suppose to install our granite on Tuesday. We knew that once that granite went on the island in the kitchen, it would be impossible to move the island in order to lay bamboo flooring underneath it. You see, the island has faux feet. The flooring has to go under the feet and the entire island. The granite guy, who is one of the biggest airhead males I have ever met, thought the flooring was already down. Once he realized it was not, he still could not wrap his head around why we needed to wait on the granite for the flooring to first be installed. Bless his heart.


On another note, we have applied for an extension on our loan, because (surprise, surprise) we are over-budget. The bank, who was originally extremely handy and helpful, is now proving to be quite a headache. They require an inspection before paying any bill (with OUR money). Now, their version of an inspection entails some banker/amateur photographer coming out to the property with a camera to take pictures of what has been done. Do you really think we would authorize money to be withdrawn under our name (money for which we will be paying interest on once the withdrawal occurs, mind you) if the work has not been completed? Seriously, seriously? I will never, for the life of me, understand their intent.


This week workers at the crib (as Noel calls it) have put a bit of pep in their step. Interior painting is almost complete. The flooring guys (they'll handle the hardwood, tile, and carpet) should be here later this week or early next week, then on to the granite. We've got to get soffits and gutters on the exterior, steps on the front porch, a garage door, plumbing fixtures installed, shower in the master bath, shelving in closets, railings on the interior steps, and another load or two of gravel on the driveway, all by June 15th. Ha! Move over Mom! By the way, we prefer a turndown service in the evening, our laundry done on Sundays, and Soxy requires his wet food at 5:30pm sharp.