Under construction

Here is a picture of the hole in the wall. Hubs took down the built in cabinets/TV cabinet and we were left with this big hole. Last year I didn't know anyone to call for repairs, so I hid it with the furniture and accessories.

I have been waiting on this contractor and his carpenter for about two weeks or more. They had to finish a previous job before working on my list. Monday, they started and had to come back today and will have to return tomorrow morning.

I had them install two fluorescent lights. One in the wash room and the second one in our master closet. Both places are so dark and dim. Money well spent. Third project was to install a heater/vent/light in the master bathroom. This was not as easy, but they got it done. Fourth project was to repair this giant hole in the dining room and then texture our bathroom ceiling where the heat/vent/light was installed.

I just had them finish these things and then I stopped any further projects. These guys are nice enough but sort of slow. I was wanting to have new french doors installed, but I am not sure they can do this job. I am waiting on another man to come and tell me what he thinks. We know this man and he built our deck when we first moved here. He is also Hubs' second cousin's husband. He does excellent work, but he has a full time job and does his business on the side, so he is not always available.

I have to say that is it brought back memories of when we did a major remodel of our former home. It lasted four months. No kitchen sink for all that time. Some how we managed to have a wonderful thanksgiving with no plumbing. I have aged since then and my nerves are not as good as they use to be.

OK, where was I? Back to the subject... I don't know why I can't cope with a mess like remodeling, but I think I will wait till some warmer weather arrives. Of course living in east Texas the weather is likely to change any minuet.

Another thought in my head this morning is why do I forget how to spell? I am always doubting my spelling. For some reason the word does not look right even if it is spelled correctly. Do you have that problem? All I have to say is thank goodness for spell check.

OK...back to the contractor and the carpenter... This young man is my boss' boyfriend and I have never had him do any work before now. He is a super fine guy with great character and heart, but he is not confident in his work. At least that is what I perceived.

His bid was wacky in that he kept changing his prices and what he said. I have to say that it through me for a loop. I like definition. I like knowing what the deal is for and I don't want any changes in price once I have negotiated a deal. Just another thing that sounded a red flag.

His prices were a little high for some of the projects. It bothers me when someone keeps telling me what good prices they have as he did. Hello? I wasn't born yesterday. I have worked with contractors before. What is it about the arrogance of youth? This guy is young enough to be my son. Visions of con man floated about in my head. Oh, it is just a feeling. Really.

Anyway to make a long story short, I just heard a lot of loose lips flapping. His man is not a certified electrician. Please don't tell me how much work and experience he has... if my house catches on fire because something was not done correctly, then who is going to pay for that? OH, not to worry because he has insurance, for himself not my house. Whatever...

Yesterday was filled with uncertainty and doubt. I don't like working under those conditions. He wonders why he keeps having problems. The last job he did had complications. Red flag again.! Now I am really questioning myself. In the back of my head I keep hearing " Don't hire friends or relatives or boyfriends of friends."

Concerning the patio doors...he had a way to make them fit. Cut into my house and re frame, then do a bump out on the interior of the doors? What? ..."Don't hire friends or relatives or boyfriends of friends." Second cousin is OK because he knows what he is doing. He is a master carpenter and it shows in all of his work. Proof enough for me.

I don't know, but I am pretty perceptive about people. I kept asking why he was doing something that way and I would get a disguised answer and then the answer changed when I further questioned him. So that is the whole of it. A bad vibe, a sour note, just something tearing at my gut saying "Don't hire friends, relatives or boyfriends of your friends." I am waffling between Hubs and them. I know the right decision. I am going to listen to this little voice. Sometimes no decision is a decision.

I am so thankful for spell check and intuition. In the mean time, what do I tell my boss if she aske what I thought of the job? I am going to have to tell her the truth. My shot of the first picture of the wall is not as bad in person, I picked up something different on my camera.