a big step ahead

and a huge amount of frustration....... The big step this week was the arrival of the countertops. They were installed on monday, with only a little hiccup. Good thing we have corian. It could be taken back to the shop and have an inch added to it. Had that been granite.......up the creek. (we have the russians to thank for that - they altered the island AFTER the template had been made. Not a lot, but enough...)

This was a huge development, because it allowed the plumber to put in the faucets and the dishwasher. One more step ahead. On monday, the tile guys will come to do the backsplash, finish the fireplace and bathrooms, and we're going to ask them nicely to put up a bit of backsplash in the laundry room. The frustration???? The russians, of course. Our finish carpenters don't really seem to have any sense of responsibility, speed, we need to get this done? You name it. After telling me that they would be back on monday, they were no-shows. Our general said "they had something they had to do". Tuesday, they were here bright and early, but only because the general was meeting them here. At the end of the day, they packed up all of their tools and told me they'd be back wednesday "around lunch", which meant never. Thursday, after a stern talking to from the general, they were back again, but on friday they had "something they had to do, AGAIN". They did get the interior doors put in, except the ones that are missing hardware, and some of the trim, but not nearly enough. I'd guess they're about 10percent done after 2 days of work.

The idea of possibly moving in before thanksgiving is quickly slipping away in a fit of frustration. There is still SO much to be done, most of which, according to the general comes "last". There's NO WAY that they'll be finished and inspected in 3 weeks, especially if they only work 2 days a week. Will they be here tomorrow? Probably not, they haven't worked on a Monday yet. (allergic? me too). At least we can count on tile guy. He'll be here with bells on! And the plumber, who is spending a bit of time here and there, even though he doesn't have to quite yet. The shutoff valves are all done for everything, the kitchen is done, the non-master bathrooms have faucets, the showers are in, and the "behemoth" bath tub is assembled and in place. You just gotta love a plumber who doesn't like to work in the rain and the mud. (he'd rather work inside on our job where it's warm - fine by me)

What will we get this week? Tile guy, for sure, maybe the plumber will get cold again and come do the bathtub faucet, hopefully the sheetrockers will come and finish their touch up stuff, (they're holding things up), the solatubes will get their covers, the deck MIGHT get started, as well as the sidewalks. And, if the russians grace us with thier presence, some trim MIGHT get done. I swear, if they work all 5 days this week, I'll pass out. Oh, and, I have 2 appointments for window blind quotes, and the washer and dryer will FINALLY be delivered on friday. OK, exactly when IS last? It's a looonnnggg list......