I am presently sitting on the floor of my soon to be bedroom, waiting for the hall bathroom paint to dry. It needs a second coat, and that doesn't bother me a bit. I've been waiting almost seven months to paint this particular bathroom, so this actually feels like a gift. It is also probably my favorite color - Organic Garden - and EVERYTHING that is slated to go in that room I love - the vanity, the clawfoot tub, the fixtures, the flooring, just everything. It is slated to be finished on Monday morning, and that couldn't make me happier.
What a difference 24 hours makes! I was pretty dismayed with our progress earlier this week, and then things changed for the better. I am going to pin it on the beginning of Chinese New Year and a fresh start. In 24 hours we had the following wheels moving:
- Time Warner agreed to send an installer out today instead of Monday; AND he was fabulous. Wade, I thank you for the Internet.
- In one day the plumbers managed to get done what they should have accomplished over the past two weeks, (don't get me wrong, I am no longer complaining). Yesterday we suddenly had RUNNING WATER, a kitchen sink and disposal, a working bathroom, an ice maker, a washing machine, a dishwasher, hot water, and all the bells and whistles that accompany said luxuries.
- The POD deliveries have been scheduled. This means that next Saturday two large containers of everything we own will be dropped off. Oh glorious day, oh glorious day!!!
- We have also scheduled three large men to empty said PODS. Oh the day could not get more glorious.
- ALL the walls are filled. This means that the outside has a better chance of staying out, while the inside can remain in. This also means that I can finish painting!
- By the end of today we should technically be able to move in. Granted that won't actually happen because everything in this place is still covered in a layer of plaster dust...but this is progress people. Progress.
I was reminded today that I never finished my rant '25 Things I am Annoyed With Regarding our Temporary Living Situation/Condo'. Since I spend so much time recently complaining about the half-asses work of others, it only seems right that I see this to completion. Below are my final eight items. If you missed the first part, you can find them here.
- Our secondhand furniture. The two crappy couches are borrowed, the TV stand came from Goodwill, the bookshelf from a friend, and the coffee table from a yard sale. Add some Target sale items and you have a ridiculous and sad mishmash that would embarrass a frat boy.
- Heating. We spend $350/month heating an empty house. The LAST ceiling/wall holes were patched today, so this should finally go down.
- TV-head. I am watching WAY too much TV. There isn't much else to do when we get back to the condo each night, so we watch a lot of television. I think my brain is melting.
- Space. There is a serious lack of personal space here. As much as we love each other, we really need to have more than one room to hang out in. We are always within eight feet of each other, and well, that is just too damn close.
- Selfishness. I now miss our stuff. We haven't seen our belongings since May 2008. I was doing pretty well for many of these months, but I NOW want to see my clothes, our couch, our bed, my pots and pans...just everything and I want it now. I feel a temper tantrum coming on.
- Checks. $800 here, $1000 there. The plumber wants money, the electrician wants money, the wall dude wants money, everyone wants money. When we first opened up our checking account I figured a book of checks would last us years (thank you online banking). Boy was I wrong.
- Dealing with subcontractors. I cannot elaborate further or I would say many bad things that would probably get me kicked out of here. Threatening subs is frowned upon in renovation circles.
- The need for a life. We are so close to getting the life we moved here for, and deserve to have. Faith don't fail me now.
On another note, I am told the walls ans ceilings are almost all repaired and that the plumbers return on Friday. I remain cautiously optimistic that this could be the weekend we move in. Oh please, please, please.
Yesterday the House had its way with us. Michael and I rarely get to the breaking point with each other...but oh, yes we did yesterday. We couldn't look at each other, talk to each other, and certainly not make any suggestions without one of us biting the other. And biting hard. Every question I asked was met with a smarmy, "If you want it done, then you can just do it yourself". Every comment he made, I managed to turn it into a personal attack on my very existence. At one point I just walked out of the House without saying a word. Just picked up my bag and keys and walked out the front door. All because he told me he didn't like the handles I picked out for the attic hatch door. In my defense, he wouldn't tell me WHAT he wanted, only that he DIDN'T want what I did.
After a couple hours intentionally apart, we called a truce and decided to do what normal people do on a Saturday night. Dinner and a movie. The Rialto is a delightful old theatre and is less than 5 minutes from our House, so we decided to go there. The Rialto rules because you can watch independent movies (last night was the Wrestler) while enjoying a beer or a glass of wine. Who are we kidding; we just ordered the bottle. Afterward we walked over to one of our favorites - the Hayes Barton Cafe - got a great table and ate a nice meal. Peace. Wine and wrestling apparently has medicinal effects on hostile spouses.
Truthfully I can't even remember if we accomplished anything on Saturday. We were seriously that dysfunctional. We made up for it today though. The day was beautiful so Michael spent the afternoon on the porch sawing molding and I sat in the back stripping hardware. We met inside to work TOGETHER on things. I honestly don't think there was 'snap' to be had. We managed to get the crown molding up in the foyer, the doors painted and rehung with clean non-painted hardware, and of course more trim painting. (I fear that will NEVER end.)
Sunday night and all is still good. I did warn Michael though, that if he dares mention the small amount of paint I accidentally rollered on the hardwood floor by the fireplace ONE more time, I will punch him in the sternum. I punch hard, and I will mean it.
