What I need in my life is a honey to do all the jobs that suddenly landed on my shoulders with the decision to retrofit the windows! I am a list-maker and mostly a doer, but the list is one that would take half as long if I had a handy honey to help me.
In the office, I have to paint the room. Well, I guess I don't HAVE to paint it, but when I have to paint one wall, I may as well paint the whole thing -- and I have a gallon of paint that will do the job. Then, I have to either put up curtains or buy new blinds as the ones I had were not gently removed and/or safely stored during the renovation. The hardest part? Moving the furniture out of the way and then back into place once the paint dries.
In my bedroom/bathroom, I also have to paint the walls with windows, but not only did the guys throw out all my paint cans when they cleaned the garage last summer, but I cannot find the color chip to match the paint I used a year ago. Rather than having that project finished, as it was a year ago, I may have to repaint the whole shebang!
In the kitchen, I just have to repaint the window new sash, so it's not a big deal.
In the guest room, I have to paint the wall with the new door, as well as the new door, and then all of the trim, which I want stark white. I'm also going to take 1/3 of the closet and turn it into shelves, which is what I did in my closet when I fixed up my room. I'm adding small shelves, as well as a double bar on one side of it to make it more user friendly and updated. Believe me, an entire wall of closet is a lot of wasted space if I don't do "something" to add to its appeal.
And my carpets are beyond using my home shampooer to clean, so I'm going to call one of the services to get the grime and construction debris out of the fibers. That's a day I'll go to the movies as the odor of wet carpet is not asthma-friendly.
Meanwhile, Mia is again sleeping on the couches, although I thought we were past that phase. I've been waking up at odd hours throughout the night and find her snoring, with her head on a couch pillow. After chastising her severely, I've marched her back into my room and onto her sleeping palette, but she goes back to the living room if/when I fall back to sleep. I've been waking up anytime after 3 AM and just getting up and getting on with it, but I wish I could be sleeping better and not waking up off and on all night.
Oh, well, it is what it is, right?
Monday, December 14, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
What a Difference a Project Makes
It is so cold in the desert that I'm using my heater; however, since installing the new e-rated windows, it comes on far less often than it did last week during the previous cold weather. The windows are not just double-paned, but they are sealed all the way around at installation, which I think makes them more air-tight. The added benefit is the increased sound barrier provided by the new window technology. 
My construction chief, Mike, did a bit of upselling during the project as part of what he does is renovate dated businesses, such as a nearby hotel. Buildings become run down quickly in the searing temps and ferocious sand storms, so upkeep often includes renovation. Mike suggested that I change out all of the door hardware as I literally had a set of keys to fit the 4 different locks on the doors without adding the new one. It was expensive, but I upgraded to Schlag high security locks and all of the doors/screens now have the same key. Mike is also urging me to let his man paint the kitchen cabinets, but I really cannot afford that project right now as I still have to buy paint to repaint areas in both my bedroom and the adjoining bath once the plaster fixes are finished. I also have all of the purchases for the project on a special project card and it, too, needs to be paid. And, I have to finish painting the guest room as I've only finished 3 walls.
Mike knows how to do most of the jobs himself, but he hires local workers and trains them to do the work as part of his crew. Thus, Christian built the redwood deck (and it is perfect), while Ephrain does all the painting projects and Pablo works wonders with wallboard and plaster, but all of them also cross train so they work on all projects as a crew. They were a well-oiled machine as they removed windows, prepped the space, set the new windows in, leveled them, caulked them, and moved to the next opening. Amazing job.
Mike found a hummingbird in my living room the first day, but we cannot figure how it got into the house. The only nearby entrance was the open garage door, but it would have had to take an erratic flight path to make it to that spot. Mike looked like a little boy as he captured the bird so gently and then carried it back to the front yard. Mia found her way outside several times, but we realized quickly when she was gone and went whistling for her. The good news is that she comes better now when I whistle for her than she ever did in the past.
I also called the police on a man who came to the door to ask me about my alarm service. What he wanted to know was if it was active or shut off, claiming that he worked for my alarm company and they were doing a survey and a test in the neighborhood. I told him that if he represented MY alarm company, he already knew the answer to that question and also told him that his claim that the company was going to do a "test" in the area was bogus. I called my alarm company, who said he was not an employee and that they never do any sort of "test" because they work one/one with the customer. I then called the police and explained to them that he never said he was selling systems, my alarm company told me he is not employed by them, and that he could just as easily be casing the neighborhood for future crimes. Believe it or not, 3 cars responded!!
He'll probably be back one night to tell me how much he appreciated my calling him on his lies, so let's hope the Schlag locks live up to their name.
Pablo will be back later today to do the outside stucco repairs, while I finish grading the final papers for the comp class and watch some football. I've baked fresh cookies each day for the crews doing the work, but held some back for Pablo's coffee break today. All in all, this has been a great project (once it finally began) and I'm glad that I set the wheels in motion. I don't have the money to do the shower, so don't know when/if that will be done, but it's next on the list.
My construction chief, Mike, did a bit of upselling during the project as part of what he does is renovate dated businesses, such as a nearby hotel. Buildings become run down quickly in the searing temps and ferocious sand storms, so upkeep often includes renovation. Mike suggested that I change out all of the door hardware as I literally had a set of keys to fit the 4 different locks on the doors without adding the new one. It was expensive, but I upgraded to Schlag high security locks and all of the doors/screens now have the same key. Mike is also urging me to let his man paint the kitchen cabinets, but I really cannot afford that project right now as I still have to buy paint to repaint areas in both my bedroom and the adjoining bath once the plaster fixes are finished. I also have all of the purchases for the project on a special project card and it, too, needs to be paid. And, I have to finish painting the guest room as I've only finished 3 walls.
Mike knows how to do most of the jobs himself, but he hires local workers and trains them to do the work as part of his crew. Thus, Christian built the redwood deck (and it is perfect), while Ephrain does all the painting projects and Pablo works wonders with wallboard and plaster, but all of them also cross train so they work on all projects as a crew. They were a well-oiled machine as they removed windows, prepped the space, set the new windows in, leveled them, caulked them, and moved to the next opening. Amazing job.
Mike found a hummingbird in my living room the first day, but we cannot figure how it got into the house. The only nearby entrance was the open garage door, but it would have had to take an erratic flight path to make it to that spot. Mike looked like a little boy as he captured the bird so gently and then carried it back to the front yard. Mia found her way outside several times, but we realized quickly when she was gone and went whistling for her. The good news is that she comes better now when I whistle for her than she ever did in the past.
I also called the police on a man who came to the door to ask me about my alarm service. What he wanted to know was if it was active or shut off, claiming that he worked for my alarm company and they were doing a survey and a test in the neighborhood. I told him that if he represented MY alarm company, he already knew the answer to that question and also told him that his claim that the company was going to do a "test" in the area was bogus. I called my alarm company, who said he was not an employee and that they never do any sort of "test" because they work one/one with the customer. I then called the police and explained to them that he never said he was selling systems, my alarm company told me he is not employed by them, and that he could just as easily be casing the neighborhood for future crimes. Believe it or not, 3 cars responded!!He'll probably be back one night to tell me how much he appreciated my calling him on his lies, so let's hope the Schlag locks live up to their name.
Pablo will be back later today to do the outside stucco repairs, while I finish grading the final papers for the comp class and watch some football. I've baked fresh cookies each day for the crews doing the work, but held some back for Pablo's coffee break today. All in all, this has been a great project (once it finally began) and I'm glad that I set the wheels in motion. I don't have the money to do the shower, so don't know when/if that will be done, but it's next on the list.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Credible Sources?
Okay, so Tiger has a sexual addiction and can't keep his private tomcat in his pants, but it seems that "everyone" knew that but the public. Within hours of the now infamous accident, a dirty dozen of "I slept with Tiger" accusers came out of the clubs, each one with fake boobs and 8x10 glossies of provocative bikini poses already in the media kit. What better boost to a porn star's career than sharing her talents with the media at Tiger's expense? An out-of-work actress? An ex-hostess for an exclusive club? A woman working hard to make it in this tough economy, but over-the-hill in the both the age and the looks department?
These women have created their own employment agency, one with limited job skills but tons of experience, it seems.
There is making bad choices, and then there is making bad choices. The girls were paid: is there no customer loyalty? These women aren't forming a parade of "Bad Tiger" girls: they are skanks and ho's who are hired to do what they did with Tiger, and God only knows how many other celebs, and paid well both by their employers and by their "clients." Can you say "yucky"? The grossest part of the whole outing? Letterman making a joke at Tiger's expense. The old saying is, "There but for the Grace of God goeth I." Oh, that's right: he's already been there, hasn't he? Talk about the pot calling out the black kettle!!
For Tiger, it is all about the sex, based on the astounding rumors of his sexual prowess, but for the women, it's all about the 15 minutes of dubious fame and fortune. Before any more women out themselves, they may want to consider how well that worked for Monica Lewinsky.
These women have created their own employment agency, one with limited job skills but tons of experience, it seems.
There is making bad choices, and then there is making bad choices. The girls were paid: is there no customer loyalty? These women aren't forming a parade of "Bad Tiger" girls: they are skanks and ho's who are hired to do what they did with Tiger, and God only knows how many other celebs, and paid well both by their employers and by their "clients." Can you say "yucky"? The grossest part of the whole outing? Letterman making a joke at Tiger's expense. The old saying is, "There but for the Grace of God goeth I." Oh, that's right: he's already been there, hasn't he? Talk about the pot calling out the black kettle!!
For Tiger, it is all about the sex, based on the astounding rumors of his sexual prowess, but for the women, it's all about the 15 minutes of dubious fame and fortune. Before any more women out themselves, they may want to consider how well that worked for Monica Lewinsky.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Pitchin' a Bitchin'
Ya know, I could hardly sleep last night because I was so excited that the window change-out was going to be done today, with the door installation and patio done tomorrow. By this weekend, I could finish the painting project in the guest room and decide whether I'm going to use that room as my office or keep things the way they are.
When I arrived back home at noon, there were no vehicles on my property, so I assumed it was lunch break. However, once I came into my house, I realized that the project I thought would be half-finished had not been started.
No workers; no construction boss; no phone call.
At 5 PM, the doorbell rang. My first question: stitches? casts? funeral services scheduled? No? Then why the hell didn't you show up or at least give me a call to say today wasn't going to be the day?
Someone at another one of his projects stole a large, expensive piece of equipment, so he's spent the day trying to track down some people who had been at that property, including a guy another guy knew who had stayed a couple of nights, but hadn't been seen in a couple of days: yada yada yada.
And, your cell phone wasn't working all day?
Here's where my mind goes. If you don't care enough about the job to give me a courtesy call before I pay you, what's going to happen when you leave, paycheck in hand? If I have a problem with the work you do, am I going to also have problems getting you on the phone? getting you to come back to make adjustments? This isn't a big deal to anyone other than me, but I'm investing a lot of my hard-earned money into changing out these windows.
It's important to me that I'm important to you. I've already paid for all of the supplies to do the job, and you want payment in full for the labor when it's completed, but ... what if I change our agreement and don't bother to let you know that I'm not going to pay you at the close of the job as we discussed because something else came up and I already spent the money I was going to use to pay you????
And, believe me, you don't win any points for starting your side of the conversation with, "I was going to call you, but I got so busy trying to find these guys that I just forgot."
When I arrived back home at noon, there were no vehicles on my property, so I assumed it was lunch break. However, once I came into my house, I realized that the project I thought would be half-finished had not been started.
No workers; no construction boss; no phone call.
At 5 PM, the doorbell rang. My first question: stitches? casts? funeral services scheduled? No? Then why the hell didn't you show up or at least give me a call to say today wasn't going to be the day?
Someone at another one of his projects stole a large, expensive piece of equipment, so he's spent the day trying to track down some people who had been at that property, including a guy another guy knew who had stayed a couple of nights, but hadn't been seen in a couple of days: yada yada yada.
And, your cell phone wasn't working all day?
Here's where my mind goes. If you don't care enough about the job to give me a courtesy call before I pay you, what's going to happen when you leave, paycheck in hand? If I have a problem with the work you do, am I going to also have problems getting you on the phone? getting you to come back to make adjustments? This isn't a big deal to anyone other than me, but I'm investing a lot of my hard-earned money into changing out these windows.
It's important to me that I'm important to you. I've already paid for all of the supplies to do the job, and you want payment in full for the labor when it's completed, but ... what if I change our agreement and don't bother to let you know that I'm not going to pay you at the close of the job as we discussed because something else came up and I already spent the money I was going to use to pay you????
And, believe me, you don't win any points for starting your side of the conversation with, "I was going to call you, but I got so busy trying to find these guys that I just forgot."
I AM SO EXCITED!
TODAY is the BIG DAY! The replacement of the rest of the windows with energy-star windows begins at 8 AM, while I'm up the hill for my class, and concludes with the construction of a small deck outside the NEW DOOR in the guest room!
WOO-HOO!
I arrived home from taking my friend to the airport to find that the wood for the deck and 6 bags of cement had been delivered. There was no call from Lowe's to tell me they were coming, so the delivery crew neatly stacked everything right in front of the garage door! In order to park my car, I first had to relocate all the supplies. Yes, I can still move six 60-pound sacks of cement and a whole lot of lumber when called upon to do so.
In early afternoon, the door and the windows were delivered, but I was there to direct the crew to the temporary storage place inside the garage. They were very nice and on their way up the hill, so I provided them with directions and sent them on their way.
I also cleaned the dog run as the installation crew will be working both inside and outside and I don't want anyone stepping in it, especially after 2 days of rain has softened the dog deposits into mushy shoe traps.
The new door for the guest room necessitates installation of an outdoor light, as well as relocation of the electrical outlet, but my construction crew boss tells me, "No problem." He did, however, forget to purchase a door handle, which could be a problem for my personal security. And, I also reminded him about the security screen door. Of course, I'm seeing yet more keys on the key chains as I don't have a common lock in the place!
Look for the photos after the changes are complete.
WOO-HOO!
I arrived home from taking my friend to the airport to find that the wood for the deck and 6 bags of cement had been delivered. There was no call from Lowe's to tell me they were coming, so the delivery crew neatly stacked everything right in front of the garage door! In order to park my car, I first had to relocate all the supplies. Yes, I can still move six 60-pound sacks of cement and a whole lot of lumber when called upon to do so.
In early afternoon, the door and the windows were delivered, but I was there to direct the crew to the temporary storage place inside the garage. They were very nice and on their way up the hill, so I provided them with directions and sent them on their way.
I also cleaned the dog run as the installation crew will be working both inside and outside and I don't want anyone stepping in it, especially after 2 days of rain has softened the dog deposits into mushy shoe traps.
The new door for the guest room necessitates installation of an outdoor light, as well as relocation of the electrical outlet, but my construction crew boss tells me, "No problem." He did, however, forget to purchase a door handle, which could be a problem for my personal security. And, I also reminded him about the security screen door. Of course, I'm seeing yet more keys on the key chains as I don't have a common lock in the place!
Look for the photos after the changes are complete.
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