Today my fears were confirmed. Our bathroom modifications will not finish on Friday, as promised. Sometime next week is as definite as they are prepared to go.
I am peeved, sad and overwhelmed. I am also well aware that it is a very minor problem on a global stage. Just the same, for the next day or so...
And I may not be colouring between the lines either... So there.
I will put on my big girl panties again shortly.
Aw, you. Its very understandable. JUST A FEW MORE DAYS. Color with markers!!!
ReplyDeleteFurry Bottoms: Colouring with markers sounds a much better idea than using the tradies blood...
DeleteAUGH!!! Sorry. Color all over the floor - that's what I'd do.
ReplyDeleteRiot Kitty: I like it. I like that thought a lot - though when my adult self emerges she will have to clean up.
DeleteSorry to hear about your bathroom. That has got to be a big inconvenience. But you did manage to make me laugh. I imagined myself putting a blanket over my desk and taking my laptop under there to work one day. I think it would be hysterical.
ReplyDeleteLisa: I dare you. I double dare you. And perhaps you/we can start a trend.
DeleteI'm sorry! That sucks. Why does it always take longer than what they anticipate?
ReplyDeleteAlex J. Cavanaugh: Because they are strangers to the truth and because they are always working on three or four different projects.
DeleteHere's hoping your big girl panties don't drop to the floor.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's the scope of the calamity that matters, but rather how close to home the calamity occurs, and this one is occurring inside your home.
Snowbrush: All over the home. There are doors propped against walls and dust sheets and bits and pieces and noise and dust and chemical smells and stressed out cats and and and...
DeleteAnd with luck, this time next week it will be over.
Oh no, I can understand your pain. I'm still waiting for our telephone line to be fixed, and it's not and after several heated discussions with a very nice man in India I have no idea if we'll ever have a telephone line again.
ReplyDeleteLL Cool Joe: I wonder whether the nice man in India is the same one who told me that our phone problems were because a battery at the exchange needed changing?
DeleteGood luck.
I quit having a land line many years ago. It went the way of my checkbook.
Deleteoh dear, I feel the pain ;)
ReplyDeleteI had a similar delay in recent times, indulged in a short-lived hissy fit but the best medicine was when a friend said "never mind nothing to fret about, we're always saying that the older we get the faster time flies"! :)
Rose ~ from Oz: I have obviously regressed to childhood faster than I knew. These last couple of weeks have taken an eternity. But yes, soon it will be over.
DeleteAnd what were their reasons for this hold up?
ReplyDeleteSend me their addresses, I'll send a plague of small, persistent leaks to each of their bathrooms.
This may be small on a global scale, but it's a big thing to you and you're entitled to feel p****ed off. Put a cooling fan in your blanket fort.
River: I have heard a fair amount of blame - but no reasons. And I love the idea of small persistent leaks in their bathrooms but think in their cars would upset them more.
DeleteOh, I hate this. I have twice allowed big projects to be started with promises of the end date. Next time, I will get that in writing with a $$$ penalty for not finishing on time. I had plumbing work done. The guy still has not returned although he had me pay him for the parts and all the work. I will never see him. I certainly like to tell people about him--great payback.
ReplyDeleteDon't stay under the blanket too long; come up for air. Strawberry Shortcake would be a good, happy thing to color. Get some ice cream to take under the blanket and let the cats lick the bowl and spoon.
Practical Parsimony: It sucks doesn't it? And yes, getting it in writing plus penalties would have been good. Next time... And hopefully there will be no next time.
DeleteI know how you feel. I hate remodeling. The workers NEVER finish when they say, it's always more expensive than the original estimate, and the miss seems endless. Yep, I think it's great to get under the blanket, color outside the lines and keep your grownup panites off for a while.
ReplyDeleteMyrna R.: And they turn up when they feel like it too - without any regard for what they have told you.
Deletei would feel just the same.. very disappointed indeed
ReplyDeleteDawna: And sadly, not surprised.
DeleteDon't beat yourself up for feeling "peeved" and "overwhelmed", EC. It's understandable.
ReplyDeleteAnd another thing, we shouldn't bury our feelings/emotions under the cover of there are worse things going on in the world around us - because our emotions and feelings are our own and we're the ones suffering the despair.
However, it is my belief we're completely within our rights to bury them and our own self under a doona - for as long as as it takes and for as long as we feel like doing so. Taking a furry rascal or two with us as well, is also a good idea.
Lee: The furry fiends would prefer I buried the contractors. All of them. And not under a doona...
DeleteI am so sorry; I wish I could send you Jim.Things are not perfect in bathroom reno's in this hemisphere, either, but Jim has explained my old house drawbacks and all my options. Choices....
ReplyDeleteJoanne Noragon: You are going through bathroom renovations too? I will come over and visit you shortly. Yay for Jim.
DeleteI am going to join you and Lisa under the blanket tent. It sounds like a trend that has legs, as they say. So sorry to hear all this, but thanks for the update and making us all able to commiserate with you. :-}
ReplyDeleteDJan: Yay for blanket tents. And blogging friends.
DeleteBummer. Colour one for me.
ReplyDeleteDelores: Done deal. It will be bright though. No pastels around here at the moment...
DeleteOh poor you. It is terrible, I should know, I have a new shower, and 3 months before it will plumb in, I can't use a bath, smelly, nobody comes near me............
ReplyDeleteBob Bushell: THREE MONTHS? That is so not fair. My heart goes out to you. What a good thing you get a lot of rain your way (sorry, not really a joking matter I know).
DeleteBloody builders. Typical. Hiss and spit all you want. I would. In fact I'd join in the chorus if I could ... ^*&%*^%*(%(^*##@@##$#
ReplyDeleteWendy: Second verse same as the first - just a little bit louder and a whole lot worse.
DeleteLiving without a bathroom even for a short time not fun, I understand completely.
ReplyDeleteMerle.............
Merlesworld: There is another bathroom - but it is even less accessible than the one which has been ripped out and is slowly (very slowly) being rebuilt.
DeleteA great idea! I was a way happier as a child then I have ever been as an adult.
ReplyDeletemohave rat: I want to cherry pick the best of both ages. I hated having my decisions made for me as a child - but colouring in, blanket forts, and blowing bubbles leave rather a lot of adulthood for dead.
DeleteDear EC
ReplyDeleteSome tradesmen would benefit from being in the stocks and having rotten food thrown at them. Yes, medieval, but I believe it would be highly effective in warning other tradesman to think very carefully about how they treat their customers. They would also have a placard around their neck outlining their misdemeanour. I hope that mental image helps.
Until somebody brings that form of punishment back, enjoy your colouring - ooh, a blanket fort sounds perfect!
Best wishes
Ellie
Ellie Foster: Oooh another wonderful idea. I would really, really like to throw things some days...
DeleteAh sweetheart, it's relative, and in your own universe I get the last straw you're watching fall to the ground. I'd suggest getting drunk as a skunk, but you don't need the hangover hell. Let it out, rail at the skies, shout at anyone you don't love and force one of the cats to be stroked a lot. I hope this is over soon. x
ReplyDeleteAC.... you never call ME "sweetheart". I demand equal billing.
DeleteAll Consuming: Mega thanks. It has to be Jewel. Forcing Jazz to do anything is never a good idea.
Deletelotta joy: Anyone who has All Consuming's jewellery IS one of her sweethearts - which you know.
I so understand how you feel. Soon we will begin projects that I dread. Anymore just day to day things wear me down...like: books I ordered on Sept 8 and editor won't answer emails as to where they are although money gone...state poetry books published and mailed but my June check has not even been cashed...Soc. Security has been hassle since July and I learned to say they just mailed cards on Oct 16 and they won't arrive for at least 4 weeks!!!!...tried to order jeans online and would not work and it took 45 minutes on phone due to errors...ah, is that enough. Life now days is hurry up and wait with us doig the waiting! But just think how nice your new bath will be soon!
ReplyDeleteBookie: Blanket forts all round? And I hear you on the day to day stuff being more than enough. Good luck with all your trials - and lots of luck with the big projects.
DeleteI'll join you beneath the blanket AND share my chocolate nummies!
ReplyDeleteWe all have things that really, really bug us.... mine is whining pooches and we have four of them! Sending hugs. =)
Jacquelineand...: Blanket forts and nummies sound really, really good. Hugs back to you.
DeleteAw, darn them. They could have told you sooner. Be ready with high octane coffee when they come, or energy drinks, no dallying around or you drug them into a higher speed.
ReplyDeleteStrayer: Part of the problem has happened when they simply don't turn up. Or appear and disappear. They are running rather a lot of jobs at once.
DeleteToo many. My brother is a contractor and knows this kind of subcontractor bull, when they take too many jobs to actually finish any of them. The only you will get the high pri spot is if you throw a fit, and question their contract, on how long it will take, and threaten the courts. I hope you do have a contract with a timeline in it, to refer to, and a good thing is to start diminishing pay for overage on the estimated time of finish. I don't know.
DeleteStrayer: Most of the people working (sometimes working) on the bathrooms are sub-contractors - and I don't have a contract with them. Some positive steps have been taken over the last day though - and I have hopes for more today.
DeleteHang in there. The disturbance will be all worth it.
ReplyDeleteAndrew: I hope so. I really hope so. And some good progress was made yesterday. And another disaster... (a cupboard which they built, which didn't fit and has to be rebuilt).
DeleteYou've never mentioned this, but do you only have one bathroom? We did during the same situation and I must say, I made great friends with my garage and a large coffee can.
ReplyDeletelotta joy: There is another bathroom - but I find it very, very hard to use. And the tradies have claimed rather a lot of the garage for their own...
DeleteMy new bathroom was supposed to take two weeks, tops. It took three weeks and then the mirrors took another 3 weeks to arrive. Things never go as planned. However, time goes by quickly, and now I am so happy about the results, those inconveniences are a far distant memory. It will be that for you also.
ReplyDeleteStarting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: I am so glad that you are happy with the results and can put the inconveniences behind you. Where they belong.
DeleteEC,
DeleteYou are right in the middle of it! And, my anger and disappointment did not wear off for years. Plus, I distrusted and still do distrust anyone I need to hire for fear of getting pushed aside and the workmen showing up for two hours a day.
Oh no!
ReplyDeleteIn my recent experience (new house built 2 years ago, conservatory built on to said house this past winter) you need to double ANY time estimate a tradie gives you - and a bit extra for weather issues!
How are the cats faring, I wonder?
Alexia: The cats are truly miserable - which is making me feel guilty. And Jazz is piddling up a storm. I don't remember how often I have had to wash a patch of the kitchen floor. Only a patch since I can't get to rather a lot of it. Suffice it to say I need to buy more floor cleaner.
DeleteOh damn them!!! I can see you stamping your foot just a a child would and I don't blame you.
ReplyDeleteWe had our bathroom renovations done 10 years ago and I have no complaint at all even though they took out the walls and floor and bath and vanity etc etc. They also had to dig a great hole through the concrete of the back verandah from bathroom to back wall to fit new outlet pipes. That was the worse as cement dust settles on everything and I hope you don't have to go through that. From what I hear tradies over the part 10 years are much worse than back then. Karen had problems that seemed to go on and on and on with her bathroom renovations earlier this year.
Hopefully you will soon be enjoying the completed work and put it all behind you as just a bad dream. Hugs.
Mimsie: I am glad that you had no problems. We had our kitchen done over ten years ago - and there were very few problems then. This time we lurch from crisis to crisis. To be fair, when problems are identified when I can track them down they get onto it. And hopefully yesterday's drama will be sorted today.
DeleteContractors are just evil and know they have you where they want you - in their power! I used a friend's husband as a contractor and he left little things unfinished. I also told him exactly how to paint over unremoveable wallpaper and he didn't do what I said - you can see seams under the paint in my bathroom. OK - now I'm getting mad again. I would like to get under the blanket fort with you. :)
ReplyDeleteLynn: It seems that blanket forts have struck a chord. Safety and comfort. And yes, they always know better than you - even when they don't. Sigh.
DeleteOh I'm so sorry to hear about this disappointment. How horribly frustrating. I hope you enjoy your break from adulthood. I can imagine I'd be coloring under the covers with loads of chocolate. Hope you hear some good news soon.
ReplyDeleteRaquel Somatra: Your colourings would be a great deal more beautiful than mine. But yes, under the covers with chocolate has a lot of charm at the moment.
DeleteI feel you pain. Never expect such a job to be completed on schedule. That should be a rule we learn at birth. Love the idea of being in the tent. Think I'll go build one for myself.
ReplyDeleteGrannie Annie: It has become obvious that we need a tent city. A blanket tent city.
DeleteAnd that rule is indeed one we should have had taught early rather than learning it the hard way.
SPIT!!!! Jez sends you copious quantities of punch to imbibe while in your fort. I'd join you but I'm already ensconced under my own tent...
ReplyDeleteHappy coloring outside the lines! (The only way to properly color)
River Fairchild: Punch, chocolate and a tent? Bliss. And I never did learn to colour between the lines very well...
DeleteStink! Don't you hate that?
ReplyDeleteColoring outside the lines and parking where there is not a marked space are two of my favorite rebellions. GO!
T. Powell Coltrin: Welcome and thank you. Rebellion and blanket forts are both good and necessary things some days.
DeleteI sympathize with you. Bathroom renos are the worst. That, and the kitchen are the two most important rooms in the house. Terrible to do without! Good luck to you, that it will not be too much longer until it is finished!
ReplyDeleteSienna Smythe: I pinned them down yesterday and they have promised that next Tuesday morning I will be using my new shower. I will wait and see. And the delays with my job mean that someone else's work is also suffering.
DeleteGrrr to the contractors. We need to do this also, and I dread it!
ReplyDeleteSusan Kane: Hiss and spit all round. And I so hope that your job is done with less glitches. Many less glitches.
DeleteSIGH))
ReplyDeletecan I come color w/ you, dear? xxxx
My Inner Chick: Of course. I want the black and red crayons at the moment though...
Deletedays like that i console myself with the idea that things have to get better. then they usually get worse. then i go to bed to sulk, er, regroup
ReplyDeletekylie: Regrouping/sulking in bed has a LOT of charm. Or joining the cats in the wardrobe.
DeleteAww, I know just how you feel. I think I stomped my foot the other day over something that irritated me..It felt pretty good too! I hope it gets finished soon!
ReplyDeleteTerri: Less than a week left. Fingers and toes and eyes crossed.
DeleteSo sorry, EC, that they are messing you around. So frustrating and unfair, the way they do several jobs at once. Enjoy your blanket tent and colour for all you're worth. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteCarol: I think it is part of tradie's job description to mess people (and houses) around. Progress was made yesterday though.
DeleteG'day, Sue,
ReplyDeleteYes, you can blink twice and realise it's actually me finally leaving a comment. Yep, I'm about as reliable as certain builders. All the best with your bathroom blues, my good friend.
Gary
klahanie: Dear Gary, I hope your world is continuing to settle down. And it is lovely that you are finding the time to visit blogs again.
DeleteThat made me giggle. Thanks :)
ReplyDeletemshatch: Good.
Deletea very reasonable response. i would find a way to build the fort in a place that the workers who caused the delay can watch as they go about their business... might make them realize they should work faster before you completely snap!
ReplyDeletedaisyfae: I think I would need to build the tent in the bed of their truck for it to have any impact on them. Though words have been spoken and progress made.
DeleteIn the global stage, sure. But who is only concerned with the global stage? Even President Obama would be upset if his bathroom didn't work. To blue a moment, it's important shit.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry life has been so rough on you, EC.
John Wiswell: Thank you. I am having a bit of a whinge - but am aware that I really don't have a huge amount to complain about.
DeleteOh nos! I know how you feel, though. Theyau be first world problems, but they're still annoying.
ReplyDeleteDawn@Lighten Up!: Annoying, frustrating, noisy, messy, insignificant. And temporary.
DeleteIt's small on the global stage, but on your stage, it's a big thing. Allow yourself to be blue, and spend some time in your blanket fort. Things will be better soon. You have support, all the way from Sweden =)
ReplyDeleteCrimsonAnna: Thank you. The more adult me is at least starting to peek out from under the blankets. And approving of more of what she sees.
DeleteJust the thought of returning to Guyana without my family has me feeling peeved, sad and overwhelmed. And I don't even have to deal with slow tradesmen.
ReplyDeleteCan I join you in your colouring outside the lines? :-)
Guyana-Gyal: Your problems are much more worthy of being peeved, sad and overwhelmed. Of course you can join me. We will have a global colouring in (or colouring out) party...
DeleteIf it hadn't been for MS, you wouldn't have those dratted tradesmen :-( I wish I could colour in good health for you xxx
DeleteGuyana-Gyal: Thank you - but tradesmen happen to us all. Sometime. Damn it.
DeleteI am so sorry things are dragging on and on. We have been fortunate to have a good builder/repairer for the work my husband can't do himself. But I know that's the exception in the business. I'm not sure why things are usually so far behind schedule and so unsatisfactory ... captive customers, perhaps? The fact that there are some contractors who are good indicates it's possible to be so ... maybe there should be a course to help them learn, similar to the new courses popping up for doctors on how to be caring. Ohhhh, let's not even go THERE. Hugs to all of you, furred and otherwise.
ReplyDeletejenny_o: This lot do fix problems which is a plus. Without (much) argument either. Another plus. Caring doctors - no, we won't go there.
DeleteAnd the hugs are very welcome.
Coloring between the lines is way overrated. I'm sorry, EC. I hope you're in a better place - across the board - very soon.
ReplyDeleteRawknrobyn: Thank you. There are glimmers of light at the end of the tunnel. Which is wonderful. And tomorrow (Sunday) is a tradesmen free day. Probably.
DeleteHiss and spit indeed. The problem is that contractors are usually working on more than one job at a time, so juggle these back and forth, so they can rake in the most money. You feel like you are being held to ransom, and trying to get a straight answer out of them...well. Hope the nightmare is over soon.
ReplyDeletelynners: They are indeed working on multiple jobs. And scurrying between them. Scurrying slowly. Monday we are told we will have builders, carpet layers, plumbers, and someone to seal the bathroom. A busy day ahead. Today it is only (I think) an electrician.
DeleteI often contemplate buying a colouring book ~ for therapy. What can I say ~ tradesmen are the same everywhere x
ReplyDeleteCarol: Tradies are the same the world over it seems. A necessary evil for those of us without their undeniable skills.
DeleteHello dear EC ~ This is my first stop at your blog in ...as you know....quite a long time! I'm so sorry about your contractors! And you have every right to be upset and spend time in bed, and coloring...NOT inside the lines! Thinking of you!
ReplyDeleteBECKY: You have been busy. And are welcome whenever you come by. I was never very good at colouring between the lines, and am worse now.
DeleteHah! You made me laugh out loud! I do hope your renovations go quickly and are all that you expect, but in the meantime, you've got just the right attitude.
ReplyDeleteMusing, Tea and Me: They are not going quickly, but soon I will be able to shower safely. Which will be bliss.
DeleteEnjoy the fort and the coloring books as I think you have deserved them...hoping things finish soon.
ReplyDeleteDonna@LivingFromHappiness: It is very almost done. Cleaning up, and organising left. And the fort was wunnerful.
DeleteIt's your fort and your coloring book, so you can do whatever you wanna. :) Hope all's better now, or soon!
ReplyDeletemail4rosey: When I have responded to these comments I am going to have my first blissful shower in the new bathroom.
DeleteI hope your first blissful shower in your new bathroom was even more blissful than you could have imagined. Sorry to hear the renovating process has been so stressful.
ReplyDeleteKim: That first shower was indeed bliss. Safe bliss. Comfortable bliss.
Delete