Well doesn't look like holding back is an option so if a few things we care about we may have to push closing up. I'm still waiting on a response from the builder. Usually I have an instant response so my guess is that he is looking into things to give us an idea. It is possible closing could be pushed up no matter what too. I'm not sure if sloppy is it either, but rather us visiting sooner than expected for a walk through. Actually there are several items on the list that I would expect the builder to want to collect together such as wanting the painter to come out only once so I can understand waiting and piling some items up. Same with electrical items, flooring people to finish and fix their screw-ups. I have no idea what the splatter is, but my guess is paint. It is white so seems like a reasonable thing. Could be drywall mud too at least in kitchen from patching drywall after granite install. The things that concerns me as far as closing are: 1, 12, 23, maybe 24-26 and possibly the exhaust fan. The reason for the first ones are the disruption to us especially if they are ripping the floor up to fix and having the light moved will create a mess. Same if they have to pull out the oven cabinet. My DH lifted the oven up some so it is possible if the bottom vent of the oven is large enough they can shim it up a little to cover the cut. The hood vent would be an issue if we'd be cooking immediately which we won't due to not fully moving in for a few weeks. Exhaust fan in bath by wet areas I'm not sure if we have a case or not as there is no code requiring one, but I put it on there anyways. We changed the appliances from Stainless to black and I was told I had to get the same oven except the color due to the cut already being done for that particular oven from the cabinet maker. I'm thinking somebody did a bobo messing up on the installation of the oven and why it is missing some of the pieces that attaches to it. Builder may already be on top of this one and hence install isn't finished. As for the trim guys, I don't think they are the ones that chipped the corner trim. I think it was the wood flooring installers when they installed the quarter round. I have a photo of that corner (just by chance) and it didn't have the corner chipped in the photo before the floors. Floors were just done last week so still possible builder knows about it and just trying to get them back to fix and finish. Seems the real sloppy ones so far are the wood flooring installers since there are several items related to them. The closet rods - I've never lived somewhere where they were not poly'd at least. I agree on paint, but so easy to get splinters without some kind of finish. That one is the least of my worries though and if it is common in other areas that may be so here too. We are 90 miles away from where we currently live so ...

It's not easy going through these renos especially when you are feeling abandoned by your GC. Is there anyone you can go to to help move things along? I feel for you sweet one. It's not easy being at the mercy of these less than dependable people. â¦.I just did a Bible study that was so helpful, it said to just start thanking God even in the bad times and to look at where you can see Him in any of this. Ask God to help you get through this and then thank Him each time something does or even when it doesn't go right. It helped me a lot, not sure if that would interest you but it helps me almost immediately to be calmer and more peaceful about the situations that come with life. The study that I did is called "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voss. Her voice is so soothing (see link). All the best to you and may you have a peaceful day and much progress be made! I'll be thinking of you today and lifting you up, you are not alone. Here is a link that might be useful: One Thousand Gifts

Thank you all for listening! For those who don't know my DH (Matt), some months back he decided to get a job through Dyncorp. He is a police Officer and thought teaching Afphganistan Police would be a wonderful experience for him. He would work a year then get back on with the Police Force but instead he reinlisted in the Army because he felt he always had the Military in his blood. I suppose he will now retire from this career. I support him 100% but also have been through this before and know what is involved. He will be back at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri August 18th. But can't come (our) home to NC until Oct.9th. I am hoping I can drive (long distance drives, scare me) up there with my two sons to see him when he is back. It seems the closer to this date the more he would feel better but he seems to think the days are getting longer and it will never come. His morale is very low right now. He is also worried because we WERE going to be stationed in Texas so I was preparing to sell the house but found out last month that we would not know for sure until the end of Sept. Now we are stuck waiting and wondering what to do. He could be stationed here at Ft Bragg and we wouldnt have to move, which would be great since we live about 30 minutes from the base. We just don't know yet. I am already tired of the Army motto "Hurry up and wait". If I may ask anyone that has been through this, how do you go about moving in a short amount of time having owning a home. The first time around we didn't own a house. I know we can't sell our home in a month ( if we have to move). Homes are not selling at all around here. And we cannot afford to keep paying payments here in NC while living somewhere else. Susan

Everything shows up on black. We put a matte asphalt gray tile floor in our main bathroom...it's a pretty bright space because it has a solatube skylight. As much as I like the floor color, it's so dark everything shows up. Water spots. I never thought I'd be someone who would complain about water spots, but they make the floor look sooooo dirty. At least my boys are learning to wipe up all their little drips ;-) I think white cabs are classic, I'm not sure about black -- it probably is as well. I'm not sure if that's a consideration for you, but it is something I take into consideration. Maybe you could compromise, white cabs and a dark gray or black (or dark wood) island. I think that's a very nice look, and those colors would suit your lovely granite.