Need to vent! More carpenter delays...

13 years ago

I just need to vent to people who will understand! After waiting forever to get on this carpenters schedule he was supposed to start last Monday on my kitchen renew. His father-in-law passed away the evening before so he said it would be today at the latest, but he would try for Thursday or Friday(last week). When he didn't call or show on Friday I called him. My countertops are scheduled for tear out tomorrow and there is work for him to do before. Anyway, he told me on Friday that he could get it all done today so not to worry. Then he called last night saying that his son was sick and he couldn't start today. His wife missed all last week of work due to the death of her father and needs to get back to work today. So he needs to stay home and care for his son.

I can't be mad at the man as none of this is within his control! But I'm SO frustrated. We're already "camping" out of boxes and we lost all of last week. Now the countertops are going to be delayed! This was all supposed to be done by mid Oct, so we scheduled my Aunt to visit my Mother who is now in Hospice. Now instead of having a nice comfortable home for my Aunt to stay at during a very stressful time for her (she hasn't seen my mom since a rapid decline in her health) we're going to be camping out of boxes and eating take out.

There is nothing I can do. DH who doesn't understand why I would want to redo the kitchen anyway just said basically I told you so. So I guess I'm just looking for a sympathetic ear.

Thanks for "listening"! Kay

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Comments (6)

dianalo
13 years ago
Oh, I am so sorry for this setback! I would think your husband would know better than to play the "I told you so card" but I guess mine would not do much better either :( (and then wonder why I am not in the mood in the eve...).

I hope that his son is not sick, for many reasons, and all is back on track asap! It sounds like your plate is quite full and this is not a needed delay.

I am sorry that your mom is not doing well. I bet your aunt will barely notice the lack of kitchen or will be able to follow its progress while there and that could be a diversion.
newcastlemom
13 years ago
Oh Kay, I'm so sorry. It's just never easy. I nearly fell over a lose board in our subfloor this weekend and my DH was making all kinds of racket with the power tools in our torn up kitchen late Sunday evening. Sigh. I "get" it.

I know it would have been ever so nice to have a lovely new kitchen that FUNCTIONS for your aunt when she comes to visit. But what matters most is her time with your family and getting a good visit in with your Mom, huh? I agree with Dianalo; might be a welcome distraction to see what's going on with the construction.

When you step back and think about this, family (yours for you, and your carpenter's for him) matters more than a construction schedule. Especially during the coming together and support around death and dying. I hope you're doing things to take care of yourself these days, while your Mom is on her final journey. While your Aunt is here, you can nuture each other in other ways even if you can't cook for her: pot of tea, looking over old photos, and just sitting together. Take care.
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misplacedtxgal
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you for your kind thoughts! I know that you are both right. As I said, I'm not mad at my carpenter - that would be cruel! I'm just disappointed for myself & already tired of living out of boxes with nothing progressing. Thanks for helping me put it into perspective!
plllog
13 years ago
(((((HUGS)))))

Silver lining. You can spend your cooking time relaxing, maybe schmoozing with your Aunt and/or mom, and having it be family time, not why isn't it crisping time.

Practical side: If the take out you have available isn't of the quality or nutrition that you'd like to have for your Aunt, do you have a few friends whose cooking you trust who can help by making nice dinners and dropping them off? Or who will let you cook in their kitchens? A Coleman (type) cooler will keep things hot.

(((((HUGS))))) and best wishes for your mom.
misplacedtxgal
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you all for you good wishes!

Well, the carpenter never called yesterday as promised and now its almost 9am and no carpenter or phone call. ARG! How do these guys stay in business?

On a happier note my granite guys are coming to do the tear out and templating. Now my fear is that it's all going to be torn out with no one to put it back together! ACK!
turtlemeng
13 years ago
You would be very happy to see the new kitchen when it's done. I know it's hard to imagine that now, but you will. My husband had been playing that card too (the kitchen was fine, remodel?), I just ignore it. Even the neighbor's dog would be able to tell what a difference the remodel has made. Please ignore his ridiculous remarks.

Need to vent! More carpenter delays...

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dianalo

newcastlemom

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Need to vent! More carpenter delays...

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dianalo

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