The countertops were installed yesterday.
Steve-the-Builder called just as I was getting down to work on my book. I have a book due in five weeks. I’d tell you what page I’m on, but I’m so behind that if I said it out loud I would go into such hysterical panic, I might throw myself off a cliff. I saw this TV show a long time ago where not only did the female character in the book not tell her family that she wrote romance novels, when she did finally “have” to admit her “embarrassing secret” to her family because she was behind on her book, she then wrote THE ENTIRE BOOK in one night. I’d go on about how insulting this entire episode was, but I’m hoping I can write THE ENTIRE BOOK in one night. Because right now? I’m getting nowhere with it. So please, allow me my fantasies. (Dear Editor, I am making this up. I am so ahead on my book, it’s ridiculous. And it is EXCELLENT, rest assured. Love, Suzanne.)
“You’ve got to come out here and look at this,” Steve-the-Builder said.
I would go into everything that is wrong with the island countertops, but I exhausted myself explaining it over the phone to two managers at Lowe’s yesterday. The measurements were done wrong–by their countertop guy, on site–so they will be replaced at their cost. In the meantime, the island counters are temporarily set so the cooktop and oven can be placed and the kitchen can be functional until the new counters come.
The island counters are really dusty from construction work in that picture, by the way. This is what the counters really look like. The countertop on the sink side of the kitchen worked out fine. I cleaned the countertop here, lit a candle, and tried to think pretty pink and blue thoughts in the midst of yet another obstacle.
The other day, Georgia said, “I wonder what the first thing you’ll move over there will be?”
Umm, a candle?
Then I went shopping. I’ve been wanting one of those fridges with the freezer drawer on bottom, so it was pretty exciting to get this one. It comes to the house today. There were also missing light fixtures to find and other boring things and by the time I got out of Lowe’s, my feet hurt.
What’s not coming to the house today? The drilling rig. It rained on and off all day yesterday. The drilling rig needs to come across the river ford and the water’s too high. And so the drilling is now rescheduled for Monday. In the meantime, we are MOVING today! It’s moving day and I am moving!! Okay, I can’t move IN, but I am MOVING! I will be taking things over all day and when I’m not moving things, I’ll be painting trim so that all we need to do once it’s installed is take care of touch-up.
And, even as the universe piles on more adversity, the universe takes pity and removes one.
I reached the farm yesterday just as Verizon was pulling away after cutting the tree out of the road and repairing their line.
Just when I’d gotten good at driving under it!
Kim A. says:
Oh, Suzanne… :hug:
There are *always* setbacks and obstacles to just about anything we do in life. I’ve not had the pleasure and frustration of having a house built, so I can only imagine the realities of it — wrong measurements, delays, well-drilling…LOL.
But what I do know: It all WILL get done, you WILL be settled in, and your home — not just a house — will be a true Joy for you.
-Kim
On March 8, 2008 at 5:38 am
robin says:
So very exciting!
and it is “moving” along…trees included.
So glad you have a big porch for staging area
for getting into the house from the mud.
:snoopy: Dreams do come true!
On March 8, 2008 at 6:10 am
Amelia says:
:catmeow: You will love your refrigerator with the freezer on the bottom…at least I do!
On March 8, 2008 at 7:11 am
Jean says:
I probably shouldn’t tell you that when we moved out of the house we built some 20 years later, it still wasn’t finished. But I love my new refrigerator with the freezer on the bottom.
On March 8, 2008 at 7:42 am
Shirley says:
I agree with the above bloggers. It will get done. Sometimes we just have to allow a higher power to be in control(He is anyway, He just lets us think we are).
I know you are excited, don’t work to hard today.
On March 8, 2008 at 7:51 am
Jodie says:
:snoopy: Moving day! So cool!!! The countertops will get sorted out and everything will start to come together this coming week. HEY! if it snowed here in DFW this week (twice) anything can happen in MARCH! Spring is just around the corner. :sheepjump:
On March 8, 2008 at 7:58 am
Heidi says:
***BIG HUGS**** I SO wish you could move in today- I wish I lived closer so I could help you!! There is nothing worse than someone doing a crappy job and then have to have them ‘redo’ it again…. measure 2 and cut 1!!!! I would love to send you some sun to dry up the rain, but at -7 we cant spare any!! LOL BTW – I noticed that you live in Walton NC – my maiden name was Walton… funny huh!! LOL
On March 8, 2008 at 8:01 am
Bayou Woman says:
No more driving under the log? Countertops measures wrongly? Rain prevented the well drilling rig from working? Hmmmm. Guess you need a good luck dance? :elephant: There ya go.
BW
On March 8, 2008 at 8:23 am
Hillbilly2 says:
Have FAITH! All the delays are just giving you time to move EVERYTHING and time to work on your book! Now that the tree is gone, you can get trucks in (moving and well drilling). What’s up with the universe, don’t it know it revolves around us and not the other way around. Gees!
On March 8, 2008 at 8:25 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
Heidi, it’s Walton, West Virginia not NC–but, I do love the name of the town! Walton is a great name. :heart:
On March 8, 2008 at 8:31 am
M says:
I have found that the harder I have to work on any project, home or work related, the better off I am and the overall success of the project. When it comes together all too easy I have learned to be suspicious 😆
So look to the positive:
Tree obstacle removed, lets hope the rest of the trunk doesn’t slide down before and block the road.
Most of the counters work … water is important. Ask Steve-the-builder if he has a grill you can borrow, 16 needs to learn how to cook as well as carpentry.
Moving as much of the ‘small stuff’ now will help in the long run when the ‘big stuff’ has to be moved.
My mom purchased a bottom freezer GE in 1964 that lasted until Hurricane Fran .. all the electrical surges and transformer malfunctions finally took it out. We had a hard time finding a replacement that year, but we did. Mr Lemon lasted 1 yr and was replaced by still another bottom freezer. You found the right one with the Pull-Out-Drawer. All we could find was a swinging door. They are miserable design, the pull out bins still require me to sit on the floor (yuck).
Can’t wait to read about your camping epsiodes 😉
M
On March 8, 2008 at 8:45 am
Mental P Mama says:
I feel your angst…but in a little while, you’ll be all settled and cozy, and all this crap will be a distant and dim memory. Keep on keeping on! :chicken:
On March 8, 2008 at 9:31 am
margie says:
love your countertop choice. the colors look great together. my freezer is on the bottom too, where they belong!
don’t worry about the tree sliding down the hill. it’s gonna stay where it is unless somebody cuts it up for firewood.
have you found out how deep the wells run in that area? i remember ours was at 117 feet, and i wished we had gone deeper. we used to get iron deposits when it rained. iron out was my friend. dh is a geologist and he says theres always water, you just have to dig deep enough.
:weather: hope you don’t get any of this!
On March 8, 2008 at 10:01 am
Treasia says:
Here’s hoping the rain doesn’t turn into snow before Monday. Encouraging aren’t I? :rotfl:
I will say the countertop colors are very pretty. Even if measured poorly. I love them.
On March 8, 2008 at 10:18 am
Karen Erickson says:
Ah Suzanne you crack me up. :catmeow:
I remember when we had our house built – it drove me nuts, all the little setbacks. Just lemme in! That’s what I wanted to scream.
Everything is coming together nicely despite the minor setbacks. It looks beautiful!
On March 8, 2008 at 10:58 am
Jill S. says:
Oh boy have I have in this exact place. But you’re SO close!!! Hang in there.
On March 8, 2008 at 10:58 am
jan says:
:weather: I don’t want to be the bearer of bad news…but we are in the midst of blizzard conditions here in Cincinnati and I think some of this stuff might be heading your way. I haven’ spoken to my Dad today in Huntington…he is on his way to FL…but the in-laws tell me that they have 2-3 inches.
On March 8, 2008 at 11:11 am
lintys says:
Aw, if I was your neighbor I’d come by with lunch and a hug! I’m feelin’ for you Suzanne!
On March 8, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Heidi says:
SORRY! I ment WV…. my fingers had cramps…. 😮
Have a good day..
On March 8, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Amy says:
:cattail: I’m jealous! I had a bottom freezer, french door fridge and moved to a house with a built-in Thermador. I want my old fridge back! I hate the new one.
Have fun moving boxes, I just got the last box out of our other house, 6 months later, and it goes on the market on Tuesday.
On March 8, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Hillbilly2 says:
Being from WV and the country, I can relate to driving under and around obstacles. You go girl! :shimmy:
On March 8, 2008 at 12:53 pm
annbb says:
(if you’ve answered this before, I do apologize!) That said, how many days of the year is your road impassable because of rain or snow? It looks pretty treacherous!
(I’m sending fierce thoughts to the water goddesses that water is found…easily…next drilling!)
Love the granite! Great choice.
abb
On March 8, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
Ann, with a 4WD and enough guts, it’s never impassable because of rain and snow. I’m just wussy. The road is fine most of the year. January and February are the worst, and some of March. When the road never gets a chance to dry out, it stays pretty muddy and slick. And the rock tends to be gone by this time of year, too. It’s a state-maintained road, so sometime in the spring or summer the state road workers will come along and put down fresh rock.
On March 8, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
oh–if you meant about the drilling rig not being able to get there today–that is a very large, heavy vehicle. A normal vehicle with 4WD can get down that road just about any time, but a large, heavy truck like that drilling rig would run the risk of getting stuck in mud, plus it’s a narrow road at some points with steep dropoffs and no guardrails so he wouldn’t want to be running that kind of risk. The drilling rig will come across the river ford. Our farm is right by the river, so that’s the safest, shortest way for him to bring it–when the water’s down. Then he doesn’t have to deal with two miles of muddy road.
On March 8, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Tori Lennox says:
The counters are going to look awesome when they’re fixed. I would have been soooo furious.
On March 8, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Estella says:
Just keep thinking positive thoughts, Suzanne.
On March 8, 2008 at 3:23 pm
kacey says:
well, the countertops are gorgeous, even if they are cut wrong… And I love fridges with the freezer on the bottom. So much more practical!
On March 8, 2008 at 5:30 pm
mary beth says:
HUGS Suzanne.I wonder if the Lowe’s guy transferred from our Lowe’s. My MIL had the same thing happen.
On March 8, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Annette says:
There will be better days!, like you,hopeing soon! dealing with illness and lots of snow in Weston WV. At least the tree is gone! It will all come togehter before you know it!
On March 8, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Michelle Willingham says:
Those are gorgeous countertops! Love them. 🙂 Hope they can get them to fit! :woof:
On March 8, 2008 at 8:55 pm
catslady says:
:weather: This is what we’re getting and I’m kinda guessing you’re in the path too. Well here’s hoping it’s just a minor delay so this way you’ll get your book written and won’t get stressed in your new house
On March 8, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Lisa Carper Stott says:
Well, I want to say that I like my fridge with the freezer on the bottom I bought it about 6 or 7 years ago. The freezer is kinda small. I bought this at the store and I have an old home born in 1914 and I didn’t measure the thing or the hole it was to go in. OOOPPS! It’s all the way back in the addition not even in the Kitchen area.
Also There is a real good article in the Golden Seal magazine about witching a well. There is an 83 year old man who does it for free! He likes doing it. They say it’s an art and that only 1 in 1,000 people have the gift. He uses metal rods and not tree limbs. I wanna try it!
Well, I hear you guys got yourselves an Ice storm down there. My Uncle came back up here because he had a fender bender down there. He lives up here and in Looneyville.
He is now stuck up here now because we got like 2 feet of snow and we can’t drive anywhere and I am bored now. It’s really really crazy! I haven’t seen snow like this for ages.
I’ve been moving stuff from downstairs to upstairs and I can’t imagine moving a whole house full right now.
How exciting it will be when you are all in!
Just so you know, I am sure there is no coincidence that we are related because I have the worst luck too! Like those countertops. I got the phone cord tangled in my hair yesterday and had to go crying to my husband while he was in the shower to help me!
watch those phone cords girls!
On March 8, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Amy Addison says:
It’s MOVING DAY! Wahoo! And the Tree is Gone. Sorry about the countertops, but, good heavens, Suzanne, the kitchen is gorgeous.
You mean you don’t write your books in one night?
On March 9, 2008 at 12:24 am
Amy Addison says:
Ooops, just reread that, and it sounded (read?) rude. Sorry.
I meant…you’re so fast that if you weren’t so far ahead (hello, Suzanne’s editor!) you could write your books in one night. If you wanted to. But of course, you don’t, because you’re so far ahead of schedule. Right? Right?
On March 9, 2008 at 12:26 am