Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Annoyed ......

I awoke in a state of mild annoyance this morning. Then immediately felt guilty for feeling that way. I have tried to push away the feeling all morning, hoping that my coffee would wash it down when I swallowed. It didn't. I reminded myself of all I have to be thankful for ............ and, the list is long. So now I just feel annoyed at myself for being annoyed.



So, I brushed my teeth, showered and washed my hair, hoping that creature comforts would prevail and I would snap out of my funk. Nope. I reheated a cup of coffee and after pulling my sleeve over my hand to dust the screen of my computer, here I am. Dust is everywhere, so why am I not cleaning it up, you may wonder. The dust is part of the reason I am annoyed. You may recall that last year the pipes in the ceiling burst and I went without water for several weeks. The ceiling had to be opened up in order to make the repairs and after doing said repairs he who plumbs simply covered the hole with a piece of sturdy cardboard ............ temporary, he said, you know, until he could 'get to it'. The cardboard was from a coffin box used to ship a body and proclaimed this for all who entered my house to see. Definitely a conversation piece.


Okay, what does this have to do with dust, you may wonder. This past spring I tired of the cardboard that said "HUMAN REMAINS, FINAL DESTINATION ST. LOUIS". I ripped it down in hopes that he who plumbed the pipes would take the hint and purchase a piece of sheetrock and cover it. I paint, I patch, I help, but I confess that I am not all that adept at hanging sheetrock ...... especially on the ceiling. After gazing into this gaping hole for days and realizing how silly I was to think that I could lure him indoors with such ploys I covered it with a neutral piece of upholstery fabric and the electric staple gun. In his defense, there is always a mountain of outdoor chores in springtime. Several times I mentioned the hole and the electrical work that needed his attention before we should close it, always on a rainy day when nothing outside could be accomplished, but he always had an excuse that was perfectly valid.


Fast forward to cold weather and me wondering just how long he could procrastinate. I had gone on an adventure with my buddy, Yvonne, and returned home to find he who plays with fire feeding the wood stove and telling me how cold it was. I swear to you that it was at least 80 degrees in the house and there he sat next to the wood stove, suitably attired for a visit to Sarah Palin's Alaska, complaining about being cold. As I shed my clothes and put on a tank top and pair of shorts, I casually mentioned that he was losing most of his precious heat through the gaping hole in the ceiling. Had I known that this would prompt him into action, I would have said those magic words long ago. I think I may have done so, actually, but, we know it is all about the timing, right?



So, he began by removing the cover to the hole and has been working on this project for ever so long. Weeks, not months (one of the things I am thankful for). He reworked the water pipes that he repaired last winter and at my suggestion, insulated them. Actually I suggested it and he told me it wasn't a good idea. I was so happy to see any progress that would cover the hole that I simply agreed with him; but later noticed that he had purchased the very thing I suggested on one of his many trips to the hardware store. He said that he reconsidered my idea and decided that it wasn't a bad idea after all. The plumbing done, he moved on to solve the lighting (lack of) issue and hung the chandelier I purchased over a year ago in a second hand store. Progress was so s l o w. But, it was progress and I was thrilled with every little bit. I have three new light sources (also on my thankful for list). As of yesterday I even have a switch with which to turn on the light that is not danging from the ceiling.



So, why am I annoyed, you still wonder. The hole, the big gaping hole in the ceiling is still there. It is now filled with brand new insulation, this is true, but still there. I am afraid to ask when he plans to actually install the piece of sheetrock that is cut and waiting. He gets side-tracked. I admit that I am sometimes the cause. I did take out a wall that had to be finished and was the reason for the dangling switch. And, I did realize that placing the refrigerator next to a wall prevented me from swinging the door wide enough to remove the shelves in order to clean it, and decided that we should relocate it while we worked on this project. Yes, I am partially to blame. It is my fault that all of the contents of the cabinets next to and over the fridge had to be removed and are now gracing every available surface in the dining room and the kitchen. I did the prep work and stacking of said items. He who loves gadgets and tools has managed to put the entire area in chaos with all his stuff laying about and tucked here and there, making it impossible to locate a tool without a search party.



Yesterday I carefully re stacked all the contents of the cabinets and removed the layer of dust that covered everything and then carefully prepared a place on my table on which he could have all his tools laid out and easy to find atop some of his many shop towels (I washed 31 of them yesterday, I am thankful that I don't have to wash them today). I was hoping this would act as a catalyst for some big time action on the project. This morning he announced that he was going to get some re bar. Re bar? Yes, he is going to work on the roads today. He wants to shore them up and place some old telephone poles along side the roads that always wash away. He is going to secure them in place with re bar. This was actually my idea. I mentioned it a couple of years ago. These things take time to recycle through his brain. I am thankful that he is listening, even when I think he isn't.


There is still a hole in my ceiling and I will try to avoid looking at it as I walk by on my way to my sewing room. It would be pointless to clean in here, what with the hole in the ceiling ...........

10 comments:

Brian Miller said...

you know...i am guilty...not for your hole...but there are repairs i have not done...and i am sorry...

you did not realise this was going to turn into an altar call did you...

Joy and Phil said...

Kathy! You are so FUNNY!! Your description of the construction site is hilarious. Phil and I were identifying with that mess and laughing our a$$es off. How I wish I had your quick mind.
I say again ... when are you going to publish that book?
hugs,
Joy

Teresa said...

i remember days like that when we lived in what we affectionately refer to as the "money pit" house. it was built in 1900 and every project that we started ended up mushrooming into something much more involved. after 10 years we decided we were too old to tackle any more repairs and sold it. we still miss it and all the charm that went with it (but not the 45 steps to our attic bedroom). sadly the house was torn down a couple of years ago.

sorry for your dust and clutter. i feel for you! i wish i had that good of an excuse for my current dust and clutter.

Venom said...

Moved into this house more than 2 years ago now, it had 2 cracks in the livingroom ceiling when we did.

I finally told my husband that he has until Christmas and if it isn't done by then I am officially going to "lose my s*&T" about it.

He's about ready to do a light sanding now.

It's all in how you ask.

Cathy said...

Hello Kathy
Now, how do you reckon I could persuade a certain gentleman to finally paper the inside walls of the wall length ceiling high wardrobe in our bedroom?
Wardrobe was refitted 3 years ago - paper fnally bought 2 years ago after a long discussion on the merits of painting (which involved fillng holes left from the previous fittings and then sanding perfectly flat) or wallpapering ( which involved the same process of filling and sanding). The wallpaper has stood just inside in the sliding door - at his end of the wardrobe and visible from his side of the bed - since then.
Like Venom I made a suggestion - maybe before Christmas I said this morning as he dressed to go to golf - maybe he said. Of course the weather here (think Australia....other end of the world) will get better and better as the weeks go by and that maybe will turn into, sorry playing golf today.
Oh sorry where was I - wishful thinking doesn't seem to do me any good
Take care
Cathy

Cathy said...

Oh I've just seen the length of my comment - sorry I did ramble on a bit

luksky said...

I have been annoyed lately myself. I just don't even have as good a reason to be annoyed as you do...I really ought to be ashamed..

houndstooth said...

Oh, I feel your pain! I have to wonder if He Who might be related to my husband! I had a good chuckle over this one!

Pat said...

The silver lining is - things ARE getting done, albeit at a slow pace - AND he's using your ideas....eventually!

Here's hoping the hole gets patched SOON or you might dig a hole and put the reluctant hole patcher IN IT! LOL!

mamahasspoken said...

Aw he's just waiting for a snowy day when he can't do anything outside and it's too cold outside to do anything.....