CHAOS CONTROLLED (well almost) CHAPTER 5

Ok, things are painstakingly, agonizingly, pantingly, excruciatingly close to completion. Chaos slowing down; results starting to turn heads. Though I believe the neighbors are happy to see that crappy looking roof finally wearing its Sunday best. A chapeau of spartan green, glistening linen dress, shiny new lights and a porch-ZAP, BAM, POP, OOPS, not yet. My new pics reveal beauty and a "wtf"? kind of moment.

Siding guys took FOREVER to finish the project. Threats of rain (rumors, even), 9 to 5 days, pulled off for other rush jobs and no weekend work wrecked havoc with my personal agenda and longing for completion. But I cannot argue with the results. Anal impatient me would never have lovingly wrapped each little corner with such precision and passion to an over the top result. But I do appreciate the look. Our fear was not getting the job done before winter snow halted all progress. Oh yes, there is one minor issue - the "freakin' gutters aren't on yet!!!

We are out doing sun dances and sending semi-nasty messages to the contractor about covering our precious new look with giant commercial sized gutters. Although awesome they will cover up the pretty white fascia and soffit that was totally replaced because it looked so nice to all be the same color. Ah well. Also added was another layer of attic insulation and house wrap. Peace to any unsuspecting raccoon who managed to sneak in and take up residence up there. You "ain't never" getting out alive, you nasty bandit-masked marauder - MEHHHAAA!

Porch is going through final face lift with matching brick all the way around. Should be able to move an elephant over that thing or at least a piano that doesn't get played anymore. Anybody want it you can have it if you want to pick it up and carry it off over our sturdy new porch-no scratches please.

Yesterday was rather hysterical. I'm glad that State was playing late. COMMERCIAL BREAK --Shout-out to our awesome Spartans!END COMMERCIAL BREAK It was the clash of the contractors as they all converged at the same time. Porch people flinging dirt, roof/siding contractor critiquing all projects. We got our little punch list going and everybody's cool. He said I needed to up the nasty on my phone messages - I wasn't too bad just feisty. Golly most people call me the B-word. I love construction guys!

PASSING OBSERVATIONS

I feel like Andy Rooney today.

Don't you think it's funny that the same bank we bailed out to the tune of $45 billion (B of A) now wants to take a monthly $5 fee from each of its debit card customers because the gov't who bailed them out (meaning us) wants to limit their obscene profits on transactions? So to retain those obscene profits they will go back and charge the very ones who bailed them out the first time to recoup those obscene profits. Wow-Score! Or maybe it was the $11 million severance package EACH they paid two executives that were let go. Poor things. Most of us get a "you have 15 minutes to clean out your desk and leave". Don't let the screen door hit you on the way out. Score Two!

Since you don't make diddly-squat on your savings now and you do the bank's work by using online banking and debit cards, I am having a fire sale on mattresses if you would like to go old school with your money. No transaction fees required to access your own funds!

Isn't it funny that those in charge were elected (ha ha)to create jobs and strengthen Michigan's economy. Instead time has been spent arguing over a bridge, demonizing teachers, curtailing medical freedom & privacy, stripping bargaining rights, proposing right to work (which trust me only helps the employer), taking $470 from every public school student & putting it into the pockets of corporations, taxing pensioners, reducing payments to the working poor, attacking universities, etc. Keep looking, but I don't see a stronger economy or jobs appearing. When does that start? Rhetoric vs. reality bites you know.

Isn't it funny that the Iraq war is now ending as proposed by Bush, carried out by Obama and the "R"s are screaming - Wha? Is somebody or several somebodies losing their profits over there or their protection to collect their profits over there?

Isn't it funny that when the great trickle down man Reagan proposed closing loopholes and having the rich pay their taxes like the rest of us there was nary a peep of class warfare. Now when the same is proposed by our current President the "R"s are screaming -Wha? I'm no expert, but seems to me it is much easier to take the taxes out of someone who has to receive a paycheck from an employer than someone who has "stock options" or other means of receiving their compensation don't you think?

The 99% do have a point. When so many are suffering the loss of jobs, homes and savings while the 1% who were the major source of the meltdown are still in their homes and jobs receiving the benefits and bonuses they always have, based on a bailout from us, one has to wonder. I am starting to think this has been the plan all along -to keep the masses poor and ignorant; just saying....

PROTEST JUSTIFIED

If some are still struggling with why people are gathering in protest and demanding redress or at least justice I will relate a story that I had a small part in today. A small local company had called for assistance from our office. They have been held accountable for a training issue out of state but need our help in mitigating their problems. In all good faith they paid the employer they were working for to take care of their issue. The employer took the money and never took care of the issue. They then get notice that they still owe, they still have not resolved the issue and need to do so yesterday. What happened? They are now out of the money they paid and are still on the hook for the original problem. The employer meanwhile used the money for their own issues or profit-who knows.

Here is the moral of the story if you are not disgusted already. They must continue to work for this employer and move on to another job because they "have no choice" if they want to keep their business, pay their bills and feed their families. I don't know what you call it, but I call it slavery. Silent, non-violent protest is the least that we can do.

DIFFERENT TYPE OF CHAOS (CHAPTER 4)

Ok-not a lot to report this week as, yes monsoon time. One day of work from the siding contingency. Odd shaped and oddly placed plastic wrap and insulation sheets. Hopefully things will get better as the prediction is awesome Indian Summer type weather for the next 2 weeks.

Extra costs for extra insulation in the attic and possibly replacing all the fascia, because it just won't look nice against the new siding-sigh. Came home tonight and not a whole lot of work done-one dormer that I fussed about looking perfect and a chip out of the back door that will have to be fixed. Call the company owner who complains I haven't called for two days so what's up with that. So to punish him, or reward him, not sure which, I give him my litany of beefs for the day. Hey if you're going to half rebuild you house and spend a ton of money, they get to listen and make it right!

However, the weekend included a great breakfast with our beautiful, preggers daughter and some great conversation. She is so calm, confident and beautiful I am in awe. What is it about pregnancy that makes a women show her true colors. I have no doubt that she will be an awesome Mother. Our grandchild or grandchildren are very lucky people and in very good hands! My job will be to provide the silly and relief for their Mother! Reporting for duty!

Funny she pointed out last week that in the almost 29 years she has known me, she has never seen me react quite like I did when she announced the big news. Surprise to me too! I have had to wade through the mud, the blood and the beer in my line of work and always kept my cool. Might have been a little testier when I got home, but I did what I had to do without getting, at least overtly, emotionally involved. It doesn't mean that it didn't hurt but I had to do what I had to do. I earned a label of "cold" because of it, but I'm ok with that. I hope it made a difference.