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.

CHAOS WITH A PURPOSE (CHAPTER 3)

Monday -lst day of roofing! Yay! Monsoon weather. Boo! However Tuesday all systems go. Crew labors 3 full days 10-12 hours at a crack. Demo, fixing, nailing, debris everywhere! Perfect. Noisy as heck too.
#1 - As they know this is a "MIOSHA" house, we are assured that they are up-to-date on fall protection. The B-man notices right off, that bags are opened and sparkling new harnesses and ropes emerge to the light of day. Should I apologize I saved a life today? Nope.

#2 - They bring boards to do repairs which would probably take a normal man two hands and a lot of man grunts to carry. One of the workers hefts it in one hand and laying it over his shoulder, clambers up a ladder-no sweat. Scary to run into these guys on a dark night eh?

#3 - As I get home each night I inspect ongoing activities which of course leads to 30-45 minute conversation with the "bouncy" young foreman. He explains, presents,preens and keeps repeating his commitment to doing it right aching for approval. I indulge slightly which leads to a life story and family issues. But all in all, he's doing a good job.

At one point I mention his worker bees would probably like to quit for the night wherein he shows his power that he's the boss. Finally get in the house where the B-man says, "I walk around several times a day to see the work and they don't say diddly. You get there and and it's yap, yap yap". Believe me it's not my ideal after working all day to schlep around with my heavy bag and heels walking around the house each night to see all the progress eagerly being shown to me. But then for 37 years, that is pretty much what I do. I talk to worker bees and find out what they're doing and how, so occupational hazard. Though the B-man would point out I'm a control freak, so I probably wouldn't miss the end of the day review anyway.

#4 - In fact the last day of the job, they were supposed to be gone by 3 or 4 and were still there when I got home. Burt came out to say, ha too bad, you didn't get away before the "boss" showed up. Well you'd be surprised what you find out when you act slightly disapproving and you're a woman. They don't think you get it at all, so they blab a little too much! LOL.

#5 - They will cheerfully haul away all the debris, hang your hummingbird feeder back up and move your flower pots back. Odd though, they bundled all the aluminum up together and took it away in a separate truck. Hmmmmm wonder if I can cut a deal on how much the crew made on that particular transaction.

Meanwhile the concrete guy came back and poured a foundation which hardened in 2 hours! Then his worker bee spent the next couple of hours filling the new hole with the most sand I've ever seen since I was at Lake Michigan. If a cat makes a potty out of that, I do not want to see that particular cat-it would be roughly lion sized.

Next week - insulation and siding starts! Yay! Monsoons predicted for several days. BOO!

FALLING INTO CONTROLLED CHAOS (Chapter 2)

Don't you just love an oxymoron like my title? Well that certainly describes destruction-oops construction which actually does require destruction. Case in point. Chimney guy finally calls after fire lit under his rear by our roofing guy. I have learned, I make frequent "so what's our progress" calls. Chimney guy takes a look, crawls inside, outside, under, over and through and decides to tear down the entire chimney and build it back up!

Humorous side story. I get home the first night and wander outside to see the scaffold set up and the brand new chimney that the B-man is eager to point out. Apparently it was a family affair as chimney guy's two kids and wife show up late in the day to "watch the show". Apparently they supply words of encouragement, applause and collect any checks that get distributed. (No, really they were a nice young family). Anyway the word is out that they are working on a MIOSHA house. He asks Burt the next day when he comes to finish up if I saw the job and the scaffold. B, always cool, says yes. Dying, he asks well did she say anything? B says yes, she had a few comments. The chimney guy berates himself, "oh yeah I should have done thus and so". See they KNOW what they are supposed to do, they just don't always do it. Anyway nobody died, nothing collapsed and we have a beautiful new chimney.

2nd case. Concrete guy shows up, spends 10 minutes and writes up a quote, complaining about the price of concrete, small load, comments about his wife and her landscaping issues, etc., etc. Otherwise he seemed competent if a little hectic. Not feeling it, listening to other interested parties and checking Angie's list, I call concrete guy #2 because I would like to see if this quote makes sense. We're not talking the Taj Mahal here. Note: chimney guy had recommended a concrete guy who, you guessed it, never responded to my phone call.

Anyway, Concrete guy #2 comes out same night fresh from a job in Saginaw, and I do mean fresh and dripping, but he didn't come in the house so no prob. He's a little talkative (what is it about these concrete guys?) and offers all kinds of different ideas and ways we can go rather than one. I've learned so I tell him I have another quote, but no you don't get to know what it is. He comes out again, after a job in E. Lansing and digs around the porch to see what is under there(wow good idea, also he didn't believe Burt when he told him what was under the porch). Then he leans on his shovel and kind of chit chats.

Meanwhile, concrete guy #1 thinks he has the job so he places a sign in front, I swear, between the time I went to exercise at 5:15 am and 6:00 am. Then he calls the B-man & says he's ready to tear out the porch 'cause they have an open day. Ahh we have not signed any contracts, no handshakes made and we had said we weren't ready as we were coordinating roof, siding etc, etc. Burt says no so concrete guy wants to talk to me. I get call at work-great. Tell the dude, no not ready to tie the knot on this one, will let you know.

Concrete guy #2 comes out 3rd time, gives me worse case scenario cost as asked and it's lower than #1 and he is throwing in taking out the shrubbery. More chit chat and we say let's do it, but no money until someone actually shows up! Told you I've learned a few things. Bottom line, I hide concrete guy #1's sign and concrete guy #2 rips out the porch the next day so siding guys know where their pieces end & porch begins (not explained by concrete guy #1). I get home to the controlled chaos listed above and the B-man is out there in ripped jeans and work shirt rolling out caution tape and generally running, and enjoying, the operation. Boys do like destruction and neat toys like bobcats and concrete busters.

Anyway, roofing scheduled for this week-notwithstanding the monsoon expected Monday, so we shall all cross our proverbial fingers!

AUTUMN ALREADY?

The Committee (Kay, Marc, Lo) plus the young committee (Kris) put together an awesome 40 year anniversary party for the Burt man and I. Good friends, good food, much laughter and not enough wine! I should have remembered our friends are all winos. In fact a gift from the Claus' underlined the point with a bottle from "now" Pinot Gris, and a bottle from "then" Mateus. Oh yes, we thought we were on the cutting edge of sophistication in the early 70's when we graduated from good ole Boone's Farm to the urbane taste of the Portuguese red rose. Ahh heck it still tastes good, if not a little sweet.

I contributed several bottles of white, red and bubbly, but we ran out quickly. There was a late showing of the infamous 25th anniversary video narrated intentionally or not, by one photographer Larry Mc. Anyone who knows Larry understands. Hilarious as amateur productions tend to be. All of the family were there on the Sweet side, including our Wisconsin contingency-Nic, Caryn, Aly and Joe; and representatives of all branches of the Ide clan. Towards the end of the gifts and crazy cards it was almost like the story "The Gift of the Magi" Burt presents me with a ruby ring that he went through many hassles and gyrations to obtain and I, presented him with his gift of a ruby/diamond tie tac that I went through, yep, many hassles and gyrations, to obtain it on time. Then the story got even more interesting....

To me September, the start of the Fall season has always seemed a time of renewal - faster pace, crisper air. It feels like the beginning rather the mournful herald of winter's dark and cold. The colors are more vivid, the skies are bluer, and the feeling of everything coming back to life is closer to me than any other time of year. Our anniversary, my sister's birthday, the beginning of the school year and now something else that I will always remember about September.

As I left for my workout yesterday morning I looked over to the right and saw Mama doe and her twin fawns staring at me for the longest moment, until they ran in mock fear leaping over hedges and disappearing towards the river. Butterflies, both yellow & white(that I call Mothers and Daughters) were bombarding me all day wherever I went. Then my daughter handed me a special gift from her and her husband. I was puzzled as I unwrapped a small picture frame with a rather unusual black & white design in it and one word - BABY.

Yes my beautiful daughter and son-in-law presented us with the news of the impending birth of our first grandchild. Love is in the house little J-Bird. Thank you.

TOO LITTLE TOO LATE (Chapter 1)

Strange phenomenon over the past 3 years. We have been trying to get our roof redone, and if we like you how about siding too? Not jobs that I would think desperately seeking contractors would turn their noses up. And a cash deal. Hmmm. What could go wrong?

Contractor #1 - Comes over, does the walk-around,takes measurements and NEVER CALLS BACK!

Contractor #2 - Several months, or a year later we get a call from someone who used to work for contractor #1 and he asks "hey did you ever hear back from contractor #1?" Now how did he know that? Hmmm. He is now working for Contractor #2 so he asks if he can bid-sure, we innocently agree. Comes over, does the walk-around, takes measurements and NEVER CALLS BACK FOR 8 MONTHS! When we say no thanks, he is confused! 8 months for a call-back and I'm going to use you for potentially sensitive and crucial changes to my house? Right. He is offended. I swear you can't make this stuff up!

Things mosey merrily along but, we really need this done! We do get flyers in the door from "drive-by" contractors offering your roof done, no questions asked-we restrain ourselves from biting.

Contractor #3-see him working on my street-roofing no less. I stop and ask if we can get a quote, or a visit, or a howdy do. Sure, sure. 2 weeks later he stops by and says did we get a call from anyone? Uh, no. We got the routine down by now. He says he will talk to his partner who does the quoting. 2 weeks later finally get a call-set up appt for the visit, walk-around, measurements. Bets are made by various interested parties. Another 2 weeks and several calls and I call...

Contractor #4! He visits immediately, walks around takes measurements and....

Contractor #3 finally calls back and wants to meet 2 hours later. Really. I'm at work, Burt man is out of town. I say can you come Friday night-No, Saturday-No. Ok does he want the job or not.

Contractor #4 visits "on our schedule" and lays out the plan, quote and credentials. Success, maybe-I've been burned before. Dare I hope? Gave Contractor #3 a chance to get back with us then finally pull the trigger and make deal with #4. I leave a message for #3, as he never answers his phone, and tell him we're going with a different contractor. Calls back in 60 seconds (we timed it) and he is all upset-I let it go to voice mail (good will on my part now over-you know my patience limit). He is all up about "I thought you would call me when you were available". Huh? Us keep begging him to meet with him, again rightttttt.

Sign deal with Contractor #4 and sign goes in front yard. Fingers crossed!

Oh yeah Contractor #4 gave us the number of one of his subs to tuck point (pick mortar out) and fix our chimney before the roof is done. Yep, you guessed it, they won't call us back!!!!! WTF?

Hope springs eternal, we are sitting here waiting for an 11:30 call or visit from the concrete guy working down the street as we also need work done on our porch. Anyone want any of the action about whether he shows up?

AUGUST FLIGHT STORIES

Well update on the HumBee marauders continues. We are up to about 4 of the little beasties feeding at the sugar tube. Juice is going down fast. I think the original HumVee HumBee has slowed down a tad. He is still the little piggy running others off their perch. Some have learned to hover and sip before the kamikaze owner comes flashing down with murder in his heart. He doesn't even let the little female get too long a perch before he knocks her off. His latest ploy is to hide in the bush below and like a great white shark come zooming straight up to dislodge the interloper. Hilarious!

Second flight story. While breakfasting at a local eatery before our morning errands a whole slew of corvette clubbers take over the restaurant. We already had our food, so I'm cool. Heading out to the parking lot, however we see the rather startling scene of a classic car rolling gracefully backwards towards the parked cars. At some point during its escape we noted no driver, short or otherwise at the wheel! Holding our breath, we watch it glide to a stop mere inches from the nearest parked car. Gear-slipping, yes, but apparently the frame is perfect as it took a very direct route backwards.

My safety background kicks in. We decide the car's probably locked and if we touch it, it will probably be enough to start it rolling again and actually cause damage to other cars. So I scoot back in to the restaurant to try to find the hapless parker. I should have realized my mistake, but I headed for the "chevy" clubbers and said "is anyone driving the classic Chevy Chevelle, cause it's taking an unapproved glide through the parking lot." Condescending smiles and negative head shakes greet my announcement. Apparently they are CORVETTE chevy lovers, not classically restored Chevelles. Cruised the restaurant looking for a worried patron, and nobody bit. Having done my civic duty, we carried on and out. Probably the person was too embarrassed in that crowd to admit they liked an old muscle car over the sleekly sexier classic corvette. Ah well.

IS IT OVER YET? SUMMER THAT IS.

So many things to rant about. Stock market continues to bounce as traders take quick profits. Love how they toy with our futures like that. No real progress on the "jobs, jobs, jobs" agenda the "r's" ran campaigns on. Ahh not happening boys and girls. Though the crackpots that keep climbing out of the primordial slime to throw their prospective chapeaus in the ring are amusing, if not downright scary! So I have an idea, let's vote for them again. Definition of insanity I believe.

There is such a frenzy on putting a negative spin on everything they want to pick on the prez for going on vacation??? Ahh the bushman took a month at a time, since I suppose technically he wasn't running anything anyway. That kind of proves it I think. If you still don't believe go back and watch the tape of him reading to the kiddies when all "hell" broke loose in New York and he just sat there because he really didn't know what to do-a show of being in charge would have been nice. And hello, (don't you hate valley girl slang) do you really think the prez isn't connected six ways from Friday no matter where he/she is-this ain't horse and buggy days folks. Geez.

Now let's start passing laws on "social issues", huh? Jobs, jobs, jobs remember and stay the hockey puck out of my bedroom and doctor's office. Independents, older people, young people and women do vote don't you know. Though the new rules on showing six pieces of ID, stating your "party" to vote and not allowing students access to voting in their college town smacks of a conspiracy of fear the "r's" have of losing their power grab status. Everybody needs to start showing some respect for the intelligence of the people they represent instead of telling us what is good for us. Two ears and one mouth for a reason folks. Whew-that rant was cathartic. I feel better.