Posted by
Doctor Bart on Saturday, June 09, 2007 3:02:18 PM
Rough week here at the Doctor Bart household. Our 4 week kitchen remodel is into week number 7 with the end of the tunnel moving further, not closer. This was the week the granite counters were supposed to go in, which was to begin the home stretch.
The counters went in, but don't look right. the installers decide to put the seam right beneath the window in the most visible part of the kitchen. The seam line couldn't be more obvious if you hung a neon "seam here" sign above it.
Coupled with wiring problems, (the plug to our bedroom television actually MELTED), cabinet problems (lopsided drawers, missing end pieces for cabinets, and the fact that laborers were stealing our food (they actually raided our fridge and snacks) we can say that we have officially descended into the emotional abyss that accompanies home remodels.
Thursday morning saw a meltdown in the presence of my wife that left her pondering the value of my life insurance policy. Although not directed at her the generalized venting of my anger was not a frightening thing. So yesterday when I spoke to the contractor, it was with significant fear that it might not go well.
Complicating the matter is the fact that the contractor is a friend/patient/brother in Christ. I have delivered his children, and care for his parents and sibling as well. If thing s were to go badly the ripples would spread widely.
Echoing in my mind as I spoke to him were the words "Its just a kitchen, Its just a thing. People are more important." I expressed my true emotion, the fear that after all of the expense and inconvenience I would be left with something I did not want or like.
The drywall worker in attendance, also a believer, purposefully came to me later and said he was impressed the the grace with which I expressed my concerns. I was grateful that God had helped me control my anger, and particularly that it had showed.
The neon granite seam remans, but will be fixed (I hope), there is much to be done. But I can take a measure of solace in the knowledge that a friendship remains intact.