UNTIL THE NEXT TIME!

The time finally arrived.  We had been given a date for our windows to be fitted, and I was only partially ready.  Originally, the majority  were scheduled for the beginning of August, but with visitors and soaring heat, we decided to wait until they could install everything at once.  To go through the upheaval twice was not a viable option, in my opinion, and it was at their suggesting that we defer to a later date, so everyone appeared to be happy!

I spoke to my son, expressing my sadness of having to pack everything away, again, after getting the two spare rooms so beautifully organised.  "It is was it is", I said, with a sigh.  "Until it isn't", he quipped back.  He admitted that the 'after shock' came from a colleague of his, who applied the phrase after my son had quoted my too oft said words.  I realised that I had heard the full phrase in a song, sometime, somewhere, with the word 'aint' in place of 'isn't'.  From whence the full version, (if indeed there is a full version,) came from, I know not, but it was very appropriate!

I had set to, all too late, I feared, and started to clear the areas I perceived needed to be cleared.  Of course, one never really realises the extent of one's superfluous articles until one has to remove them from harms way!  Do I really need all the knickknacks I have on the window ledges, or teapots containing dried flowers due to the lids having been broken or misplaced!  It was time for some drastic reduction of 'things' and a complete overhaul of my 'anything but' feng shui!  Of course, the literal meaning of the phrase 'wind water' does not really translate well in English!  Good health, harmony and general 'well being' requires a lot more verbiage than two words, and 'less is more' does not always equate to my mindset! However, I digress!  I have been in the 'chucking out' phase for a while, but thought I would wait for the right time.  It is what it is, right?

I spent a good deal of time covering everything in my two spare rooms.  It is amazing how much is actually in front of a window!  The windows are not that big, but as they are on straight walls, it is the perfect place to set furniture.  My perfectly 'set out' bedroom, which I had created for the boys, was less than perfect for the project that was about to begin.  I was going to have to move things around so that the workmen could have a 'straight through shot' at the glass!  How they planned to actually get up the back wall, outside, was not my problem!  Dana questioned several times, but the answer was always the same.  "They will manage".  It is what it is....!

Where to store things was a problem.  After all, windows are in every room of most houses.  I had an abundance of boxes, and started to remove articles, and store them around the walls. I was feeling a little apprehensive about the project, but had to remind myself that it would not be as bad as when the ceilings were flattened.  There is always the feeling of 'never again' when you know there will always be an 'again' as there is always something that needs doing!  The ceiling job took place nearly three years ago, and I was not quite over the memories of dust and discord, but the 'windows' was something we had been discussing for over a decade!

Although not on my agenda, I had decided to go an visit Joe, as we needed coffee at the office.  I had hoped the visit would put me in a good frame of mind for what was going to happen the following day, and it did.  Gail was there, and we had a 'tour' of the 'chocolate factory', which is Joe's latest venture.  Having bought the rights to a local chocolatier, he is now the proud owner of a few machines and a very interesting hobby.  I was quite happy to sample his newest creations, and by the time I left, I was on a caffeine high, and raring to go.  By the time I got the office, I was on a decline!

Before the arrival of the workmen, I moved furniture in the living room, stacked all the plants to one side in the sun room, and got Dana to help shift some of the larger things as I knew he would be upset if I did them without his help.  I do most things without his help, as and when I am able.  Although it is a standing joke that he does not notice when I move, replace, add or remove things, if he is aware that something has to be moved, he will notice its disappearance from the norm.  Dana was quite amazed at what I had already moved, thinking that we would do it all, together.  Although he sees the knickknacks everyday, I am not sure he realises the full extent!  

"They will arrive at ten", I was told.  I had enough time to clear away the last minute bits and pieces.  I had sealed the French doors in my bedroom with masking tape during the 'storm' in February a year ago, and replaced it a few times over the course of eighteen months, to stop the cold getting out and hopefully the heat getting in, but the windows were old, very old, and the glazing single and thin!  I would not miss the individual panes of glass and wooden frames that could not be cleaned properly, due to their age and decrepit state.  The masking tape would be gone, once and for all! 

Ten arrived, and left.  The huge team that was expected did not arrive until nearly half past the hour.  I was not overly impressed, but was in the middle of making a cake for my daughter's birthday, one that I would be taking into work on Friday, after they had 'finished up'.  The huge team arrived.  The huge team of two! I was starting to wonder 'why?' as I usually do when embarking on a major project, or more to the point, having someone else embark on a major project.  I am not an engineer, but am aware that two people could not complete the fixture of several windows in one day.  By the time they took out the first window, and replaced it, without sealing let alone completion, and they went off for lunch, I was starting to panic.  How long was this job going to take?  

The cookies had arrived as the workmen arrived.  Who was sending me cookies.  Obviously no one I knew as anyone I know is aware of my aversion to 'cookies'.  I like traditional, English biscuits!  (Not to be confused with American biscuits...the confusion is never ending!)  The note was short, and sweet.  "So happy you chose us to do your windows.  Can't wait to see the finished job!" and was signed by the lady who first came to give us a quote.  "You and me both, love!" I said out loud, thinking that the cookies should have arrived as the job was in 'full swing' and it would be a welcome surprise.  I had little confidence that the windows would be finished before the end of the year!  Perhaps I was being overly dramatic, but there was me, standing in my kitchen, (boxed in my kitchen, by my trolley and stands that stand under the windows,) clearing out my pantry, as there was little else I could do!  Dana sent me a message.  "How's it going.  The cookies are for us!".  I called him back.  "The cookies arrived.  There are a lot more cookies than there are workmen!  The cookies were thanking us for choosing the company, and expressing a desire to come and admire our new look in the near future.  With two men on the job, the near future seems more like a lifetime away".  The silence on the end of the phone was an indication that my husband perceived my stress levels were starting to rise, but that I needed to take control and not panic! He says so much without speaking!  Dana emailed the company shortly after midday to say that this was not what we were expecting, but got no response.  However, (and I can hear the moans, and see the shaking of heads, but wait,) within twenty minutes, I had a man on the doorstep.  "Hello.  I hear you are not happy.  We want you to be happy.  What's up!"  He handed me his business card, which I placed on the piano. I was not quite sure how to answer.  I had been informed that my husband had emailed the company from a third party, (no prizes for guessing who was the snitch,) but I had no idea exactly what he had communicated.  I invited the gentleman in and explained that we had been told that a large crew was expected, and I had plans for Friday afternoon, but as the first window had just taken nearly two hours to install there was no way they would be finished inside a week, in my humble opinion!  I tried not to sound stressed, attempted not to garble my words, and forced an unnatural serenity that would fool not even a fool!  I was given an explanation that was feasible!  It appeared that when the 'administrator' had heard which team leader was assigned for the job, she knew it was a large team, and had indicated this fact.  However, what she did not know was that the 'team leader' had left some of his crew finishing up on another job, and would not be 'mob handed' when he arrived at my house!  It did make sense.  Again, within an hour, there were another three workmen on site, checking out the back of the house.  I was a little more impressed. A second supervisor arrived mid-afternoon, gave me a card, which I placed on the other card, on the piano, and checked on how the work was progressing.  The natural serenity returned, as my pantry became pristine and extremely well organised!  

"Ma'am, can I borrow your bathroom?"  I resisted the temptation!  Where are you taking it, and for how long?  As the work continued, so did the request to 'borrow' the bathroom.  

"Can't get this done today.  Not unless we work until very late.  The light is fading.  I don't want to be working when it's dark".  Although the atmosphere had been reasonably pleasant, and joyous sounds and laughter was heard for most of the day, there was a sense of unhappiness surrounding the second team.  I peaked around the corner of the kitchen, where I had spent most of my day, cleaning out cupboards and rearranging.  I was in my element!  They were not!  "Is it a logistical issue, or a time issue, or is there a bigger problem that cannot be solved?" I asked, holding my breath as I foresaw something that could not be overcome.  Once again, I hid behind my facade.  "It is what it is, until it aint!"  Apparently, the work that was needing to be done on the back door, in order for it to fit properly, was going to take some time, and that team leader was not happy about having to spend another few hours at a job he was not supposed to be part of.  There was a simple solution. "Leave it for today and come back tomorrow.  Start afresh in the morning", I suggested. "Are you sure?" said team leader number one.  I nodded in the affirmative. "But you have plans, ma'am".  I told him that my plans had been cancelled and I would be home all day, so there was no issue.  They thanked me profusely and said they would have to clear it with the 'big boss' but the answer would be, "What does the homeowner think" so we were all good.  Right?  Of course, right!  They cleared away their things, and left for the day.  Dana arrived home shortly after they had left and was amazed at how little had actually been accomplished, but I told him all would be well!  (Apart from the downstairs bathroom being decommissioned!) They were a nice bunch of workmen, very polite, and very courteous.  Although all Latino, none spoke in Spanish within my earshot!  I knew this was their preferred method of communication, as the same team had been the installers of the windows in the next door unit, and they had been chatting away in their native (or generational) tongue, all day!

With the downstairs windows in place, all bar the door, and the whole of upstairs still showing the original frames and glass, I was still dubious about the work being completed by the end of the following day.  I had stripped the masking tape too early!

As the promise was that the work would restart at eight on Friday, I was ready for anything!  My stress levels were rather low, which did not so much surprise me, as everyone in my life.  All considered the job would cause me much anxiety, but I was rather calm. Of course, in order to keep the serenity, I had to do something that would help! I would make cookies! Just because I do not care for them, everyone else seems to enjoy them. I got the dough ready and made a few different batches.  Whilst they were cooking, I took to cleaning out a couple more kitchen cupboards, and discarded a few items that had been sitting waiting to be used, and had since gone out of date.  By midday, I had made several batches of cookies, and cleared out all my cupboards.  The back door was going to take all day to install, and the upstairs door was not done!  There were still two more windows to install and the man filling the gaps was being very thorough.  I would be at home all day!  

Sorting out my old cookery books and loose recipe sheets has always taken a back seat!  Flicking through an ancient freebie from the sugar corporation, I realised that I had never made some of the recipes. Fudge.  I had never made fudge!  I have now! Thankfully, my trolley is on wheels and it was being moved from one side to the other, so I could access the cooker, and then the sink.  I was confined to a tiny space, and felt like I was a block mover in a 'Tetris' game, but I was actually having fun.  The sugar 'high' seemed to be working on the workmen too!  Their singing and general joviality was heard all around.  

Another business card was added to the stack.  Inspector number three (or was it four) arrived during the afternoon, and walked around as if he owned the place!  It appeared that my house was a 'site' and he was there to make sure it was 'secure'.  I just let him walk!  The cards were stacked on top of the city permit, which was on top of the piano.  It was meant to be 'on show', giving notice that permission had been granted for the work to be done.  However, the only place that it could be seen from outside was the door (which was open) or the windows!  You see the conflict!

Eventually, the day came to an end, and the work was not quite done.  Again, the conversations were overheard, and I went in search of the team leader.  He asked me what was my thought about coming back on Saturday morning.  Again, I told them that if that was what they wanted to do, I would be happy.   I wanted them to be happy!  I was quite sure that they would not 'botch' the job, but if they were not in a good frame of mind, the work may suffer.  Also, the light would fade and it would be better to work in the daylight!

A new guy joined the team on Saturday, and I went shopping, leaving Dana to supervise!  By the time I arrived home, they were clearing up and all the windows were fitted, sealed and finished.  It looked amazing!  I was very happy.  It had taken a long time to make the decision to have them done, and a long time for them to be ready.  

There were a couple of things that had been pointed out during the process.  One of the 'inspectors' had seen my point of view.  He had said that the factory had a level of satisfaction to which it adhered, and this was obviously within that perameter.  I told him that it was not in my perameter, and he conceded!  How it was corrected, I know not, but it was corrected.  It is what it is until it aint and then it better get fixed!  It did!

All week I have had people comment on the windows!  Most neighbours have had a darker finish on the outside and have been quite impressed with the light seals I have around mine.  Most said they were not given the option.  

Putting everything back has caused another dilemma.  What next?  Of course, as mentioned, there is always something that needs doing, but recovering from the previous onslaught is something that takes time, until it doesn't!  Perhaps I should have opted to have everything done at once!  Ceilings, floors, windows...but then where would I live?  Putting everything back was enough of a problem in itself!  My bi-annual knickknack washing had been postponed, and is now in full swing.  However, as I have new, posh windows, are my knickknacks sophisticated enough for the new look?  I am conflicted with 'sentiment' and (there is no getting away from it) my mother!  "Do you really need that?"  "That looks a bit cheap".  I thing cheap is a matter of opinion, and sometimes sentiment is cheap!  Also, my project that I undertook during my divorce, is now ready to be replaced. A cabinet that was revarnished and 'upcycled' really is just a banana box, and is starting to fall apart.  'Project to replace project' is now underway!

The main thing is that the toilet was recommissioned!  It was not such a big job.  Rubber gloves, wet wipes and some elbow grease took care of that!  It did not take quite as long as the window install to get it up to standard, and I did not need another inspector with another business card to give it the 'all clear'!  

With a lot more hard work, and elbow grease (although the mess and dust really was, amazingly, kept to a minimum) I have upstairs back to normal.  I can use the family bathroom without being stared at by family members and the like!  Pictures are back on the wall! (Not the bathroom wall, obviously!  Too much information?  Oh well, it is what it is!)

I feel that going into the next week will be easier now that I have my garden back in place, and most of the knickknacks back in place or stored away.  I think that I dealt with the changing of routine quite well.  (I sat on the stairs and said, "It is what it is", and agreed with myself that my routine can be altered and is not set in stone.  If anyone tells my mother, consequences will occur!  Really, at my age, I can still hear her voice telling the minority me that my bedroom looked like it had been ransacked, and how she thought we had been broken into!  Amazing that they considered my bedroom to be the place where the valuables are kept...therefore, to wit, my knickknacks are priceless!  Now you see from where the dramatics originate!)

Thankfully, the wetsuits are to hand, as I have a feeling they will be needed next week.  The overnight lows have dropped considerably and the water is getting a little chilly.  I was asked by a neighbour on my walk, this morning, "When do you stop swimming?"  When it gets too cold, of course.  "When is that?"  He will have to wait to see in ........... another story!