After spending a lot of time on Sunday taking the remaining pictures off the wall and clearing the 'tops' in the bedroom, taking pictures of 'where things were', I was quite ready for a good night's sleep. The workmen were due to arrive between 8:30 and 8:45 the following morning to remove the dreaded 'popcorn' from the ceiling. Was I ready for tomorrow?I got up early, and sent Dana off to work. My kitchen was as clear as it was going to get and I wasn't quite sure quite how much mess I was to expect, but thought it might be quite a lot. "Make the bed!" I told myself a dozen times, each time was after I had started to do something else. Dana had left quite a bit on the top of his bedside table, and I had a feeling this was not a good idea. Finally, everything was put into other rooms.
The proprietor arrived a little before nine, and told me that his 'crew' would be there at nine. I had a list. "Will my appliances be okay on the kitchen counter?" He responded that they would as sheeting would be placed all around. "Will we be able to sleep here tonight?" He looked at me quizzically and said, "In the room that is not being done". Um, big problem. I could not get into the room that was not being done, let alone get to the bed. I was starting, ever so slightly, to regret this job taking place, and was ever so slightly losing it! He walked around the house shaking his head. "Can you put that somewhere?" he asked, pointing to a rocking chair in the bedroom. "Where?" I asked, quite seriously. Having been told that there was no need to remove my 'bits and pieces' from the glass cabinet, I left it full. The 'crew' arrived. "You haven't removed the things from there", said the foreman, Christian. "But you said....". Bad to worse? Yes. He would like me to remove them. He would like me to remove everything.
After about half an hour, I had all my remaining things that he said would not need to be removed, (nothing like casting blame,) in a box in the third bedroom. Dana asked if I wanted him to book a hotel for a couple of nights. Although close to tears, and very fragile, I told him to give me thirty minutes and I would let him know. While the 'crew' were putting bits of sticky tape around the walls, (I was not going to question anything,) I ventured into the second bedroom, and started to panic. There was no room! "The television will have to go!" Oh my goodness, where? "What about the closet", said Mr. Foreman, opening Dana's wardrobe. Thankfully, I had packed the things in so tightly, they were not able to fall out. It was full "The bathroom?", he said, walking to the other door. "Oh!" was all he could say! Short of putting it in the shower stall, which although not an electrician, I would assume this would not be a good idea, there was no room. Dana arrived home after a panic call, as they were sliding it into the third bedroom. I say 'sliding' because there was a thin space just big enough to slide it in!
I decided that I would need to pull myself together, especially when I asked, "So, by Wednesday, I will be able to get my house back?" and given the answer, "No, you wanted upstairs done too, so all week!" The task was to make room! I am, after all, an ex-girl guide, and will forever be under the purview of the Scouting family, and I remembered my oath made when I was seven, and becoming a fully fledged 'Brownie', "Be prepared". I could do this! Whom was I kidding. However, once the initial shock has taken place, my strength reappears. It only took an hour to reorganise, move everything 'back a bit' and make some (just some) space. I felt quite good about the effort. In fact, I felt much better about the whole project, and went into work.
Arriving home, I was astounded at how much they had accomplished! "Senora, Senora, Senora", shouted one of the men. The foreman came to the top of the stairs and beckoned me up. There was so much mess, but as I shut myself away in the third bedroom, I could hear sweeping to the dulcet sounds of Latino radio. An amusing segment was playing, as the workmen were laughing, as a young lady (presumably young) was getting irritated with the announcer. All, it appeared, was in fun, and I reminded myself, again, to learn Spanish! They left with the promise of 'Tomorrow'.
I thought Dana was going to cry when he got home. "Do you want a hotel?" he said. I was quite comfortable in the third bedroom, and had made a little table by the bed, and enough space for us to move. We did not have a television but we had a computer, and we could talk! Each task he did was completed with him standing with his hands on a top, shaking his head, and saying, "Do you want me to check us into a hotel?" I was adamant. We could survive this!
When I got up, having nearly fallen out of the bed at least twice, because I was disorientated, sleeping in the back of the house rather than the front, and a much smaller bed, and...and...and, I realised there was no access to my clothes. It was cold and I had no access to my coats. The latter was probably irrelevant as the former would be needed to put under the latter. I sent Samantha a message. "Can you bring me a coat?" I had access to a pair of very baggy jeans that I do not think were mine, and a dozen t-shirts, all large, as I never say 'small please' when given an option at the 'give aways' as I only wear them as a cover for my swimsuit! Even if the weather had been conducive to go swimming, my costumes were behind the plastic! Everything was behind plastic! However, despite wondering why I do it, my mother always insists that once dry, before clothes can be worn, they must be aired. I never put clothes away after ironing, without airing them. I knew there would be a reason, one day, to thank my grandmother, who taught my mother, and then my mother for insisting! I had a few dresses, and shirts, that were hanging on a stand, airing! Joy!
Day two was going to be messy. Messier than day one! I went into work. "We need to get a hotel!" said my husband. "Really?" said I, adamant that we survived and could survive again. I had walked around the complex with Samantha and the dog when they arrived, as there was no way the animals could go inside. I then sat and waited for the workmen to arrive. The foreman was not with the crew. Three young men. Two from yesterday and a new one. English was not a language with which two were familiar. The third one looked like he understood. However, after saying 'hi', we were lost. He was young, and definitely thought he 'had it', whatever, 'it' maybe. Now I know women know 'the look', and older women, such as myself, are either flattered, or in my case, a bit more matronly in their response. After he sucked his top lip, widened his eyes, nodded his head from side to side, and put his hand on his hip, I gave him my look. The one that says, "I am old enough to be your mother. I don't know what you think you are going to achieve by looking like that. Now stand up straight and get on with your work!" He knew that look! I wanted to know what time they would be finished, but no one seemed to know. I really need to learn Spanish! Even if just to say, "I am old enough to be your mother. I don't know what you think you are going to achieve by looking like that. Now stand up straight and get on with your work!" I left them to it!
I received a call from Christian a little later, and he explained what they were going to do, and I said I would be back before they left. I was. I walked into the sun room and out of my house came three white ghostly looking figures. If I had not seen them go in, I would have thought we were being haunted! Covered in a layer of white dust, they seemed to hover! I was escorted up to the third bedroom, by Christia, who unhooked some plastic so I could enter, as the other worker kept his distance. I did smile, just to show I bore no grudge, a motherly smile!
Dana picked me up after I had found a dark spot on the ceiling in the dining room. I panicked. Did we have another leak? Should we have got this checked out first? What if it was? I was tired, I was hungry and I was ready to get out of the mess. My boots were white with dust, and after managing to climb over boxes to retrieve our carry-on bags, I had meandered through the plastic to find essentials. We got to the hotel and I felt somewhat relieved. It was an efficiency suite place, and they are usually really nice, and well equipped. Usually! This one was not. Apparently, you have to ask for everything. There is a stove, a microwave and a fridge. Forget the pots, pans, plates or utensils, there was no cutlery, glasses or cups. No coffee maker. There were towels. We went downstairs to ask for a kettle. "You wanna coffee pot?" said the receptionist who was rather peeved that we had interrupted her television show. "Later", said Dana, "We would also like some coffee, and cups". The look of "What do you think this place is, a hotel?" ran across her face. I just wanted to go home. "Oh, and where is breakfast served?" asked my husband, as he mentioned the one redeeming quality about this place was that there was a buffet. "Breakfast aint served, it is set up between those two chairs!" We looked at a small trolley like stand. "It's a grab and go thing". Roll on tomorrow!
We grabbed a couple of burgers from Dairy Queen and made a detour to the office to get a cup, tea bags and a kettle. Thankfully, we were not far! We had a bed, the hotel was clean, and hopefully there would be hot water! I fell asleep watching one of the Home Alone sequels, wondering how social services never got involved!
At two o'clock, I woke up and stayed awake, trying to work out where the stain was under! It made no sense where it was, and I could not get my bearings in my head. I lay there for nearly two hours, and finally fell back to sleep, only to be awoken by a clap of thunder. I dreamed that there were damp patches all over the ceiling in my house, and just wanted to turn back the clock!
There was hot water, and plenty of it. Breakfast was indeed a 'grab and go', with not much to grab, but I wasn't hungry. Dana took me home, and I walked into the dusty house. It was not flying like it had been, but it was still very visible. I checked the damp patch, and came to a few conclusions. Firstly, they had covered it with putty, which when dry will show stains. Secondly, they would not have put putty on obviously wet boards, and lastly, the putty would not have stuck to it. Of course, when they scrapped the popcorn from the ceiling, they damp boards would have come with! I would ask someone later. I did call Dana, but he is brutally honest with me, and lets me know when he has no idea!
I texted Joe, "Please say you are at the shop today!" He was. I left my house and drove in the pouring rain across town to a sanctuary. He told me that he thought the stain was just a stain and I was satisfied. I relayed the week's events, so far, and stayed for a while, before heading back to Michele, who was told the same story!
When I spoke to my mother later in the day, I asked if she remembered when I, as a teenage, told her that I wanted to learn Spanish. It was a long shot and she did not. "You said, 'Learn French. It is far more useful'. I can tell you now, I should have stuck to my guns!" I never argued with my mother, so resistance would have been futile, and French would have been learned!
Work was relentless, but I did not have to make dinner! I left around five thirty and headed home. "Senora, look. Texture!" They had managed to get the ceiling covered with the new covering! Texture was not what I wanted but it was light and covered a multitude of sins! Grant and Samantha had been back to check at lunchtime, and Grant had looked at the stain. "It's a stain" he said with confidence, and that was that! I was once again escorted upstairs the the third bedroom, where I stayed until they were ready to leave. I could hear singing to the radio, laughter, and a lot of shouting. I looked out of the window at one time, as there seemed to be activity in the sun room, but I could not see for dust! I really need to learn Spanish, so at least I could know about what they were laughing, and perhaps give a disapproving look when I thought it was appropriate, just so they knew I knew! Do I need to 'get a life'? Oh yes, away from the dust and dirt!
Dana refused to step inside the house when he came to collect me. He said his eyes hurt just by peering in. I almost said something rude, in Spanish! The only words I know are hello, thank you, a few sentences here and there that would get me to the bathroom and the library, although not necessarily in that order, and some unsavory insults that I was taught when on holiday with my friend Lesley and her family back in 1974! I doubt that would impress the work crew, although it might have an adverse affect on the one who considers himself a Casaova, especially if the 'old lady' started talking like a sailor! (For want of a better comparison!)
"Are you sure you want to go home?" was the question posed, as we left our hotel room, 'grabbed' and went, and got into the car. Why no, but someone has to be there when the 'crew' arrive. Walking into the house was probably not a good idea. The joke about the 'hazmat' suit was no longer a joke. I needed one to deal with the dust and fumes. However, there was an upside! Presumably, the weight of the stuff on the plastic, and the dampness, had caused some of it to come away from the walls, so I was able to get into a wardrobe, and into the bathroom. Thankfully, I had some strong cleaning fluid, (a concoction of things made by Raul's wife, for him to clean his facility,) which I needed to use. Obviously I cannot expect them to go a whole day without using the facilities, and my bedroom's en suite appeared to be the only one available, but they obviously did not wear their spectacles when taking aim! Thankfully, I had access to gloves!
Thursday was the day for painting. I was advise to leave and not come back! They would call when they were leaving! I met Samantha at my house. A lot of the plastic had come away from the walls, presumably with the weight and the dampness. I was able to retrieve a jacket, although I knew that the dust would be settling around the wardrobes. After our walk, I went into work and came home around eight thirty. One worker arrived a little after nine. I tried to make him understand me. "Get Christian to call me, please". A smile and shake of the head was enough for me. I pointed to my phone. He still didn't get it. Back to basics, I thought. "Telephono. Christian!" Ah! Eureka! However, I did not want to speak to him now! I wanted to speak to him later. Using my fingers to show a walking action, and throwing my arm over my shoulder for 'later' was not working. "Adios!" I said and hoped that he would understand that leaving meant I did not want to speak to Christian until he arrived!
The call came around eleven, and Christian said he would be
Dana was rather quiet. He assured me that nothing was wrong, but he was not himself. We returned to the hotel for our last night. I spent the night worrying that something was wrong and he was keeping something from me, although that is not his style. We packed away our belongings and went to sleep.
Friday morning was the same as Thursday. I returned home around nine, and had an 'inspection' round. Some more plastic had fallen down, and no doubt they would have to spend some time replacing it as they had the previous day. I left. "We are booked into the Staybridge for tonight. It looks nice." Another efficiency suites facility, but nothing could be worse than where we had been.
The call came around four thirty. I arrived home and was shocked. I must say that my mind had been running around in circles, as I knew the final painting would not take long. At around two, I was watching the phone. By three, I had thoughts that they had come with a big truck, emptied my house completely, and I would come home to nothing. What a great cover! Spend four days totally gutting a house, make the ceilings beautiful, and then rob you blind. Thieves with a conscience? Why did I allow my mind to go there? When I told Grant, he laughed so hard, I thought he would choke! "So, I have nothing in my house, but it looks so good, I could sell it and make up for all I had lost!" He must have thought I had gone mad. Perhaps it was the brief exposure to the paint fumes. Backing up, the reason for my shock was that my house looked like it had on Monday morning, before their arrival, minus the popcorn on the ceiling! They had removed all the plastic, vacuumed and cleaned as best they could! (Sorry, but I am a bit sexist.) Men don't clean like women. Most men....most 'baby boomer' men don't clean as well as women, although I think the 'crew' were what is classed as 'millennial', or 'post millennial. Suffice it to say, no one cleans my house to my satisfaction! But...it was really well done! I wandered around, inspected as best I could, but was so mesmerised with the ceilings, I did not notice the couple of bits that needed 'touching up'. Before they left, I gave Christian a gratuity as I felt that he and his crew had worked so hard. I also gave him a box of Cadbury's Roses. "English chocolate. For real?" Yes! For real! "Si!" No, I do not speak Spanish! He seemed more delighted with the chocolates than he did with the dollars!
After taking a couple of pictures, I returned to work. I took my car home a little after seven, and picked up some clothes for the morning before heading out to the hotel, picking up some fish tacos on the way. It was Valentine's Day and the restaurants were full. Samantha and Edward were celebrating their eighth wedding anniversary, and I had lost the card I had bought for them! It was somewhere in my house. As we ate, watching a movie on the Hallmark Channel (a bit twee but light hearted) I turned to Dana and said, "You are back!" He admitted that the reason for his demeanor was his disappointment in the previous hotel. He had hoped it would be like a mini vacation, but he had been so upset, it had affected him tremendously. This hotel was wonderful, in comparison. I must say I did prefer it!
A good night's sleep was essential but I was too energised. I wanted to get home and start cleaning. We enjoyed a great breakfast, accompanied by Richard on 'Facetime', and then headed out.
Two hours was just enough time to clean the bedroom, and get the curtains back up before Samantha came to collect me. We shopped, returned home, and I started again. Dana wiped down the kitchen after feeling redundant. I had told him that I would take care of the cleaning, as it was my project, but he really wanted to help and I could not say no. The girls next door popped in, one at a time, as I had the door open, and stopped me from crying! I nearly did once or twice, but around six I had broken the back of it, and was feeling a lot better. There would be dust for weeks, but I could cope with a thin layer.
I did have a new admiration for janitors! I have never actually cleaned anyone else's toilets before, but having not ventured into the downstairs bathroom all week, I can honestly say, anyone who does this for a living is not paid enough! Out came Raul's wife's spray, and a new batch was needed! After a bucket of stuff, two pairs of rubber gloves, and a box of wet wipes, I was still unconvinced it was ready to use! Am I broken?
The smell of paint is still very prominent, but it is dissipating. My two spare rooms are full of ornaments and window accessories, but they will be replaced soon. I can sleep in my own bed, use my own shower and have access to my clothes.
Monday is a holiday so I plan to spend a bit of time rearranging. The weather is going to be beautiful today, but I am not sure I am going to allow myself a break. I certainly wont have enough time to start the new venture of a new language. Instead, I shall have to wait and see what fits into ......... another story!
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