Random Frustrations

I haven't posted in awhile because there really hasn't been much to write about. The Husband has been busy finishing up all the little things that the finishers left for us to do and fixing the things they screwed up.  We did get a couple of bigger things checked of our list. I'll be back later to update you on those!

In the meantime, I am going through another cycle of being overwhelmed and frustrated. I think the closer you get to being done the more frustrating it gets. The house looks like it's almost done. If I wasn't so involved and just walked in I'd think we'd be only a couple of weeks away from moving in. In actuality we are probably still at the 4-6 week mark. Ugh. For my own sanity I am going to list what we still need to do in order for us to move in. Keep in mind, we are moving in once the inside of the house is complete. The exterior finishing will most likely be completed while we are living in the house.

1. The painters need to finish the finish coat. They are working away at this right now. Painting is really slow. They have been here for about 8 days and they haven't even starting painting the second coat yet. They are busy sanding, patching holes, and caulking around the baseboard and trim. There are so many little dents and dings patched that our house looks like its got a bad case of the chicken pox.

Hopefully they only have one more week of work. Once they are done I need to paint the custom shelves that the finishers built for us. Hiring a painter to paint them would have been really expensive so I am just going to tackle that one myself. Plus I have a few other painting projects that I need to do so I might as well add more to my list!

2. The electrician is starting on the electrical final next friday. He's going to install all of the plugs and switches as well as all of our recessed lights. We are still waiting for the rest of our lights to come in. We are contemplating going to pick up the ones that are in so that we'll at least have some light in the house. It's a 5 hour drive though and I am just not sure if that'll fit in the schedule or not.

3. We need to install the stair railing. We have it and it's all stained and ready to be put in. We just have to actually do it.

4. The tile in the tub surround and the shower. Hopefully we can get started on this on the weekend. I just want to be done with the tile. It's like a dark cloud that never leaves.

5. Countertops. This one is my main stressor. Our cabinets were installed on June 21. At that point we were told that the countertops would take 3 weeks. We still don't have them. We hounded our cabinet guy for an answer. We were told that the countertop supplier doesn't have slabs for the countertops we chose so they are waiting for some more to be shipped to them so that they can cut them and ship them to us. We haven't been given a timeline on this at all. It's just when we get them we get them. How awesome is that? It's not. At all.

6. After the countertops are in we need to do the backsplash in the kitchen, laundry room, and all three bathrooms.

7. Once the countertops are installed the plumber can finish his work. He needs to install the taps, faucets, toilets, sink, etc.

8. Because we live in the sticks we need our own septic system. This has been in the works since last fall and it's still not done. We've been told that the inspection for this is scheduled on Tuesday so hopefully it'll be done this weekend. This trade has outright lied to us before though, so I am not holding my breath.

9. The heating system still needs to be installed. We are using a geothermal system instead of a traditional furnace so the install is weather dependant. We have had a really wet summer and it just hasn't happened yet. We have him scheduled to come next weekend and again at the end of the month. We've basically told him that it has to happen then or else we could be looking at not being able to live in the house this winter. How much would that suck?

10. All the little things that you don't think of. Like register plates, covers for the cold air returns, cabinet hardware, door hardware, install the shower door, and who knows what else I am forgetting. These are all small jobs but in our experience the small jobs are what get you. They sneak up on you and throw your schedule out the window. They might only take an hour here or an hour there but those hours add up.

So that's our to do list. I am a huge list person. I love making lists. They make me feel so organized and like there is a purpose to the way I am doing things or why I am doing things.  Usually lists calm me down. It helps so much to see that I have this, this, and this to do.

Not this list. This list sucks. I hate this list. Give me a minute while I stomp my feet in true tantrum fashion.

This list is full of stress, frustration, anger, and probably a few tears. I really just want all of the things to be done but it is all out of my control. There is nothing I can do except sit back and wait. I just want the keys to my house already.