On a normal, average, typical day, I am a pretty anxious ball of nerves. I cannot help it. I tend to take things very seriously, and without something stressful in my life, I would feel lost. So knowing that, you might ask why I would add anything to the mix to make me an absolute nervous wreck. But let's face it, life happens. I have dealt with contractors before, and the only way I got through the long, slow, and destructive process that they go through was to be completely away from the construction site while the work was being done. Before we moved into this house, we stayed with Chris's parents while the renovations were being completed and when our first house was being built we were both living with our parents. For the most part, out of sight was out of mind for me. Now, however, I am living in the house and the swarm of contractors and their carelessness is more than I can handle. I am telling myself this is the last thing we are doing to our house that requires total strangers to be in or around our house. They promise a lot, but their attitude towards our personal belongings is astounding. In fact, the first day I came home from work, and I am guessing my concerns were written all over my face- I did not say one word, and the contractor took one look at me and told me to grab a glass of wine and turn on a movie upstairs. Believe me, I tried...
So what is it that we are doing? It started out as a simple task of pouring more concrete to extend our existing patio slab, no cover or anything. Easy breezy. Then it became removing the old slab because the existing concrete was in pretty bad shape. Then the contractor informed us he would have to break out part of our driveway as well due to the existing breaks in the concrete, which would require him to remove our wrought iron fence. Oh yea, and then they would have to drive a bobcat through our backyard (which ultimately destroyed our yard and the grass in it). And finally, to ensure that our new patio would not shift or crack, all tree roots would have to be removed from the area. Add 3 days of rain to the mix, a jack hammer, and a husband that enjoys watching me panic (called me one day at work to tell me the bobcat had hit the corner of the house and it had collapsed), and you've got me swaring this is the last project we do!
I took some before and during pics for your enjoyment (will post the after pics when they finally finish). I don't find it all that enjoyable to look at yet, but I think if it all turns out like they are "promising" I will be able to look back at it with a little chuckle at least.
BEFORE
DAY 1
DAY 2
DAY 3
On a somewhat self-constructive note- I do think God is using all of these experiences to teach me patience. If I felt like it was working I would be thanking him, but it hasn't gotten any easier yet, so I am wondering what he has in store for me next. Ha... even that makes me nervous. Don't they make squishy balls and paper bags for this kind of thing...
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