Focus on Things within My Control
One of the classic ways to avoid stress is to focus on things within my (our) control. At this point in time I am seething and boiling due to this inefficient contractor which we hired. The work started sometime around 16 Nov 2012 and until today, the work remain unfinished. I can''t exert pressure & seem not to have control over the situation. Hubby refused to intervene, as he's travelling a lot these days & generally would like me to clean up my own mess.
What work, do you say? Minor repairs, really. In no particular order, they comprise 11 items:
1- external piping (re-route) = after checking, this was not required as our piping system is fine
2- fix the gate hinge = DONE
3- remove ceiling for downstairs bathroom (water damage)- NOTE: he's not even required to replace the ceiling!! = DONE after much pain & suffering on my side (numerous reminders & calls)
4- patch up 2 bathrooms upstairs (using a special type of bathroom cement, he says) = ONE bathroom done, another one DELAYED till next year (4 or 5 Jan 2013, even this is uncertain!!)
5- install 3 fans = DONE
6- clean the main tank = delayed to 4 or 5 Jan 2013 (if I'm lucky)
7- replace the kitchen lighting = DONE
8- seal some roof tiles (2-3 locations), minor seepage during heavy rainfall = DECIDED TO DROP THIS, as there is no way in heaven (or the other place) that he could manage
9- fix sink outlet in 2 upstairs bathroom = DONE
10- fix sliding door downstairs = DROP (same reason as 8, let the sliding door be stuck for eternity!!)
11- replace part of roof beam (rain-soaked) = DROP, as no additional damage is caused (except for aesthetic look of the house).
So five items out of 10 are done, within the time span of 1.5 months. WAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!
Moral of the story- do not pay a single cent until the work is done. He had asked for progressive payment, I feel so cheated & foolish. WHAT IN THE WORLD POSSESSED ME TO DO SUCH A FOOLISH THING?!!? WHY AM I SO BLINKING FORGIVING?!!?
Some possible reasons:
- he was recommended by a reliable contact/ friend who is the salt of the earth (now I am having second thoughts on the status of the recommender!)
- he had been reasonably diligent in his work for the first two weeks, not even going on lunch break & I totally did not see this coming!!
- based on his communication with us, he seemed trustworthy & a person of his words (clearly he is NOT!!)
He had offered to do the kitchen extension for us next year & quoted a price. FORGET IT MAN!! I DON'T WANT TO GROW OLD WAITING FOR YOU TO FINISH THE WORK!!!!!!!
However I would probably end up saying something like "maybe some other time, when situation permits". This is one person who I'll remove forever from my contact list.
So dear house, I TRIED. I waited and saved money all these years too. Let's channel the energy to prepare for my training- THIS is at least within my control.
What work, do you say? Minor repairs, really. In no particular order, they comprise 11 items:
1- external piping (re-route) = after checking, this was not required as our piping system is fine
2- fix the gate hinge = DONE
3- remove ceiling for downstairs bathroom (water damage)- NOTE: he's not even required to replace the ceiling!! = DONE after much pain & suffering on my side (numerous reminders & calls)
4- patch up 2 bathrooms upstairs (using a special type of bathroom cement, he says) = ONE bathroom done, another one DELAYED till next year (4 or 5 Jan 2013, even this is uncertain!!)
5- install 3 fans = DONE
6- clean the main tank = delayed to 4 or 5 Jan 2013 (if I'm lucky)
7- replace the kitchen lighting = DONE
8- seal some roof tiles (2-3 locations), minor seepage during heavy rainfall = DECIDED TO DROP THIS, as there is no way in heaven (or the other place) that he could manage
9- fix sink outlet in 2 upstairs bathroom = DONE
10- fix sliding door downstairs = DROP (same reason as 8, let the sliding door be stuck for eternity!!)
11- replace part of roof beam (rain-soaked) = DROP, as no additional damage is caused (except for aesthetic look of the house).
So five items out of 10 are done, within the time span of 1.5 months. WAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!
Moral of the story- do not pay a single cent until the work is done. He had asked for progressive payment, I feel so cheated & foolish. WHAT IN THE WORLD POSSESSED ME TO DO SUCH A FOOLISH THING?!!? WHY AM I SO BLINKING FORGIVING?!!?
Some possible reasons:
- he was recommended by a reliable contact/ friend who is the salt of the earth (now I am having second thoughts on the status of the recommender!)
- he had been reasonably diligent in his work for the first two weeks, not even going on lunch break & I totally did not see this coming!!
- based on his communication with us, he seemed trustworthy & a person of his words (clearly he is NOT!!)
He had offered to do the kitchen extension for us next year & quoted a price. FORGET IT MAN!! I DON'T WANT TO GROW OLD WAITING FOR YOU TO FINISH THE WORK!!!!!!!
However I would probably end up saying something like "maybe some other time, when situation permits". This is one person who I'll remove forever from my contact list.
So dear house, I TRIED. I waited and saved money all these years too. Let's channel the energy to prepare for my training- THIS is at least within my control.