March 12 – “Nail it”

We had really high hopes for today.  The sheetrockers were due to begin arriving this afternoon.  We had to return the wrong insulation and pick up the right stuff.  We hoped to start insulating today if possible.  The sheetrock was scheduled to be delivered.  The air conditioning guys still had to finish installing ducts and the heater – well, everything.  The framers had to remove the old smokestack (we're moving the fireplace), and patch the roof so the roofers could come in later (and so the rain would stay out), and frame out the hole in the wall that dreams of being a window some day, and do a bunch of little tiny jobs as assigned by the contractor.  The electricians had to come back and touch base with the contractor on some minor revisions and things forgotten.  And somewhere in there we had to find out for sure if the electrical work had passed inspection, or we couldn't do any of it.   I was the first one on site – about 7:15 – followed shortly by one of the framers who promptly went back to sleep in his truck.  I got my truck loaded down with insulation, moved it across the street, and was waiting for Nathan to get there to load up the rest in his.  The framers had no sooner unloaded some plywood into the garage than the sheetrock delivery arrived.  They moved the wood, and after some nifty maneuvering by the driver, the sheetrock settled into its new home – part in the garage and part in the driveway.  Nathan got it covered with plastic just in time for the rain.    Apparently the inspector cleared us, so Chris we went over the post-inspection electrical changes with the contractor, while Nathan and I went on the insulation run.  We had to explain three times what we were bringing back and what we wanted in exchange.  The difference in price was only a few dollars.  Ain't accounting grand?   Chris and the contractor were talking about the kitchen when we left.  And they were still talking about the kitchen when we got back.  I think the two of them could talk about this house all day if I didn't get in their way every now and then.  I try to intervene on occasion with my favorite builder's phrase: "Nail it!"  They don't listen to me much anymore.   The team from Arlington arrived while Chris and I were at Home Depot getting boric acid for the-inside-the-walls roach treatment and Nathan was at Lowe's picking up our dining room cabinets.  They did a walk-through to see what we had to do tomorrow and Saturday – all the insulation and all the sheetrock.  This weekend is going to be hectic.    All six of the Arlington folks came to the Omega Bay house for the night.  Three more will arrive around midnight, and three more are coming in the morning, including our son Josh.  We'll give them the option of staying here again the next two nights, or moving over to Seaside.  I hope they stay.  This group is a lot of fun.  I have missed the ones we knew long ago, and I enjoy the ones we just met.  It's always easier to work when you have a connection with your fellow workers.   Ephesians 4:1-6 says, "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit— just as you were called to one hope when you were called—  one Lord, one faith, one baptism;  one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."   Father, thank you for fellow workers.  Grant us your peace as we work out our unity.  Amen.