Update on Jeff's Home Rebuild Project

[Jeff Weaver]

So before I left for my meeting I called the contractor and said, I'm not ready for the final punch list.  I said this meeting was supposed to be 1 - deciding where to dig in my back yard, 2- Getting a plan for the master bedroom closet and 3 - Figuring out what to do about the Microwave.  Now all of sudden it's a final punch list and I'm not ready for that.

He said this is a list of what to get done for the final inspection.

That's good we dialed it back a bit.

The Microwave Problem:

To make a long story short, I had been concerned that the microwave wasn't going to be able to open properly.  I had determined it needed 1 1/4 inch to open.  I even gave them new measurements for the cupboards to adjust for this.  I was told it would be fine and I didn't need to worry about it.  Well it wasn't.  The door couldn't even open 25%.  The best I could do would be to throw a burrito in there, Microwave it, and then get grab hooks to get it out.  LOL

So, now, they're going to make the adjustments that I had suggested in the first place (on September 2nd).

Now we're talking about a move-in next week.  Still a little ambitious but actually within the realm of possibilities.

It's looking more like a home.

When I was driving to my house I was stressed and I could here God telling me, I'm here.  That is so comforting.

This year the attribute of God that I've appreciated the most is his unchangeability.  We studied the crucifixion in Sunday School and I was thinking how Jesus could have done anything, anything else but he stuck to the plan.  What kind of world would it be if we had a temperamental god?

I trust God more every day.  I know what he's done for me, what he's doing and I know he will continue.

Praise God for his unchangeability!!!

God is good all the time.

Jeff A Weaver

[Jeff Weaver]

I work in the IT department of a transportation company and I had a migration scheduled for one of our customer's EDI data to move it from our old service provider to a new one.

I'm going to be traveling on Friday, I asked for Thursday off and I was planning to work from my house...this morning I realized that if we go through with the migration that I would not be monitoring the data...that's bad.  If everything goes well and there's no problems that's fine.  However, if there were going to be problems that would be bad.  We receive orders from our customers via EDI (Electronic Data Interchange).  Lost orders are lost revenue and it doesn't take long for that to become a huge career changing event.

My house project has been on my mind and I was wondering why I have to jump when the contractor says so.  I was going to schedule the data cabling work to be done the week of November 4th and then he's asking for $15K out of what's left.  I said, I don't think so and then asked him why.  Well, we're supposed to get all this work done this week and get the final inspection done and then we're ready to close blah blah blah.

I think one reason is that my house is starved of work being done on it and I'm so glad when they're actually going to work on my house that I want to do everything I can to encourage that.

I'm here sitting in my backyard and they are digging the trench but at the moment nothing else is being done.

I doubt they will be done even next week if this is the pace we're going at.

I want to be back in my house, however, I'd rather wait and have it done right.

I'm not sure why but I've been really missing Mom.  She passed away in November of 2019.

I remember as a kid she had massive Mums on the side of the garage.  They were pumpkin, burnt red, yellow and lavender.  I'm not sure what happened to them.  I saw some mums at Home Depot and I couldn't resist

If I can keep the plant alive, I'm going to plant it on the east side of my house after I've moved back in.  I've tried before in the front but the summer heat kills them.

Jeff A Weaver

[Jeff Weaver]

Pray for me!

Last Friday as I was on my way out of the rental car facility my contractor called and said that we want to file for the final payment (stating that the house is done) and he told me that if the insurance calls and asks to tell them that the house is done because it's 99.9999% done.  I agreed and that has been weighing on me.

I called the Public Adjuster, Ian, on Saturday and told him that we need to rescind that request and say we made a mistake because I'm not going to lie to the insurance company and tell them that the house is done when it's not.

Ian says he's on my side and that he's not going to lie either.  However, he insinuated that I might lose the depreciation ($80K).  When he said that I told him that I understand what he's saying however, I don't get how that's even applicable in this situation.

So I need God's wisdom on how to proceed.

I'm trying to keep track of my goals here and I thought well my #1 goal is to get my house fixed.  Well, actually that's my #2 goal because God is #1.

I will probably call them later.

I also received a call from the master builder, Juan.  He said that the fireplace insert I bought will not fit by putting it in front of the brick.  Then he asked me where are the pipes that go in the chimney.

I reminded him that the agreement was that I buy the insert because I wanted one with a blower in it and that if I bought it that they would install it.

He then tells me that he doesn't know how to install it and he doesn't want to be responsible for catching my house on fire.

I told him something like this:

I don't know anything about installing a fireplace.

Which one of us is the master builder here?

The fireplace insert has been in my house for over three months and you did nothing with it.  You've had plenty of time to figure it out.  Did you save it for the end thinking that I would just say forget it?

I had a wood burning fireplace before and I'm going to have one now.

You need to figure it out or hire someone to figure it out and you'd better make sure that it's not going to burn my house down.

This is not a new or unusual thing.  Lots of people have wood burning fireplaces.  Lots of people have had wood burning fireplaces.

You need to figure this out.

I covet your prayers,

[Jeff Weaver]

I think my problem is that the project manager, Tim, isn't doing his job.

The Microwave:

I was able to forward an email that I sent to Tim on August 28th about the Microwave to David this morning.  They were wanting to charge me to get the cupboards adjusted so that the door on the Microwave would open.

I don't think David, the contractor, knew all the details...

They were going to charge me $1,600 to rework the kitchen and I said I shouldn't have to pay for this because I brought this problem up and was told that it wasn't a problem.

So, they're going to get me a different Microwave that will fit and is not quite as wide.  David knows a concierge at Home Depot that will help us return the Microwave.  I told them I want a Samsung or Frigidaire.

I'm ok with this because I will not lose any cupboard space this way.  I have very little to begin with.

Electric/Oncor:

As far as the electric goes, I told Oncor we were ready to have it inspected and they said someone would call me and that hasn't happened yet.  The contractor was told by Juan that final plumbing inspection cannot be done until the power is on so they can test the water heater.  I was told that we failed because the power was off.  That someone had turned the temporary power pole off.  I was texting the project manager asking him how are we going to get four 220 drops to the water heater?  (I have an electric tankless water heater that requires that.)  I got some answers that didn't make sense to me.  Tim said that the temporary power pole had the capacity to handle that.  That's not what I was asking.  I was going to ask on our phone call today but since Juan said that we cannot do the final plumbing inspection without power to the house I didn't bring that up.

Fireplace:

So the fireplace insert I bought requires a special kit and David found that at Home Depot.  That seems to have solved that problem.  I asked for a diagram on how the fireplace is going to look and I think I'm going to be happy with the results.

So it looks like things are in a better state than at the beginning of the day.

Thanks,

[Jeff Weaver]

I think everything is progressing.  I've gotten a few texts with pics on the placement of the hand rails that I'm having them install in the guest bathroom.  I don't actually need them.  I'm trying to make my house suitable for me in case I need it.

When Mom came to live with me I put handrails on the toilet and she wanted me to take them off.  She said she didn't need them.  I told her you don't have to use them but let's leave them so that they are there if you do need them.  My parents were very resistant to things like that the elderly people need.  I decided that I'm not going to be like that.  After all, it is what it is.

The electric line hasn't been run. There are two things holding it up

1 -- Ashley with Oncor doesn't see the payment I made on Monday yet

2 -- The Oncor employee who inspected the work of my contractor told them that they need to put a mule line (pull wire in the conduit) in.  The contractor is saying that it isn't needed.  I really don't know why they are trying to get by without it.  I'm kind of glad that they are having that problem so they don't focus on the hold up that I'm dealing with.

I could have gotten it paid sooner.  

I waited until the weekend to look at it and try to pay it.  I didn't see any instructions or link to pay and I noticed that the Docusign was for Jeff Weavol and not Jeff Weaver.  I almost just signed it that way but I wondered what problems that would cause me later.

I think this delay is probably good.  I won't be doing my final walk-through on Saturday when I get back and I'll have the weekend to walk-through my house and time to check everything without being rushed.

I was talking to a friend earlier tonight and they told me that it's cold in Texas and there's a freeze warning.  I didn't think about that when I left.  I left my house plants outside (which they've been outside since the fire).  The low is supposed to be 39 degrees so they'll probably be ok.  If I had thought about it, I would have put them under the patio roof at least.

I'm going to trust God and let tomorrow worry about itself.

[Jeff Weaver]

First of all, thank you for your prayers.

Since the contractor, David Avery, found out that my project manager, Tim Mace, had not told anyone about the problem with the Microwave, David has asked me to keep him in the loop which I have been doing.

I sent a list of everything and basically got no response from anyone.

So I've started sending emails on individual items and sending corresponding text messages.  I'm sending the emails as well because I can find those in the future a lot easier than I can the text messages.

I've sent emails/texts on the following:

-- French Drain (The french drain on the side of my house where the power enters my house was damaged.  First it was dug up and then it was smashed when they packed the dirt down.  I fixed it, mostly, this weekend and I told them NOT to pack dirt.  Which I think that they interpreted that I was going to finish it.  I'm OK with that.  At least I know that it will be done the way I want it done.)

-- Thermostat -- It's in Celsius and I cannot figure out how to switch it to Farenheit.  Maybe a bargain but I need it in Fahrenheit.

-- Potential Fire Hazard -- There are electrical wires run for the medicine cabinet in the Master Bathroom that are currently buried in the wall and there is a wire run in the attic

-- Attic Floor -- I paid extra to have my attic floor finished and so far it's been ignored.  I think my project manager was just going to try to get that slide.  I think David Avery was pretty upset with Tim when I brought that up.  I'm OK with that!

-- Exhaust Fans -- At some point I started creating a Word Document for my weekly meetings with Tim and I'm glad that I did.  I went back and looked and the oldest Open Items list that I created with this issue on it was 08/16/2025.  To make a long story short, I don't think that the exhaust fans are properly vented.  There are no vents in the roof for them and there are no vents in the soffit.  So where are they venting?  Tim first told me that they were vented via the roof.  The only vents on the roof are the plumbing vents.  I did some research and you don't vent exhaust fans into the plumbing vents because 1 -- They cannot handle that volume 2 -- You could get some sewer smell back in you home.  Then Tim told me that they were vented into the dryer vent.

They don't know this, I bought a Fog Machine and I'm going to turn it on and then turn on the Exhaust fan and see where it goes.

I think that my project manager Tim, has been coasting through this and avoiding the hard items expecting me to eventually just accept things.  I'm not doing that.

Pray for me because I need to keep a working relationship with Tim while I'm pointing out multiple items that he's failed to address.

-----

I got a letter for Mom in the mail.  While I know it's not really a personal letter written to her, it looks like someone took the time to write and wanted Mom to be here so I could give this to her.

Mom passed away from Pancreatic Cancer in 2019.  I know she's better off now, that doesn't keep me from missing her.

She had Pancreatic Cancer in 2005 and had the whipple procedure.  They took out some of her pancreas and liver.  She went through radiation and kemo and recovered and lived another 14 years.  Most people who have pancreatic cancer don't live past five years.

She had stomach cancer in 2015 and recovered from that as well.

[Jeff Weaver]

I have a good development to report.

Yesterday while I was on the way to a doctor's appointment David Avery called me.  I was a little apprehensive to take the call but I did.

He apologized for not getting involved on the thread about the exhaust fans.

He told me that they would install vents in the soffit.

I asked him if they are going to know where to put the vents and he confirmed that they would.

I'm not going to get into the details but the thread with Tim (Project Manager), David, Kristi and Jaun, only Tim responded.  I don't think that Tim is being malicious, however, I do think that he is not a good project manager.  At one point I was told to go through Tim which is what I have been doing.  Recently David told me to keep him in the loop (once he realized the kind of job Tim was doing), so I have been.

I have been dreading moving forward, thinking that it's going to get worse before it gets better (that they were going to try to force me to accept some of this stuff that I've asked to be fixed.), however, I have a much more positive outlook after my conversation with David.

Thank you for your continued prayers,

[Michele Mullett]

Good to hear! 🙏💕

Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 7, 2025, at 9:59 AM, Jeff Weaver <weav...@gmail.com> wrote:



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If I can keep the plant alive, I'm going to plant it on the east side of my house after I've moved back in.  I've tried before in the front but the summer heat kills them.

Jeff A Weaver

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Jeff Weaver <weav...@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Oct 21, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Subject: Update on Jeff's Home Rebuild Project
To:

So before I left for my meeting I called the contractor and said, I'm not ready for the final punch list.  I said this meeting was supposed to be 1 - deciding where to dig in my back yard, 2- Getting a plan for the master bedroom closet and 3 - Figuring out what to do about the Microwave.  Now all of sudden it's a final punch list and I'm not ready for that.

He said this is a list of what to get done for the final inspection.

That's good we dialed it back a bit.

The Microwave Problem:

To make a long story short, I had been concerned that the microwave wasn't going to be able to open properly.  I had determined it needed 1 1/4 inch to open.  I even gave them new measurements for the cupboards to adjust for this.  I was told it would be fine and I didn't need to worry about it.  Well it wasn't.  The door couldn't even open 25%.  The best I could do would be to throw a burrito in there, Microwave it, and then get grab hooks to get it out.  LOL

So, now, they're going to make the adjustments that I had suggested in the first place (on September 2nd).

Now we're talking about a move-in next week.  Still a little ambitious but actually within the realm of possibilities.

It's looking more like a home.

When I was driving to my house I was stressed and I could here God telling me, I'm here.  That is so comforting.

This year the attribute of God that I've appreciated the most is his unchangeability.  We studied the crucifixion in Sunday School and I was thinking how Jesus could have done anything, anything else but he stuck to the plan.  What kind of world would it be if we had a temperamental god?

I trust God more every day.  I know what he's done for me, what he's doing and I know he will continue.

Praise God for his unchangeability!!!

God is good all the time.

Jeff A Weaver

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[Mandy McDermott]

That is awesome news uncle Jeff. I do belive that Tim is your main issue. Sadly, a bad project manager can derail a project completely and still expect you to pay. Don't. If it's not done per previous agreement don't pay.

Mandy

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/Ich_habe_gute/8B5E719D-5283-4F85-83A8-3337DA0E2544%40mmtaxservice.org.

[Jeff Weaver]

Again thank you for your continued prayers.

Well I have good things and bad things to report.

Good things.

The fireplace was finished and there will be an inspection tomorrow.  After that I can try a test fire in the fireplace to make sure that it is working properly.

When I saw the solution they had come up with I told them that it was not acceptable.  They had built a 14.5 inch deep cupboard to put a microwave in that is 19 inches deep.  So the microwave would stick out about 5 inches.  

I found a microwave that fits in the place over the stove and the door opens on the front of the microwave and doesn't need any space to the side of the microwave.  It's smaller than the original microwave.  I think it's a good solution.

The electricity got turned on last Monday.  There are two breakers that are tripping.  The project manager thinks that the breakers are bad and they're going to replace them.

There are additional problems with the wiring.  The items that don't work I cannot tell if they are on the bad breakers or not:

Dining room Chandelier

Patio Ceiling Fan

Hallway Lights

One of the bad breakers has the Microwave and kitchen fridge and those aren't working right now.

I told the project manager this on Saturday and he seemed amicable and he even wrote it down in some kind of journal which I've never seen him do before.

I have an electric tankless water heater.  It has four 220 drops to power it.

I decided to test it to see how much it could handle.  I opened the hot valve on the tub, the sink and then the sink in the master bathroom.  I was trying to start the water on the bathtub in the master bath and while I was doing that I noticed that the sewer water was coming up from the drain.

So there's a problem with the sewer drain.  I've been hearing water in the drain and wondered why that was happening.  Now I know.

I think that if they clean out the sewer it should be fine.  It probably has some ash or something similar that got down in there somehow.

I bought a shop vac and cleaned up the bathtub and toilet.  The guest bathroom smelled pretty bad.

[Jeff Weaver]

I re-read this and I think I can (should have) made it a little clearer.  I started typing it Sunday night and just got really tired... and then I finished it this morning)

Again thank you for your continued prayers.

Well I have good things and bad things to report.

FirePlace -- Good Thing

The fireplace was finished and there will be an inspection tomorrow.  After that I can try a test fire in the fireplace to make sure that it is working properly.

Microwave -- Bad Thing turned into a Good Thing

When I saw the solution they had come up with I told them that it was not acceptable.  They had built a 14.5 inch deep cupboard to put a microwave in that is 19 inches deep.  So the microwave would stick out about 5 inches.  

I found a microwave that fits in the place over the stove and the door opens on the front of the microwave and doesn't need any space to the side of the microwave.  It's smaller than the original microwave.  I think it's a good solution.

Electrical -- Good and Bad Thing

The electricity got turned on last Monday.  There are two breakers that are tripping.  The project manager thinks that the breakers are bad and they're going to replace them.

There are additional problems with the wiring.  The items that don't work I cannot tell if they are on the bad breakers or not:

Dining room Chandelier

Patio Ceiling Fan

Hallway Lights

One of the bad breakers has the Microwave and kitchen fridge and those aren't working right now.

I told the project manager this on Saturday and he seemed amicable and he even wrote it down in some kind of journal which I've never seen him do before.

Testing the Hot Water Heater -- Good and Bad Thing

I have an electric tankless water heater.  It has four 220 drops to power it.

I decided to test it to see how much it could handle.  I opened the hot valve on the tub, the sink and then the sink in the master bathroom.  I was trying to start the water on the bathtub in the master bath and while I was doing that I noticed that the sewer water was coming up from the drain.

So there's a problem with the sewer drain.  I've been hearing water in the drain and wondered why that was happening.  Now I know.

I think that if they clean out the sewer it should be fine.  It probably has some ash or something similar that got down in there somehow.

I bought a shop vac and cleaned up the bathtub and toilet.  The guest bathroom smelled pretty bad.

While testing the hot water heater, I had it set to 119 Degrees Fahrenheit.  When I had the guest sink, guest bathtub and master bathroom sink all full open on hot.  The guest bathroom sink was at 113 Degrees Fahrenheit (the sinks have an LED on them that tells you the temp).  The guest bathtub felt like hot water and the master bathroom sink was at 113 Degrees Fahrenheit.

If your tankless water heater isn't powerful enough to keep up once you over do it you will likely just get unheated water.

I've had a tankless water heater for years.  I had three before the fire.  The first two were not powerful enough, if you turned the bath on hot and opened it up all the way you'd get unheated water.  The third one I had is the exact same model that I have now (I made sure of that.) and I forget the specs on it.  I think it says that it can handle two showers and two baths at the same time.  If it can handle both bathrooms going at full throttle on hot then I'm sure I will not have any problems.

[Jeff Weaver]

It's hard to know where to begin.

Things that have gotten done this past week:

-- Allot of paint touch ups and minor things

-- The Stove and Dishwasher are installed

My project manager asked me on Wednesday if the Stove and Dishwasher would be there on Thursday.  I hadn't ordered any appliances yet.  He told me to order them for a move in on October 6th which didn't happen.  I've been a little skeptical since then.

Well, I knew what I wanted (for a stove and dishwasher) and I thought if it's part of the contract why not get them to install them.  They were installing them when I arrived on Saturday.  I found a bracket for the back of the stove and two stabilizers to keep it from tipping over.  I showed these items to them and pointed to the documentation in Spanish.  Later someone told me that maybe they cannot read.  I hadn't thought of that.  Well, they didn't install either.  I pushed the stove back out and installed the bracket on the back side of the stove.  This stove has the knobs at the front and is flat.  This bracket was to close the gap between the wall and the stove which makes sense.  I wouldn't want to be frying an egg and accidentally drop it behind the stove.

I didn't try the dishwasher because of the sewer problem.

They were supposed to have the final inspection today.  I think that they canceled it because of the sewer problem.  I had Berkeys fix the sewer in 2023 and I replaced the water line coming into the house in 2024.  I wanted to call them before I made a decision, thinking that maybe I had some kind of warranty.  They showed that they gave me a quote for the water line in 2023 but they don't show working on the sewer line.

I'm kind of glad for the delay for two reasons:  1 - I thought that they would just get it to pass.  I mean how would they know that the sewer backs up unless they ran a bath and then emptied it and I doubt that the inspector does that.  So this gives me some confidence that the inspection is not going to be pencil whipped.  2 - I'm very apprehensive about the next step.  This at least gives me a moment to breathe. I think that this is going to get harder.  There are many items on my list that have not been, many of them are not big.   A few that are big (things I cannot fix)

-- The Whirlpool bath in the master bathroom does not have power

-- The ceiling fans in the living room and master bedroom are missing

-- The external doors need to have the strike plates installed and probably need some leveling

-- The ceiling fan over the patio doesn't have power

-- The rails on the bottom of the master bedroom closet needs to be fastened to the floor

This weekend I installed the doorbell button on the back door.  Whoever installed the doorbell either didn't try it or realized it wasn't working the way they had it wired up.  

You wouldn't believe how hard it was for me to get them to install the doorbell.  They knew I had ring doorbell cameras and kept telling me that I didn't need a doorbell.  First of all, I wanted a wired doorbell just because that's what I wanted.  Secondly, I can power the Ring Doorbells from the wired Doorbell and I don't want to have to remove them every six months and charge them up.

I actually ran the wires for the doorbell buttons and purchased the doorbell that I wanted to make it all happen.

Pray for me (I'm very thankful for your prayers).  I know God is there for me and I'm still stressed.

My friends whose Pool House I've been staying in want me to move out once the final inspection is passed which is not going to be the end.  I have a great deal of apprehension over this (moving into the house before everything is done).  I'm very grateful for what they have done for me and I value our friendship.

[Jeff Weaver]

I had a brief discussion with the Contractor (David Avery) and the project manager's boss (Kristi)

My main intention was to talk about the sewer blockage.  I've been told it was in the yard, however, when I was discussing this with someone they pointed out to me that when I had the clean out covers off that there should have been water coming out there and that wasn't happening.  I mistakenly thought that they had put something in place to prevent that from happening.

We talked about that, however, unknown to us there was already a plumber out at my house.

I just got a call that the plumbing problem has been fixed.

David asked me how everything was going and I told him that there were still some issues with the house that needed to be fixed.

He told me to send a text to him and Kristi only.  It sounds like they are getting interference from Tim (the project manager) and Juan (the master builder).

I text them (David and Kristi) a little while ago saying I want to run by the house to make sure I don't miss anything.

That's encouraging!

I think I'm going to email them a word document.  It's really too much for a text.

I think David really wants to do a good job.  I'm not really sure about Tim.  He's lied to me a lot.  I've asked for an additional cupboard for the kitchen (back in September) and last he told me that it's built but he just hasn't remembered to bring it to my house and yet he signed off that item on the punch list on my snackbar.

I don't think I come across as being that stupid.  Maybe because I stutter he thinks I'm not smart enough to connect the dots.

Again, my main goal is to get my house finished the way I want it done.

Thanks for your prayers,

[Jeff Weaver]

A Lot has happened this past week on my house and it looks like that my house will be ready next week.

I think the next few days will be stressful.

To back up for a minute, I went to Austin to have Thanksgiving with my family at my nephew's house.  I got back late Thursday and slept late on Friday.  When I woke up I had a message from David Avery to call him immediately.  So I did.  He wanted me to get with Tim the project manager and go through my list of things that needed to be done (that I had sent him earlier in the week).

They were going to finish it on Friday (which they didn't because it was too much...).

So they worked on it today and got most of it done, not all.

So I was on my way to Cooks Children's Hospital (My niece's daughter, 2 months old, has been having trouble eating.  She's doing better.) David Avery called me... He was talking about when I was going to get the check from my public adjuster for the final payment from the insurance.  He wanted to know if I wanted Kristi to meet with us (I knew what that meant) or if I would meet with her later.   I asked him why Kristi would be meeting with us.  He said to get the final check.

I reminded him that I was not going to give him the final check until my house was done and the inspections were passed.

So, we're all meeting at my house tomorrow.

[Jeff Weaver]

So yesterday the house passed the final inspection.  I'm going to ask the contractor for a copy so I can show the code enforcement agent who has been working on my case.  I think we're going to meet next week (Tuesday).

I've ordered a Springform Mattress for my Futon (which will arrive next week) and the Washer/Dryer and Fridge are supposed to arrive on Saturday.  I'm a little concerned because they (the contractor) still need to put in the access panel I asked for by the back of the Washer/Dryer.  I'm getting a front loading washer/dryer and they are going to be stacked.  Once you move them into place you're not going to be able to get to the back.  I've asked for an access panel in that wall so you can get to it through there.

Things left to do:

-- Install a round window in the Master Bedroom (it was added during the process and wasn't on the original plans so they wanted to wait until after we passed the final inspection).

-- Install exhaust fan covers for A - The Laundry Room, B - The Master Bathroom

-- Install Access Panel for Washer/Dryer

-- Install Screen Door on Sliding Doors

Yesterday,  I paid the contractor for most of the special projects that I added and for trenching the electrical wires.  I wanted to only pay half of the final.  I ended  up paying more than half but kept some back.   I owe them for installing the additional cupboard and I'll owe them some for the window.  The rest are part of the original job.

They were asking for one check but I split it into three.  1 - Special Projects, 2 - Trenching, 3 - % of Final Payment.  I want it to be clear what has been paid for.  I don't want to have to re-figure it out each time something comes up.

I was concerned earlier in the week that the contractor was going to want all of the final payment when I paid $25K out of my own money at one time to keep them working.  It wasn't an issue.

That made me wonder, how many things have I worried about that have never happened.  I don't know but I'll bet it's a huge number.  I thought about the verse:

Matthew 6:34 (KJV)

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

I'm going to let tomorrow worry about itself.

I built a fire in the fireplace yesterday.  I had a little trouble getting it going but once I did it put out some heat.  It wasn't a big fire but the heat lasted for hours.  Now I think I should have gotten one with a bigger fire box.

I realized months ago that this house would not be perfect.  If everything went perfectly I'm still involved and I'm not perfect and I've never done anything like this before.  I told myself to accept that (this would not be a perfect house).

They still have some of my furniture.  A couple of wooden tables, a couple of bar stools, a storage box that I built, and a storage box that my dad built.

I have some things in the shed out back but it's been cold and my back yard is so muddy (from digging it up to trench) that it's hard to go into the yard and not track mud into the house.  (I'm so glad I have wood laminate flooring and not carpet.)  

Thank you for your continued prayers,

[Jeff Weaver]

They finished up the list and I got everything addressed that was on the list.

The one working talked me out of putting the access panel in behind the washer/dryer and I don't think he was just trying to get out of work.  (My washer/dryer are going to be stacked and they will fit in a space 36" x 30.5 inches wide.  Now they are 27" wide but the tough part is connecting everything in the back, which is why I wanted the access panel.)  The access panel would be in the dining room right at eye level and so yes, it would look better without one.

They asked me to confirm my decision and told me that they would not be coming back.  I confirmed, thinking that it would be easier to cut a hole than to patch one up.

I ordered extra long hoses for the washer, a magnetic connection for the dryer hose (two actually one straight and one 90 degrees), an extension cord for the dryer, one for the washer.  So we'll have to hook everything up and then slide the washer/dryer into place.  Hopefully the installers will work with me and not give me grief over being a difficult installation.

I'm not actually moved in yet.  I have a mattress on order that should arrive next week and a night stand (I need one to put my CPAP on).

I've also ordered miniblinds for the front windows.

Once I have those two things in place (next week), I should be able to move in.

I have a pile of stuff to go through in the garage that the contractor brought back.  It was "cleaned".  Notice how I put quotes around that?  My hands get sooty handling the stuff.  I did complain and they were going to send a cleaner over to clean the things that I pointed out to them.  When they said that, I told them that I need time to go through this stuff and I realized that was the same as saying you don't have to clean these items.

They still have my wooden furniture.  I think they recently sent them out to be re-finished.  They've only had all my stuff since May.  My furniture should be back next week and they will deliver the furniture to my house.

I am blessed in many ways:

-- #1 Blessed to be forgiven my sins through Jesus' death and resurrection

-- Blessed to have God I can count on to be with me

-- Blessed to have a church family, my family and Christian friends who care and help

-- Blessed to have insurance to help me recover

-- Blessed to be healthy

PS:  I'm not really sure what happened Thanksgiving week to motivate my contractor to get everything done.  There were things on my lists that were months old and they finished the list in five days (Friday, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday) which is lightning speed compared to what had been happening.

[Jeff Weaver]

I went to Home Depot to make sure I have everything that might come up when they arrive with my appliances (which aren't here yet, they are two stops away right now).

I thought you might like to see the space for my washer and dryer:

When I got back from Home Depot I started looking at the "Magnetic Dryer Vent Coupling DV180" and I realized that it is supposed to be installed on the wall and I needed to cut off what was sticking out in order to install it.  It surprised me and this was at about 2:30 and my scheduled time was 3:00 - 7:00 PM.  I was reluctant at first, like maybe I'll have a big mess when they come...  I decided to try, I used to have some hand saws but they've disappeared (they were not burned up in the fire, they were probably liberated).  So, I thought I need to go to Home Depot and buy a hand saw.  Then I remembered I had a reciprocating saw in my shed (that was sheltered from the fire/smoke/water).  I got to work and I'm pleased with the results.  You can see it in the previous picture.  This one is better:

I'm not sure if I really need it but it might help.  So you just have to get the hose close to the opening and the magnets pull it in and it's sealed.

I'm ready now for my washer/dryer which is still two stops away.

I'm looking forward to being able to do laundry in my own house.

(I need to get back to work.  Cleaning, Organizing ....)