That remodel

I’ve been blissfully ignoring that remodel. But then this afternoon while I was in a training class, my phone logged two calls and a voicemail from a company I recognized as a brick supplier. So at break I called them. They immediately put me on hold. And I’m thinking – I’ve got less than 10 minutes to use the restroom, get a new cup of tea, check my email, and make this stupid phone call, so any moment I’m going to hang up.

But just when I was about to hang up on them, they came back on the line and told me they can deliver brick tomorrow. So huh, apparently we ran out of bricks and ordered more. I was happy unaware of any of that. The brick guy asked, would we be there tomorrow for the delivery? And I’m like, “No. Tomorrow I’m working in Santa Fe and John’s working…hmm.” (somewhere – I don’t know – I think he’s in Los Alamos tomorrow? or was that today?)

They explained that they could deliver it next week (sounds good to me). But they told me that John was in a rush and he had told them he was planning to pick it up himself on Saturday morning because we need it right away.

And I’m thinking seriously? No, that’s nuts. What the heck? Why would John do that? That’s crazy. That would take most of Saturday and we have a shit-load of other things to do. And how is he going to pick up a pallet or two of bricks himself? You need a forklift for that! What’s he going to do, take the pallet apart and move it a few bricks at a time into his Jeep? John gets stubborn and doesn’t use his time well. He just powers through and does whatever it takes, and it’s not always the wisest or most efficient method.

Our brick guy has been laying brick off and on for a month or two now; how’s three more days going to make any difference? And as far as I know, the kitchen cabinets aren’t even ordered yet. So it’s not like that house is going to be livable anytime soon, brick or no brick.

After I was off the phone, I was thinking, there’s got to be a better way. I called them back, waited on hold again, and said, “Look, if I pay over the phone, can I have someone else be there instead of us? It doesn’t have to be us, right?” (And I’m frantically trying to think, do I have any friends in Placitas who would do this for me?) But then the guy said, no one has to be there to take delivery if I’ve already paid, OBVIOUSLY (and he actually said that, “OBVIOUSLY” in a really snotty tone of voice.)

So I said, “You’re not being very nice to me (yes, I said that.) It’s NOT obvious. Not everyone will just deliver materials without anyone being there.” (Believe me, I know.) Anyway, I told him I’d go get my credit card number, so he put me on hold again. Forever. But finally I got the brick paid for and it should magically show up tomorrow. Without anyone being there!

It comes on a huge truck, with a little forklift on the back, that the guy uses to bring the pallets up the steep driveway from the big truck at the bottom of our hill. I blogged about it awhile ago when the first batch arrived. Quite awhile ago. A really darn long while ago!

Anyway, I’ve got the brick coming tomorrow and I saved John’s back from near-guaranteed ruin.