TIME OUT...by b. Malin
SO...HOW'S IT BEEN GOING
Well here I am, it's about 5:30 on Sunday afternoon, and I'm finally back to say "HELLO" to my Hub Friends...It's been a Fun Filled Week working on the "Condo with the View"... Am I being Sacastic? I'll let you be the judge of that, as I tell you some Frustrations that came along.
Monday...We arrive to find the "Commode" in our Bedroom DRIPPING...And the "Painter" looking HORRIFIED because he has just come from there. Lover Man says, "Don't worry, I can FIX it... the "Toilet Fill Valve" just needs a little tightening". Both the Painter and I are Impressed, as my man gets down on his knees and tries to Tighten that little valve. He does so, and then sees upon removing the lid from the Toilet Tank, that the "Fill Float" was also Broken. No Problem.. A run to Home Depot, and the Commode is ready for more ACTION. What a Guy, my Lover Man, I am in Love!
Tuesday...We arrive and the Painter is coming out of the Guest Bathroom and the first words out of his mouth are, "The Sink is LEAKING"! My Man says, "No Problem"...and back we go, this time to "Lowe's", to pick out a new Faucet, A Gold one, and the parts for underneath the sink. Well this FIX was going to take much LONGER... Lover man gave up on it by 6:30 p.m. with parts all over the place. Meanwhile, I had gotten the name of a "Joe the Fixit Man". I called him, much to Lover Man's Protest.. "Joe" could come by on Wednesday. "How much do you charge"? I asked him over the phone. "$25.00 an hour. I breathed a sigh of relief and Lover Man just grunted. I wind up leaving a note for the "Painter" not to use this bathroom sink...there is no running water, only a bowl sitting underneath.
Wednesday...We arrive and the "painter" is actually PAINTING! Joe the "FIXIT MAN" arrives with his young son of about 6, who is Large for his age, even though he is called "Little Joe," He and I wind up out on the Lanai, and I find myself impressed with this "Talkative boy", who is really very sweet and so well mannered. Meanwhile Lover Man shows Joe the "Problem Sink". Lover Man still wants to "Fix It" himself...This must be a GUY THING... Joe winds up giving him the same advice that Lover Man quoted to me on the drive home the night before. In his mind he knew what he was doing wrong, and how to solve it. Joe has been with us at this point, about 20 minutes. He has never touched the sink. I asked how much we owe him for his time and advice. He hesitates. "Would $20.00 be ok"? I say. "That's fine, Joe says, after all I didn't really do anything"...That's true I think as I look at Lover man who is Smiling, and looking so Happy...And Yes, he does Fix the Sink... That's My Man, My Lover Man!
Thursday... "Bill" the Licensed Contractor arrives with his Son, "Todd", the other Son, "Teddy", is in the Hospital with "Food Poisoning" that he got after the Super Bowl Game on Sunday. Of course we are shocked and sorry to hear that. Bill assures us that "Teddy" is built like a big Bear, and should be coming home over the weekend. Mmmm, I think, cute, "Teddy Bear"...I couldn't resist that thought! Anyway, the Boys are supposed to work on the ceiling in the kitchen, and update the Electrical with GFI's, as well as put up all the New Ceiling Fans. But now Bill will be helping Todd until Teddy is well enough to work. I say to Bill, "We heard he would need to get a "Permit"...He says "Nah, I know Robert the Buildings Supervisor, and he kinda WINKS at me. So I say, "Are you sure you don't need one". "Sweetheart he say, If I did, I'd be the first to get one, please don't worry your pretty little head about it". "Ok, I say, Ok". Meanwhile the "Painter" is saying, "you do need a Permit". Now as this day comes to an end, the "Painter" and the Licensed "Contractor" are GLARING SILENTLY at one another!
Friday...We arrive at the Condo, only the "Painter" is there with a story to tell. It seems that Bill and Todd arrived in their Truck promptly at nine, and started working on putting up the Ceiling Fan in the Living Room. No sooner had they drilled their first hole, the "INSPECTOR" arrived and shut them down. "Do you know why"? he said grinning from ear to ear. "Oh let me guess I replied, and then Lover Man and I both said in unison, "they needed a PERMIT". "That's right, the painter said smugly, They needed a PERMIT... didn't I tell you so"? "Yes, Lenny, you did, I sigh. "Hey, I didn't Snitch on them" he replied, "Those Inspectors just ride around until they see a Contractors truck...they're like Blood Hounds...they just sniff around until they find their man". Then "Lenny the Painter" goes back to painting, and Lover Man and I silently go out to the Lanai to take in the view and just Breathe.
Later on in the day, as we are leaving, "Bill the Contractor" calls to say "I guess you heard what happened"...I said, "Yes we did". "Who knew, he replies...It is what it is...I'll apply for the Permit on Monday...not to worry, just a little setback...you'll hear from me in a day or two". "How's Teddy doing"? I ask. "Well he comes home on Saturday, and with this little setback of ours, you know the Permit... he will be able to join Todd and I, hey, that's the bright side of the coin". "Yes it is" I say as I look at Lover Man, who can hear the whole conversation for I have Bill on speaker phone, he is nodding and Smiling. We say our "Goodbyes" and hang up. Lover Man grabs me and kisses me and says, "Time Out" it's the weekend! Yes I think silently, as I kiss him back, and remember all the returns we have to do on Saturday to Lowe's, and Home Depot.
