Stress a Nation Away

Lisa just called... has spent the last 20 minutes talking to Frank. He wants her to go to Lowe's and buy the fixtures (the list of which I sent to Dana a week ago... but it seems that with the high Holy Days, both Dana and Fred are out of commission). He's not concerned with the possibility of rain (now 10% for tomorrow night and 60% Friday)... he thinks the tar paper will be up for the first floor roof, and the actual shingles complete for the second floor... of course, I'm concerned about all that exposed wall wood (both plywood exterior walls and studs... and, hell, flood)... but whatever. He really wants those fixtures.

So Lisa's going tonight... after juggling dinner with Dad and the boys, Jack's basketball, and -- while we're thankful there's no water polo practice tonight -- Kyle's major essay due tomorrow. She's stressing bigtime, and I was wish I was there to help.

But I'm not. I'm here.

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UPDATE: Lisa called me back to tell me the rest (the first report wasn't complete).... there are now questions about windows... seems that the east windows in both the master bath (above the mirror/vanity) and stairwell are goners. After some complaints by Lisa, she "may" have saved the stairwell (thank goodness, as that one is vital for morning light in both the entry way and the family room)... but the bath one is done for sure. Also, the window in the dad's bath doesn't seem larger than it is now (as it is in the plan)... nor the garage window. Frank also says, much to Lisa's disappointment, that the tube lights probably won't fly in the laundry room and hall... they'll get in the way of the heat/ac ducting and fire sprinklers. Frank's also balking at the kitchen hood, claiming that it would need to be of a ductless variety (which would yield less power than my desired suck-the-flying-grease-out-of-the-air-above-my-frying-chicken velocity). They CLAIM that it's not as easy to suck the air out when there's a story above the kitchen... but what they seem to fail to realize is ... THE HOOD DOESN'T VENT UP... IT VENTS OUT... DIRECTLY OUT OF THE WALL... check out the plans (lower floor for hood; exteriors for porch, stairwell window, garage window, guest bath window, and kitchen hood; electrical for hood).

And that's the issue that's getting to us... they don't seem to be working off the plans. The stairway window needs to go because of the porch roofline, but that roofline is NOT according to spec (not in its height nor its pillar). The hood needs to be ductless because it won't go up a second story, but the vent is supposed to go directly out the wall (whoosh). It seems that we are being made to "settle" for construction changes that make things easier on Coastline. And if that's the case, if we're losing items that are IN THE FUCKING PLANS, then we should be compensated for those changes. But Lisa and Frank are not the ones who can settle this. Only Fred and Lisa and I can. Only I'm out of town, and Fred's out of the loop. When I get back, there's going to have to be a reckoning (porch roof, stairway window, master bath window, guest bath window, garage window, hood vent)... and if Lisa and Fred have joked about my grumpiness before... oh, wait until they see me next week.

I miss my family and my house, and I am NOT a happy camper.... I'm pissed off that I can't be there to help (the only thing that angers me more right now is UCLA Football... so you know how mad I am!)...