My middle name must be..."That will be a Change Order:

Side of the house with the new Hardiplank

picture #2: one of my two Murano glass pendants for the kitchen.

I can actually see the end of the tunnel and it has been paved with sweat, sleepless nights and costly errors...errors that my contractor has fixed at their cost. Yes, I am up to six change orders; however, they are all (always ending in two or three "zeros") issues that were unforseen. A few tears here and there, a few less splurges on dresses and pedicures. Today, I just realized that I am going to be getting standard white plastic wall and electrical outlet switches. So tonight, I spent 2 hours on the internet and found the coolest switches that don't have screws in them. Who knew? Why would I want to spend the extra money? I guess it is because I am actually celebrating the fact that my ex-husband isn't around any more to spend my bonus money. That is reason enough, believe me.

Mastic....a word I learned from my mom, who continues to amaze me with her vast knowledge of countless home construction terms. She also has a list of 60 (yes, that is right) items I need to review and check off with my contractor, who is most likely wishing he never took on my job. Seriously, how many home owners have someone on sight every day of the construction process? That was my mom...for 5 months. Fortunately, I have been here most of the time. I'm still worried that my washer & dryer won't fit into the new laundry room and more than sad that my dream item: the drop down ironing board won't fit. Remember, this is the same girl who is over the moon about her wall mounted Toto toilets...Life begins at 50 I tell ya....

I think a sinkhole has developed in my back parking space. the massive truck that comes in to remove the trash container is so heavy that it crushed the cement square where I park. I fear that my car will disappear down the hole. My contractor said they will fix it.

I'm inhaling too much dust and I'm too lazy to dust. Pathetic. I wash out my yogurt dishes in the bathtub. For those Seinfeld fanatics, there was an episode with Kramer about this.

My boyfriend has cooked for me more times than I can count. I bring him Ketel Vodka. I do my laundry over there as well. I tried doing it at the Laundromat a while back but it used 10,000 quarters.

My sub contractors are really nice and when I buy them lunch at the Chinese restaurant and Dominos, I know they appreciate it...that is, until I made them take down all the crown moulding. My painter informed me that the walls were never primed before the crown moulding and caulking was done. My architect came over, the owner of the contractor business came over...they are very accommodating but what if my painter hadn't told me the damage it would  have caused down the road. UGH!!! So now when they see me, they run to a corner of the room. Bottom line: it's my money. It has to be done right the first time. No apologies. Did I tell you my architect is so amazing? He's so smart and so direct and professional. He has stood by my side throughout the process and when so many things have gone wrong and I've had issues, he is there to make sure it gets done right.

One of my other favorite splurges: mini blinds built INTO the glass panes of  my French doors on the lower level and on the sliding glass doors in the Master Bedroom? No dusting! No installation of blinds into the doors, no clanging of the blinds when I open the doors - a very clean look.

picture above is my master bath (still unfinished) that has two gorgeous glass niches.