Sweat Equity

I have a list of tasks that need to get done before I can put my house on the market.  It seems like an awfully long list, but I know that once I get started it'll all be done before I know it.  The list is separated by items I can do myself versus tasks I need others to do.

This weekend I have spray painted the gas fireplace surround (very successful), spray painted an old air intake vent (not so great), sanded and painted a patch my contractor left on the wall upstairs after fixing HIS plumbing mistake (bastard), and started work on my entry door.

When I first looked at the door, I thought for sure it would need to be replaced.  The finish was peeling, and it squeaks when opening.  But knowing that my budget is tight, I decided to see if I could refinish it instead.  First I sanded off what varnish I could, then put paint stripper on the parts I couldn't get to.  Then I put a coat of Gunstock stain on the door.  It doesn't look half bad!  I'll add a second coat in a couple of hours, let it dry overnight, then do a couple coats of varnish.

Lowes finally delivered my baseboard and bedroom doors this morning.  They were supposed to be here Friday morning - they called Thursday afternoon and said that they didn't have a driver.  I explained that I had already taken the day off and really needed the baseboards - she said they'd get them to me sometime on Friday.  Friday night they called and said that the truck broke down, and could they please deliver on Saturday instead?  I called bulls**t on that one; was the truck broke or did they not have a driver?  Profuse apologies and waiving the delivery fee later, I hung up.

Saturday...all day...no Lowes truck and no phone call.  By this point I was resigned to not getting my stuff until Monday.  My handyman was waiting for the delivery so he could start, but he has a doctor's appointment on Monday, so now he can't start work until Tuesday.

This morning (Sunday) I got the phone call - Lowe's will be here in an hour.  I didn't take my frustrations out on the drivers; I don't think they actually work for Lowes anyway.  Since we're expecting another round of cold and rain Tuesday, I guess I'll be painting baseboards on my birthday (tomorrow).  Good thing I took the day off to celebrate!