Monday, January 5, 2015

No Family Rates Given





Heh. I seriously understand those signs I used to see everywhere like the one above now. As you know fair readers I am nearing the end of my Maternally enforced slave labor in finishing out the little cabin/mini-house for my Mother.

The insulation is all hung, the wiring all redone since she changed her mind half a dozen times on the final materials after the electrician left, the floor is laid, the paneling all (almost) hung and today I framed out a small closet for her.

A job that should have taken maybe 2 to 3 hours ended up taking more like 6. Why? Because as I worked my Mother sat there in a chair in front of an electric heater (complaining about being cold) and tried to tell me how to do it and then when I didn't do it her way demanded I explain why I wasn't doing it her way.

Now I admit I am no where near a professional carpenter. Far from it, but I know enough about it to at least be to the point that I know I suck at it even when my finished results look good to the untrained eye. I also know I don't have all the super expensive and hyper accurate tools I should be using so I accept the fact that I might be off square a 1/16th of an inch or so here and there. That's why the good Lord invented quarter round and edging don't ya know.

However when I am putting in a simple closet and I have to stop to explain why I used a solid 2x4" over the top but not on the bottom and then why it's better to not have to toe in a construction screw at an angle when ya don't have to....

My head was exploding.

Then she looked up and commented that the job would go much faster if I just used the end I had just cut from one 2x4" to measure the excess off the others. Now theoretically perhaps I can see how she might think that's a good idea but in practice I know from experience all that does is continue to expand any little inconsistencies or minor flaws from one board to the next etc. I prefer to measure and place each stud therefore if I screw up it only effects that one board.

I ignored her.

Then I ran out of construction screws because she forgot to pick some up and she suggested I could use nails. Well ok I guess although when trying to hold two half completed closet walls together I prefer to not have hammering added to the mix. I got down from the ladder and flattened out the end of the nails I was going to use to keep from splitting the pine 2x4's and she starts asking why I was wasting time doing that.

By that time I was fed up and ordered her out. She didn't leave but did shut up for a while until she switched to the part of nagging that if I had taken my carhart bib off she could turn the heat up a bit more. It was 68 inside by the thermometer and she was sitting in front of her heater shivering.

The last argument we had was when I refused to use two left over half pieces of paneling for one side of the closet wall unless I added in a horizontal stud. She never could grasp what I was telling her that you cannot leave an edge on think paneling hanging unsupported because it would warp eventually. She then told me that the other pieces weren't all supported on each side and I just looked at her like she was stupid. I'm like ahhh yes they are. Top. Bottom and both sides. That's why I have to cut them to end halfway on each stud. I don't think she believed me to be honest.

So I didn't even get to the edging today. Doesn't matter really because she can't move in until the weekend but I am not sure I am not going to kill her before then anyway.

Keep Prepping Everyone!!!

  

13 comments:

  1. Why do you put up with that stuff? You are being manipulated, royally. Talk about stress!

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    Replies
    1. Tewshooz - I wouldn't call it manipulated so much as my Mother knows she is an expert at everything, just ask her :)

      She has always been the type that when she wants something she will go whole hog on begging, spending, arguing and ignoring everything else until she gets it. Right now she wants to move in and start arranging things the way she wants em and is annoyed it is taking more time than she would like. Just the way it is. Like the 20 some odd power outlets she insisted on having installed. Her old house didn't have enough to suit her so she over did and never gave a thought to how much extra time that added to the whole dealing with each one, or changing her mind about the wall coverings. Cause and effect.

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  2. PP,

    I absolutely hate having my Mom as a supervisor watching over your work......they criticize or critique every thing. That's why I always send my Mom out to take care of something, I can get more done when she's away.

    Take a deep breath my friend, this housing project will be done before you know it.

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    1. Sandy - Despite repeated delays and problems I think I maybe on the home stretch finally.

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  3. I never let any of my close relatives watch what I am doing unless they have a hammer and saw and are doing it with me. Especially my wife. She even tried to tell me how to use a file once!

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    1. dennis - Ya my Wife and Mother act the same way. They both know the best way to do something and have all the answers. If it wasn't her new home I would banish her from it :)

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  4. You should be the National Poster Child for what a good child looks like. I am proud of ya PP.!
    Is there a chance you can do a post of some pics, I would like to see atleast the outside of your moms lil house.

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    Replies
    1. JuGM - I will sneak an outside pic in here soon. Trying to find a good angle that doesn't show too much of the rest of the place off for easy IDing.

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    2. I concur with that one.. thanks though.

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  5. Quarter round, edging and don't forget the ultimate.....Caulking!

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    1. Sf - I really like the straight block edging that doesn't require miter cutting :)

      Why people like fake plastic wood with decals covering it as a veneer these days is beyond me.

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  6. You need to tell her to BE QUIET. She is being way too controlling.

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    Replies
    1. Janet - LOL I tell her occasionally and she shuts up for a while but she can't help herself and starts back up again within an hour or so.

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