• queenparanoia said on Jun 19, 2008....

  what? why? what happened!?!?!?!

• botoni said on Jun 19, 2008....

  Ok.  Before all my non-readers decide I'm perverted and demented let me explain that Cash Corner is not exactly what it might sound like to some folks.  Cash Corner in this city is spot that has remained the same for more than 100 years.  Men who want casual labor jobs for cash congregate at this location.  Folks who are looking to have odd jobs done drive there state the work they have and the wage they are willing to pay and thus a verbal contract is formed.

  Part of the delay on my renovation project is the fellow I've hired to do the carpentry portion.  I ignored my own wise counsel and offered the job to a personal acquaintance who is momentarily out of work.  His work is superior.  He is very detail oriented and meticulous as well as knowledgeable.  He is, however, scattered.  Something in his inner mechanics just doesnt function.  Due to his helter skelter approach to things he takes much longer to actually complete a job.  I care about this guy and appreciate his work so I've been immensely frustrated with the time everything takes not to mention that he shows up for an hour here and an hour there or not at all.

  I've tried several techiniques to keep him engaged but he just gets lost in his self reverie.  His wife has ratted on him several times.  Letting me know that on several occasions when he was to be here working he was merely parked in front of the TV at home.  Lighting a fire under him is not a simple thing.  I've tried pleading, cajoling, coaxing.  I've tried offering rewards.  I've tried setting schedules.  I've tried asking his wife to get him motivated.  Nothing works.

  Today I decided I'd try one more tactic.  I called my friend and told him I would go down to cash corner to find some help for him.   I also told him the time I would be back and that I needed him here to supervise.  I found two men who looked like they were anxious to work.  We negotiated an agreable arrangement.  I brought them back to the house about noon hour.  During the fifteen minute drive to my house they were pleasant to talk to and sounded as if they might actually know a bit about the jobs I had in mind for them.

  Things to do today included -

  Empty an old freezer.

  Move it from the basement to the dumpster.

  Move an old fridge from the basement to the dumpster.

  Pull plaster board down on walls that are being moved.

  Haul it to the dumpster.

  Remove wall frames while rescuing any useable lumber.

  A small amount of yard work.

  My friend was actually here when we got back.  The two fellows went immediately to work on their tasks.  In the meantime I had observed that neither brought a lunch with them so I offered to make some sandwiches.  When the sandwiches were ready they both were slow about dropping their jobs to come and eat because they were so enthusiastic about completing.  

  After a brief break they went quickly back to work.  They were rapid and dilegent even to the point that they carefully cleaned up any mess that happened.  My friend worked right along with them.  The three of them completed all the assigned projects in record time.  My friend and I are both so impressed with their work that we have asked them to come for two more days at least.

  Nice men, hard workers and appreciative.  I drove them home after the jobs were done, paid them the agreed fee and gave them a few extra 'thank you' dollars.  

  It isnt often that such superior work ethics show up when it comes to casual labor.  I'm delighted all the way around with the results.  Summing up - my friend worked harder and more consistently than I have ever seen.  Working with these two fellows seemed to keep him in the swing of things.  I mean it when I say...........

  I GOT LUCKY ON CASH CORNER TODAY. 

• queenparanoia said on Jun 19, 2008....

  oh okay i get it... it's nice that you gave them jobs... =) 

• uniquely-ironic said on Jun 20, 2008....

  Hmmm, wonder if they have a cash corner in my neighborhood. 

• woman said on Jun 20, 2008....

  Botoni~I need a cash corner! This remodeling stuff goes wayyyyyyyyyyyy too slow for my liking. Sounds like you feel the same. We hired professionals for some jobs, but the majority is being done by a son-in-law, my husband, myself, and an occasional child (grown). So, it's slow and a cash corner would be perfect. I did hire some college students for a few days and that was fabulous; they did their best for us. How much longer is your project going to take?

• botoni said on Jun 21, 2008....

  Queen.....They were such good workers that I'll have the same two men come for more projects as we get to them.

  Woman....You and I are in total agreement on the waaaaaaaaaaay to long!  Like you I've hired professionals for some jobs and friends/family/etc are helping with the jobs we feel confident about.  Our city has a major building boom going on so getting the trades people to look at a job like mine is difficult.  I just wait until they are willing/able to make time for me.  We tore out the first of the cabinets in late April and it looks like it will be at least August before we have hope of being finished.  Admittedly, like you, my project grew from simply changing the kitchen cabinets to gutting the kitchen, replacing all the plumbing and wiring, moving windows and doors, removing a wall between the dining room and hall, resurfacting all but the living room floor and gutting 3 bathrooms for complete redos as well as changing two bedrooms into one with a 4th bathroom of its own.  Then the exterior requres both front and back decks and walkways rebuilt.  Oh, also the flooring in the remaining two bedrooms and in the basement. 

• woman said on Jun 21, 2008....

  Botoni~Lordy! I think I feel better for myself but worse for you after reading this. My hope is do be done by August also, but sometimes it is a comedy of errors around here. So who knows. My craziness is spured on by my upcoming retirement. What lit your fire?

• botoni said on Jun 21, 2008....

  Woman.....Please dont feel to sorry for me although on the other hand sympathy is appreciated!  My woe is definately self imposed. 
  Fanning the flame?  Hmmm.....I bought this house with a partner.  That turned supremely sour quickly after our purchase.  When we bought the house I liked it but hated the kitchen and my partner talked me into buying anyway.  Now part of the reno could very well relate to my 'claiming' the house as my own.  LOL.  I should take advice from my dogs.  When they want to declare territory as theirs they just moisten the edges.

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