I have NEVER hired a construction worker or plumber that has done perfect week. From carpet guys to installers, there has always been something that was a little bit off or had to be corrected.
...but then again, I'm not perfect and neither are you. We are all humans and we make mistakes. I think the BIGGEST difference between whether a company is good or bad is not whether or not they make mistakes. It's about whether they are willing to fix their mistakes.
As a homeowner and employer, you are entitled to a good job. You don't have to pay until the work is done and, many times, this encourages workers to do it right.
Never pay your workers the full amount when they have just finished. First, go over the work that has been done, share your concerns, get things fixed and then pay them.
Everyone makes mistakes; will they make it right? - Rejoicing in the Present
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
#1 You Get What You Pay For
"You get what you pay for" is to be the number ONE lesson I learned from home renovations. If you wonder why you are getting such an amazing deal, stop wondering. You are NOT getting an amazing deal.
Unless, there is an amazing sale with a 100%-guaranteed business that has been around for decades, I would encourage you to look around for a 2nd opinion. Whenever I have gone the "cheap" route, I have ended up with cheap products or cheap work that doesn't last for long.
When we hit bathroom #3, we were worried that we were running low on money. My husband met some handymen at the dump during the middle of our project, so we decided to give them a call to see how much they would charge. The price they quoted was ridiculously low and I excitedly called my husband and parents. They were a bit doubtful and even warned me about it, but I was so excited. These guys did an average job on the majority of the bathroom, but when it came to the shower pan, the floor sloped toward a corner instead of the drain. We asked them to fix it and while attempting to do so, they messed it up worse. Too late, we got a 2nd opinion and the cost to have their job fixed was $1500.
Before, I knew what a poor job they would do, I referred them to my friend. She also tried them and, in the end, had to pay a LOT of money to another company to fix their work.
This is not the first time this has happened to us. We also had another guy work on our trees. He offered to cut a certain number of branches and do so much work for a certain amount of money. He gave us a low-ball number which we couldn't pass up; however he had only done part of the job when he demanded the money. We had to hire another man to come back and finish the job.
Here are a few suggestions...
I hope this helps someone. - Rejoicing in the Present
Unless, there is an amazing sale with a 100%-guaranteed business that has been around for decades, I would encourage you to look around for a 2nd opinion. Whenever I have gone the "cheap" route, I have ended up with cheap products or cheap work that doesn't last for long.
When we hit bathroom #3, we were worried that we were running low on money. My husband met some handymen at the dump during the middle of our project, so we decided to give them a call to see how much they would charge. The price they quoted was ridiculously low and I excitedly called my husband and parents. They were a bit doubtful and even warned me about it, but I was so excited. These guys did an average job on the majority of the bathroom, but when it came to the shower pan, the floor sloped toward a corner instead of the drain. We asked them to fix it and while attempting to do so, they messed it up worse. Too late, we got a 2nd opinion and the cost to have their job fixed was $1500.
Before, I knew what a poor job they would do, I referred them to my friend. She also tried them and, in the end, had to pay a LOT of money to another company to fix their work.
This is not the first time this has happened to us. We also had another guy work on our trees. He offered to cut a certain number of branches and do so much work for a certain amount of money. He gave us a low-ball number which we couldn't pass up; however he had only done part of the job when he demanded the money. We had to hire another man to come back and finish the job.
Here are a few suggestions...
- If it seems like it's too good to pass up, PASS IT UP.
- Ask for referrals. Go online and check the people out. Read all the good and bad comments. Contact everyone you can. Make sure that they know how to do the job.
- If you have a gut feeling, listen to it. (I overheard them talking to someone; that gave me a clue that they didn't know what they were doing. I ignored it. Not smart!)
- Check to make sure that they are licensed and insured. If they mess up, you want to make sure that they have insurance to fix it.
Monday, January 11, 2016
Bathroom Renovations
Sweet little A. called all the men working at our home over the last few months plumbers. Of course, they might have been construction workers, carpet guys, electricians, but no matter what they did, to him, they were all "plumbers."
He picked up a construction-worker voice. He tried to follow them around. He would lay by our front window watching them work in the front yard and then jump up and greet them every time they came in. They were his friends and entertainment. He really liked them and misses them now that they are not here.
For the rest of us, it was a ROUGH few months. We started the process at the end of August and it's January now with a few little things left to be done.
I learned A LOT of hard lessons. I want to share some of them with you over the next couple days. If you plan to do any type of renovations, I would encourage you to follow along. You are also welcome to leave a note below with extra tips. - Rejoicing in the Present
He picked up a construction-worker voice. He tried to follow them around. He would lay by our front window watching them work in the front yard and then jump up and greet them every time they came in. They were his friends and entertainment. He really liked them and misses them now that they are not here.
For the rest of us, it was a ROUGH few months. We started the process at the end of August and it's January now with a few little things left to be done.
I learned A LOT of hard lessons. I want to share some of them with you over the next couple days. If you plan to do any type of renovations, I would encourage you to follow along. You are also welcome to leave a note below with extra tips. - Rejoicing in the Present
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
When you fall...
As some of you know, my blog is a journey and the last thing that I want from any of my readers is for them to think that I am some high and mighty Christian who does everything right. ...and of course if you know me in person, you know that this is FAR from the truth. Hahaha.
Let me explain: recently I wrote about my new year resolution. I had really been thinking hard about what I wanted for 2016. It wasn't hard for me to see my faults and realize the distractions of life that had come between God, my family and myself. So I decided that what I wanted was to be attentive. To be present with my family and God.
I determined to do this and shared my journey with you.
I woke up on January 1st and received about 10 phone calls which right away distracted me from my kids. I got annoyed at my husband and the day quickly grew dark.
I didn't just break my resolution, I blew it up into a thousand pieces.
But January 2nd was another day and as the Bible reminds me, "For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief." - Proverbs 24:16
I was reminded "Every day is a new day."
And you know what, I will mess up. I will fall down, but THROUGH God's grace, every day is a new day. Every moment is a new moment and I CAN, with God's grace, reach those God-given goals.
Sweet Sister, IT IS HARD.
The devil wants us to fail.
Our flesh tends toward sin...
BUT GOD
... HIS GRACE IS HUGE.
He WILL help us.
If we ask HIM.
Remember there is a January 2nd.
There is also a January 3rd.
GET BACK UP!!!! - Rejoicing in the Present
Friday, January 1, 2016
2016
Welcome, 2016! I have a feeling you are going to throw me more then a few curve balls, especially if it's anything like 2015.
I don't know about you but I DO love New Year's resolutions. I guess I really like the idea of being able to start over with a clean slate, with a fresh start.
For 2016, my goal is to be attentive. So many times, I feel like I am rushing around like a chicken with its head chopped off. I'm too busy to answer my kids' questions, my husband gets pushed aside for a load of laundry and that Bible study I've wanted to do keeps sitting on the shelf. I would like to be more attentive first and foremost to God. I'm not sure how this will look but I'm pretty sure it's going to mean less time on media.
Next, I would like to concentrate more on my husband. As I've been reminded by a dear sister in Christ, you don't know for how long you have him and that dumb old laundry can wait for a kiss and a hug.
Lastly, I want to be more attentive to my kids. To be more attentive, I need to make some cuts and I think that social media is going to be one of them.
Let's be attentive to those whom God really wants us to minister today. God first, family second. - Rejoicing in the Present
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Christmas Pictures 2015
Ok, moms, ADMIT IT.
Getting family pictures is stressful! We all have to match. Everyone's hair has to look perfect. Everyone has to be rested and everyone has to smile at the same time. Oh, and no throw up, spit up or diaper explosions.
We get there and try to smile, while encouraging the rest of the clan to look at the camera and smile! Most of the time (at least for us) there are 25 terrible pictures and 4 good.
At our latest session, our sweet little princess was no sugar and ALL SPICE. Whewwww! She wanted nothing to do with those pictures. After a VERY long sitting, we got a few that we were able to work with, however, we all were CRAZY by the end of it. We were "all through".
Normally, we only share the sweet pictures, but I had to share these others because I wanted you to know that I'm a real mom with real kids struggling to point them in the right direction.
It's rough at times, it's crazy at times and it's awesome at other times. So today, I had to laugh and share and just say, "It's OK mom. It's really OK." These "spicy" pictures will be ones that we share at her graduation. :-) I hope these make your day a little better.
Getting family pictures is stressful! We all have to match. Everyone's hair has to look perfect. Everyone has to be rested and everyone has to smile at the same time. Oh, and no throw up, spit up or diaper explosions.
We get there and try to smile, while encouraging the rest of the clan to look at the camera and smile! Most of the time (at least for us) there are 25 terrible pictures and 4 good.
At our latest session, our sweet little princess was no sugar and ALL SPICE. Whewwww! She wanted nothing to do with those pictures. After a VERY long sitting, we got a few that we were able to work with, however, we all were CRAZY by the end of it. We were "all through".
Normally, we only share the sweet pictures, but I had to share these others because I wanted you to know that I'm a real mom with real kids struggling to point them in the right direction.
It's rough at times, it's crazy at times and it's awesome at other times. So today, I had to laugh and share and just say, "It's OK mom. It's really OK." These "spicy" pictures will be ones that we share at her graduation. :-) I hope these make your day a little better.
Saturday, December 12, 2015
Nisi Dominus Frusta
Nisi Dominus Frusta means " Without the Lord, Frustration". Have you ever started a project and become so frustrated because it just didn't seem to be of God?
Have you sat back and wondered whether what you were doing is of any importance?
Ok, it pays the bills, gives you a little extra, but is God in it?
If you were to stop doing what you are doing, would it make any difference?
Have you sat back and wondered whether what you were doing is of any importance?
Ok, it pays the bills, gives you a little extra, but is God in it?
If you were to stop doing what you are doing, would it make any difference?
Ok, here is some straight-up honesty.
A frequent argument between my husband and myself occurs because I forget to ask him before I make plans. Usually, I make plans and then closer to the time, tell him about them. About 90% of the time, he likes the ideas or plans, but sometimes our schedules overlap or it's something that he doesn't agree with. I've always been a very independent person and an idea person, so when I get a new plan, I don't stop to ask, I just do. Many times, things work out great but God is not always in them and THIS is a problem.
So I struggle not only with asking my husband, but more importantly God.
God has a plan for my life and knows where I can be best used, but if I don't "with" His plan, then I am laboring in vain.
This HIT me hard recently when studying Psalms 127:
Vs. 1: Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
Vs. 2: It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
Solomon who wrote this Psalm also said in Ecclesiastes 2:1 "Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity."
Can you imagine working all your life and then finding out that it was all in vain? How painful that would be! In fact, that is a terrifying thought to me. I want to be ALL that God wants me to be. I would like to be intentionally spending every second of my life ONLY doing what God would have me to do. Anything less would be vanity.
Read Psalm 127:2 again. You know those hours that you have been burning late at night getting that project done? Well, what does the verse about that?
Friend, we need to get rest. We need to live on less. We need to be where God desires us to be. We need to spend every second doing what God has desired for us.
Now, that doesn't mean I can't work in a secular work environment. What it means is ask God where He wants you.
Ask Him how many hours He wants you to work.
Ask Him, "do I really need to do this extra work to get that extra __________?"
Is that extra item really going to bring God glory and honor?
Be intentional about labor and laboring for God. Don't get to the end of your life and realize that all you did was WORTHLESS.
To end, I want to share with you a statement from Benjamin Franklin. Many people believe that he wasn't a Christian, but you will see that even he knew that there was a God in control.
I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth- that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? To that kind providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? or do we imagine that we no longer need His assistance? I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth- that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings, that "except the Lord build the House they labour in vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better, than the Builders of Babel:
Vanity or Fruitfulness--what do we want our life work to be? - Rejoicing in the Present
A frequent argument between my husband and myself occurs because I forget to ask him before I make plans. Usually, I make plans and then closer to the time, tell him about them. About 90% of the time, he likes the ideas or plans, but sometimes our schedules overlap or it's something that he doesn't agree with. I've always been a very independent person and an idea person, so when I get a new plan, I don't stop to ask, I just do. Many times, things work out great but God is not always in them and THIS is a problem.
So I struggle not only with asking my husband, but more importantly God.
God has a plan for my life and knows where I can be best used, but if I don't "with" His plan, then I am laboring in vain.
This HIT me hard recently when studying Psalms 127:
Vs. 1: Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
Vs. 2: It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
Solomon who wrote this Psalm also said in Ecclesiastes 2:1 "Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity."
Can you imagine working all your life and then finding out that it was all in vain? How painful that would be! In fact, that is a terrifying thought to me. I want to be ALL that God wants me to be. I would like to be intentionally spending every second of my life ONLY doing what God would have me to do. Anything less would be vanity.
Read Psalm 127:2 again. You know those hours that you have been burning late at night getting that project done? Well, what does the verse about that?
Friend, we need to get rest. We need to live on less. We need to be where God desires us to be. We need to spend every second doing what God has desired for us.
Now, that doesn't mean I can't work in a secular work environment. What it means is ask God where He wants you.
Ask Him how many hours He wants you to work.
Ask Him, "do I really need to do this extra work to get that extra __________?"
Is that extra item really going to bring God glory and honor?
Be intentional about labor and laboring for God. Don't get to the end of your life and realize that all you did was WORTHLESS.
To end, I want to share with you a statement from Benjamin Franklin. Many people believe that he wasn't a Christian, but you will see that even he knew that there was a God in control.
I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth- that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? To that kind providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? or do we imagine that we no longer need His assistance? I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth- that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings, that "except the Lord build the House they labour in vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better, than the Builders of Babel:
Vanity or Fruitfulness--what do we want our life work to be? - Rejoicing in the Present
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