Bathroom Remodel

Posting for the first time today. It's a beautiful fall day here in western NY. Wishing I had time to sit down and create on my computer again. My friend Jana is always an inspiration to me and it has been so very long since I did any creating. Unfortunately that will have to wait. Upsetting news today ... the bathroom remodel we just finished has so many issues to be corrected. We were so excited to update everything and now it's a day to day nightmare. New tub and surround, new toilet (which was rerouted away from the corner), new sink and vanity top, and new tile floor. We have had to call them back 3 times to fix the tile. Today I found out why the grout keeps breaking and cracking. There is no way to permanently fix it without replacing the whole floor. I am heartbroken. No green board behind the tub ... no backer board under the floor tiles. The light has only one screw holding it in place because the contractor could not tighten the second screw. He states the box is full of wires. H E L L O ... that's your reason. The sink does not hold water. Makes me wonder what other issues are lurking behind the walls that we cannot see. To top it off I just painted and added a new wallpaper border before we realized so much had to be corrected. We were told by the contractor that a grab bar (which we wanted anyway) would tighten up the back of the surround. OK ... but now both ends are flexing and the caulk seal is broken on all 3 sides. He tells us he cannot put green board behind the walls ... ??? I think we need help and a second opinion. If ever I wanted to start a project over, this is the one.

As I sit here and write about my bathroom nightmare, I am transported to the memory of recent pictures of the devastation from TS Lee near the homes of my children. And I hang my head in shame. But for the grace of God, I too, could be one of those suffering the loss of all their personal belongings or even their home. I am reminded that the things we place such a high value upon are just that ... things. They age, they fade, they break, they become lost, or packed away in a closet or basement. If you could walk out of your house today taking only 5 items with you ... what would they be? When all our "things" are stripped away ... who are we?