Basket Case

Things have been a little crazy around here.
Oh.  You've heard that before.

Have I mentioned my gazillion trips to home improvement stores?  I think the workers at Home Depot are just as sick of seeing me around (endless questions, returns, assistance needed), as I am them.  I've actually dashed down a random aisle to avoid running into a few.  Yesterday I had to call and leave a message with Connie, who, due to an earlier dispute confrontation situation, I would rather not talk to again.

I probably haven't been a piece of cake to work with either.  My favorite excuse is that I'm hormonal.

Oh.  You've heard that before, too.

This was my problem yesterday:

 We ordered both of our countertop selections through the aforementioned home improvement store.  We comparison-shopped, and negotiated a price-match on the granite.  The store sub-contracts the product and work orders, so we ended up having two different companies providing the product, and two separate installers.  We had carefully reviewed our orders, making a change on the granite corners on the island, post template.  We had discussed the change with a HD employee, and also called the supplier to confirm the change.  

 The Silestone was installed first, on Monday.

 The installation was NOT problem-free.  The template-maker had neglected to note that the electrical outlets by the desk area were less than 4" from the surface of the desk, rendering their pre-cut 4" splash-guard (or whatever it's called) too tall.  A quick solution was demanded needed, so Bill and I decided that they could cut it down to 3", which could be done "on-site."  The problem now is that the cut doesn't appear to be completely straight, and since they used a clear caulking at the seam, I notice it.  Bill and I have discussed how we can remedy the situation.  His idea was to put crap stuff on the desk.  ("Won't there be stuff on the desk anyway?" he asked.)  I'm not so sure it is the best solution, so I hope that we can find caulking that will blend the seam a little better.  If not, I will accessorize the desk and camouflage the seam.  And wipe it out of my mind forever (the second half of Bill's solution).

At least the corners were finished as requested.

Yesterday was the scheduled granite installation.

Yes, I signed off on the job prior to noticing the corners were wrong.

Both Bill and I made some phone calls, and this morning he told me he had a message that the corners would be fixed today.  On-site.  (That makes me a bit nervous, since the on-site cut of the Silestone was less than perfect.)  I'm sure most of it will never be noticed by the naked-non-critical-average-basement-visitor eye.  They'll be too busy watching the TV that will someday go here:

  But it's just so gosh-darn easy to get caught up in the smallest details when you're in the middle of it all.

To relieve my frustration (which is really just minor, despite the long, detailed explanation of the most recent basement-finishing anxiety), I went looking for baskets.  We have several built-in areas that will necessitate them, but they are very size-specific.  Initially I spent some time online, searching the internet, but then decided I would just take my chances on the good ol' reliables, Target and Walmart.

Target did not disappoint (no need to run across the street to Walmart), and I came home with many possible options.

The winners are:

Today I will be returning all others, and purchasing multiples of these little babies.

I am ready for the basement to be done.  I am ready to be finished with the constant flow of a myriad of workers through my home.  I am ready to have spare time that doesn't need to consumed with endless painting.  I am ready to clean up the dust.  I am ready for the doors to be hung, the carpet to be installed, and the touch-ups to be completed.  I am ready to drive by home improvement stores and have no need to stop. 

I am ready.