Keeping home and hearth together.

Chimney without a finish

What am I missing here?

Entry way for birds?

 It's been 30 years since we had new siding on our house so it was time.

The original siding had faded and suffered numerous collisions with basketballs, soccer balls, and kids.

I called up a company that advertised good work and free estimates.

They came out, took pictures and calculated a way to replace what we had for a hefty price.

We assumed we were in good hands.

The company ordered the materials and it soon landed on our driveway, awaiting workmen.

It was exciting and we were confident we were doing the right thing.

Three guys showed up and started to tear away the old siding.

They pulled and ripped and hammered and cussed.

Seems our house has some challenges beyond the steep roof and front dormers.

The work went ahead.

We tried to be brave as the noise and commotion went on around us. Decorative pieces on our fireplace mantle fell off. Pictures on the walls tilted.

We smiled and waved as we went in and out of the house. The workmen smiled back and promised they were making good headway.

Then trouble arrived.

The workmen took off for lunch and didn't return that day.

They came back saying they were nearly finished.

We looked around and noticed a number of things still to be done. I started making a list and taking pictures.

The work boss came to the door.

"Can you sign this completion order so I can get paid?" he said. "My children need Christmas."

I refused to sign and took a tour of the neighborhood to see if other homes in the area had finished chimneys and edges with no open ends. I returned with a punch list of 18 problems.

The work boss sighed. He began to glower.

He said our house had taken a lot more time than he planned and we owed him money for things he hadn't anticipated.

Marc and I started hiding out to avoid him and his completion sheet.

Then it started to snow, heavily. His wife came to the door to ask if we could come show her husband what still needed to be done.

We went on a mini-tour, dropping a couple of things because we were feeling guilty but we insisted on a cap on the chimney and the dormer work.

 Eventually, we signed the paper and called it good. 

But we feel like Scrooges...