The Money Pit

Remember when Rush was so frustrated with the subs, and I was worried he might kick the sheetrock guy to the curb? Well, he’s even more frustrated with the drywall itself.

First I have to brag. Rush has gotten so much done lately—finished the laundry demo, put in new supports and subfloor, framed a wall with a pocket door and transom for the half bath, moved some switches/outlets, put in a fan/light and has begun the process of putting up sheetrock in that area.

But he’s miserable.

First of all, to use his words, it’s been “hotter than 400 hells” lately, and since there is no ductwork for the AC, we have only box fans to fight the heat, akin to tossing a thimble of water on a raging forest fire.

But even worse than the heat is Rush’s disdain for drywall. I went over to help him hang a piece on the ceiling one morning, and it wasn’t long before the ill-fitting sheet went flying out the back door to its demise, a string of curse words close in tow.

Since then, he works only on small sections at a time and quits to do something else whenever he feels his blood pressure rise. Drywall sheets across the Valley are resting much easier these days.

Thinset, if you’ve been keeping score, became my nemesis this week. But I am pleased to report that the rivalry was put to rest last night.

I mixed up a batch to start tiling one of the shower walls, and rather than mixing to peanut butter consistency as I had been advised, I went slightly looser, closer to brownie batter. It was perfect. Went on the walls much like the mastic, and the tiles adhered beautifully.

Of course now that I have asserted this triumph, I’ll go in tonight and the tiles will be in a heap on the floor, but for the moment, I’m savoring the sweet taste of victory … mmmm … wish I were savoring the sweet taste of brownies …

After this house is done, maybe I’ll start watching less HGTV and more Food Network!