Twiddling Thumbs

We have been waiting for an available electrician all week. Most around here do only commercial work or McMansions, so finding a handyman of an electrician is tough. One guy I did find hasn’t called back all week, although he said he would come over a week ago. Another guy came over and took measurements weeks ago, but has not called back and is impossible to reach. I am moping about it. I only have one more month to get this room done before school starts. Since we homeschool, I NEED my living room back. I am feeling a bit anxious. Everything is all ripped out and is waiting for the electrician…

I have been reading electrical books, and everyone says electric is easy. We have done some electrical work ourselves, sure… but this is a codes thing. I am not sure of all the details an inspector will be looking for. Do I have all 20-amp receptacles, or 15-amp, or a mix of both and how many? What if I can’t loop wiring between studs (because of the noggin)? Is there any restriction about having to loop below the flooring to wire receptacles? How do I wire a pair of sconces to one switch? Etc etc. And then I know that I am unable to tie everything in to the circuit breaker– I have my daring moments, but I know my limitations. I have no idea how the breaker works and is connected, and I have no desire to experiment and find out.

So we are stuck with open walls right now. I have been puttering with furnace ducts, planning how to cover the open gaps around the chimney (which we are going to leave intact for now; maybe next year we can remove it), and we’re finishing up the drywell outside. But I am desperate to get the wiring over and done with. Ugh!

Once the electric is all done and the inspector leaves happy, then things will really get rolling. In the next four weeks, I plan on:

• putting up the sheetrock
• spackling, sanding
• caulking all around floors, windows, and other openings
• painting walls with primer, then paint
• sanding wood floor
• staining floor, then sand, poly, sand, poly
• insulating below the living room floor (basement ceiling)
• installing electric light fixtures
• moving our desks and chairs back in the room
• unpacking our hundreds of books, papers, notebooks, and supplies, and setting up our computer and printing station again

I am not going to install window/door trim nor baseboard moulding yet. After the sheetrock and insulation, we’ve run out of money. I’m going to save every dime and hopefully we’ll finish the room next summer.

When I close my eyes, I can see the finished room. Plus, it will be warm! Plus, it will finally have enough outlets and lights! No more extension cords and lamps everywhere! No more blankets wrapped around frozen people with frozen pencils and books!

Oh, I also have to repair the hole left behind by the removal of our half-wall in the breakfast room. Whew! Come on, electrician, get over here!