New Counters! or not

We have beautiful counters! I have been wanting to say that for the entire four years I have lived here, and finally the dream has come true. Of course, they still do not look as good as they will once we tile the backsplash, but at least they are there! Update: This paragraph is false.

Here is the list of what still needs to happen in the kitchen before we can call it finished.

• Remove the countertops (view post)
• Install new countertops
• Move electrical outlet
• Tile the backsplash
• Patch wall
• Paint
• Paint door
• Caulk moldings
• Polish cabinets
• Polish hardware
• Reconfigure cabinet storage
• Clean everything well and put it back

I wrote the above last weekend, but I suppose it was premature. I meant to be able to cross of the second item on my list, but that did not happen. I am sure you are wondering what happened. Here is the next episode in the saga.

We must start where we left off last week. As you know, there was some prep work required before the counters were put in place. First Douglas cut the counters away from the holes in the back corner.

Well, he tried until the blade came out of the saw.

Luckily, it was not broke, merely loose. The counters were properly cut.

Then, he glued some wood blocks in place to hold the new drywall.

The drywall was cut and hung in place.

Finally, he spackled the area.

The holes were patched, and everything was ready for the counters.

Monday morning, the company came to install the counters. My excitement was running high. I was supposed to be at school, but a snow day allowed me to be present for the installation. I started taking pictures of each step.

Five minutes into the process, I realized that something was wrong. These were not the counters I had ordered. I ran to get the sample I had brought home. I am thankful now that I took it. You can see that the counters are a solid color, while the sample has a slight pattern. The counters are Arctic White, while the sample is Arctic Granite.

I immediately stopped the guys from installing the counters, while I ran to get my paperwork. When I saw it, my heart stopped. Although, I had shown him the sample for Arctic Granite, the salesman had written down Arctic White. I had not paid close enough attention to the details when I signed the paperwork.

At this point, I started to cry and went into the bedroom to compose myself before going back out. I spoke to the man in charge, and he made a couple of phone calls. Unfortunately, he told me that there was nothing that could be done. I would either have to install that counter or purchase a new one.

I was distraught. There was no way that I was going to pay for a new counter from scratch. I should have tried to call Home Depot at that point, but I was too upset to think clearly. I told him to install the counters, left Douglas in charge and went back to the bedroom to cry some more.

Once I calmed down a little, I vented in my journal. I may have used words such as hideous to describe the counters. I was vehement in my hatred for them. I needed to figure out a way to get rid of them ASAP.

Douglas came in to ask me if I wanted to come out to see the counters before the workmen left. No, I did not. I was determined to stay in my room for the rest of my life, so that I would never have to lay eyes on those horrible counters.

I pulled out the book I had started last week, Running the Rift by Naomi Benaron, is a book about the Tutsi genocide in Rwanda.  That put things into perspective for me. How could I cry over counters when my family and I were safe? I started to calm down. Unfortunately, shortly after that I began to cry over the horrific things that were occurring in the novel. To put it mildly, my emotional state was fragile yesterday.

It was at that point that I received a call from Home Depot.  The order specialist that I spoke to has been extremely nice and sympathetic to my situation. She was upset to find out that a mistake had been made and has assured me that they are going to do their best to get me the counters that I wanted in the first place, Arctic Granite. That is where we stand now. We have communicated via phone and email several times, but I still do not know what the final outcome will be.

In the meantime, I am trying to be patient and not get worked up about the situation. No one is trying to kill me or the people that I love. My house has not suffered fire damage, like what happened to Carrie at Brick City Love. My life is blessed. Not even the counters can get me down. They are at the very least better than the counters we had before.

Hopefully, I will have better news in the next update. In the meantime, go visit the other houses participating in the Kitchen Challenge to see what they are doing.

Sarah at the Ugly Duckling House

Carrie at Brick City Love (No, she has not given up since the fire!)

Kelly at House of Gold

Suesan at Frou Frugal

Happy Homemaking!