We wondered if we were getting the right people for the job.  We had cupboards to be installed so we hired our name for ourselves “dodgy brothers.”  Turns out they did what appears to be a good job,
It is not like we did not offer it around, telling others we would pay for the work to be done. But no-one jumped at the chance, and we were left with a decision that meant if we wanted it done, we needed to do it ourselves.
I have found it is often the case that if someone else is to be involved it happens almost effortlessly, whereas if not, then nothing happens despite our best efforts. (I can point to many things around here where only one person or company offered to do the job, and one was all we needed.)
Anyway, we ended up getting what we needed and doing it ourselves (what was needed included a microwave holder which we got earlier).
We had determined that Tuesday was the day.  Talk about best laid plans.   I received a phone call that meant I could not do it when we had decided to do it.  We had set aside 9-12am.  But it did not happen then.  Instead in the afternoon we decided we would just do it.
Merril actually loves this sort of stuff and had found where she believed the studs were and marked where drilling needed to take place.  I had looked up drilling into walls (with electricity in mind) and knew I could approach it with confidence.
We had bought cupboard holders from Bunnings.  The cupboards (from our old kitchen) proved to be lighter than expected.
We got the job done and it has proved to be the sort of thing we go back and have a look at marvelling at how well it all turned out.
We did go up to Bunnings after the event and bought a “you beaut” stud finder as well as an electronic distance measurer.
Now for installing a splash back under the cupboards.  I have stuff I want to do outside but the goal of being able to walk away from the completed room by the end of January is very much still achievable.

Yesterday I designated as a stamp day.
Merril had arranged to meet someone and would be gone about five hours.  I had decided in that time I would be working on my stamp collection.
That was the plan anyway.  There was no doubt I started with heaps of enthusiasm.  But the more I looked into it I daw the more I had to do.  It is well set up right now but I want to make it better.  I have heaps of unallocated stamps that I want to find a home for.
On the Saturday we had gone to a stamp club that operated once a month.  I have really enjoyed going to that for a number of reasons.  We get to met new people.  I get to see how a stamp club operates.  I get to see what I should do with excess stamps.  (while learning that I can pick up stamps I need or am interested in.) They have an auction at the end and a lot of good stuff can be picked up real cheap (like for a couple of dollars.)
As it had recently been my birthday I had a few dollars to pick up some stamps.  I did that.  I saw a few sets from around the world that I like.  One set was a rugby union set from New Zealand.  Another was aircraft.  I also purchased one lot at the auction and picked up a number of sets.  I spent some time later adding them to my collection.
Merril arrived home and I asked how she was on a scale of 1-10 with ten being really good.  She said between 8 and 9.  When she asked me I said between 7.5 and 8.  I let her hknow it was rising.
The reason it was rising is because I had stopped seeing only the amount I had to do but also the amount I had done.  It is actually remarkable the number of hours I have put in to get it where it is today.
I had spent time working on a “stamp plan.”  Rather than a nebulous feeling of unease I wrote down all that was required to do and the steps involved.  There is no doubt in my mind that makes it better for me.  I am not good with a vague feeling of disquiet when I know that the solution is to break something large down into smaller achievable steps.
So there is heaps to do but there is heaps that has been done.  I’m encouraged.  I can see the personal satisfaction reward and the future reward for work.  I enjoy it and I have a plan.

Sometimes I ask myself “what are you doing Kuskie? Why are you doing this to yourself?”
There can be a number of things that bring that on.  Sometimes it is others who are expressing doubts and sometimes it is me being overwhelmed, or experiencing a lack of feelings for what I had in mind in a moment of inspiration.  They actually say life is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration.  From my experience that is pretty close to right.
One of my worst enemies is myself - my most constant battle.  I know I can be really hard on myself.  In fact, I know there are times I need to give myself a break.  The last thing I want is to try and pull myself up by my bootstraps.
I do love some of the self help ideas and think there is much good in much I see and read.  But it is my belief that such things are good for those who can be helped by such things.  From what I have seen there is a multitude of people that are like “that’s very well for you but I tried it and it did not work.”
I heard the other day that the 2nd Friday in January has a name.  It is called “quitters Friday.”  It is the time where new years resolutions are discarded.  People go back to the way things were.  Good intentions are relegated to the “that was a good idea” and remains an idea only.
I do think much has to do with the culture we have been brought up in.  There is a sense that failure is due to my not trying hard enough.  That I can win by will power.  But in that regard I am one of those who can say, “that’s very well for you but I tried it and it did not work.”  It seems the harder I try the more predisposed to failure I am.
For me that was a really important lesson.  And it is the core of my faith.  Something I say often concerning stubborn difficulties I have is “not my problem.”
It is weird but I was reminded of “Lego Master.”  I am in awe of the contestants creativity and ability.  But what I remember in relation to this, was how those building something would race to another area and get the resources they needed to continue and build the work.
That is how I feel.  I heed to run to another area to get the resources I need to continue and finish.  I may be my own worst enemy at times. but I have found a way to beat me and I couldn’t be happier.