I’m quite delighted the toilet has finally been installed. I’ve been trying to work out what magic led to Gary knuckling down and calling the plumber.
I know you are wondering, “Does she not know how to use a phone and call a plumber?” It’s just that house maintenance duties are his, and I know how it would make me feel if he ham-fisted his way into something that’s “my” job. I know some people feel nagging is necessary, but I avoid it – at times I will try to employ subliminal reminders, like: “Oh, just put the mail on top of the toilet tank in the foyer.”
So, here’s the timeline. I need to record these events so I can try to reproduce them the next time a Gary project happens.
- Mid-April: toilet is purchased and the three resulting boxes are unpacked in various spots in the house.
- Late April: driveway contractor is contacted and contracted. They will be coming out in early July.
- Early May: crack appears in basement, crack repair is contacted. They will come out “some time this summer.”
- May, June: n o t h i n g happens on the toilet front, because he has three balls in the air now. I know at work I can only juggle five projects at once.
- Early-late July: driveway is put in, so no trucks can visit for a month while the driveway hardens.
This is how I handle projects.
- Sunday, Gary complained he couldn’t get the Tennis Channel anymore. I said, “I haven’t had the right channels since the royal wedding. I believe you’ve been meaning to call them.”
- Monday at four p.m., while Gary was taking a nap, I called Charter and they came out that evening and it was fixed by 6 pm.
And I believe that’s why on Tuesday Gary called a plumber and the toilet was installed on Wednesday. I shamed him. Shaming: just as emasculating as nagging, but much more effective.