Being left in the lurch is never a fun feeling. Being left in the lurch when fall is fading fast and you live in a tent with three small kids and even at barely-dipping-below-freezing temperatures wool sweaters and six blankets apiece and winter hats and thick socks are necessary to not freeze to death at night and you desperately need to get an actual building built before winter sets in…well, that is hardcore, panic-inducing, rage-filled blankness. I had so much anger against the contractor flaking out on me, I walked our quarter-mile driveway several times before I exhausted my wrath, talking to him as if he was walking beside me and letting him know in no uncertain terms how extremely unhappy I was with his version of customer service.

Once I fully vented my spleen, I could shift gears into “okay what now” mode. Somewhat belatedly (and petulantly if I’m being honest), I turned to Father and asked Him to help fix the problem.

So, what exactly is the problem we have to fix, here? I could just find someone else to pour the sonotubes, but that wouldn’t change the underlying issue. Namely, the water table is very high, which when combined with high clay content in the soil creates a highly unstable soil. Which means the sonotubes are actually not the best option. For extremely unstable soils, a monolithic, frost,protected slab is the best bet. I had hoped not to have to do that as 1) they are far more expensive and 2) I am not at all a fan of concrete floors, but needs must when plan A falls through. And when the other option is abandoning the project, admitting defeat and moving back in with family for another six months at minimum, the extra cost somehow seems unimportant.

So, what I actually need is a concrete finisher with some free time.

The only good thing the auger guy ever did for me was provide me with a name of a company. They’re only on Facebook, and I deactivated my account a year ago, but for this, I’ll reactivate it. I reached out. Now, keep in mind this is about 8pm on a Sunday night. Nowhere near business hours. I message “Jesse” and within an hour he has not only responded to the message, but asked and answered a few dozen questions, agreed to take the job, and detailed his terms. This guy is on the ball and I feel both hopeful and wary.

By Monday, I have a detailed list of the supplies I need to have onsite before he can get started. I don’t have a trailer, and all the things won’t fit inside the van, so I’m going to have to borrow mom’s. We load up the kids and make the trek.

One overnight stay, a gigantic miraculous surprise (that one will get its own post later) a VERY long morning at Home Depot, several thousand dollars and one incredibly stressful, heavily laden drive later, we have all the necessary things onsite. Foam and vapor barrier, rebar and remesh, tuck tape and 2×12’s. It is Tuesday evening. I call Jesse and let him know that everything is here. I am fully expecting him to say ‘great. I can get there next Thursday.’ Imagine my shock when what he actually says is “awesome. I’ll be there tomorrow and we’ll get it started.”

Sure enough, fairly early the next morning, up the driveway he comes and straight to work. This guy is my new best friend.