Charz volunteered Tom to accompany Jan in a Tennessee adventure, driving up on Nov 2^nd and down on Nov 5^th or the 6^th, depending on how much could be accomplished; the main issue is the appliances being delivered on Nov 4^th and then ensuring they are secured.

On Thursday, Oct 30^th I sent Jimmy Hale (our builder) a simple message asking him to verify Jan would be able to stay at the house – as he had committed to - after driving 12 hours and getting there at night (electricity, running water, toilet and shower were the basic needs). Early Friday AM, I got an e-mail from Beth – his admin – saying that the house would not be inhabitable for Jan on Nov 2^nd and that the new finish date was Nov 30^th. After consultations, and assessing financial impact (the cost of 4 or 5 hotel nights needed to be considered now), Tom decided to still go. Jan wrote Jimmy a rather frank and candid letter sharing her feelings and unmet expectations…

On Sunday Nov 2^nd, Jan left the house at 5:30 AM to go pick up Tom in Boca and keep on going to Tennessee. They made great time and were there in under 12 hours, safe and sound and still on time to have dinner at the Way Inn. Melissa and Ralph, the Way Inn owners, did not like Tom being in the picture…

On Monday, Nov 3^rd Jan and Tom went to the house and immediately came to the conclusion that the appliances could not be delivered; nothing was ready for them; Jan called Sears and re-scheduled for Dec 16^th. Since we were there in early September, when Jimmy came up with the Nov 1^st date, the only progress has been the painting of the inside (wrong colors at that!) and the finishing of the wood trimming (no beams though!). Jan took some pictures…

Jan will be having a conversation with Jimmy today, Nov 4^th in order to gauge his disposition and his commitment. We will be going back on Nov 14^th and assess progress.