I will start this post off by reminding myself that in the grand scheme of things, THIS IS NOT really a big deal.
It's just INCREDIBLY frustrating.
Patience Lord...I know patience right!?
At our last home study we were told we had to have doors installed on our fireplace. I was a little miffed because we had three home studies before that one and no one had EVER mentioned this requirement. We would have had it done LONG ago had we known.
On January 9th, I went to Lowe's. I ordered and paid for a set of glass fireplace doors. The man asked me the measurements of our fireplace and then told me to pick out the ones I wanted. He didn't ask me any other questions about our fireplace and I didn't know anything else to tell as I have never done this before.
When I ordered the doors the man told me they would be in on Jan 23rd...maybe even sooner.
I got a call last weekend saying that they are on back order and OF COURSE no one can tell me how long. Mind you this was FOUR DAYS before they were supposed to arrive. I explained to them that this is the LAST thing standing in the way of our foster parent license and that I was VERY UPSET that I was not told they were on back order before then. They told me I would get a call on Monday to see what could be done (it was Saturday and the manufacturer is of COURSE closed).
Monday I received a call saying they were NOT on back order and would be here by Friday.
I was ecstatic.
Thursday I called to ensure everything was still in order for them to arrive Friday. I spoke with two people and after MUCH confusion was told that
THE DOORS WERE IN...A DAY EARLY TOO!
I decided that I did not want to wait for Allen to get home to pick them up. I had to go get them MYSELF. I couldn't be at ease until I had them in my house!
I picked them up and was incredibly pleased with myself. I called our licensing specialist and told her they would be installed this weekend. She was very pleased!
THANK THE LORD WE ARE DONE......
or so I thought.
*sigh*
This morning Allen opens the box. Starts reading the directions....sighs and then says"
HIM: We can't use these
ME: WHAT? WHY NOT!?
HIM: The instructions say "Do not use or install of prefabricated fireplaces. For use ONLY with masonry fireplaces".
ME: What is the difference and what the heck does that mean?
HIM: Masonry you have concrete that surrounds the fireplace, these attach to that concrete. We have a prefabricated fireplace and there is no concrete to attach this too.
**the top of my head flew off my body**
Allen and I then got into an ugly argument that I won't fully describe here. It was riddled with lots of colorful words. We weren't mad at each other......but hey who else were we going to scream at?
I called Lowe's, spoke with the manager and VERY FIRMLY explained our problem/s with them. He said he "thinks" they just "might" sell the pre-fab doors but for me not to quote him on it.
Gee that made me feel better.
Then he said that since it's Saturday the manufacturer is closed and so they can't find anything out for certain until Monday.
**Of course**
We have called around Ocala today to see if anyone has them, none of the places we have called has answered their phone. I googled "prefab fireplace doors" and have found a few of them but to the tune of over $500.
Lovely.
I also found THIS SITE
that says and I quote:
The Zero-Clearance Fireplace Glass Door Problem A very common problem with these fireplaces are dilapidated or missing Fireplace Glass Doors. Zero-clearance fireplaces manufacturers generally provide a glass door system with the fireplace. However, in an effort to keep the cost down the glass doors are generally not built to last... a long time. Soon the homeowner finds themselves searching for replacement fireplace glass doors, and this isn't always easy. The manufacturer of the fireplace may have gone out of business, or you aren't sure who installed the original fireplace, or you just simply don't know where to start.
I laughed uncontrollably I do think Allen believes I have lost my mind.
So we are going to be taking back the $230 doors that took two weeks to get to Lowe's and are trying to think of SOMETHING we can do to get a "door" on the fireplace. The cheapest I have found at the point are $500 and I am not even sure they are the correct size. Who knows how long it will take to get them to us.
We are kicking around other ideas, such as just buying a fireplace screen (the kind that would normally sit in front of the fireplace with the doors that open) and somehow mount that to the face of the fireplace. Don't know if this will work but we are willing to try.
I also have an email in to a guy that sells them on ebay to see if he has the size we need. Those are MUCH more reasonably priced but again, I don't know if he has what size we need.
My mom and best friend Trish keep saying "There is a reason behind this, maybe the baby you are supposed to have is not born yet or is not in the system so that is why there is the hold up, God knows what he is doing".
I agree and I pray they are right.
I have this horrible negative "evil troll" in my brain that keeps saying
"Maybe this is a sign that you aren't supposed to do this".
I keep telling the troll to shut the heck up.
Will keep you updated.
It's just INCREDIBLY frustrating.
Patience Lord...I know patience right!?
At our last home study we were told we had to have doors installed on our fireplace. I was a little miffed because we had three home studies before that one and no one had EVER mentioned this requirement. We would have had it done LONG ago had we known.
On January 9th, I went to Lowe's. I ordered and paid for a set of glass fireplace doors. The man asked me the measurements of our fireplace and then told me to pick out the ones I wanted. He didn't ask me any other questions about our fireplace and I didn't know anything else to tell as I have never done this before.
When I ordered the doors the man told me they would be in on Jan 23rd...maybe even sooner.
I got a call last weekend saying that they are on back order and OF COURSE no one can tell me how long. Mind you this was FOUR DAYS before they were supposed to arrive. I explained to them that this is the LAST thing standing in the way of our foster parent license and that I was VERY UPSET that I was not told they were on back order before then. They told me I would get a call on Monday to see what could be done (it was Saturday and the manufacturer is of COURSE closed).
Monday I received a call saying they were NOT on back order and would be here by Friday.
I was ecstatic.
Thursday I called to ensure everything was still in order for them to arrive Friday. I spoke with two people and after MUCH confusion was told that
THE DOORS WERE IN...A DAY EARLY TOO!
I decided that I did not want to wait for Allen to get home to pick them up. I had to go get them MYSELF. I couldn't be at ease until I had them in my house!
I picked them up and was incredibly pleased with myself. I called our licensing specialist and told her they would be installed this weekend. She was very pleased!
THANK THE LORD WE ARE DONE......
or so I thought.
*sigh*
This morning Allen opens the box. Starts reading the directions....sighs and then says"
HIM: We can't use these
ME: WHAT? WHY NOT!?
HIM: The instructions say "Do not use or install of prefabricated fireplaces. For use ONLY with masonry fireplaces".
ME: What is the difference and what the heck does that mean?
HIM: Masonry you have concrete that surrounds the fireplace, these attach to that concrete. We have a prefabricated fireplace and there is no concrete to attach this too.
**the top of my head flew off my body**
Allen and I then got into an ugly argument that I won't fully describe here. It was riddled with lots of colorful words. We weren't mad at each other......but hey who else were we going to scream at?
I called Lowe's, spoke with the manager and VERY FIRMLY explained our problem/s with them. He said he "thinks" they just "might" sell the pre-fab doors but for me not to quote him on it.
Gee that made me feel better.
Then he said that since it's Saturday the manufacturer is closed and so they can't find anything out for certain until Monday.
**Of course**
We have called around Ocala today to see if anyone has them, none of the places we have called has answered their phone. I googled "prefab fireplace doors" and have found a few of them but to the tune of over $500.
Lovely.
I also found THIS SITE
that says and I quote:
The Zero-Clearance Fireplace Glass Door Problem A very common problem with these fireplaces are dilapidated or missing Fireplace Glass Doors. Zero-clearance fireplaces manufacturers generally provide a glass door system with the fireplace. However, in an effort to keep the cost down the glass doors are generally not built to last... a long time. Soon the homeowner finds themselves searching for replacement fireplace glass doors, and this isn't always easy. The manufacturer of the fireplace may have gone out of business, or you aren't sure who installed the original fireplace, or you just simply don't know where to start.
I laughed uncontrollably I do think Allen believes I have lost my mind.
So we are going to be taking back the $230 doors that took two weeks to get to Lowe's and are trying to think of SOMETHING we can do to get a "door" on the fireplace. The cheapest I have found at the point are $500 and I am not even sure they are the correct size. Who knows how long it will take to get them to us.
We are kicking around other ideas, such as just buying a fireplace screen (the kind that would normally sit in front of the fireplace with the doors that open) and somehow mount that to the face of the fireplace. Don't know if this will work but we are willing to try.
I also have an email in to a guy that sells them on ebay to see if he has the size we need. Those are MUCH more reasonably priced but again, I don't know if he has what size we need.
My mom and best friend Trish keep saying "There is a reason behind this, maybe the baby you are supposed to have is not born yet or is not in the system so that is why there is the hold up, God knows what he is doing".
I agree and I pray they are right.
I have this horrible negative "evil troll" in my brain that keeps saying
"Maybe this is a sign that you aren't supposed to do this".
I keep telling the troll to shut the heck up.
Will keep you updated.
3 comments:
I once heard preacher speak on how we are a "immediate gratification" nation. With our ever expanding technology, we have forgotten how to be patient. He went onto say that what we need to remember is that God does things on his own time, not ours.
Sometimes I think road blocks are placed there, for us to work hard to get around. When we finally make it by the road block. we have learned to be more determined and can celebrate in our accomplishment.
I do not know you, but from what I have read. You will be a wonderful foster mom. Just look at how well you love and care for Makily. Look at how hard you and DH have worked to bring another precious child into your family . I am sure God would love for you to take care of his precious children.I can't believe, He would have let you get this far if he did not want you to be a foster mother.
I will be celebrating with you on that day. BIG HUGS!!!!
I'm with Keely. God's timing, not ours. Not sure about those darn doors. You're in my prayers. Love, J
If fostering in the US is in any way similar to fostering in the UK then I would say this is just a practice for how your life will be once that little one moves in! So many people who have to be consulted on seemingly obvious things, so many delays and obstacles and frustrations before you finally get someone who can make a decision about something...
I don't mean to put you off; it is absolutely positively definitely worth doing - but I'd definitely take this as a kind of preparation.
Tia
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