The pace of life picks up

The pace of life has picked up since the beginning of the month. Since the time that I had my epiphany about selling my house, I have listed it for sale. I have been busy cleaning it up and preparing it for showings. Ironically, things have started picking up at work as well, so I have gone from two months of life at a casual, leisurely pace, to a much busier state of being.

At the same time that I have been preparing it for showings, I have also been trying to get a contractor to come in and fix an exterior window frame that looks rather ugly. It shouldn't be this hard to find a decent contractor for this job, but I just have not had luck. Out of the numerous contractors I called, one actually came to the house and gave me an estimate. His estimate was in the ballpark of what I was willing to spend so I was ready to give him the job - almost.

When I asked for a reference, he directed me to a flower shop where he had done the interior. I checked out the flower shop with J; the work looked decent. I also spoke with the owner and she gave him a decent review. So, I decided I would give him the job.

Then he asked for a 50% deposit. Yikes - that is excessive. Suddenly I don't feel so comfortable about hiring this guy.