My first memory of Luis takes me back fifteen years. He was painting the neighbors' houses as, we first-time buyers and enthusiastic rookies, painted ours. He and his brothers painted three houses and we were not remotely done with ours. In between our paintings fits (and while recovering from the physical pain of it), we became friends. Luis became my go-to and handy man throughout the years. He had a key to my house during the many projects he did then...and would do now during the epic week of flipping out the house. I landed at eleven, he was at my house with pencil and paper by four in the afternoon. One huge, very long list of materials needed: paint, tiles, glue, lamps, bathroom cabinets, fixtures, electric cables, wood, cleaners... a long list of things I do not know or even remember now. He will begin working on Monday and be done by Friday.
My time was limited. I had to empty the house. Sell and donate and give away what remained. I had to reopened boxes that had been ready to be shipped two years before and decide what no longer was needed... what was no longer meaningful. And of course, shop for all these details without wasting time. Where to find everything I needed?
Home Depot. Of course. Woke up early Sunday morning and waited for the store to open. I was one of the first to walk in and literally kidnapped one guy who works there and who shall remain an unnamed saint (since he was supposed to stay in his assigned area and not be my own tourist guide through the store. Mind you, I told him it would all be worth it.) He knew I meant business when I entered with two cranes to put all the stuff I was buying. He took me seriously. Then again, I wear a Home Depot logo carry -stuff pouch when building and creating stuff in my everyday life and so I was wearing one that day too filled with usual knick knacks for a move, a blade, scissors, tape, sharpies, paper... People were so helpful! I don't know if I reeked of desperation, but everyone seemed to know about the big project and collaborated with input and possibilities. Many went and got the materials I needed and brought them to me so that I did not have to keep running around the aisles of the store.
I bought everything I needed and more in three hours. Barely a line to pay. The staff helped me carry everything and load it to my brother-in-law's truck. I left weighing much less (less worry and all the cardio.) The best part is that everything turned out to be better than expected... and just the day before I came back to Tampa, I returned everything that I had over bought or simply never used. No questions asked. If I ever have to go through a project like this again (as I make the sign of the cross and beg God for mercy not to put me through it again), I would return to this store without hesitation and much less worry. read more