Tile Focus

 When I unwrap the black pencil tiles I find 2 of the 7 broken. I stretch and place one on top of the capping tile. They look finished- I'm going to have to order another row. Sigh. With no relief after lunch I drive back. It's lunchtime and Dylan toasts my sandwich in her super toastie machine. I watch her and Rosie grouting floor tiles and we share knitting stories. They ask me to choose grout but I'm feeling overwhelmed so I put it back to them. I literally can't think straight. My brain is in overload meltdown. I trust this highly efficient family team. I have to.

I spend the afternoon driving- Neil to check glass thickness, 4mm ok, Interior Effects to ask about the front door handle, not here yet, Trinity Glass to confirm glass choice, back to base to confer with Anjie about bath colour. We choose Green House and Anjie suggests metallic paint for the claws. Ka pai e hoa. I wait around for John who is going to finish the Tasmanian Blackwood after it's laid. It fills my room casting a rosy glow on the walls, reflecting the warmth of this wood from another clime, grown locally in Southern Westland, the bottom of the South Island. I show John around and he's enthusiastic about the house. He likes the feel, the lead lights, the features I've worked hard to work out. He checks  the wood taking small, off cuts with him to apply finishes so I can see the choices. John knows his stuff and I feel confident John he'll do a good job for the going rate. Another tradesman I can trust. I'm on the home strait.