Busy, busy, busy

This pile of sheet rock was in the yard bright and early Monday, soon to be followed by a few stacks of 16-foot pine planks -- all emblematic of the home stretch on the house.

Which brought me to my prime errand: finding an alternate source for the kitchen and bathroom counters.

Last week, when I ordered cabinets and learned that the granite would take an extra four or six weeks beyond the cabinet installation, I consulted my mental calendar and sank into my chair. We'd really like to get a certificate of occupancy before New Year's -- and besides, our building permits expire Jan 7.

So today my second stop was Island City Tile, where Marc said his turnaround on granite is . . . about a week. He gave me a map to the stone yard in Miami and promised a quote by tomorrow.

Then it was off to Marathon. Nathaniel had an appointment beyond the Seven-Mile Bridge, and hitched a ride while I went up to scope out the Keys' only patio furniture dealer. (There was one here on the rock early in the year, but his storefront is padlocked, and he appears to have skipped town with our deposit. C'est la vie criminale.)

Actually, it was a nice drive on a lovely day. Nate and I got back late in the afternoon -- just in time for Bob, a tile installer, to take a quick look at the house and promise to return Thursday so he can work up a full bid on the bathrooms.

Things are getting a little hectic.