Harriet, If you been burned once already, than you should know better than to just shrug off his demeanor as "not that business like". If he was business orientated enough to have you sign a contract for a backsplash and counter, then believe me, he's more business like than you're assuming. Originally, when you signed the contract with this guy, there was something that made you feel comfortable with him, even after getting burned. He may be poor at managing time, but I don't see how that will affect his tiling skills, especially if you're there to ensure it's done the way you expect it to be done. You have to give him what is considered to be reasonable notice, I'd give the guy 48 hours to get the project completed and insist that it be done during normal business hours not in the middle of the night, Sunday or a holiday. Confirm all your conversations in writing and give written notice. Do as Bill is recommending because that is going to cover your behind if you're not correct about him wanting out of the job or if he doesn't agree that financially your even at this point. And in the mean time, call your tile store, get a list of tilers and start getting quotes to get the job finished. Most likely, he's not going to be able to get that backsplash done in time to meet your demands and it will work out the way you want it to. You need to toughen up girl, it's not personal, this is business and he is as obligated to that contract just as much as you are.

Ima,my mother in law made the complaint to myspace today. It was infact her fault that BM was able to obtain the pictures, and now all family members profiles and pictures are private. Yes, I know that once they are "out there" there is nothing I can do, I'm sure she has them saved to her computer and will always have them. As for her having to believe the things she says, it's more of a way for her to prove to her family out of state that she is who "they" think she is. We (my husband and myself) did in fact get it easy where gaining custody was concerned. Dhr/Cps was involved because of some health issues reguarding one of my step sons, with many DHR visits to the home she left them living in and her home, I was granted temporary custody per her request (dad had been trying for 2 yrs before hand) because of his job.A year later my husband and myself were granted full custody with no support and only supervised visitation from her on the first and third sunday of each month (she has never once followed through with a visit). It has since been ammended to no visitation and we have a protective order on her and her husband. My step kids were beaten, threatened with weapons and not fed for over a week the last time they were with their mother over 4 years ago. Not only do we have the protective order but our local ymca, ballpark and their school also have them. She has shown up numerous times and still continues to do so, to all of the above screaming they were kidnapped and are being held hostage. She has even tried to "kidnap" my youngest step son and my own son from walmart and they were in the buggy I was pushing. So in that aspect no we arent lucky as you tell me to consider myself. I know of the emotional damage a BM can do to a child, I see it daily times 3. As I said, I have a 9 yr old who thinks he should be a girl and a 7 yr old who vomits at will to not have to eat. AND FOR THE RECORD... I never in my post accused her of being a bad parent for giving up custody, I simply chose to post a FEW of the bad choices she has made over the years, but I will say now; I think she is a bad parent (not for giving up custody) for how she has emotionally and physically abused her children and allowed others to do the same. I think she is a bad parent because she still allows her husband to abuse her and their child together, instead of seaking help(and before you say I dont understand what an abusive relationship is like, I was in one for 7 years before I met my husband all of my teenage years and into my early 20's, eventually everyone knows enough is enough). Now, you asked why I wanted to contact a lawyer. No, not necessarily to sue her, she has nothing to sue for and she wouldnt show up in court anyways. To have it documented, yes. She shows up and causes enough trouble without aid of pictures at their school, ymca and sports activities ect. It does scare me to think she has updated pictures that she can wave around and them possibly have the chance of seeing. They know she wasnt there and Im unsure of what that could do to their stability, their mental capacities(they have alot to work through as it is) and their all around behavorial issues, even if it's only for that day or week. Do I think she will use them in that manner, yes. So again, no I dont want to sue her. I dont want to waste money we dont have to waste, energy I am completly drained of already or time that I never seem to have either. As for her myspace page, today was the first I knew of her having one and no I dont care to go back to it. All of my focus does now and has for almost 7 years gone into MY KIDS, I do love them and they know it and with their father's job I am 99.999% the only PARENT they have. I do also try and ignore her, I have only one other time fed into her pity party and that was her email, she isnt worth it. But yes, this makes me angry and I feel I have the right to be, as you stated you were doing the job of "your" BM, so am I. I have a myspace page, I dont post pictures (for this reason) of any of my kids, yet here she is posting them, ones she didnt take, from a holiday she was absent from and claiming MY son as her own child also, when she didnt want to be a parent to her own kids. No matter her reason behind it, I cant seem to want to let it lie. And your right, its not going to change or fix thing nor will it make them better, but I cant help how I feel. Maybe this is all too fresh having all happened today, and Im sorry if this post seems rude, but I didnt expect to be reprimanded or attacked for my earlier post and thats kind of how it felt.

Oh man. My house is a toothless wonder. I have built and must paint 102 linear feet of cabinetry. I have a grill I bought 3 years ago in November, still in the box on my living room floor. I have the cardboard on the floors to protect them from the drywall finishing that should have been done 10 months ago. ($$) I have unusual circumstances, but I know exactly what you mean by one little thing changing everything. I had primed 16' of cabinet doors but hadn't put on any paint. I go SO SICK of looking at all the CRAP I was sticking in the open cabinets I put them on just primed. The peace it gave my eyes was astonishing. I've finally given them their 1st coat ... without taking them back down. I have a habit of sitting and staring at something I'm making, seeing it finished in my noggin. Then I'll build something and sit and stare at how great it looks. I can't imagine having all the walls up, finished, primed and painted, then with all the electricity finished AND moulding and trim installed. I won't know what to do with myself!

Realize that you won't be flying into Cape Canaveral, but probably Orlando, still a one hour drive. Fly in the day prior, book a hotel near the pier (look online at options) that has a free breakfast included. There will be lots and lots and lots of people who want to get on board EARLY (to get the most for their money) and it gets to be nutso. Wait until noonish, take the shuttle from the hotel and stroll aboard. The food will still be there. The cabins are cleaned and readied as fast as the help can get them done. Sometimes, 11:00 a.m. is still too early. That means you gotta carry around your 'stuff' for an hour or so, sort of awkward. Getting off is another trial. Figure out when your flight home is and plan accordingly. Most cruise lines offer their coaches to make the connection, at more money than is appropriate. Do some investigating and figure out the best ($) way to the airport. You have some time.