Dreading this...

We took possession of our home in August, 2005. Four months earlier, we'd completed a pre-occupancy inspection; by possession, the builder still had not repaired all deficiencies flagged at that inspection. We duly completed our deficiency report on possession; despite having been in here frequently (if irregularly) for about six months, those deficiencies (and some of those still outstanding from the May inspection) were never completed.

As the one-year anniversary approached last August, we did yet another inspection, and submitted our claim to both the insurer and the builder.

Now the builder is ready to do our deficiency work. Now, when Werner has to start teaching and I'll always be here alone with Jakob. I don't answer the door (or phone) if I'm feeding or bathing or changing Jakob, or for any other reason cannot do so safely. Yes, my mother will be here for two weeks, and while that will make it easier, I certainly don't want to spend those two weeks babysitting tradesmen. This was supposed to be my chance to get out of the house, at last.

I have no words to describe the sense of dread that has settled into the pit of my stomach.