In May, I made a post about a hole in my house. A Hole in the House – Widow’s Voice Birds had found a soft spot in a soffit, and they managed to squeeze in and make a nest there. Unfortunately, the hole still isn’t fixed.

At every turn, I have been disappointed by the people who I thought would help me.

First, it was the roofer, when they couldn’t even bother to come look at the damage in person. Even though he knows me, he just blew me off.

Then the pest control friend of mine who cleared the bird’s nest said he’d come back and close the hole. He said, he would temporarily cover the hole until I could get it repaired. But he never came back to replace the caging wire he put up with something sounder.

In June, I was telling another friend about the hole. He calls me occasionally to check in. For the past 5 years, every time he calls, he reminds me that if I ever need anything done around the house to call him. So, this is it, I am finally cashing in that favor.

I send him pictures of the damage; he comes by to assess it. We make a plan; he knows what materials are needed. I bought the paint to match the repair to the rest of the house. I wait for weeks, never wanting to press since this is a favor. The date changes a few times, but I roll with it. On Friday, he tells me he’s coming this weekend to fix it. Mid-day Saturday I get a text from him that it won’t work, and I need to hire someone.

I cry.

Tony would have fixed this himself in no time. I wouldn’t have had to even help. Instead, I am left being disappointed by the people I thought would help. Three months of hurry up, wait and no shows.

I am sad, hurt, and mad. While I still must find a way to get this fixed before we get into fall/winter. Today I got the numbers of two handymen so I can get a few bids. Just another day, putting on those big girl pants to do a boy job I don’t want to do.