Restoration begins

Workmen arrived yesterday to begin to restore the apartment to some degree of normalcy. Since the machines are still running to complete the drying process between floors, they have started by removing water-damaged wallpaper. The result is more mess rather than less. The plan is to add a layer that will dampen sound between the floors to spare the downstairs neighbors, then to put down a layer that will create a perfectly even surface, and then the tiles. I am told that this will take a good two weeks. The goal is for the work to be done before Joan arrives.

The previous owner, who accepts full responsibility for the damage, is handling all of the contracts with the workmen and all of the costs, for which the insurance will reimburse him. He has even allowed some workmen to stay in his apartment, which is more than I am willing to do (of course he has beds for them and I have only a mess on the floor).

My hope is that at some point on this blog I can report that the work is done and looks lovely and really wasn't so much trouble after all. As Elizabeth Bennett tells her sister toward the end of Pride and Prejudice: “…in such cases as these, a good memory is unpardonable.” There is some way to go at this point, however.