In a message dated 1/6/2000 9:28:33 PM Eastern Standard Time, [log in to unmask]
writes:

<< Sorry Ken but this is NOT NYC where there is a contractor on every corner
 waiting to do business.  If I can find ONE  guy who will: 1) show up; 2)
 show up not drunk; 3) knows something about what he is doing, I will feel
 myself VERY lucky.  Ruth >>


Ruth,

So didja call Les?  And in case you think there are contractors standing
around down here waiting for your call, I got news for ya:  you'd be lucky to
get one to return your call these days, much less have a prayer of them
showing up, drunk or otherwise.   They're all so goddam busy that one of the
contractors working for me had to delay installation of a big doorway because
he couldn't get anybody to work during the week between Christmas and New
Years:  they'd worked so much all year that they wanted a week off.  And a
building inspector tells me that local architects have work until April; I've
got more work (kitchen remodeling, but still, they pay the bills) myself than
I know what to do with.  So I fool around with the Pinheads instead of doing
billable work.

Good luck,  wait for Les, and keep us posted.

Ralph