Day 292: Adventures with the Palm Beach County Buildings Department

It appears we didn't have quite enough fun with the Palm Beach County Health Department all those days ago because today we back to the county for more - this time with the Buildings Department.

Since we moved into our house over two years ago, we have wanted to put in a shed. See, our home has three bedrooms, but the third one used to be the garage. Converted garages are common here, being that we don't have to worry about leaving our cars out in the dreadful winter weather. And when we were buying, our budget forced us to have to choose between three-bedroom-no-garage and two-bedroom-garage. At that time, we decided we wanted the third bedroom more, so we bought a house without a garage.

But right away, we knew we were also going to have a problem with storage. We don't have a basement (nobody does here), and you can only throw so much up in the attic or at the back of closets.

Anyway, after the wedding (yes, I realize that was over nine months ago), we decided it was really time to put in that shed. And we have seriously been working on the project ever since. Much of the hassle has been in figuring out the building codes and permitting. And that is what we worked on today.

Last week, Brandon went to the courthouse in West Palm Beach to get the building permit. It was supposed to be a quick and easy thing (aside from the drive). But later we learned that, before the county can issue our permit, we have to get utility easement release forms signed by five different utility companies, which are, of course, spread throughout the county.

And so, we spent our entire afternoon driving from utility company to utility company to get these forms signed. Like I said, we have five of them. After all of our time and effort, three of them are signed, which obviously means this project isn't done. Brandon will have to go back out tomorrow to get signatures on the other two.

Brandon and I get frustrated sometimes because life seems like one long list of chores. I just want to be able to sit on my butt, eating junk food and watching TV! (Not every day, but some days!!!)

I guess being a newly-wed isn't just about being happy and in love. It's also about getting stuff figured out and getting life on track. Oh, and about finally getting a shed put up in the backyard so when Brandon's on my last nerve, he has a place to go!

Just kidding...I think...