Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Remodeling Tips from the Troops

Good Morning from the land of dust and paint.

In an effort to not let our current experiences go to waste, I thought I'd share a few tips.
Because remodeling is not for the faint at heart.
Or for the family of ten.
But don't tell US that!

We love this house. Of course we realize that it will burn up like everything else, eventually, but it's such a great house for our family.

But WHAT crazy person (just curious) decided that it was a good idea to put carpet in kitchens (we fixed that before we moved in)? And dining rooms (that was last Summer's project)? And BATHROOMS (our current mess)? What WERE they thinking? Obviously not about four girls sharing the bathroom.

And wallpaper. Good ole' wallpaper. I can't help but think it was a costly venture to wallpaper THIS ENTIRE HOUSE. But WHY, I ask? WHY?

So to save you learning things the hard way:

1. Think through what life will be like with seven (bathroom using) kids and one bathroom for three days. Then cancel your remodeling plans.

2. Picking out tile and paint is a simple process if you remember one rule. Make sure it is the color and texture of DIRT.

3. Children will gravitate to the most crowded and messiest room. Our sun room is full of all the things we moved out of other rooms. They've played in there for two days.

4. Have sweet friends with a pool. Sometimes at 4:30 when everyone is losing it you just need to WALK AWAY. And it's too hot to go anywhere else. Thanks, Girls!

5. Have a friend at the paint store. Because I don't have any idea what I need! Tell your husband, "Thanks!" for me, Sheryl!

6. Realize that there will not only be concrete dust on TOP of every surface of your house. It will be INSIDE every cabinet, as well.

7. Don't plan on accomplishing anything else. In hindsight, the curtain project should have waited for another week.

8. Realize ahead of time that there will be a lot of errands to run. Group them together, don't take all of the kids and leave the gas guzzling VAN at home. Do as I say, Friends, not as I do!

9. Understand that dust and paint fumes aren't good for allergy sufferers. I'm just sayin'. And there is no medicine in the world strong enough, at this point.

10. Plan to get very little sleep. After all, the only time you will actually accomplish something is when all of the kids are in bed. Which is not NEARLY enough time, let me tell you.

11. If your back goes out (I'm speaking for the Coach, here), just keep working like it didn't. If the pain is more than you can bear, ignore it. It's the wise thing to do.

12. Things will start looking up when you have finished the "tearing out" phase and have entered the "putting back together" phase.

That's all I have at the moment. It's hard to think straight when I have to keep getting up to blow my nose.

Oh. Sorry.

That was WAY too much info!

And one more tip:

Plan to spend more money than you budget. Because shower curtain rods break and wouldn't this bathroom look bigger with a larger mirror? And the valance I'm making really needs a double three inch hem - which I don't have enough fabric for (Thanks, Mom!). And the GAS. Good grief, the GAS!

Happy Wednesday!

8 comments:

jo said...

Aha! Thats where you've been. Bless you my friend but Oh how good you'll feel soon with all the freshness!!!

Laura said...

Pictures - we want pictures!! Can't wait to see the finished product! It is always stressful, but only for a short time. It will be so much better. Hang in there!!!!!

Lori Leigh said...

My dear friend, you are still funny and witty in the midst of your misery! Ugh. I can't wait to see all the before and after pics. You just gotta push through to the reward on the other side. :) Have a great day!

Anonymous said...

You make me laugh! So good to see it through your eyes as we also have concrete dust flying, but only 3 kids to play in it. You really help me put things in perspective

The She and I Show said...

Hey! I'm sure it's beautiful. You have always had good taste. Have a good weekend!

mom2camo said...

I feel your pain...our house is a continual project! One project leads to another that leads to another! (Thus the bigger than expected budget!) But a project completed sure feels great! Happy Remodeling!

Connie Hughey said...

Thanks for the encouragement to think before we act! We finished our most recent remodeling project two summers ago, and my husband has been itching to get started on another one this summer...oh, boy! Here we go again!

Anonymous said...

We can get together and write a book about the aches and pains of remodeling! Enjoy your new decorations, paint, tile, etc. And pictures would be nice . . . Love, Sumer :)