Renos always go over time and over budget. That's the number one rule. So I am keeping it real, trying and often enough succeeding to stay positive and be happy that we have a home. A good home. A warm home. And more stuff than we will ever really need. We moved our stuff from the house that had been our home for the past two years into the house that is really, truly ours.
The stuff moved on November 29. We didn't move ourselves in until a week later. Most of the other work was done, but there was no toilet. Last Friday, there was a toilet, but the box had been missing a piece (are you KIDDING me, I thought). So on our first night in the house we flushed by throwing a pail of water down. Just like at our friends' cottage. Sure. It's an adventure, I told the kids, and tried to convince myself. The plumber surprised us Saturday morning with the missing piece he dug out from his own stash. I could have hugged him. YES! A flushing toilet! The children were completely bewildered at how happy that made me. Small things, at this point, make all the difference.
The tile continues to be put in and grouted. It's mostly done. And if I let myself take a really good look at it without all the emotional baggage that's attached to it at the moment, it looks fabulous. The tub finally went into the bathroom today - and it fit! (This was actually a very real concern; it's a tight squeeze.) But the shower fixture I bought to go with it has the wrong attachments. There was a miscommunication between the plumber and me; I thought he told me I had to buy the fixture I wanted. Turns out he would have preferred to order it (as would I have!), and he would have bought the right pieces to boot. So he has put in the order, and it could take up to two weeks for the piece to come in. For anyone checking the calendar, that's Christmas Eve. Sigh. At least I have a functioning bath tub; we can have baths! Somehow less exciting than a flushing toilet, but I will take it. I'm not really a bath person, but with my new-to-me (original to the house) clawfoot soaker, I'm determined to give it a go.
Another rule with renos is that it won't be perfect. I know of the few imperfections already. For example, the tub being closer to the wall than anticipated because the plumber measured before we put in the insulated outer wall. There's a ripple effect to this, and I'm trying not to think about it or to see that things aren't exactly where I had planned them to be. I know that if I were to have bought the house with the bathroom just as it is (or will soon be) I would never, ever see it. So I'm letting that go, too.
This whole thing is an exercise in patience, in acceptance, and in humility. For an impetuous, high energy decision-maker like me, it's rather grounding. Maybe this house has been good for me.
No comments:
Post a Comment