I hear you snickering. And that chorus of “I told you so”. And just because you’re on the other side of the Internet, don’t think I can’t see you rolling your eyes. I can.
I know. I blithely wrote something along the lines of, “Don’t worry, the reno wouldn’t affect the blog.”
Well, let me state for the record: I was wrong. The reno has affected the blog. And me. And Andrew. And the cats. And my family. And some butterfly flapping its wings in Brazil. Witnessing just how far the dust has worked itself into our lives, I know on some level the reno has affected the stock market, the price of oil and the orbit of Pluto.
When I think of how I was going to pop over to my Mom’s to bake, nip down to the cafe to write or just close my home office door and hunker down to business, I see I was like those first time moms who think they’ll get the housework done and a nutritious dinner cooked while the baby sleeps.
Let me repeat: I was wrong.
Now, to be very clear, the renovation is going well. Extremely well. But it’s a renovation. And because it’s a renovation, there are frequent power outages and constant calls for decisions. Where do I want the switch for this? How do we hide the extra junction box — smoke alarm or a plate? How do you access the attic? The two rooms have different baseboard styles. Which one do we want to use?
Plus, just when the contractors think they’ve figured out how the house is supported, they find an inconveniently located beam that seems to be installed for no reason at all. For instance, when they went to punch a hole in the exterior stone wall for the hood vent that started this whole renovation….
What the heck is a beam doing there?
Just making trouble.
So, here are shots of last week’s progress. I’m trying a slideshow this time. Want to see a picture enlarged? Click it.
Still tweeting, this time via the Christie’s Corner Fan Page, so you can follow along via Facebook if you like. Still brushing plaster dust from places I can’t mention. Still glad we’re doing this despite the inconvenience.
[slideshow]
![[Get Copyright Permissions]](http://license.icopyright.net/images/icopy-w.gif){kind=small}
Click here for copyright permissions!
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m especially glad you captioned the wood shavings & insulation photo, cause for a minute there (just a split second, really) I got a little concerned about the cat.
Stay strong!
.-= Cheryl´s last blog ..Salad =-.
@Cheryl, your comment made me laugh out loud. I, too, am concerned about the cats, but so far nothing like this has landed on the floor.
I’m not snickering at all … I’m rolled up in a little ball, reeling from the flashbacks of my own reno. The dust alone is enough to send one right round the bend. Ugh.
That said, I’m glad its going well, Charmian. Hang in there! One of the nicest things about a blog is that it will be there waiting for you. Its not going anywhere and neither am I.
.-= The Diva on a Diet´s last blog ..Steak Tacos with Bell Pepper Slaw =-.
@The Diva on a Diet, thanks for the support. The dust is pervasive but the light at the end of the reno tunnel is a shiny new stove and open-concept kitchen.
I keep telling myself that. Between bouts of doubting my sanity for starting this whole mess.
Hang in there! It is going to be very beautiful very soon!!!
@Monica Bhide, Thanks Monica. When it’s done I hope you can come and see it. I’ll cook for you….
Do not fret, your blog will wait till after the reno…And when the renos done, life will be peachy!
.-= Chelsey´s last blog ..Cottage Cheese from Ho Hum -to-> MMmmm, Yum! =-.
@Chelsey, thanks. I really appreciate the low-pressure note. I feel I should blog more but it’s just not happening. At least, not as much as I’d like.
You write a very funny page about a not so fun time to live through. It will be worth it.
I don’t remember the coffee cake being served when I took the tour. Just an oversight I’m sure.
Love,
Robin
@Robin Smart, Mom saved you some coffee cake. It’s in the freezer. It’s nice an moist but not as orange as I’d hoped. Oh well, back to the drawing board. Or oven. Or cookbooks…
Been there, done that, poured valium down my gullet like there was no tomorrow. Ours lasted a little longer (10 months) but still.. it’s hard. I know. The dirt and dust… oy.. I’m glad you have clean contractors though!!
.-= Claudine Jalajas´s last blog ..Irish American =-.
@Claudine Jalajas, 10 months? Making a baby doesn’t take that long! Oh, I couldn’t take 10 weeks let alone 10 months. I bow at your feet for surviving that.
Not ready for Valium yet, but if it goes beyond mid-April, I might consider medicating myself with something stronger than wine.
I am curious —where are the cats hiding out while this is going on?
@lori, Gladly, the orange tabby, is hiding under the bed. He comes out when the noise stops for longer than 10 minutes and demands to be cuddled.
Ballantine is not hiding at all and spends his days trying to get INTO the construction area to see what’s going on. We have to kick him out when the work is going on, but let him join the contractors for lunch now and again.
Don’t beat yourself up Bella! You’re merely human like the rest of us slobs.
@Dana McCauley, I’m human? Not so much these days.
I do shake my head at my naivety. Like I couldn’t have predicted noise, power outages and frequent consultations? On the upside, if I’d known I’d have been a lot more anxious about the reno. As it is, I’m more shell-shocked and docile.
The good things is they’re making progress and they are clean contractors
Take it easy 
.-= Alisa´s last blog ..Q&A With Top Chef Kevin Gillespie =-.
@Alisa, They ARE clean. Very clean. I hate to admit it, but the reno site is cleaner than my living room which has just gone to hell in a handbasket. Coffee ground, cat hair, dust, newspapers…
It will all be lovely, clean and neat again when I unpack the boxes. At least, that’s what I tell myself.
Ah, the trials and wonders of owning an old house. I sooooo am with you on this project Charmian. Having survived three months in my dining room with a George Foreman and a microwave while totally redoing my kitchen, I feel your angst. Chaos is not something I deal with very well, nor you I suspect.
It WILL all be worth it in the end and yes, the blog can wait.