“House…I know what you’re going through.”
Remodeling is no fun. Not the kind you go through to get things spiffied up around one’s castle, or the kind you go through to keep things working inside your mouth.
I’ve been through both kinds in recent years, and I can attest to both being brutal to the brain and to the body.
While in the midst of reconstruction it’s as though my brain has gone AWOL. Totally missing in action. Gone. Out to lunch.
My body meanwhile vacillates between anesthetization and sudden urges to purge my urethra.
Contractor and dentist… …frenemies.
master bath remodel…
shabby chic mantle…
master bedroom remodel…
dresser in alcove…formerly a closet
tranquil slumber…
hugmamma's MIND, BODY and SOUL 
remodeling and dental work – both needing lots of patience and usually (lots and lots) extra cash to get done. you definitely told a very realistic story. 🙂
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Everyone can relate to both it seems. Glad I wrote about universal pain… 😉
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I love the analogy between remodeling and dental work. I’ve got quite a bit of hardware in my mouth and my wife always seems to have a new idea for something “we” (meaning me) could do to improve the house.
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I like your reference to dental hardware. That’s exactly what it is…crowns, root canals, fillings. And I had to chuckle at your wife’s remodeling brainstorms. I’m also guilty of that. Ask my husband. Come to think of it, don’t. It’ll just set him off…
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You bring up a very clever, and valid perspective. A pipe burst in our basement three times, the third day of January. Due to complications, we were finally able to get the floor replaced just yesterday! It’s amazing how much time and effort can disappear into a “simple” remodel! A very entertaining and relatable read!
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Thank you! I think a pipe bursting in the basement…3 times in January…tops my remodels. You don’t seem the worse for wear, merely reflective. God bless you…
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Thank you so much, but I promise that for a few months, I was indeed worse for wear! 🙂 God bless you!
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It’s a wonder we can pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and move merrily along as though the remodel never happened. Humans are resilient…especially women. 😉
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Hah, that’s absolute truth there! You know, your post inspired my FF post this week. It talks about home improvement, but it has a slightly darker ending! Thank you for providing such lovely inspiration! 🙂
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I’ll definitely be reading your entry. Have not made my way to FF yet. Thanks for the reminder. And anytime you need inspiration…stop by. hugs! 😉
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Dear Hugmamma, I did see this interview on TV – it was really heart warming! Nan 😉
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Thanks, Nan. It’s rare that one sees someone you know personally on national TV, let alone 5 close relatives. Needless to say our extended family was ecstatic, especially since the spotlight was so well-deserved. I still don’t know how they all did it through two wars…and continue to do so. Loreto is career military, so we continue to pray for his safety and good health. hugs for your lovely words…
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Dear Hugmamma: Love your story and your house! Beautiful upgrades! The story is great and reminds me of 1997, when we beat the (dog poo) out of our house and remodeled it – added 3 rooms and 2 baths and a sunroom with 10 windows and 2 french doors (this was back when my husband was gainfully employed, and a retirement package in hand.) Wow, does fate have a warped sense of humor! Have you ever watched the movie “Money Pit” from the 90’s I think. That’s what we went through, although on a much, much smaller scale. Oh – there I go again, rambling. Have a good week! I did love the story and your pictures! Nan 🙂
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Love your rambling, Nan. We’re two of a kind that way. And I think the world’s a better place because of it. ha, ha. As for the remodel…OMG. Not sure if I could have weathered as extensive a remodel as yours in one fell swoop. Although there’s something to be said for getting it all over with. My husband’s pocketbook, however, couldn’t have managed it. One more to go before he retires…sprucing up the downstairs living area. Should be less cumbersome, since we pretty much live on the main level. hugs for the “rambling” comment…loved it!!! 😉
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Ouch! My little seepage in the bathroom turned into a full scale restoration project. Much more painful than taking a tooth out 🙂
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ha. ha. Looks like I struck a nerve. And you’re absolutely right. A tooth abstraction is over in minutes. A remodel goes on…and on…and on. Hugs for the comment…
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Dentistry as remodeling. Brilliant! I can imagine remodeling would be as taxing as dental work. Nice piece.
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Thanks, Amy. Both take patience and stamina. The results, however, can be so worth the pain. I think… 😉
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Dear Millie,
A few years back my husband and I remodeled our bathroom. It was a little like pulling teeth without anesthetic. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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ha, ha. Good one, Rochelle. I’m in the midst of a bathroom remodel, and you’re right. I wish the contractor would just knock me out…and wake me up when he’s done. 🙂
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Never thought if the parallels before but I see your point. Nicely done.
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I wouldn’t have thought of the parallel either except for the dental instruments…and our currently in the midst of a bathroom remodel. Art always reflects life…somehow. hugs for your comment…
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I have never had major work carried out on my home but I know from people who had that it can drive you crazy. For me, even clearing a room to give it a fresh coat of paint feels like an enormous task
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About 8 years ago we undertook our first remodel…a major one. It included the kitchen, dining and living rooms on the inside, and the front and back decks and front stoop on the outside. They also redid steps on the side of the house that were originally made of wood which waS rotting. Thankfully, I was younger at the time and my fibromyalgia was not what it is today. Oh and I forgot…prior to that a carpenter had spent a few weeks turning a bedroom into an office for my husband and updated our downstairs bath and built a storage closet under the steps. Fast forward to 3 years ago or so, when we had our master bedroom and bath remodeled. Then earlier this year, we did a mini remodel to my daughter’s bedroom…removed the popcorn ceiling and reconfigured her closet and laid new carpet. A couple of weeks ago we replaced the gutters which were falling off. And now we’re in the midst of redoing our main bath. Next year we plan to redo the family room downstairs. Then there’s the windows… Won’t it be something if we downsize after my husband retires in a year and some? 😦
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Ah.. a poor house has to suffer those drills too.
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If the walls could only talk… 😦
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Frenemies indeed. Love the word and it is so fitting for both. I never thought of dentistry as remodeling – but you are so right.
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I’m not sure which is worse…home remodeling…or having my teeth fixed? 😦
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Hugmamma, Good story and very true. I enjoyed seeing the photos of your home. Well done. 🙂 —Susan
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Thanks so much. Glad you liked the remodel photos. hugs…
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Smiling! And fully agree, frenemies.
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Wish I could say I coined the phrase, but I know I’ve heard it somewhere. Glad it brought a smile to your lips… 😉
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I hear you — even though you KNOW everything’s going to look better once you’re on the other side, getting there is NOT half the fun! Here’s to a smooth ride for you!
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Aaahhh…someone who’s been there, done that. Thankfully, I’ve worked with my contractor on a few projects already. If it weren’t for him…it’d be more like a roller coaster ride. And I am way too old for that kind of amusement. 😉
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