I'm not the only one...

(My kitchen last October.)

This article was interesting to me because of the lessons learned. This women tells the story of a remodel that did in her marriage. Having just gone through a complete remodel, I could relate to much of what they went through. It also highlighted the differences between some men and women when it comes to dealing with stressful situations.

But it was the last sentence that caught my eye...

Bad Ju Ju Closet Finale

Here is the closet we had built into our spare bedroom. It took about six months of pinning the contractor down to do it, and seven weeks of actual work (it was supposed to take three days). He managed to avoid me with the skill of a true Houdini. The end result was not what I had planned, but will be enjoyed none-the-less. It doesn't have the doors I wanted - to match the entry door to the room, it has a pull-out laundry bin instead of tilt out, it doesn't have the shoe rack, and they built the bottom cabinet too low for the hanging bar. But they charged a fraction of what Closets by Design quoted, and since we did the painting, it looks pretty good.

Isn't that what life is all about? Dreaming of what you want, working to get what you want, but being satisfied when the dream isn't exactly what you expected? Learning to enjoy the dream anyway. Learning to be happy with what you have, and not bemoaning what you don't.

I really like my Bad JuJu Closet. It has drawers for my guests to use, a big space for soft luggage, a place for laundry, and a hanging bar for short things. I love the green glass pulls. All in all, I'm happy. And for those of you following along on this "test" of my ability to keep my temper - I passed!

But we will not be doing anymore projects for a while!

Getting Ready

We are gearing up for all-out remodel misery. So the contract came today, and not what we had agreed to regarding the payment schedule, not to mention back stepping from our "done by Christmas" target. That is a full two months, but he says it also includes "the holidays". But I say it only includes one holiday - Thanksgiving - and I need him to be DONE by the next holiday, which is Christmas. I told him I have my family coming for Christmas, including my grandson who spends most of his time on the floor.  (Hopefully this is true.) He was saying maybe they could have the kitchen done for cooking, but some of the "touch-ups" not completed.  (Like carpet & flooring?) That sounds to me like waffling - big time - on our two month agreement. And just when I was really starting to like him...

This weekend we will attend a funeral for my uncle, and then pick up our covered trailer (stored at a friend's house in Reno) to pack with all our belongings from the kitchen and living/dining room. Thank goodness we have that to store all the stuff we need to get out of the way of the workers. We will set up a coffee pot and microwave in our bedroom. I ordered three new wii games, and we will join the local health club for a few months, so we will at least have something to do for part of the day. Still have not heard anything on the Hawaii job search - neither has the headhunter - it seems to be on hold for now. In the meantime, another headhunter, with a job in Portland! Unfortunately, probably not one my husband will be interested in.... In the meantime, I am really happy we are here together during this process. Usually, he is working somewhere and I am wrestling with the workers/contractors by myself. (I will reserve the right to reverse this sentiment after a month or so trapped in the bedroom all day with him and Lucy...) A couple of good points - we came in BELOW the estimated amount for the granite counter tops, carpet, and hardwood flooring. Yay! Of course, it just helps with the stuff that is over-budget like the fireplace, and probably the tile. Oh well.