The grout is old and could use replacing. We had already done a “touch up” job on the bathroom, it looked “nice” (shutter, cringe). Basic, but nice. The grout though, needed some work. The plan was to scrape out the old grout, maybe retile the shower and move on to lambing season which is four weeks and counting.
And then I got this.
The room went from functional full bathroom to large closet at best in no time flat.
Scrape, pull, lift, swing, slam, smack and thud. Done. And yes, thats masking tape on the old existing windows to model the 3 x 1 divided lights, because that's how I roll.
So now, apparently, we are redoing the bathroom.
You know I love this stuff. I thrive off of it. The designs, the materials, the look, the authenticity. I love researching the period and the purpose of the items. I’ve graduated from just mimicing a photo of some classic timeless room, to now pushing it a bit; going for something unique and creative. But I will always love the period details.
A friend of mine recently went through a massive renovation of her house. A big beautiful California home with Arts and Crafts details. We communicated via facebook; sharing ideas and feedback along with citing catalog page numbers of the items that appeared in each of our perspective remodels. Like therapy, we came to realize our obsessions with restoration and remodeling. Anyway, she suggested I read a book titled House, written by Michael Ruhlman who is known more for his culinary expertise than restoration.
A book about remodeling old homes! IN!
The book is great in that it sums up the anticipation of shopping for a home, negotiations, the scary inspection and then goes on to talk about the process of his family’s purchase of an old Cleveland home. He then goes on to research all the previous owners and their stories. Somewhere in between those two storylines however, he cleverly dropped a bomb on me.
“What was so strange about work on the house once the contractors were gone was how unpredictable it became. We have far more to do in our lives than there’s time for. I will never be able to read all the books I want to, write all the stories, cook all the dishes, see all the movies I want to see, let alone have enough time with my children and wife, not to mention the places we might go, new work we might pursue. So, given limited time, I determined to be organized about life, always have a plan, always to be accomplishing something. What drove me crazy was that it was impossible to plan on this house. The house did it for you—suddenly it ate your weekend. It demanded your attention, as if it were a living creature, as if it had a plan of its own.”
It was awesome to read someone else’s words that expressed my thoughts exactly. I don’t have children but I do run a farm; no wife, but share a home. I don’t write, but I don’t have contractors either damn it! So there are some congruent lines we share. But it’s the truth that he writes. This house consumes me. I let it, but that’s not the point. I am beginning to feel like it defines me, and yet oddly enough, I’m okay with that. As mentioned earlier, a simple grout job turns into half a cast iron tub and pile of debris. Shoot, even my shower walls are gone (imagine a nice stand up glass surround – will. be. amazing.).
I’m heading towards my four year anniversary here at the ‘knob, and I’m just now starting to figure it out. To roll with it. To drop the type A, plan everything and be organized speal, and just roll with it. Now whether I am capable of that realization will be what determines if I’m in this house six months from now. But it is worth a shot because places like this don’t come about often in a lifetime.
I work hard. Probably “too much” in that it gets the best of me sometimes. But life is way too short to sit tight, at least the way I see it. Like the author said, have a plan and always be accomplishing things; truly where it’s at for me. Now, I hear the church choir licking their thumbs to flip pages, and yes I know accomplishments aren’t applicable in every case of success. I’m just saying here; right now- for me. When I have a world of options, and I find myself getting overwhelmed with all that is around me, I can start by finishing this right here.
And that ladies and gentlemen, I believe is called a metaphor.
Since the last time I wrote, we have a new adoptee on the farm. Her name is Ada, and she is a 5 month old shepherd mix. I will write more about her and all the other animals this year develops, and of course lambing season is around the corner. I promise not to bore you with house remodels every time. Thanks for the support, I need a kick in the pants from time to time. Nice to know you guys read this, and care enough to let me know.
