The Mennobrarian

Because what doesn't kill you sometimes makes you laugh

09:39, Sunday, January 20, 2008 .. Posted in Home Improvement .. 4 comments .. Link

There are some benefits to living in your house while it is rehabbed. Oh, I realize I usually share only the bad part of it, as the bad parts are so abundant. But here are some of the lighter things that make a renovation worthwhile:

1) You never have to deep clean anything. Unless you count moving stuff away from walls so you can sweep up the mouse debris, it's actually pointless to put much effort into cleaning any room in your house. You just want to make things hygienic and orderly for daily living, but not much more than that. That mark on the wall? Well, the wall probably won't be there tomorrow, or if it is, there will probably be a big hole in it. So who cares about the scuff. No amount of scrubbing is going to get out that black oil stain on the rug from the leaky chainsaw either, so don't worry about it. That spider web in the corner? If it actually catches anything it will be a help, so just leave it.

2) You don't have to do a lot of entertaining. People see the unpainted OSB board on the side of your house and understand what is going on. Well, they really don't, since they've never gone through this, but they seem to understand when you explain that you would like to have them over for dinner just as soon as things with the house get settled. A few kind people offer their help. Most think you're insane, but will probably never say it, so you just won't know. And if they saw the state of your kitchen, which is very similar to a staged medieval reenactment, they wouldn't want to come over and eat anyway.

3) You save money on decorating. Because there is no point, you are merely camping until the drywall/paint/new floor stage which is still four years off.

4) Little things mean a lot. Working lights in the bathroom. A dryer. The water treatment system. You can remember when none of these things, or even the technology to implement these things, were in place in your home. And it was just a few months ago! You can remember extension cords running through the bathroom, water that was so hard it practically knocked you out when you showered, and laundry days that never happened because they were rained out. Now, you really, really take pleasure in some things that a lot of people take for granted.

5) You have a low mortgage payment. Or maybe none at all. Because you bought the property no one else wanted, had time for, or knew what to do with. In fact, maybe some agency even gave you money to fix up your property. Either way, the town and your neighbors are glad someone bought and is fixing up that eyesore.

6) You learn patience. You know this when you're asking question like "Will they give us an extension on that permit?" and "How long do we have to keep living like this?" Because unlike a pregnancy, there is no due date for this project.

7) No one can accuse you of being prideful or vain. Because, both figuratively and literally, vanity does not live in a house this humble.

8) It's not a big deal when the dogs destroy something. There are no lasting consequences if the puppy chews off some ragged molding and then vomits it on the carpet. Both things will be replaced eventually.

9) It's not a big deal when you destroy something. I truly was sorry when, in a blinding fit of fear, I broke a glass panel in a door because the front door knob jammed and I was locked inside the house. But we're getting rid of that entire door anyway. And the doorway. Actually, that whole room.

10) It was His will. If nothing else, you just have to remember that this was something you prayed about and you are certain that God placed you here for a reason. You might not see it now, but perhaps someday it will be made clear why He wanted you right where you are, hand plunged into a dark hole in the ceiling, fishing electrical wire with your husband.

Leave a Comment

Untitled Comment

10:12, Monday, January 21, 2008 .. Posted by morningsunshine
thanks for the bright side of things! I love reading your posts.

thanks for the laugh!

03:36, Monday, January 21, 2008 .. Posted by blessedmomof10
Oh I needed to read this post this morning!!!!!!!!!!!

I am living this right now and we restore this old place...... thanks for helping me to see the "lighter side" of things!!

Blessings~~
gloria

***Thank you, Gloria! It is so encouraging to know that it is not just me!!***

Edited by Mennobrarian on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at 09:43

OH MY GOSH!!!

11:36, Thursday, January 24, 2008 .. Posted by knitmama
I wish I had that attitude when I lived in our rehabber. Long story short, hubby couldn't spend the time any more and we've moved out!! But you're SOOO right about not having to clean!! Or decorate. AND ....I've been thinking about the comment you left on my blog this weekend about the one verse in Pro. 31. WOW, I've never heard that one before. And it's really a beautiful thought. Thanks for sharing. I will be passing it on.
Denise aka The Domestic Angel

LOL!!!

04:50, Sunday, February 10, 2008 .. Posted by jenlow
Yes! I understand completley! We moved into our "Fixer-Upper" 10 years ago when our youngest daughter was almost 1 year old. She will be 11 in July and we still haven't finished yet! Sometimes I get tired of telling people "I'm sorry the house looks so bad....." when they come over. The great thing is that God has provided us with a "HOME" instead of just a house. Praise Him! God bless you and good luck on your "Home" journey.