We moved into our forever home a year ago. Hubby took 7 weeks of long service leave when we first moved, to help out with settling everyone in and to get some stuff done around the house.
During those first 7 weeks, we thought we’d get the following done…
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- Finish tiling, grouting and painting inside the toilet.
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- Line corner walls in the Shed.
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- Set up a temporary work office in the Shed.
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- Weed mat & crusher dust under the deck.
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- Install shelving under the deck to store gardening tools.
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- Install and plumb new fridge, after installing a new water pump under the house.
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- Insulate and sheet walls, cornice, plaster and paint the 3rd Bedroom.
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- Build dog kennels and fence dog yard.
To say we were ambitious is an understatement. We had rocks in our heads! I’m guessing we were under the impression that because we would be living there at ‘The Goldie’ (rather than travelling down for long weekends here and there), we’d be able to get more done. Nope! We moved at Easter, had friends stay, did a bit of tiling, then it was back to school. 5 more weeks left of leave. We planted a couple of banana trees, did a bit more tiling, and got some walls painted to finish off the bathroom and toilet. Tick – we had an inside toilet! What a luxury! No more going over to the shed in the middle of the night to wee.
Once the kids started school in our new area, we were busier than ever! The days were short! School activities started. There were new places to see, and new people to meet. Sometimes we’d put in big weekends as a family, doing yard work, cutting firewood for the cooling weather, lining the shed walls, house painting, creating new gardens or some other job, and then we’d be exhausted.
“OK, there needs to be balance. We can’t work all of the time!” We’d agree as a family.
The following weekend, we’d take some time off, and go to the beach for the day. We’d be playing catch-up for it during that next week and weekend. It was time then for a trip away to do the theme parks down at the actual Goldie (the Gold Coast). We spent lovely, quality time together, and then we were home again. Oh no, we’re running out of time. Hubby returns to work next week, and we haven’t finished a single job! When I say finished. I mean done and dusted… and painted and glossed. The toilet, for instance, we had hung the door, but it had not been painted, nor had the door and window frames! They’re still not done to this date. One day…
During this time, I watched a few reno shows (I can’t do the drama of The Block, but I like ‘Fixer to Fabulous’ on 9Now). It’s a trap watching these programs! Don’t do it! Watching a lovely couple with 5 children, turning an old decrepit 3-bedroom house (like the one we live in) into a completely revamped freshly-painted, beautifully decorated, decluttered million-dollar home, within the space of 45 mins (minus ad breaks). It starts to set very unrealistic expectations of what is achievable, the length of time certain projects take, and the money involved. I’m also guessing that this couple has an entire team of tradespersons and suppliers looking after all of the finer details, plus a Nanny to help out with the kids!
Hubby’s long service leave was over in no time. Before we knew it, 6 months had passed. Then it was Christmas and we were celebrating New Year’s.
The next thing we know, we’re asking ourselves… “How have we been in our new home for over a year already!?”
There are still projects on that list above that have not been completed. There have been many projects since then, which have been started and remain incomplete. Sometimes it’s due to money. Or lack thereof. The materials we need to finish that project cost money, and we don’t have the budget that month! Some of it is time. Or lack thereof. We have less time available, between the day-to-day running of a household, yard work, groceries, meals, washing etc., so getting anything extra done around the house is nearly impossible most weeks. Other times, a mini-crisis would come up. E.g. our dog (Mr Kevin) was sick and needed to go to the vet urgently. He was on antibiotics and needed extra care. (You’ll hear more about Mr. Kevin… he’s always getting himself into trouble). Some weeks I just simply wouldn’t have anything left in the tank to give. The last thing on Earth I felt like doing was putting any effort into this house!
There have been times when I have said to myself and Hubby that moving here was a mistake! Where I’ve thought… I’m just not cut out for this! We’ll be working forever on this bloody house! I’m going to spend the rest of my life mowing, slashing, weeding, painting…. (whatever it is at the time)! But when I wake up in the early morning with a moment to myself to sit on the deck, cuddled up in a blanket and listening to the morning chorus of the birds. Or watch the kids having a great time riding around on their motorbikes, or chasing chickens around the yard, surrounded by bushland. I know we’ve made the right decision.
It’s a trap if you think your renos are going to go anywhere as quickly, smoothly or beautifully, as you see on the screens. Don’t fall for the trap of thinking things will be done easily, inexpensively, or without any struggle. Good things take time and they aren’t cheap. Great things take even longer and they’re worth the wait and the tears! Enjoy the journey. Let me know about your reno experiences. Can you relate!?
P.S. Stay tuned for future rants when I’m totally over reno-ing again!
Here are a few of the projects that we mostly finished, over the last year. (Not in 7 weeks!)
