We were lucky...remodel started in July and ended in Oct (total gutted 3 rooms and moved doors walls etc). Contractor left as much as he possibly could installed until the last possible minute. We setup an island on the porch with pans, utensils and staples. Also one of the 2 1/2 gallon water bottles with spigot. Used rice cooker (which I use for everything that requires water...vegies, potatoes plus rice) electric frypan and grill with burner. Used disposable plates for awhile until DH decided he was willing to carry them up and down stairs to wash. (we have a kitchenette in basement with sink and micro). We decided that key thing would be mornings getting ready for work. Had an unoccupied bedroom and set up breakfast /lunch making supplies with small refrigerator and coffee pot and countertop for prep (old stereo stand). Kept us from getting stressed in the morning. Rarely ate out during this period and were able to eat pretty much as usual. We do a lot of grilling anyhow.

Oh, yes! I feel like screaming, crying, etc. Sometimes I look around and start shaking because I don't know where to start in order to clean up some of the continual mess. I teach fitness classes every morning and have been at this particular place for over 10 years. I recently got a second class at a new place just on Fridays after my regular job. So, last Thurs, Lowe's called to tell me my pantry door was ready. I was so excited!! Friday morning, I take off for my regular class in the old pick-up truck. I stop and get two bales of hay and then to Lowe's to pick up my door. When I got home, my husband said, "Are you just going to take the car now?" I didn't know what he was talking about. He said, "To your second class!" All of a sudden I got queasy and my heart started racing. I had completely forgotten about the second class!! So I braced myself for the phone call I had to make and my boss wasn't even at the gym. She didn't even know I hadn't shown up yet. She was very understanding and told me not to beat myself up for it (which I did anyway). However, I would have to fill out a psych form that would go in my file in case it ever happens again!! WHAT?!? Talk about embarrassing! In 23 years, I only forgot about one class that someone asked me to sub about two months in advance. My DH and kids thought I was teasing them and that the class had actually been canceled. THIS is what this remodel has done to me. Although, it could also be the menopause!! We couldn't have hired out this project, that wouldn't have gone with our budget, so I know that IF it was going to get done, this is how- but it's not been pretty. Same here! I CANT BELIEVE I CHOSE THIS PATTERN! IT'S AWFULL!! Now that's funny!

Landlord's good at clearing our long lane ... but he, sod farmer on winter holiday, was in Dom. Repub. with wife ... then on trip snowmobiling with pals to N. Quebec, not sure where his son was. No trouble getting in and out for an extended period but after the old guys' coffee hour and shopping and computer stuff, had to back up and go ahead several times in order to get in to house on Thurs. almost two weeks ago, then same story both out and in on Friday while coming to the library to yak to you folks. Stayed home on Sat., some back and forth both ways on Sunday for church, shopping and visit to son. On Monday, after several times back and forth ... got stuck, had quite a lot of shovelling ... to get to church for discussion of topics brought up by our church magazine ... to be told that it had been cancelled, sec. had called me, left a message but I, thinking the machine full, hadn't checked: it's been full for a while. So ... to the library again. On return home ... had enough speed developed at the early part of the lane that I got through O.K. What's that they say ... that guys over 40 aren't supposed to shovel snow|? Snowed overnight ... was really stuck going out on Tuesday ... a pickup truck travelling the road drove back and forth in the lane a few times to break trail for me ... but not in the best spot, and my undercarriage too low, so I was shovelling again ... when the landlord arrived ... so he went home and returned with the snow blower .... I backed quite a long way back the lane and then was able to get out O.K. Later he fired up the (small) bulldozer and cleared a wide path. It's been O.K since ... but snowed last night, snow and ice pellets with freezing rain today, I had to bang the garage door a bit to break a bit of ice, then a bit of shovelling near it and arrived here O.K. ... should be acceptable drive home, despite more snow and freezing rain. I'd thought to go to town ... but thought better of it: too much traffic on busy streets. I may be dumb ... but (claim to be) not stupid. Like in investing: measured risk-taking. And experience helps. Measure of health has a major bearing on the issue, too: as I've said here before, it's seldom that my body says, "Listen, you darned old fool: I can't DO that for you any more!"! Which reminds me: the office assistant at the urologist's called today to tell me my biopsy is to be March 18 ... ... then, 10 min. later, said that Cancer clinic called to say that that was week of March (school) Break ... so my date's to be Mar. 25 ... ... I told her that I'd try to stay alive till then. My P S A test's way high. ole joyfuelled ... thankful to have noted next to no diminution of capability after the pulmonary blood clots almost 4-1/2 years ago

We are in the final stages of building a new home. If the rain will ever stop so the land can be graded, we should be in within the next couple of weeks. Honestly, most of the build process has been very enjoyable and we would certainly do it again if we have the opportunity. The most important part for us was finding the right General Contractor. We were fortunate to be able to tour a home he had recently remodeled and speak candidly with the owners about the process. We were also able to tour the GC's own home, which by pure coinsidence just so happened to be same plan that we had been dreaming of building for several years! We met with him several times for hours before we even signed a contract just to make sure that we would all work together well and that our vision was basically the same. We never felt rushed or pushing into signing with him. The biggest issues we've had were mostly weather related and resulted in delays and some extra costs. But, we were also knew to prepare for some unexpected costs. There have been some issues where sub contractors didn't do things the way we had agreed, but our GC was always quick to get them corrected. Many of our allowances were in my opinion too low, for my tastes. But, I never found that I couldn't come in at or under budget if I truly wanted to do it. Research, preparing well in advance and keeping things organized on Pinterest really has helped us.