Another Layer of Patience

Delays are inherent to renovations.

Throw in a pandemic and you are again reminded of that you are not in control. (We all have been reminded of that this year, right?!)

When wood floors that were manufactured in March 30th at the beginning of the pandemic, and varied by 1/4 inch — measuring between 4 3/4 to 5 1/4 inches wide, your progress comes to a halt.

The delays did allow us to get a jump on some of the finish work. (I have had to dig deep to really have the feels for that silver lining. 🤪)

*The half wall went up while we waited for the batch of new flooring. If you look behind BJR, you see the janky boards that were stopped after three rows of fighting the ill fit.*

While we aren’t in control of much in this beautiful messy life, we can still control how we react to that beautiful mess.

And even after all these months, while delays can be maddening (not to mention deflating), they still do make the end point all the sweeter.

Even though the floors were bungled, we decided to proceed with making the garage a true garage. That was pretty darn exciting! Hip hip hooray!! Especially for BJR. Something about a man and his garage.

*Here’s the before. The windows were ready to be popped out and we will reuse them in the family room. (But that’s not happening until April.)*

BJR took off the siding, and Doug, Adam, Luke and Aaron, came out to help with the transition. They built the new addition for us in the summer of 2017 and it was nice to have them back for the big day.

*We framed out the garage doors when we built the garage, 3 1/2 years ago.*

The windows will be tucked away for safe keeping until April, when we do the family room.

*We are ready for you, garage door people!*

The garage doors were also on backorder due to Covid, but we were able to factor that time in when we ordered them. (I don’t know if Sturgis Overhead Door normally is used to dance parties when they install? 💃🕺🏻💃)

*Three loads of fill dirt and two loads of gravel later, to bring up the drive to the garage floor.*

To see the happiness on BJR’s face when he was able to pull his Harley in the garage was priceless. And to park his truck in a warm, dry garage.

Now — there were some growing pains, without flooring and the garage being a true garage. Just keeping it real.

*This mess was hard for me. Reaffirmed I don’t want to ever be a hoarder. Ever. The Mudroom, linen closet, library and office all jumbled together.*

*This is for all those unsympathetic people who thought garage life was a breeze.* *This was our basement bedroom*. 😳

After 3 1/2 years of garage living, I can’t begin to really describe the sweetness and thrill of the little things.

Waking up and having a window to look out — even with the dark winter mornings. Yay.

Climbing out of bed and stepping onto a soft carpeted floor. Ahh—check!

*Carpet makes me feel like royalty.* 👸🏻👸🏻👸🏻 *(Who needs bathroom doors anyway?)*

Having a real vanity in the bathroom, as opposed to the utility sink, is a thrill. I grin every morning when I don’t have to lean so far down when brushing my teeth.