Halfway?

I find that it’s very easy with a blog to show nice pictures of nice things. Who wants to see how bad it can get right? We all want the pretty, the daydream of how things will stay. My friends things are out of control at my cottage and I’m not afraid to say it. I look around and it really seems like every single thing is half done. And when I say half done, I mean the easy half. It’s easy to put up the first cupboard door, but harder to get the second one to match (trust me, Bj and I worked on this exact issue for an hour yesterday, damn spring hinges). It’s easy to pay someone to come do something, but it’s hard to get them to come back and fix a mistake. This is why right now I can’t use my bathroom sink. So let’s check in on the progress…
Bedroom_1

The garage is half tidied up, and I hate that the weird piece of MDF is half painted pink. I got rid of half the cans of old paint left here, but half are still half full so now I have to find a special disposal place.
Basement_2
And the basement, oh my god is it giving me grief. I mean all I want to do is make you pretty basement, work with me here!!! We went to rent a sander last night to get the old paint off. It didn’t work, it wasn’t the right thing. So the floor is still half done, and it needs to be all the way done before they come jack hammer up the edges next week. We tried this eco stripper, and it only halfway worked, which won’t cut it. The lights are halfway hung, and the whole basement is only halfway painted.

But did I mention I found the bolts? I think I better get back to work and finish some of these projects. Too bad I only have half the strength of a normal human in my upper body, and I think maybe half a brain right now too. The other half? it’s going crazy! Oh and I can only work half time on this, because I’m working full time on Ribbon Jar.

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11 Comments

  1. alp- you should make this post a children’s book- dr. seuss anyone? sorry everything is half done, but at least you can see the progress. your house is going to be amazing.

  2. alp- you should make this post a children’s book- dr. seuss anyone? sorry everything is half done, but at least you can see the progress. your house is going to be amazing.

  3. Amber Lee,
    This is why I enjoy your blog so much! It must be discouraging to deal with all your ‘halfways’, but instead of ‘moaning’ you turn your post into something quirky, clever and funny. I think your ‘cottage’ is going to be so beautiful when you’re done! The hardwood floors are just gorgeous. Don’t get discouraged, by Christmas it will be a totally different picture (and we’ll look forward to seeing the continued progress). In this moment things probably seem overwhelming, but when you’ve finished this labor intensive project you’ll have something to really be proud of, and it will mean so much to you because of how much of yourself you put into it…
    Nancy Peacock

  4. Nancy’s right… you have already accomplished so much and everything will be perfect when it’s done. Not that you asked for it.. but here is a bit of motherly advice: you are just about done and have just a bit of something to do in every room, if you were to start with one room at a time from here on out (I would start with the easiest) and finish that… you would not only have an organized space to retreat to after working hard, but also see a glimpse of what the fabulous finished project will be. Have fun…. looking great!

  5. Oh Amber…
    You have done an amazing job and it will all finally come together very soon. This week is going to be a crucial week.
    BTW…I think there is still metal in my leg from the door. 🙁

  6. Hey! I think you are in for a treat because now you get to tick off your ‘finished’ list twice as fast because it’s all half done already. Bonus.
    When Ed was training for the marathon he was running >20miles 2 or 3 times a week. He would run away from home for half the distance and then turn around and run back for the second half. He always marvelled at how much easier the second half was because you’ve already mapped it out, you know where you’re aiming for, and your headed for home.
    xxx

  7. Don’t be too hard on yourself, you’re moving in! These things take time to sort themselves out. Just take it one thing at a time, as my dad says–start with the thing that bugs you the most and do it, then go to the next thing. Or start with the easiest things, the ones that will be the fastest to complete. Then you can check a whole bunch of stuff off quickly. And smile! 🙂

  8. Hang in there…and remember that it will never be truly done in your mind. My husband and I just built a BRAND NEW HOUSE and we have 7 projects currently HALF-DONE…how does THAT happen???
    p.s. I love that polka-dotted quilt on your bed. Where did you get that….oh, you’ll probably say a rummage sale!

  9. Amber Lee,
    I was wondering where those pajama pants were! I had forgotten you had them…finish them when you have the time 🙂 Nancy and Julie are both right: It will all be worth the hard work in the end, and just take it a room at a time. you’ve got too much going on right now. Pick one thing, finish it, then move on to the next. It will be great! I can’t wait to see it!

  10. I am gping to dub thee amazinf amber and friends
    you guys rock
    i love your floors
    i love the colors you have in your house
    everything is simple beautiful 🙂

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