"So let it be written ... so let it be DONE!"
December 4, 2012 LOL! Ah geez. That cracks me up every.single.time. It just never gets old. Even after all these years.
I was in the middle of writing a lengthy description of that scene when it occurred to me it MUST be on YouTube. You have no idea how hysterically funny that is to me. I swear, I could be in the crabbiest mood - but if you start quoting Ramses ...
Lemme 'splain.
My brother and I have used that quote since ... well ... ever since we were kids to express a final, unwavering commitment to accomplish something important.
Or mundane.
It doesn't really matter.
You can say it for no reason at all. Just because it's fun. You should try it. You'll see what I mean. Like the next time your husband (or any family member) says he's going to ... I dunno ... make a cup of coffee or let the dog out, say it. Let me know what happens.
And of course it must always be said with the distinct Yul-Brynner-as-Ramses accent. AND you have to point like he does too or your declaration doesn't count.
Sorry. Got sidetracked from the point of today's message ... which is this final and unwavering commitment: we are building a house.
And in like we start in a few days. I know. It's a pretty big deal.
Let me clarify that the actual digging of the hole starts tomorrow. But this major undertaking of ours started almost 2 years ago. And we've been working with an architect since March. So tomorrow might sound a bit sudden to you, but there's an entire novel's worth of back story ... trust me on that one!
We've never built before.
In fact, we're still living in the first house we bought - a year and a half after we were married.
No, I'M not going to pick up a hammer myself and make a holy mess of things.
I've lived with myself long enough to know I'd be all, "What do you mean Martha Stewart's craft glue and a few safety pins aren't enough to hold up 3 stories of house?"
Or "Can't we just skip all this boring code regulations stuff and get straight to the decorating?"
Or "OMG, HURRY! CALL 9-1-1!!! Why? 'Cause I'm seriously injured, that's why! Look, I got a sliver. See? Here. No, it's right HERE. See? SEE? Look, it's HUGE. OUCH, don't touch it! It totally hurts. Where are the sirens? I don't hear any sirens. Did you call yet? Listen, if I die from a horrible infection that won't respond to antibiotics it will be TOTALLY your fault for not seeking immediate medical attention for THE MOTHER OF YOUR CHILDREN!"
Nope. We are way smarter than that. Almost 17 years of marriage smarter. So we found ourselves a pretty awesome guy who knows what he's doing to build it for us.
See, we've been living in a cute (on the inside only - exterior is deteriorating faster than our children are growing up), fairly old (built in 1952), kinda small (1150 sq ft) and very poorly insulated bungalow for 16 years. It was great when it was just the two of us. Fine when we became parents for the first time. Still adequate with two little ones. Sort of.
But now? Mmmm, not so much. We only have one bathroom. And it's all of 5' x 7'. So when you minus the space taken up by the tub, sink & toilet, there is only just barely enough space to turn around but definitely NOT enough to do the hokey pokey. I suppose that only matters if one is so inclined to do the hokey pokey in one's bathroom. I am not. But still. Some day I might want to. And knowing that I don't even have the option has been difficult to live with all these years.
Traffic jams in the kitchen are routine. You can't boil the kettle AND run the dishwasher at the same time ... unless of course you need a reason to risk life and limb by braving a trip to the bowels of the basement to turn the breaker switch back on.
We DO have his and hers closets ... but his is in the bedroom and hers is in the sewing room. We need space heaters in the winter to keep our house from turning into a cryogenics lab. I could go on ad nauseum about all the reasons we're going to put our marriage to the ultimate test (so I've been told).
Suffice it to say, it's time. HIGH time if you ask anyone who knows we've been looking for almost 10 years. We just finally realized that what we want doesn't exist for our budget. So we've compromised and are moving all of 15 blocks away. To a lovely treed street in a lovely neighborhood. We'll be happy there. We are happy here. We will just be happy-ER there ... where we don't have to file into the house one by one down a narrow hall. Or schedule showers/laundry/dishes to avoid running out of hot water. Or where someone can have a nap while someone else is practicing piano/violin. You know, those sorts of creature comforts. Not to mention we will no longer need to consider selling one of our children to pay for the winter heating bills. I know the poor little dears will sleep easier without that threat hanging over their heads.
This build is expected to take about 10 months. At the moment, I plan to share the process with you. Even if it's just to explain why I don't have as much pretty, crafty, sewy stuff to show you.
So. Let's just see how things go, shall we? I'm sure I'll have some good stories to tell you now and then. In truth, I'm very excited and looking forward to this whole thing. I've heard many horror stories and been warned about how hard/stressful/disappointing/exhausting it can be. But my rose-colored glasses are firmly in place. And I don't plan on taking them off.
Even if I have to staplegun them to my head.
So let it be written ... so let it be DONE!
Reader Comments (29)
I am so happy for you, and look forward to your posts about this endeavor. I think if you keep your wonderful sense of humor you will survive this EVENT!
Woo-hoo! Go for it and keep us posted!
and Merry Christmas, too.
Oh, wow, how exciting! If (when!) it gets tough try to focus on the end result...and if that doesn't work either pick paint colours, play with fabric or buy some new fabric to play with...all activities should, of course, be accompanied by chocolate and a cup of tea!
Well, now as you go through your arctic winter for the last time, think about the traditions you have had in your 'cottage' and decide which ones get to continue in the new house. Going to bed in four pairs of socks, two knit caps, and three sets of flannel jammies may not be one of the traditions that carries forward. Enjoy your last winter in the cottage knowing that next winter, your girls will be in their same school but you will be much warmer at home while they are at their desks learning.
We built our dream house with a 5 year old, 3 year old and newborn. We moved in 18 months after the hole was dug. It was an amazing journey and as long as you work with good people it will be wonderful. Promise. Kind of. No really!
Have you been at the mulled wine???
V x
Question: What kind of fabric are you using for the ornaments ? Wool felt? I am new to this. Wear can I purchase it?
Thank You,
Linda
Congratulations! And only YOU could find a way to prop and style photos of blueprints!
You are too funny! I love your sense of humor! Just remember to always look through those rose-colored glasses and you'll be fine. Congrats to you on a new home! I guess you get a hole for Christmas... lol! ;) Happy Holidays to you and yours! :)
Congratulations! Making new memories is so exciting. So much to look forward to and so much to do! Good luck building your dream!
Lori
:) glad to hear things are moving ahead! Good luck! Can't wait to hear the progress.
Xoxoxo
Sarah
Congratulations! This will be so worth it! Enjoy! :O) Can't wait to see pictures! (and the glasses - even with staples to your head!) (Do they make wasabi tape colored staples?)
Kristyne, I don't know how you are finding time to sew at all! How exciting for you to get a home you designed or picked out! We are currently moving and I am blogging about it some... it is nice to have an outlet! Hope you include us in on your plans as you make them ! Kathi
It is my life's ambition to eventually build the smallest possible house that will comfortably house us and our two planned for kids. But right now we're just starting our life together (just over three years married and going on 8 together) so our little 2 bedroom, 1 bath townhouse will do just fine for a few more years.
Best of luck with your build and I would love to hear all of your stories, good and bad, about the process so I'll know what to expect when we get to that point in our own lives.
Creative minds think alike. (Smile) We are still in the process of building our home.....almost 8 years and counting, ha ha, because we have been doing most of the work ourselves. All because I wanted a bigger sewing room! (And now I spend most of my time in the kitchen.....go figure.) We had NO building experience but I decided we can do this! Don't let anyone discourage you. If it's something you really want, you can do it. But throw out all the time lines. Deadlines come and go. Be patient. It has been the most rewarding thing I've ever done in my life....and also the most difficult. But if I had it to do all over I wouldn't change a thing. (Well maybe one or two little things, ha ha) Another thing...whatever someone tells you it's going to cost you better be prepared that it's going to cost more. That's a given. If there are any questions I can answer for you I will be glad to oblige. Good Luck to you!!!!!! Have fun.
This writing is so humorous and fun! Thanks for sharing- it made my day happy-ER!
Clearly one of the most pleasurable time(s) of my life was while building the four... (4) homes we have built over the past three decades of our marriage. I'm a perfectionist. Each time I improved and am finally livin' the dream in my Dream Home. I'd build again tomorrow if I hadn't promised not to in negotiating to build the last one. Best of luck!
How exciting!!!!!!! I hope somewhere in those blueprints there is a drawing entitled "K's Sewing Room", and that it is everything you hope for! Thanks for letting us have a front-row seat to your adventure. Good Luck and Big Hugs to you! :)
You're toooo funny! Congratulations! It sounds like you're going into it with eyes wide open. We did that once -- it was fun but lots of work. My big advice is -- check on it every day -- at least every other day. That way you can catch the mistakes as they happen and before it's too late to do anything about them. Can't wait to see your new house in progress!
I am pointing. HAVE FUN!!
Yes, let it be done. Good luck with it all. We'll be rooting for you, and look forward to the story along the way.
OY.
I do hope those plans include a naturally lit, ergonomically designed, with room for design walls and fainting couches, kind of studio!
So let it be Written, So let it be DONE!
(perennial FAVORITE at our house too -- I'm telling you -- sistahs from anotha matha)
Congratulations! What a great adventure.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you that everything will work smothly. And tell me: you have an extra big sewing romm in the new house, right? And will you take your Laura Ashley wallpaper take with you? Hildy
This sounds incredible and exciting! And only a few blocks away ... you can inspect it daily! I'm sure the contractors will all love you in the end as you hang over their shoulders and ask what's happening :) I think you're very wise to build a brand new home while you're living in the present one. A think more of a test would be renovating your existing house while living in it. Looking forward to all your updates! Wendy (ps I've followed your blog for a while and really enjoy your beautiful work)
I can't wait to see pics!! Hurry up and get your sewing room decorated so I know what to do with mine!! lol
First of all, don't disrescpect Martha's glue cause it can hold up ANYTHING!
Secondly, how the HELL have the 4 of you managed to live in a house the size of a condo and with ONE FRICKIN' bathroom? You are my hero for that alone!
Thirdly, we live in an old house too. Remodeling the bathrooms were a pain. However, it made us tough and crazy enough to take on a major kitchen expansion/remodel. We doubled the size of our kitchen. That was tough. If it couldn't be cooked on the barbeque or in a crock pot, it didn't happen. It was totally worth it! 16 weeks and now more that one person can be in the kitchen at once.
The odd thing about this? I hate to cook! ;p Anyway, it will be much easier for your family because you aren't trying to live in the construction zone. ;p
So, let it be written. Let it be done!
1. HOLY CR@P YOU'RE BUILDING A HOUSE.
2. So funny, we have quoted Ramsey's a few times as well. Who doesn't love Yul Brenner.
3. YOU'RE BUILDING A HOUSE.
It's going to be so awesome!
I've watched Kevin McLeod on telly for years, I know exactly how this'll go! Lucky you, you already know how it turns out and don't need to wait.
We have one very small bathroom. Not so much the small, but luxury = bathroom x residents + 1. Some day!