The Great Townhouse Project of 2013 - Weeks 6, 7, & 8

So many of you have asked about the project lately that I thought an update might be in order.

I haven't posted about the townhouse lately for several reasons:

1. So much has happened lately that I don't want to spoil the Before and After post I'm going to do at the end.

2. I thought you might be getting sick of it by now.

3. I'm getting sick of it.

**Whine alert**

Seriously. This was a much bigger project that I anticipated. Every day of my summer so far has been consumed with this townhouse. 

A friend emailed this morning and said, "You seemed totally stressed when I saw you the other day. Time to stop the renovations."

Amen, friend. Amen.

I SO want this to be done--and it almost is--but I can't just quit now. 

In all honesty, though, I have to tell you that many mornings this summer I've woken up and grieved the fact that I've only been able to sit on my porch exactly five times all summer. I've longed to spend an hour in the sun. I've missed my friends. I've wondered if I even HAVE friends. I've thought, "I can't take this anymore!" And I've wanted to be able to snap my fingers and have it all done, like, NOW. 

**End of whine**

Like I said, I'm nearing the end. I'm washing floors and hanging pictures this week, so it's almost there. (I do still need beds, but I'll find them.) Things are coming along.

The best part? I've finally been able to put the paint away! (Oh my word. If I never see another paint brush it won't be too soon.)

Here's a sneak peek at one of my favorite things we've done so far. 

Isn't it pretty?!

The past few weeks haven't been without some setbacks, though--the biggest being the water heater. 

Yes, a couple of weeks ago, on a Monday morning, I walked in and the house felt strange. I can't describe it other than it just felt different.

I walked upstairs and did a couple of things, then I went down to the basement. Once I got down there I thought, "Hmmm. That's strange. It's warm down here." Not only that, it was humid. The basement is usually cool and dry, so it felt weird that it was damp that day.

Then I heard water and knew something was up.

I stepped into the utility room and saw that water was pouring out of the bottom of the water heater. No telling how long that had been going on--thankfully the floor was wet but not damaged. I called a plumber immediately and now I can say I am the proud, albeit a bit surprised, owner of a brand, spanking new 40 gallon water heater.

It's the little things, right?

Actually, this was a big thing. A there-goes-the-new-kitchen-floor-because-your-budget-is-busted kind of thing. 

Yes, some decisions had to be made because, frankly, after the Great Water Heater Incident, I was out of money, out of time, and out of energy.

The kitchen floor will not be replaced. 

Nor will the kitchen cupboards be painted.

Sad to say, I'm human. I can only handle so much, and painting kitchen cupboards in Week 8 just is outside of the limits of my humanity. And my sanity.

In the meantime, over the 4th of July weekend, I got some wonderful help from my family. Caroline painted the utility room--hooray! (She's been on paint crew at the college all summer, so the girl knows what she's doing with a brush and roller.) 

B spent lots of time helping me with all sorts of things. Especially windows and screens. Ahhh. It feels so good to have clean windows!

Speaking of windows . . . see those blinds? They are some of the very few things we salvaged from this place, and now they are very clean. AFTER TWO HOURS OF SCRUBBING!!!

Geesh!

Here's another project that took hours.

The patio doors in the kitchen were covered with this contact paper. Who thought that was a good idea? 

Julia and I spent the better part of a day getting that stuff off the window because, as you can see, it came off in small pieces (at first--until we figured out a system) and left all the gummy, sticky backing on the window.

Thank goodness I found this spray-on product at the hardware store that took the backing off in just 10 minutes. Whew!

Here's my cheerful helper--isn't she great? (Wah! I miss her! She's in Memphis on a missions trip this week.)

I'm grateful for all of my helpers this summer--I really could never have finished this project without them. I'm pretty sure I'd be institutionalized by now if I hadn't had the encouragement and support of my family. 

And Glenda!

So, up next will be a Before and After post, hopefully next week. And maybe a few thoughts about this project after that. 

But I also want to tell you about my reward that's coming up quickly . . .  *squee!!!!*

Alright, check in. Just tell me something in the comments to let me know I'm not alone! What's your summer been like? What are you looking forward to?