Once upon a time…
…a couple decided to have a house built. After picking tiles, granite, cabinets, and hardwoods… it seemed as if all there was nothing left to do. Except wait. Construction was scheduled to start in April….meaning that the happy couple (and child) could brave the heat of the Washington DC area and move all their precious belongings in August.
But then…it happened. The snow storm of 2010. Or should I say, the multiple snow storms of 2010. April became May, May became June….and now….well now, it appears as construction is underway. Instead of sweating through a move, the couple is hoping (with fingers crossed) that the move happens before the winter comes again.
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I have never owned a house that started from–well, nothing. Cara Mamma the Elder and Papi the Brain have a habit of buying houses and re-doing them as if they are starting from nothing…so I am used to renovations…but new construction is a whole new animal. It is exciting and frustrating all at the same time. Rocket has been through the new home construction process….and despite the anguish, decided to take it on again, hoping this time would be a bit easier. Principessa is thrilled because her new room will be connected to a Jack and Jill bathroom (for those of you that are wondering what that is: it is when two bedrooms are connected by a bathroom–think Brady Bunch!). She was not too happy to find out that Rocket and I will have a fireplace in our bedroom….she put in a request “for a fire” but for now, will have to be content without.
I have always thought that making a house a home was about putting up pictures, and making the space feel warm and inviting.
But now I wonder:
The front door. Does this say "Welcome Home" to you?
There is a large machine in the garage! Where will my car fit?
hmmm... the basement looks a little ummm... gray.
What I have learned is that creating a new home starts with…
• Patience and optimism. You would think this would come easily (the optimism, not the patience)—after all, I beat cancer once. A new house? No problem.
• Buttering up the sales person and construction manager. I am thinking wine, lots of wine might convince them to keep things moving.
• Begging. It would really make us happy to have the house ready before Thanksgiving. I recognize September as an unrealistic goal..but maybe if Principessa gets in on the begging, October?
• Concrete. Forget the pictures and warm fuzzies, all you really need is concrete—lots and lots (and lots) of concrete.
xo
