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Renovation Woes and A Run

Okay. Time for some truths.

I’m pretty stressed right now, and I could be handling it a whole lot better than I am.

These bathroom renovations are getting to me – the delays, the inspectors, the permits, the water issue, the seemingly-never-ending setbacks that cost more and more money. I’ve been irritable and grouchy and not winning any parenting awards. This morning, I cried on the phone with a contractor. I mean, ugly-bawled-couldn’t-get-my-words-out-between-gasps-for-breath cried. Not my finest moment.

These renovations are tough for me, mostly because I just don’t understand the ins and outs of construction. Give me an IQ test or an IEP, I’m your girl. Monolithic concrete foundations, footings and electrical junction boxes? Not so much. I’m looking, I’m learning, but the curve is steep and long. It’s more than a little frustrating. And a good lesson in humility. I’m becoming very good at saying, “I don’t understand. Can you explain it to me?”

After dinner tonight, Pierre sent me out for a run to clear my head. Let’s be clear. I am not a runner. I run, and I don’t really like it. I run because it is great exercise that I can get right outside my front door. I huff and puff my way, thinking, “I hate running. I hate running. Why is that bouncing? I need to pee” all the way though. I don’t run because I like it. I run because of the way I feel after I’m done. THAT, I like.

Tonight, I did 5k in the sunlight at 7 p.m. That alone felt great. Sunshine in the evening. Summer is coming. Families were BBQing. The air smelled fantastic. I borrowed Pierre’s IPod. Borrowing his IPod is always a musical adventure. Last time I used it, I was egged on by Sir Mix-a-Lot. You know the song. Tonight, it was Huey Lewis and The Power of Love. All I needed was Michael J. Fox and a flux capacitor. 

I ran home, more than a little out of breath, but with a lot more perspective:

It’s just a basement.

There is it. It’s just a basement. Sure, the setbacks are frustrating, but it’ll all get done. Soon, the boys will have a nice, dry, safe place to play. And the best part is that they can play. So – there it is.

Does this mean that I’m not stressed anymore? No, because renovations are stressful. They just are. But, it does mean that I’m going to work a little harder to not let the stress consume me. Not an easy task, because I’m very good at getting lost in stress. Which, of course, is pointless because – it’s just a basement. Is there an echo?

After my run, the boys were heading for bed. Nicholas told me that I was a beautiful rose (awwww), and wanted snuggles – without having to touch my sweaty clothes. Hmmm…I learned across his bed as far as I could to kiss his little face. Apparently, I didn’t smell like a beautiful rose.

It’s just a basement. Apply, rinse, repeat.

xo Naomi

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