One thing I adore about Wendy is her willingness to be part of a team. Our team of two. As individuals we are strong, but together we are a serious force.
I blogged months ago about our shed project. I was jovial and in high spirits, as I often am at the start of a new project. We spent two days digging in the dirt, hauling and compacting crushed gravel, leveling, adjusting, tamping, squaring, blocking. At the end of those two days, all we had to show for it was a shed foundation.
Two days.
One foundation.
No sheds.
Time flew as time tends to do. The foundation mocked me from the backyard and the boxes containing our shed kits did the same from the carport. Weeks ticked by. An available block of time with cooperative weather was elusive. A friend said (more than once), "Y'all got those sheds up yet? Why don't you just hire Pedro and Carlos to do it? They'd have them up in no time and you can sit and watch them work from the comfort of your porch!"
Our friend doesn't get it. That approach would defeat the purpose. The process of home renovation has not been about hiring folks to do the work. It been about learning, doing, discovering our limitations and working through them. Yes, there are things we will pay to have done, major electrical and plumbing top the list. But grunt work? We'll do it. Installation? We'll do it, be it ceramic tile or ceiling fans. Repairs? Bring it on. Sometimes we get to do things more than once because we don't get it right the first time. Despite the learning curve, the end result always brings a sense of satisfaction.
The financial aspect is not one to be ignored. We can spend more for quality elements when we save on labor by doing things ourselves. Take this shed project. We priced sheds installed on site. By doing the work ourselves, we are getting twice the building for literally half the cost. And the dollar savings translate into opportunity to challenge ourselves. To get off our asses and, as Nike suggests, Just Do It.
The price is physical labor and mental gymnastics. That which doesn't kill us will make us stronger. Or so I've heard. It's held true so far: we are stronger in mind, in body and as a team.
Was the result of this particular project worth the gallons of sweat and agony? (And of course there was agony. There is always agony. We must like it.)
But it was worth it.
Hell yes, my friends.
It surely was.
I blogged months ago about our shed project. I was jovial and in high spirits, as I often am at the start of a new project. We spent two days digging in the dirt, hauling and compacting crushed gravel, leveling, adjusting, tamping, squaring, blocking. At the end of those two days, all we had to show for it was a shed foundation.
Two days.
One foundation.
No sheds.
Time flew as time tends to do. The foundation mocked me from the backyard and the boxes containing our shed kits did the same from the carport. Weeks ticked by. An available block of time with cooperative weather was elusive. A friend said (more than once), "Y'all got those sheds up yet? Why don't you just hire Pedro and Carlos to do it? They'd have them up in no time and you can sit and watch them work from the comfort of your porch!"
Our friend doesn't get it. That approach would defeat the purpose. The process of home renovation has not been about hiring folks to do the work. It been about learning, doing, discovering our limitations and working through them. Yes, there are things we will pay to have done, major electrical and plumbing top the list. But grunt work? We'll do it. Installation? We'll do it, be it ceramic tile or ceiling fans. Repairs? Bring it on. Sometimes we get to do things more than once because we don't get it right the first time. Despite the learning curve, the end result always brings a sense of satisfaction.
The financial aspect is not one to be ignored. We can spend more for quality elements when we save on labor by doing things ourselves. Take this shed project. We priced sheds installed on site. By doing the work ourselves, we are getting twice the building for literally half the cost. And the dollar savings translate into opportunity to challenge ourselves. To get off our asses and, as Nike suggests, Just Do It.
Was the result of this particular project worth the gallons of sweat and agony? (And of course there was agony. There is always agony. We must like it.)
But it was worth it.
Hell yes, my friends.
It surely was.
.
23 comments:
That shed is beautiful.
You look like an ad out for DIY(with the dogs looking off in other directions, just like the JCPenny ads)
Your shed is bigger than my last apartment! But...it looks great.
Hello from Englnad. That shed looks great! Ummm, I have a garden that needs redoing if ever you get bored;-)
That shed looks great!!! Feel like making a road trip to CT to work on stuff in our new yard? Fran and I are always happy to sit back and watch someone else work. LOL
Psst, Suz - if we could get Sassy to pay by the hour, we could make a fortune!
Quite the shed, that is. Indeed, quite impressive. Kudos to you both.
One fine family photo, there. Oh, and nice shed, too. Congrats on 'just doing it.' Unfinished home projects drive me nuts and the satisfaction that comes from a job well (or exhaustively, anyway) done is tremendous.
p.s. did you ever watch the Canadian comedy show "Kids in the Hall?" They have a great skit where dudes are playing poker and getting all misty about how great lesbians are, 'cuz they do things "together!" This post reminded me of that....
OMG that is IMPRESSIVE. Congratulations!!
What an accomplishment!
Ok, if I promise that the lesbina killing dogs have left, will y'all come lay foundation for us? I am beyond impressed. Your lesbian cred=through the roof!
What do you think of our lesbian cred, eb???
Most excellent shed!
I understand fully the empowerment it can bring to do it yourself. I once built a wall in my house. I swear I hit this place inside me where I was sure I was channeling Bob Vila. I felt like I could do anything. Too bad it disappeared when I caught a glimpse of my laundry basket.
OK, the word shed conjured for me nothing approaching the masterpiece you stand before in the photo, you tool-belt hefting hotties. That's not so much a shed as, I dunno, an outbuilding or a guest cabin. Rock on, girls.
Good looking shed, great looking ladies, hard work, and cool dogs.
Awesome.
Wow! That's something! Very impressive.
a fine shed.
doesn't beer taste so much better after a project like that.
The Wonder Twins- United!
Very nice shed. You are both posing so nicely, too bad the dogs weren't quite cooperating! ;)
Holy shit.
I am well and duly impressed. I'd buy you a beer, but that I only could!
Well done!
re: dogs posing
I dunno, Gina. It's a lovely profile view of Ms. (or Mr.) Bassett...
.
While I don't have such motivation (I would have called Pedro the minute I thought I needed a shed), I so admire what you ladies have done. Bravo!!!
Your shed looks great...congratulations!! You look so proud standing next to it also.Good for you!
Good lord that thing is huge. It's a good looking shed, but still huge. Do you store boats or something?
y'all are goddesses of construction. Serious beeswax!
Congrats on the fine job well finished.
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