It's Wednesday. My goal was to have the entire kitchen done by the end of today. But, even after spending 6 hours painting and doing detail work, that isn't going to exactly happen. You can read more about that here. This all ties in with the 12 reasons why Our Big Bodacious Painting Project extended into this week.
This entire project has been a learning experience for the both of us. We have learned a lot of things since we've embarked on Our Big Bodacious Painting Project a week and a half ago. Especially this week.
1. Things don't always work out as planned because of unforeseen stuff. Weather. The lawn on steroids because of all the rain and having to mow every single week. Errands. Late work hours. Trips to the grocery store as you're unable to do a full week of grocery shopping because your list depends on whether your kitchen is somewhat functional or not. Emails. Facebook messages. Keeping up with blog columns.
2. Work. Lisa went back to work on Monday. Me too. I never know when she's going to get home. I need to at least keep up on blog columns. I've totally neglected social media. I'm unable to tackle some non-time sensitive DIY Dog Mom Projects because my workshop is cluttered with everything from the kitchen. Obviously, creating new, homemade dog treat recipes is on hold until our home is back to "normal."
3. Kids. With Lisa being back to work, it's my job to maintain a normal schedule for our kids. That includes, but is not limited to, indoor and outdoor playtime, snuggles, snack time, and playing at least 142 games of fetch with Willa.
4. Chronic Pain. I have no problems with ladders. I can climb to the very top. My chronic back and sciatic nerve pain makes it 'bout near impossible to be up on a ladder, twisted, and reaching for those high spots on the cupboards and walls with a paintbrush. Lisa and I developed a system where I tackle the rooms from the ground to 75% up the walls. She does the rest. But, she's been working this week.
5. Maintaining our weekday schedule. Lisa's vacation is over. We've gravitated back to our usual weekday schedule. Painting the kitchen does not trump that. Nor does taking 2 days next week to paint the bathroom. Or, painting the half wall paneling in the new DIY Dog Mom Project Room.
6. The efforts you have put forth for others in the past aren't necessarily matched. Last week, when I published the reasons why we didn't get Our Big Bodacious Painting Project done this week, number 8 was, "Where did everyone go?" My accompanying response to that was a simple, *ahem.*
That was one of the blog posts Lisa read before falling asleep. The next morning, she commented on number 8. She laughed. Lisa knew my *ahem* meant that I didn't process everything in its entirety. Yet.
Now, I have.
My *ahem* translates to being disappointed with people.
There are 3 exclusions.
The first person excluded is a dear friend who made dinner for us on Sunday after traveling the Red Eye flight home. The second person had surgery last Monday. The third person took care of the person who had surgery last Monday.
The rest...well. I throw up my hands.
Lisa and I have lived here for 6 years. In that time we've helped out dozens and dozens and dozens of people with this or that. That assistance has ranged from providing meals to helping out with projects, yard work, and renovations and dedicating our very little free time towards the greater good.
We have done all of this without expecting anything in return.
But, that does not translate to us being disappointed when we're in a predicament of needing some extra hands and no one shows up.
We were sort of left in the dust by the majority we've helped out in the past 6 years.
I can't even begin to tell you how grateful we would have been for a homecooked dish. Or maybe 2-3 hours of work time whether painting or helping to move furniture or just sitting with our kids. Any effort would have been more than appreciated.
But, aside from our 3 exclusions, no one showed up. And, "showing up" does not translate to, "let me know if you need help..." Because, well, we all know how that goes. If we have to ask, which we don't do, then, well...
Although I'm completely over it at this point, it will strengthen my new mind frame of, "Instead of being disappointed when people don't match our efforts, we're simply going to match theirs."
Things are going to change around here starting immediately.
Enough said.
7. Daily responsibilities. Kids. Errands. Work. The unforeseen circumstances. Exhaustion. My broken body. Meal prep for us and the kids. The weather. Obligations. Obstacles. Most days, I was taking things an hour at a time.
I know it may seem like I'm blaming the world for why we didn't get our painting project done in a weeks time or making excuses for why the kitchen wasn't done by today.
I'm not.
Human nature is baffling at times.
People are quick to accept help and kind deeds and assistance when needed, but often times, those same acts of kindness are not reciprocated.
People tend to forget that the world doesn't come to a screeching halt when someone is tackling renovations and other big projects around the house.
People fail to realize that any small gesture can be the greatest of help. You don't necessarily need to be putting up sheetrock and pounding nails.
People also fail to realize that most won't ask for assistance with this or that.
On the flip end of the stick, with almost 2 weeks invested in Our Big Bodacious Painting Project, we're doing okay. It's been hard work, but we've trudged through. Lisa and I work exceptionally well as a team.
And, we will continue to do so.
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