you need to make time to caulk

i am involved in a pretty huge renovation project. Roy is updating his apartment and we’ve been working as a team since late March on a new Bathroom, Kitchen, Floor, Paint job, etc.

i was told before it began that it would be one of the most stressful times for our relationship. this, aside from moving and DEATH is one of the hardest times for couples. hearing this, i remained unfazed. i have a solid relationship and there was no way a couple of workmen and some putty was going to get in the way.

but I can see it now. i see how people lose it over a backsplash and go crazy over grout colors. it makes sense. despite growing up with the benefit of an interior designer as a mother, there are SO MANY friggin’ details that it’s impossible to know what you need to order or take into consideration.

Roy and I decided from the start that our teamwork would be unflappable and we were going to compromise and work together. and for all of the drama that ensued, Roy was at the job site EVERY DAY before, during and after work, despite the fact that we are staying at my-much smaller-apartment in Chelsea during all this. he worked from home, learned some Chinese and Polish (ok, maybe just the accents) and taught me how to rewire a dimmer switch. i couldn’t have asked for a better partner in crime.

let me make it clear from the start that all the decisions made in the apt were done together. what became overwhelming and terrifying was the volume of decisions that had to be made in such a short amount of time; in addition to the drama that inevitably ensued with delivery dates, shotty-negligent-rude sales people (thy name is Gina) and crooked installations. no one is prepared for this. no one.

you mustn’t forget that while all these things are being ordered, installed, painted and paid for…life goes on. cars get stolen and recovered (more on that tomorrow), rental cars get towed, people get stress-induced skull ripping migraines, allergies attack like silver-star throwing ninjas, offices get transferred to NJ, dust accumulates, people break their own ribs, sleep is lost. it’s exhausting.

we went to Home Depot and Lowe’s so many times that we were being recognized at the register. we spent hours there, often past 10pm, often times delirious from too many choices and not enough time. there were very helpful people we encountered along the way (Mom, Devora, Mr. Lee, Katie and Anne), and a sincere thanks goes out from the bottom of my heart---but for the most part we were really on our own.

am happy to report that these days, things are looking up and we’re in the home stretch. the floor’s done, the cabinets, tile shower head, new toilet (BEST INVENTION EVER), grout, etc. and we’re unpacking and vacuuming. its nice to have most of it behind us.

there are a few things we’ll have with us forever though:

• roy’s awesome Chinese accent
• our ginormous collection of take-out menus
• a shorter path to the recycle room
• a newfound appreciation for those people that do this EVERY DAY for a living
• a love for the makers of Exedrin Migrane and Chlortrimatron—damn you guys are good!
• an aggressive, relentless Tasti-d-lite addiction
• most of all, that it kicks ass to have someone in your corner, even if you prefer your granite honed