It would seem that the weather has cooperated with us for the past couple weeks very much allowing us to have the consistent dry air and temperature. Making it easy to regulate the drying of drywall mud and stain( big thanks to the pro drywall finisher Darrin). Taking on an over whelming project on your own needs a little bit of strategy on the finishes in the house. Our first priority is kitchen and baths – this is where you spend 90% of your waking life – a high percentage if you are married to an ½ Italian girl. Priority number 2 are the entertaining areas (living & dining room), and the last thing we will do is re-finish the walls in our bed rooms.
“Old houses are supposed to look old” was the advice that our new neighbor has given us as we were struggling with re-finishing our floors. This is a perfect mind set and one that we share and embrace. Flaws create and enhance character, but when it is done by your own hands it creates a story and legacy. The house we had built 9 years ago was the best of production building at that time but one of the best elements of our existing house is the walkway that Natalee laid by hand. Digging out the topsoil, placing the sub-grade, raking the sandy base and placing and arranging every irregular stone.
Likewise when people walk into the Humphreys House, they are not going to say “oh, there is blemish or a spot there.” They will walk in and say “wow…..” and we will be able to fill in the rest with the story of the floors that were done by Natalee herself – sanded, stained and finished. Which is an amazing feat if you have seen the size of her wrists. Or this the wall that Kristi painted, which is amazing that she had the attention span to finish one wall let alone 4 walls and a ceiling. Or this where my mother and father helped or this person or that person. Just like the stories we have learned about Mary Humphreys and the original builder, those stories are what make a house a home.
Don't worry, if you are reading this and feeling left out because you want to help, there will still be plenty left to do in the next few weeks. Don't forget the big move, we will be looking for volunteers for that as well!
