House in Progress Diary

"Who are you? Do you live here too?"

Everyone has some kind of horror story about a couple breaking up because of a house renovation.

Which would really be quite awful. I mean, wow, like who would get custody of the miter saw? And how could Aaron live without my awful hat?

We know that "The House" (by now, it is its own character with its own personality) desperately tries to throw itself between us. During each little negotiation and decision, as in:

"If I let you pick the lights for the bathroom, I want to choose the sink."

"Okay, but only if I get to pick the hallway sconce."

"Fine, deal. Now let's get that new drill and go."

"New drill? Why do we need a new drill?"

Ad infinitum.

With each little surprise it springs on us...each time our bank account dips precariously low....the House is lurking in the background, ready to spring.

Oh my gosh! The House is a homewrecker! Hussy. Playah.

So we decided to go on the offensive, head off any problems and carve out "non-House time" for ourselves each week. Because, frankly, I couldn't remember what Aaron looked like without a dust mask on.

Dinner out on a weekly basis was not an option with our budget. But breakfast? Yeah! Right on! So every Saturday morning we have a standing date to walk to somewhere new in the neighborhood and sit down across from each other--instead of over a couple of boards on sawhorses--and calmly sip coffee and NOT TALK ABOUT THE HOUSE.**

We decided to splurge a little on our first one and headed to Tre Kronor on Foster. Yummmmmmmmm. Swedish pancakes. Omlettes with turkey and leeks.

And The House was not invited. Nyah.

**Thank you to friends, Lenore and AJ, for this awesome idea. They are so smart :)

Posted by jeanne on October 2, 2004 at 8:33 PM (1)