May 2016 – Own Less. Do More.

I’ve now spent more than a month doing work I don’t like, for results I won’t get to enjoy, on a house that’s not going to make us any money.

Wanna buy it? It’s going to look gorgeous when we’re done!

Today’s post is just a small collection of motivational photos and sayings that have kept me from plunging my head into a full paint bucket, aiming the nail gun at my own thigh, tossing a lit match over my shoulder as I walk away, or otherwise losing my mind during these past five weeks of DIY home fix-it hell.

Quite a few of them contain R-rated language. Sorry. It’s how I cope. Scroll at your own risk.

Angela Bassett, you had the right idea. (Waiting to Exhale, 1995) — Angela Bassett, you had the right idea. FWOOOMP! (Waiting to Exhale, 1995)

And this is why I spend hours awake in the middle of the night. What's on tomorrow's work list? Do we have the materials we need? Don't forget to pack lunch. Don't forget the house key. My arm hurts. It's probably an elbow tumor. — And this is why I spend hours awake in the middle of the night.
What’s on tomorrow’s work list?
Do we have the materials we need?
Don’t forget to pack lunch.
Don’t forget the house key.
My arm hurts. I probably hit it with a hammer, but is elbow leprosy a thing?

I know we'll be done... someday. (Artwork is on a notecard from Lenox&Lucy, by our talented niece, Maddie, who died from complications of Lupus in 2014) — I know we’ll be done… someday.
(Artwork is on a notecard from Lenox&Lucy, by our talented niece, Maddie, who died from complications of Lupus in 2015.)

More from Maddie's talented hands, this saying that helped me through breast cancer treatment in 2014, and a few less difficult situations since. — More from Maddie’s talented hands, this saying that helped me through breast cancer recovery in 2014, and other challenging situations since.

"Laughter out of inadequate materials" is a permanent reminder for me. It's how I got through cancer. The quote is from "The Grapes of Wrath," by John Steinbeck, in describing Ma Joad's ability to keep the family together despite abject poverty. "It was her habit to build up laughter out of inadequate materials." — “Laughter out of inadequate materials” is a permanent reminder for me. It’s how I get through life.
The quote is from *The Grapes of Wrath*, by John Steinbeck, in describing Ma Joad’s ability to keep the family together despite abject poverty. “It was her habit to build up laughter out of inadequate materials.” It’s my habit too. Need someone to make you giggle uncontrollably at a funeral? I’m your girl.

The weather for most of May was cold and rainy. Two different pairs of gift socks made it so that I could wear reality on my left foot, and dreams on my right. — The weather for most of May was cold and rainy, and we worked right through it. *Outdoors*. Two different pairs of gift socks made it so that I could wear reality on my left foot, and dreams on my right.

The one time I did have a spewing meltdown? May 8: Mother's Day. I should have said yes when Tim offered me the day off, but I thought it wouldn't matter, but then it did, and then on top of that I got upset that I let it matter. This was my mantra on Monday, May 9. — The one time I did have a spewing, poisonous, highly regrettable meltdown? Sunday, May 8: Mother’s Day.
I should have said yes when Tim offered me the day off, but I thought it wouldn’t matter, but then it did, and then on top of that? I got upset that I *let* it matter.
So this was my mantra on Monday, May 9. Also? Sorry, Honey.

And when all else fails: go with pigtails. Even when you’re on the near side of 50. Even when your hair is gray. Life is short. Give no shits. — And when all else fails: go with pigtails.
Even when you’re on the near side of 50.
Even when your hair is gray.
Life is short. Give no shits.

Many days, just when I think I've had it, we do get what we need. A friend shows up with a meal, or a cold adult beverage, or a hammer and a couple hours of free time, or a hug and a "Heyyyyyy. That looks niiiiice." We cannot possibly thank those people enough. — I might not give shits, but I do give thanks. Many days, just when I think I’ve had it, we do get what we need. A friend shows up with a meal, or a cold adult beverage, or a hammer and a couple hours of free labor, or a hug and a “Heyyyyyy. That looks *niiiiice*.”
We cannot possibly thank those people enough.

Two(-ish) more weeks to go…

Other posts on this topic:

After ten days of “leave at 8:00, commute 45 minutes to Norfolk, work on house all day, drive 45 minutes back home, shove something edible in our faces, get clean, go to bed, and repeat,” we took today off to explore our home at Davis Lakes Campground.