Screw it. I’ve got to get through these days somehow.

A Girl's Gotta Swear, Not Quite What We'd Planned, Something's Always Broken, The State We're In, Things we do 2 Minutes

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.
IMG_6039
What it all comes down to
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:

  1. How it all started
  2. Getting things started
  3. Bye, Lola.
  4. Before & Afters

Published by EmilyR

Snarky, irreverent, occasionally sentimental, viewing the world with head cocked and one eyebrow up. Navy wife (retired), mom to two bigguys, full-time RV traveler with husband. Shit breaks and we make mistakes. Join me anyway?

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3 thoughts on “Screw it. I’ve got to get through these days somehow.”

  1. I’m debating whether my inner spirit animal is more Angela Bassett or more zero-fucks-given frog.
    Maybe a hybrid of the two? A sexy corset-wearing frog who sets cars on fire and then finds a lush lily pad to rest upon? Yes. That.

    Reply
  3. Pingback: Befores and Afters: House 2 is ready to sell, and we are ready to roll! – Own Less. Do More.

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