Home Improvement

At long last (or, more aptly, never thought this would ever happen), my home-improvement project has begun, and I couldn't be happier or more relieved. 

If a few coats of paint and half a can of spray paint (really!) make me this happy, just imagine how I'll feel after my new flooring is installed. And, for goodness' sake, why did I wait so long to start? (It might have something to do with anxiety related to having strange people in my apartment, but I won't delve into that tangent-waiting-to-happen.)

Backing up slightly, I should explain that when I moved in to my cute, cozy apartment over four years ago, the kitchen and bathroom floors were far from cute (and much closer to stained and disgusting). But, for one thing, I was a meek little mouse who patiently, trustingly waited for my intrepid landlord to take care of the aforementioned hideous floors, among other issues. And, for another thing, I was so happy to have my own apartment, after far-too-many years of living with my parents, that I accepted its flaws without complaint. Four years later, any patience I once had is long gone and I'm full of complaints (about my apartment, mostly).

So this fall I made it my mission to tackle my long-overdue home renovations with a vengeance, starting with locating a handyman on Facebook (no, really), exchanging a series of emails complete with graphic photos (of my apartment, of course), and sending him a check for the cost of labor and materials prior to our appointment this week. Yes, I was really taking my chances on all counts here. But surprisingly, perhaps, he showed up when he was supposed to and got to work, repainting my apartment's ceilings and working miracles (this is where the spray paint came in) on a bathroom sink nearly destroyed by drain cleaner. (Seriously, I thought it would have to be dynamited and rebuilt after the number I did on it, but, thankfully, there was an alternate solution.) 

Before (Kids, don't play with drain cleaner...)

After (I will never use drain cleaner again...)

Since that went relatively well, I think I might be ready for the short-term inconvenience and long-term benefit of selecting new flooring for my bathroom and kitchen and having it installed, but that's probably my limit. I don't expect to keep renovating, and if I move in the future I'll make sure it's into a home that doesn't need immediate improvements. 

But this process has not been without its lessons. I'm discovering that the home I live in can become, with a little time, effort, and financial investment, the home of my dreams.