This weekend is Labor Day.  I'm still wondering what happened to Memorial Day and the 4th of July.  Although I did take a class this summer, it was more of a distraction than a pursuit of knowledge.  Why?  Because of THE remodeling project.  Wanna have a good time?  Invite dozens of contractors into your home to make your life interesting.

We have been planning this project for a year, and we finally got started on the first day of June.  It's been pretty much non-stop ever since.  I don't know how people work and remodel at the same time.  I have spent so much time nearly everyday doing a  myriad of tasks.  Most of which I haven't done a whole lot of - ever.  For example:

• Trying to figure out how to "edge" tiled surfaces.  I thought that tile just stopped when you were done.  WRONG!  There needs to be a quarter round or 90 degree corner to give the tile a "finished" appearance.  So just picking out tile isn't enough.
• Washing dishes in a bathroom sink.  This has made me appreciate the fact that kitchen counters are higher (more back friendly) than bathroom counters.  I never knew this before, and I had to use that information in specifying cabinets in the kitchen and downstairs bathroom.  And now I REALLY appreciate dishwashers of the automated variety.
• Shopping for large dollar amount items and writing some really large checks.  This just isn't getting any easier.  The second line of the check simply doesn't fit all those words when the amount is big.  Oh, yeah, and my bank account is dwindling.
• Walking by a port-a-potty in our driveway and not even noticing it.
• Calling people to get references on contractors.  This is so awkward.  This involves calling complete strangers to ask questions about their remodeling [hell].  Then asking them if the contractor was wonderful or sucked.  And hope like crazy that they don't give you one word answers.  I don't like talking on the phone that much, so this one really isn't very easy for me.
• Asking lots of stupid questions to anyone who will listen and possibly respond.  Questions like "Why do sinks have to have vents?" and "Which comes first:  flooring or appliances?".  One of my favorite set of questions is:  "How much does this cost?", quickly followed with "Can you do better?".  Sometimes I follow that up with "I think I'll check online for a better price."  That doesn't always work, but I've been known to check and come back later begging for the deal we made before I left.
• Trying to regulate the amount of pain relievers/killers I take for all the headaches I've had this summer.  Okay, I've had headaches before, but not usually with this frequency.  Reminds me of "escrow" headaches.  Homeowners, you know what I'm talking about.

But this too shall pass.  It's going to make holiday shopping real easy this year.  There ain't gonna be any presents.  We bought ourselves a remodel.  How am I going to wrap that and put it under the tree?