Living in a remodel

Looks like I forgot to post this from a week or two ago. Here’s a Tucson remodel update, and I’ll have another one for you soon.

Did I tell you about when I first got back to Tucson and wasn’t yet accustomed to living in the middle of a remodel with guys coming randomly and suddenly at 7 AM? One day my contractor texted me at 6:53 AM wanting to come over at 7:00.

At the time I was thinking, WTF, seriously? I get 5 minutes warning? Turns out he meant 7:30. And nowadays I’m used to that sort of thing anyway. I’m like, fine, come on over whenever. Whatever. Let’s just get this work done.

Now I have a system for dealing with contractors arriving at the house at 7 AM, given that I’m not a 7 AM person. They have a code to get into the house, and I’m like, come on in and do your thing. I’ll be hiding in the master bedroom, pretend I’m not home. If you need anything, I’ll be available after 8:00.

At 6:55 I pull clothes on for “just in case” and then I go back to bed (lol). I don’t actually go back to sleep, but I want my coffee time and I’m not ready to talk to anyone that early. I have it all set up to make my coffee in my room so I don’t have to walk out into the kitchen and deal with the guys out there. I’ve got a teapot, and cups and my french press. Works great.

It’s also useful that our master bedroom has a sliding glass door to the backyard, so I can let Biska outside without having to interact with the contractors. I’ve also moved a small table into the master bedroom, so I have everything I need to work while in hiding. So I have no excuse for not doing my Christmas cards (yep, haven’t even started on them).

I usually like my house really warm, because I’m very cold blooded and a lot of the time I’m sitting at my desk. But I don’t want my contractors overheating while they work, because that’s not good for productivity or moral. So I’ve been keeping the house cold and running electric space heaters in my room by my desk.

It all works fine! But I’m dreading when it comes time to remodel the master bathroom. I will lose my sanctuary! I’m seriously considering delaying the master bathroom remodel until August, when we will (hopefully) be in Seattle again. The master bathroom is going to be a big job. We’ll be removing a wall and switching the location of the toilet and shower.

Meanwhile, here’s some recent photos.

No tub in the hall bathroom:

Working toilet but no sink or countertop, with construction mess on the temporary plywood countertop:

New tub:

Drywall around the tub:

We’re also putting more lights in the family room. Originally it had two ugly, old dim lights. Now we’ve got holes for 6 new bright lights.

I’m always reluctant to put holes in wood, but I like a lot of light because I don’t see well otherwise. My contractor, Neil, is a believer in lots of light too, so the two of us collude and we end up with too much light! We’ll put them on dimmers.

We’re making better progress now that I’m out here, even though it’s awkward living in the middle of a remodel.

To send Kristina a comment, email turning51bykristina@gmail.com.

Kristina’s Website: Life Coaching for Adults with Autism