As we’ve been getting closer to the end of our project, James and I have been reviewing everything that’s transpired since last November. We congratulate ourselves for making our way through without ending up in a psych ward or at the Betty Ford Clinic, forced to participate in primal scream therapy with Lindsay Lohan!
I have shared some of those events in previous blogs (James’ temporary assignment to London. Our hectic travel schedules during construction.) However, one item has been omitted until now.
In mid-October 2013, we decided after nearly 18 years, to fly off to New York and get married at our friend Will’s on our anniversary date – November 3rd. 
We certainly didn’t know at the time that we’d be kicking off a year of stress. A year of moving residences three times, moving offices once, saying farewell to not one but both of our basset hounds, and traveling what felt like the globe.
However, we’ve managed to accomplish one feat above everything else (and no, it’s not staying out of Betty Ford!). We’ve managed to stay married.
Multiple articles in the LA Times, Huffington Post, and the New York Observer have been written about home remodeling ending in divorce. And most of us have probably seen The Money Pit (or for the older readers, Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House). However, James and I went into our renovation with what felt like two advantages: 1) 18 years of being together; and 2) Having experienced this before where we actually did some of the work.
Not that the first time was all hugs and kisses. Anyone who has been through a renovation can tell you how personal the experience and outcome are. But when you’re swinging the hammer that’s hanging up drywall, you get really invested in the process. Yet, as much as we both at times wanted to accidentally have a hammer slip, we made our way through and ended up with a Kitchen and Living Room we enjoyed for nearly 10 years.
And we expect to enjoy this renovation just as long if not longer. We’ll move in the 10th and start settling into the more normal marital stresses – like having James’ parents in from Colorado for Thanksgiving.
Luckily this year we’ll have a proper guest bedroom and bath, and a kitchen big enough for more than two!
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