P
puzzleannie
Guest
The link is to an article on Catholic Exchange by a mom who celebrated her wedding anniversary with her husband buy building a shed together.
catholicexchange.com/en/node/64252
her focus is building togetherness, learning cooperation, communication, patience and other skills that build a strong marriage.
I thought it would be fun to share stories of DIY, and how home improvement projects have helped (or hurt) our family relationships, and just funny stories in general. A couple of posters have been sharing on-going projects and renovations, which are certainly not always fun.
so: what did we learn through home improvement?
Never choose a check pattern wallpaper for a room in an old house that does not have true walls, angles, level floor. you will produce a room that could be used as psychological torture.
Like the author of the article, I can attest if you can wallpaper a room together without killing each other, your marriage can withstand any challenge.
Assume that professionals you consult will flat out lie to you about products, techniques, colors, finishing necessities, costs, estimated amount of product needed, etc. Get a second and third opinion, always.
Measure twice, cut once (learned this from my dad, he was right, as he was in so many things I ignored thru the years).
Never assume a project is so small you don’t need permits and inspections.
In tornado country a storage shed or even a doghouse needs tiedowns.
Different products are required for different climates in different parts of the country. Roofing, siding, paint etc. that work in the Midwest don’t always work on the Gulf Coast or in the desert.
If there is a job you really hate (painting in my case) botch it up royally the first time you try it, and he will never let you do it again.
If you buy an old house and plan on stripping layers of old wallpaper and paint, take out extra insurance to cover tendonitis and carpal tunnel, and buy several boxes of bandaids before you start.
never give a 14 yr old boy a butane torch to strip paint from the exterior trim.
If your children can survive working with you, without getting clobbered by either of you, your family can survive any crisis.
“washable” describing any surface does not necessarily mean you can wipe of stains with a damp sponge, it might include sandblasting in its definition.
expensive high quality paint intended for the specific situation is cheaper in the long run than cheap paint from the discount store. for paint, go to the paint store not the chain discount store, esp. for mixing colors. Paint at last a 3 ft square section of the room before judging, in all light conditions, together, whether or not you like the color.
also re paint: men do not see colors or name them the same way women do.
catholicexchange.com/en/node/64252
her focus is building togetherness, learning cooperation, communication, patience and other skills that build a strong marriage.
I thought it would be fun to share stories of DIY, and how home improvement projects have helped (or hurt) our family relationships, and just funny stories in general. A couple of posters have been sharing on-going projects and renovations, which are certainly not always fun.
so: what did we learn through home improvement?
Never choose a check pattern wallpaper for a room in an old house that does not have true walls, angles, level floor. you will produce a room that could be used as psychological torture.
Like the author of the article, I can attest if you can wallpaper a room together without killing each other, your marriage can withstand any challenge.
Assume that professionals you consult will flat out lie to you about products, techniques, colors, finishing necessities, costs, estimated amount of product needed, etc. Get a second and third opinion, always.
Measure twice, cut once (learned this from my dad, he was right, as he was in so many things I ignored thru the years).
Never assume a project is so small you don’t need permits and inspections.
In tornado country a storage shed or even a doghouse needs tiedowns.
Different products are required for different climates in different parts of the country. Roofing, siding, paint etc. that work in the Midwest don’t always work on the Gulf Coast or in the desert.
If there is a job you really hate (painting in my case) botch it up royally the first time you try it, and he will never let you do it again.
If you buy an old house and plan on stripping layers of old wallpaper and paint, take out extra insurance to cover tendonitis and carpal tunnel, and buy several boxes of bandaids before you start.
never give a 14 yr old boy a butane torch to strip paint from the exterior trim.
If your children can survive working with you, without getting clobbered by either of you, your family can survive any crisis.
“washable” describing any surface does not necessarily mean you can wipe of stains with a damp sponge, it might include sandblasting in its definition.
expensive high quality paint intended for the specific situation is cheaper in the long run than cheap paint from the discount store. for paint, go to the paint store not the chain discount store, esp. for mixing colors. Paint at last a 3 ft square section of the room before judging, in all light conditions, together, whether or not you like the color.
also re paint: men do not see colors or name them the same way women do.