It Costs More Than Money
Amanda provided a link to this story in a comment to a post below. It's a great article. This segment of the article stuck with me:
How long did projects like re-caulking 733 window panes take?
“Years,” Mr. Giffels says. “This is where I’m glad I wrote the book 10 years later, it gave me a perspective of all the time it cost: All my vacation time, all my possible spare time, a number of years of my children’s growing up I gave to my children’s house. And once you get in it, you can’t get out, you can’t sell a house in that condition. When all of a sudden you realize what it is costing you in your life, it’s too late.” [Emphasis added by me]
First, Mr. Giffels is 100% right.
Second, whereas he loves the town in which he lives, I do not. This makes being trapped with my whore of an old house even more odious. Not only do I resent the amount of my life the house has stolen, I don't particularly like where it is: in a dry county without reliable internet service of any kind, little to no cell phone reception, and a shitty job market (even in the best of times). It might be an understatement to say that strategic planning was not one of our great strengths.
On the upside, I didn't have to refurbish 733 panes of glass. If I did, I think I would have shot myself a long time ago. Really, that much glass is hell. I'm just impressed that he finished.
How long did projects like re-caulking 733 window panes take?
“Years,” Mr. Giffels says. “This is where I’m glad I wrote the book 10 years later, it gave me a perspective of all the time it cost: All my vacation time, all my possible spare time, a number of years of my children’s growing up I gave to my children’s house. And once you get in it, you can’t get out, you can’t sell a house in that condition. When all of a sudden you realize what it is costing you in your life, it’s too late.” [Emphasis added by me]
First, Mr. Giffels is 100% right.
Second, whereas he loves the town in which he lives, I do not. This makes being trapped with my whore of an old house even more odious. Not only do I resent the amount of my life the house has stolen, I don't particularly like where it is: in a dry county without reliable internet service of any kind, little to no cell phone reception, and a shitty job market (even in the best of times). It might be an understatement to say that strategic planning was not one of our great strengths.
On the upside, I didn't have to refurbish 733 panes of glass. If I did, I think I would have shot myself a long time ago. Really, that much glass is hell. I'm just impressed that he finished.
Labels: death by house, disasters, window, woe
posted by John | 11:14 PM
4 Comments:
I really don't like our town either. Yes, it's a pretty town, it stops there, pretty shallow.
Hello John,
I can only imagine the work you have put into this house.
I was reading your blog this morning and I though I would e-mail you to let you know of a wondeful site for all your home improvement needs. At showroom411.com we have information about home improvement,videos on how to and product reviews.
Believe me, this is a site with so much information for your DIY projects you won't have the time to see all.
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I wholeheartedly sympathize with you. I don't necessarily hate the Russellville/River Valley area so much as I hate the people in it. I should have moved to Chicago while I had the chance.
Hi, I happened upon your blog some months ago searching for some positive aspects to home renovations. . . or rebuilding an old home. My DH & I have the opportunity to buy an 1915 house, located in a prefect location for us but I've battled the thoughts of having to spend at minimum a year of my already busy life rebuilding it to my living standards. I realize now that a year is really unrealistic and know that it will be a lifetime of small projects. Everyone I've met in this search process says to "run, run like hell!" Do you have any convincing thoughts on the positives of re-doing an old house? Is there a sense of gratification when you're finally living in it? Any words of wisdom appreciated.
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