The Money Pit

As December arrives, the time seems right to take the roof off of our house and blow out a few walls. In reality this has been a year long planning process starting with a problem with ventilations in the kids bedrooms and ending with plans for a 1000 square foot addition. This is our sixth reno of our home my contractor reminds me...not previously on the same scale but always at the same time of year. In keeping with my new house rules (no golfing or snowing in the house)our kind builder is slowly taking down the old structure while protecting us from the elements with temporary walls. Its a bit like taking the bandage off slowly though, as I watch the snowy weather approaching and my living room gradually disappearing.

We started out loving our little house when it was just Tony and I. The lot is 300 feet deep and over the years I have planted it with gardens that I know I can never leave. We filled the house with adult luxuries and quality furnishings. But our wonderful master bath has become potty training central and the view of our lovely fireplace is obscured by dollies and leggo. My small cooks kitchen is most often filled with kids, dogs, and leapfrog fridge magnets. So its either renovation or sedation and this month, it may be both.

Tomorrow the north wall of the house comes down and I am praying that my grand piano does not land on the front lawn. The upside is that Santa should not have any difficulty finding his way in this year.