The Extreme Home Makeover Begins
By Wyatt Earp | July 20, 2009
The Earp Ranch at Christmas
Just when we thought it was safe to go to the bank.
Today is the “Day of Days” at the Earp Ranch. The construction guys are coming, and they are loaded for bear. A few months ago – like December 3, to be exact – we decided we didn’t have enough room for all of our brood. So, we hired a contractor to raise the roof (the left part of it in the photo) and build us two new bedrooms and a new master bath. That will give everyone in the house their own room – well, except me. I still have to sleep with the wife. Heh.
Naturally, this is going to cost a small fortune, but it will be well worth it. As it stands now, Julia (and her crib) are in our room, and things are a tad crowded. It’s difficult sneaking in and out of the bedroom for work without waking her at 5am or 11pm.
When we told Kyle and Erik about the plans, we told Kyle that he would have first pick of the remaining bedrooms. Since our current master bedroom is the largest in the house, we figured he’d take that. We figured wrong. Kyle wants to be on the (new) top floor now, so he can (his quote) “Watch the airplanes land at the airport and see the ball fields from my window.”
I think he believes his bedroom will be 20 floors up.
So, when Kyle made his choice, Erik took our old bedroom. The boy’s no dummy. He knows a deal when he finds one. We told them that they could decorate their rooms as they see fit, but we were doing the painting. The missus also said that they could each get what they have always wanted: a Fathead for their wall.
The job is scheduled to last 2-3 months, so while it may be inconvenient around here for a while, it will be much more comfortable come wintertime.
UPDATE: We’re on hold until Wednesday. The contractor called last night and said he was going to wait until Wednesday, because Philly is expected to get hit with serious thunderstorms tomorrow. No sense ripping off a roof if it’s gonna flood the house, right?
Topics: All About Wyatt | 18 Comments »
After that comment about the wife….there’ll be no supper for you tonight!
“They say” renovationing/new additions closely follows (1) money and (2) in-laws on the “stress” list for marriages.
“They say” most construction projects take 30% longer and run 30% overbudget than originally planned.
Don’t you just hate “they”?
Give your wife that good news and my “I say” that you both need to keep you sense of humor and focus on the outcome.
These words of experience from a wife who is only granite countertops away from a completed “new” kitchen. Projected started February, 2008, when husband tore down the wall between the kitchen and dining room! Work was started, stopped, and restarted at various points with husband doing the work himself.
Stove and sink were taken out July fifth. Stove installed last week and the sink should be back in action some time this week when the countertops arrive.
After two weeks of restaurant food, husband has informed me not to expect another dinner out until we go away on vacation in September ! ! !
I’m sure everyone has “they say” and “I say” stories to share with you on the “Joy of Building”.
Good Luck!
I think the bit about the boys picking their rooms was cute!
Good luck to you all…
Save the Goose!
I want a Fathead!
Maggie Mama is soooo right. The only time I thought my parents were even close to a divorce was during renovation/remodeling.
I totally get what you’re saying about Julia being in y’alls’ room though. Before we moved here, we lived in a two-bedroom place and David shared our room. Nothing is quite so disconcerting as being “in the heat of the moment” and feeling a pair of 10 month old eyes staring at you. He’d silently pull up at the side of the crib and just be “watching”. Even though we were newlyweds, I couldn’t take it anymore and just said NO. Must explain how I manged to get pregnant immediately after moving- when he got his own room.
Good luck with the renovation, Wyatt. Hope it all goes on time and smoothly!
Where do you keep the horses?
I need your wife to talk to my wife; she still says no Fatheads.
How much longer before it’s supposed to be done?
I can’t imagine the thought of remodeling. Hope it all goes smoothly. So your promised your boys Fatheads… what did you promise your wife? She deserves something for having to put up with all that and the kids too!
Good for you. Extra room without having to move. You are a smart man!
The true test of any marriage….remodeling. If you two survive this you are golden! Best of luck.
“they could decorate their rooms as they see fit…”
You are a brave man… I can’t wait to hear how this turns out.
There’s an eerie quiet outside. I was actually able to get a nap today. Calm before the storm?
I strongly suggest that you watch “The Money Pit” with Tom Hanks. Then call me to take notes on the debacles we have gone through. Nevertheless, I hope all goes well and in a timely manner. By the way, you can rent a couple o’ bedrooms from me in the meantime.
Clady – It’s okay, I’m dieting anyway.
Maggie – Hopefully, our contractors will be a little more swift.
GroovyVic – Thanks. The missus will be taking lots of pics during the work.
Randal – Of course. We need it around for Kyle’s Bruins jersey my mother-in-law is making.
Mrs. Crankipants – I already have one. Oh, you meant the wall decoration.
Snigs – TMI!!! Besides, with four kids, we’re too tired for that anymore.
Mrs. Crankipants – In the garage, of course!
Doghouse – Start to finish, the contractors said 2-3 months. Just in time for school.
Deanna – I promised we’d get a loan so we can afford all of this!
Admiral – It’s a great house in a good neighborhood. Only issue is one certain neighbor . . . Heh.
MeToo – No worries. We were fine when we had our basement finished and bathrooms redone.
Sully – I expect walls covered with NASCAR, NHL, and Star Wars. And their rooms will be covered with . . .
Captain – Yup. Moved to Wednesday. Besides, you’re always working during your vacation, anyway.
Uncle Ray – Oh yeah, with your taxes and surcharges? Pass.
Of course, we’ll have rain steadily now that you’ve made these plans. When we had our back porch removed and replaced, it was a project that could have taken, in theory, only about two weeks (allowing for concrete dry time). But, thanks to rain delays, it took over two months. Unfortunately, our project ended up taking place during the very wet spring.
Not to mention the inspection BS. The inspector was nice, but we didn’t need all the stuff he claimed. Our patio cover is so secure now that if a tornado & hurricane hit at the same time, the house would be gone, but the porch would still be there.
Hope the ride’s not too rough Wyatt. I can’t imagine having your house torn all apart like that for weeks.
Bitter – Don’t curse us!!!
Woody – Eh, we’ll manage. We’ll just hide out in the basement while the tornado hits.