If I ever write a book (don't hold your breath, Mom), that'll be the title.
But really, I do. I mean, in everything. I spend most of my time in every day life muddling through (doesn't everyone? I hope?). And then I come back to this renovation project. With all this stuff that needs doing. I've been getting some comments from friends recently that they're very impressed with my "know how", and with all the work. How do I know what I'm doing?
Here's the answer guys - I don't. No idea. Don't get me wrong, I've been very lucky to grow up in a very DIY family, and therefore have faith in my ability to figure it out, and enough grounding in certain things to understand what I'm researching. And people to call (hi Dad. So glad you answer your phone at random moments.) for advice. I'm willing to put in the effort because it's damn satisfying to see something I've made better. But I don't know what I'm doing, as a whole. Even the stuff I would have said I do know how to do - like paint - constantly has new things come up that I didn't know how to deal with before. For instance, did you know that the line between the red and yellow paint on the hallway wall would be visible after a coat of primer and two coats of paint? Yeah, me neither. Should have sanded that down. Oops. Every project I've done thus far in this house has elements of "if I'd known X it would have looked much better when I was done".
Which leads directly into this kitchen reno. Plans aren't quite ready - but yes, I'm doing it. And no, I don't know what I'm doing. I've done some research. I've consulted some knowledgeable people. I know some basics. But at the end of the day - I'm gonna call for some friend reinforcement, pull out the sledgehammers, tape up the plastic, and start swinging. And hope that I can figure it out along the way. If I can't - well then, I guess I'll find a contractor real quick. If I do - it probably won't be perfect. But at least the next time I renovate a kitchen, I might know what I'm doing. So - anyone up for some on the job learning?
