Hubby has this rule he lives by on the remodeling of our home. Do every project 95% and then move on to the next project. Sounds fun, huh? Seriously. He can’t concentrate for anything. He’ll tell me he’s going to hang hooks in the closet and I’ll turn around to see him out the window mowing the lawn. “What happened to hanging the hooks?” I’ll say. He’ll reply “I went to get the cordless drill and noticed the lawn needed to be mowed so I’m mowing it.” As if I have 3 heads for asking.
So, in case you think that my house is all perfect and cozy and finished, I thought I’d set the record straight. Here are a few stellar examples of hubby’s implementation of the 95% rule.
A corner in our new bedroom
A corner in our bathroom. Not sure what’s with not finishing a corner. I told him I was doing this post today though and he claims he’ll be finishing the bathroom this weekend. Time will tell…there’s grout to do, trim, and finishing off that old paint job. Patching and painting the door trim. I am sure he’ll mow the lawn instead.
Here’s a spot in our living room. He did all the trim and baseboards in there over 2 months ago. For some strange reason, he left two pieces of the base unprimed or painted. Maybe he noticed the lawn needed to be mowed. Who knows. But there they sit. He needs to paint this piece and repaint the baseboards where he stained one.
And in the bedroom, he put in a built in cabinet. Ran out of trim at the last 3 feet and hasn’t made the run to Home Depot to replace it. Place your bets now how long it will take him to do that!
There’s a lot more stuff like this around the house but I’m trying not to sound too critical! So hun, when you read this…I love you and am grateful for all the hard work you’ve done on our home. Really, I am.
On the bets thing…. 2 months, and then only if you nag him.
J/K
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Oh my gosh, you made my day! I thought I was the only one with this trouble! Thanks for the smiles you’ve given me with this post, good luck with getting things finished and please wish me the same! As for betting on finishing the trim on your cabinet – I’ll go with a year . . . . maybe!
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We seem to have a 75% rule. For instance, I painted the outside of our house. Three sides are finished, but I ran out of paint, and my husband didn’t have a job, and now it is cold.
I could list numerous projects in our house like that. It is most embarrassing when anyone who drives by can see your lack of tenacity though. We just keep telling ourselves it keeps the property taxes low.
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Hi Jeannine and Renae – so glad my misfortune could make you feel better
Just kidding. Renae, I’ll be rooting for you on your remodel!
And Renae – don’t worry – 75% painted house is better than my not at all sided house. We’re doing stucco and are stuck at the lathe part until we can afford to stucco it all at once. So frustrating. Soon, I think though.
Thanks for stopping by!
And Patty – see above post! You owe me…something
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Hun, I love your blog. Thanks for adding that I think you are more imporntant than a few dollars
There are some cases I can think of where 95% just wont do…
I stopped 95% of the bleeding?
My parachute worked 95% of the way down?
95% for pacemakers?? probably not.
I look forward to the day when I no longer feel like the little dutch boy running from project to project to keep our house project reasonably comfortable for my cute family, someday I do hope to be a 100% of one project at a time. BTW our last house, it was like 99.5% of one project at a time and that rocked!
Love ya.
-J
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Oh hello, Jason! You are right there are a LOT of times that 95% really won’t do and this is not one of them. You do a great job and of course me and the kids are more than appreciative of it.
I actually like that you have so many projects and we live somewhere warm enough that it means you have your shirt off most of the time
BTW – get your own username to comment with. Sheesh.
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I’ve got an 80%’er myself. Also applies to regular chores: takes out the garbage, but only the kitchen, and not the recycling; washes dishes, but doesn’t clean counters or put away leftovers; mows the lawn, but doesn’t edge; puts mulch on 3/4 of sides and at back fence, says the last side will wait until next year. Drives me nuts. Maybe I should start washing 80% of the clothes, buying 80% of the food, cooking the meals 80% done, etc. Glad to know I’m not alone, but wish I had a 95%’er. 105% I could handle (as I am quite handy having been the eldest of 3 daughters), but 120% is a bit much.
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