A Tad Bit of Boredom Would be a Welcoming Feeling

Ninth week.

I long for boredom, maybe that is too strong of a word. I long for nothing to do. No, that isn't true. I long for this project to be done. For the dust to go away. For everything to be in place. For no more surprises.

It is nearly there.

The other day when there was a leak in the bathroom, Regis and Yann opted to attack it by the way of the outer hallway, which is the stairwell. They balanced themselves between the stairs, the curve of the hallway, while working inside a teeny tiny space. Incredibly they found the leak with the first break they made in the outer wall. As this is an old building the walls are similar to the one we left standing in the entrance: Two hundred year old beams (recycling existed hundreds of years ago too.) were used with mortar and stones added in between. 

As they soldered the copper pipe, I happened to be showing the bathroom to two my blogging friend, Marilyn and Phyllis. Marilyn asked if it was mist coming from the lights, or dust, that it was an interesting effect. I had never seen the misty swirl before, I was mesmerized by it. Clever ambiance, romantic haman style. Though we came to our senses, realizing it was smoke! 

I shouted out to French Husband and Regis to come check it out. When they saw it they grabbed a bucket of water, raced back to the hallway, and threw it down the hole.

A fire had started. 

A bucket of water down the hole... talk about a leak! I thought out loud: A leak or a fire?

I kid you not, it has been the wildest adventure, in which I long for a tad bit of boredom.

Comments

[Martha chabinsky]

Oh my! I can relate with the reno boredom. My living room was completely taken over by a reno for the entire summer and fall while I had two male exchange students here. We all lived in the kitchen and dining room!

Your apartment will be lovely and so personal....love love it!

[Shelley]

As I type, I am looking at a tree that came down in a huge storm last night. The tree has buckled the front of our house and I can hear it creaking as gravity pulls it through the house to the ground. Renos come in all shapes and surprises.

[Marilyn Radzat]

Here I am...sitting in my home in the US, reading your blog,(which I've read every morning for years ) and realizing that I was with you just days ago...in the apartment you share about....pointing out the smoke from the ceiling light.
Miles disappear...time has no meaning...and connection of spirit becomes the only real thing. Thank you for taking time in your busy busy life to lunch with Phyllis and me.
Your apartment...and you...and Yann are beautiful gifts to the world. :)

[rebeccaNYC]

Seriously! That's enough surprises! Here's hoping the rest of the project goes smoothly and you can do the decorating!

[Kiki]

oh my..... now you have soon seen it all! luckily, help was at hand in just the nick of time.... may the future in that flat look sunnier and less smoke filled. Good luck to you and yours, my love
I also can fully rely to your plea for a bit of boredom.... when one's life is SO topsy-turvy a bit of boredom sounds like a God-sent; only it doesn't seem to happen to the likes of us ---> we seem to be unable to even know what boredom means and it certainly avoids us! :)
May this adventure now finally come to an end and may the happy treasure-hunt outfitting begin.

[Cindy]

OK, now no more MAJOR situations with the apartment! It is time for all of you to have a break and to have fun (to balance all the work you've been doing). Yin and yang is out of balance right now. Breathe.......deeply. You will see the complete picture finished in Paris and onto no more reno and your life of choice!

[Kip]

It will be all worth it in the end with many funny stories to tell! Hugs.

[Marilyn]

What excitement you have had through this renovation. Everything from bare chests, leaks, and a fire. Oh my, is right! Here's hoping for the calm after the storm.

[Christine LeFever]

You have to be hilarious to long for boredom, and you are too wonderful to achieve that one. Maybe a quiet mantra knowing that all is in order. Fingers crossed!

I have for many years clipped and saved beautiful pictures from magazines, and failed to keep the stories. Recently I inadvertently saw your name in one of them, and realized how long you have been influencing others with your amazing charm and love of life. It is one from Victoria, with frames on walls with old fabric, and a collection of café au lait bowls among many other dear little treasures. You are unstoppable! Boredom cannot happen to the likes of you, and such a good thing that is.

[Rachel Schindler]

Love reading about the wild adventure...but I totally understand about wanting the reno to be over. We did a major renovation a few years ago, and my hubby said never again. One thing led to another thing, to another thing. It went on and on. Little does he know I have a folder just waiting to start the whole process over. Kind of like child birth you forget the pain...wishing you a smooth road ahead to completion...

[Karen Carson]

The good news is that you were all on hand to find these problems and deal with them...instead of the awful 'what-if's?"

[Diogenes]

Corey, y'all need a va-cay. Let me know when you want to come to LA, this is the best time of year for the beach.

[Nancy Hopkins]

I have been reading your story with understanding (as we have renovated 8 antique homes in Massachusetts) and envy (as my love of France makes me want to live in a restored French house)Not too much difference as all things that CAN go bad DO go bad in a renovation....but the end result is always so worth the effort. If you care to have a look at our website http://www.acapecodhouse.com you will see the latest 1700's house which is currently for sale !!!!
You also really seem to enjoy life, your family and the eternal 'hunt' for the magnificent find !!

[Carolyn Mallin]

Oh, I know what you mean. My jewelry studio is still being built downstairs in our house. It's been months. Dust keeps finding it's way upstairs into our living area. I need to make jewelry for the gallery that sells my work and I have a show coming up the first weekend in November. You have my complete sympathy for what you 're going through. But, think of how happy we both will be when our projects are finished.

[Stubblejumpin Gal]

So fortunate are you to have discovered these problems early in the game, before they became very large problems and created costly damage! But yes you will be relieved when it is done with; I hear ya there.

[jody]

oh goodness...i wish you had filmed this entire renovation, like Frances Mayes and "Under the Tuscan Sun". It would have made a great movie, but still.... you can write a book, you have the talents and flair and photographs for many more admiring readers. I hope this reno smooths out for you dear lady. xo jody/fl

[Kit]

Fingers crossed for a smooth finale now. Good thing you were on the spot and the fire didn't have a chance to take hold, phew!

[Kathie B]

Creoy, I suspect what you crave isn't boredom but rather orderliness, with no bad surprises in the renovation project.

[Kathie B]

Oops! Corey... (darned fingers!)

[Claire]

The James Taylor song pops up, "I've seen fire and I've seen rain, I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end..."

You have seen toutes les couleurs here! May the fun part begin soon!

[carol]

Mercy! Glad you noticed that one!

[Rhonda]

Cannot say I blame you! When life throws us all these small obstacles, I often wonder, what did we learn? SIGH

[Suzanna]

are you kidding me.....unbelieveable, a fire and water, combo seems odd....and wonder how that happened, thank goodness for the guys.....gotta love it.....so sorry.......I'm with ya wanting it to move along.....the memories to laugh at later, ha ha ha......XO

[Chico Sue]

Oh Corey, enough already! I promise you, these are tales you will laugh about some day.....with your grandchildren!

[Marjorie Sue]

It's not boredom you wish for...it's Peace! You, my dear Corey, will never be bored.

[Dd]

This is unbelievable! This would do me in, and I have done a number of renos.

[La Contessa]

NEVER A DULL MOMENT WITH YOU!

[g]

oh boy- if the thunder don't get you the lightening will-a partial quote from THE WHEEL by jerry Garcia-one of my favorites-you can't go back and you can't stand still-so in short--ONWARD towards the finish line hang in there dearest corey!

[Debbie]

What fresh hell is this!!!!! Nothing to be but carry on and continue to see the humor!

[Sel]

since i am not familiar with French building codes, and osha standards.. if there is anything like this...i just have to wonder, are inspections used durimg extensive
remodels such as yours?

[Brenda, Walker, LA]

It will all be worth it and make a most interesting story over cafe'auLait!

[Shelley Noble]

Way too much excitement! A smoother time for our Corey and Yann, please, yes!