Email the Store

ILONA ANDREWS

#1 New York Times Bestselling Author

You are here: Home / Blog / House Today
NEVER MISS A BOOK RELEASE

Join 30,000 Subscribers

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO
PUBLISHING NEWS

New book releases, give-aways, and appearances.

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO
BLOG UPDATES

Free fiction, snippets, and funny stories.

Read our Privacy Policy.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. So sorry. It looks and sounds maddening. ???? I hope they do a quick and thorough job so you can have your house back soon.

  3. Hopefully the painting will be better than the camouflage print job that you came home to.

    • But at least it’s a dry heat, right? 😛

      Storm blew through yesterday and knocked out power. I have decided that it’s much better to be without power in winter in Maryland than to be without power in summer in Maryland. At least in winter you can dress in layers and blanks to get warm enough to sleep. Trying to sleep in summer with high humidity and no breeze through the open windows and no way to move the air is torture. Supposed to have power back up today. Knock on wood. If not, I’m heading to a hotel.

      • I hear you so much. We lost power for a bit a few weeks back – Triangle Area, NC. In the summer, the passive solar works well enough that we can get by just fine without heat if there’s sun (and it just doesn’t get that cold here). But while the house does stay cooler than most, between the heat and the humidity, if power hadn’t come back on before the second night, I was going to go sleep on the lab couch. (I also invested in a number of led based lanterns. My oil lamps are great for winter, but…)

        • Let’s hear it for LEDs! My Luci lights have gotten me through a few outages; light is never the issue. In summer, it’s the fridge/freezer first, then AC. In winter, we have coolers and the outdoors, and the wood stove.

          • Luci solar lights and the gas fireplace in my old house worked a treat during winter power outages. Now we’re in a condo, so it’s Luci lights and piles of blankets, or decamp to kids houses.

          • I love Luci! I just bought another pair of them during their summer sale…we’ve not had a power outage after dark yet,but I have them scattered all over the house just in case!

      • So true about winter vs. summer. Very thankful to still have power. Go outside though and you understand why the British considered this a tropical posting. In my college days, I spent more than a few summer nights in the basement of our group house. Good luck to you.

      • There have been some good “solar generators” released in the last month with LiFePo4 batteries which accept more cycle charges than lithium so it should be able to be used longer. They’re large backup batteries which can also be recharged with a solar panel. I bought one by Bluetti EB3A and I think a few other popular solar generator brands + Anker have also released some. Perhaps something to put on the holiday sales wishlist?
        They should have no issues powering a small fan at night. I think some of the newer ones with surge power feature can also handle a small chest freezer which could save the bacon.

        Cordless tool brands like Ryobi, Dewalt, Makita, etc sell battery powered shop fans.

  5. Oh my. At least they are working on it, but I would have Sgt Gordon supervising them closely!

  8. I just Love what you’ve done with the place dahling. It is giving me sheikh vibes, fitting for a Texas summer.

    You will make it.
    You will survive.

  9. “Ay-ya!” (in Chinese) and “sus-mary-yosep!” (in Filipino, feel free to translate).
    Feeling for you HA ????. At least once it’s done, it will be done right THiS TIME! Sending you a big hug from ????????!!!

    • The “sus-mary-yosep” can be heard in Irish-American families, too, often as “Jesus, Mary, and a little bit of Joseph!”

      Catholics world-wide…

    • +10. especially when aggravation comes with a maddening soundtrack. You can close your eyes, or look elsewhere and pretend that it’s okay or not so bad.

      You can’t close your ears….

  11. Omg … your face says it ALL! Gaaah … okay turn it into an episode of something where the walls eat the crappy painters… hugs!!!

    • Oh yes please… how can the insufferable noise of a sander on every wall in the house turn into a plot device in one of your wonderful universes? Also I am sure the bdh will forgive if you do many other things except write while that noise is going on…. although do you have a coworking space or an enterprise hub near you?

    • Yes — but these might not BE the crappy painters … these might be the good guys trying to fix the bad texture and painting job.

      At least I hope.

    • Also, I think the sound is the compressor for the spray texture … I’ll watch again, but I think they are spraying texture on the wall. Hope you get the light orange-peel that you wanted.

      Sookie does not seem fazed at all. Bless her.

  12. Wow! That would drive me batty. I hope they finish quickly, maybe some noise cancelling headphones would help?

  14. As the daughter of a general contractor, I sympathize. I have never lived in a finished house. ALWAYS something being done/ripped apart/half finished. Hugs to you and all the best wishes that they get this done right and your home gets back to normal quickly.

  17. Your beautiful home looks destroyed, but good it’s on its way back … hang in there omg in meantime..

    I think I might just torch it if it were me, but then I know I wouldn’t!

  21. Oh, wow! I’d be so surprised of you guys get anything done with that background noise…
    On the other hand, you did not have to board the animals again and you did not have to leave the house again, so semi-win?

    • Definitely would not call being in the middle of that a win of any kind myself ????, but House Andrews are actually writing atm! Indomitable!

  22. Oh my word. Sending virtual tea and all good wishes for some peace and quiet. May their work (THIS TIME) be spectacular, quick, and efficient.

  23. So Sorry! What a hot mess! I love that you can tell whose computer belongs to who in the video. ….left side gaming computer, right side cat…..

  25. Ugh. I’ve been there. Is there a nice quiet air conditioned library or cafe you could bring yourself to?

  28. Yeah, “Oy” pretty much covers it. Sending all kinds of well wishes and air hugs your way…hang in there. And good luck! ????????

  30. holy sh*t (look how polite I’m being)
    can y’all get out of there — remember you’re still cranky and you CAN take a day or even two off despite the BDH!
    is there an end date in sight??

  32. How are you sane? Can you work in a massage or a day spa visit while they are camped out?

    Also love how your poor dog is half hanging off the bed with the whole shoot me now vibe.

    May your sanity survive.

    • Yeah, the dog post seemed so apt.

      (Here I was feeling put upon because a raccoon into the screened in porch and spread cat litter all over the place. I will now count my blessings.)

      • It looks like a zombie apocalypse could be happening behind that screen… or a Blue Peter (UK children’s show ref) style DIY home movie/LARPing lab setting.
        I hope it finished soon, to the level you want, and you can soon break freeeeeeeeeeeee

      • Dear mother of pearl, may the din cease in your house (not back to Home status yet) as soon as possible. ????

      • Send for Roman – he can “inspire” the work and liberate you from the den. Or you can have Andrea come by with tea, cookies, and her bouda smile.

        Hoping you are set free by dinner time!

  36. Oh my gosh! That just stinks — it looks like a nightmare. Best wishes for a speedy resolution!

  37. With that level of craziness, thank you even more for the post yesterday. It made my morning to find it when something random was yowling in the neighbors yard at 3am.

  39. Things will be done right under your watchful eyes. Keep cool beverages on hand. Mocktails, poured into tall glasses, with ice. When you have to stand around looking boss-like, remember, the beverage makes you. A reusable straw with a built in bend also helps the boss look.

    (If there is too much dust, you may need a plastic tumbler with a screw cap, but it will mess with the ‘rich bitch on the lanai’ vibe.)

    This will work out for you.

  46. What the..oh my glory, it’s a wonder you folks can even do the basics of life. Total *hugz*

  48. Please tell me that the contractor is paying for this since the original job was so thoroughly botched.

    • Everything is being redone free of charge and he is bending over backwards to work with us. We are very happy with what is being done. It’s just… loud. 🙂

      • Yikes! Thank goodness your contractor is making it right without a protracted battle. Thank you for your commitment to your craft and your fanbase !!! Trying to work (not to mention just living) with all that has to “suck dead rat through a straw.” (Quote courtesy of Emma Bull, War for the Oaks)

      • So glad he is trying to make things right, or at least better!! Still am so sorry you have to endure all this!! I understand you don’t want to leave them to their own devices after what you came home to before. I understand going to stay somewhere temporarily (like a hotel) is difficult if not impossible with your pets. I too have fur babies, and won’t travel without them. So I know why you are there instead of very far away, but that doesn’t stop me from wishing for your sake that something could be arranged so you arent subjected to all of this now! Noise cancelling earphones (I saw several suggestions that you use those in the comments so far) just aren’t enough!!

        • The noise reminds me of when I had to renovate the basement due to flood from massive rainstorm. They had 6 fans on to dry everything before rebuilding and it sounded like I was living in an airport. So brutal. The irony? Every year I purchase raffle tickets to support our local cancer hospital and I never win anything. That year? I win heavy duty noise cancelling earphones???????????? Going on 8 years and I haven’t won anything since.

      • It is starting to look beautiful so light and bright and smooth! A terrible mess, though. Sending you silence, peace & calm.

  49. What a pain! I am so impressed you get anything done with all that going on. I hope it is over with soon and your house returns to normal….whatever that may be. Thank you for indulging us all with the chapters each week, while your life is in such chaos. Praying for blessings for HA!

  50. Oh boy!!! I hope they get the job right this time. At least you are there to sign off on it. You may need another vacation from your vacation ????. Hugs

  52. It’s time to find an inn and spent a month in a quiet, cool place!! My getaway place for weeks at a time is Port Royal on Mustang Island on the Texas coast. It’s blazing hot right now, but still…

    • I liked Port Royal, but just a little further down the road newer rentals are even better.

  54. Oh my. Oh my. Oh my. There are no words. Your expression tells us all. This too will past but never forgotten.

  56. Sorry about your house still being in disarray. Only positive is that I love the part with the older dog sleeping on the dog bed on the floor totally chill. That is my elder dogs my younger dogs would be losing their minds. Like I would with the sanding. All the best to you and yours I hope it is done as quick AND efficient as possible.

  59. OMG, I would be SO discombooberated by all that in my home. Argh. The thought of the utter mess that will need to be cleaned up, the intrusion into My Home, the mess, the noise! Gah!!! The not knowing how the hell long all This Mess will take, will they do it right THIS time…..

    My heart goes out to you, I would be cranky and horrified by all that too. It would disturb my sleep.

  61. That is one laid back dog. And my heart goes out to you and your family. Living in a construction zone is no fun

  63. Having your home in upheaval is the worst!! I hope all of the work is completed well, and quickly.

  64. Two weeks with people and animals away from the house with the equipment and furniture out of the way, now this! I would not only be cranky, I would add maddeningly irate to my feelings.

  67. Yikes, may I suggest a pair of noise cancelling headphones, some calm music, and a pint of icecream. Probably won’t stop it all, but might help with a small amount of tension.

  68. Uh, yeah. Suboptimal working and/or hanging out conditions. Amazed at the dogs chilling in the midst of that noise. Endurance. But it looks like they’re committed to doing a proper job of the correction. Good. May the final result be excellent. Hang in there. It’ll likely be worth it!

  72. ???? You have my sympathy. The furs are being admirably tolerant – I think mine would be very very upset (granted, someone ringing the doorbell is enough of a disturbance in her day).

  73. Wow, that is crazy. I couldn’t help myself I was thinking abut Dexter when I saw all that plastic. Oh the noise ! I’d lose my mind with that alone. I hope for you all they do it as quickly as possible and do it right.

  75. That’s a ton of wall space.
    Your beasts are remarkably chill. My dogs would be yelling their fool heads off. The cats would be hiding inside the mattress

  76. I am so sorry that this happened to you guys, such a headache. Looks like this crew might actually know what they’re doing. Hope the finished product is what you wanted the first time around!

  77. Yikes! I’m so sorry this is happening to you. I wish your house was really an Inn, with an innkeeper and you the long term guest. Maybe a bit less murdery…

  78. and this is why I learned to do all of this myself. Contractors LIE, and the people that they hire, unless supervised like a thief in Fort Knox will do the fastest job they can to be paid for hours of screwing off. My “to-do” list is rather large, but the only contractor I am waiting for is my Roofer, and it’s for the last Roof on my property ( #4) and then I will never have to do another roof as long as I live (metal has a 50 year guarantee).

  79. OMG. My heart goes out to you. I remember living like that when we did an expansion. I hope that they are done quickly and your life gets back to normal soon.

  82. AHH!! I can relate. They are currently tearing up the bad pavement in our apartment parking lot. It’s been constant beeping, grinding, motors, squeaking, etc since 8AM. It’s louder, but at least it’s outside.

    Hope it’s finished soon and looks awesome.

  83. Oof, I’m sorry! Does it at least look like they’re doing it properly this time?

    • Ilona said higher up in the comments that they’re very satisfied of the work done ???? but it’s very loud!

  84. I hope when it’s all done, you are absolutely thrilled with the results. Also hope you’re still sane by then.

  85. Ouch! I don’t think I could find a silver lining in this chaos. Vacation beach joy cannot compete with the agony of the noise.

  86. I thought you had an office in an outbuilding? I remember an issue with water infiltration.

  87. So I’ve done enough of that work and seen enough of that work & what I don’t understand, rhetorically, is why the sub thought they were going to pass it off as complete or is this just the way they make the General contractor finish, because either way the sub isn’t getting paid for anything.

  90. Oh my goodness. That looks really intense. I hope they are fixing the painting mistakes. I hope you can find a quiet corner for a break!

  91. I am so, so, SO sorry that you are suffering through that! Leaving everything for 2 weeks with the expectation that when you return, it will be new and lovely. You face says it all. I hope you have noise canceling headphones.
    Maybe there can be a hell dimension in one of your stories where renovation goes on eternally!

  92. Well, here’s hoping that the new paint job is a crap load better than the previous! And that they are done and gone quickly!!

    Hang in there. This too shall pass.

  93. Oh no!! No, no, no! I don’t know how you are still sane. I would have run screaming, and not been able to go back until everything was finished. Even then you still have to unpack and put everything back. Yeesh. You must have incredible patience to still be there and not be yelling at everyone, demanding your house be finished, put back in order, and then you be notified when all is as it should be. Then you could make a regal exit, after with much dignity you had handed over the number of the hotel (with pool, room service, and a bar!) that you can be reached at. [I also think the bill for your stay away until all is right again should be paid by your contractor.]

    Seriously, especially if I had been through everything you have already endured, I simply would not be able to stand that amount of chaos in my home. I am so sorry you all are going through this!! I know that hearing that over and over from the comments doesn’t help in any way. But, I just can’t refrain from expressing my sympathy for your plight, sadness that you and your family are going through this, and desire that somehow something can be done to make it better – soon!

    Are you able to use the pool? If so, I would spend as much time as possible, slathered with loads of powerful sunscreen, floating on a raft, and trying to block out any sounds coming from the house! I haven’t read the other comments yet, but I am sure the BDH is as sorry as I am that this is happening, and are trying to express sympathy and support. I hope that this horrible situation is satisfactorily resolved very soon!!!

  96. Oh man 🙁 hope it’s over soon.

    Although it’s kinda too bad you’re not writing anything horror at the moment, with everything wrapped up and the sheets swaying it gives that crazy haunted house kinda vibe.

      • I can imagine! I can also picture my cat trying to climb it, get stuck, and then doing the pitiful “mommy help me” meow. Then do it again after getting unstuck.

  97. Are you sure you are not filming a segment for This Old House? However, if you had been you would not have this problem! Prayers and well wishes…

  99. Thanks for sharing your day with us and it does stink. Makes me think of what Bill the Cat would say…. Good luck and Im just thinking you may want to get your duct work looked. My husband said no and THREE years after the addition construction I still feel like our ducts blow out all that residual builder dust stuff. If you have previously mentioned it forgive me as I haven’t read the posts as I am dealing with a 2nd quarter reporting deadline.

    Can I just say that SOH is AMAZING!! Thank you for sharing this with us its such a good book and its fun to look forward to the weekly posts whenever those are available. THANK YOU and HUGS HUGS HUGS !

  100. I would climb out the window with the dogs and cats and go sit in the car. I would pay for high gas to be out of the noise.

  101. I feel the pain! Bring on the Pollyanna vibes.. I’m grateful for having a house, the means to renovate etc. This too will pass…sorry, sometimes past memories are the only way to cope with immediate stress.

  102. In a few weeks we are getting a new roof. You have my sympathy because I know you sanity becomes a factor after several days of loud, unpredictable noise. Wonder if noise canceling headphones would help? I hope you’re house is beautiful when they’re done.

  106. Your expression says it all! You have my total sympathy, I hope this completely gets sorted soon!!

  108. I just want to hug you. I hope they will be done soon and they clean after themselves.

  110. OMG!! Poor you!! I could not even!! The dogs look ok. I really, really feel for you guys! Work like this is never, ever easy and always takes longer. Thinking of you!

  111. You look maxed stressed. Hugs. Find a good audiobook, grab your best pair of headphones, make yourself some tea and sit and knit for a while. Something in awesome bright colors that makes your heart smile. Breathe. It’ll be over soon.

  113. You poor dears! Between the noise (the people & the machines) and the drywall compound & the paint smells… it’s not a soothing work or home environment.
    My heart goes out to you all.

  115. Ice cream, and pour a lot of Southern Comfort on it. Alternatively, iced Peach Tea with generous Jameson’s in it. Or, both. This too will pass.

    • In a stressful situation, I’ll take both, please 🙂 I just had the frustration of my fence installers coming to put my cat fence enclosure up, only to find out, I need 2x what the order was in terms of material! So 1/2 the project done, paid the guys, they are coming back to do more work when the fencing arrives (probably sometime 28th?)Sigh. The cats are impatient to have their outdoor time restored, but I won’t do it until the fencing is solid – such that I am sure we’ve got no dangerous animals in the yard (eg coyote, other cats, turtles/tortoises .. ahem, black snakes..) or at any rate animals approaches to the house are limited to mine only..Also the plumber, the countertop guy, and the local ‘smart home’ installers all came by today too. Soo many many things needing updates and fixing –

    • I’d settle for the Jameson’s over Bear Creek Caramel ice cream…instant Bailey’s.

  117. Awwh!! So sorry it’s not finished, yet, but it’s getting better, correct?Love ya all!

  118. So the first time you came home to crap. You cleaned everything up and still have fog. Now you are going through hell with the noise and mess. Who is going to have to clean this new mess. I hope they have a professional cleaning crew on hand to clean up this new mess. The noise is unbearable to hear. Blessings to you all and OMG.

  119. I’ve done work for a contractor: hanging plastic sheets, laying drop sheets, and taping siding. that video really brought back some (better forgotten) memories! Just know that the taped paper and plastic isn’t meant to trap you, it’s meant to keep your office space free from drifting particulates in the air when they spray paint or blow ceiling texture. Since they didn’t lay drop sheet there, they don’t want scattered specks of paint getting blown in. We’d usually ask (when doing a job that covered multiple rooms) that they turn off the AC while we painted or blew texture. If just one room, we’d butcher paper the vents so it wouldn’t cause so much particle drift.
    It’s also not the best thing to be breathing, though a bit won’t hurt anymore than breathing smoke from a fire. The guys I worked with were in their 50s and had that “if I don’t have cancer from breathing it yet, I’m not going to wear protective gear now” attitude (and expected a 20 something woman to happily work without protection too! NOPE!).
    Feel free to break out of there anytime; the tape is sticky enough to seal again many times to allow for bathroom or drink breaks. They will not mind and it will not mess anything up.
    But, yeah, the noise of a commercial capacity compressor is deafening, agreed. I always shoved ear plugs in to dull it to a hum. It’s the sort of job that will really damage your hearing, vision, and lungs if you’re not taking care to protect them.

  122. Sorry curiosity has struck!

    You have beautiful high ceilings (although I’m guessing you’re disliking them right now, more wall to paint) – do they help with the heat in Texas? As in are they more than just decorative? I’m always struck when watching US TV programmes that the architecture of homes is so very different in the North compared to the South and both compared to the UK – does the temperature/climate affect the physical structure of your homes in general in ways that are positive? I mean I know the high ceilings in our 10th Century church make it beautifully cool, but that’s a big space to seat 200-odd; does the same principal really work in a home?

    Lots of questions – must be in a curiosity killed the cat mood today!

  123. I think you have the big, bad boss thing down. Judging by the posture of the workers in this video. They are afraid and intimidated, properly cowed.

    • They are not cowed, Gretchen. We appreciate people who work on our home. They are skilled craftsmen, and we do not stand over them. The worker on top of the scaffolding is crouching because he is spraying texture. The gentleman on the left is Estian, who is in charge and who has single handedly repaired our walls.

  125. Well,
    Just keep telling yourself..
    they’re fixing it
    they’re fixing it
    they’re fixing it

    And you’re there to keep an eye on them to make sure they do fix it right this time!

  126. This has to be an additional circle of hell, from Dante’s Inferno. Wow, wow wow! If you used it in a story line readers could not fathom the craziness ????

    • Yes, Ilona said higher up in the comments that it is at no additional cost 🙂

  128. YOU
    ARE
    WRONG ! ! ! . . . Just wrong, as in

    Not, no. Make that NOT right …
    ok, alright O K the house is … I’m
    gonna leave this alone, Cause there is nothing to be said that … ok

    You’re Right, Oy works

  129. I audibly gasped when I saw the video! I can’t imagine how stressful/rage-y and over it you probably are. But I do love your high ceiling and the study off the (bedroom?). The floors and wood and fireplace are dreamy. Hope everything ends well, quickly, and as cheaply as possible.

  137. After seeing the chaos I am impressed by your professionalism in sending out such a solid Innkeeper excerpt yesterday. I hope the workmen leave soon and your house is where you want it to be.

  139. Egads. Do you have noise-cancelling headphones (and if so, do they help at all)? It’s still Amazon Prime day, you could order some…
    There’s also Loop earplugs that work pretty well.
    Man I hope this is over for you soon. I can tell you’re hovering on that “homicidal state” line.
    {{{{HUGS}}}}

  141. This too will pass. Soon you will have peace and tranquility and the heat wave will end and things will be quiet and cool. Try to find calming videos on line that can be viewed with comfy headphones. ASMR videos are prolific and you may find one you like. If one is too stressed though sometimes nothing works. That’s when I pull out a UFO I don’t really like and work on it. Though nothing will make me pull out the full size table cloth from 50 years ago that is stamped with a blue willow embroidery pattern and has about 6 inches finished so far. I had done several card table size stamped ones but this particular project, no. While cleaning I still run across it periodically. I really should donate it.

  142. I love your fireplace room with the panelling and wood floors ????

    Hope that it is all done soon and to your satisfaction.

  143. O my – it feels like a scene out of criminal minds. At least the pets are serene…so sorry! It will be great when it’s done this time…

  144. I am so, so sorry. I have no idea how you continue to write amazing things while in that noisy environment. I’m just super grateful that you do.

  146. Nothing like living in a construction zone. Hopefully, the work will be completed to your satisfaction soon.

  152. Yikes!! That looks miserable for concentration and getting anything done in the same space!!!

  153. That noise and this Texas heart? Bless your heart, in the sincere, true, compassionate way.

  156. It is great that the contractor in charge has taken responsibility and is doing all that can be done to get it right with no additional cost to you.
    Your house is really beautiful from what you have shared in previous blog pictures.
    Thank you for sharing this journey with us. We are 25 miles north of you (I think) and after 20 years in our home we need to renovate. I hope we can find a lead contractor as great as yours.
    I know it is currently a giant pain. Hopefully it will only last another few days.
    Thank you for posting the last chapter during this chaos. We truly appreciate how kind you and Gordon are to keep sharing the innkeeper with us during this time.

  157. Definitely not an inspiring atmosphere for writing. I’m so sorry. Hopefully, they’ll be finished soon so you can find peace the the regular, familiar dramas of daily life.

  158. Bless you. My Dad used to be a general contractor. When I told him they painted without cleaning up the powder first he about hit the roof! You can’t paint w the powder everywhere or you’re guaranteed to destroy the paint. He went on a pretty good rant and expressed his condolences. I sincerely hope they get it right this time.

  162. Yikes. Best of luck. I’m impressed your four-footed family members seem to be fairly chill with all this chaos and noise.

  165. omg i would go the frick insane and i though having the ups constantly beep is bad lol

  166. Infuriating that you moved out to avoid exactly this situation, only to have to deal with it now!????

  167. I don’t blame you. Hopefully it will be done sooner than later ????????????????

  168. 🙁 I feel your pain. I need my home, however small, to be my inviolable sanctuary. My stress levels went through the ceiling when my well meaning landlord insisted first on replacing the IMHO perfectly serviceable carpet, and then installing a heat pump I didn’t want. I can barely begin to imagine how raw your nerves must feel. Which raises the question of the animals – who seem completely laid back about it all?

  170. The YouTube recommendations after that video were hilarious! Apparently I either need a good brain washing to imagine I’m rich, or at least some soothing music or cute animals after that. ????

    • Mine recommended a video about Thor: Love and Thunder. Which could be apropos—many chaotic, noisy fight scenes and a prolific use of hammers.

  171. Video is full of chaos but my brain focused on the guy ‘supervising’. Really hope his hand isn’t in wet paint. But the way thing have gone…

      • Thank you Mod R. This morning my phone only showed a few comments then went to the post a comment section. Glad its being doing quickly and correctly. Thank HA for sharing this with the BDH. While the process is awful we are glad things are going in the right direction.

  172. Have you considered getting a she-shed, or an RV on the lawn? Somewhere you can get away while still being there? How is Gordon coping? Don’t know if you think it’ll help but I’ll pray for you.

  174. Been there done that. But I’m not a writer and didn’t try to create anything during The Time of Noise and Chaos. Hope they finish soon. Sending virtual hugs!

  179. Oh my! ????Have faith. This too will pass. But I gotta add..Bless your hearts! That you even managed to get updates out is a small miracle.

  180. Wow
    Ive lived thru renovations before
    (3) they are all rough when living in the house.
    Its really hard when you have lots of noise and your used to quiet and you can not find any quiet Spice

    Good luck. Hopefully it will b over soon

  181. So, about those voodoo dolls…. nope? Aww shucks.

    Good luck, thinking of you guys!

  182. You look shell-shocked. May I recommend a cool tub of water/ pool/beach or lake and/ or a good book, along with the hot weather snack and cold drink of your choice?

  184. You are more than welcome to come to my house until they finish. It is small but a bit less chaotic. I hope things are finished correctly and soon.

  185. Wow! Looks like they really got stuff covered up. Glad to hear they are fixing everything.

    When we remodeled, there were times I went to the library to get away from the noise. Since I love to read it was a win, but really just enjoyed the silence.

  187. OMG! Bless your heart! That’s GOTTA suck. But I bet it’ll be gorgeous when it’s finished.

  191. They did a great job of masking, and really your house is lovely. Or it will be when you can actually use it.

    Take your cues from your dog. Flake out and sleep.

    And you look gorgeous even stressed out.

  192. So, first, let me say that I’m sorry you’re going through this massive … “annoyance” is insufficient, “catastrophe” might be a bit excessive, and “inconvenience” doesn’t even begin to touch it. I can only hope that they finish both quickly AND properly. And I hope the end results are what you assumed you would come home to in the first place.

    That said, your house is magnificent. Those ceilings! Your beautiful bed! That lovely, warm den. Being a best-selling author (duo) obviously has some wonderful perks. I love living in Hawaii, but I live in a crackerjack box because the homes for “low-income families” START at $500,000. And according to Google, you are considered “low-income” if you make less than $68,000/year. Okayyyy…

  193. Sending lot of comforting hugs and fingers crossed that the situation will sort itself soon ❤

    • Sending you many many hugs.
      Sorry you have to go through this.

      On the plus side, they appear to be doing a very nice job, so at least you have that to look forward to :))))

      Also, to anyone reading this who might be in need of some instant book devouring, Jessie Mihalik’s next book appears to be out and ready for some thorough devouring :)))

    • (ok, so it might not be the keyboard so much as my oversized sausage fingers, but the reasult is the same. sorry in any case.)

  195. I’ll see your constant low grade noise and raise you a Bobcat pulling down an outdoor metal stairway right outside my window (renovations in progress all over the apartment complex), three workers with hammers replacing it with a new stairway, and a welder who caught the landscaped cedar plants on fire.

  199. Wow, that sounds like it’d drive me to violence within half an hour. How long did it go on, all day?

  201. Remodeling is such a nightmare, we are almost done with a home we have in Arizona. We lived on the bottom floor with a Nespresso, small fridge and microwave for several months – we got through it and have decided if we sell and buy another, we need to make it a newer house needing very little work. We are in our 70’s and just don’t have the energy anymore. Good luck with all you have going!

Skip to content