Learning to Take a Break is Hard While Working on This House!

4/20/2019

Today, I'm having a rest. I'm doing nothing.

Well.. after waking up at 7 a.m. to unload scaffolding off a truck for 3 hours.

After that. Then, I'm doing nothing.

Cal and I realised we haven't been taking enough breaks. We typically work on the house 6 days a week, and take one day off for ourselves.

Our day off usually involves hiking up one of the various mountains in the area - a peak a week - is what we call it.

A shot from our most recent "Peak-a-week"

Even on our days off, we usually end up doing some work on the house. It's just hard to sit down and do nothing when there's so much to do on the place!

We're doing a good job at getting enough sleep, eating well and (naturally) getting plenty of exercise, but a key ingredient we've missed out on is rest.

Cal is usually a morning person. Staying in bed until 8 is considered a lie-in for him. It seems he has boundless amounts of energy, and he usually greets the day with a giddy smile and a bounce in his step. Seeing Cal accidentally sleep-in past 9 was a very good indication that we haven't been giving ourselves enough downtime!

Our current workload is unsustainable. Something needs to change.

We have to take self care seriously while working on this project, so that we don't burn out, and so that our relationship survives this adventure (an unrested Cal and Claire can lead to some very grumpy behavior)!

So that's why, this weekend, we're taking the WHOLE weekend off. Tools down. Feet up!

We hope everyone has a happy Easter! We'll be enjoying ours while firmly planted in some garden chairs, soaking up the Scottish Sun (Yes! It's been incredibly sunny here lately! We're loving it!).

Thank you SO, SO much for the ongoing support!

Sincerely,

Cal and Claire

16 Comments

Katrina

4/20/2019 07:27:33 am

That's great! You guys definitely need to care for yourselves. It's easy to get burned out, especially when it's SUCH a BIG job I'm sure!! I don't know if me and my husband could survive something like that, so I applaud you two!! Happy Easter and can't wait for more updates!!!

Alana McKay

4/20/2019 07:29:15 am

You've chosen the best weekend to take off! Happy Easter

. Peggy

4/20/2019 08:14:57 am

Please do take time for yourself and your body. I've spent too many years working 70 hours weeks now moments to retirement and things are falling (body wise) apart. Remember you are in it for the marathon and not a sprint

Betty Shelton

4/20/2019 11:11:02 am

Question.....how are you financing all this? You both seem to be putting all your time into the remodel so I am assuming you are using savings.

Ronda Robb

4/20/2019 12:00:41 pm

You should consider making at least one of the rooms an Airbnb. I bet you would stay booked. People who have been following you would most likely love to come and see the finished project.

Jess

5/4/2019 07:20:33 am

I agree. If you can open up one of the rooms for a BNB my husband and I would definitely come to stay! You should open up a crowd funding page so we can help you off set some of the cost of this amazing place!

Elizabeth Canada

4/21/2019 05:20:13 am

Happy Easter! I came upon your story on FB. It dropped your story in the middle. Then I saw instagram. Wow! What a project. I am sending you both strength and Blessings! Yes take a much needed rest. I ‘ve done a similar building project when I was 22 now I ‘m 63. I learned so much. Blessings from the USA

Jonathan Fulcher link

4/21/2019 02:32:59 pm

Keep Up the hard work and sense of adventure!

Wishing you luck from Buffalo, New York!

Tahi Elgato

4/21/2019 03:36:34 pm

Good luck guys. It is fun following your progress. Work life balance is very important for your relationship its nice that you also realise this. Have fun. Big hugs from Australia.

Lisa and Frank

4/21/2019 09:40:43 pm

We feel your pain..And fun! Lol
We purchased a fixer upper in the Bahamas.
It's been a year and a half since we started. About 90% done now.
Feels Great seeing the fruits of our labor come together and that light at the end of the tunnel get brighter. :) :)
Hang in there!

Cathy

4/22/2019 01:11:41 am

Have you got a funding site? A lot of readers would probably be happy to help.

Joe Tan

4/22/2019 10:38:20 am

Suggestions:- a crowd-funding website linked to here and your various websites. https://www.google.ca/search?q=crowdfunding+sites&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-ca&client=safari
- Talk nicely to the auction house for support/some penance money to your crowd- funding; otherwise you will be “forced” to disclose “widely” their name other details. Discuss how such publicity would affect their business and how many future customers would be turned off from using their services.
- Talk to other competitive auction houses about your dilemma and how they can set themselves apart from “unethical” auction houses by donating to your crowd funding.
- Contact tv stations to sponsor your undertaking while giving them exclusive rights to make a program /series about your undertaking.
- Reah our to Rotary/Lion/Shriners/Rotaract clubs and other charitable organizations to organize “labor” crew projects (and/or monetary contributions) - allow them to put up plaques to recognize their contributions.
- Reach out to businesses like Buider supplies co., McNairs, Beatson, even North American home building companies like Home Depot to sponsor you.
- good luck to you - and hope other readers will also suggest other ways to get assistance - both for labor as well as hard cash!
Please continue to keep us all informed
Joe

Candy Grondman

4/22/2019 09:21:34 pm

Hello!
Just reading your post about getting enough rest... My Mom, Dad and I once lived in a place we were working on (it also needed a lot of work - not as much as your house!) and it is very hard to make yourself rest when so much needs to be done, but you are right in thinking you need to get more rest (down time). My Mother ended up getting sick because she did not get enough rest. You can also find yourself getting discouraged over time if you don't get away from the place from time to time (your hiking trips are a very good idea!). Hoping and Praying that all goes well for you. Excited to see how it turns out!
Blessings to you from Byron Center, Michigan, Candy :)

Lisa

4/25/2019 07:50:14 am

Hello from Chicago Illinois, USA! Just saw your story posted on Facebook. I so admire your attitude and spirit and I think in the end you are very fortunate indeed! While it makes sense to rent out the other units-Im curious as to whether it would be more affordable to just renovate it back into a mansion, then turn into a bed/breakfast? Due to the fame-I think you'd get many takers. Just a thought. I agree to get Crowdfunding or something-I would contribute! Best of luck to you both I have bookmarked your blog!

Carol link

4/30/2019 01:14:12 pm

You are doing a great job like every one is saying take care of yourselves.
You will succeed I admire you and I do like the idea of saving these beautiful old houses.
Hope you get some help from friends and people who would like to get involved in the project.
I wish I could help you.
This would be a good learning experience for people.
Lots of love to you both.

Maricela

5/6/2019 03:48:47 pm

I’ve decide to follow your blog posts because I love english stories about old houses. It coyas be haunted or something like this. Or even verter perhaps you are about to find a hidden treassure. I’m mexican! 🤔🤔🥰🥰🙋🏻‍♀️🙋🏻‍♀️🙋🏻‍♀️

Learning to Take a Break is Hard While Working on This House!

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