I HATE ROSS. A Guest Post.
[Ross: I present this first guest post. By Doug.]
I HATE ROSS
And If You Are Painting A House You Secretly Do, Too.
“I hate Ross.”
There, I said it.
You see, for third-four years I’ve lived in a 1902 George Barber-designed home listed on the National Register of Historic places. This summer I am painting it for the third time.
Initially, I enjoyed Ross’ blog updating us on his progress painting the Cross House — until this summer.
Now, every time it comes to make a decision — What color? Caulk or repair? Scrape or sand? — I find myself asking: What would Ross do? And there, on my shoulder, is tiny Ross whispering: Do it right.
Do you have any idea how long it takes to paint a house the way Ross does? OK, I guess you do, as you’ve followed his blog. But for the rest of us normal people this is INSANE. You can’t sand every board down to bare wood, fill every nail hole, and repair every tiny defect. But now, now, when you do skip over some tiny insignificant detail, Ross is there in the back of your mind making you feel guilty until you go back and fix it.
Not only is Ross insane but he is now making ME insane. I’ve become so insecure that I’ve actually asked for his advice on what to do. Whaaaaaat????? I’ve been at this for thirty-four years; Ross has owned the Cross House just over three years. Why am I asking him for advice?
Because of damn Ross, it’s taken me all summer to paint my house and I’m not finished yet. Life was so much simpler before Ross.
Not only does he update us on his progress, he does it EVERY DAMN DAY so you can’t just ignore him. He’s not satisfied to let us know once a week with a picture of his progress — nooooo — he rubs it in our face every day: how he sands, repairs, paints, repaints, and photoshops. Then he shows us just how great the final outcome is in glorious, mouth-watering images.
I CAN’T TAKE IT ANY MORE!!!
I HATE ROSS!!!
But…but…
…at the end of the day my house sure looks great.
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Wow – your house is beautiful. More photos please!
You will love Ross when your new paint job lasts years longer than your old paint jobs. More time painting can equal less time painting over the life of the house. Instead of having just painted your house to get the job done, you now have a paint job that you can be proud of as well. Repeat after me, “I can’t believe that I used the H word and Ross in the same sentence”
When I first bought my small Victorian house, circa 1900, I thought the paint job was thirty years old since it was 70s colors and peeling off the house. Turns out the previous owner had painted it just three years prior to selling the house! But they had not properly prepped. They had used a pressure washer to get loose paint off, etching the wood in several places. Without allowing the wood to dry properly, they had then painted it without using any primer. Sure, it didn’t take them long, but it didn’t even last three years. It took me three years just to paint the first story, but 16 years later it still looks good. Now the second floor, that I hired someone to do, needs repainted already since they did not take the time to do it properly. So taking the time to do it like Ross does, is worth every minute!
OMG. I love your house and your colors. It looks really good and you should be so proud of yourself. Also at what you are doing, lets Ross know he is going to be at this for a long time. Lifetime projects. Thank god we have a passion for something we enjoy.
This post makes me laugh!
Yes, Ross has affected many of us and no matter how hard you try, one just cannot erase the wispering sound of his voice or the feeling that he is breathing down your neck and is going to appear to cautiously inspect the project you are working on…It’s like he is the Freddy Kruger of restoration- He lives in our minds and there is no escape!
However you did a great job on your house!
And, your house looks great!
Very cute story. Love your house. Great job on the paint!
Incredible house! Barbers are some of my favorites.
And yes, the attention to detail will pay off, not only in a better appearance, but in longer life. Nice work!
LOVE this blog! Hilarious! I feel your pain. lol
Gorgeous! Worth every second of painting.
But Ross is very important to a long lasting and beautiful exterior and paint!
Doug, I know what you mean!! I was working on my old window sashes yesterday, and feeling the temptation to rush through certain details; I mean, paint covers everything, right?? Then Little Ross on my right shoulder whispered “Mike, you can paint over it, but YOU would always know what you did…and so would I…” Darn it, Little Ross.
Ha, I’m in the same boat! We recently moved into a 1875 house and have only started with minor repairs, but I find myself asking…”What would Ross do?”
Oh it’s much worse when you actually have him over to your house. Then you end up with half a dozen little Rosses jumping around your shoulder, on your head, under foot. “Do it right, do it right”