FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!

With the wood scaffolding now down, it was time to paint where it was, and where the downspout was. Easy-peasy, right? But…NO!!!!!!!! I had to replace four shingles!

 

And a few more here!

 

FUCK!

I am soooooooooooooo sick of shingling.

I have been putting off this very minor amount of work for days because I got nauseous just thinking about cutting more shingles. Today, I procrastinated yet again, finally arriving at the house at 5PM. Getting out of the car, I felt my energy deflate. By the time I reached the front door my eyes had become heavy and all I could think of was: Nap! Take a nap on the sofa!

Stepping inside, I stared longingly at the sofa. I could hear it calling out: Sleep, my little pretty. Come over to me and sleep!

I shook my head, and slapped a cheek. Get ahold of yourself, man! Now, get your ass upstairs and on the porch roof! STAT! Even if you only install a single shingle! Just get something done!

I hate bossy Ross.

Well, I did manage to get onto the roof. And I did get a single shingle installed. You know, it was not that bad. So, I thought: OK! Now install just one more! Just one more!

And, with the help of an audible book, somehow all the damaged shingles got replaced, a bunch of caulking then ensued, and a lot of filling.

Yet again, the power of my patented Baby Step™ method proved victorious.

 

 

12 Comments

  1. Christine on October 19, 2020 at 9:04 pm

    YAY for you for making yourself do SOMETHING. It’s just SOOOO easy to say “OK, not today.” and then today becomes weeks and suddenly the job that actually takes just a little while has loomed so large that I feel like I will NEVER get it done.
    You’re so inspiring, Ross. Thank you for sharing your wins and your difficulties. I appreciate your authenticity in facing each task as it makes its way up to the top of your to do list.

  2. JP on October 19, 2020 at 9:19 pm

    People who leave no stone unturned like you amaze me. Stay well.

  3. Linda A. on October 19, 2020 at 9:20 pm

    You are such a hoot! Thanks for the post. And the laughs! I’ve been missing you! And good job getting those last few, little shits (I mean, “bits”) done!

  4. Leigh on October 19, 2020 at 9:52 pm

    Hooray for the patented Baby Step method! Tested and proven effective! All the best to you, Ross.

  5. Dan Goodall-Williams on October 20, 2020 at 2:59 am

    The good thing is, you got it done. As much as you didn’t want to, you now can take a breath.

  6. Mike on October 20, 2020 at 7:53 am

    One step at a time, LOL… Since you patented your “Baby Steps Method”, it is lucky for me that I was able to come up with my own method… I call it the “Old-Fart Shuffle Method”. I haven’t patented mine, so if anyone wants to see how it works before trying it out, here it is. 🙂

  7. Matt on Clairmont on October 20, 2020 at 8:11 am

    Ross: I’ve been plugging away at restoration of a small ’20s house in NJ. I had wood storm windows made using salvaged wavy glass. They’ve been sitting, glazing curing, on the porch for several months. Each day I pull up to and leave the house staring at those windows. I know they need to be painted, two coats on each side (~30 windows) but it’s hard to muster the energy–especially after already removing and restoring ~30 double-hung windows…. Alas, I started them on Saturday. I’ve managed three coats on 10 windows…. Getting started was hard, working around weather sucks, but the ball is finally rolling. I feel your pain…

  8. Stewart McLean on October 20, 2020 at 12:33 pm

    Thank you.
    I wish I had the ability to get myself to do that one shingle. I look at all the work around me and just can’t get started. I know that if I do the part I can do, that will lead to doing the next and the next. Right now I sat down at my computer to procrastinate the day away, and I hope, that your post will be the incentive to get me to get up and do that first step.

    • Barb Sanford on October 26, 2020 at 9:12 am

      I feel your pain. I have a list of Stupid Projects(TM) a mile long in my basement, and a looming deadline to get them done, as I have work scheduled on the foundation for next week. Early last week, I couldn’t get motivated to get them done. Then I got a head cold and spent four days in bed, too tired to do anything but sleep and blow my nose. Now I feel like I’ve risen from the dead, and I’m ready to tackle my list. I think it’s OK to take breaks when we need to, and rest, so we can hit that list hard when we’re ready. I’m starting by reading all the email I got last week when I was dead to the world, and after that, I’m headed to the basement to pick off a few easy projects. A couple of easy wins this morning, and I’ll be ready for the hard stuff this afternoon.

  9. Alice on October 20, 2020 at 2:24 pm

    I don’t blame you for never wanting to touch another shingle ever again! The house looks stunning with all the work you’ve done on it–hopefully that will make it all worthwhile.

  10. Anonypilgrim on October 20, 2020 at 7:50 pm

    Completely understandable. Good on you for making progress.

  11. Barb Sanford on October 26, 2020 at 9:14 am

    Wow! I’m so proud of you for getting on that roof when you didn’t want to. Now, you can tick another project off your list, and maybe get a break from shingles for awhile. I can’t wait to drive by the house when I’m back in November — it was looking fabulous on my October trip. I should bring you more wine! Ooh. I think I will.

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