I tend to rush things.
Just ask my wife.
Once I start, I just kind of want things done and out of the way to the point that I don't end up finishing stuff properly, or at all if it takes too long. However, I have also been trying to change this behaviour somewhat and spend more time enjoying the process of getting things done, rather than just looking for the result. This has been easier since the stroke a handful of years ago, because I can switch my brain off pretty easily, which means not having to compete too much with the "this sucks" narrative when doing something boring and repetitive. Once that voice is gone, it is surprising how enjoyable the mundane is.
Like painting doors.
While I was on a schedule for the painting of the floors due to our trip away for a few days, the doors don't have quite as much rush on them, though I would like to move on and get other things started (and finished) if I can. I have slowed the process down a bit though so that instead of pushing to get the result, I am doing it a bit at a time so I can spend more hours with Smallsteps while she is on holiday. Not all the hours, but quite a few. I think it is good for kids o have time to themselves to be creative also, and during those periods I head down to the basement and say "I have to get this done" even though there isn't a real need to get it done right then. As a result, Smallsteps has been building Lego, reading books and playing the piano.
She enjoys the space also - but she rarely chooses it for herself.
These are the sanded doors.
They were pretty ratty to begin with and even after a sand, wood filler and another sand, they don't look too much better. Hopefully though, once they have a top coat on them they will be passable enough for the basement and more importantly, my wife. I picked up the colour tonight and the panel walls that lead down the basement stairs will be the same colour, but will be in a different paint, so I didn't get that yet. I spent six hours doing a white undercoat in the stairway yesterday and then after everyone went to bed, another four hours painting one side of the doors so I could spend most of today with Smallsteps, and well - it all still looks pretty bad.
All the doors have a light side, and a deep aquamarine side. The light side covers quite well, but the darker side still shows through. It doesn't matter too much though, as the colour my wife chose after some nudges to a lighter tone, isn't too far off it so it won't affect the end result now.
What took the time last night was that two of the doors are missing the locking mechanism for the handle and while I bought replacements, they are much smaller than whatever was in there before. To make them fit means aligning them with the old hole, and then chocking and gluing wood into the slot to hold them in place. It is a functional job, not a pretty job, but these particular doors are in the worst condition and also heading only to two small storage areas, so it isn't a make or break thing. It is the first time I have done this kind of fix, and given time (and patience) I think I could do a pretty good job of it, if required.
I was going to do some more work tonight, but I have a meeting in the morning and it might be the last warmish day for a while, so will spend the rest of the day with Smallsteps. She is keen to go for a swim so I will take her to the local beach for a bit, until she starts shivering. There has been so much rain pouring the last week, the lakes are far cooler than they were.
And then I guess, back to go-slow work.
I will be glad when this phase is finished, but I don't plan on rushing.
Taraz
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