if there's one thing i hate, it's admitting when i'm wrong. and man was i wrong about my husband. a few months ago, he decided to renovate our basement bathroom: a 70s style bathroom with the ugliest wallpaper, tackiest vanity and an eye-sore of a yellow toilet to match. i was all for updating the bathroom. i was very excited about adding a shower and increasing the value of our home should we decide to sell in the future. we got a few estimates that were way out of our budget, so i thought we'd shelve the project for some later time. but my husband got that look on his face. the same look he got when the iphone came out (and he unabashedly proclaimed: this is the happiest day of my life) he wanted to take on the bathroom remodel project solo. his persian genes were in over-drive. you see persian men think they are the jack (or javad, if you will) of all trades. they think they are doctors, plumbers, carpenters, mechanics, engineers, all wrapped in one nice hairy, big-nosed package.
so i was less than enthused for a number of reasons:
1. my husband has zero experience in laying down tiles
2. my husband has zero experience in plumbing and installing showers
3. my husband has told me about the hell involved in removing wall-paper
4. my husband was going to rely on a book to take on this endeavor
5. my husband works like a dog and now was going to spend his "free" time in the dungeon rather than spending it with me and the kids??
6. my husband is going to spend all this money and quit midway
7. i'm going to have to console him for being a quitter and stroke his ego
in the 3 months that ensued, many trips were made to home depot. many days were spent listening to banging, sawing, and sighs of frustration from below. i can now rest my raised eyebrows and set aside my doubts. he did it! he really did it and it looks glorious! [insert hallelujah music here.] i'm incredibly proud of him. i really had my doubts. but, he proved me wrong. he is seriously talented. he came across many obstacles, but his determination and perseverance produced a beautiful work of art.
about 3 minutes after he installed the last finishing touch to the bathroom - the towel bar - he says to me, i can see us living in this house for another few years. (what a coincidence!) i'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that he put so much heart and time into building this bathroom, that he can't part with it anytime soon and wants to reap the benefits. i don't blame him.
the thought of sleeping in peace in the morning, while my husband showers and gets ready downstairs at 4:30am makes me giddy. i have to admit, i'm a little jealous. i want a luxurious bathroom to call my own. i'm really hoping he'll feel sorry for me and offer to remodel "my" hideous bathroom. i know he needs a break now. but like his desire to buy a new gadget creeps upon us once a month, i know his desire to work with his hands will creep upon us again. and this time i won't be so skeptical and negative. i'll be the loving, supportive wife who takes full advantage of the fact that she's sleeping with a handyman. i've got grand plans for the kitchen.
before (gasp!)
drum roll please...
isn't it lovely?
