"finished" the honey-do list

[rieferman]

I'm a couple days away from the final paint brush strokes that will complete a 13 year journey of completely renovating our entire house, building our barn/shop, and overhauling our entire property.

On one hand, I'm really excited to more exclusively focus on "next level" projects (things that were once so far down the list I never thought they'd come into focus), and advancing the hobbies/business that the shop was intended to enable. Proud of the journey and all we've achieved.

On the other hand, it's oddly causing a sense of melancholy that's sort of hard to explain. I guess it's partially that a big part of my value to our family is the things I've been able to create.

Sure there will always be maintenance... Believe me, I understand that next week I'll chuckle at this post when a window is broken by a stray baseball, the wife asks me for some new property feature, or I decide to "upgrade" something.

But, while this introspective mood is upon me, I figured I'd see if others have reached the "end" of the honey-do list, and how did it affect you?

edit: if this thread more properly belongs elsewhere, my apologies

 

[jdewitt]

Journey or destination? You sound like a journey type of individual.

 

[Red Voodoo]

I cannot IMAGINE reaching the end of my "honey-do" list. It's a pretty dream though.

 

[jetnow1]

Definition if infinity- her honey do list for me......

 

[930dreamer]

I'd need a project supervisor to finish my list.

 

[larry4406]

Just wait... she will move the goal post to the far off horizon..

 

[rburke65]

That’s an oxymoron.....no such thing.....end of Honey Do List...

No...

 

[StreetGLi]

13 years? Pretty well time to start over anyways.

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[Old Man Roger]

Time to sell it..lol

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Good job on your journey.
As for finishing the honey do list not possible.
I will have to live to 150 years of age and then only if I do not take on any more projects.

 

[rieferman]

LOL, the replies are about what I expected.

Let me clarify my definition.... in this case, I'm talking about finishing the MAJOR original wish list. Every single room, every single fixture, every single wall, the roof, the windows, siding, landscaping, hardscaping, garage build... All that's done.

The typical chores list for each week will always persist. But the biggest mountains have been climbed.

 

[paredown]

Congrats rieferman!

I'm at year ten, so I guess I better put my back into it to finish my renovation in three years...

 

[corvette43056]

I at 13 years now and I'm far from completing the honey do list good luck to you

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[mmb617]

When we moved into our ultimate fixer-upper in 1979 it needed everything. All the corroded galvanized plumbing had to go as well as the knob and tube wiring throughout the entire house. Of course every room needed the walls, ceiling, and floors redone, plus all the windows had to be replaced as well as the roof, and the insulbrik siding wasn't going to cut it either.

Early on I made a project list with estimated start and end dates for each component. Some of the dates were more than 20 years in the future. My friends laughed, but we plugged away and crossed every item off that list in roughly 25 years. Guess what? The very first room we did was the upstairs bathroom and by the time everything else was done it was in need of another update. Oh, and the roof I put on in 1982 needed redone a couple years ago as well.

So no, I don't think it's possible to finish a honey-do list. Every project that gets crossed off the top is balanced by a new one added on to the bottom.

 

[rayra]

Time to sell it..lol

yep, in before the divorce filing.

/no such thing as a 'finished' honey-do list.

 

[Lucas156]

Honestly I just focus on my garage and outside projects that I want to get done. Everything else is on a need to basis. I guess life is too short to try and get a never ending list done of things that are perfectly functional/presentable as is. She has got some of the things she wanted but I draw the line. New faucets, flooring, bathroom fixtures, better lighting ok since its all at end of its life any way. But new trim throughout entire house? New bedroom doors, change a sink from pedestal to regular nah I got to draw the line But I understand it is a hobby for some people.

 

[Lucas156]

yep, in before the divorce filing.

/no such thing as a 'finished' honey-do list.

Reminds me of a couple times I've sold vehicles and regretted it. Newer tires, brakes, oil change and in top shape. I try to take care of my vehicles though.

 

[rieferman]

When we moved into our ultimate fixer-upper in 1979 it needed everything. All the corroded galvanized plumbing had to go as well as the knob and tube wiring throughout the entire house. Of course every room needed the walls, ceiling, and floors redone, plus all the windows had to be replaced as well as the roof, and the insulbrik siding wasn't going to cut it either.

Early on I made a project list with estimated start and end dates for each component. Some of the dates were more than 20 years in the future. My friends laughed, but we plugged away and crossed every item off that list in roughly 25 years. Guess what? The very first room we did was the upstairs bathroom and by the time everything else was done it was in need of another update. Oh, and the roof I put on in 1982 needed redone a couple years ago as well.

So no, I don't think it's possible to finish a honey-do list. Every project that gets crossed off the top is balanced by a new one added on to the bottom.

The good news is that the second time through the list you're working with first hand knowledge of everything!!

 

[kaymccampbell]

The good news is that the second time through the list you're working with first hand knowledge of everything!!

After a few decades you don't remember the details anymore. It's like starting over new.

 

[fourjeepin]

I’m 8 years in fixing a mess of a place. It is getting pretty close and now there is talk of finding a new place with a bit more property. I would like a bit more and a larger shop but not sure I have the energy for another multi year all out project.

 

[spam4us]

edit: if this thread more properly belongs elsewhere, my apologies

"finished" the honey-do list

Please move this thread to.... "The Thread of Impossible"

 

[vavet]

Congrats!
On the second go-round, you either have the benefit of the last job being decent because you did it
OR
The disadvantage of not being able to blame the last guy.

I suppose you could still blame yourself but then marvel at how much you’ve learned since then.

 

[rieferman]

Congrats!
On the second go-round, you either have the benefit of the last job being decent because you did it
OR
The disadvantage of not being able to blame the last guy.

I suppose you could still blame yourself but then marvel at how much you’ve learned since then.

This is so true! Ha ha!!

Edit: and your signature is hilarious and true too!!

 

[Jon_E]

Started my house build from scratch in 2003. Still not done. Added a garage a few years ago, still not done. Just finished the driveway last week. Landscaping is a never-ending process. Maintenance takes just as much time as original construction once you think you have it all finished. There is really no such thing as finishing a honey-do list. I could make good progress at it though, if I was retired, had five sunny days a week, and three clones of myself and an excavator.

 

[3robert 1]

It's taken me this long to stop laughing and be able to type coherently. I'll be on my deathbed and I'll never finish the honeydoo list.

 

[mmb617]

After a few decades you don't remember the details anymore. It's like starting over new.

Especially when you're a geezer like me.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

I cannot IMAGINE reaching the end of my "honey-do" list. It's a pretty dream though.

Amen brother!!!
Mine has never ended...

 

[b-boy]

I'm 4 years and about 50% into a renovation that was scheduled to take 2 years. I know this because my wife reminds me every few minutes.

 

[Joatha]

I am about a year or 2 from being where you are at our place. We redid the interior of the house from top to bottom and stem to stern about 4-5 years ago. It was a massive project - added 1K sq ft, replaced 95% of the flooring, replaced all doors and windows, lighting, countertops (at least we kept the cabinets), new laundry room, etc. The house is beautiful. This spring we have renovated all the landscaping. We have just a few odds and ends to finish out - should take 2-3 weekends of good work to finish.

The last major project is to do a pergola/lanai so that we have a nice place to sit and I get an outdoor kitchen. Good news is that we have a plan and a budget. After that, all major projects and changes to the house will be done.

Of course, we get to this point and life throws a curve ball. I am now in the running for a job that will get me a nice promotion, raise, and put us in the area of the country that we had hoped to go to for retirement (I am early 50's FYI). If it comes to fruition (and its not a sure thing by any stretch), it will mean moving and a new house. I will likely get to build a better version of my present workshop (24x36) - that's the good news. But, I also know my wife well enough to know that wherever we move is going to be a whole new batch of changes to the house we buy - no matter how "move-in ready" it is. And, I also know that I will be the one doing them.

 

[niget2002]

We just moved... wife hasn't had a chance to make an updated honey-do list yet.

It's been amazing getting to work on the things 'I' want to work on. I estimate about one more weekend before the new list is provided to me for the new house

 

[engineer2]

After 13 years it's about time to remodel whatever room you did first.
I'm 20 years into mine and I have 2.5 rooms left to remodel, one of them being the garage.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

...one of them being the garage.

Wait just a damn minute!
The garage is on HER list?

Dude! You need an intervention!

"What we have here is a failure to communicate!"

 

[engineer2]

The garage is on HER list?

Only because it will free up enough space so she can finally park in there ... after 20 years.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

Only because it will free up enough space so she can finally park in there ... after 20 years.

Yeah; I get it! Same situation.
"Her" car is the convertible- weekends and cool weather.
"Her" daily driver is a company car- and I'm sure as Hell not boarding that!!!
...and it's a Lexus.

The 'vert has been under a cover for about 6mons in the drive! And I hate it! I'm really trying to get it back in the garage.

 

[4 FN 27]

I can’t remember the last time I had a Honey Do List.

But when I did I had to explain to my Wife once she asks me to do something she doesn’t have to remind me every 6 months.

Nice accomplishment!!

 

[NUTTSGT]

You might as well put the Honey-Do List on a rolodex. . . . it never ends.

 

[4x4Petr]

My honey do list will never end either. Started with a total tear out and rebuild the basement with a new bathroom, tv/home theatre room and family/rec room. Then it was replace all the windows and doors throughout the house. Then it was adding a door from the house into to the attached garage. (really weird that it didn't already have one). Then re roof the house and garden shed and replace all the eaves and soffits. Then it was total tear out of main floor bathrooms and redesign and rebuild. Then it was a total tear out of the kitchen and dining room to make a bigger eat in kitchen as well as remove walls and replace all the flooring throughout the main floor. The house is really nice now we both think it's our forever home. So then a buddy of mine retires and closes his auto shop that I used to trade work with him to let me use a lift. I mention a new shop for me and she wasn't on board right away but then considered what we have now and if I wasn't going to build now it probably wouldn't happen. It's been 12 years and we originally bought this place with the idea of a shop out back. She's completely on board now and can't wait to see it get built. I'm through the variance process and now waiting for the 20 day appeal to pass then I start on the shop. So the honey do list isn't finished and probably never will be- I'm the honey right now as least for this next project. Then it'll be a laundry room or revamp one of the kids rooms or re landscape a garden- whatever. I would never want the honey do list to end- what fun would it be to have nothing to do?? I enjoyed every minute of the renovations I've done and look forward to more in the future

 

[Kev442]

Kudos. 19 years after starting, the finish carpentry is not done. "I'll work on it on rainy weekends".
Did I mention that I hate doing finish carpentry?

 

[rieferman]

I forgot to mention, regarding repeating the list.... In the 13 years, I've done the kitchen twice, bedrooms three time, two porch renovations before turning it into the sunroom, and all aspects of the barn and shop are minimally at revision 2 as well. Two bball court renos. And the yard is probably on number 5.


So yeah, we'll probably do more stuff in the future.

 

[volvosrock]

Being as it’s my only hobby, I’ll keep going. On year ten here. Nothing doesn’t have my hand prints on it, I like it that way.

Every once in a while we dream of more interior space and then remember when the kids are grown, it is perfect for two, to be able to get far enough away from Each other....lol


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