My sister has just purchased her first home. Due to some issues with the company financing her mortgage, she only got final approval last week. However, she put in notice at the complex she currently rents from to be out by the end of the month.
Her new house is a bit of a "fixer-upper," in need of some cosmetic touches and a few minor updates and repairs. With only one week until moving time, the clock is ticking pretty loudly.
The tendency of my family is to come together in situations like this. Yesterday morning found my sister, niece, father, step-mother, and a family friend gathered at the new house over several gallons of paint and a tub of painting accessories. In 8 hours, we'd successfully painted one bedroom, living room, kitchen, stairwell, dining room, hallway, and two closets; eat two meals, lots of snacks; and hear almost ever oldie song the radio has to offer.
Bragging about the accomplishment is not below me, but my point is that I had a blast doing it. This is not to say that I enjoy spending an hour confined to a closet with gallon of paint and a mini roller. I still can't get all the paint out of my hair. But I have come to appreciate working with a group of people that are as driven and work just as hard as I do. When one of us loses direction, another is there to offer assistance. Breaks are expected and encouraged, but no one slacks off.
I learned by example from my father that there is an immeasurable value to keeping the mood light and actually maintaining that "whistle while you work" attitude. I realized this weekend that I'm not the only one. We worked our butts off, I know we're all sore today, but we had fun, dammit. And the house looks 100% better already.
Thanks fam!! See you next weekend on moving day!
