Addition BEFORE and AFTER.
Our previous owners had nothing short of a fetish, for intensely pigmented and blindingly obnoxious paint…
Their criteria for choosing colors seemed to be the question: what will be most jarring?
If you have not seen the before pictures of this house, they basically painted every room a different color.
The orange in the addition was the last surviving evidence of their dedication.
Above is where we were two weeks ago.
Before I show you the AFTER, letās remind ourselves what the addition looked like BEFORE.
BeforeĀ we:
gutted the bathroom.
took out the floor.
installed the windows.
And yes, my husband DOES still have tanktops from 1999… Paul’s theory of clothing is that if it has not absolutely disintegrated it is not time to get rid of it.
I have been trying to finish this post in a coherent way for going on two weeksā there is more to this projectĀ that is worth explainingā¦ but Elvis hasnāt been doing well, and I feel like my brain is in cement.
Last week her eating started to go downhill, but then over the weekend she ralliedā¦ not in a way that makes me think she changed her mind about the finale, but enough that Iāve had a brief reprieve from the shock of realizing that I only THINK I am at peace with the next part.
I know I donāt have to explain to you the degree to which this is leaving me frantic but also paralyzed.
The strange thing is that other than poor eating, she seems FINE. She is not having any of the issues I expected (yet) and she is still enjoying all of the things she loves; her favorite activity is being brushed while she rubs her face on her fuzzy ball in a blanket nestā¦ so thatās mainly what Iāve been up to.
Other than that, I am unable to cope with anything. Including some really important things Iām supposed to be doing and soon they may catch on fire. I should be concerned, but the cement-in-brain issue is preventing me from even caring.
Instead I’ve been re-reading comfort books, (particularly this which is magic—Ā about grief and human friendship and how animals save you.)Ā And buyingĀ earrings I don’t need, in a push to fill the dark, sad pit in my soul with shiny things… my aptitudeĀ in this area seems undiminished, proving concretely that my life skills are useless to anyone, myself included.
June 28, 2016 @ 11:13 pm
I am so sorry about Elvis. I am sending you virtual hugs. You just keep on brushing Elvis, reading your books and buying earrings, maybe throw in some fresh baked chocolate chip cookies in that mix, that always comforts me. Don’t worry about those things on fire, the world has the unfortunate habit of keeping on spinning even when tragedy strikes and I’m sure whatever it is can wait or be picked up by someone else. Kisses for Elvis.
June 28, 2016 @ 11:21 pm
Prayers are coming your way, I know what you are going through. I lost my dear kitty Lighfoot (named because she did indeed have light feet on an otherwise tortoiseshell body) a few years ago to a stroke. She was with me for 17 glorious years. Give yourself permission to enjoy every last second of your time with Elvis. And know, in the end you will always have her in your heart.
June 28, 2016 @ 11:27 pm
Oh, and I forgot to add that my hubs has the exact same thoughts about clothes that Your Paul does and has, I think, the exact same tank top from the exact same era.
Also love the changes. The area looks amazing. What were those folks thinking??!! Holy cow!
June 28, 2016 @ 11:43 pm
Sweet funny Elvis…. treasure the time you have with her…. soak her up…. cuddle, brush, hold, stroke, kiss… love…..
oxoxo
June 28, 2016 @ 11:49 pm
Victoria,
The only thing any of us have is this day…just this day. It doesn’t matter if you are 2 or 92. Elvis is with you today, live and love her this very day. Take deep breaths to smell what your world and Elvis’ world smells like THIS DAY. It is all we have.
My love to you as you enjoy your lovely girl each day.
June 29, 2016 @ 12:48 am
I’ve been going through the stages with you, Elvis and with my own cat who has a similar cancer. My heart breaks for you and your Elvis.
June 29, 2016 @ 5:04 am
VB, be kind to yourself. Don’t read sad, heavy books right now. Read lighter fare that will make you laugh here and there in spite of yourself (I am reading Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil right now, it’s witty, suspenseful, and features some great, old (Victorian) mansions which are, if not dramatis personae, at least minor characters. And who can resist a story about Savannah?) Have a pink cocktail on hand while you’re petting Elvis. Put your feet up. Spread out all your paint chips. Rearrange your Big Ideas clippings file. Don’t forget to play some music.
You are where you need to be, loving Elvis and she loving you back. That is really what it’s all about. Enjoy this time with her, it’s a gift.
(From a sympatico kitty lover who has loved and lost and loved again. xxx)
June 29, 2016 @ 10:54 am
Cement. Yes.. you described how it feels.
My thoughts are with you, Paul and your sweet girl.
(((hugs)))
June 29, 2016 @ 11:15 am
VEB I can’t even comment to you regarding Elvis. So in my usual style of hiding my head in the sand, I will divert the subject by asking you what color of white you used in the new part of the kitchen. It is hard to tell on a monitor but I think I love it!
June 29, 2016 @ 11:36 am
I know a version of what you are going through. When you announced that Elvis was ill last year, I had just found out that my cat had the same cancer. I tried multiple times to write an email to you, but never could express my thoughts the way I wanted to. Our boy, Little John, was much further along than Elvis and the treatment options were not available to us. We kept him comfortable as long as we could and put him down when we thought his suffering was beyond reasonable. Within days of putting him down, we had to put a second cat down when it became obvious that we could no longer keep her comfortable after years of successfully managing her kidney disease. Your description of feeling like your brain is in cement is an accurate evaluation of how I felt at the time.
I will be thinking of you and Paul as you go through the next stages of Elvis’ illness and the inevitable part that comes after.
June 29, 2016 @ 8:48 pm
<3 <3 <3 BREAKING MY HEART!!!! So very sorry about ELVIS. Crying my eyes out as I read your post, I wish I could give you a big hug and wave a magic wand over you… to take away all you're pain and heal ELVIS. I wish in life we didn't have to go through such horrible agonizing painful situations. I hate it when life isn't fair. Please know you are in my prayers <3<3<3
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June 29, 2016 @ 10:40 pm
Your redo is ah maze ing. When the time comes I hope you will remember your bestest times with Elvis. I have been down that road with one of the best/worst kitties ever. Wouldn’t trade a minute, and always remember the best times first.
June 30, 2016 @ 3:29 pm
You, Paul and Elvis are so lucky to have each other. Loss is hard – no words for it. Just lots of love while you can.
Your back yard is part of the house now! It looks beautiful.
July 1, 2016 @ 9:02 am
I’m so sorry. About a month ago we lost our 14yo golden after months of watching him decline. The worst part, he was 100% there mentally. His body just couldn’t keep up anymore. The other worst part, the 6yo Small Dog best buddy that was left behind. One month later and Small Dog is still sad. Toby the cat is doing his best to help but Brandon (the golden) never popped out of dark corners or from under beds…chairs…couches. Keep combing Elvis and bring out the tuna. Much love to you and yours during this terrible time.
July 1, 2016 @ 10:37 pm
Distract yourself however you need to and spend all the time you can with Elvis. Everything else will work out and you’ll never regret those hours you spend with her. You can do this. Hugs.
July 4, 2016 @ 9:20 am
I needed those earring too! But they are sold out! My darling dog of almost 14 years is fading fast. Sob! I can understand exactly what you are saying?
July 4, 2016 @ 1:20 pm
Hi –
So sorry to hear Elvis isn’t eating st times -I have an elder cat in a similar situation and I found this wonderful stuff that keeps her appetite – Recuperation by Viyo. I use it like gravy on her baby food (no teeth left) .Friend who runs a pets hospice swears by it and she was right. So I thought I would tell you about it. You can order it online.
Hugs to Elvis & you.
Sandra & Miss Kitty
July 24, 2016 @ 9:31 pm
Help! I just bought a Victorian home (she needs a lot of love) and I’m about to start painting. I love your interior wall and trim colors. My new molding is the same as yours and the white makes it really shine. Please share the source! Thanks! Sorry to hear about Elvis š
July 25, 2016 @ 8:10 am
http://victoriaelizabethbarnes.com/red-front-door-paint-and-faq/
Both paints are in that link… and some descriptions of their paint-i-ness.
Good luck!
July 27, 2016 @ 11:05 am
I’m very sorry about Elvis and I understand what it’s like to watch your pet slowly succumb to an illness. Just yesterday we had to put down a beloved elderly pug. It was a difficult decision to make, but I know it was the best thing for her, still it doesn’t make the loss any easier. Just know you have given Elvis the very best in life, and she has always known that she has been loved.
October 17, 2016 @ 11:05 am
So anxious for a post with your kitchen reveal!