DIY project gone bad

OK. Brace yourselves because, on this blog, you can guarantee I will give it to you straight — the good, the bad and the ugly.

So last weekend, I got another “great” DIY/home improvement idea. The hubs will tell you that, when an idea like this pops into my head, it can be very, very dangerous. I will not rest. I MUST. DO. IT. RIGHT. THIS. MINUTE. I’m sure you’re never impulsive like that.

Any-hoo, I was recently drooling over those beautiful, oil-rubbed bronze (ORB) kitchen sink faucets that look like this:

http://www.faucetdepot.com/product-images/showhouse-S6208ORB.jpg

I wanted one so badly. But before I could change out our faucet, I needed to change out our sink base, since stainless steel doesn’t really go with ORB.

Our current sink looked like this:

So I asked the hubs if we could go to Lowes and just get a whole new sink and faucet. He replied like any great husband who’s been married to a carraazzaayy gal like me for more than a decade would. He said, “If it makes you happy …”

We picked up a black, composite granite sink base and a beautiful new faucet and the hubs went to work installing the sink base. As he was lowering it into the hole, it slipped out of his hands and slammed into the counter top, busting a huge piece out of the corner of the sink. Totaled.

So we sat in silence for awhile; he offered to take it back and purchase another sink base — the only thing I’m hearing at this point is the dollar signs cha-chinging in my head.

At that moment we also realize we are going to need to completely re-rout the plumbing to accommodate this new sink. We were already out more than $250 for the sink base alone.

So I thought about it, prayed about it and then said, “Fugetaboutit.” The hubs reinstalled the old sink and faucet.

Now, I’m just going to be fine with maybe (eventually) purchasing a new faucet that matches my current sink.

Bonus information: Would you believe Lowes took back the busted sink and refunded our money? We were totally honest about what happened. I love me some Lowes.

So that moral to this one? Be content with what you have!

Philippians 4:11-13:

11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Now my kitchen sink looks like this:

Yep … exactly the same as it did before we exerted all that energy and spent all that money. But the lesson I learned from this one is worth more than $250, I guess.

Actually, it’s priceless.

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6 Responses

  1. Jane H says:

    Thank you for this post. I have noticed, as I subscribe to an ever-increasing number of blogs, that a theme often pops up of continuous consumption. It seems as old as the ages (as you have illustrated by the biblical quote) that we need not lust for things, but rather for knowledge, understanding, and relationship. I worry, when I read all the posts about new houses, new furniture, shopping online or in store for the newest thing, that we are forgetting this very important lesson. In this economy, in particular, it seems more prudent that ever to save, share, give, and give thanks…so, again thank you for this post!

  2. Joani says:

    That’s a story. I’m surprised that Lowe’s did that but hey, when in doubt, try anyway. You never know what might happen. I’m wanting to change my floors but maybe I should just be satisfied with what there is. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day.

  3. Jeannie-JB says:

    Thanks for sharing. I see all of these perfect DIY projects – furniture, sewing, whatever and it gets pretty intimidating because it’s such a high standard to compare to. Nice to know not everyones perfect! That was so great of Lowes – they get 5 stars for great customer service!

    • Susan says:

      Jeannie,
      I am always feeling guilty that my home is not “perfect” like what you see in magazines or on TV or in home decorating blogs. But the more I discover about this industry, the more I’ve realized that nothing is what it seems. For example, when I take shots of a room for a blog post, that room has been completely cleaned, de-cluttered and “staged.” EVERYONE DOES THIS! What you don’t see behind the scenes is the mass chaos created by the project I was doing or my kid’s spilled food all over the place or my dog’s hair or our dirty clothes, etc. Just remember — most everything you see or read is staged. It is not reality. One of the main missions of my blog is to show my passion and enjoyment for creating a beautiful home but to constantly remind my readers that I DO NOT HAVE IT ALL TOGETHER. We have to unite and quit pretending we are all perfect. I want my blog to be a place where women feel inspired, encouraged and energized to be their best — NOT to feel guilty or inadequate. Thanks so much for your comment. It reaffirms why I do what I do. — Susan

  4. Jess A. says:

    You are amazing! Thank you for being so transparent and sharing your humbling experiences with us! Its such a blessing!

  1. November 8, 2011

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