Jingle bells

“Roofing, windows, siding and decks—we do it all for you: George J. Keller & Sons!” This is the jingle we sing when remodeling seems overwhelming. The standard punch line is my husband’s insistence that this is all the house actually needs.

That’s how we were both feeling before reviewing the latest set of lower level and exterior drawings. The broad strokes of the design are now very close.

Describing the evolving plans during Christmas Eve celebrations helped convince me that, yes, hiring an architect makes sense.

Earlier that day, the house also tried to convince us. Winter sun through the glass doors made us feel trapped in a terrarium. We opened windows, lowered the Vimco shades (obscuring our view) and went for a walk around the lake. As we left for the family gathering, the indoor temperature was in the high 70s. By our return, it had fallen to 64° Fahrenheit (windows closed, heat off). Energy efficient this house is not.

I dreamt of a cloudy Christmas and December 25 delivered. We spent every waking minute in the great room. From the couch, we watched migrating buffleheads dive, swans glide, downy and red-bellied woodpeckers eat suet, cardinals and Carolina wrens feed on seeds and juncos hop around the deck. The fire crackled and flat screen TV played, alternately, the Yule Log in high def (flames in stereo), American Choppers (marathon), Battlestar Galactica (DVR) and home shows. Taking turns using the laptop, we were never far apart. After socializing on Friday and Sunday, what could be better than a pajama party for two?

The sun set and rain began drumming on the 20 skylights. As Christmas Day drew to a close, we noticed a bubble forming between skylights six and seven. Grabbing a skewer, my husband pierced the paint—and got doused. Finding the path of least resistance, the rain then continued to flow down the wall.

Home improvements focused on roofing and windows sound pretty good about now…