So do you think by calling this entry “safe sex” the blog will get more hits than usual for a Tuesday, typically one of the lighter days for visitors?
Actually, though, it was in finding this picture as part of my scanning marathon than inspired the entry. Yup, that’s Melinda and me from the year 2000, just before heading outside to attempt to remove the asbestos siding from our house, part of the remodeling efforts. We got it in our minds that we could save a lot of money doing this work ourselves.
Now let me say that this is probably true. But removing asbestos siding is no walk in the park. After a half day of breaking siding and undoubtedly spreading asbestos throughout the neighborhood (okay, I’m exaggerating again), we hired professional asbestos removers. And the marriage survived.
Speaking of which, if you ever do undertake a major house remodeling effort, be sure to include marriage counseling in the budget.
Today’s Prompt: Tell about a time when you bit off a project that was too much for you to chew.
Andy Smallman 
Sometimes doing a project can be hampered by the person’s style — I am a perfectionist. When we moved into our new “old house” which needed painting badly, I caulked every joint, repaired or replaced wooden siding, scrapped all peeling paint and in some cases sanded the edges so it would not look rough when new oil base paint was applied.
It took me so long to prepare it for painting that I only did one side a year, but when it was all done, it looked beautiful, a deep but bright yellow with fire engine red shutters and doors with white trim. As a result of the hard work and the amount of time needed to do the three story house with attached barn, when it was time to paint again, I hired it done.
In hindsight it would have been smarter to hired the first painting and preparation done professionally. Repainting it the other times ( twice more in 33 years of ownership) would have been a piece of cake compared to the four summers it took me to do it the first time. But financially, it was the best move at the time.