There's a metaphor here.

This weekend, we found ourselves in the middle of the Lowe's having a conversation about the remodel of our vintage camper. Sweet husband has been consumed spending a lot of time thinking about the gaping hole in the top of the camper that made it's debut in our last blog update. As a result, any time he is within a 3 mile radius of a home improvement store, he gets lost in his thoughts. This doesn't bode well for our conversations in which I demand prefer his undivided attention. Had you been a fly on the wall you might have heard something like, "it seems like you aren't listening to my ideas." That was me. Or, him saying something like, "it seems like you just want to focus on the fun things and I'm trying to figure out the bigger issues/doing all of the work." Back and forth. On and on. Little man interrupts and reminds us to be nice to each other which was frankly shocking since it wasn't his best attitude type of day either. We apologize with a little bit of a smile.  And, pick up some wainscoting that we plan to add to the inside of the vintage camper in places where the water damaged the paneling and we've removed the moldy areas, as shown in here just under the window.

As you can see we've also covered most of the space with primer to help cover the smell from years of moisture and neglect. Our parents tell us it just smells like paint now after hubby has shocked it with bleach, primer and a few thousand ounces of Febreeze. We think they are just being nice. 
Today we added a cup of coffee beans. So, we'll either be making progress or perhaps it will just add another level of complexity to the distinct smell that is our vintage camper.

Hubby spent most of his afternoon adding the coat of primer to the rest of the inside yesterday. With a little help from his sidekick. Little man spent enough time in the camper yesterday to get paint on his nose and use the platform of the bed for a quick dramatic photoshoot. Yep, he's got a dose of sassy and a whole lot of drama from both sides of his lineage. Moving on.

Anyway, back to the camper. Saturday ended with the removal of our formica countertop. We thought about adding granite but hubby is worried that it will shift and break as it travels. So, we'll save the $ to add that to our house someday. Remember this vintage camper project pulled from our savings fund to add granite countertops to our kitchen in the house. No regrets. We'll get there eventually.

So, hubby spent considerable time in the trailer last night removing the countertop. He's adding a coat of paint now. We purchased some vinyl peel and stick flooring that matches the maple floors of our first house. We compromised about the backsplash and plans for the countertop. I'm excited what a few more hours will bring to this project. And, more importantly, the fun our family will eventually have in this tiny little vintage camper, when we're actually relaxing and not just pausing for a quick picture in the midst of a remodel of our 1960s camper.

Hubby and I are celebrating our  13th wedding anniversary this week. For a gift, we purchased those maple hard wood looking floors (like our first house together) and if Little man takes a nap I'll probably sneak out into the garage and see if I can help make a little more progress on the camper. 

And, despite a little flare up in Lowe's this weekend (which we laugh about now) we're in a really good place. In terms of our process towards restoration and our marriage. 

You know, I'm struck by the remarkable similarities one can learn from a little project like this when you compare it to marriage. There aren't a lot of instructions. Sometimes things aren't what you expected. You have to be creative problem solvers. To make things better for everyone, you have to be willing to invest a lot of hard work, time and attention. Sometimes you have to change your attitude. Sometimes you have learn something new. Sometimes, despite what is going on around you, you need to stop what you are doing and enjoy the beauty of what is around you. Things aren't always perfect. Sometimes you have to be patient and keep working on the little things that will make a big difference eventually. But, this journey is best when you experience it with those that you love most. And, for that, I am truly thankful.