Over the last month Bob and I have spent a significant amount of time together in the kitchen, not for culinary pursuits, but for making tangible progress in the kitchen renovation of the Taylor Treehouse with tiling the kitchen. It's been years since the Taylor Treehouse has had a working kitchen, but that's going to change in 2024. This post doesn't delve into the intricacies of how we tiled the kitchen. Even though Bob has an extensive background in construction and had his own home improvement business (The House Taylor), he's had minimal tiling experience til our house; but you wouldn't know that because his work is meticulous. We have radiant floor heating and plan to use tiles in all the rooms so by the end of our house projects (does it ever end?), he will be a reluctant tile installation expert.
Behind the visible renovation changes lie years of unseen labor beneath the floor and behind the walls, diligently carried out by Bob. The entire house, from foundation to roof, has undergone a comprehensive transformation, making the Taylor Treehouse a work in progress for many, many years.
Though I've sporadically contributed to house projects, my role as 'the Banker' often took precedence due to the demands of my paying job. Being laid off provided me with the gift of time and a much needed reset. It allowed me to rediscover the importance of play, spending time alone and with loved ones, and engaging in projects.
My tasks of pre-wetting tiles, wringing out sponges, and cleaning mud off tiles and tools didn't demand much mental energy and gave me the opportunity to observe and contemplate many things including what makes a good working environment for us. Bob and I tend to work very well together as a team and that has been our approach to life. When perseverance or extra support from the other is needed, whether it's a house project, health issue, or relationship challenge, we can call upon "Team Taylor", which is the embodiment of our combined strengths, to be present.
Music played a pivotal role in creating a positive working environment. It has the power to change the energy in the room. There is the risk of repetitive conversations when spending so much time with someone. A song could trigger a past memory that was then shared. We took breaks and pauses. The project could've been done faster without them, but they were needed to apply ice/heat to a painful back, stretch, and for our overall sanity. Watching from the kitchen window the birds and then a family of four bears (thought they were hibernating by now) provided brief pauses in repetitive work.
We faced challenges and frustrations – broken tiles, aching bodies, and fatigue. Drawing inspiration from one of Don Miguel Ruiz's Four Agreements to 'not take anything personally,' I worked on staying calm. This approach helped me avoid fueling emotions or repressing them; instead, letting them pass naturally, which they did.
While we prefer to have a balance of play and work, this project had a deadline, limiting our playtime. Humor became our ally, creating a playful atmosphere that would be deemed inappropriate in other settings, but provided lots of laughter. I conclude my observations on what makes a good working environment is with the importance of gratitude, recognizing its transformative impact on relationships and situations.
As I write this, the pantry and my future office still need to be tiled, but we finished what needed to be done for cabinet installation. Even though there is much more to do, I hope to restart creating culinary delights in the near future.
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