Renovating a kitchen is hard work. It's hard mentally and physically. Like eating hotdog flavoured ice cream.
This has been going on for months now and I finally decided to sub-contract out some of my demolition. To my (nearly) 80 year old mother.
Best decision I ever made.
Brick wall Betty
Ripping out drywall with my nearly 80 year old mother, BETTY!
After I sent measurements of my kitchen to my kitchen designer Carol Reed, she mentioned that the wall between my kitchen and my dining room seemed to be an old exterior wall, based on how thick it was. I, being the kind of person I am, HAD to know. So at about 1 o'clock in the morning when I was feeling especially exuberant I attached a holesaw to my drill and started working at it. About 3.4 seconds later I was through the drywall and peeking into it with a flashlight.
BRICK. I saw BRICK. It was pretty much the best Peep Show I've ever been to. Only sexier. Because brick walls, the lingerie of the design world, are sexy. Rip that clothing off and reveal the lingerie!
The drywall was coming down to expose the sexy brick wall for all to see. In a few days I'll show you the results of that ripping, tugging and peeping.
Brick porn. Hotter than a pot full of steaming hotdog water.
Markus
This is awesome. I'm a farly new reader and didn't know who Betty was. Clicking that link named "Betty" was the best decision of the day. I already love that woman.
Also: I have done almost the same thing in our house. Struck brick in one of the rooms in our old house and cleared it of drywall. Now it's one of the best feature of the room!
Karen
Yup. That's Betty, lol. She's quite a mother. Congratulations on finding a brick wall under drywall! That's fun, and they always look great. EVen if they're a wreck. ~ karen!
Laura
Hahah just watching this for the first time. "Can you edit this?" "Yep, why?" "I'm just wondering" made me laugh so hard. Betty is the best.
Marna
Awesome!
Patricia Gibson
I love your Mother! Could I borrow her? I have lots of plaster walls I really need to demolish and obviously your Mother has all the necessary skills - her manicure was perfect even after all that work! That is so impressive. I mean really. Do you realize how much talent that requires? Her footwear selection, while not the safest, showed a great sense of style. The same can be said her lovely white tee shirt. Totally unmussed! Did you notice the toss of her head and now her hair fell perfectly into place? The woman is a construction, or should I say demolition, goddess!
I hope you grow up to be just like her.
Josée
I love reading your stuff and now must really go to bed. One thing - how the hell do I make that sidebar go away? the one that is for like Facebook, Twitter etc? none of which I use....I keep trying to play the game of 'catch that grey arrow' to hide it but it shows up a Lot. Let me know if I can annihilate it.
Karen
Hi Josée - I'm afraid you won't be able to get rid of the sidebar, lol. It's permanent so that people can share my posts. If you're on an iPad or other mobile device, scrolling down to the bottom of the screen and clicking "use mobile version" should get rid of it and make the site easier to navigate at the same time. ~ karen!
Sarah @ 20 State
So late to the brick party but...your mum and my mum could take over the world with their tech skills. It's the mixture of calmness and charming ignorance that just makes upside down seem normal.
Shawna
Hilarious! I just turned my laptop upside down and that fixed you up nicely, Karen.
imdb
Your mom rocks! :D
Terri Burdey
LOVE LOVE LOVE ~ Keep em' comin' Karen! And have your Mom email me; I have a very easy plaster wall that could use her mad skills ; )
Feral Turtle
OMG Your mom is queen!!!
mimiindublin
Your Mom R. O. C. K. S.
Best video ever, esp the upside down bit!
cate stavros
This video made my day...and will make my two daughters'...I forwarded the youtube video to them. The subject reads: I feel sorry for you two in 15 years.....one of my fave websites! Thanks for all!
beth j
Ah can we see Mom on a regular basis? She's great. A star is born. Does she do stand up on the weekends?
Evalyn
The best part was when Betty took off her gloves to reveal the Manicure! She's much like my mother (minus the Manicure) who just turned 91. I am always short of breath just trying to keep up with her. Only a woman that age would start demolition dressed in white.
Sarah
Bravo Betty! Karen, I LOVE your mom!!! Does she like to build stone walls??? Seriously, Just yell my name out your window and I will happily join in the fun!! Finding a brick wall inside is very cool. Your kitchen is going to be fantastic!
Sarah
Jasmine
Probably one of the best posts EVER. The nails, the shoes, the red pants and the editing….Love.
Carole
You two are hillarious and yes, we can see where you get your craziness.
Sharon
What a Scream!!! Thanks so much for posting this. Couldn't be more perfect!!
Ev
Even though you COULD edit this, you chose not to! Good choice! HEE HEE HEE! Go Betty!
jenny
What a neat lady! Can you edit this? Bwahahahahaha!