​Years ago, I told my neighbor that if she ever decided to sell her home to let me know because I was interested in expanding my business. Sure enough, she approached me just as the Covid pandemic had begun. After negotiating a price and looking at the prospect of losing my income as a boxing coach, I decided to move forward. With the "shelter in place" edict in effect, I was becoming stir-crazy and having a project like this would give me a goal or something I could look forward to that would benefit both me and my residents who were left without income themselves.

I thought that I could remodel the home myself much like, one of my literary heroes, Henry David Thoreau would have done. I would work two weeks in Dallas, and spend a weekend back home in Austin as my work cycle. This proved to be most difficult, as I would forgo many of my return home trips in order to meet schedules. Sleeping on an inflatable mattress hurt my back and left me with poor sleep. It was very tough mentally, in addition to the stresses faced by the pandemic. It was also tough financially on my residents, but this project gave me an opportunity to let them work off their debts. I am glad I can say I did it, but I'm not sure I would do it again. Thank you Lord for being with me and for sending your Angels to help me!

This is how I spent the last 9 months...

May​:

June​:
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I am not a professional; however, I really learned a lot on this project and developed my skills in flooring, electrical, plumbing, carpetry, stone, and tile.

July​:

August​:

September​:
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I had planned on getting a dog after the project, but a family friend was giving away puppies.  After seeing him, I knew he was the "puppy" for me!

October​:

The project slowly crept along, despite many set backs and obstacles... But at least I got to spend time with Family and even take a trip to NYC (aka Ground Zero) during the pandemic!

November​:

Just before the holidays I managed to squeeze in a 10 day water-fast!

December:

Tackling the stairs was quite an awesome challenge!

January:

Finally I could see the light at the end of the tunnel as the project drew to a close!  I was tired of sleeping on an inflatable mattress, and missed my comfortable life in Austin.

I would like to thank everyone who gave of their time, treasures, and talents to help build our community and new home:

Mom and Dad
Uncle J
Terry - Demolition & Paint. Tile, Flooring, Insulation & Carpentry Apprentice
Ethan - Demolition & Paint
Christina - the Best Helper a guy could have!!! Tile, Flooring, & Carpentry

Shout outs to:

Aiden - Counter Install Assistance
Blake - Tile Assistance
Joshua - Tile assistance, Dog care-taker, Heavy Lifting
Ian - TV Mounting Assistance

All of my residents, without whose support none of this would be possible

and most of all...
Thank You God!

So I've been meaning to write about which tools I found most valuable on my recent complete home remodel. I was surprised to see which tools that I came to use the most...

I think first place would go to my hand chisel. I used that thing for everything, from prying tile, wood, and carving. Of course, my measuring tape, hammer, screw drivers, and electric drills were invaluable in completing the project.

After reaching the end of the most laborious construction project of my life (which took nine months), I returned home to my place in Austin in my pickup truck loaded with tools. There was no room to park my vehicle in the garage with all of the construction paraphernalia that I had acquired throughout the project. My garage floor was a mess and I needed to come up with a solution.

I decided to construct some shelves with some leftover pieces of wood. I found it funny that in order to store my tools, that I would need to use them to build once again. I couldn't seem to escape construction!

I bought some heavy duty mounting brackets. I designed the layout, found the studs behind the wall, and drew the mounting points using a level. Then once the mounting brackets were installed, I simply placed the 2x12 planks of wood on top and secured them in place.

The project took a Saturday afternoon, but I was thrilled with the results! Finally I could easily store my tools securely in an organized garage (& park my truck!).

It's still dark outside, I'm awake thinking of the day to come.  In a few hours I'll be driving up to Dallas with my puppy and girlfriend for the weekend.  First, before I leave my house today, I'll be conducting an exit interview with a resident/ former roommate.  These are probably my least favorite parts of being a landlord where I have to ask someone to leave my property. Give them 30 days notice, and then live with them until that day comes.  Today is that day.   There are clear expectations I've learned to set from the very beginning; however, living with others has also taught me when someone is not capable of adapting to change due to mental inflexibility.

I try to give individuals the benefit of the doubt when they fail to meet expectations, such as discussing the issues, helping to come up with solutions, and offering accountability to help them in the future.  After living with dozens of people over the years I'm well versed in the excuses people use to shift blame or challenge the agreed upon expectations they signed at the beginning of their lease.  I always tell them the same response, which is, "Show me with your behavior that you understand, not your words".

People are masters of manipulation, we've been doing it since we could cry as babies.  The trick to avoid being manipulated is to pay attention to actions, and rely less on words (although written communication should always be conducted with decorum).  In my experience, after age 30 is when most people have trouble with mental plasticity.  They start to lose the ability to learn new ways of doing things that they've been able to get away with for so long.

As a boxing coach, the ability to adapt is incredibly important, especially in the more competitive divisions.  I remember fighting a southpaw (lefty) and having more difficulty than I've ever had up until that moment.  I had reached a point in my boxing where I could beat most of my opponents with my usual (righty) style; however, I noticed that whenever I fought this individual that I would struggle.  He managed to draw blood from my mouth and cause many injuries that took days to heal from.  I yearned to discover how to defeat my opponent without paying such high costs in fatigue and injury...

One day while practicing with my friends, my left shoulder started to hurt and in order to continue sparring I had to do something radical.  I switched to southpaw in order to use my right arm to jab.  It was initially uncomfortable, it definitely felt unnatural, but at least it did not hurt.  I stuck with it until I happily discovered that there was a whole new world opening up to me as a boxer.  I had completely ignored the unorthodox angles and techniques that boxing left-handed was teaching me.

While training for a competition many months later, I met my left-handed sparring partner once again.  While waiting my turn in line to spar, I noticed that he struggled with other southpaw fighters since he was used to fighting mostly right-handers.  When it was our turn to finally fight one another, I casually switched to southpaw and was able to pick him apart easily.  By adapting to his mirror image I had learned the secrets of turning the table on my opponent which took away his advantage and gave me the ability to demolish him (and the rest of my sparring partners that day).  He left with a bruised ego and a broken nose.

The ability to adapt requires the humility to admit to oneself that what I am doing is not going to work.  It requires introspection, self-awareness, and the intelligence to figure out which strategy will work.

I look for these qualities in my residents.  When there is a problem, we address it.  Give them opportunity to correct their behavior; however, when it is clear that the individual is not able (or willing) to change I am forced to remove these serial boundary crossers from the environment.


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"There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves are thrown out."

- Luke 13:28