1. How close did you and your husband come to divorce during this renovation?

Well, we'd already done our separation before the renovation. And as an architect, he knew how to talk me off the ledge.

2. You restored more than just the house. You restored some relationships, too?

People in the building industry know when you renovate a building, it works deep inside you and you think about it as a connection to life. That happened to me.

3. What was the biggest surprise from this project?

That you use tools to fix a house and you need tools to fix a relationship.

4. Any practical tips for someone starting out on such a project?

Expect that it will be a more emotional process than you anticipated.

5. How's your sister, and what did she think of Rosie O'Donnell playing her in the Hallmark TV movie?

She's doing great. She's still on the bus. She and Rosie never met. My sister likes her routine, so leaving to go to Hollywood wasn't an option. But I spent a fair amount of time with Rosie. We loved what they did.