I have a half written post in the draft box for the third week of the $100 food challenge.... but my heart is somewhere else today. The truth is, this house stuff is completely dominating our lives right now. All in a good way, and I truly cannot complain one bit. It's been so very busy! When I shared a bit of the recent chaos on facebook a friend replied, it seems like a good problem to have. She's so right... it's all good chaos right now.
I'm a bit leery to relax just yet, we still have an appraisal to get through, but things are looking good. The inspection went really well yesterday. It looks like we will be closing April 4th, perhaps sooner! We even have at least two families who want the house if this deal falls through. Everything seems almost too good right now, and while my first instinct is to be wary.... I'm quickly reminding myself to believe that things can work out just right every now and then.
So, while I'm riding the wave of beleiving in all things wonderful, I wanted to tell you the truth about the last three months. Joe & I have been a nervous wreck. The market has not been good here. We've watched houses sit for months unsold, or sold for really low prices. We were really concerned about having to split up the family. Joe going to RI for his new job with the teenagers to start school, me staying behind with the little kids waiting for the house to sell. We worked hours and hours a day, everyday, for the last three months finishing up the renovation projects, cleaning, and painting. We have truly poured a tremendous amount of work and love into this house. We made it a home. Selling a home is different.... it's more than just a house. You know?
And while this might be really bad financial advice.... we decided we only wanted to make back what we put into it. We weren't worried about all our time, or the tiny crumb we nibbled off the loan in the last four years. We just wanted what we put into it, and someone who would love it. We priced it a bit lower than other homes and had two offers in less than a week. The second one being exactly what we had hoped for.
Yesterday I loaded kids and dogs and cat into the van for the sixth time in 10 days. I gave Joe a good luck kiss and headed to the park while he stayed for the home inspection. Three hours later he sends me a text. "Everyone is leaving. They want it, as is. You can come home."
sigh of relief.....
He said he sat with the buyer on the covered patio and she told him how much she loved the house. She loves the color, the wood doors, the kitchen, the patio, the moulding that took Joe hours to put in. She loves all of it. I can't tell you what that meant to a man who has spent hours making a house a home.
I still owe you guys a post on kitchen cabinet refinishing.... but today, I wanted to invite you in to see what we've done over the last four years. So come on in, there's coffee and fresh donuts from the best place in town in the kitchen. Take your time and wander around. Welcome to our home.....
the formal entry, or foyer as the real estate agent likes to call it
from the foyer the kitchen & living room are to the left, the music room & bedrooms to the right
the music room (somehow the guitar collection increased these last few years!)
down the hall we come to the main bathroom
you can see the last bit of yellow peeking out from behind the shower curtain
the boys room (no more pink carpet!)
master bathroom
the living room, those french doors both open to the patio and to the left corner is a doorway into the kitchen (some good during the process photos)
we replaced all the doors with those solid wood ones, the one in this photo leads to the laundry room
the laundry room (and the tile job here)
roadside chairs and table
the kitchen, this is my favorite room in the house... that island is fantastic....
one more kitchen photo
So there it is. You can visit the whole renovation album on flickr if you'd like to see the progress and before photos. It has been such an amazing experience..... so much work.... but in the end a job well done that we are so very proud of. And most of all, a home to pass along to someone new.
{ps ~ just want to say once again to my husband, who did all the hardest work of this project and managed to renovate an entire house on evenings and weekends..... never hiring a single job out.... you amaze me. I am most certainly a lucky and very grateful wife ~ xoxo}
Or as they say up north where we're headed next........ "like buttah" (hehehe)
Posted by: Stephinie | February 23, 2013 at 04:47 PM
Oh me too. They are so practical, easy to care for, and use. I love them :)
Posted by: Stephinie | February 23, 2013 at 04:48 PM
It is. Crazy quick...... hopefully they'll get the appraisal scheduled next week..... after that we'll be packing fools!
Posted by: Stephinie | February 23, 2013 at 04:48 PM
Oh thank you. We hoped someone would fall in love with it, after all the work we put into it. It's so good to hear everyone say such lovely things about it :)
Posted by: Stephinie | February 23, 2013 at 04:49 PM
Me too!!! I want to take the master bath and kitchen with me to my new house :)
Posted by: Stephinie | February 23, 2013 at 04:49 PM
Thank you Kendra....... a little piece of my heart will always be in the pacific northwest! Such a lovely area+folks. But we're so excited for New England..... I'm dreaming of a great big garden and a little flock of hens.....
Posted by: Stephinie | February 23, 2013 at 04:51 PM
Thank you :)
Posted by: Stephinie | February 23, 2013 at 04:51 PM
In some ways, it is. But any bit of heartache is quickly filled with dreams of New England. In a way, it's like going home since we started our little family there and will be close to my husbands family again. It looks to be a very good move for us.....
Posted by: Stephinie | February 23, 2013 at 04:52 PM
Goodness, a four unit apartment is a tremendous undertaking! Thank you for the kind words about this home we've created. It's been a labor of love and wealth of experience these last few years. I never thought of my words in those past post...... but yes. It was a difficult transition. And yes it is *amazing* what can happen in a few short years if you allow your heart to open up and love a place. I will most certainly be in tears as we drive away.... especially thinking of my favorite little city (lafayette) and all the wonderful people we met there. I always remind myself that if I am not a little heartbroken as I leave.... then I didn't take the time to love the place. I always cry. Always. And I always find something to fall in love with, a little piece to tuck into my heart and carry always........
Posted by: Stephinie | February 23, 2013 at 04:58 PM
your home is so beautiful!! love love love those wooden doors everywhere. such a nice touch.
everything is so visually pleasing, but what really strikes me is the love that you can see in it! you can tell that the work was done with heart. not sure if that makes sense, or if i am putting it into words that are understandable... but i do hope that you know what i mean!
beauty will surely follow you to your next adventure! (and i really hope that you have room for chickens!)
Posted by: teresa | February 24, 2013 at 08:58 AM
Your house is gorgeous, you 2 are quite a team! Drooling over all that space in your kitchen.
Onwards and upwards to you 6!
Posted by: 6512 and growing | February 24, 2013 at 12:43 PM
Beautiful house!! I love those rugs...did you get them all at the same place or collect them over time? We're moving into a little house on a lot soon (that we just purchased) and with a toddler who's just starting to walk, I want to cover the cement floors with something soft!
Posted by: amber | February 24, 2013 at 01:45 PM
when you renovate something all your own..... what you hope people will see is the time and love beyond what is new and pretty. for you to say that you see it truly warms my heart! and we're really, really hoping for chickens and a great big garden in the new place. looking at some places and dreaming and hoping.....
Posted by: Stephinie | February 24, 2013 at 03:25 PM
Thanks Rachel :) It's been a crazy incredible couple of years of learning! This kitchen sealed the deal for me when we looked at the house four years ago. The neat thing is that we became good friends with our neighbors who knew the people that built this house..... the kitchen was completely renovated in the 80's and changed from a galley style kitchen to this big beautiful open one. I have loved it these past few years and I hope the next people do too......
Posted by: Stephinie | February 24, 2013 at 03:28 PM
My husband was overseas years ago (deployed to the middle east) and he bought them there. We really, really love them. Definitely a splurge item back then.... but also the only opportunity he would have to buy them in the market place! If you put a good cushy pad under them they are as soft as having carpet.
Posted by: Stephinie | February 24, 2013 at 03:30 PM
It's abslutely beautiful.. The rooms are larger than the pictures lead on.. It is a very warm and inviting home...The kitchen cabinets came out great and I might need to copy your shower curtains.... love them.....Did you make them? The new owners are very lucky..Your leaving them a very love filled and happy home...
I'm looking forward to a future of family visits.. Sunday Suppers.. Doing a little research on great camping spots half way between us.. Two hour drives and family adventures.. looking for a new canoe and compact SUV..Can't wait to see you in April...
Posted by: Tammy Miner | February 24, 2013 at 08:03 PM
Thank you Tammy :) The shower curtains came from Target, the grey one os my favorite. We are so looking forward to everything you said. It's like starting a fresh new book.... full of new adventures and memories to be made. See you soon!!
Posted by: Stephinie | February 26, 2013 at 11:45 AM