Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Around Here


 This is what you call a true "unstyled" photo.  That's because if you visited our house right now, you would see one big mess - screwdrivers, levels, tape measures, hammers, you name the tool, it's likely somewhere in the laundry room.  Ahh, the joys of renovating an old house.  Justus and I have been knee-deep in house projects this past month, especially poor Justus.  

It started with clearing out closets top to bottom, adding some additional storage, painting and even adding new flooring in our old closet under the stairs.  Then the laundry room project came with new trim and new shelves and it's finally finished!  (Well, except for that minor job of painting.)  And then the dreaded project came that could be put off no longer.  The downstairs bathroom floor was completely gutted, and oh, can I be honest?  It was every bit as terrible as it sounds.  It took Justus hours to remove the old floor, as there were five layers, and I felt so bad for him.  Once he got to the dirt (literally), he discovered that the floor joists were in very poor condition and he had to completely re-frame before even attempting to add a sub-floor.


 But we have an end in sight now.  We grouted the new tile floor last night, and a new vanity and faucet are on their way.  So hopefully everything will be installed early next week and then I can paint, paint, paint! 



 Here Justus is cutting the floor out.  I have several other photos I could share, but it's still a little too fresh in my mind to do that.  ;-) 


Honestly, I'm so anxious to start painting the laundry room and bathroom.  This will be two more rooms completely finished, and I told Justus just today that it feels like we are finally on the home stretch.  This was the last huge project we had looming indoors, and now it's just a matter of finishing three bedrooms and hiring somebody to refinish the hardwood floors upstairs.  (I laugh right now because it sounds so easy... this is still a good bit of work, but it sounds fairly painless comparatively speaking!)

I've learned during the past five years that renovating an old house, especially when you do everything yourself, requires a good bit of patience.  And time.  And money.  It's easy sometimes to let house projects overwhelm.  Yet, there's always reminders that this is not what is most important, and I try not to get too impatient and instead enjoy the things that do matter the most.  


The girls are older now and I no longer have much time during the week for projects, house or otherwise.  Yet I wouldn't trade these days for anything.  Just another needful reminder to myself that I want to savor every moment.

Hope you are having a wonderful week!  Maybe, hopefully, I'll be back soon with some "after" photos of some of our projects.  ;-)  


16 comments:

  1. Busy Beavers! From small to big projects, this old House thanks you for fixing it up. The plus side, is having a handy husband who knows his way around tools too! Kathleen in Az

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    1. Thank you, Kathleen! Yes, I feel very lucky to have such a handy, hard working husband!

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  2. Wishing you the best of luck as you continue with your house. We have one ourselves and it is an ever evolving project.

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  3. What a labor of love. You are doing a great job there and God bless your hubby. What a lot of work for him AND you. You are so right- watching those little girls grow up is much more important that finishing a house task quickly. They will be little for such a short time.

    We rehabbed 15 houses (that we actually lived in-plus a couple more for "fun"). Each one of our kids thinks of a different house as "home". In retrospect I wish that we could have stayed in the same place when our kids were little. You are doing a wonderful thing for your family. Can't wait to see your finished rooms. xo Diana

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    1. Oh my, such thoughtful, encouraging words. Thank you!

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  4. Can't wait to see your finished projects. Have a great weekend.

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  5. It will all be worth it in the end! All that you have done so far looks great! The alphabet cards above the desk on shelves are so cute! Are they old? Have a great day!
    Patty

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  6. No matter what age a house is they all require work!! So could you please send Justus to my house as soon as he finishes yours!!!lol I've loved watching your remodeling and the beautiful home you are creating. Definitely enjoy the time with your little beauties - it is true it goes by so quickly and you blink and they have moved out!lol Take care, Jeannette

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  7. What is most important is that you are enjoying the process of restoring your home and love that you truly have your priorities set to what is most important. The girls are such young ladies now...time passes so quickly!

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  8. How exciting! I bet you are relieved to have an end in sight. Looks like it is going to be beautiful. I love the tile you chose for the bathroom floor. I enjoy your updates :)

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  9. I love every part of your cozy home. Your husband is a true gem-such a catch! It certainly is a labor of love! Glad to see you are savoring all these moments with your precious girls. What a sweet family you have. Look forward to seeing all the finished rooms.

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  10. I admire the way you two delve into these huge projects and stick with it till they are finished! Everything you do is such a nice improvement to your beautiful home.

    Esther

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  11. I can't wait to see the finished product of all your hard work!

    Do you homeschool your girls?

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  12. You do great work together and I look forward to seeing everything when it is done. Our next project is a new floor in our second bathroom and updating the laundry area with some shelving.

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  13. Even your "unstyled" pictures look picture perfect! I'm so glad to see you posting again!

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