It’s moving day tomorrow with a lot left to be done before then. Why I am here then, you might be asking? The girls have gone with their daddy to gym night and I am taking a short breather with a cup of tea and an unsatisfying bit of dark mint chocolate. This is my spot of order amidst the moving chaos.
My fingers are splashed with paint as I am the official painter in the house but the walls are slowly getting done. Coat after coat. I’m looking forward to sharing some pictures soon. In my ideal world, the pictures would be shared once we had the place looking magazine article worthy because oh yes, this old farmhouse has magazine potential. I will admit that I had visions of my kitchen being frequently pinned on pinterest and the cleverness of my laundry/boot room being oohed and aahhed over. Oh, confession is good! However. The truth is that we are moving in with no doors or shelves on our cupboards, only counter top on our island, half painted trim, a washer and dryer in the laundry room…oh and a freezer…and we have gorgeous floors. But really, high reaching dreams aside, I am so thankful. So, so, so thankful. I am thankful to have a counter top rather then the dining room table. I look forward to throwing in a load of laundry and continuing with my day. I am celebrating many things.
I know a few people who have magazine ready homes and they are quite peaceful and welcoming. I also know people who have messy and half finished homes that are equally peaceful and welcoming. I think that I like both since it is the hearts and attitudes of those living within who make the home a happy place to be. So I will show you my pictures gladly and I may even gush a little about the man who has done crazy things to create our home. Many things that I suggested because they saved money, but that I had little idea of how much time they would take.
I haven’t always been easy to get along with in these past months of renovations. Frankly, Dan hasn’t always been either. Still, frustrations and a few late night squabbles aside, it has mostly been good. We are making it through with love and marriage intact. Someday we are going to look back and laugh. It’s possible that right now you are shaking your head and thinking, “it can’t be that hard.”. So I am swallowing my defensive feelings and saying, “you are right, it shouldn’t be…but…it is.”. Renovating an old house, doing all the work on a limited budget has proven to be a challenge. I’m also going to make a suggestion. If you ever decide to renovate or build, may I suggest that you consciously set aside regular nights where you do something other than renovate or even talk about renovating? Even if you just sit on the couch together, it will be worth it. Because you see, usually a marriage won’t be stronger because you moved in a little sooner and it will be stronger because you took time to strengthen it.
And with those thoughts jotted down, tea drunk, and chocolate consumed, I return to my painting!
What are your evening plans?
Oh I know you are right. I lived through a home building in my teens and I told my hubby I would NEVER let him build a full house BY HIMSELF while we are married. It is a marriage wrecker. The next closest thing is renovating. I know what that is like…too many decisions, talks of money, stress and time consuming exhaustion…I understand. You are absolutely right- it is one of the toughest things on a marriage and not as romantic as it sounds ( to build a home together) I admire your strength and that you have come this far intact. Good for you!
Thanks Kmarie, I don’t always feel terribly strong. And you are right, it isn’t exactly what I would call romantic…but worth it…I think:)!!
Yes, you will look back and laugh. Just wait a good long while before you pick up another paint brush once it’s all done. My marriage has been enriched 100% by us having to make our living doing renovations. We always live in the midst of them and I can tell you we have learned more about ourselves during these hard, hard times. I always remember that the end product makes the pain seem worth it. There’s a decorative and emotional pay off 🙂 But, isn’t it amazing to open and close cabinets that were crafted by earthly hands that you love so much?
I love your comment on magazine ready homes vs the opposite and you’re right, they are equally as peaceful if the heart of the homeowner is welcoming and kind. Beautiful hearts make beautiful homes.
You definitely have one of those beautiful, magazine homes that is so filled with love!I always admire you guys for how much work you do while living amongst it all, I admit I am thankful that we haven’t had to…I would have found that terribly challenging.
When we looked for a farm it took 5 years to find “our” farm.The problem was despite the 165 acres,a big old barn we had a shell of a house built in 1810 that needed to be completely renovated.
The house had no floors,walls,insulation,electrical,plumbing, nothing..just the timber frame and outside walls..it was a scary purchase but we knew we could do it with a lot of patience and being open minded.
We renovated for 8 months,everyday with a full time carpenter.
We still have outside renos to do,but they will come with time.
You will look back and laugh and also feel so proud of what you did,I know we do.
I must do the updated post on what we did…I’m sure a few of my readers wonder if we still have a house like that,lol
I cant wait to see pictures of what you’ve done!
ps- barrel racer, rodeo?!
good for you! how fun 🙂
I was to high risk to be allowed to ride,probably a good thing as my last ride was quite fun even with the 1/2 dozen bucks she gave me 🙂
I hope you get to enjoy horses with your girls they will love it especially with a momma that knows her stuff.
I would love to see pictures! That is a crazy amount of work, ours is nothing like that. I am afraid there is NO way I would take that one with three little ones!And yes, I used to rodeo. My sisters actually still do, this is one of my sisters http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/article?f=/g/a/2011/07/11/calgary11.DTL
http://www.rodeoclassifieds.com/blog/?p=529.
I didn’t ride while pregnant either because I hadn’t been riding much and didn’t want to risk it for no reason.
That’s awesome!!!I can’t wait to meet you 🙂 You will have to come visit once the baby arrives.
How far up the Valley are you?
We spent 5 years renovating our first house only to turn around and sell it so we could move to NS. I think this house is going to take at least 10 years to complete.
Fun and not fun all at the same time!
We reno’d two houses before here but they were mostly cosmetic renos. So we were a little naive as to how long and how much work this one would be. I checked out some of your entries and it looks like you have done a tonne of work!
We have, but some of it needs redoing. Our roof leaked a month after we did the dining room so it needs a new ceiling again. Right now we’re dreaming about the kitchen but it needs sooo much work.