Don't step down, it's the door to nowhere. Abby and I taking a look. A few seconds later, she jumped. Silly dog.
I never thought I’d say this in February, but it’s starting to feel like spring! (Yet another reason February is better than January–just had to say it). Okay, so it’s unseasonably warm for February… and I am loving every minute of it.
The weather, however, isn’t the only thing that has me feeling like spring is here. We are moving, and that means it’s cleaning out our closets, painting our trim, packing our stuff time. And how could I forget… house fixin’ time.
If you’ve read the About section you already know that we live in an old brick house with enormous mums. It was built in 1940 and probably last updated in 1960 (save the mauve carpet that was no doubt installed in the hay days of mauve and dusty blue, when people wallpapered their kitchens with ducks and hearts).
It was a “fixer-upper” to say the least. In the past two and a half years since we bought the house we have done some major renovating: new roof, new kitchen, refinished the hardwood floors hiding underneath the nasty pinkness, replaced fixtures, and did tons of painting, scraping, and spackling.
Sometimes, I still find myself referring to it as a “fixer-upper” though most of it has been fixed. I guess I just can’t get the memories of mauve scalloped carpet and cracked plaster walls out of my mind.
But as we prepare to move in the next month and Lord willing, rent our home, we are finally tackling those last few pesky projects.
Here’s where I take a deep breath, hold it and then slowly exhale.
Home renovations are, um, how shall I say it…not so fun for me. When we bought this house I was 12 weeks pregnant, so all the renovating has been done while I was either with child or nursing said child (now children). Any woman who has hormones must know that this can be a recipe for disaster.
Thankfully, we passed through the fire. I made it through the nights of air mattress sleeping, washing dishes in a Tupperware bin in the bathtub, scraping lead-based paint off dirty ceilings (I didn’t do it, don’t worry) and dealing with 2,000 some pounds of shingles littering our back yard and suffocating our mums. (Miraculously, they passed through the fire too. Somehow, those hearty bushes survived shingles and transplanting and then managed to grow another foot. Anyone want mums this spring? They need to be divided AGAIN.)
This time around I am feeling much better. Thank the LORD! I think not being pregnant or having a newborn has something to do with it. That and the fact that it is 60 some degrees out today! Yes, I said 60. It’s truly amazing how connected my mood is with the weather.
I will even go as far as saying that this next go round of projects has me actually excited! An hour ago, I was outside gleefully taking pictures as our friend, Casey, ripped away our back “porch.” I must say, demolition is kind of fun. Especially when it’s on the outside of your house.
Next up: bathroom shower. The knobs, pipes, and other various pluming things I know nothing about must be replaced, which requires busting up some vintage tile, and I assume forsaking the daily shower for a few days, as we only have one bathroom.
Ask me how I’m feeling then. If it’s 60 degrees and sunny, it might not be so bad. Maybe I can hose off.
Brooke Frick 
First off, I love your shoes! Second thing, it DOES almost feel like spring here today too (for Maine). I walked outside and not only was it above freezing but I heard a few glorious birds singing for the first time in months. What a sweet sound.
Best of luck with the upcoming move. Having had a few “fixer-uppers” and scraped more than my share of wallpaper, painted a few hundred rooms, replaced flooring…I totally understand. And when I was eight months pregnant with my first, we had a house built. Sounds like a blessing (it was in many ways) but it was the last time we would ever go that route again. At least not when expecting a baby at any minute!
Thanks! They are actually my slippers 🙂 And I have heard that about building your own house. sounds nice, but I can imagine it would be stressful, especially with a baby on the way!! Oh and I lve it when the birds sing. Can’t wait!
haha! Very cute slippers. I live in my slippers this time of year.
Heck honey, 54 years and we’re still “fixin up”. Hang in there it gets better and makes you smile when someone says “remember when”?
LOVE YOUR SHOES…and the warm weather, and the fact that you made it out of renovating-while-pregnant phase with your sanity intact! Wishing you guys an easy, breezy time fixing things up this go around 🙂
Thanks so much!
I think that there is finally something that may be an indication of global warming for it is unseasonable warm most every were for it was in the upper 40’s to low50’s here in Minneapolis yesterday and it is to get up to 50 today which is nice when it is sunny but today it is cloudy and foggy earlier this morning. I hope that you have no trouble with your move in the coming month.
well enjoy it while it last. It is snowing now here in PA where we are for the week 😦 Oh well, spring is almost here!
Love the purple slippers. My slip-ons are faux moccasins, and I am pretty sure they’ve seen their last days out here. Hope everything continues going smoothly. Sounds like a lot of work, but it also sounds very exciting. It’s especially fun to be in the middle of God’s plan, when sometimes it feels like you’re a mere bystander. 🙂
It is exciting to be in the middle of God’s plan. And there is so much to do before we move! Ahhh! And I am wanting to get Minnetonka moccasins for my next pair of slippers 🙂
Oh girl, I feel your pain. Been there, done that – but NEVER in shoes are cute & colorful as yours!