Since I finally shared a “Bumpdate” with you this week, I thought it was only fitting to share a house update with you as well. Since, at this point, it is still a race to see which will be done first - the bebe or the home.
A lot has changed since my last house update. This week, on my way back from a doctor’s appointment across the water, I decided to stop by the house and see what was going on. To my surprise, there was NO ONE THERE. Luckily, I stole the key from my husband earlier that week, after stopping by and finding the house locked up - then proceeding to cry like the hormonal pregnant girl that I am. So with my newly stolen key in hand, I walked up to the house, waddled my way up the front steps and then unlocked the door to what felt like my version of Narnia. The house was quiet and empty. There was no hammering or sawing. No questions to answer. No contractors (or family members) to deal with. It was one of the most wonderful feelings in the world. It was the first time I had been in my home, in my space, alone in months.
Living with my 91-year old grandmother, while a blessing, has also been very difficult for me. Since I work from home, I spend my days either at her house, working from our bed with my laptop, or at my parents house, working at their kitchen table. Since June, we have been surrounded by people. I have been coping with being pregnant and sick, and not having a single comfort of home.
That being said, to be home alone, provided it’s unfinished, drafty and the most comfortable place for me to sit were on raw boards that work as makeshift stairs, was absolutely glorious. And I’d be lying if I said I didn’t cry. (But that’s not uncommon thing these days…)
Since my last update, we have real walls and a ton of contractors constantly coming and going now! I think my favorite contractor (other than my godmother who is our painter and who has been sooooo patient with me and my color choices) has been the trim guy. And not just because he curses like a sailor and tells stories ten times longer than mine. I am a sucker for details. I don’t care if it is wedding details or story details. I just love extra details! And the trim carpenter definitely added noticeable details to this place, making the house our home.
The columns have now been added to the our family room and I’m obsessed. I LOVE how these columns pull together the columns on the old mantel I “picked” off the Eastern Shore last year. My mom did a great job of sanding down both mantels for me! Now I just need to shabby them up!
The color on the wall is not really the color I had in mind… but it will work for now! I was hoping for a more cottage-y color rather than this “see you in the Bahamas” color. It’s not terrible though, so we stuck with it. I think once we have carpet and the mantel done and furniture in the house, it will look great. Just the pop of accent that I was hoping for… fingers crossed!
That being said, we used the same color in our master bathroom. It is quite a bit brighter in this room than I had wanted. I have a feeling, this might be the first room we repaint in the long run. The tile guy has been out this past week working on the shower tile… I’m excited to see the progress there next week!
Hooray for railings now too! Fun fact about me, I passionately HATE ledges. I don’t mind heights, but I hate ledges. Thanks be to God for these railings!!
And a couple more snapshots from downstairs… this is the view from our den/family room. I am calling our plan an “open yet traditional” plan. The rooms are all very open to each other downstairs, yet we still have walls and slight divisions between each area. Our den looks out to a hallway that accesses the dining room, foyer and formal living room in one direction. In the other direction you are taken into the kitchen.
I cannot WAIT until this kitchen comes together. We used a lighter shade of the accent color from the den… jury is still out on this color too, but it is growing on me each time I see it.
CURRENT MOOD: Stressed with all of the comings and goings, juggling the house, the pregnancy, life and work. I have been told to try to go out to the house at least every other day to assist in any unanswered questions or last minute decisions.
CURRENT CONTRACTORS ON SITE: The tile guy. The painter. The flooring people were out there yesterday to do our bathroom floors. I got a text from my husband saying the cabinet people are out there today. I think the concrete guy will be out there next week, provided the rain stops!
NUMBER OF JOB SITE VISITS: 3 this week.
WHAT SUZ THINKS: I just want to be home.
WHAT MICHAEL PROBABLY THINKS: I just want Susan to stop crying.
WHAT OUR BUILDER (i.e. MY DAD) PROBABLY THINKS: This cannot be done soon enough. Is she really crying again??
LATEST DECISION WE HAD TO MAKE: Which direction do we want the boards on our deck to run… it’s the little decisions like this y’all that will drive a girl crazy.
WHAT I’VE LEARNED THIS WEEK: God has a funny, twisted since of humor sometimes. I keep telling myself that he won’t give me anymore than I can handle. What I’ve learned: He has a lot more faith in me than I do in myself.
I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO: Seeing the kitchen together! It will be SO REAL once the granite and cabinets are done! And man I cannot wait to cook in this kitchen!!
I’M NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO: The fact that at this point, the house has been delayed so much that the bebe will probably be born homeless. But we have a plan to go live at my family’s river house once she is born… Again, it will all work out. Right??
PREDICTED MOVE-IN DATE: I have been told we will probably be closing on the house at the end of March. So move-in would be April 1? Also known as Lorelei’s due date.
Pray for us!
