home improvements:: the short version

Living Room: Pretty much done except for sanding/painting floors.
Formerly stinky blue carpeting, peeling, dirty walls that wouldn't take paint.
I sat down at the computer about an hour ago and started writing what I intended to be a quick catch up post, filling you all in on "the new house" that we'll be moving in to shortly. I wanted it to be nuts and bolts with a bunch of pictures. But as writing late at night will do to a person, it turned into a very long version. An unloading session of sorts. An "I should have been telling you guys about this all along and now there's way too much to say" kind of post. So instead of deleting it and losing all those thoughts and feelings and impressions, I gave it its own page and gave you a choice. Want the nuts and bolts? This post is all you need. Want the long, sitting in my living room catching up with a good friend version, it's on its own page found here. Or listed on my right-hand sidebar.

The first thing Dan did? Rip up pink carpeting from the stairs.

In the meantime, for you nuts and bolts readers:

We've been living in a two bedroom apartment on my grandparents' farm for the last two years. It's been a wonderful blessing to be here, be close to my grandmother, my father, my family and live in such a beautiful place. But at the same time there have been hard things, like the fact that my bedroom is technically in the living room, the living room is technically in the kitchen and my desk is technically at the front door. Oh, and I have three small children, and my wonderful husband up here in the garage apartment, too.

The kitchen--will have to wait. Can't afford to do everything. I'm cursed with another white floor.

So we're moving just around the corner, almost within sight distance, to a small farmhouse on a few acres. A generous opportunity given to us by family. A fixer-upper on the inside, and a lot of mowing and gardening on the outside.

The dining room: Rotten floor, as in fall through to the basement. Still very much in progress. The new floor is shown in the living room shot. It's acclimating and waiting for "work week".

Dan has done all the work on the house by himself. It has been long. It has been hard. He's been away from us to work on it a lot. But what would I do without him?

The "six and under suite". Pegs were a little surprise to me, from Dan. I want them everywhere. Really.

This weekend he's going to Wisconsin, getting a big old moving truck and bringing all our stuff out here. We'll move in shortly after. His brother, also a carpenter, is coming with him and staying for a week to work on the place, too.

The upstairs bathroom. Scares me.

I can't wait to be reunited with all my things that have been in Wisconsin storage. I might shed tears.

I'm excited. I'm anxious. I'm ready. Though it's all a little bittersweet, closing this season of living on the farm.  But a new season is just around the corner.

Comments

[carol]

wow- this is just so wonderful. you are living where I want to be! well done on 2 years of patience, looks like your reward is waiting...no matter how rotten the floor may be :).

[Sarah]

I just read the long version of this post and you should know that it's a wonderful story, not some chore of a read. You write beautifully and the sentiments expressed there are heartfelt and lovely. It's a great read. Truly. I wish you and yours many blessings as you embark on this new phase of your lives together...

[Amanda]

Congrats on the move! I wish I was living on a few acres instead of in the city in Wisconsin. Very, very envious of you, even if it means a blue toilet. ;)

[Beth]

Oh, how exciting! I wanted even more than the long version... I'm so happy for you. A little extra space can go a long way, I know, and I know how I can feel after just a few days inside our little space (with just the 2-3 of us on any given day!). We're in a very similar situation, with a very similar project in the works soon and I totally get waiting to talk about it all... I love everything you showed-- All of the promise and history and all of the beautiful details. I can't wait to hear more and I'm so happy for you all. Woo hoo!

[melissa f.]

Oh, HOOOONEY, this is going to be so good. I cannot wait to see how this unfolds for you... and I think it's a good idea to break out the long versions sometimes because you don't know who needs to hear exactly those things.

[Christie]

The long version wasn't THAT long! Thanks so much for sharing. We were living in a 2 bedroom apartment until recently (with 2 kids) & I didn't realise how hard it was until we moved into a house, with a yard & space for everyone & everything. Your new home is looking amazing (love the pegs!) & I can't wait for you to settle in & enjoy it. It will be well worth the wait.

[Melissa H]

Your new house looks fantastic and the countryside is gorgeous. Glad you will finally be settled in your own place--I hate feeling "in between" so I can't imagine 2 years of it. Good luck with the last of the housework and the move.

[Hege]

The countryside is beautiful and the house is fantastic.

It must be great to finally have a house of your own after living so crowdy ;)

[Missy K]

Molly-- I really loved reading the "long version" of your thoughts and feelings, of what has been and what is to come. I look so forward to seeing how you make your new home yours, and I really understand that it is a big deal-- there will be shifts in balance and routine. I wish you deep breaths of grace in these intense weeks.

[emily]

molly. it's beautiful. the story, the sentiment, the lessons, the life, your writing. beautiful. and i can. not. wait. to knock on your door with a basket of muffins and sit on your crate and barrel sofa and drink a cup of tea. (i mean, can i come over? would that be ok?)

[Sarah S.]

I can't wait for the move! After the bridge gets fixed you will be so close to us :)
You will love having your own space and all your things back. It will be like Christmas. Have fun with it. I will be stopping by!

[amy]

Oh girl- so happy for you- but for sure understand the crazy times- My husband is master carpenter and I have lived in reno land in two homes in last four years with two kids...I have a blog on my main site that is my trials with home reno (encorelady)
Godspeed the mess and worry - OK? I understand! But...Yahoo for a farmhouse! This looks like something that will be brill at the end of process!!!!!!

[miss chris]

This is so exciting! I'm trying not to be jealous, because really, that is what I have ALWAYS wanted to do -- nasty kitchens, baths and all -- but never will. Hubs is not a project guy. Oh, how I will enjoy hearing all about it!!!

Congrats! All your patience and hard work is about to pay off! :) xo

[erin]

you know i read the long version.

i just wish i could be there to help you move or watch your girls or do whatever it is that needs to be done. i am beyond thrilled for you, molly. it is going to be so great!

[miss chris]

Hello again. Back from the long version. And I'm in tears for you! Tears. Tears? yes! What a special, magical time this will be for you.

[apple cyder]

loved the long version. horray for you and your family and your home-to-be. your grandmother must be an amazing person having raised all those children. my grandmother (bless her) raised 13 and i am so in awe of that....

[Mama Urchin]

I know about that small space you've been in and while it is very charming to visit I'm sure it can feel very cramped to live in. The farm is a special place so I know you'll miss being part of it too.

But, soon your day will not be ruled by what's happening on the farm and I think that you will enjoy that more than you know. Now, you just tell me when that moving truck is pulling up and we'll be there to help unpack. No waiting for the house to be presentable. I'm serious, friend.

[Tonya Richard]

I just found your blog this morning after following a link from Creative Little Daisy. I have enjoyed looking around : ) I also homeschool and love to create, so am really looking forward to following your blog.

Nice to "meet" you : )

[Angela]

Oh Molly! This is fantastic! You beat us to the getting of a farmhouse though. :)
I'm so happy for your family. Can't wait to hear and see more.

[mandy]

Oh My Gosh what beautiful place! I love the fire place.

Congrats and good luck on all the hard work you all have in front of you!

[Kate]

I'm so thrilled for you Molly!!
You are living my dream, fixer-upper and all. I can't wait to follow the progress here and live vicariously through you...as if I haven't been already,LOL.
Hurray for your little slice of MD, countryside heaven!

[Lori]

i'm so excited for you. :^)

your story reminds me so much of visiting our house while it was being built - the feeling that it would *never* be finished (it took over a year) - see each small thing get done and feeling a sense of victory! along with a sense of .. never-ending more more more needs to be done.

and now we live here - something that i thought for awhile would never happen! - and it is all good. :^)

blessings to you & your family in your new home!

xoxoxo

[Chara Michele]

That is so exciting!! Having just moved & had our stuff in storage for 3 weeks, I can just imagine how nice it will be to get your stuff back after 2 years. (I could barely handle the 3 weeks!) Now I need to go read the long post :)

[Courtney]

read the long version, friend. the house us utterly charming. I want it. Am longing for simplicity in a time that is anything but simple. and Elliot wore his sweater yesterday, and both kids bathed with their whale, while I admired my sweet bird. thank you. my half of our trade will be perfect for your new home...

xo

[Jen]

Yay, Molly, how exciting! How old is the new house, anyway? It looks like it has some serious character. I'll take an old house over a new one any day of the week. We're moving to a new state this summer; we're hoping on just another year of apartment living before we buy our own little place. Granted it's just the two of us, plus cat, but still.