We are now in a house I hope we stay in forever! It was yet another whirlwind getting here. The last time I posted, I said there was only one house in our neighborhood and they wanted too much. We got within $1000 of each other but they wouldn't budge and neither would I. And I AM SO GLAD!! We had our realtor contact a couple other realtors who sell most of the houses in this neighborhood to see if anything was coming on the market soon. She also sent out cards to everyone to see if they were interested in selling their home. We heard from a realtor before the cards hit that he did know of a house that was willing to sell. It happened to be one of my favorite houses, but I didn't think it was as big as they said it was (3250). It sure doesn't look like it from the outside. But I loved the style... and especially the big front porch and porch swing. Then the day we were set to see this house, the cards hit and we got a call about another house. We saw this house first then saw the other one and I wasn't real sure. This one was bigger and I love the layout, but there is a lot of work to be done. The other one wouldn't have to have a single thing done. But overall, this is the one I wanted. It is perfect for us. Every bit of space is usable. It has 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bath down. Plank flooring throughout the first floor with tile in kitchen and bathrooms. That was one of the problems I had with that other house that was asking too much... it had carpet. I hate carpet. Split bedrooms. Abigail has her own room in one corner of the house and a jack and jill bathroom with the office. Upstairs shocked me. It is huge. There is a big landing area at the top of the stairs with a closet and walk in floored attic space. The little boys bedroom is at the top of the stairs. Then there is a big gameroom off the landing and thru that room, another huge bedroom with closet... the size of a small bedroom. AND more attic space off of it. There is also attic space off the gameroom. All of it floored. Storage galore. Of course, we haven't gotten everything TO the attic. Still parking in the driveway :( but we'll get there... still have much to sort. The family who built this house apparently had 6 kids... and it is evident. No space is wasted. Even the little boys closet uses all of the space instead of straight walls. As does Abigail's, hers goes under the stairs and uses the space that is often wasted for the sake of straight walls.
The kitchen leaves much to be desired. Has an old coil top style electric range. The oven is in a bad location... and it's tiny. Just not laid out well over all. I'd want to do an overhaul in there SOME DAY. No time soon. Desperately want to make cosmetic changes as soon as I can. The floors are a honey colored oak. The walls are a putty colored taupe. I don't like the combination at all. I miss the rainwashed color in our other house. There is nothing I miss about the house we rented... except maybe the privacy of the backyard. This house has a backyard exposed to the world. Has a privacy fence but due to the slope, the deck is fully exposed. I'd like to drop the deck a few feet and step down to it rather than straight out. It would be more private. But it's nice. Has a nice patio down at the bottom of the deck too.
I hope to tackle the bookshelves on either side of the fireplace over Christmas break. Right now they just have stuff in them. Don't look decorated, just busy! I want to cover a board with fabric and put it in the back of each shelf to add some color to this boring drab taupe! We got an estimate to have the house painted before we moved it, but it was far more than we could afford. We'll have to do it ourselves when we have time... and who knows when that will be.
School keeps me too busy. Just finished my 11th Madrigal Dinner. People said it was the best one yet. I was very pleased. I have the best students in the world. I love this group of seniors. They haven't quit... yet. Hope they wait til May but typically seniors quit in August!! I'm grateful. They are the leaders- their attitudes affect the entire choir. So thankful to them for staying motivated. Love them to death. Had a cast party here after the Madrial Dinner. We Caroled around the neighborhood. Had one person slam the door on us :) but the rest were appreciative.
Also had a Sunday School party here. I'm glad I finally have a house I can do that in. Being practically across the street from school helps.
Will have to post again to update on the kiddos. This one is long enough. But, I have my laptop back so I COULD start blogging again. I need to... the little guys are so stinkin funny with the things they say which is what got me blogging in the first place (when the older three were their age).
