snickerdoodles

Yesterday my teacher told me I needed to fight for myself. She said to believe I deserved what I wanted and stop pushing away things because I was scared. To stop taking on what others projected on me and see it was reflective of their truth not mine. It resonated deeply with me. She always is spot on and shakes up my world. This poem tonight is perfect for this month's work and focus.
Happy Weekend friends,
oxo

Thankful...

 

My house is dead quiet besides the pitter patter or pet feet as they pass now and then, and the sound of the raindrops tapping the window beside me.  I have not been here to write in so long and I am sorry.   When life is full some things have to give and the luxury of blogging definitely fell by the wayside.   On August 18 I took possession of my new little home and have been pulling days that turn into nights there ever since, in between spells of work and the boys whenever I can have time with them.  I have learned so much and haven't ever been so challenged physically.  It was a 1948 house and I was able to add enough to the mortgage to get it sound to be a home for years to come.

  Paying rent and a mortgage, double bills, huge construction insurance and giving up many hours of work income made it necessary to do this overhaul quick.  I was so lucky to have an amazing contractor and team to work with and in just over a month the whole foundation was dug up, to deal with cracks, a sewer line was repaired, drainage and waterproofing was added and sixteen loads of fill were taken off the lot to correct the grade.  Then topsoil and seed, I painted the whole interior, lifted laminate and refinished hardwood floors on the main floor and layed vinyl plant on the lower level.  Tore down tile and window headers, replaced the roof, changed all the exterior windows and doors, had energy assessments done.  Scraped stucco and painted two sides of the house. Redid some electrical, changed lighting and so much more.   Of course there is still heaps to get tackled.  I didn't manage to get the trim done or bathroom finished but we were able to move in thanks to some awesome folks who helped me carry furniture.  I went down 1000 square feet in size from my rental and don't have a garage or basement storage here other than a small space so moving was sooo overwhelming as it was rushed and involved massive purging and sorting.  My basement still has lots I have to sort since last Saturday when we hustled to get it over here but winter is the perfect time for nesting so I am trying not to stress about it.   Porches need to be redone and siding finished and the landscaping is nothing but some bags of soil stacked where the plants will be when I get caught up.  Next week the lumber for the fence gets delivered so I am taking on staining 147 feet of fencing boards before the frosts start and I look forward to the fence going up as it was the final part of my mortgage improvements and it will make us all feel safe in sound living in town.

I am beyond thankful for everything that allowed this to happen.  The house is tiny but the area and the lot is lovely and there were so many synchronicities along the way with heART house that made me so certain this was where I needed to be and what I needed to be doing for my family.  The boys come tomorrow.  Ry has been here for all the stages and chaos but the older ones haven't been here for a meal since it was scattered with tools and construction mess where we gathered around a fold up table on camping chairs.  The last two weeks were insanely hectic getting furniture and the homey stuff in.   Taking a truckload to the dump today and organising the boxes so I can cook my first turkey and pumpkin pies in this kitchen and we can share our first Thanksgiving squished in around my childhood kitchen table.

I can barely express how wonderful it feels to know I have a created a safe place for the boys to land.  The past two years of rentals have been hard on them and they have not been comfortable and it was out of my hands.  As a Momma this is a dream come true to be able to nest and feel secure in having an affordable home for them that is close to their schools, in a safe area and tiny but comfortable.  This Thanksgiving this is what I am most thankful for, a home and family.

Here is a quick before and after so far, Hardie Plank needs to be painted and finished, the porch will be redone, the garden beds planted but mostly the front is done.   This is heART house and this is our new home.  I will spend some time this autumn and winter writing about the process and sharing in the reno adventure.  I call this project my Everest and I learned so much and am happy to share.

 

Happy Thanksgiving friends,  wishing you & yours all the best!

oxo

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