This has been the craziest and busiest move ever...
But I seriously love it here so much!!
I was so afraid that since we were buying a home (which means we are really stuck here for a while) that everyone would love it except me, and I’d be stuck here in misery for YEARS!
Nothing could be further from reality. I love it here. I love our house, our yard, the neighborhood, our church ward, the people (and I mean ALL the people! Southern hospitality is the real deal here! Even the people at Little Ceasers or the cashier at Home Depot – I’m always complimenting them on how nice they are! It blows me away!)
I don’t know why we got so lucky, but we are soo soo blessed!
I know if even one thing was different, or if all the things were only a degree less awesome, then I probably wouldn’t love it like I do. So I am so grateful for every moment and every small thing that brings me joy and helps me to feel comfortable and happy here, because I refuse to take any of it for granted.
Our House. In the middle of our street.
Our house is far from perfect, definitely not modern and beautiful, it’s really rather a mess, and I am head over heals in love with it!
I cannot even begin to tell you how many leaves we have already raked and blown and cleaned up from our yard. It was a MESS! and we have plenty of bushes and brush to still cut down and more leaves to clean up, and lots and lots of yard work to do.
Yard work is my happy place! I have been in heaven out there. (I know. just wait for the hot humid summer… I’m not even going to waste this beautiful weather dreading that right now. ha!) But with the tall trees, the yummy fresh smells, and the beautiful flowers, it’s been so much fun getting dirty and working hard.
It brings me back to working on the grounds crew at USU while I was going to college. Hands down my favorite job I ever had. I love that I finally have my own yard to work with and make my own. (I wish I could put emojis in my text. {big heart!!})
Among the list of updates that we’ve already started on are:
- Painting the front of our house. I LOVE the blue (and love not having the fake shutters – I wouldn’t mind getting real ones for the side windows). Since taking this picture we finished up the blue around the trim and started painting one of the dormers – the roof is deceivingly steep!!! I’m not sure how we’ll finish them, but it won’t be without some creative thinking, my climbing harness and some rope. lol.
Here is the before. The leaves were so thick on the lawn I had to get them off before they killed it.
- I’ve also started painting the inside of the house – but only in the areas were we are replacing the flooring with LVP. I finished the bathroom laundry room and kitchen, just have a few last touches in the dining area, have started prepping the other 2 bathrooms and am saving the huge family room for last.
I was finally able to purchase the flooring today, but it won’t be here for a couple weeks – which takes some of the pressure off to get all the painting done so soon.
My mom is out here staying with us to help watch the kids while I work, and it’s been SO helpful! I really want to take advantage of this time and get as much done as possible before she leaves – because once the regular interruptions start rolling in I’ll never get anything finished. 😉
Here’s a peek at the finished bathroom. We replaced the tile counter top with the cheapest one at Lowe’s, and found the frame on clearance at Hobby Lobby to frame this waterfall picture. I’m trying to decorate as we go, but also not spend all our money on little things that don’t matter as much right now.
I actually have a picture of me as a baby sitting in front of that waterfall picture, and this is the first time I’ve hung this up since, well, ever. So it’s fun for me to finally have a spot for it!
I’ll have to do a whole post on before’s and after’s once I finish up. 🙂
I can tell you right now, taking down the wallpaper and adding some fresh bright paint is making a world of a difference!
House projects are our future...
At least that’s how I feel.
On my list right now:
- Paint 2 bathrooms and family room.
- Paint kitchen cabinets, and bathroom cabinets.
- Install LVP in all the rooms where I painted/will paint.
- Figure out what to do with our formal living room – because the carpet stinks like dog pee. I’m SO sad. I have serious trauma from past rentals with dog odors and I’m bummed we have to deal with it here too, and it definitely can’t last. I’m pretty sure I’ll be painting those rooms and installing LVP in there too – sooner rather than later.
- Finish painting the outside trim – though my husband has been taking charge of the outside painting which has been a huge relief for me!
- Rip out the plants we don’t want and start planting what we do. I can’t wait to replace the plants up around the porch, and get some good ground cover for some of the wooded areas. Plus clear out the backyard so it’s more usable and just cleaned up.
And that’s all I’m going to put on my list for now. Do you think I can have it all done by summer?! ha! I know with the yard I want to to get a good feel of what the light situation is as we go into summer and how everything fills in with the leaves. The yard will definitely be a long process, but also what I might be most excited for!
So that’s my life right now all rolled up into a blog post!
I’m happy to say that everyone else also seems to really be loving it here! The kids like school and love playing outside. The Mr. is really enjoying his work! We really have nothing to complain about. It’s so sureal! I know nothing last forever, but I am definitely soaking in every moment I can while it lasts! 🙂 It’s been a great feeling and place to be (mentally as well as physically).
I hope you’re all doing great and am finding joy in the little things! I am anxious to get back to quilting, but I know I’ll be a lot happier, and things will be a lot less chaotic if I can knock at least a few of these projects out of the way first. Wish me luck!
In the meantime,
Welcome to Mississippi and Hattiesburg especially. It’s my second home.. Loved reading about your plans for your new home. You may already know but we have a great guild in Hattiesburg. Please look us up on the web pinebeltquilters.com. This fall we are hosting a statewide quilting gathering and would love to speak with you about promoting yourself and patterns. My telephone number is 601 876 2095. I live about six miles from Tylertown and travel fifty plus miles to attend the guild meetings. Hope to hear from you and look forward to meeting you! Mary Nell