exactly.
Has anyone else felt a little crazy inside their own mind at times?
No?
Just me?
Well, that’s okay. I’ve often suspected that I was, in fact, the only insane person around.
Suspicion confirmed.
Thankyouverymuch.
Now, let’s move on.
At any rate, as far as our new home goes, (because that’s what I’m actually talking about today, by the way. What? My ramblings and quick subject changes make you feel crazy? Hmmm. That’s weird. No. I’ve never felt crazy before. You must be alone in that thought.) I am feeling a little unstable in my thoughts about the house itself.
I mentioned that the house has mountains – right?
Right. That’s what I keep holding to – the mountains.
No, seriously, I am excited about the house.
In a way, it reminds me of going home. Of growing up. The wood floors and the wood ceilings and the stairway upstairs and the large expanded halls – space to waste and space to love.
I’m thrilled about that openness actually. Tall ceilings. Funky old wooden trim.
Great bones, they say.
Which is code for – needs a little TLC.
Which is code for – in need of some minor repairs.
Which is code for – not just anyone would actually want to live here.
And we DO want to live there. We really really do.
But each time I revisit the house in preparation for our move I am humbled a bit by the realities. (And I promise to share pictures when I’m better able to take them. We’ve only been over there a few times.)
I’m an idealist as much as I am a realist. (Which is perhaps an odd combination I guess. Just call me the weird collective of my mother and father.)
Sometimes I think – hey, I dreamed of a house with coordinating interior, a bedroom for each child and an office and a school room to boot. The whole package. (Or nine yards or kit and caboodle. Right?) A house ready to move in and decorate upon arrival.
And I go through a mental list of all that needs to be done.
Fresh paint on the wooden walls (many littered with worm holes and puckered boards). The banister repaired to be less hazardous to our many young children. A bathroom mirror in the bathroom without any mirror. Paneling on the old attic space to become a bedroom space for Riley. The stove put back into place.
Of all that is wonky. (Kevin’s new word to aptly describe so many lovable details about the new homestead.)
The distinctly tilted front door. The window in the shower. Yes – a real window. The dishwasher placed directly in front of the kitchen window. Plastic lining on the dining room windows. Fireplaces blocked over and unusable in nearly every room of the house. Minimal closets and hardly any storage space throughout. The drafty windows and doors.
And I think of ease and comfort and homes of my friends that are clean and tidy, with matching furniture and coordinating curtains.
And just then, Ringo walks across the kitchen at our current home and vomits on the floor.
And I think, “Nah, a hundred year old farm house is exactly what we need right now.”
Never mind.
13 Comments
Cindy
Oh….the joys of an old farmhouse….we have been working on ours for 11 years this month (but only seriously for the past 4 or 5 years)!! You only have to look at the photos on Facebook to see why it is taking so long and to also see why it is well worth it. Enjoy…..and laugh even when it isn't fun….it really helps!! BTW I think the phrase is actually "kit and caboodle" 😉
Melissa
I always thought it was "kitten caboodle." You learn something new every day!
Your new house sounds awesome! You will make it your own in no time. I hope everything goes swimmingly with your move!
LaceyKeigley
That's funny.
Who knows? Maybe it is kitten caboodle.
Sherry
Our first house had a window in the shower as well as carpet in the kitchen and a wood stove in the dining room! Hideous wallpaper in everyroom and pink carpet in the living room…….ahhh good times !
LaceyKeigley
Pink carpet?
Wallpaper is a crazy concept. I remember when every house was slapping some floral pattern up on the walls.
ourextraordinarylife
It is all about perspective isn't it. While I live in a new home with matching carpet I often wished I lived in an old farm house with a million quirks. And do not be fooled into thinking that a newer home comes with out issues. I daily see things that are "problems" and wonder when will we find the time or money to deal with that. I am a little envious of the house you are moving in to. I feel that with the purchase of our house we "sold out to the man" and that I will never be able to make this house unique because it looks like the one I can see out our back windows. Then I remember that I am blessed beyond measure to have this roof over my head. Too many people go without a roof over their head at all. While it may not be your dream home it is the home that God saw fit to lay at your feet. He has great plans for your family under its roof.
LaceyKeigley
Ahhh.
Wise words, my friend.
And isn't it the perfect example of irony or our own craziness that we would actually be jealous of one another's homes?
(And, by the way, I don't think you sold out to the man – and I pretty much love visiting your pool and trick or treating in your neighborhood. You can bring R over to play in our trees if our kids can keep swimming in your pool. Perfect!)
Tracy Gaunt
You are not alone Lacey. Our place has quirks too: carpet in the kitchen (YES, CARPET!), of the 8 rooms in the house 5 have wood paneling in them, none of the walls or floors or ceiling are insulated, only one bathroom and it is IN a bedroom, different kinds of carpet in most rooms, there is only 1 outlet in the kitchen, the washer and dryer are on the unheated built in back porch.I could go on. Ha! I had dreams like you too. I wanted a laundry room, a garage, more counter space in the bathroom, walk-in closets…I thought these were kinda basic these days until we started looking. I have grown to love our quirky place. We plan to change all these things but it will take time. And I am learning it to be more time than I first thought. We are 2.5 weeks into a partial livingroom remodel and Jesse is out of vacation time. This is going to be a LONG process! So when I walk on the yucky carpet though my kitchen I'll think of the lovely view you will have through the window as you put dishes in the dishwasher ;).
LaceyKeigley
I hear you!
What is with people putting carpet in kitchens and bathrooms??
And, guess what? Our washer and dryer are on an unheated back porch too!! 🙂 Not looking forward to that this winter.
IT is helpful that you husband is handy but it is hard when your husband has to balance that handiness with his real-life job to pay those bills too! 🙂
Maggie
In 11 years our home will be turning 100. We have quickly discovered that work is never finished. I found a random nut to a bolt laying on the floor last night and typically when you find one of those out of place it means that something is going to fall apart … soon. The work on this old home is never done. But she is lovely and has so much character. It makes it worth it. So what if the stairs have a slight lean! Or that the dog scratched the floor in a ranbuncksious wrestling match with mike!
LaceyKeigley
Can't wait to hear what falls apart from that loose nut! Yikes.
Chelsea
Yeah.
I really try to keep perspective on this. For the first time in our marriage we are living in a comfortable, coordinated home with no 'honey do' list. Only because we had to get it in this condition in order to sell it. So while we wait, I tell myself to enjoy the lack of to-do's, to revel in this space because I know if the next space serves the purpose we think God has for us (lowering debt), then it's going to be quite the fixer upper. And I know fixer uppers not only come with a long to-do list, but also a list of things that aren't realistic to accomplish- that will be referred to as 'character' and eventually loved. Eventually. :o) I agree though… whenever something gets spilled or tracked in to this space, I actually begin to look forward to the simpler space to come. I am excited for you guys.
LaceyKeigley
Thanks Chelsea.
Waiting in a semi-state of pristine cleanliness for the next buyer to come along would try my patience too! 🙂