Woah, it's been a long time!

So I didn't really plan on taking such a long sabbatical from blogging, but it just kind of happened...and SO much has happened since then. 

When I looked back at my last blog post I realized something: I was pregnant then & didn't even know it. I guess that's the main reason I forgot to blog...I had many exciting things on my mind. Our sweet baby girl will be arriving in December & we can't wait. Like really, we want to cuddle her now. BUT, we want her healthy so she needs to stay put for a minimum of 12 weeks. Wait, 12 weeks??? I need to get to work on the nursery. 

So this blog was never really a "themed" blog. I wish it was, but it's not. I'm hoping that as I document pregnancy, life as a newlywed (b/c...oh yeah, we haven't even been married a year), and all the other changes that life brings...maybe a theme will develop. But if not, I'm hoping you'll stick around.

I know many of you loved following the blog because of house updates, and I'd love to tell you that we've gotten a lot done, but we really haven't. If you've done home renovations before, you know you reach a place where you say "No more!" even though you still have much to do. That's us. We lost our fire for reno. But with the baby coming, I'm hoping we can get the last few things off our checklist before Thanksgiving. 

What are those things you ask? Here they are...in no particular order.

1. Finish the backsplash - The materials are in, it's just taking the time to get all the crap stuff off the counter to actually do it.
2. Paint the bathroom - This is harder than just going in there & painting. For one, there's wallpaper that the 1970's is jealous of...and the room itself is TINY. Both my husband & dad are taller men, so them getting in there & painting is tough, which leaves me...and I don't really want to make my baby high, so yeah.
3. Paint the kitchen ceiling - There's a very funny story behind the ceiling that my husband and I tell VERY differently. Either way, we ended up peeling off (yes in sheets, that crumble at the slightest tough) old oil based paint to find another layer of...paint. And since we pulled down some cabinets from the ceiling, it needs a good coat of white.
4. Hang curtains - This one is SO close to be completed. Just have to find rods for the living room.

I know that is the saddest update ever, but don't you worry...I will have more soon! I promise to take LOTS of pictures & share!

Thanks for coming back!

One week until move in!

So we have officially 6 days to move into our new home, and we still have a LOT to accomplish. 

Since last week, we have gotten so much done, and many things are improving.

First up, we are updating the electrical throughout the house. Our wonderful electrician has given us several things that we previously didn't have. First up, the outside light. When you came to the back porch at night, it is very dark, and there was no light. Problem solved! Also, once you got inside, the closest light switch was across the kitchen, so it was dark in the house for a good 6 steps. We now have a beautiful light port that will house a lovely light (that will hopefully be in this week!).

Next up, the kitchen! The sweet lady that lived in our house wanted everything very close to her so the kitchen was very closed off. Handyman Dad started pulling down anything that wasn't essential in the kitchen (decorative trim, walls, etc). It is so much more open now. Can't wait to paint those cabinets!

The bedroom is starting to really take shape. The lovely border around the top has been removed thanks to my sweet husband & his friend...who both worked very diligently for hours on Saturday doing everything I asked! :)

Notice something lovely? Yes, those are our hardwood floors, which are getting refinished AS WE SPEAK! I cannot wait to see how they turn out. They should be completed this week for the big move in. SO excited. The boys also got the bedroom painted. We still have to do trim & a second coat, but it looks oh so much better. Please ignore the cluttered dining room!

Speaking of dining room, it has been painted & is now housing all the furniture that is playing "musical rooms" until all of our floors are done!

Lastly, the living room. This is what is looked like on Saturday morning:

And here is what is looks like today:

We have removed the drapes and pulled up the carpet! And the biggest surprise of all, there are TWO (2) layers of hardwood floors underneath that carpet! How amazing is that? If the first layer isn't able to be refinished, we can just go to the next layer. Can't wait to share that soon!

Lastly, a little teaser about a project I'm working on. Here is the before:

Check back soon for the after!!!

Best,

Before Pictures

Warning: This post is picture heavy!

This year has already brought so many new things. Andrew & I got married on December 27th, & on January 12th I started a new job (more on that later) and we got our new home!

I use the term "new" very loosely. Of course the house is new to us, but it is actually over 70 years old. It is a very quaint house in a mill village part of Greenville. 

The previous owners moved into the house in the mid 40's & put their heart & soul into it. It is evident that they loved their home, and thankfully they took great care of it. We were lucky enough to purchase it from the original owner's daughter...and she is overjoyed that we see the potential in the home that means so much to her.

The kitchen won't get much updating at the start. We plan to remove the wallpaper, paint the cabinets, & do minor cosmetic changes right now. Our plan is to eventually replace the counters with butcher block, and update the appliances (but for now we pray that they keep trucking along).

The living room is a great shape, and I love the bookcase that is already in place. The previous owner was an antiques dealer & loved collecting knick-knacks. The house is full of shelving that her husband built for her to display her beautiful things. 

This room doesn't need much, so we will paint & add a built-in bookcase near the fireplace (which will eventually function).

We are tearing up the carpet tonight & hoping there are hardwoods that we can use underneath.

The bedroom is a great size and has great closet space. We ripped up the carpet in this room already, and under 4 layers of flooring, we found hardwoods! I may have done a happy dance. Andrew wasn't as impressed, but he will be once they are refinished.

Isn't that border lovely? :)

The rest of the house is going to be updated later. There is a dining room, 2 bathrooms, and 2 more bedrooms.

So there she is, in all her 70's glory! Enjoy the before shots!

Be sure to keep checking back for updates!