This week, I have decided to be completely and utterly honest. Not that I haven't been genuine all along on the blog, but I have tried to keep most posts more on the positive side of the renovations and avoid taking on the role of "Debbie Downer." No one wants to read about someone grumbling and complaining, right?! But I also want this to be a true reflection of what this project has been for Kyle and I, so here is a fore-warning that what you are about to read will not be all sunshine and kittens and blanket sweaters (yes, I am a fan of the new blanket sweater trend, lol). Here is a rant/ confession/ my uncensored feelings about the renovation: Renovating a house is HARD. It takes A LOT of time, money, patience, etc. For the most part, I love this house, but there are moments when I do not. In the darkest corners of my mind, there have been slivers of doubt. I have had times when I've wondered if Kyle and I should have bought a house that was live-in ready, even if it was lacking in charm. Originally, we set a deadline to be in our house for Christmas. That was back in August when we were newbies to the whole owning a house and renovation thing, and we were, frankly, a little naive. As we got into tearing down walls and surveying the situation, the Christmas deadline began to look more like wishful thinking. Now, we are aiming more realistically for a summer move in. As much as this frustrates me, I know that the amount of work that still needs to be done and the way in which we are approaching the project (which is doing as much of the labour as we can ourselves), requires time. In an age of instant gratification, it is challenging to do this thing called "waiting." I am working on being better at the act of waiting. That being said... When the house starts to seem all doom and gloom and I wish there was an 'Undo' button, I go for a stress run or rant to Kyle or eat a snack or have a good cry. Afterwards, my mind clears and I think about all that I have learned from this experience and the pride that Kyle and I now have for our house, and I know that it was not a mistake. This house is simply an ongoing test of optimism for a girl like me who, admittedly, is more of a pessimist/ worst-case scenario thinker. I have realized that it is important to focus on what is currently being worked on and not worry as much about the big picture. So, this January, my scope will narrow in on finishing one room at a time, rather than an entire house. After all, smaller goals eventually amount to a bigger outcome.
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About MeKyle and I just became new homeowners. The house we purchased is not what one would classify as "move in ready"; in fact, it is quite the opposite. Built at the turn of the 20th century, our Victorian style house is both beautiful and terrifying in its ancient status and will be a project in renovation. This is a documentation of our triumphs and lessons learned, as we deconstruct and reconstruct this house. The end result? A space that we can proudly say we created. Archives
December 2016
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