This is our house.
When I turn onto our street and see it at the end of the cul-de-sac, I almost always smile. I think it's the red door.
Lately though, every time I emerge from my spiffy little downstairs office I am faced with the harsh reality of my failure.
I posted this question yesterday on Facebook:
Pretend you could hire a personal assistant, a maid, a nanny or a private chef. Which do you choose? {By the way, I cannot hire any of these things...I'm just being nosy.}
Because, truth be told, I often feel like I need all of those things. I'm shocked at the varied answers the question received (and continues to receive) because the truth is, we all could use a little bit of extra help.
When I walk through my house, I see piles of things that need my attention. I see my daughter's room as it grows arms and legs and critters and more and more out of control with her mess and think I need to help her with that.
The truth? When we moved in here, I didn't have an ounce of energy to turn this house into a home. After all, I'd just done that very thing in Colorado. (And HERE) In fact, we practically gutted our Colorado house, which meant that Adam and I (and the kids) painted every wall, every bit of trim, every cabinet. We replaced every single floor, most of the fixtures and all of the appliances.
It was exhausting and expensive. (And then we moved a year later.)
Every room in our house needs paint. The upstairs rooms need carpet. Our dining room has one chair in it. (and a random pile of boxes clamoring for my attention.)
And I LOVE our house...I want it to be a safe haven. I want it to be the kind of place my kids love to bring their friends...and right now, it's not. I have lots of plans and dreams and ideas and Pin Boards, though I'm fairly certain my "style" borders on "pathetic"...
So, I'm coming to you, my snazzy blog readers, and asking for your advice.
What is the best way you know to make a house a home
(on a budget of both time and money?)
Hold nothing back. Let it all out there. I'm a desperate woman and I have a weekend coming. Tell me how to organize my thoughts, what blogs do you love to help do this sort of thing? Can I pull an I Dream of Jeanie and do this all in three days? (Don't rain on my parade, sister.)
Last weekend I was thisclose to picking up the primer and painting my living room.
Something stopped me. The idea that the bedrooms would be easier (and cheaper) to put together, perhaps?
What about the fact that the living room is the main place we spend our time? Does any of that matter? Friends, help. I am a lost soul in need of a home...
And I know you've got advice...right?
