Getting Organized

In the last few months, before we started seriously looking for a new home, I allowed life to get a bit...cluttered.

 

The leftover yarn from numerous hat projects was strewn about, my needles were everywhere, and I was drowning in receipts. Not to mention the fact that my shelves had become overrun with...well...laziness.

 

I finally decided it was time for a change, and one Saturday I totally organized my study. It took forever, but I was quite pleased with the results.

I got rid of a ton of old books, and was very proud of my top shelf--it now holds all of the books related to my hobbies--knitting, hiking, Puppers, dreaming of a new Zealand vacation, and paddling--not to mention a few books on photography, landscaping, and water gardens. I had a place to put the yarn for all of my pending projects--no more digging around in rubbermaids stored under the bed to find my fiber. I even gave a whole shelf to all of my works in progress--)that's what all the plastic bags are).

And JUST when I felt I had gotten organized, we found the perfect house. And that has lead to a whole new kind of organizing--better referred to, perhaps, as PURGING. This past Sunday we went through the entire attic, and cleaned it out. A lot of things got thrown away, even more went to Good Will. It felt so good to get rid of all of that stuff...it really adds to the sense that we're making a new beginning with this house.

I know that packing is going to be a bear, but somehow it'll all come together. This weekend we hammered out a lot of important details--carpet installation, a moving date (as well as a moving company), putting in for leave at work to do it all, and we've even started to pick out some new items to purchase to decorate. It's been a little overwhelming, but also super fun.

Last week was the inspection, and everything went awesomely. It's a good, sound house, with hardly any problems at all. A few minor things will be fixed by the sellers before closing. While I initially thought that new construction meant "lack of character", my tune has changed. I'm thrilled at the first house being so low-maintenance, and with all the crown moulding and millwork details, I think it has a ton of character. Not to mention that with the new carpet and paint, we really have the opportunity to make this place our own. Here are some pictures that Salmaan took during the inspection.

 

Eventually I think it would look nice to have black shutters and a red door. I love red doors!

 

One of the things I'm most excited about is the kitchen. The cabinets have neat features--the shelves pull out for easy access, and the silver handles and pendant lighting are a lot of fun. I am THRILLED to have a pantry--no more stuff on display in rubbermaids! That's me and our real estate agent, who by the way is absolutely awesome. This past weekend we purchased some neat swivel chairs for the breakfast bar--and that long wall is just BEGGING for a cool organization system!!!

 

Here's the eat-in area off the kitchen. I love how the light streams in! I initially liked the green, but after sitting with it for a while, it's gotta go. It's just a little too...."too", know what I mean? It wasn't easy to sit with after five minutes.

This bedroom will be turned into my study/yarn room--my very own "Yarnia".

 

This is probably the room I'm most excited about--the "Man Room". It's the bonus room over the garage, and will serve as Salmaan's study/media room. It'll also be our living room for probably the next year, until we can afford to furnish the actual living room, downstairs.

 

And of course, there's the backyard. River doesn't know it yet, but she's super-excited about this part of the house!!!!!!

I can't wait to throw a ball and watch her run run run for it. There's also plenty of room for a nice vegetable garden, and the potential for a custom deck.

All in all, in case you can't tell, I'm really frickin' excited. And needless to say, with all that's going on, I haven't knit a stitch in weeks. My projects (especially my sweater) implore me to pick them up whenever I walk by. Until this evening, I haven't been able to oblige.It felt really good to pick up the needles again, and hopefully I'll have an FO to share soon. In the meantime, I'll be gushing over the house, posting recipes (an amazing indian meal is on its way, soon!), and looking forward to sharing the final steps of this process with you!

Happy Election Day!

Comments

[mick]

The house is beautiful! Congrats to you and your family. I bet River will love that yard!