I Got This

Remember my last several posts when I talk about posting pictures of the house? Well...it's not happening this post either. Sorry.

I keep finding more things to put away, rearrange, etc. I have a lot of energy when it comes to designing a space, but when it comes to staging it and taking a picture I fizzle. I think this means I'm still tired. I love a good before and after photo, but when it comes down to doing it...I don't.

Last week took a lot of patience, and even then, I needed more. Addy's terrible-2-personality was in full-swing, making things difficult to accomplish...and any task frustrating due to all the crying. Lorelai has had some issues with the multiple moves, but that should settle down soon seeing as we are not doing this again for a long while (and hopefully never).

Tasks for the past week:
Fix the leaky faucet in the guest bathroom
Organize and start the picture slideshow for my Grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary
Appropriately evict any and all ants that have worked their way inside
Finish setting up the entry hall and dining room
Create a photo book on the building of our house

These things I had planned (the ants were a last minute add-on).

The things that came up unexpectedly:
Fix the toilet in the master bathroom
Fix the washing machine so I can provide everyone clothes
Spend the entire weekend installing 2 ceiling fans in the girls' rooms


I planned to fix the faucet myself because (even though it's under warranty) I didn't want to call and schedule a plumber, wait around for 4 hours for a 3 minute job, and have my dogs lose their sanity because someone new was over. I went to Lowe's for the part after spending some time learning what that part was. I couldn't locate it in the store and my kids were out of control that morning and I had to leave without getting anything. I then ordered the part online.

The more I work on the slideshow, the more work I create for the slideshow. This will take some quality time to finish by Thanksgiving. It doesn't help that I can only work on it at my mom's house...that gives me about 3 hours a day divided between Addy's needs, Lorelai's needs, lunch, and drive time. Oy.

I think I have the ant issue under control. It's not a huge deal. Ants happen, especially when we get dumped with 5 inches of rain in 2 days.

I am almost done with the hall and dining room, I keep changing my mind and adding new things...but this is the least of my worries, it's just cluttery which annoys me.

The photo book is something that can (and most likely will) wait. That is all.

The toilet starting leaking Thursday. This problem I did call the plumber for. Water damage is scary. Now this leak was very small, I turned off the water, emptied the tank and lined the base with a towel. I already fixed the faucet by this point or I would have added that to their list. He came in on Friday and figured out the leak was in the tank. We will need a new one...they will have to order a new one...will have to wait for Monday to order and then it will be a couple days. Ok...well, at least we have other bathrooms. Not a big deal.

The washing machine broke on Wednesday? I lose track. I have a front-load machine which needs to air out after use. The door swings all the way open and the laundry room/mud room door slams into it. We had the same issue in the old house. The problem is with the machine, I'd like to leave the door open just a wide crack, not all the way...but I can't achieve this. Anyway, I was in a rush and pushed open the laundry room door and slammed it into the washing machine door causing it to hit the frame of the washer, snapping off the hook the door needs to close...and wash things. I was so mad at myself...and mad at the darn machine. It was an unpleasant reminder that in my mad rush I need to be calmer. Long story (somewhat) short, I found the part online and had it working by Friday.

Saturday we had the great idea to get the kids their fans. You know, it was cold and rainy so getting ceiling fans is needed. A very long story short, the first fan took a while, but no real issues. That was Saturday. Sunday was fan #2 and that was not so easy. Dry wall issues, outlet box problems, this lead to hardware needs and restructuring. All said a done, fan #1 is fine, fan #2 is ok...if you just use the light. We will need to tackle that problem later this week.

So...I am still waiting for a working master toilet, I need to work on the slideshow, I need to stop using my prime account for rush appliance parts, and hopefully life will slow down more before you know....Halloween, holiday shopping time, Thanksgiving, anniversary party, Lorelai's birthday, Christmas decorating, Christmas wrapping/shipping, and Christmas itself.

Really though...I'm in my house at last. I got this. ;)



M.LEWIS

Master Floor Lamp

I look around and I am loving how the house is shaping up. I want to share, but it is a lot of rooms, and therefore, a lot of pictures. Instead of a whole house tour now, I will simply focus on my latest addition to my new space.

My new master bedroom has a tall, vaulted ceiling. The room feels big without being unnecessarily large...if that makes sense. The old floor lamp I had previously in our room instantly felt shrunken and out of place. I told myself I could get a new lamp if I found one that wasn't too dense, wasn't too short, and wasn't too expensive.

I have to say, I love creating home spaces. I am going to be all nerdy and interior-designery for a minute: I love adding in different textures, colors, materials, and using things in unusual ways. Nothing too crazy, just a bit of interest and creativity...developing an accent (and room) that is unlike anyone else's. Wrought iron, steel, cedar, pine, canvas, paint, glazing, fabric print, and subtle transitions in color. I love forming my home, the place my life happens, the place my family is rooted.

Ok, so back to the lamp. :P

Here is my gem. It's simple, yet quirky. Black metal and neutral canvas. Perfect. It's inexpensive (and I had multiple coupons!) and it doesn't take away from anything in the room, it adds subtle character. I do plan to take a picture of my lamp in my space (at some point), but for now here is the picture I saw and decided to go for it.

If you are interested, here is the link to purchase. Hooray Target!  

M.LEWIS

Settling Avenida

Well, it's been a little while, but we've been busy. We moved into our house!

It was stressful, loud, hectic, and well worth it. We spent the last 2 weeks unpacking, organizing, situating everything big and small, and with a couple extra purchases (more to come) we are settled in and loving it.

The kids and dogs are loving more space, their own space, and not living out of boxes. This is mainly the kids, but you know...a big backyard goes a long way.

It's amazing how much stuff we have...and it's amazing how we had it in a much smaller house. I don't know how to keep from collecting too much, but it is definitely a goal of ours.

I am happy to report no major issues with the house. We had a ac pipe drip (just condensation), a plug above the front door not finished (it's finished now), and we still have a leaky faucet...but none of these are big issues. Seeing as we have been homeowners for several years now, these things are completely manageable. I feel like some people in the neighborhood are less forgiving...but I'm not focusing on others' problems. We love our home, and that's all that matters.

Hard to believe we're almost half way through October...but to be honest, this year has been a blur. I refer to it as our lost year, mainly because of the prepping and selling of our first house, then moving first to the apartment, then finishing the new house, then moving again into our second house. People look at me funny when I say "I never want to move again" but I think they are the ones that are crazy. I am not a good mover. I grew up in 2 houses in my life. The first house from ages 1-4, and then the house my family still lives in from ages 4-23. My parents don't plan to move, so I can plan the same, right? ;) Lorelai is 4 now, it seems fitting. I plan to get things polished and post pictures later...hopefully when things finally cool off. 95 in mid October is not ok. :(

Halloween is approaching quickly. Addy had trouble settling on one costume, so I choose for her. Adalaide will be Tinkerbell...a perfect fit if you ask me. She bounced around a witch for awhile, but never wanted to wear the witch costume. She found an old bee costume at Grandma's...but it's too big. I figured Tinkerbell is a good fit of wings, wand, tulle, and sparkles. I am making it, so I can tailor it to her tiny body better. ;)

Lorelai is going to be a Fairy Pirate Princess...it was once a Fairy Robot Pirate Princess, but she has since dropped the robot factor. She'll have mainly fairy princess elements, but with a pirate hat and an eye patch...it shall be interesting. I'm just telling people she is dressed up as her imagination. :P

More to come later, farewell from Avenida Ln! :D

M.LEWIS