“Pictures Are First On The Wall In A Second…”

One year ago, on a frightfully cold day, the kids and I moved into our new house. Yes, for a while the new place just felt like someone’s house. We worked day and night to turn the fixer upper into our home. But it wasn’t until I hung photographs in the hallway that this house started to feel like our home.

“Pictures are first on the wall in a second

A constant reminder of who we are…”

In one of her many amazing songs, my daughter Christy captured our lives and family beautifully.

Our journey certainly wasn’t easy, and it took a lot of pain, energy, sweat and even blood to get to where we are today. We have a Place to Call Home, which also happens to be the title to my daughter’s song.

Here are a few snippets of how much we have accomplished this past year.

The kitchen was a mess. We painted the walls, stained the cabinets, and put in a  tile floor. I stood on a chair because I didn’t even own a ladder.

This is me priming the floor for tiles… in my slippers.

Here is the kitchen today. I cook here every day.

Compared to the bathroom, the kitchen was actually in pretty good shape. The bathroom was a disaster. This is how I spent my birthday last year – ripping out walls.

I replaced the floor with tile, put in new dry wall, stained the vanity, replaced the mirror and faucet.

The deck needed some serious attention. It had been neglected for years.

Paint, stain and tons of elbow grease did the trick.

When I bought the house it had dirty and stained wall-to-wall carpeting. But underneath were these beautiful hardwood floors. I refinished the floors and I am so glad I did. It was a ton of work but so well worth it.

I love these floors and the wall color (Benjamin Moore Moonshine).

I also dedicated some time to the front of the house.  I used Rustoleum paint to update various things. This spring, I am hoping to paint the outside trim and the front door.

The house still needs work, but it’s nothing major that needs my attention right away.

My advice to house hunters, don’t sweat every detail. Sure, it would be nice to have a gas stove and stainless steel appliances. It would be fabulous to have a second bathroom and a larger living room. But I don’t need to impress anyone. The house is our home… it’s where we make memories with the people we love.

It doesn’t matter how big or fancy or small and old your house is… it’s the people that make a house truly a HOME.

“Pictures are first on the wall in a second,

a constant reminder of who we are…”

“The future is waiting with no hesitation we smile,

and I say we’ll be fine on our own,

I promise you’re not alone…”

copyright Christy Schmidt 2013