Perhaps somewhat naively, I was optimistic and even excited about the work we were going to undertake to turn our unloved house into our beautiful home.
However, there have been many things that have gone wrong, things that we hadn’t accounted for and things that have held us up. We knew there would be issues out of our control but the contingency we had is dwindling. A problem many renovators have, I’m sure!
We’re currently paying for a mortgage and also rent for our cottage as well as unexpected surprises, like a huge RSJ and building work, walls that have pretty much fallen down due to damp and had to be rebuilt, so more bricks, more comprehensive electrical work than expected and part of the fireplace needs rebuilding. Based on that, we are hoping to hand our notice in within the next week or so, which means the pressure will be on!
So, there’s those things as well as everything else that we have actually budgeted for! These are the things that are a bit more ‘fun’, such as the kitchen, bathroom suite, heating, DOUBLE-SIDED WOOD BURNING STOVE (can you tell I’m excited?!!) and the bi-fold doors. Now apart from the doors, everything else is pretty mandatory, but I’ve not mentioned the flooring, plastering, tiles, carpet and everything else…
We can’t move in until at least the bathroom and heating is installed – currently the loo is situated in the middle of the kitchen with no surrounding walls, so I have to screech to the handsome one that ‘I NEED SOME PRIVACY’ if I have to have a wee. I mean, this is what true love is made of.
However, at the moment I don’t want to get bogged down and stressed, so I am just trying to focus on the good things and there really are plenty.
- We have our own house! A house that will be our home, a house that despite the mess, dust, cobwebs, damp, we are so in love with and can’t wait to move into.
- We have had the keys for five weeks. Just five measly weeks! And in that time we have gutted the house, sanded the floors, taken down ceilings, created a fireplace (on one side), got builders in, taken down walls and soon will have the support that the house needs.
- Our neighbours are fantastic, and that statement also includes the ones in the field who hang their heads over expecting carrots!
- The garden is transformed, but all we’ve done is mow the lawn, add a vegetable patch and some plants at the front. It makes me so excited for what else we can do in the future and how amazing we can make it.
- It’s mine and the handsome one’s first home together. Our first home that we are creating together to suit us both and a home that we will continue creating amazing memories in.
Now all that’s left to do is keep my fingers, toes and anything else possible crossed that the RSJ gets put in easily!
A xx
Abi in the Garden 