A long long list...

So, when we purchased this house back in 2006, we had lots of big plans for it. Lots of things we wanted to do to make it ours. Well, life happens and things get delayed. You discover the house you loved when you bought it doesn't give you the same warm fuzzy feeling it did when you signed on the dotted line (five hundred or so times!)

Why not?

When we saw this house we didn't just see a place to live. We saw a huge yard where our kids could run and play, a playroom where they could be creative and enjoy themselves, a family room where we'd spend evenings together. We saw a fantastic school down the street, a well established neighborhood, and the short five-minute drive to our church. We saw our home.

Now, I see a constantly growing list of things that annoy me... this is old, this is broken, this bothers me... Well, I'm DONE with that. Time to DO something about it.

So, I actually sat down and made a list. A very long, almost exhaustive, list of things I want to do to the house. Will I ever actually DO all of these things? Who knows? We're only limited by time and money, right? In the spirit of being transparent, I thought I'd share my list with you.

Ready? It's a doozie!

House-wide

• Test for asbestos
• Paint trim
• Possibly scrape and re-texture ceilings
• Organize closets and laundry area
• Screens on windows

Master Bath

• Shower door seal
• Cabinet/étagère over toilet
• Purchase Aneboda dresser from IKEA
• Paint cabinets white
• New countertops
• New sink
• New faucet
• Sand texture?
• Paint walls
• New lighting (vanity and watercloset)
• Paint pocket doors
• New rugs and towels
• Replace caddy
• Replace or frame out mirror
• Showerhead

Master Bedroom

• Repaint walls
• Crown molding
• Purchase new door (with window)
• Upholstered headboard
• Night stands
• Dresser
• New TV
• Chairs?
• Different arrangement – move bed to opposite wall?
• Rug
• Lamps
• Bedding

Jack’s Room

• Purchase nightstand
• Possibly loft bed with desk underneath
• Wall art

Hallway

• Have lights repaired
• New photos in frames

Caroline’s Room

• Have light in closet repaired

Hall Bath

• Paint cabinets
• New countertops
• New sink
• New mirror/reframe mirror
• Replace tile with vinyl
• Paint walls
• Paint trim and ceiling
• Have electrical above tub checked
• Replace over-tub fixture
• Extra long shower curtain (white)
• New rug/towels
• Lamp
• Storage over toilet – rack and caddy system from IKEA
• Hooks for robes

Office/Sewing/Craft Room

• Move pecan furniture to mom’s (couch, desk, dictionary stand, side table, bench)
• Recover or slipcover chair and ottoman
• Paint walls and possibly brick wall
• Window treatments
• Move desk/computer/printer/filing cabinet – reconfigure
• Purchase IKEA workstation for sewing – vika ammon/vika annefors
• Chairs – jules (2) from IKEA
• Storage over sewing area – spool storage, rack and caddy system from IKEA
• Bookcases for fabric and notion storage
• Rug
• Ironing station
• Cutting table

Kitchen

• Paint cabinets
• Paint walls (again!)
• New countertops
• New sink
• Backsplash
• Mirror?
• Chalkboard
• Paint or remove pocket door
• New dishes
• New pantry doors
• New faucet

Dining Area

• Refinish/paint table
• New dining chairs
• Rug
• Build shelves on either side of window for cookbooks
• Paint paneling

Living Room

• Paint paneling a warm color
• Paint fireplace white
• Ottoman
• Writing desk
• Lamp
• Art/pictures for walls
• Rug
• Window treatments
• New slider door
• Remove fireplace screen/replace with glass enclosure
• New fireplace rack

Playroom

• Paint
• Purge baby toys
• Create workstations/learning area
• Clothesline art display
• Get rid of big chair and ottoman
• Re-work “mud room” – possibly foot lockers
• Replace door(s)

Outside

• Toy storage
• Clean sandbox and purchase cover
• Clean water table
• New sand
• New tarp for fort
• Rock wall on fort
• Rocker swing
• Replace rope ladder and swing
• Remove rocks and sod side yard
• Build wood storage near house
• Plant shrubs in flowerbeds
• Paint front door red/gray
• Purchase storm door
• Paint trim
• Repaint shutters
• Chain link fence around yard
• Prep and plant raised bed
• Purchase new waterstick for watering
• Picnic table

I promise, this house is already our home. The more I think about the more I can see that. I could not accomplish a darn thing on the list and I'd still feel that way! This is where Jack took his first steps, where he had his first birthday party. I'll never forget telling Jason I was pregnant with Caroline while he was mowing the backyard. We brought Caroline home to this house. It's the only one she's ever known. We've made so very many memories here and I'm not going to be so quick to be ready to "trade up" so to speak. I've decided that I love my little place in this world. It's not perfect but it's filled with the people I care for most in this world and it's bursting with love!

Note: If I do accomplish anything on that list I'll be sure to let you in on it! Feel free to give me your inspired ideas about my list too!