Yesterday was the anniversary for this blog.  Two years!  The first year was not a stellar success.  I started and stopped almost immediately, but this last year I’ve done a pretty good job of sticking with it.  I’m proud of that.  There’s been some down times and up times and good posts and bad, but that’s a realistic reflection of my life!

The home renovation continues.  We’re still in the kitchen.  The floors are all down and sealed.  Two counter areas are being worked on and are looking pretty cool.  I actually remembered to take before pictures and will post as soon as we get done with them.

Having moved as much as I did growing up, I’ve always held the idea in the back of my mind, that re-sale value had to be considered when doing any home project.  Boy, has that changed.  We live in a really expensive area of the country – one of the fastest growing counties in the country.  Square-footage wise, it’s pretty big – about 2600 square feet and it’s on almost an acre.  Our mortgage is extremely low for the area.  Downsizing is the trend right now for folks trying to live a more simple, intentional life, but that’s not a wise choice for us.  It appears that we are living here for the long haul.

I’ve finally taken real ownership of my home.  Cabinets are coming out, dramatic changes are happening and we’re making choices that are fun and work for us.  I’m excited about the change in mind-set and the direction our choices are taking.

Pictures of the transformation should be up by this weekend.  Lot’s of painting and putting back together to do first.

Two more boxes of stuff are leaving the kitchen and dining area.  It’s all coming together nicely.  This renovation stuff is hard work though.  Sometimes I look at the dust and boxes and piles and to-do list and just want to give up, but like this blog – I’m sticking with it.