A New Start

Yes, it's been a VERY long time since we updated our blog! I can't believe a yucky toilet ring is where we left off.; however, we intend to start updating the blog more regularly.

We have made a lot of progress on the house, but still have a long way to go. We ended up not moving in until July 2009...which means we worked on the house for just over 3 months before we even spent a night in it! Since then improvements have slowed WAY down...but we've spent plenty of time making the house our home. Decorating is my favorite part anyway.

We've now hit the one year mark of owning our home, and we're pleased with how some of our hard work is paying off: our grass is thicker and greener than just one year ago, our window wells have stayed dry, and we've seen no standing water on the "bad" side of the house. Two years later, we also actually have wedding pictures in frames hanging on the walls! It's the small things...

Since we just reached our one-year anniversary, and more likely because it's spring, we are ready to begin tackling some more projects. But while last year was about BIG projects that typically meant spending a lot of money (refinishing our wood floors, removing popcorn ceilings, burying our downspouts and putting in a french drain), we're all about small projects that give us a lot of bang for our buck(s). Here is our Spring/Summer home improvements to-do list, in no particular order:

• Update the Guest Bathroom - paint everything (walls, trim and cabinets), new drawer pulls, new stick-down tile, repair shower tiles, install shoe molding, and put in new fan/light.
• Curb Appeal at Front Entry - remove scrolls from railings, paint all metal, paint front door, paint/install new entry light, and install new house numbers.
• Front landscaping - so far we only have a Japanese Maple, which was a beautiful gift from our friends the Barnes and Wieses; however, the lack of landscaping is pretty depressing. False cypress, various grasses, more Mexican beach pebbles, various perennials, a new Forest Pansy Redbud, and more are all on our list.
• Back landscaping - more grade work needs to be completed in back by the air conditioner, and subsequently we will plant some shade-loving plants. We also plan to create a bed in a back corner, which we intend to fill up with bulbs in the Fall.
• Finish great room and foyer - paint trim, install new shoe molding, and paint gold accents on fireplace...then these rooms will be finished

Realistically, both time-wise and money-wise, this is all we'll be able to complete this Spring and Summer. But we'll also be saving up to add various decor, including new rugs, so stay tuned to that. (If anyone is still even tuned in!)

We're hosting an Easter brunch tomorrow for family and friends...looking forward to the beautiful day and we're planning to enjoy our new patio furniture. We promise to post some pics!