906 E. I'm never gonna leave this place...

* Warning- the following post is dangerously close to a pity party... proceed only if you are able to put up with extreme pregnancy hormones/emotions and either A) agree with me or B) KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!


Three years ago me and Ryan made the big decision to move in together.  It was a fun and exciting time in life.  While most people pick out something together, Ryan already owned a home.  So we waited for his room mate to move to Oregon and then we made the big leap into co-habitation.  At the time I didn't really think much about the house...I was blinded by love.

The house was for lack of a better word {or words} a bachelor pad.  Gross stained carpet on the floors, dated 1970's kitchen with dark red paint on the walls, bathroom with a tub that was black.  The bedrooms are small with tiny closets and the windows are old and single pain.

This is a resale nightmare and I am living it.  For the past three years I have been working my fanny off to get it on the market and each year goes by and I seem to get further and further away from that goal.  Sure I have learned a lot along the way- like don't paint your trim and doors with flat paint {wish I had found Young House Love a little sooner} and my tool belt has grown considerably.  And yeah, yeah, yeah, I did a bathroom makeover all by myself while Ryan was out of town...but what do I really have to show for it???

I'll tell you what- a to-do list that is even longer today then it was 3 years ago.  I am going to be stuck in this 900 square foot twilight zone FOREVER!  I hear that doo dee doo doo music in my head right now and I am going crazy.

How will we be able to fit a baby in here?  How are we going to put it on the market and be able to show it when we have an infant?  Where are we going to put said infant?  Are they going to tear down the house that is falling apart next door?  Are they going to sell the empty lot next to us and try to put a house on it, even though it's not zoned for a house?!?!?!?!?!??!?!??!?!?!?!?!??!!?

Can you hear the voices too?

Don't even try to look at comparable houses in our neighborhood it will just depress you you more.  They are neat and clean.  Completely remodeled, with nicer showers and bigger kitchens.  Makes me wonder will I be at 906 East forever?  Will I ever get to put that glorious for sale sigh up in my yard?

Don't get me wrong.  This house has been a great house.  It felt like home the moment I moved in.  I have been the happiest of my adult life at 906.  I started this blog.  I planned a wedding.  We came home from our honeymoon to this house.  Me and my sister in law stayed here the night before her wedding, crafting into the wee hours of the morning.  So many special memories are here but it's time for someone else to make their memories here.

So here is the nitty gritty list of what needs to be done still.  You better read it and leave me lots of comments on how sorry you feel for me.  Cause I need your pity right now people- it's the only thing that is going to get me going again.  I need to know that you have been there too.  That it's going to be better.  That someday this house is gonna be for sale.  I need to hear it!

Here are some of the before pictures just so you can get a good visual of my poor, hard working, life for the past three years...

And while we have come a long way from these pictures we still have a lot to do...

:To Do:

Kitchen

scrap around edges of window frames to get extra paint off

paint underneath upper cabinets

order end cap for counter top on right side

install vent above stove

paint ceiling and lighting medallion

stage and clean for showing

Living Room

clean ceiling with magic eraser

have carpet installed

organize coat closet

paint floor vent

clean windows inside and out

stage and clean for showing

Den

new light fixture

paint windows and scrape edges for clean lines

clean windows inside and out

paint floor vent

organize closet

stage and clean for showing

install new carpet

Bathroom

caulk around the tub

caulk around the edge of floor

paint the floor vent

new coat of black on vanity

stage and clean for showing

Spare Bedroom

install new carpet

paint trim and windows with semi gloss not flat

paint floor vent

paint chain to light white

organize closet

stage and clean for showing

Master Bedroom

install new carpet

paint trim and windows

paint ceiling

paint floor vent

organize closet

hide internet and cable wires better

stage and clean for showing

Extras

Make sure that all door surfaces are painted with semi gloss paint

finish painting the front steps and shutters

power wash siding

stain back porch

paint front door

paint entire basement {walls and floors}

clean basement out and stage for showing

have Restore come and pick up old furniture

re- gravel driveway 

work on curb appeal somehow

So what the heck have I been doing for three years?!?  Sometimes I think I have just been going in circles...So for the next 2 months I will be doing a weekly check in with new after pictures of progress we are making to keep us motivated and accountable.  

What happens when you google "nursery"...

I LOVE looking at nursery inspiration!  It is the best thing after a long day at the office.  I am also starting to really love Pinterest...I have been in like for a while but I never really had to time to sit down and really figure it out.  Call me a blonde but I didn't get what you were suppose to do for a while.  I was trying to have multiple pin it's on my bookmark bar and then weeks later it finally hit me.  You are only suppose to have one and then when you pin it, you can choose what board you want to put it under.

Please do not laugh to hard at me.  I seriously had only given it a second of my attention until recently.  It wasn't that difficult once I just sat down and took a look around, instead of believing that if I though positively enough my pins would just morph into attention grabbing boards. 

Try out Pinterest!  It is a great place to stash inspiration for home, kitchen, and fashion {or whatever blows your skirt up}  Also check out this challenge by some of my favorite bloggers/stylistas, Emily Henderson  from Secrets of a Stylist and Sherry from Young House Love...

Are we there yet?

Am feeling very tired this Friday.  I know haven't been as creative or inspiring around here lately but please do not be discourage with me.  Good things are coming.  I am working my little tail off over here at 906 behind the curtains and soon, very soon,  I will be coming back to full force.

Juggling a job while also starting a business, renovating a home, and thinking about babies has my head all spinny and it feels like my thoughts are never going to slow down and be cohesive again.  I have so much to do and so little time.  I know this is a challenge for most women.  But I need to say it- it's hard.  We all want to be Wonder Woman but tonight I feel like Wimpy Woman.  I needed a good trip to the thrift store and some Real Housewives to calm my mind and nerves {found some freakin' awesome props for the biz! pics to come}

Next week comes renewal {and nice much needed vacation} and Albert!  Next Thursday we are headed for good ol' St. Louis for the Cardinals game and to meet the best player in baseball {yes along with playing X-Box I also love baseball- I know the line up, some stats, I don't get crazy with it but I definitely sport something sporty : ) }

Hope you have a happy crafty weekend!