When we moved up here from VA eleven years ago, we had a hard time selling our townhouse down there. (We moved for my husband's job back then.) We managed to rent it out for a year before finally selling it in 2000. We just weren't in the position to buy a house here in PA, so we rented one. We figured we'd only live in this house for a few years, but we're still here!
Honestly, we're renting this house for peanuts! Our landlord has never raised our rent! It's bigger than our townhouse, although it only has 1 bathroom as opposed to the 2 1/2 baths we had in VA. I believe it was built in the 1860's. It had been empty for several years before we moved in. Our landlord told us that he would pay for any materials to fix up the house as long as we did the labor.
We have painted/wall papered every room since we've been here, replaced the steps at the back door and some light fixtures. We have a very tiny front yard which had this ugly landscaping. Eric ripped that out and just planted grass. We have a nice backyard and have planted a vegetable garden and an herb garden. We turned one of the closets in our bedroom into a linen closet. We also put shelves in the downstairs coat closet and put some cabinets in the laundry room.
Other than what's listed above, we haven't wanted to spend the time doing other repairs or upgrades since we don't own the house. We've been fortunate to be able to stay in this house and not move and have to make our kids switch schools. Now that Cooper will be going to middle school in September, we have a broader area to choose from if we want to move and keep him in the same school. Sam will be starting high school, and it's the only high school in our school district, so he wouldn't have to be pulled out if we moved within the district.
Where we are located, we can walk to the bank, a grocery store, a drug store, 2 book stores, a gas station and some restaurants. We can even walk to the library, the park, the pool and the baseball fields if we really want to. I have to say we're in a very convenient location. We don't have to drive to see the Halloween Parade or the 4th of July fireworks. Our backyard backs up to a church parking lot. Our kids have always been able to go out there to ride their bikes and skateboards and to rollerblade.
Eric and I would like some land and to live where it is a bit quieter. I'd also like to be able to have a few more dogs and maybe some goats. However, we're thinking about sticking it out in this house until either a) our kids both graduate from high school or b) our landlord kicks us out. So for now, we're stuck with some ugliness in our house! There's also some weird points to our home. First of all, the outside is pink! To get to our basement, you either have to go out back and use the outside door OR you can go down through the door located on the floor of my pantry! The only way to get to our bedroom is either through the bathroom or through our office.
Oh, and here are pictures of my beautiful kitchen counter and my kitchen sink.
They're gorgeous, I know! I won't show you anything more lest you get jealous! We actually think the sink is kind of neat, but I hate the metal cabinets below it.
Believe it or not, I do thank God for putting this roof over our heads. As much as I would like some upgrades and a little more beauty in our house, we have more than a lot of people have. I really don't have the right to complain.
Wishing you a fantastic Monday!
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4 comments:
Clarification on 'brave,' that wasn't meant to say that something is wrong with what you have. It's brave when you put anything personal out there in the way that you did. I think we're all on the same page with you, but....just to make sure....
I LOVE your sink! In fact, when I watch the home shows, in at least two of them, they have gone to the specialty sink store to pull something like that out (and spent BIG bucks!!).
Truly, that you all are as handy as you are and that the boys have had a great place to continue growing up is a testimony of God's provision--it's timeless!
(A floor door to your basement?! Cool....We'd be in such trouble with something like that here. The scooter would certainly trip on the handle or something.)
I hope I didn't offend you when I mentioned being brave about the pictures? I was simply stating that you were sharing a personal side of yourself that most people wouldn't and I applaud your effort.
I would love to purchase a true fix me up home, yes I realize they come with a lot more headaches than most, but I love taking something old and bringing out the beauty in it. I love your sink, you can't purchase that look any longer yet so many want the traditional look from the earlier times. Buying look alikes isn't the same as the original.
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
I like what works...who cares what others might say? Blessings come in all forms. Love your sink...it is fashionable "again". (Now I have to go back and see what you were "brave" to post...I'm behind today)
guess what? I posted about projects that we are doing... and my kitchen cabinets and flooring are on there... so check it out... !
OH, and I love the sink.. old sinks are so awesome!
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