Break out the bubbly, we have something to shout about!
 

After months, no make that years, of discussion and sketches, setbacks and “not now”s, we have agreed upon a remodeling plan for our small, and intentionally small, home.  We are not adding on a huge amount of space, just comfort space really, and updating our kitchen.  What’s taken so long? Life, I guess.

This called for a celebration one night last week as we put a stamp on the kitchen plan, after reviewing what could easily be a hundred ideas.  Agreed upon counter materials and the glass doors for which I have been fighting.  Had a kitchen designer out to offer ideas and came back full circle with an understanding that our first plan, or a slight variation, was really the best idea for us, and how we are, how we live. 

When hubs came in from work, I had an appetizer plate ready, steaks coming up to room temperature and two well-chilled Manhattans waiting.  Neither of us are what you would call whiskey drinkers, but the Manhattan is family trademark drink and seemed right.  It is not often we truly take a moment and toast ourselves, but, we deserved it.   Getting to a point of agreement is, for us anyway, monumental.

You will likely be hearing a bit about the remodeling as we go through the next few months.  I am on a checklist of sorts to address every other room that isn’t being touched by the remodeling, so that isn’t left to do afterwards.  This includes the two biggest problem areas…the bedrooms upstairs, one of which is also my office.  No small feat.

So we’ve added shelves to the laundry room, swept out all the corners and washed down the floor trim.  Cleared the foyer and went through the closet, donating or tossing things not needed or used.  Gave the hall bath a fresh coat of paint, from ceiling to floor.  Next up is the master bedroom closet, which, I have tried to keep a managing hand in, at least my clothes and shoes, for a while now, but, have not gotten to the shelf and hubs clothes…his many, many shirts.  But, although it has been threatened, not scheduled to date.   I just read an article that said the best way to clean out a closet is to take everything, every last thing, out of it and make a decision as you go.  Sounds right, and imposing, but it’s gonna happen, people.

We had such a great summer on the lake last year that I don’t want to lose much time this spring and summer to this project, but, I also know its going to take some time to be completed.  I wish we had been excavating all through these warm days in January! Now that its 5 degrees I see less likelihood of this moving along as fast as I’d like.   I want to get going on it, probably faster than hubs does as I see his growing list of “to do” before the remodeling even begins, too.   It is crazy to think we are taking this on, but, will be so happy to have it done.  We’re keeping it small and manageable but more open and roomy.  We often say we still have to pay the property taxes, which have gone up in recent years, so we don’t want to price ourselves right out of here with anything more grand than what we need.

I am excited, nervous and above all, grateful.