The one thing that I find weird about my job, wait, there are actually a lot of things I find weird about what I do… BUT! Something that has been standing out in my life lately is the idea that if I’m not always posting, I’m not always on, I’m not always creating new and exciting content – then I will just disappear into obscurity.
Well, I’ve been floating in the sunken place of bloggers and I can’t for the life of me create, or stay relevant, or all the obscure random little things I have to do to pretend my life is effortless. I can’t play that game right now.
Because, we bought a house.
Yes! We are now homeowners! We are 35 and buying our first home and it just feels so right. But, it also feels wrong. I’ve had to ask my lenders, “wait, are you sure” too many times to count. But, yes, as of April 9th, we are the proud owners of a 1974-never-been-updated-3bedroom-2bath-1,800-square-foot home.
If you’ve followed our story for any extended period of time you will know our path isn’t much like others. And, that’s very much okay with me. Even though the trail has been laced with boulders and resembles nothing of easy-breezy-beautiful-cover-girl. I’ve fallen on too many protruding roots to count. But, we’ve made it to a milestone and for that we are so grateful.
Along with the excitement of buying our home it comes with another little update, we’re moving out of Portland. It’s been a lovely place to live these last 3 years. It’s opened many doors for both my career and Daniel’s. We’ve enjoyed living so close to our dear friends. It’s going to be a bitter-sweet move. But, if the pandemic taught Daniel and I anything, It’s the importance of family. Or just the feeling that I could help my sister if her car breaks down on the side of the road, or help my dad build a porch, or drop everything to have dinner with Daniels family without driving 3 hours round trip.
We’re ready for a simpler life. A life that doesn’t include highrise buildings or the latest restaurant opening. We’re not that cool anyway. We just need a yard, a barbeque, and a kitchen of my very own.
So, we’ve been spending every spare second (and dime) we have on updating the home before we move in. New floors, baseboards, fresh paint, completely new kitchen, sprucing up some cabinets, replacing a bathroom vanity, new electricity, tear down a wall, move a gas line.
And this summer we’ll remodel a bathroom, build a back porch, start some landscaping, and re-furnish our bedroom with a fresh bedroom set.
We have mondo help in my mom and dad. Demo day was a true family affair. My dad has been arranging some contract work and helping keep the project moving when we’re back up in Portland working during the week. Daniel’s uncle arranged and helped get the gas line put in. My mother and father in law graciously paid for our new range – the heart of the kitchen. This home feels so special to me already because of the hands that have touched it. We’ll be here for a very long time.
You can follow the journey on Instagram where I’m giving regular updates. I’ll also be sharing some fun budget-friendly projects here on the blog along with plenty of resources. I’ll also be back to posting regularly very soon so that I can get hopefully get out of the sunken place. But, I’ll leave you today with some fun progress pics of the house! We are so excited to take you along and have you touch this home too.
It’s a place I can’t wait to share with all of you.
I love that fireplace – I hope you keep it!
Oh it’s definitely staying 🙂
Congratulations! Such exciting news. I love that brick fireplace. I wish you the greatest happiness.
The fireplace is one of my favorite features! Thank you so much, Sue!
Karlee
So amazing!! Thank you for sharing, seems like a lot of work but I know it’ll be worth it. Wishing you the best.
Thank you, Yazmin! It’s a ton of work 🙂 But it’s been fun. I cannot wait to see it all come together.
Karlee
Can’t wait to see a pic of your finished kitchen. Your choices look lovely! What kind of stove did you get?
Yay! Thank you, Janet!
We went with a Cafe appliances by GE for our range and fridge.
So may things….first of all, I’m so happy for the two of you, and I love that your families are a part of this I love your fireplace and your kitchen is going to be GORGEOUS
Thank you!! We are just over the moon and cannot wait to move in! (I’m obsessed with the fireplace too!)
Love your growth in all things. You shine bright. Give yourself permission to pause when the hustle becomes too much. You will not lose your creative edge or relevance…in fact, practicing the pause is usually the path forward. ❤
Awe, thank you, Jane. That means so much. It’s so hard to step back for a bit. I love that you said the pause is the path forward.
Congratulations, Karlee! Love the site redesign too!
Thank you, Izzah! I forgot to mention that here! It’s been a long time coming 🙂
Congratulations!! Very exciting!!! Love the new place and look forward to seeing the transformation along the way. Enjoy every moment 🙂