End of day one

At the end of the first day of working on/owning a house,I think we were pretty productive. Yes, we - my kiddo was a great help all day! I think any boy would enjoy the destruction we did today. Who doesn't like to tear things up and NOT get in trouble? Here is a quick breakdown of day one's events:

•Foul smelling, pee stained carpet and pad removed from formal rooms and bedroom 2. Now there is no carpet in the house
•Trip to Keller to purchase range, dishwasher and washer & dryer that was being held at a store for me --- range was already sold when I got there. Needless to say, I left with nothing as I don't like to do business with people like that.
•On return trip to house, find another range on craigslist and make arrangements to pick up after my new fridge is delivered.
•Back at the house, kiddo and I begin removing the tackstrips in the formal rooms. I then also start scraping the ceiling there.
•Mom joins in on the tackstrips and popcorn ceiling removal.
•Dad brings much needed Sonic drinks! And grinds off lock that was stuck on garage door tracks. Door and opener now functional! YAY ONE ITEM COMPLETE!!!
•Tired of scraping ceiling and with the tackstrips all removed, I begin removing the wallpaper from my bathroom and mom and kiddo do the same in the guest bath.
•FRIDGE ARRIVES! FRIDGE ARRIVES! It's big and beautiful and shiny and beat of all it was an awesome deal. As part of my vow to transform things, this is a preowned/lease return fridge.
•Leave to go get range #2 from craigslist ad. Text owner to get address. Get response when I'm in Lewisville "Sold". Great, so I go to Lowe's just to see what they have.
•Find a completely awesome display range! More than I wanted to spend, more features than I will ever know how to use, but no more dealing with craigslist flakes! It's mine and loaded in the back of the truck
•Time for dinner - we didn't have lunch - and a reward for kiddo for all his hard work
DAY ONE OVER, seems productive, but I know I need to take advantage of the excitement etc before I get beat down by all the work!

Injury report: me-broke fingernails(yes I know this isn't an injury, this is strictly for dramatic effect, cuts and scrapes on hands and arms, and blister in the palm of my hand. The blister doesn't really bother ne unless I get it wet, grip anything or otherwise try to use my dominant hand!Mom - will have to update hers after she has slept. Kiddo - nothing, not a care in the world and ready to work some more!

The transformation of the house is officially underway!

I can see the light....

Well, it’s almost here. Or should I say, it’s almost mine. I sign the closing documents for my new (to me!) house on Friday. This process has been such an emotional roller coaster, that I am facing Friday’s date feeling anxious, scared, nervous, excited, relieved, speechless etc. But most of all, I am ready!

Some little girls grow up dreaming of their perfect wedding, I am pretty sure I grew up dreaming of and designing my perfect house. This house may not have been anything that I would have thought of as being perfect, but for where I am in my life currently, it is. I am not sure if there is ever “the right time” or if one is ever absolutely sure about what they are doing taking  on such big investment, but had I known some of what the few months following me signing the contract would hold, I would seriously reconsider. Between the stress directly related to the purchase, the kiddo starting school and other personal issues, I know the last several weeks have been very taxing on me. I signed the contract to purchase the house August 3 and would have never dreamed that it would take almost 2 months to close. I know nothing about my loan was standard – IF YOU QUALIFY, GET A USDA LOAN! You can thank me later! – but all, well most, parties involved stayed diligent to get it processed. I have used this time to plan, prepare, gather and purchase things for me to get in the house. I think I am prepared to sleep even less then I do now, feel aches and pains in places I didn’t know existed, have moments of creative genious, and think I am at wits end all while transforming both my soul and MY house.

This is where I decided to jump up on my soap box for a second. I am four months post divorce and buying this house. I hope everyone understands the value of good credit and even moreso, the importance of a good relationship with your exspouse. Because we care enough, we made sure not to ruin either’s great credit score. Mine was exceptionally helpful, because even though we are no longer married, he had to provide almost as much paperwork as I did to my lender. I came from the construction industry and heard plenty of times that “the ex ruined my credit score” Well I am proof that that doesn’t have to be the case, you just have to be civil! :)