Closing, Moving and Catastrophes, Section B...

They say war is hell...but so is moving!


You would think that I would be used to it by now since we've moved so many times.  While I do have some parts of it down pretty well, others still throw me....like how much stuff we have after we've down-sized 12 trillion times!!  I will admit that 40 boxes of books is a bit crazy; unfortunately, we love them all and can't seem to let go of them.  What is even more crazy is that I have about 7 boxes filled with books that don't have covers...I mean, really, who keeps that many books with no covers??!!


Me, that's who!  I love them!  They are a perfect neutral decorating tool and I try to use them in every room.  But I'm getting ahead of myself.

We have only been sleeping in the house about a week and a half.  My health is much better and I can do a few things without feeling immediately exhausted.  The hubster and I are afraid to mention the word w-a-t-e-r.  It has become taboo...at least for the time being.

Even though it is a new house, I have things I want to change and improve.  The half bath and laundry room need personality and a new paint color.  I really want to get started, but I've learned to pace myself.

The hall and stairwell "boob" lights are begging to be taken down and replaced with cute chandeliers.  I've found several that I like...a decision just needs to be made.  No rush though.

The house is a small two-story and seems to have two different personalities.  Downstairs, all of the spaces are light, bright and airy.  It stays much cooler downstairs because of the concrete floors.  That's a big plus here in Texas.


Upstairs has carpet and is not as light and airy.  It feels heavy to me because of the carpet.  There are 3 bedrooms and 2 baths upstairs.  All of the bedrooms have windows, but it still feels heavy.  I probably just need to get them decorated to give them a different vibe.  Each bedroom has one shiplap wall.  We don't have a bonus space but the landing is large enough for a TV and sofa.

One of the areas that will see little to no change is the kitchen.  I love it just the way it is, well, except for the blue painter's tape scattered all around (marking places that need touch-up).  We will definitely be removing the tape!


The white cabinets and gray/white counter tops are perfect.  During the day, light floods this space! We did add under-cabinet lighting for night-time and I'm glad we made that small change.


While we've had some difficulties and issues we do love this sweet little cottage of ours.  I will be sharing more photos as I get rooms pulled together and organized.  Purchasing new bedding for the master bedroom has been about to drive me nuts, but I was finally able to make a decision.  I hope to be able to share that before too long.  Baby steps...


29 comments

  1. Your kitchen is so lovely, Benita! And I'm so glad you're feeling at least some better now and no more w-a-t-e-r problems.

    Ha! Just got an email from you, thought I'd hit publish on this one without know it.

    Benita, I know you will get the upstairs as wonderful as the lower one, with time. You take care!

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    1. Thank you so much Dewena! I am so glad to be feeling better. Being sick and needing to get things done is the absolute worst! That upstairs does have me baffled right now, but I'm hoping to be able to pull something together for it before too long! Love and hugs sweet friend!!

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  2. Your kitchen is perfect, as is everything else in your sweet cottage that you've shown. How fun to be picking out new things to decorate with. See, the light at the end is shining pretty bright!

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    1. Thank you so much! We both fell in love with that kitchen and everything else in this house…it seemed to be just right for us! It had so many things we both wanted. And yes, we are so glad that things are finally settling down. I’ve got some small projects I’m ready to start on, but want to make sure I’m fully recovered before the new stress kicks in…LOL. Love and hugs sweet friend!!

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  3. I'm so happy for both of you, Benita! Your home is lovely and your kitchen should (or will) be in a magazine. I LOVE those counters!

    I hope you fully recover from your bug,
    and can relish the moving in process as it becomes less hectic,
    soon you'll feel like tackling the boob lights and smaller things.

    Jane xx

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    1. Awww, thank you so much Jane!! We fell in love with this kitchen when we first saw the house. It has lots of storage and the island is huge...I've never had this much space in a kitchen before...LOL

      I am finally feeling much, much better! Being sick is the worst when you have so many things you want to get done! I do hope you get to feeling better soon yourself and that the doctors can come up with some answers for you!

      Those boob lights are going...soon!!! LOL

      Love and hugs!!

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  4. oh i love the light in your kitchen!
    and it's got just enough stuff. it looks cozy and minimal and elegant.
    it's lagom!
    so glad you're feeling better. there's time for everything. rest when you can!♥

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    1. Thank you so much! We do love this kitchen and have enjoyed being in the house. The light is awesome and there is so much storage, but it is not an overwhelming space…it’s just the right size! Miss your blog and hope that you can get back to it soon! Thank you, I’m glad I’m feeling better also…and will definitely be taking it slow! Love and hugs!!

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  5. Sounds like things are definitely improving, Benita, and I'm happy for you for that. You guys need a break. So far what you've shown is really gorgeous.Enjoy your Easter.

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    1. Yes, Rita, they are definitely looking up and we are glad about that! Thank you so much! We've definitely had some issues...LOL Hope you have a great Easter! Love and hugs!

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  6. I love the sneak peeks! Can't wait to see a full house tour!

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    1. Thank you so much! Hope to be showing more pics before too long! :-)

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  7. Moving is not for Sissy's that is for sure. Been there with you on that front. Glad you got almost all moved in and unpacked. The cottage is looking beautiful. Love love love your kitchen so bright and pretty. Have a great rest of the week and wonderful Easter.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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    1. No ma’am it isn’t and I know you know that all too well also! Thank you so very much! That kitchen was a big draw for us and we have been enjoying it the little while we have been in the house…the light that fills all the downstairs rooms is just awesome! I hope you have a most wonderful Easter and that things are going well in the house hunt arena for you! Love and hugs!

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  8. Oh you're in!! Awesome. That is great news! The place is gorgeous. Feel good and enjoy it. Happy Easter my friend. xoxo

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    1. Thank you so much...we are glad we are in. Now, just to get settled. :-) I definitely can't wait to get started on a few projects now that I'm feeling better! Hope you have a most wonderfully blessed Easter sweet friend! Love and hugs!!

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  9. What a stunning kitchen - and I'm kind of drooling over that cheese plate! :) Glad things are looking up and you are feeling better, sweet friend - looking forward to following along as you nest in your new cottage!

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    1. Thank you so much! We love the kitchen and all of the light that floods the space! And thank you, the cheese was pretty darn good…LOL. I’m so glad things are improving also and I appreciate everyone commiserating with me…it makes the bad parts better because everyone is so encouraging! Thank you again!! I hope you have a wonderfully blessed Easter! Love and hugs!!

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  10. Pacing yourself is a hard lesson learned, right? It's so hard to do when you want everything done yesterday!
    Knowing you, it will be pulled together soon and your gorgeous personal style will make it feel like home. You are teasing me with that cheese plate...it looks so good.
    Have a great Easter and keep getting stronger!
    xo, T.

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    1. Most definitely! And it is very difficult for me because I need order and things to be in place so that I can rest and relax! LOL Thank you so much! I thought the cheese plate would look better than all the actual mess that is hidden all over the place in there. 😊 It was a very good cheese though…I love cheese, fruit and fruit spreads together. Have a wonderfully blessed Easter! Love and hugs!!

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  11. I completely understand about the books, Benita. They are personal and are a part of who we are. Occasionally I am able to donate a few books, but then I seem to bring in double what I sent out the door. My daughter and I share a love for used book stores, which her husband lectures her about. She has taken to sneaking more books into their home, haha!!
    Your kitchen is just gorgeous. The light and white must be so uplifting, which is something I know nothing about as our kitchen is a dark dungeon, bleh.
    Happy Easter dear friend!

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    1. Julie, I am much the same way. It is so difficult to pass them by when I see them, especially something old and that matches a series I’ve started. The hubster and I share the same passion about the books…he has even mentioned dirty words to me…e-readers! I love the feel of a book in my hand and I don’t think an e-reader is going to be the same. While I understand the e-books take up much less space and are perfect for traveling, there is nothing that can ever replace the feel of a book! Thank you so very much! I love the white kitchen and all the light that comes in during the day! You can always put your kitchen on the list for the fall One Room Challenge! 😉 Have a wonderfully blessed Easter sweet friend! Love and hugs!!

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  12. I'm so glad life is calming down for you! You deserve some down time.
    Brenda

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    1. Thank you so much Brenda, me too! And I think I deserve it as well...that's why the hubster has a long list of things to do when we get back from out-of-town! Hope you have a wonderfully blessed Easter! Love and hugs!!

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  13. Benita,
    Your marble countertops are beautiful, and I love all the light, bright, white in your kitchen. Even though you have had a ton of water issues, you must be thrilled to be in the house and making progress. As always, sending you good vibrations and looking forward to seeing the latest from you.

    Happy Easter,

    Judith

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    1. Thank you so much Judith! This kitchen was one of the biggest draws we had to this house. I’ve always wanted a white kitchen because they feel so spacious and always seem to be a happy place! We are definitely thrilled that the water issues are behind us and are really looking forward to getting the rest of our belongings into place! I know you are ready to get that done also! Hope you have a wonderfully blessed Easter! Love and hugs!!

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  14. Woot woot! You're in the house!

    I think I know exactly what you mean about two personalities. Carpet has a way of doing that, but I think you'll feel a lot better about the upstairs once you get things the way you want it.

    I don't know if I mentioned this before (senility creeping in) but one of my first posts was about the perfect sized kitchen and it was pretty close to yours. I actually have a photo of my perfect kitchen in that post and it looks quite a bit like yours. No lie. I'm so glad you've come to embrace it, because I know at first you thought it too small. It's NOT!!

    I didn't know you were ill, but glad you're better. We got home on Monday and have been playing catch up with unpacking, laundry...the fun stuff. lol

    xxx

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  15. Glad you're feeling better. That kitchen sure is perfect with the gray and white. wow.

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  16. Well, thank God you're feeling better and moved in! I'm glad you're not pushing yourself too hard either. Your kitchen is gorgeous :)

    xoxo

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