The Busy Giffs

July 17, 2024

Home Update - 1 year in!

We're a year in the house and we've been making our way through each room.  I feel like every project takes so long and each project we start comes with 15 side projects that we get distracted by, but little by little it's coming together. Like the front mudroom still isn't done that we started back in the Fall, but we accomplished all the outside projects instead because the weather is nice and we're using that space more and the side mudroom while the front mudroom was put on hold. 

As frustrating as it is to see the list still here, and growing when I continue to add more projects to it, it's also great to look back and say, here's what it looked like before and now we're here instead. I'm adding photos from the original listing so I can go back and see the progress.

Outside Front:

1. Take down the shrubs
2. Increase driveway space
3. Plant new bulbs
4. New front deck and railing
5. Trash barrel coverage
6. Landscape the front
7. Fix front door
8. Paint/update the shutters
9. Drainage stones


Outside Back:
1. Take down the trees hanging on the roof
2. Patio lights 
3. Level part of the yard for a second patio off the Master (maybe make room for a hot tub!)
4. Remove tree
5. New fence
6. Plant flower beds
7. Move shed and put down a solid base
8. Get rid of scrap metal

Living Room:
1. Take down shingles decorating the wall and repaint
2. Remove old rug and replace flooring
3. Remove old wood stove and bricks
4. New sofa
5. Buffet cabinet
6. Take down brown wood and replace with trim




Kitchen:
1. Update appliances.
2. Remove and update backsplash
3. New floors
4. Add some electric outlets.
5. Remove drop ceiling
6. New cabinets
7. New counter



Bathroom:
1. Paint cabinets
2. Replace shower



Green Carpet/Library Room:
1. Replace green carpets
2. Un-texturize the walls
3. Remove chandelier
4. Remove drop ceiling
5. Remove and replace stone wall.



Front Mudroom:
1. Replace flooring
2. Replace front door
3. Replace chandelier
4. Paint
5. Build closet

Emma's Room:
1. Paint
2. Build new closet
3. Remove brown trim
4. Remove second door




Tyler's Room:
1. Paint
2. Build a more functional closet





Bonus Room:
1. Replace flooring
2. Build new laundry room
3. Storage shelving
4. Re-stain trim work
5. Paint






Side Mudroom:
1. New floors
2. Paint
3. Board and Batten on walls
4. New light fixture
5. Storage for sports equipment



Master:
1. Paint
2. Re-stain wood work
3. Install floor to ceiling library
4. Remove cubby in closet
5. Install a full closet system
6. Remove exhaust fan


Basement:
1. Organize and Clean!
2. Paint with cement paint
3. Install divider wall
4. Build a gym
5. Update/Fix tool bench area
6. Fix plumbing

Next time I post, I'll add some updated photos to see the progress we're making!

July 1, 2024

2024 Books - Part 2


 

I'm staying busy over here reading. I had set a smaller goal of books this year, thinking I'd focus less on reading while taking 5 grad courses and doing house projects, but here we are...

As always, be sure to follow along on my goodreads to see what I think of each book and whether you should read it!

May 1, 2024

Montreal and Noah Kahan

 I am in love with Noah Kahan. I'll say it. His music speaks to my "childhood affected how I see myself but it will be okay maybe" mentality and I can listen to him for days on end. When his show at Fenway announced, I was so excited but the only tickets available were $500+ and I can't spend that on a single ticket.

A couple weeks ago, I got an email saying "a band is playing near you", mentioning Noah Kahan in Montreal. That's a 5 hour drive, but I guess still "close". I watched tickets and thanks to Canada's rules for Ticketmaster, tickets need to be resold through Ticketmaster for what they were originally purchased for... that led to $175 floor seats. 

Even after booking a $100 a night hotel and renting a car for the weekend (another $125), we spent less on the entire weekend in Montreal instead of what Fenway tickets would have cost. His show was visually stunning and I get completely list in his music. I absolutely sobbed during Call Your Mom and lost my mind when he played two unreleased tracks that have only been teased online.





The absolute best part was when he walked out t o the B stage, a mere 10 feet away. We saw his back for a lot of it but being that close- magical. We explored the Notre-Dame Basilica, an absolutely gorgeous gothic church.




And went to the Olympic Park and the Bio-Dome.



And just explored on foot.



Nick hadn't been feeling well so there was a lot of resting and relaxing in our room in between seeing sites. I'm still very sad I won't see him in Fenway Park, but this whole vacation was such a cool way to see him!

Home Update - 1 year in!

We're a year in the house and we've been making our way through each room.  I feel like every project takes so long and each project...