New Home To-Do

Everyone knows that all houses have projects, even new construction can use some new paint colors etc and I have so many I want to complete! I'm making a list here for some accountability and will share as I update!

Outside Front:
1. Take down the shrubs
2. Increase driveway space
3. Plant new bulbs

4. New front deck and railing

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!)

Living Room:

1. Take down shingles decorating the wall and repaint

2. Remove old rug and replace flooring

3. Remove old wood stove

Kitchen:

1. Update appliances.

2. Remove and update backsplash

3. New floors

4. Add some electric outlets.

Bathroom:

1. Paint cabinets

Green Carpet Room:

1. Replace green carpets

2. Un-texturize the walls

3. Remove chandelier

Front Mudroom:

1. Replace flooring

2. Replace front door

3. Replace chandelier

Emma's Room:

1. Paint

2. Build new closet

Tyler's Room:

1. Paint

2. Build a more functional closet

3. Extend space into living room (?)

Bonus Room:

1. Replace flooring

2. Build new laundry room

3. Storage shelving

4. Re-stain trim work

Side Mudroom:

1. New floors

2. Paint

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

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

There's a lot to get done but I'm hoping to keep working on slowly and making it my own as the years go on. I can't wait to share about what I accomplish!

xo, Heather

European Vacation - Summer 2023

 You know those once in a lifetime trips?

This... this is it for me, but honestly, based on how much Nick talks about traveling and encourages my travel ideas, this may be the norm for us...

Originally we were looking at Portugal for a week. Nick's family is there and we'd be able to relax and enjoy family and sights but when we were looking for flights, the least expensive European flights were to London. I've always wanted to go so we decided we would head to London and after more exploring, we found that it would be cheaper to fly to Ireland then back to the US, rather than straight from London to home. Sold. I've wanted to go to Ireland since I was in high school. My grandma and I always talked about going together so being able to finally go was unbelievable. 

We left for London, doing an overnight flight that brought us to the city nice and early in the day. We found our hotel a few blocks from Kings Cross and went exploring. Nick has been before but it was all new to me. Big Ben, The Tower Bridge, The Eye, we even found an Inn that Dickens had been in and grabbed dinner. 

The next day we made our way to Bovington to visit the tank museum and brush up on our War history- which was Nick's favorite part.

My favorite spot was next - Shakespeare's Globe Theater. You guys. Literal chills standing in it.

We spent the next day exploring and found Buckingham Palace, SOHO, Chinatown, and finally made our way to the Warner Bros Studio Tour London, full of Harry Potter artifacts. 

Before we left London we made our way to Abbey Road, because obviously and as we strolled through Notting Hill, we even saw where George Orwell lived. It was an amazing few days and we took the night train... to Paris!

This was a last minute addition to our trip. We were SO close to Disneyland Paris so Nick rearranged some things and we went to Paris! Some night time views of the tower and we were up bright and early the next day to go to Disneyland Paris!

I can't even tell you the joy I had. The castle has a dragon under it and there was an Alice in Wonderland maze! Skull Rock, so many characters, and Phantom Manor.

There were some great rides not in Florida - Pinnochio, Snow White... but I especially loved the stained glass story telling of Sleeping Beauty.

We hopped over to Walt Disney Studios similar to Hollywood Studios back when it was MGM) and we took advantage of the rides only they offer - Toy Story parachutes, Crush's roller coaster, and riding Ratatouille in Paris!? Amazing!

The coolest thing about Disneyland Paris is that they don't do fireworks - they have a drone show! No loud pops and they made a mickey head in the sky!

The next day we explored Paris for a bit - the Notre Dame cathedral, looked at art for sale on the side of the road, visited the Louvre, and had macarons. Lunch was on the rooftop with a view of the Eiffel tower.

Ater lunch we found the prettiest Starbucks in the world - it is - and then climbed the Arc de Triomphe to see the views. 

Another night flight and we were in Dublin for bedtime!

The day after we got to Dublin I realized a large red spot on my leg was getting redder and larger and checked myself into urgent care in Dublin. Some antibiotics and gauze and was told to "rest it for a few days". We only had a few days and I was not missing it...

We logged 35k steps that day - my poor leg!- but saw so much of downtown Dublin. I got to see Trinity College, Temple Bar, the Ha'Penny Bridge, and so many gorgeous old churches. 

We booked excursions in Ireland to help with my leg. Instead of taking trains and walking, we were able to take coach buses to the other three coasts of Ireland. The first day we took a bus to Cork and was the Blarney Castle. We stopped at some gorgeous church ruins before getting there and then climbed to the top of the castle. My leg was so sore at that point and the idea of someone holding it so I could kiss the blarney stone was too much, but I watched as Nick did it. A long walk through the gardens and we went out for dinner at my favorite meal of the whole trip. This gorgeous little place call CASK had the most amazing lemon blueberry pavlova and I still dream about it.

The next day we were back on the bus and went to the Giant's Causeway and the Dark Hedges. Both were just absolutely stunning. The final stop was at the Titanic Museum in Belfast. Seeing the artifacts, knowing how many people had died was just overwhelming, but so amazing. 

Our third trip was to Galway and the Cliffs of Moher. The funniest/best stop though was Barack Obama rest stop. An entire rest stop devoted to the Obamas - I wouldn't believe it unless I had seen it myself.

Again, walking was difficult. Although I was on meds, I was not resting so my leg continued to swell each day. Each night consisted of pushing the puss out in the tub, which caused even more soreness. It was tough but we managed to walk the Cliffs of Moher, but so thankful for the trolley for part of it! After the Cliffs, we were brought to a few more church ruins and finished the day with drinks, oysters, and exploring Galway. I saw the statute of Oscar Wilde and saw where the original Claddagh rings were made. 

An early morning flight brought us back to the US and I am so in love with seeing the world... I can't wait for the next trip!

I Bought A House (Again!)

 One of the biggest accomplishments of my last six-ish months was buying a house again.

I know I spoke about it a lot through Instagram and Facebook posts but I really can't put into words how amazing it is to me that three years after my divorce, I was able to purchase a house again.  We were lucky enough to live with my grandmother starting March 2020 until we moved in May 2023. Given the house prices, interest rates, and how quickly everything kept getting more expensive, I know I would not have reached this goal without my grandmother opening her doors to us. A great big house, an amazing school district, and I was able to find a job close to it. Not only was it great to help me save up some money, but it was also wonderful being back with my grandmother every day. I lived in that house until I was seven. I remember sleeping over in her room and watching Murder She Wrote with her when I was little. I was excited to have those times again. Watching Wheel of Fortune with her and my kids while we had ice cream was an almost nightly ritual. Although there were many parts that I loved about living there, I was very excited to own my own home again, to be able to decorate and update and own the space. I think that, especially as a Millennial, the idea of going to college, having a family and owning a home was engrained into me and it was something I knew I wanted to accomplish again.

It took lots of house hunting. We toured dozens of houses, ultimately put down offers on 5 houses and then had multiple contingencies fall apart - a bad foundation, a leaking oil tank that needed the ground around it to be cleaned and repaired, not being able to qualify for a first time housing that I thought I did qualify for, and sellers needing much more time to close than I wanted. I was drawn to this house given the town and set up. It felt like a home with character, that was lived in and loved, and I could see parties and holidays in it. 

The house itself is on a "side main road" and we get traffic but there's a great cul-de-sac right behind us that has been perfect for taking walks with the dog and riding our bikes! It will be perfect come Halloween! The house is even close enough for the kids to walk to and from school if they choose! It's the perfect little town - a great library, a busy community center, some small shops, and only 10 minutes away from the city that has all the big stores we love. 

Although I love the house, I also bought it knowing I wanted to change so much - even more than just painting bedrooms- I want to change floors and more! My hope is to document how I make it mine, and celebrate every day that I was able to do this. My kids and I have loved the first few months here and I am excited to work through my ridiculous list of to do projects!

xo, Heather