Best of 2011

As have others, I too have been thinking about some New Year's Resolutions.  However, when I went back and read last year's, it was a little like the list I've been thinking of in my head.  Not that I failed miserably, but aren't those things we want to get the upper hand on always a constant battle?  Last year, being home on maternity leave for about 9months, before I went back early, made me appreciate spending time with the kids and by bedtime be so grateful that they go to bed an hour earlier than us!  Still, consistency is the best disciplining tool, and I'm thankful this year for little reminders about it's use!  And that goes for me too...
  This year, I want to work on listening more and talking less.  Listening to the crazy funny things my children tell me, or are starting to, as is Tommy's case.  Listening to friends, when they need an ear.  Listening to my husband, rather than talking (in a higher pitch than necessary), because I know when I do listen and not stress, he always explains away the situation and I see reality.  Listening....there are many voices to listen too, but I also want to work to listen to the right one.

As for our favorite moments from 2011-Here goes--And as I was reading last year's list, I kept thinking: "What that wasn't this year?!"

1.  Family Vacations were definitely the Toppers here- in July we went away for a week with my parents and sister to some scruffy cottages about an hour and a half north of here on Lake Onaping.  We had electricity, but no cell phone coverage.  The guys fished and we mostly relaxed, although the beach did leave a little to be desired.  Luckily, it was only about an hour from shopping, so we did go to the mall one day.  We are already planning our spot for 2012.
2.  Mexico with Brad's parents was also a highlight.  It has been 2 years since we went to Mexico, so it was really nice to go someplace warm just as the weather started to cool off here.  Emma had a blast, between the markets and the dolphins at the resort.  Iguanas were also a big highlight.  It was nice to have a week together, which some other vacations actually don't involve that much family time because everyone goes off to do their own thing.  And not having to cook for a week....we were RELAXED!
3.  7 year anniversary--and I actually can't really remember where we even ate.  I know we tried to watch a movie, but everything was super late, so we ended up home early, with two kids our favorite babysitters had gotten asleep for us....:)
4.  This year we got to Ironbridge--which had something missing since my parents didn't make it with school getting out later than usual--and Vanderbilt--where we camped in my parent's trailer instead of doing it hillybilly style in the snowmachine trailer like normal.  The bed wasn't so comfortable, but at least we were warm and Brad and Jamie who came late didn't have to add in the time of towing the trailer too. 
5.  Buying a new/old house has been exciting too.  Right now it feels a little like we're stuck in some kind of warp...as no-one has really bit on our house and we aren't progressing on the renos.  However, we haven't given up hope that everything will move more quickly than we want very soon.  There have been several people looking at our house, so once spring starts to appear we have been assured there will be more movement in a market.  We are very glad our town isn't like many we've heard about in the south!  We discovered a leaky roof that would have put a halt to our drywalling upstairs anyways, but there are some things we will get the contractor working on over the winter.  Yes, this could be a post in itself, so when I get a chance I promise to get some pics together and let everyone know where we stand. 

Being together with all of our family at various times during the holidays makes us thankful for good family and friends!  Happy New Year!

Home Sweet Home

Our "NEW" Home

One of the original houses in Massey; we've been told it was built in the early 1900's.

If you heard the rumor about our new house, I'll just stand up right now and correct it.   NOT NEW, but we did buy a different house.  We are now in the process of turning it into a home...Last week Emma and I were reading a princess story that lays out how to be a perfect princess.  Of course, one aspect of being a princess is you must live in a castle.  When I asked Em if she lived in a castle, she replied "No, I live in a home."  Not just any house, but home sweet home.
  So now we begin this remodeling process of trying to turn a....hmmmm, let's call it a dungeon into a home.  On our to do list.
1.  Dry-walling--everything is currently covered (or in the process of being removed) in paneling.
2.  Obviously painting said walls (I am looking forward to coordinating all the colors in the house at once, rather than doing bits and pieces).
3.  New windows are a big must, and will likely be the most cost effective investment we put into the house.

4.  New bathroom in the downstairs.  As well, we will be moving the door of this bathroom so it opens to the dining/ study area rather than kitchen.
4.  New kitchen.  Right now the plan is to buy a used one off Kijiji.  Brad's sister and husband did this and scored a great deal.  As well, in our current home, we have my parents previous kitchen cupboards from before they remodeled.

5.  Redesign bedroom layout upstairs.  Currently, there are four bedrooms.  We plan to convert two into one by halving one room so it becomes a master bathroom (Tommy is standing where I think this will happen) attached to master bedroom and large (of some sort, whether it is walk in or no) closet.
6.  New flooring throughout.  Carpet will all be ripped up as it smells of smoke and cat.  VERY GROSS!  Downstairs really has no flooring left that is complete of any one thing, so luckily that will go eventually too.  Really hoping to find some useable hardwood as we begin tearing, but so far that doesn't seem to be our luck.
7.  There are a few structural elements to the house that will need to be looked at.  Kitchen portion of the house was added on, and appears to be sagging in the center.  As well the upstairs is about a foot off on one side to the other, so we will need to jack one wall and put a beam in. Also, a few walls that we will open up to add flow between rooms in the downstairs area.
8.  There are a few places that we will need to insulate, but overall the walls are in decent insulation condition and with the brick on the outside, we aren't worried about having drafts.  Basically, the attic needs to be looked after, and a few places that have gotten wet.
9.  The porch is one thing that will remain on the wish list for now.  Eventually we would like to have nice open windows, rather than the current clouded/breaking ones, but adding a french door to the front and back of the house will help with light and usage of the porch during at least 3 seasons.
10.  My wish list (I can't say the same for Brad) is to use the attic.  As you can see in the picture at the very top, there is a dormer window (another not pictured) on that floor.  It's also super icky as it looks like someone used it as a dumping grounds for anything they didn't want downstairs anymore.  (Brad and his Dad already found some great treasures, including male high heeled shoes and some scary granny-bras, plus a whole grocery sack of plastic hair curlers that Emma thinks are possibly the coolest things ever.)  I would love to have this room for TOYS!!!  The basement is only about 6 feet high, so we will only be using it for storage.  As well, as a playroom the attic would be perfect for guests to have their own space and us not be moving kids around every time someone comes to visit.  It will be great to just have all the extra space downstairs (which is about the same size as our entire house right now...about 1100sq feet), but having an extra bedroom would be amazing!  However, the obstacles to the attic are currently...no insulation in the roof, only in the floor to insulate the lower levels and no stairs.  It is accessed by a hole in the ceiling of the hallway immediately above the stairs from first to second floor.  Do you think it might be an appropriate birthday present project from my wonderful Daddy?  Hmmmmm....okay and Christmas and my next 5 birthdays?

 

[Living area, with Dining/study beyond, and kitchen beyond that.]

We are looking forward to this move, whenever it does happen.  I'm sure, as I've been reminded that there will be days it will stress our marriage and our family to live through a remodeling, but here's to having more SPACE!