Saturday, October 9, 2010

Erasing


That’s what it feel like I’m doing right now. Erasing the things that make this home and garden me. It’s a bit sad when I let myself think about it – on the other hand I’m anxious to get on to other things and can’t wait for March when we list the house. How’s that for contradiction :)
plates
Anyway, I thought I’d update you all on the goings on around here. One thing I did was to remove my plate border that went around the cottage garden. Apparently, young families and single men/women are who are buying homes in our neighborhood. Plates in the ground aren’t practical for either group especially the families with small children.
platelessborder
I haven’t decided what to use instead. I saw some metal edging that I might use since it looks like it would give a finished edge and keep the grass out of the bed.
pumpkinpatch
I also disassembled my fruit garden that I made this summer. I’m hoping whoever buys this house will be happy to have the vegetable garden but I knew a second space was pushing it!
fruitgarden
Fortunately the potted trees will be able to come with me where ever we go. I’m going to move them into the vegetable garden for the time being and put out some grass seed in this spot and hope it fills in! The trellis I’m thinking of using in my front yard but have to measure the space. Not sure what to do with the raspberries.

I realized that I’m just not going to be able to do everything myself. I had three pages of indoor projects and two pages of outdoor projects! Plus I’m sure other things will pop up. My husband is in retail so once we hit November he’s not going to be any help to me until after New Years!
vanity
So I hired someone to do some of the reno of our family room bathroom. That’s the original 1960’s vanity with a light brown sink (I painted it when we moved in 11 years ago).

He’s supposed to get started next week. I’ll do all the finish work in there. Hopefully I’ll have photos to post of my budget renovated bathroom in a few weeks!

In my last post I hinted that there was news about the family room. Well here it is.
P1200426 
Yep, have to take ALL the paneling off AGAIN! Can you believe it!

About two weeks after we had fixed the termite damage and put up/painted the new paneling, we noticed the far end piece beginning to get wavy. Then the piece next that and the piece next to that...all the way down the wall. We took this part off in the above photo and found mold on the backs of the panels! Apparently the cement block was weeping moisture. So we used a product called Dry Lock and filled in any noticeable cracks with some cement filler stuff, put the old panels up and then waited a very anxious three weeks.

Took them down and they seemed fine – no mold but they were too wavy to reuse so we bought some more panels. Which we tied to the top of our CRV and which promptly broke (even though we were driving super slow) and almost flew into the windshield of a car behind us! Fortunately no one was hurt. But we then had to rent a truck and go back for more panels. By now you know I needed either a drink (and I’m not a drinker) or some medication! Deep Breath.

Anyway, long story short, we have to take the remaining panels down and Dry Lock the rest of that wall and replace the panels and paint AGAIN! That’s next weeks project. Hopefully that will do it! If it doesn’t, I may just blast the wall out and tell people it’s a patio!


So all of this plus decluttering and just day to day stuff is what’s keeping me busy! I do try to make time to do some relaxing/fun stuff – so not to worry. I’m pretty good about keeping things balanced in my life.

46 comments:

Adrienne said...

It's good to hear from you again. I've wondered how you were doing. What a big project! And hard to erase the traces of your special touch. But looking ahead to something exciting and wonderful makes it all worth it.
~Adrienne~

Rose H (UK) said...

Poor Manuela - I'm sorry that you have had all that trouble with the panelling
:o( How disheartening after all that work. I'm pleased for you that it is getting sorted out now.
I hope all your other projects and plans go smoothly - sure sounds like you have a lot to do.

Best wishes

Rose H

Ally's Corner said...

I wish you peace. In the end it will be so worth it.

Unknown said...

I hope to never have to move again. It's such a lot of work to get a house ready. I'm sure it will be worth it in the end. Take care. Linda

mizdarlin said...

Having had to move several dozen times in my life, I empathize..and that is so much work, I'm exhausted just reading about it..
When I had to leave my long-term place, I had a beautiful garden that took me 15 years to whip into shape..it darn near broke me to leave almost all of it behind..
When I moved to the Island here, I took a few of the really big potted plants I'd salvaged from my old garden to my best friend's house, where they are enjoying a new, stable life, undaunted by my apartment balcony type shuffling..when I visit, I check on 'my' plants and they look quite content..I'm sure that yours will be, too!
Pace yourself, and good luck!♥

Salmagundi said...

I've been thinking about you knowing that what you are up against (the sale/moving) can be very stressful. Glad to hear you are trying to keep everything balanced. Good luck. Sally

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Sounds like tons of work and projects. Getting ready to sell a place is so much work. Hopefully it all goes smoothly from here on out. Hugs, Marty

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

It's a busy time for you! Love hearing all your news! Enjoy the rest of your weekend! ♥

Konnie said...

Manuela, feeling a little excited for you but unreasonably sad for the loss of the plate border. I loved it:(

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

It was really hard for me when we had to put our big house up for sale because I had it decorated just as I liked it.

Of course, my Realtor went through and said I had to get rid of all the "stuff" that made it mine... sigh.

To be honest, I think it would have sold faster if I hadn't taken away as much as she said. It took all the personality out of the house.

Trails of Grace said...

I am all too familiar with what you are going through. We have our house on the market now for one month.. so what you are going through.. is fresh in memory: the list, the undoing.. life that must carry on during this.. and the feelings that are mixed in with the sell/move.

My thoughts are with yoU!

Ames said...

I can sympathize with you. It was hard for me to pack and neutralize a home that I had lived in for 18 years. And I had to do it in two weeks because I didn't expect the house to even sell before a sign went up.

You have somewhere else you'll be moving to, and probably look forward to making that into your new home. So take it all in stride. It will all get done ...eventually! Hugs~Ames

Glenda/MidSouth said...

You have been busy.
I don't even want to think about getting this place ready to sell down the road.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

GlorV1 said...

Hmmm. Sounds sad to me Manuela. We've been here since January 1, 1989 and I don't know if I could do it. We are soooooo situated and our home is paid off. So I hope I never find myself packing and getting ready to move on, because I wouldn't and couldn't move on. I wish you so much happiness in your new move. Take care.

Kathy said...

I am so sorry for all the misfornuate events you have been having -Lucky are the people that buy your home -I'm sure they will feel the love that you have put forth every year you lived there -It would be neat if a blog follower bought your home :-)

Anonymous said...

Oh, Manuela, bless your heart! You've been so busy. I loved your plate border but hopefully you can do it again at your new place. Good luck with all of your fixings up!
be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

Oliva Ohlson said...

I love your "now" home! I know how much work is involved in moving from a home that you have lived for so long! I can't wait to see your new home...

Theresa said...

WOW, you have been busy getting lots of things marked off of that list! I hope all goes well and that you can do something fun! HUGS!

Denny said...

It must be a little teary when you are taking away some of your special touches on your home..:(
Like Oliva,I too cant wait to see your next home and all your special little touches that make it into YOUR cosy little home.
Best of luck Manuela..:)

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

Wow Manuela,

You have a lot on your plate!

I know you will get it all done, and it will look amazing!

Anonymous said...

It was sad to look at your yard and see how your having to disassemble everything. I know we share the love for the garden and puttering just by reading your blog. I hope all future projects run smoothly!

Take care, Viola

Jennifer said...

I know this is difficult for you. We have played the moving game so many times and it is so hard to take the home you have created and turn it into a place to sell. You feel like you are losing your own identity.

You are handling it so well. I am sure you are anxious and excited all at the same time. I hope that things will begin to look brighter and go a little smoother for you.

Have a good week,
Jen

Becky K. said...

It must be so hard to undo all that you have worked so hard to accomplish. However, I am sure that your efforts will be paid back in a healthy sales price. You are so wise to think about the market and work toward meeting it.

I can't wait to see the bathroom redo.

Becky K.

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Oh, Manuela! What a job! It's so wonderful that you have a great attitude! I canniot imagine having to erase all of me from my house! But how much fun it would be to have a whole new place to start over! Happy weekend!...hugs...Debbie

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

It can be tough, Manuela, as you go back and forth with your emotions. I just kept trying to look ahead to what we can decorate when we move {it helps for a little bit}. My hubby also works in retail, so we will be waiting until after the holidays to list again. The outside of the house is all set to go with new siding, some plants and the door now painted black. The inside is still mostly free of "stuff" from when I decluttered last time, but I have to say that I'm leaving most of what is out where it is this time.

Anonymous said...

Bless your heart, I know, I understand. I'm glad you have such a great perspective about getting your house ready to sell.

Anonymous said...

It does seem a little sad to see things coming undone. But the bright side is that you can take those things with you and do it again at your new home. I am looking forward to witnessing your journey as you give your new home your own personal touches. Good luck with the sale! I hope everything goes very smoothly for you.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I know exactly what you are going through Manuela. I did that last year! The "erasing" thing, that is. Luckily there is always the fun of dreaming about the next home and then nexting into it!

Claudia said...

Oh, Manuela, you ARE busy! I think it is hard to say goodbye to the beauty you have created in your yard. When I've had to do it in the past, I just had to put blinders on so that I didn't think about it too much. Hang in there!

xo
Claudia

shannon i olson said...

wow! lots of work!! We have done the driving with stuff on vehicle, with the high winds we get around here we have had some near disasters ourselves!

sheila from life @ #17 said...

this is the sad part of moving...and the busy, tiring part :) but you'll get through it!

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

isn't it sad to have to stage a home and remove the things so near and dear to your heart? but you are doing all of the right things and soon it will be all done and you will enter a new chapter of your life.

((hugs))
becky

Donna said...

You've been busy, Manuela! I'm sure it will all be worth it in the end.

Hugs,
Donna

Melanie said...

Oh sweet friend, you have been through it. I am so sorry for all the problems. When it rains it pours but just repeat "this to shall pass." That is what I have been saying over and over for the last year:) Moving twice in one year to two different states will just about make you lose your mind. It is a phrase that helps me. Good luck and hugs to you.

Simple Home said...

I'm sure you'll accomplish the things on that list, but I know it is a little overwhelming right now. I'm so glad no one was hurt, and I hope this new fix does the job.
Have a wonderful (and productive) week Manuela :-)
Blessings,
Marcia

Suzanne said...

Oh my goodness Manuela! I hope you are taking deep breaths along the way. Looks as if you have everything organized, but I don't envy you the journey of getting your home ready for sale. I'm sure you will make it look absolutely gorgeous even though the personal touches are "erased".

Debbie said...

I have to admit... this post made me sad inside. I know that you're looking forward to your new adventure and all of the ways that you'll get to "Manuela Up" a new place, but I tend to be one who gets attached, especicially to things I love or even like. The erasing, while necessary, is bittersweet isn't it?

Hugs to you!!

And UGH!!! About that paneling. Sometimes, UGH just about covers it.

Marianne said...

Wow so many people seem to be preparing for moving right now. Good luck with that last of things to do!
And I totally get, that once the decision to move has been made you want out of there.
Hang it, it will happen sooner than you think, I am sure.

Sue said...

I can so relate to all of your "de-personalizing". We did the same to our home and turned it into a house. Made it easier to say goodbye after 20 years in it. One suggestion. I took pictures of my gardens and put together a booklet. Our house was on the market when the garden was not in bloom so I wanted folks to see it in its glory. It worked! The buyer loved the gardens and was a gardener (and a young mom). In a buyer's market the seller needs to be creative. Best wishes!

Cindy said...

Dearest Manuela,
Sorry to hear about the mold problem, glad you figured it out and can take care of it. That could have destroyed any hopes of selling your house. Also sad to see you having to pull out those wonderful plates! They looked so incredible and on your fence, too. Happy reno-ing your bathroom, I wish you had more help, I feel bad that you are doing so much yourself.
Big hugs, Cindy

Wendy said...

Manuela,
Aww...we understand. We just sold our home and bought a "new" home. It is such a stressful time when you are getting a home ready to sell. You have such a great style and design, your home is going to show beautiful.
Wendy

Miss Janice said...

Moving...ugh! I understand what's it like to "erase" the marks you've left on the house and property. Real estate agents like to 'stage' the whole thing and make it look like no real people lived in the home! I'm wishing you good luck with the whole process!

Erin @ The Little Apartment said...

It sounds like you are going to be keeping very busy. Sorry about having to Un-Manuela your garden.

Gumbo Lily said...

Oh my goodness, such a lot of work for you. I hope the other projects you are working on will go smoothly.

The garden looks bare without your touches.

Jody

Richella Parham said...

Darling Manuela. You are the dearest woman.

I just love the way you always try to look at things positively. Even this post, which points out some really difficult things you're going through, is overall very positive. I just love that about you. You remind me that homemaking is a real privilege, not something to be taken for granted. I value your perspective so much!

God bless you with all you're doing. I'll be eager to hear how things go.

Kristi said...

I sooooooo know how you feel!! I am erasing myself from my house as well and I am going to have to hire someone to help me keep it in "show" shape when the time comes because with 3 little kids, I have a nervous breakdown thinking about it! And Drylock is great stuff! :)
Kristi