New house Part 1...getting closer to move-in day!!!

Hi there.  I wanted to give an update on our upcoming move.  We close on our 'new to us' home on June 27th and begin the moving process shortly thereafter.  We are living amongst boxes, tired and totally stocked to get this move underway.  It will all be so worth it. 

I wanted to show you some 'before' photos of the new house.  I have decided to break this post up (4 parts in total) so that I don't give you 'information overload' all in one post.  Today I will share the details of our new home along with photos of the exterior (front and back), the yard, the living room, and dining room.  Then tomorrow I will share Part 2 (which will include the kitchen, laundry room, family room and sun porch). 

We have many, (and I mean many) plans for this space and I cannot wait to get started on them.  I have listed some photos and underneath, I have listed some of our 'plans' we have for that space.  Some of these items will get done within a week or two of moving in but others are some long-term goals for us. 

Some details about our home: We are buying a ranch with a full basement.  It has a combined square footage of a little over 3500 sq ft.  The main floor has 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, kitchen that opens up to the den with a fireplace, living room, dining room and a huge all season sun porch.  (my husband is extremely excited about this space)

The lower level is what they call here in Virginia a mother-in-law suite.  It's basically another house under our house.  It has two bedrooms, a full bath, living room, kitchen, dining area with a fireplace, and a mud room.  Our son and his wife (with a little one on the way) will be moving into this space. 

Our house sits on 1.5 acres of flat land (my husband is extremely excited about this feature also...no more mowing grass on an incline)  We have a double car garage and two other drive ways on the property.  Two large storage buildings in the back yard (you will see photos of those when I cover the back of the house. 

So, now to begin with the photos...WARNING - this post will be full of photos.  All of these photos are from the MLS listing for this house or the ones I personally took when we went to see it.  (I will add other photos of us moving in and getting rooms set up within the next two weeks)

Here is the front exterior of our home. 

List of things to do for this area include:

*new roof (probably in 2014)

*Stage with porch furniture, greenery, décor items

*hang our American flag from the flag pole

*re-paint the porch floor.  It is fading and needs some updating

 

 

This is the back of the house.  You can see the sun porch to the left and a large deck on the right.  Underneath you can see the entrance to the downstairs level with it's own patio area. 

 List of things to do for this area include:

*pressure wash and re-stain decking

*add our deck furniture (probably get a new umbrella)

*spruce it up a bit with color with décor items

 

 

Next is our yard: including front, side and back (I just love all of the rock work in the landscaping) 

This is in the side yard

 

Part of the front yard

more front yard

Back yard with the two storage buildings.  The one on the right is mine (for furniture painting, staining, etc...) and the other one is my husband's to keep lawn mower and yard equipment in.  I think it's only fair to share, right?   

 

Side back yard right off of the deck.

 



Not a lot we have planned for the yard spaces yet...but we will keep you updated.  I am waiting to see what is already planted and will bloom this year and then will make some plans from there. 

 

On to the Living Room: The large window to the left in the first photo is a nice bay window. 

List of things to do for this are include:

*Pick color and paint

*remove current curtain rods and rehang higher and replace curtains

*may need a new rug for this room (the one I have may have to go in another space)

*add crown molding

 

Finally (for today) the Dining Room:

List of things to do for this area include:

*paint above the chair rail (I have a very dark brown I am planning on for this)

*add chandelier (currently they have a ceiling fan with lights in there...yuck)

*remove current curtain rods and rehang higher and replace curtains

*get a new table and chairs that fit better in the space than our current ones (future wish - not a necessity right now) 

*possibly a round or oval rug

*add crown molding

*new china cabinet or hutch

 

 

I am pretty positive that I have left some things off of the lists that I have created for each space.  But I am a list-girl.  These will be added to, marked off and changed so many times it isn't funny.  Hey, but it's my house, and I can do whatever I want to, right? 

 

I hope you have enjoyed the first peek into our new home.  More to come.  I hope you stick around for the transformations also. 

 

Be blessed and have a wonderful Monday.

Cherri

Yard Sale Finds - Score!

We are in the 'home-buying' process so I am being very strict with myself on spending money.  We never know what unexpected necessary costs will come up that we need to be prepared for.  (and all the fun things I will want to buy for the new house)  So with that in mind, I had decided to hold off on yard sales until we have signed all the final papers (should be around the end of June).  However, there were a few 'whole neighborhood' sales that were a bit too tempting.  So, I did get out for just a little bit this past Saturday.  And boy and I glad I did.

Look at what I came across.  I have always wanted an old trunk.  I have actually bid on several at auctions but they went for higher than I was prepared to pay.  But this little gem was just sitting there waiting for me to come by.  It is in great shape too. 

 I have always loved baskets.  Especially unique ones.  I love this large round one that I found.  I paid only $3 for it and I think it was well worth it.  The rectangle basket will be great for storage in my scrap room or to hold DVD's, CD's or such. 

 Below is an additional storage container, it's metal and very sturdy.  It even has a place for a label on the front so I can tag it as to what is store in there.  To the left (in the large round basket) is a nice apron that they threw in at no charge. 

 Love, love this basket.  I have many ideas and plans for it in our new home. 

I only made purchases at two yard sales.  The trunk was at one and all the other items were at the other one.  Total spent on all items was $56.  Wow - what a deal.  I am very, very please with my finds. 

We are buying a house!!!

Just over three years ago, God began nudging us to put our current house, in Western NC, on the market and relocate to Virginia, to be near my twin sister, Terri!, and her family.  You see, we have not lived in the same area since our early 20's.  She moved away for school and I got married and started a family and these things took us in two different directions. 

It just took twenty years for us to do something about it.  Mark and I made the decision to make the move and trust God in 'ALL' things.  Our two biggest concerns were selling our home in a down market and me finding a job in the new area.  I have been with the same company for many years and had worked my way into a management position.  Finding a job and maintaining my current salary could have been difficult.  But God!  That's all I have to say.  The first family that looked at our home made an offer (a good offer) and we accepted it.  The day I gave a notice at work (45 day notice) they came to me with a proposition.  They wanted to create a new position for me, so that I could work from home (no matter where I lived) to keep me with the company.  How cool is that?  Isn't God amazing.  He totally took care of our two main concerns.  It was a no brainer that we were meant to make this move. 


Well, in moving, we left a lot of our family back in Western NC.  My parents, four of our children (grown or living with their other parent), and my brother and his family.  So, in moving here, we weren't exactly sure of how long we would be here.  Would be get home sick for the rest of our family and want to move back.  So, we decided to lease a home instead of buying right away.  That was three years ago, this past February.  We feel like God is showing us that the time is now to put down 'deeper' roots here in this area. 

We began our search about three weeks ago.  We met with our realtor and had a long list of homes that we wanted to see.  Wouldn't you know it.  The very first home was it.  We got back into our car after the walk through and both agreed that we didn't need to see any other houses that this one was IT!!  Now, being the analytical person that I sometimes can be, we did our due diligence and saw the rest of the houses but this one had already stolen our heart. 

So, a week later, after much prayer and many discussions and another visit to the house, we made an offer.  With offers and counter-offers behind us, we have now come to an agreement on a price and the contract has been signed.  We are hoping to close by the end of June.  We are so excited to become home-owners again.  The past three years have felt very transitional.  And I now realize that this has been difficult for me.

Over the next few months, I will document our moving process, decorating process, and the overall making this new home 'our home'.  I am glad that you are along for the ride. 

Blessings,
Cherri

A little bit about our new home.  It is a ranch with a full (completed) lower level.  It has just over 3500 sq ft.  Five bedrooms, three full baths.  Complete mother-in-law suite downstairs with full kitchen.  A beautiful sun porch, dining room, living room, and den on the main level...two fire places all on 1 1/2 acres of land. 

December Daily - Days 6 thru 9

We went out of town this weekend so I was not at home to document these days in my December Daily.  So, today I am posting to 'catch up'.  Below are my days 6 thru 9.  Lots of photos - please enjoy.

Day 6 - began with coffee with my good friend Charlotte.  The our son was in the Vinton Christmas Parade that evening.

Close up of the left side of my Day 6

Christmas Parade - photo is a bit dark.  Our son in the one on the left playing the base.

All of us at the parade

Cherri (me) and Terri!

Lyndsey, Terri!, Robert, Laura, Jonathan and my husband Mark

Day 7 - Terri's friend Heather came in to town and I helped her surprise Terri!

Eating dinner at Abuelo's

Us Christmas shopping and acting goofy.

Did another spread to include more info about the evening.

My journalling about the surprise.

The three of us have a 'tradition' of going to Starbucks each year and getting their Christmas mug.  Here we are again.  Must keep up with traditions.

Day 8 - Our wedding anniversary in on the 11th (a week day) so we went out of town today to celebrate.  We went to The Homestead on Hot Springs, VA.  It was lovely.  This was our first time there and we have a great little get-away.

In the white envelope I journalled about the weekend and added additional photos from our trip.

additional photos.

Another spread to share more about Day 8

The front of The Homestead at night decorated for the Holidays.

We sat in the library and played checkers.  Don't ask Mark who won...I stomped him. 

Day 9 - Mark and I finished up our 'weekend away' for our anniversary and when we got back home, Buddy from The Cake Boss was at our local grocery store signing autographs and having photos taken with fans.  I went right over and met my twin sister and her kids there. 

Before leaving The Homestead - this gorgeous Christmas Tree in their lobby.  We actually used this photo as our Christmas Card photo this  year. 

Full spread showing the next two pages.

Jonathan and Laura with Buddy

Lyndsey with Buddy - Lyndsey is a really good baker.  She could probably work for Buddy at some point.  She loves to bake. 

Next two page spread of our visit with Buddy from Cake Boss

Me and my twin sister, Terri!

Jonathan and Buddy 'blowing it up'!

The whole gang after seeing buddy.

Terri and Cherri

Laura, Jonathan and Lyndsey - my nieces and nephew