A few thoughts on our "new" house

I have watched more HGTV than you can possibly imagine. I think I may have seen every episode of Income Property. Also favorites are Holmes on Homes with Mike's signature motto "Make it right" (which we are starting to quote in our sleep), Property Virgins (hello?!), My First Place, and House Hunters. While we have learned tons, I can't say that we are well equipped with all the knowledge of what goes into fixing our first house, but I don't think we are clueless either. We actually feel like we have some sense of direction. Along with our creative instincts, I dare say, we should be okay (barring any surprises, of course). I may have to record some of the shows or at least key parts of the shows for reference material, just for my own sanity. I toss and turn some nights thinking of all that needs to be done and sometimes slip into the most scary and bizarre dreams all having to do with home repairs.

We started working on our "new" house this week. I get the feeling we will become very familiar with the Home Depot. I know someone that has a severe reaction going into the children's department at a store. She goes cold and clammy, breaks out into a sweat, her hands start to shake and can't even can't swallow her own spit. I don't necessarily experience the same symptoms, but I do get that glossy stare that just about everyone has walking in there, similar to the deer-caught-in-headlights look.You do lots of walking around in there, everything is dirty, and it seems like no matter what you want to buy, every trip there takes at least a couple of hours. Half of that time is usually spent looking for someone who can help you. This comes after a half hour or so when you finally accept the fact that you do need help. The rest of the time is more or less even split between selecting (or returning) the items, a long explanation from the store's help (that feels awfully fast), and standing in line at the registers. (Word to the wise: I would stay away from the Park Slope Home Depot. The parking lot by the main entrance always stinks really bad, you know, kind of like some subway stations. Yuck!) Here's to hoping the learning curve is large and forgiving, one that will not involve shelling out large wads of our hard-earned cash or worse, putting it on credit.

During this busy time in our lives, between the packing (and Liam unpacking) and the renovations at the "new" house, we have also had our moments of full-blown crazy, the kind that sometimes imitates a Laurel and Hardy episode or The Three Stooges. One thing goes wrong and it sets off some sort of domino effect. While it is somewhat comical at times, it's stressful, at least to me. I think you know the feeling. It usually happens at the dinner table, a picnic or basically whenever there is food involved. Not a fan of large messes. Just big successes, please. Well, I am talking about the unexpected involving home improvements and renovations. We are already coming across stuff that really needs fixing and are asking ourselves, why am I not surprised? What else is wrong in this house? If it's not one thing, it's another. It's unnerving. I just want this house safe in every way for my precious little boy.

By the way, no before-and-after pics to post yet. I can tell you that some of the before pics are a little scary. I will keep those until I have the after pics to match for a full dramatic effect.

Is it our dream home? In one word, yes. Why? While it looks like a nightmare right now, oddly enough it qualifies. It is not the prettiest package with all that we imagine a dream home to have and then some, but it is home. It feels like home. Our very first house...maybe our only house...maybe the last house we will ever own. My dream home is anywhere I can be with my sweet family.