Did that title give you a little thrill?
I sure hope so. I’ve missed all of you, too.
So, you ask, what was the big deal that took me away from blogging for so long?
Well, folks, I just didn’t have time, or energy, for blogging. I was busy with the full-time Job From Hell while trying to get my life settled again after ….
Buying a new home and selling my prior home!
The last day – both exciting and sad.
As usual, Cordelia’s Mom did everything backwards. While most empty-nesters search for a senior apartment or a small ranch house with minimum maintenance, we opted to go from a 987 square foot, one-bath saltbox on 1/8 acre to a 1282 square foot, one-and-a-half bath colonial on 1/3 acre.
View from side of house
There are stories galore in that experience, and I’m seriously considering writing a book about my house-hunting adventure. I’ve checked with a few, more experienced blogging friends, and they seem supportive of the idea. I don’t know how long it will take to finalize the project, but you’ll see the finished product here first. Are you excited? I know I am!
Meanwhile, I intend to bore all of you with the ongoing household issues. The house we bought was built in 1939, and we purchased from the original family (that’s right, we’re only the second family living in this house since 1939!). The downstairs was never updated, and the upstairs dormer addition seems to have been built in the late 1950s/early 1960s.
The kitchen is so tiny that we had to buy apartment-size appliances and a small folding table.
We don’t cook much any more, so these are just fine.
The kitchen sink is in the original metal cabinet – it was all the rage back then, but not so much now.
Yup, this kitchen definitely will need updating!
Lots of work – but with a certain amount of cash and lots of elbow grease, we can make it beautiful.
It may be old, dirty and disgusting, but it has good bones, and definite possibilities (just look at that interior architecture!) – and it’s ours.
An arched doorway and built-in knickknack shelf. Who doesn’t love that?
Have you wondered the last few months why I was re-posting all those renovation stories about the old house? Well, guess what – you’ll get to join me in doing it all over again in the new house – new windows, new bathroom, new paint. And a new fence, so Puppy Cody – who’s used to running free in a fully fenced-in yard – can finally enjoy her new home.
View from upstairs window – I can’t wait until that baby is fenced in!
Puppy Cody and I are getting seriously tired of those walks on leash at 6:00 am every morning. Puppy Cody definitely does NOT like walking on leash, and I think I may need rotator cuff surgery by the time we’re done, what with all the pulling and balking.
And you gotta know, based on how things generally go for me, that there will be lots of enthralling stories during the construction.
Stick with me, everyone. It’s going to be another fun ride.
(BTW, I haven’t seen Not CM around in awhile. I’m not sure she made the move to the new house with us … only time will tell.)
Love to every one of my loyal readers!
__________
I love to hear from my readers. You may comment on this post, comment on my Facebook or Twitter pages, or email me at cordeliasmom2012@yahoo.com
__________
Images by Cordelia’s Mom
Cordelia's Mom, Still 
the best thing about the metal cabinets is they are nearly mice proof…the bad thing they rust…congrats on getting such a cool place…write your book…there’s never just one DIY book about flipping a house…yours will find a niche too
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I think I fell in love with the house because of the metal cabinet – it reminded me of the house I grew up in!
LikeLiked by 2 people
they have an endearing charm
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks like the start of a grand adventure. I would focus on the fence. Let that dog run free.
LikeLike
My thoughts, exactly, Dan. The fence guy was the very first contractor I lined up. Should be here in another 2 weeks.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Welcome back really missed you 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Willow. I missed you, too.
LikeLike
💗🌹😁
LikeLike
Best of luck with the new digs.
LikeLike
Thanks, Jane. I’m looking forward to spring when I can get back into a little gardening.
LikeLike
Yay! Can’t wait to hear all about it. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Victo. I foresee some email communication in our future, if you’re up for it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Alrighty then! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations! Twice! I love the sink. I’d fall in love, too. We are the second family in our 1920 home, but only because three generations lived here before us.
I think 1500ish is perfect for a couple and a bit cozier/crowded, but livable for a family. This is the smallest house we’ve lived in and we’re both THRILLED with it, so I think you will be, too.
Lovely yard, gorgeous old bones! 😀 Hurrah!
LikeLike
Thanks, Joey. You house is even older than mine! Actually, mine was last lived in by the daughter of the couple who owned it originally. The daughter died earlier this year, and we bought it from her estate, We were able to get it below market value because it hadn’t been updated, and the heirs were in a hurry to get rid of it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It is my humble opinion that updates done to sell a house are not as desirable as updates done by those who live in the house. You will have things as you please and that’s even better than below market value 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So exciting! Making a home your own. Designing it to fit your needs and functionality of living is the most wonderful experience! And so worth all the work!
If only designing careers were as easy! 🙂
Love the architecture of the house —–the arch. Love that!
Look forward to seeing the changes!
Best of luck!
LikeLike
It was the land that ultimately sold me. In this area, a 1/3 acre lot is unusual, at least in a price range that I can afford, and close enough to shopping and hospitals to make it livable.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sounds ideal.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a beautiful house, CM! And I’m amazed it’s still in such amazing conditions. Looking forward to your renovation stories. （*’∀’人）♥
LikeLike
Thanks, NBC, but the photos make it look a lot better than it is. The last owner was an extreme smoker, and the everything is stained and smelly. It’s going to take some heavy work to get it in shape.
LikeLiked by 1 person
All the best, CM! ~ヾ(＾∇＾)
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’re thrilled to have you back, and look forward to seeing you (and hubby, and Cody, and maybe one or more of the elusive daughters) and the new/old house in person! 😀
LikeLike
Ha! I don’t even see my elusive daughters very much. They’re too busy with their own lives, the little snots. 🙂
LikeLike
Yay! Wondered where you’d gone! We are following suit and waiting for a completion date.
Your new house looks great. I shall be taking pictures of ours too, but it will mostly be empty rooms! The before and after pics should therefore be quite spectacular!
Welcome back!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You know I was just dying to say something while reading your house-hunting stories, but I didn’t want to jinx myself.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know the feeling. We kept quiet for a while after the first and second went tits up. Now we are STILL waiting for the vendor’s solicitor to get her act together. We are now into our 4th week, which is pretty good going these days, but have heard instances of 2 or 4 days for people in a similar position…….. ie only ones in the chain, cash buyers, etc. We thiught as the solicitors were the same company but different offices, it would speed things up a little. On a good note, it is actually sving us a bank transfer fee as the funds account is the same for both clients!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I put the offer in on my house in March, and we didn’t close until August. Many times I felt like just giving up. I’m glad I didn’t.
LikeLike
It’s taken just over four weeks, so we are quite pleased. Neighbours across the way had completion in 4 days (previous property, not the one they are living in), yet neighbours further down are still waiting after 6 months for completion on the sale of the excess property following their marriage.
LikeLike
Good luck.
LikeLike
Congratulations. Our space is about 1350 square feet on the first floor where we love. There’s another 1000 feet downstairs, but we use it mainly for storage and doing the laundry. That’s not a huge amount of space, especially if you are going to have guest space and/or office space. And having extra space is fine, as long as you don’t let it get ahead of you. I just wish someone else would repair and clean ours! And we didn’t have stairs.
LikeLike
love=live — TYPO SQUAD MESSAGE!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The funny thing is, Marilyn, that the new house seems smaller in some ways than the old house. Although, at least now I do have a dining area – and a pantry in the basement. We also now have an entry hall – at the old house, you walked right into the living room. But the best part is the outdoor space, and the fact that we seem to have good neighbors. I feel like I can sit out on the front stoop if I want without being hassled. That alone is priceless.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And, so thankfully for you, the hubby and Cody … you’re rid of those nasty neighbors! I hope the tales of the new squad around this lovely house of yours are bright, my friend. Congratulations, CM. I look forward to great stories to come.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have wonderful new neighbors, Mark. Friendly, but not overly so, and it’s so quiet at night. It’s nice to not hear obnoxious pre-teens shrieking all night long.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my goodness – that is so awesome! Congratulations on this new adventure. I’m looking forward to updates.
LikeLike
Thanks, Kalista. I intend to make this house beautiful again.
LikeLike
Congratulations on your new home and I’m glad you are back! I would read your book,too!
LikeLike
Thanks, Nick. That’s just the comment I needed tonight!
LikeLiked by 1 person
YAY CM! So glad to see you back 🙂
Congratulations on the new house 🙂 🙂 🙂 and I don’t blame you for hiding out while you-guyz went through the ups and downs and maybe drug-out process of that.
LikeLike
Thanks, Karen. I was mostly just afraid I’d jinx myself if I wrote about the experience as I was going through it.
LikeLike
Pingback: Paid In Full | Cordelia's Mom, Still
Pingback: Give Me Land, Lots Of Land … | Cordelia's Mom, Still
Pingback: When Push Came to Shove | Cordelia's Mom, Still
nice post👌👌💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you – and welcome to the blogosphere!
LikeLike
Most Welcome😊
LikeLike
Pingback: Classic Fail | Cordelia's Mom, Still
Pingback: Dear Santa … | Cordelia's Mom, Still
LOL Good luck, moving and getting your new home set up the way you want it is a challenge. Great post. I loved all the pictures!
LikeLike
Thank you for joining me. The new house is coming along nicely. Hopefully by spring, most of the renovations will have been completed. I plan to post “after” pictures – definitely something to look forward to.
LikeLike
Pingback: Restart: Circles Within Circles | Cordelia's Mom, Still
Pingback: Don’t Shoot / DO Shoot | Cordelia's Mom, Still
Pingback: Come On! Really? | Cordelia's Mom, Still
Pingback: Company! | Cordelia's Mom, Still