With a new adventure at my feet, I’m here to say that you’ll want to join me in this ground level. I’m not only beginning anew in my brand, but also in a new home after 22 years living in my former home. With that, let’s begin with a new home before outside tour, shall we?
If you joined me earlier this week, you saw that I had all the blessings line up to be able to list my old home in a blink, bid on another, and close both homes one day after my one-year divorce anniversary. Read the full “moving on” story HERE.
If that doesn’t make your head spin, I don’t know what will.
Welcome to my kids’ and my new home.
This is what I saw when I first snooped on it online.
LET THE TOUR BEGIN
If you’ve been with me the last few years, there’s been many a time that I have said I want less. While I’ve always said I could have taken my former home (3 beds/1 bath 1500 sq ft home) and place in the countryside I’d be elated.
The yearn for less and LESS has deepened as I find myself a single woman that is still homeschooling her children after 20+ years and working at the same time.
Back in the day (and still even now), I looked to live off grid and would be a happy camper (literally).
However, God saw fit to work all things for my good and here we are.
A few specs that caught my attention:
- new roof, floors, windows, heat pump with mini splits, freshly painted interior
- location
- potential
Meanwhile, a few specs that were lackluster:
- no garage – I need a workshop
- two-story – I prefer ranch style homes
- location
Maybe you noticed a few things, but in particular, one thing… LOCATION.
A country gal I am and prefer little to no neighbors. I grew up running through the woods barefoot living an a few hundred acres in the middle of a state forest.
However, this too is an answer to prayer in many ways.
CLOSER LOOK
First, looking at the front, I am not loving the “cute” blue exterior. haha.
Notice all the cables and boxes on the exterior. I’ve already had those removed and it’s soooo much better. More to come off soon!
Many of you know I adore blue, but this is not my style.
The funny thing is that I don’t care for the word “cute” when referring to my home.
For instance, the sweetest appraiser came through my former home a couple of weeks ago. She told me that in all the 10,000+ homes that were appraised in her 30+ year career as an appraiser, mine was “by far the cutest home she has ever seen”. And she let me know that that’s saying alot.
Of course, that made my heart fill with gratitude that my and my family’s blood, sweat, and tears were not for naught.
So, as you see it in all the blue glory for now, it will not stay blue for long. wink, wink.
For my own sake and for your viewing pleasure, take the new home before outside tour by tapping/clicking the video below.
As you walk down the right side, there are many cables and boxes that I’ve already had removed or removed myself. I will be removing the pipe and some other non-needed things as well.
GARDEN POTENTIAL
Then, when you enter in the back yard, you see where a large outbuilding with deck between the two used to be.
Notice there are no back windows or doors on the bottom floor. I will be remedying that PRONTO.
For now, I’ve spread grass seed and am taking inventory of which plants are also left in this forgotten terraced garden.
As you can imagine, there will be oodles of sweat equity here and we’re all excited to literally dig in. See my garden and landscaping fun at my old home HERE.
Just beyond that bank is an open property with a portion of it being a spot we can clear and have a sweet view.
Here’s what I saw the very first day from my bedroom window.
This alone brought tears to my eyes.
GOD KNEW.
BUILDING TO COME
Finally, as you come back around the left side of the house, you’ll see where my new garage will be built in a couple of weeks.
Notice the two man doors on the side. One will be to access the garage where I will have an extra room planned for my weight equipment.
With that, my new home before outside tour is complete.
There is much more to come, continuing with sharing the interior tour next.
In the meantime, do pin and share to inspire others to see the potential and whip out the elbow grease!
Before you go, be sure to sign up for my FREE newsletter. Until next time!
While you’re at it, check out these other posts like new home before outside:
The first thing I thought of was Kate Winslet’s cottage in The Holiday. Excited to watch you make it your own. I admire your fortitude. Best wishes, Lorraine
How fun! Yes, it definitely gives off cottage vibes with the roofline and windows. We’re just so happy to be here. Thanks!
WOW! SO, EXCITED. I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE HOW YOU LANDSCAPE THE BACK AREA. I LOVE THAT YOU GET TO SEE NATURE. WHEN I SEE SOMETHING THAT I DON’T USUALLY SEE (LIKE THE DEER IN YOUR CLEARING) I ALWAYS KNOW THAT’S GODS WAY OF TELLING ME EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE OKAY!!! HOW ARE YOUR FOUR LEGGED CHILDREN LIKING THE NEW HOMESTEAD? I HOPE THIS MOVE GIVES YOU PEACE AND JOY!! CAN’T WAIT TO SEE IT ALL.
{{happy dancin!!}} Thank you so much, Robin! You and me both on God’s little messengers. Loula has officially spotted her first deer and let the whole neighborhood know from inside my house. haha! Loula has adjusted awesomely (I’ll share more soon) and so has Ivan. Lily, my senior gal, is kinda in a funk but is coming out slowly as I expected for a 13 year old displaced. 😉 Thanks for asking. 😉
Love it!!! Congratulations and wishes for many happy years ahead. I cannot wait to see the inside!! Proud of you!!
I can’t say enough how much your words mean, truly. Yours and other as my online family have my back. Thank you, Mary-Beth.
I am totally amazed by what you have accomplished. Your new home has so much potential….which is super exciting! I can’t wait to see what you will do with it. The back yard is wonderful. It is a blank slate. I cannot wait to see the interior and the garage! Kyle & I moved to separate ourselves from all the hell that we endured with our toxic family. It has been almost 10 years and truly the best decision we could have made. We struggle but we now have peace and happy memories. I could not be more happy for you…and so very proud of how far you have come on your journey. The best is yet to come… 🩷
You just made my day, Dale. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I’m so glad you got away and able to find peace. Family is to love and support, not cause use to die inside and out.
Thanks for the well wishes!
I am so happy and excited for you and can’t wait to follow along and support your journey. Congratulations!
Thank you, thank you, Marie! We are going to be very busy in the next few months/years for sure.
POTENTIAL!
POTENTIAL!!
POTENTIAL!!
Cottage comes to mind, and so does “cute” — but since that seems negative to you, how about REALLY LOVELY COTTAGE? I am so excited for you, knowing Larissa’s creativity has been released. LOVE that you saw deer your first morning!! Such a good “sign”. Best Wishes, Larissa, for your Best Life!!
Marti
You’re so fun!
Cottage did come to mind when I first saw it too, Marti. Thanks so much for the encouragement and positive affirmation. Doing my best to heal and “move on”.