I've got a little story for ya.
When Bud and I lived in D.C., we had a really lovely townhome. Bud often says it's the nicest house we will ever own. However, the bank owned significantly more of it than we did. But I digress.
Our bedroom was on the top floor and had wall to wall windows overlooking the beautiful woods behind us. We had cased windows - the kind that you crank and they open to the outside? That was an amazing thing to this Texas gal, Texas being the home of basic aluminum windows.
When we made the decision to move back to Texas, we had all the windows cleaned before the house went on the market. Our bedroom was on the top of the two story townhouse with a walk out basement - it was way up there. So we'd never cleaned those windows ourselves. When we walked into the bedroom after the windows had been cleaned, we both gasped. It was so breathtaking with the lovely sparkling windows and the gorgeous view out back. Why were we just getting around to doing this for someone else to enjoy? Why had we never done that for ourselves? I honestly don't know.
Which brings me to today. We've been living in this house for six and half years - longer than we've lived anywhere in our marriage, and only the second longest I've lived anywhere in my life! I often say it's the nicest house we'll ever live in, even though the square footage and appraisal and Bud don't necessarily agree with me. I really love our home. And we've got a lot of "dirty windows" so to speak. Things that need to get done, so we can fully enjoy the house, but that we've been putting off.
Also, six years is enough time for clutter to creep into various closets and cupboards, and for random things to float around the house, not really having a home of their own. Plenty of time for small repairs to accumulate, and plenty of dings in the paint to show.
So here's the plan. Next week Bud goes to San Francisco for Semicon. I'm not going this year, as money is tight. But while he is gone, I'm doing a total clean sweep. Emptying out every closet, cupboard, nook and cranny, cleaning, and replacing things where they belong. Selling things on Craigs List and dropping items off at Good Will. Making a list for each room for repairs, replacements, needed items, and desired additions.
Then, in one week, when Bud gets home, he'll have a master list of odd jobs to whack away at one at a time when he has a free hour here or there. I'll have master list of projects to complete to make the house a lovelier home than I think it already is.
So, even though we're not moving just now, I want us to enjoy our little abode. After all, home is where the heart is. And who wants to keep their heart somewhere with dirty windows?
So check back on Monday, when I'll begin reporting daily on my progress and posting pictures of what I've done. If you'd like to join me, even on a smaller scale, I hope you will, just leave a comment that you'll be doing the same thing.
What one thing have you put off doing that you should really do now to enjoy your life more?
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