In 1997, we (the ex and I) bought a house from an "old" lady. i don't know how old she was but maybe not much older than I am now. The house was built in the early 60's and hadn't been updated in the intervening years.I couldn't understand how she had never updated but now, as my kitchen nears it's 26th birthday, I have become the old lady who doesn't update and I am finally starting to get the house I always hoped for.
One consequence of being married to an abuser was that he didn't want anything to be nice for us, didn't want to spend the money, would have a melt down if I ever dared get a tradesman to do anything.
Back in 2000 we replaced the very basic old kitchen but the walls were never painted. In the early 2000s I took the peeling floral wallpaper down from the bathroom, hoping that my efforts to help would make it easier for ex to do a fresh coat of paint. The bathroom was never painted, either.
After ex left, I had no money and then when things got a bit better I was unsure whether I should invest anything into the house but a few weeks ago, I decided I would do a small improvement every month.
The broken security screen door has been replaced, I bought a new door mat and then I took a bigger step: Yesterday the kitchen and bathroom were painted. I am so pleased. I wish I had done it before.
Lasy year I saw the Griffith Citrus Festival advertised but was unable to go. I made sure I was able to get there this year and I will head off in a few days. Between the time when i booked and now, I have lost the desire to go. It is unusual for me but I'm not looking forward to it. I feel like a six hour drive is too much, I want to just mooch around home and not make an effort but I have booked my motel and I have decided to go and I am hoping I'll enjoy it once I get going.
I love your improvements, sometimes small things lift the spirit. I will be livestreaming Sue's funeral tonight (10.30pm my time, noon in Canberra). May she rest in power.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
Im sure the funeral will reflect who Sue really was. You had better have tissues.
DeleteAbuse is a difficult life to escape from but then you know that.
ReplyDeleteI never did find a way to escape but I leant to distance myself and without any control he decided to leave. I wish I had found the courage.
DeleteThank you, Red
Good that you can now get a tradesman in without your husband blowing a gasket. The new paintwork goes very well with the kitchen cabinets. We've never done any serious updating either, our excuse being that if and when we sell the house the new owner will want to change everything anyway.
ReplyDeleteThats exactly right, Nick. And we don't need the waste
DeleteWe have been intending to gut and redo our master bath for about 3 years now. Nothing has happened!
ReplyDeleteThere's so much dust and inconvenience for a new bathroom so i'm not surprised!
DeleteA repaint lifts the spirits! Yours looks much more homely now.
ReplyDeleteAfter I've had a blitz I usually want to stay home and enjoy it!
Sx
Im so pleased. I have new lights to put in but one is the wrong size and I need to return it.
DeleteI think I'm just a but tired and going away needs thought and preparation
As the blogpost title says - your home is looking clean and colourful. I have no real idea what the Griffith Citrus Festival is but I imagine that visitors have to dress up like their favourite citrus fruits. Will you be going as a lemon Kylie? I hope you have a safe and easy drive there.
ReplyDeleteThere are sculptures made from citrus fruits. Stand by for photos.
DeleteI wont be dressing as a lemon but i will try to stay safe. Thanks Neil 😊
A small improvement every month is easy to do, not expensive and raises the mood. Changing the cushions on the couch made me feel better, as did adding a small espresso machine on the kitchen bench.
ReplyDeleteGood coffee is always a nice option to have!
DeleteI have some new lights to install and after that I think a new mattress is the priority.