I will never be an expert on this subject.

Sanding, scraping, not having a kitchen… this is not my comfort zone. But I have been learning a lot.

1. Take breaks not shortcuts. This one is hard for me. Unlike Texan I am not detail oriented. I am also quite lazy when it comes to physical labor. I want to be done more than I want perfection. BUT this is going to be our house for awhile and we need to do things right. Sometimes this means taking a step back a reminding yourself what this work is going to.
2. Speaking of breaks… make them a date. Spend this time not talking about the house what color to paint the walls. Laugh about the dumb shows you’re watching at night because you are too tired to talk by then.
3. If you are having trouble making a decision, give yourself more time rather than more options. We have been using the same rule we had for wedding planning… 24 hours before you totally shoot down or agree on something. And avoid having more than seven options. My brief (4ish years whatevs) stint as a psychology major taught me that if a person has more than 7 options they will probably never make a decision at all.
4. Expect things things to go wrong. Two branches so far have have been day ruiners for us. These days you have to take a step back maybe even let the tree branches have that day. You’ll take the next one.
5. Expect advice, opinions…and suggestions based on the show “Fixer Upper.” Typically I don’t handle suggestions well but maybe my lack of knowledge in this area (or maybe Texan’s manners are rubbing off on me) has me more open. I like the fact that people have cared enough to have idea. Our current home has been a place for dinners, game nights, and movie marathons, so help with making this new home the same and better is appreciated.

Hopefully some “before and after” pictures will happen soon. Maybe it’s the photographer in me but I can’t bring myself to share until I have some paint on the walls.

Our little house has a skylight. My feelings on it are undecided.

Lots of house related lettering