This is happening...

Yup, my little house, my first home, is on the market. It's actually been on the market for a couple of months now. Thank goodness I am not in a hurry!

Why am I selling? I don't want to do things to my home for the sake of resale value, but just for us. I feel like I'd be better off doing that in a home that I can see us living in for the long term, if not forever. This home, while wonderful and in a perfect location, isn't quite big enough for raising a family in the way that we want. I'd also like to be settled somewhere before that someday-family is a reality.

Where am I moving to? I really don't know. I want to stay in Kitsap County, probably something a bit more central but specifics depend on a lot of factors including the boyfriend's school schedule and future place of employment, but somewhere that doesn't increase my commute time too drastically either. Depending on when I sell, I may be at my parents' for a bit to save some money while we look for a place to buy or perhaps to rent while the boyfriend finishes school. Again, there are a lot of factors!

The hardest part? The unknown, the waiting... and living in my home without really being able to live in my home. There have been many times that I look for something only to remember that I've packed it away already... and days where I don't feel like making my bed or do the dishes, but know that I should just in case someone wants to have a showing.

I wish I could just swap this house for one that's a bit bigger. It will be difficult to leave this neighborhood, but I'm optimistic that the right house in the right location will come along.

Until then... more waiting.

succulant

{I created a new category: Simple Things. For those simple things in life that make me happy, make me smile, bring me joy and contentment. No words are needed. Just a photo. This is just the first. Enjoy. :)}

year two of homeowner-ness: the lessons

Year two of being a homeowner didn't bring many new, profound lessons with it like my first year of homeownership did.

year two of homeowner-ness: the changes

As of August 27, I have two full years of being a homeowner under my belt. Last year I wrote a post documenting some of the projects I completed in my first year... so I figured I should do the same for year-two! (I also wrote about the lessons learned during my first year, most of which still apply to year-two.)

Without further ado... here's (most of) what went down this past year in my lil' home:

I made a simple piece of tea inspired art for my kitchen.

i love my home

I can't believe I've been a homeowner for 2 years now (tomorrow). Yikes!

All of the crazy stress and doubts and house hunting leading up to finding my home were well worth it in the end. I have a home that I love. It might not be my forever-home, but it is a perfect right-now-home.

Granted, there are still things I want to do... but I love projects, so it's almost more for fun than for a true need (although I hope some of the things I want to do will add function, like my built-in bookcases and window seat for my master bedroom).

me time

Tonight is the first night in weeks that I don't have any plans... no meetings, no road trips, no weddings.

And I am so excited! A night to myself to finally catch up on things. There's a ton I want/need to do and I want to do it all--but that's not realistic.

I definitely need groceries. I pride myself in being able to make a meal out of almost nothing... but my fridge hasn't been this empty since I moved in. Even I can't do much with soy milk, cheese, and salsa. First on the list: food.

I am actually looking forward (for once) to mowing my grass. The so-called "lawn" around my house is more like a jungle of dandelions that got out of control while I was away in Calgary and then California. It mocks me every time I pull into my driveway. Tonight I hope to tame it.

The Hill Garden

This is what I refer to as my "hill garden." It's the little slope/hill/bank area that separates my upper lawn next to the dog kennel from the smaller, lower lawn.

oh well

90% of the time I love being a homeowner.

I can do just about whatever I want to my home and property, I'm not paying rent to pay off the mortgage of a landlord, it's an investment, I feel accomplished when I tackle projects successfully, etc.

But then there are the rare occasions that it would be nice to not be the one responsible for maintaining a household and property.

Like when I am in the shower mid-cleansing routine with conditioner in my hair and cleanser on my face and I lose water pressure... and then there's no water at all. Fantastic.