Wow, is all I can say...LOL :) Enjoy!
5.29.2008
Before & After
So I mentioned that Jessica and I wanted to do some updates and remodeling projects around the house to truly give it our own unique touch. Well, the first of those major changes occured the weekend after we purchased the home, when we painted nearly 95% of the entire interior. The change was amazing, and we have since been searching for our "next project." Tonight, we took on and completed just such a task. The interesting coincidence is that we actually got the idea when Jessica was playing around with a picture that she had taken here in the house. Using some very basic picture editing techniques, we realized how awesome our fireplace would look if it were painted a dark brown instead of the stark white that was currently there. So, we went to The Home Depot, got a few cans of Expresso colored spray paint, and went to work. The results are below, and I hope that you can appreciate the drastic difference it has made in our living room as much as we do.
AFTER
We have some other projects lined up in the future, but they will all be much more extensive. We plan on ripping up the patio in our backyard and creating an extension of our dining room in a way by making a whole new patio area with a place for the grill, a water feature, and lots of space for tables and chairs, maybe even a firepit.
In the kitchen, we are wanting to lay some slate or tile on the floors, install new granite countertops with a new deep sink, add in a backsplash above the countertop, and maybe even add some different types of moulding to the cabinets that are already there. It will be beautiful when it is finished, and if we keep our heads below the clouds, we can actually accomplish the entire project for less than a couple thousand dollars. Not bad for a complete transformation!
In the main living areas of the home, we are wanting to install hardwood floors and crown moulding, giving our home a very luxurious feel.
In our master suite, we are going to install crown moulding, new tile floors in the bathroom, a new granite countertop with the sinks that pearch atop the counter, new mirrors, tiled surround on the garden tub, and a brand new tiled shower. That will be a major renovation by itself, so we save that one for last. In the end, however, our home will look completely different that it currently does, and we will hopefully be able to accomplish our goals with a minor monetary investment.
I will post more pictures as we continue to improve our home, and we hope to have many more parties and cookouts in the very near future so we may share our blessings with those that we know and love.
Rested Ramblings
I am sleeping so well now, thanks to the new mattress that we had delivered last Saturday. For the first time in months, possibly even years, I can wake up each morning and actually feel as if I have had a great night's sleep. Our old mattress was just that...OLD. I am almost certain that Jessica came by it more than 14 years ago, and it has seen some rough times along the way. Since we have been married, I would wake up in the middle of the night only to find Jessica lying almost on top of me due to the large slump created in the middle of the mattress. I don't like to be hot when I sleep, and I need my own sleeping space, so naturally I was not happy by these discoveries at 2 and 3 o'clock in the morning. Our new mattress is amazing, however, and even sits on an adjustable base. You could never imagine how amazing it feels to sleep with your head and feet just slightly inclined so as to get them about 30 degrees above you heart for maximum blood flow and limited air passage restriction. Sorry, now I'm getting into the specs, but I won't bore you with those.
Keeping with the theme of new things, we are slowly trying to improve our new home a little at a time. We have been there 3 months now, and although it still has not completely set in with me that this is our "home," I do enjoy returning every evening from work and knowing that I have a beautiful place to live. We are going to attempt to paint/stain the fascade around our fireplace, which is currently just white. Who knows exactly how this will go, or what the outcome will look like, but in our minds it is already beautiful. Now we just need to start looking for some furniture to replace our "ecclectic" pieces that just don't seem to be fitting of their new surroundings. Little-by-little I know, because that is probably one of the more expensive aspects of owning a home. We have a lot of other big projects in mind, but I will go over those in another post.
Keeping with the theme of new things, we are slowly trying to improve our new home a little at a time. We have been there 3 months now, and although it still has not completely set in with me that this is our "home," I do enjoy returning every evening from work and knowing that I have a beautiful place to live. We are going to attempt to paint/stain the fascade around our fireplace, which is currently just white. Who knows exactly how this will go, or what the outcome will look like, but in our minds it is already beautiful. Now we just need to start looking for some furniture to replace our "ecclectic" pieces that just don't seem to be fitting of their new surroundings. Little-by-little I know, because that is probably one of the more expensive aspects of owning a home. We have a lot of other big projects in mind, but I will go over those in another post.
5.28.2008
New Beginnings
Well, this is my first time in many years to actually write something in a blog. Hopefully this time around, I will be a lot more diligent in keeping this thing updated, and actually attempt to get some use out of it.
There are no words to exactly describe how I am feeling right now, but I will make the effort to relate to you my life as it stands today. I have finally begun my full-time position at Student Life as Inventory and Facilities Specialist. Basically I am in charge of the entire Student Life inventory located in the warehouse, and making sure that our camp teams are equipped with everything they need to do their jobs out on the road over the summer. In addition to that monumental task, I am also asked to be the contact person for any vendors that we at Student Life use when it comes to maintaing the building and the grounds. If something breaks or needs replacing, it is my job to see it done. This will be a very integral position within the company, and I excitedly look to the future and what doors this will potenially open in other areas of ministry.
I will continue to do Real Estate part time, mainly because I still have a passion for the business, and also because the extra money will definitely be a boon to our financial situation at home. I can only hope that things will continue to improve in the market, and that I am able to do my absolute best for my clients, who will now consist mainly of friends and referrals only. It will be nice to no longer have to live strictly on commissions, and having the paid benefits from Student Life will put even more money every month into our pockets at home.
Jessica and I have not been disciplined at all in attending church since we purchased our home in late February. We miss our friends that we had made there, but more importantly we miss the weekly interaction and spiritual renewal that can only come through devoted worship among other believers. Chris's messages were always inspiring, and although we can always watch them online, so much of the impact his words have come from the conviction of the moment as you sit before the presence of the Lord. What an amazing experience. It is shameful that we have neglected our priorities as easily as we have.
It is late, and although I would love to continue to write, it is best saved for another day when I have the time to really think on my words, and deliver my thoughts to you properly. It is good to be back on the virtual platform, and I look forward to sharing many things with you.
Blessings,
J. Tyler
There are no words to exactly describe how I am feeling right now, but I will make the effort to relate to you my life as it stands today. I have finally begun my full-time position at Student Life as Inventory and Facilities Specialist. Basically I am in charge of the entire Student Life inventory located in the warehouse, and making sure that our camp teams are equipped with everything they need to do their jobs out on the road over the summer. In addition to that monumental task, I am also asked to be the contact person for any vendors that we at Student Life use when it comes to maintaing the building and the grounds. If something breaks or needs replacing, it is my job to see it done. This will be a very integral position within the company, and I excitedly look to the future and what doors this will potenially open in other areas of ministry.
I will continue to do Real Estate part time, mainly because I still have a passion for the business, and also because the extra money will definitely be a boon to our financial situation at home. I can only hope that things will continue to improve in the market, and that I am able to do my absolute best for my clients, who will now consist mainly of friends and referrals only. It will be nice to no longer have to live strictly on commissions, and having the paid benefits from Student Life will put even more money every month into our pockets at home.
Jessica and I have not been disciplined at all in attending church since we purchased our home in late February. We miss our friends that we had made there, but more importantly we miss the weekly interaction and spiritual renewal that can only come through devoted worship among other believers. Chris's messages were always inspiring, and although we can always watch them online, so much of the impact his words have come from the conviction of the moment as you sit before the presence of the Lord. What an amazing experience. It is shameful that we have neglected our priorities as easily as we have.
It is late, and although I would love to continue to write, it is best saved for another day when I have the time to really think on my words, and deliver my thoughts to you properly. It is good to be back on the virtual platform, and I look forward to sharing many things with you.
Blessings,
J. Tyler
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