Less Stuff, More Happiness

Inspired by this Ted Talk, my new mantra:

1. Edit Ruthlessly
2. Think Small
3. Make Multifunctional

Sad

A sad day.

More rain

We had someone come out today and look at the window and basement and someone is coming out on Friday too. For $$$ we can have the problem fixed in no time without having to take out the window! :) One guy can even start as early as Monday and be finished in the same day. I know we will get something done because getting up every few hours in the middle of the night to turn on a very loud shop vac outside and suck water out of a window is not going to sit well with the neighbors for long. I'm sure they like their sleep as much as I like mine. That, and the not having to worry about my basement flooding and ruining all my priceless possessions is also on my mind. Onward and upward!

Oh, and Thanksgiving isn't ruined! Hooray! The rain has slowed down and the window is not flooded anymore. Still damp, and still something to get fixed, but not a holiday killer!

Ugh

It has been raining really hard nonstop since last night. We have found some problems with our basement and a few spots where water is leaking in from outside. Nothing is flooded yet, but what a headache! We've gotten a lot of use out of our shop vac and I was hoping to never use that thing. I'm not sure if this was a problem for the last owner because he didn't disclose any problems, but the ground is so saturated that water is just coming up from the lower sections of the walls and from one window in particular. I guess this is what I get for buying an older home. We are having to go out there hourly to clear out gallons of water from the area outside of the window and it is only getting worse. Andy is already saying he can stay home on Thanksgiving to vacuum and my stomach is cramping up thinking about that. Hopefully things will get better in the next day or so.

Ordered/Procured

Big table for dinner parties

Small breakfast nook table

Dresser for bedroom (vintage!)

Kitchen Storage

Pretty basket

Still Need:

Dining Bench

Rugs!

Everything is coming along nicely. Most everything has been put away and we are getting to the point of being able to enjoy the house somewhat. However, there is still a lot to do and still a lot of stuff to deal with. We have  another box ready for Goodwill (how did I end up with so much crap?) and I assume there will be more. When we get the nook table and the bench, the big kitchen island will go away. I need to hang curtains this weekend and we need to finish clearing out the office. There are a lot of framed things to hang and a gazillion loads of laundry! It will get done though! We have visitors coming in a few weeks so we have a deadline, which is good for feeling a little pressure.

I read a quote today from this post on Apartment Therapy and it really struck a chord with me! I am going to keep these ideas in mind going forward.


“When you live in a small home, you must ruthlessly edit.” I’ve heard this, and it’s true! Whatever you own, takes or it gives. So surround yourselves with things that fill you. Only bring things into your home, that delight you. Be patient and watch for what makes you smile, or takes your breath away. That is how we learn our style. 

After a pretty terrible moving experience, (Movers to show up between 1-3 but don't and we don't hear from anyone until 7pm after calling and calling and calling! That, and our previous landlords calling to whine that I needed to come back over and *dust the walls.* WTF!) we are now completely moved in and most everything is put away. It took movers, a Uhaul, and about 20 car trips (thank goodness Andy could take a day off and work all day) to get everything. We've made a few ikea trips for shelving for the basement, Andy's new desk, and a few odds and ends. We've also made about 10 trips to Goodwill. It is amazing how much crap we have that we don't use and don't need. We set up the shelves in the basement and they are now our overflow pantry and canning supply area as well as a place to store extra dishes. Andy was able to hang all the camping stuff so that is off the floor. There are a few more items to deal with and things to put away, but we are on our way. So far, I am really liking the house. I sometimes think we should have held out for something a little larger, but when I can walk to the grocery store, the farmer's market, countless restaurants and bars, the bank, and a ton of other places, I feel like we picked a great location. I'll probably always want to live in this area of Seattle it is that great.

Cable guy is here today as well as the electrician. Progress!