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This week one of our readers asked to see what our work space looked like. Matt decided to take a photo of our desks and post them to facebook so she could see. It was fun to read the comments and kind words spoken about our home.
Here is Matts desk… pretty right. But what he does not tell you is that he does not sit there much because his PC is broken and so he normally blogs from a laptop (while sitting on the couch, watching tv… yip he likes to multitask) someday we will get his computer fixed.
Here is my desk (where I spend about 10 hours a day)… yes it is beautiful and I feel very blessed to have it. BUT what I am not telling you is… it is never that clean…lol. Normally covered with coupons, ads and random “crud” the kids bring me or drop off.
Our long time readers know we bought an old house built in the 70′s about 2 years ago. We started right into a huge remodel project, took out walls, put in hard wood floors, heated tile… we planned to do most the work ourselves and went to work. But half way into this huge project found out most the sub-floor in the house had to be torn out and replaced. Due to mold we had to tear 2 of the 3 bathrooms all the way down to the studs, we had to rewire much of the house… and last but not least we found out EVERY PIPE in the house had to be taken out…. yip we had to re-plumb our whole house.
With all the extra projects and HUGE bills coming in we soon blew threw our budget. At this point we had a choice to make, finish the house so it would look pretty and be much easier to live in. But the only way to do that was on credit. OR we could start saving again and continue the remodel once we had the means to pay cash for the project. Sure I wanted my kitchen done… but what I wanted and still want more than ever is to live within my means, and be debt free. SO for the last 18 months the “other half of our kitchen” that you do not see in the photos looks like this…..
When I run into friends at the store or even readers they often say… “oh so how are you enjoying your new kitchen”. When I tell them it is not done they are confused because they see photos I post online all the time, and they never show the sheetrock walls or lack of cabinet doors. Instead most of my photos show the few sections of my home that are finished and pretty. Not that I am embarrassed about my unfinished house. I just got tired of answering questions about it so instead I just show photos of the part of my house that is done.
So how many of you saw the first three photos and felt bad that your desk did not look that way? How many times do we do this to ourselves? I personally do it every day…. I compare myself to others, often feeling bad or like I am not good enough. BUT I take the things I struggle with, and compare them to someone else’s strength. But what I may not see is all the other “rooms or areas” in those peoples lives are not perfect either. So this is us “keeping it real” and someday I will show you a finished kitchen…but till then I will keep being thrifty and saving for that dream:)
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Thanks for posting this. I have to remember that the grass isn’t always greener and it is nice to be reminded of that. I often dwell on the things I don’t have and should be thankful for the things I do have.
Thank you so much for this post.
I LOVE the column used by the island! Looks great!!!!
Thank you for sharing that Sarah! So true everything you said. Why do we beat ourselves up and compare our lives to others? I don’t have the answer, but I do know as I am nearing the big 4-0 this March that my whole mind set has really changed. If I am truly doing the things Heavenly Father has asked me to do than I don’t have time or energy to compare myself to others, that is what I have realized about myself. Focusing on my family, my opportunities to serve others, and remembering like you said, everyone has “unfinished rooms” that we don’t see, that is what has put things into perspective for me. Loved your post and thank you for “keeping it real”, life is short, I hope to always “keep it real”!!
Thank you for this post! We are not as far along as you are but you are giving me hope to get this far.
I think that it is a BEAUTIFUL work in progress. I would be really proud of that kitchen. When you work hard and have to wait for things, you appreciate them that much more when they are finished. I can’t wait to see it when you finish it! Good Luck and thanks for a great site.
I love that you are keeping it real. I think it makes us all feel better about ourselves knowing that everything doesn’t have to be perfect all the time. As far as the kitchen goes, I’d rather it look like that, than pay off a credit card bill.
Thank you for this. I really needed it and appreciate that you posted this.
I had 2 cupboards at my old house with no doors, however I didn’t own it, so I didn’t want to invest any large amount of money into it. Sooo, I got some $1 foot material(could also get sheets when they go on sale, or material,sheets or curtains from a thrift store) and tension rods and wa-la!!..I love doing things thrifty! We are now buying are house(haven’t moved in yet) and I picked up mis-tint paint at orchard supply for 4 bucks a gallon!..Major price difference from 20 or more a gallon, I just checked every time I went and got the exact colors I was looking for(even tiffany jewelry’s box color that’s a greenish blue!) I just loveeee your house though, cupboards or no cupboards!!
sooo.. needed some encouragment so I came to your site and boy did I get it. My husabnd decided to fix a few broken tiles in the kitchen today and tonight I have subflooring in my kitchen and dining room. Thank goodness I have learned the way to frugal and found flooring for both that fits our budget. I have to live with subfloor for 2 weeks but when the paid for floor goes in walking on it will feel so good. Thank you for the encouragment tonight. What a blessing you guys are.
Great post.
By the way, if you’re searching for a really good computer repair person, I know someone that does a bang up job for $75 flat fee. Let me know if you’re interested.
Your Kitchen might not be complete but still look at it, it so clean and tidy.Everything has it’s place even though there are no cabinets it is still a kitchen that might be an envy for many. How do you find to keep it so clean and tidy with little kids and all the hard work you do. Awesome!!
I think it is GREAT that you made the choice to do what you can with what you have, and the choice to save up until you can do it without going over your heads in debt is awesome! It is a great lesson for your kids, and one that more people need to live by! Thanks for sharing this!
Okay now I don’t feel so bad about our house, LOL. We are just starting the renovations and have no money in the budget so we do what we can as we can. Like you I an not ashamed, it is what it is. We have concrete floors that we are getting ready to paint, not good enough quality to etch and stain, and carpet would be nice but with 3 large dogs all I can think of is little accidents, lol, so we are going to try the painting route, not to mention it is cheaper. I have hope when I see your kitchen, lol. Thanks for all your tips in the couponing.
Your home is beautiful…because it is yours….regardless of how it looks. Nothing is easy….everything is has to be worked for and that road is sometimes not pretty. All us are a work in progress…….So BrAvO to you and your home!!!!!
I really appreciate that you decided to “keep this real.” I think that most of us are guilty of seeing how “great” something is for somebody else, and then comparing ourselves, without knowing the whole story.
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