Thanks! It’s been so much work, but it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
The weight of the world has been off my shoulders since we moved in, even with all the work. I’m just so grateful to be on my own land. When I start getting overwhelmed at what needs to be done, I remember there is no pressure at all. No overbearing landlords, no limitations, etc. I can just take my time to make the place what I want it to be.
Totally get it.
The stress was killer until I got the horses moved in. Now I’m like you. Ok yes there’s a boatload of stuff to do, but we are ok.
Super cute house really super cute.
Can you get a burn permit for a nice big bonfire out in the front yard? JK, who knows what toxins might be released.
Really great work on a super place!
Congratulations - I know it’s been such a long haul. Pleased that you’re enjoying it now.
(and could you get a backhoe out to dig a giant hole and then just bury their stuff? may not be ecologically sound everywhere, though…)
Now that the weather is getting better and urgent projects are mostly completed, we are selling a lot of the previous occupant’s belongings. That’s why we kept much of it. If nothing else, we are offsetting the cost of the junk removal company we have had out for the scrap and trash.
It’s amazing what people will buy off Marketplace if you advertise it cheaply. We just had someone pay us $40 for old tires. Why?!? Usually you have to pay to have them disposed.
If anything is metal, see if any local scrap collectors (often the scrap yards want you to take stuff there) will come and haul items away, and sell to the scrap yard. The nice man who lives down the street from me, will come and haul away metal items, and sell to the scrap dealer. It’s easier than loading and hauling yourself.
Sometimes there are people who go to yard sales, and take things away that you don’t care enough to spend the time to resell. They either have a flea market stall, or resell to flea market sellers.
Oh, I’m so happy you posted photos! You know how it is, when you follow a thread about farms and houses you really get a mental picture and a heightened curiosity. Your house is so much cuter than what I expected to see. It’s beautiful. What a difference the cleaning, neatening and landscaping made; even the decorating touch of adding the star has a big effect in creating charm. Did you paint? It looks brighter in the After photo.
The rest is looking good too. What a difference in the laundry room especially.
How weird that they took the bathroom sink and cabinet. It’s probably just as well; no doubt it was hideous and infested.
Oh what an adorable place! Lots of work and headache in the process, but look at what you’ve got! Wow!
It’s looks so nice with all the work you have done. You are putting me to shame on my little place.
Super happy for you!
“Landscaping” = weed eating, chainsawing the volunteer woody plants, and knocking down the poison Ivy that claimed the house while it sat vacant. 
We haven’t painted anything on the exterior. It probably is just from different lighting and pressure washing the porch, but I like to think the house is “happier” with nicer people living here.
One of these days we will get the exterior fixed up. Right now it is two different colors (white on the front, beige on the sides and back) in a weird mix of brick, vinyl siding, and wooden siding. Luckily it’s not too noticeable head-on. Absolutely everything about this house leaves you going, “what was the previous owner thinking?” Sometimes you are laughing when you ask that, other times it is honest confusion, but most of the time you are shaking your fist in anger as the words come out of your mouth. But we still love the place.
Stuff they got for free or cheap…and used?
Definitely. But the workmanship is 
especially considering they are in the construction business. Heaven help anyone who hires them. Hopefully potential customers read their endless 1 star reviews first.
You guys wanna see some before and after?
Exterior September 2021/June 2022:
Koi Pond September 2021/June 2022
Pool September 2021/May 2022/June 2022 (complete with swimming nephew). These ended up out of order.
Slow and steady wins the race…
Tex, it looks amazing!!
(Wanna come over to my place and work your magic here?
)
Wonderful!
Haha, I’ll send my MIL right over next time she is down. Seriously, the flowers and mulching is all her. The fish pond became DH’s pet project. The pool has been my project.
Only 42 million more projects to go, give or take a few!
You were smart to take before pictures. When you live in the house and see the changes little by little, it’s easy to forget where you started from and how far you’ve come.
It looks great and boy, that pool looks inviting!
We didn’t get too many “before” photos because everything was just so overwhelming, but I’m glad we got some.
“Inviting” is a long way from where the pool started. I can still smell that first picture from when I opened it this spring. 
I am in shock I got it to a useable state, but there is still a lot of work to do even with that.
Y’all have made such great progress! We will not talk about how many years it took me to finally plant daylilies here - and that’s mostly just to keep me from having to mow in the corners!
I have serious pool envy looking at the after picture, especially living in an inferno right now. It doesn’t look possible that it is the same pool. And the koi pond - it made me gag and I didn’t even smell it. You really found a diamond in the rough although it has taken a good bit of polishing. GREAT JOB!
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
