It only took 13 years!

I know that I have a cute little town home, but that wasn't a permanent solution to our housing situation. I have longed for storage, a basement, and a garage to call my own. I have lived in many other places that were not my own, and although I cared for each and every one, they were never really mine. My town home is mine, but a family of four with two growing kiddos, we were downright busting at the seams here. My closets are literally bulging with all of our treasures.

But do you know what Greg did. He bought me a house!! It is right in Bloomington, so the kids won't have to change schools, and I can still get to a Wal-mart in less then a minute. I have waited for such a long time, and although this particular house is a fixer upper, I think it was well worth the wait. I LOVE house projects and let me tell you, this is a project!! It will take years for it to be what I am envisioning in my head, but I thought it would be fun to let all of you enjoy the ride with me. I will be blogging updates on my redo's. It will be fun, and if you have a chance, you should come for a visit. So, I will post pictures of the before. Now keep in mind, this house was a short sale, and it had been vacant for a very long time. I know that it is dated, and some people have different taste then others, and believe me, I have a VERY different taste then the previous owners had. So let the fun begin!!!

I don't want to be Captain Obvious here, but this is the front of the home.

This is the view from the formal dining room/ living room patio doors. The yard is huge. 3/4 of an acre. It is so big, and so full of weeds!

This is the kitchen. There is plenty here that I would love to rip out. Notice the lovely home job rock work around the window above the sink. I think I am going to ask for a crow bar for Christmas. My way cute Father-in-law asked what we were going to put in that really big space under the cabinet.

Really?

Here is a view from the kitchen into the formal dining room/ living room. I do love all the big windows, but they are going to be so much cuter with some plantation shutters, and what is with all the green, and the primitive chandelier. It looks like something Greg made in shop class in the 7th grade out of an old funnel.

This isn't the best picture. But this is the staircase that you see when you first walk in. It needs some TLC, but I love that staircase. So, as you can see, I have some major work ahead of me.