Pinch Me: Mid December 2015 to Early January 2016
December 9th, our closing day, was an adventure. At the final walk-through we noticed that a portion of the floor that had been previously scratched and re-done, was re-done with the wrong finish. Ryan never missed a beat, and told them to completely re-do the hardwoods so that it all matched.
What that meant was a delay in moving until late afternoon on December 10th. After the movers pulled out of our new driveway at 11:30 pm, we made the bed, unpacked the coffee maker, and went to sleep.
Richard went to work bright and early on the 11th, and I got started unpacking AND decorating for Christmas at the same time.
We both worked all weekend, getting the first floor, and especially the kitchen, in order. The Christmas tree went up and boxes were emptied at a rapid pace.
I posted the empty boxes and wardrobe boxes on the North Raleigh Buy/Sell/Trade Facebook group, and they were picked up within an hour!
We wanted the garage floor epoxied before we moved the “garage stuff.” We couldn’t park on it until the 19th, but it was so worth it. It looks great and will be easier to keep clean. I highly recommend the painted garage to provide a truly finished look.
After the whirlwind weekend, the first floor was ready for new furniture and almost ready for Santa.
Our master bedroom has become exactly what I envisioned. The bold, “intensely teal,” is perfect. I even figured out how to make it Christmas-y!
The screened porch is, as expected, the talk of the house. Everyone reacts exactly the same way – OMG! They especially love the fan, which actually “heats” the porch with the fireplace. Very comfortable. Can’t wait to furnish it.
On December 20th, 10 days after moving in, we held our annual Merry Chefmas Party for 50+ of our dearest friends and family. It was the best “open house” and everyone loved it. Guests even brought enough wine to fill our 48 bottle wine fridge! Ryan stopped by for a few minutes and that was a treat!
It’s Monday, January 4th, 2016… 25 days after moving in. The holidays are over and I’m back at work. The upstairs is still full of boxes. Christmas is still up. Walls are very bare and begging for artwork. But, we hit the goals:
- In before Christmas
- Merry Chefmas Party on December 20th
- Family and friends over on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
- 17 people over for our New Year’s Day Annual Pork and Sauerkraut dinner
It’s all been a little surreal. I feel like I’m “playing house” moving things around and taking pictures. Upstairs needs attention and many things need to be moved to the attic. We’ve been here long enough that it’s time to clean.
Pinch me.
Click here for a virtual tour of the Smith’s completed home!
