I’m Still Here!
Oh, hey there! Remember me? 😀 I’m still here. I hadn’t exactly planned on being away from the blog for two weeks, but the week of Thanksgiving just seemed like a good “take it easy” kind of week after finishing the monumental task of finishing up the tile in our big new shower (I still haven’t finished the grout…ugh!), and then that “take it easy” mindset kind of bled over into the next week. 😀 And now, here we are, well into December with another holiday (or holidays) and the year’s end right upon us.
Do you have a hard time staying motivated at this time of year as well? Or is it just me? It’s generally that time of year that I want to hunker down under my down comforter with some hot chocolate or coffee (even though our temps here in Texas are in the 60s, 70s, and 80s this December), scrolling PInterest or Instagram, while watching cheesy holiday rom-com movies. (What is it about those? They’re all the same story line, and I can’t tolerate the ridiculous story lines at any other time of the year. But come December, I can’t get enough. 😀 )
Anyway, I’m not quite ready to wind things down completely for the year, but I have resigned myself to the fact that I’m not going to get anywhere close to meeting my amended goals for the year, which were to finish the master bathroom (ha!! haha!!!) and the home gym (hahahaha!!!)
So as of this morning, the status of the master bathroom looks like this…
And the status of the home gym looks like this…
And you know what? I’m totally okay with that. While I didn’t get as much done on these rooms as I had hoped, I’m actually content with the work I’ve gotten done this year. I’ve been thinking about this quite a bit over the last two weeks. This year (2021) was my 16th year of blogging. Sixteen years! Wow! And while my first couple of years weren’t much to brag about, once I found my real love of DIY, I went full steam into remodeling our little condo, and then full steam into this house. And I remained at that full steam pace for several years.
Then 2020 hit, and the world changed. I didn’t handle that very well, and I retreated from the blog and from my projects. Last year was kind of a wash for me as far as home projects went. But it was a great year for me in learning that downtime was something that I had really missed in my life.
So this year, I tried to find a balance, trying to be consistent with working on projects, while having more downtime for myself, more time with Matt, more time with family, and more time for being involved in things and with people outside of the house. It’s been a really good year for that, and while all of that other stuff makes my home projects take longer, I’ve learned that there’s way more to life than working on the house all the time.
So all of that considered, and especially following the insanity of 2020, I’m really very content with the progress I’ve made on these projects, and there’s no way I’m going to beat myself up about not finishing or taking them slower than I would have pre-2020.
And obviously the year is not over. There’s still time to make more progress on them, if I so choose. But do you know what I’d really like to spend the rest of this year on? Deep cleaning my house and getting things organized and ready to hit the ground running on January 3rd. I love the beginning of a new year, and there’s nothing better than starting off the new year with everything clean and organized. And to be quite honest, my house hasn’t gotten a deep cleaning (the kind of cleaning where you actually wipe down all of the trim, dust off curtain rods and rings, remove the glass from light fixtures and wash them, etc.) since way before the bathroom remodel even started. And that bathroom has created a whole heck of a lot of dust and mess.
So starting today, that’s what I really want to focus on until it’s finished. I’m going to start with the walk-in pantry, which was used as Cooper’s “den” where he slept every night during 2020 when Matt and I were without a bedroom, and which hasn’t been deep cleaned since then. It’s gotten the normal cleaning — shelves wiped down, countertop wiped off, floors mopped, etc. But it needs a thorough deep cleaning from top to bottom, as does every other room in the house.
And along the way, I’m also going to tackle some little projects that either never got done, or need doing now. For example, in the kitchen, the wires for the sconces on the back wall of cabinets have come undone and are hanging down so that they’re visible. (Those sconces are plugged into outlets.) I keep taping them up, and the next day, they’re back down again. And I have a piece of baseboard that evidently never got painted after I stained the floor years ago, and another piece of baseboard that never got nailed in place and keeps falling over.
So I’m going to focus on things like that, and get my house thoroughly clean with all of those little nagging projects fixed up and out of the way. That way, our house will be cozy and comfy when I take off that last week of December and spend some downtime with Matt, as has been our custom for the last few years, and I’ll be ready to hit the ground running in January with a clean and organized home.
I’ll keep y’all updated on the progress. How about some before and after pics of each room when I get them done? I’m not sure that all of my dust and cobwebs will show up in the before pics, but I’m always up for showing off pictures of my clean rooms when they’re done.
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
Sounds like a perfect plan. Merry Christmas!
I think I’ve read every single post you’ve ever made in the 16 years! I can’t believe it has been that long. Props to you for having motivation to deep clean in December. It sounds dreamy to me but I don’t think I’ll be doing that anytime soon.
Always a joy to see that we all just keep on moving. Keep on moving…
It’s always a treat to see a post from you dear lady…. Even if it’s just a “howdy and nope, nothing new!” Blessings on your Advent and Christmas seasons 😊
I agree with Kate! I look forward to your posts even with nothing new. Good luck cleaning and have a wonderful holiday season!
I have to thank you from the bottom of my little pea pickin’ heart (and as my kids said once or twice while growing up “it IS little”) for these wonderful pictures. This has been one of the worst years of my life, and a real good belly laugh was just what I needed to send this horrid year on it’s way. You are such a super hardworking person, so glad you took two weeks off, you deserve it. I’m wishing you the most fabulous Christmas and New Year ever.
Your post got me thinking and I thank you for that! I plan on taking time off round Christmas and into the New Year and it hadn’t occurred to me how it would be nice to have stuff sorted beforehand in order to be able to start the next year constructively instead of with tidying and cleaning. I will do that before the leisure time begins and hope that it’ll make me more relaxed. Have a great time yourself and enjoy the prep work for next year! If you are posting, I will gladly read about cleaning as you manage to make even that inspirational!!!
Hi Kristi! I like your plan. Love you guys. Have a great Christmas!
Everybody, even Bloggers, deserve to take time off. Do the things you want to do. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Celebrate!
I missed you and Matt. I wish your family Merry Christmas and happy New Year 2022.🎄🎁🐶🐱
You deserve every little bit of downtime you can get. I will watch whatever you post. I don’t care if it’s paint drying 😂😂
I just enjoy your blogs that much. I get so many ideas from you for my own home. Take care, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and can’t wait for your first January blog!!
I figured you might be visiting today. Sounds like a well-balanced plan to me. You have done amazing things this year, Kristi. I wish you well as you dig in and do your big cleaning. Then on to 2022. Yay! Hugs to you both.
I will say, I’m the same as you in regards tonXmas rom-coms. The rest of the year can’t handle it but for a month before Xmas I too love them. The family thinks it’s crazy lol. Love your work.
I am amazed at how much you have accomplished this year! After the blight on the world that was 2020, I think many people are refocusing on what is important to them going forward. It is so much better to have that family time/work time balance than to finish all of your projects and have no time to enjoy them. You will be so happy to have that new bathroom and workout room in 2022!
Gosh…I wish I could get excited about deep cleaning…but yay you!!!
I loooove clean. Just not cleaning. Seems like the more I do the behind-er I get. So, one again, I will live vicariously through your accomplishments!
Merry Christmas to you and Matt 🎄 Best wishes to you in 2022.
Sonic should sponsor your blog. There’s Route 44 cups in every picture you posted 🤣
I LOVE this – the perfect plan. I am in a similar spot, and if I continue I will have to cancel any kind of R & R or fun with my family. That is NO good. So, I should get going cleaning, fixing up some annoying things and decorate and wrap, and watch Christmas movies that I know the ending before 5 minutes have gone by…with a big cup of tea in hand. Sounds like your plan Kristi, so I know it is a good one. Have a wonderful celebration with Matt and the whole family, and I wish you a spectacular new year…2022…let’s hope for a much better year coming up! (but I gotta say…you have done some beautiful work this year)
I like that idea! Enjoy your lovely home!
Love reading this, Kristi! It sounds like a great plan, I’m thrilled you are finding other pleasures in life, and I would love to see the photos of clean vs unclean rooms 😀
I’m with you on a few of your comments. 2020 did a number on me mentally as well. I spent way more time on this laptop than ever, I guess searching for connection since socializing proved all but impossible. And that snowballed into letting the house go even further downhill than before. I’d had a heart attack in 09/19, and was just getting back to being able to do housework and exercise when my knee started bugging me. So, PT for that, doctor visits, then lockdown put me in my chair, afraid to hardly move! Just the other day my daughter and son in law came to give me my Christmas present – a wall painted around my fireplace and a super cleaning of my house! I had told them that’s all I wanted, no gifts, since I haven’t been able to do it all myself. Now if someone could get this bug that covers the world, THAT would be great! Don’t beat yourself up, many of us are in the same spot! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Good for you. It’s called a “reset” and I do it every once in a while. Not at your level, but still. Enjoy the holidays.
Congratulations on 16 years blogging. That’s 16 years of being an inspiration, showing us that you don’t have to be perfect, showing us successes along with ‘unexpected outcomes’ -so we could avoid those, sharing imaginative colors and combinations that pull us out of our ruts, showing us that we can do more than we think, 16 years of being a real person whom we can relate to.
I have not been a follower as long as others -I started following post condo. However I have been entertained, educated and amazed.
A heartfelt thank you for all you have done for us.
Even unfinished and with supplies stacked up your exercise room takes my breath away. I can’t wait to see it finished. I have lived in apartments for so long now and couldn’t paint. Just had to live with off white walls. So I love all of the amazing colors you get to live with. Enjoy your free time. And happy holidays to you and Matt and your fur babies.
ho hum the holidays are here and i only have outside lites up thanks to my husband. I totally relate to ur feelings and found that if i procrastinate like you are doing, I wouldn’t get restarted til June,,,,lol
So what i do is make a list with no priorities or order. Big or small jobs it doesn’t matter. Then when something is finished, what ever it is, I feel like i accomplished it and move on.
I am retired so why work like its a JOB! Enjoy what u do and skip the race
Happy Holidays
I love that you have discovered there is more to life than go, go, go at full speed! Your plan is excellent…can’t wait to see the before and after’s or just the after’s. You’ve prompted me to finally take care of a few odd projects that need to be addressed…just not at top speed. Thank you and good luck. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
If anyone has earned some down time, it’s you, Kristi. That shower is the perfect way to end your year, because your most difficult task is basically out of the way. You’ve gifted us year ’round with your DIY inspiration, so I hope you and Matt have the most wonderful holiday season.
Thank you for being you and sharing your gift with us all year long. I figured you were busy with holidays and family. Keep it up and we will keep enjoying your talent and encouraging your efforts. I have no idea how I found you but I am sure glad I did.
There should be an award for being a successful blogger for 16 years!
Happy Holidays, Maria B.
I love this idea! Enjoy the parts that are beautiful and finished! (Or almost finished,Lol) The New Year can bring new energy!
Girl. GIRL!! Girl, girl, girl, girl, girl. Life is WAAAY too short to beat up on yourself! Of course we remember you! You are the most remarkable and capable female we know! Seriously, I thought I had skills until I started reading your blog! HA! I am a mere neophyte in your shadow. So you could stop all remodeling and you would still reign supreme with your talent and skill. I know no female who tackles all of the things you do. Not one. So for that alone you need to stand up straight and claim it. You ROCK!!! I just wish I were more like you. And I am working on it! I just bought some massively large sander as a start!! I have graduated from the mouse!
Merry Christmas to all! Enjoy! Life is too short. 😘
Kristi, I’m really glad to see you taking some time for yourself. You have worked so hard on your house and you truly deserve to take a break! You have inspired me, so I’ll clean my house along side you cleaning yours. Just take it easy on yourself and have a really wonderful Christmas!! xo
I found you today while I’m on this insane bathroom remodel adventure that I am now on.
Just looking for tile is destroying my soul let alone if I were actually trying to install it. You are a goddess.
I know it’s been a few years since these posts, but I wanted to say THANK YOU for sharing. It’s impressive.