Well, it’s been a whirlwind of a week in our house and there hasn’t been much time for blogging. Normally I like to share all the things I’ve been up to. But this week, there’s only been one thing on my mind – houses.
On Monday I went to view a house I’d spotted for sale. It was a very different house to the ones I normally look at – modern, on an estate and with enough bathrooms to keep everyone happy. I didn’t really expect to like it, but I did. It felt very warm and inviting. None of the maintenance issues of an old house, no creaky floors – plus, lots of light and a decidedly un-Edwardian sense of space and flow. If I lived somewhere like that I could just worry about fun things like choosing paint colours and new carpets. I’ve never lived in a modern house and I must say it’s very appealing.
We haven’t been planning on moving, but I like to keep an eye open for nice properties. But of course, it’s then difficult if you like them. You’re not in a position to proceed until your own house is on the market, and it’s all a rather complicated situation of putting the cart before the horse.
I don’t really want to leave our house, but it’s possible to fall in love with the idea of a different way of living, whilst still loving your own house. We decided we really liked the place enough to decide to try to scramble to get our’s on the market. Sometimes impetuous decisions can pay off. So, I spent the week cleaning, sorting and talking on the phone.
Inevitably, though, we were too late and someone else got in there first. So, now I have an extremely tidy house, full of flowers – all ready for a party which has been cancelled. I’m quite relieved really, as I’m not entirely sure I could face the hassle and upheaval of moving, but I do feel rather flat and confused now. Should we put our house on the market anyway, and see what happens? Or just sit and think for a bit longer.
I’d love to make our house work better for us as a modern family. More bathrooms and more light would be wonderful. I’ve always felt a little ambivalent about our house, never loving it as much as our last house. But I think this upheaval has made me realise that I’m actually a lot fonder of it than I realised. It’s a home for now, but maybe with a bit of work it could be a home for the future too.
So, now, it’s time to talk to some builders. Which terrifies me. I guess in the end it comes down to what scares you most – taking a chance on a move, or living with the chaos of major building work.
I feel a bit wrung out now and I’m looking forward to a nice quiet weekend in our (for once!) tidy house.
This week, in between fretting about houses, I have also enjoyed…
Watching the conclusion of Dr Foster on BBC1. What a series!
Buying a new bobble hat and jumper ready for some colder days.
Eating rice cakes and peanut butter. I need to eat better next week…but, seriously, these are my comfort food.
Drinking lots of cups of coffees with friends and having some much needed catch-ups.
Reading Rachel’s lovely blog post about an Autumn walk, Lins’ lovely-looking salad recipe, Jess’ post about taking a new direction with your blog and Gemma’s very stylish way to wear a raincoat.
Argh, what a week you’ve had! I can imagine that you felt rather frustrated when you found out the other house had already gone, but it’s funny how it sometimes take for something like that to happen for you to appreciate what you have. I’ve been a bit frustrated with our house for a little while, it’s dawning on me that I don’t have enough time in the day to maintain it in the manner it deserves. We are also incredibly cut off from anything – our village is 6 houses and they are very spread out so we don’t have neighbours.
I started looking for houses in the village where M goes to school as it’s got a really lovely community feel. One house came available about three weeks ago – it was perfect for us in every way – and I missed out on it by 30 minutes. I was devastated. But, oddly, missing out on that house made me realise how much I love where we live and how much I do want to look after it. So that’s what I need to do – I just need to organise myself a bit better. But if another house becomes available in the village where M’s school is then I will still go for it as I think it would be good for us to live in a place where our nearest neighbours don’t reside in a graveyard!
Sorry for not commenting on your other posts this week – it’s been a stressful few days. Xxx
Oh no Catherine, I’m sorry to hear you’ve been similarly frustrated. I can see why you’d want to be near your son’s school. Although I’m sure about living on an estate, I do really like being somewhere with lots of people passing by – I think I’d feel too isolated in the middle of nowhere. Please don’t worry about not commenting – I have been neglecting everything blog-related this week and I’m looking forward to catching up with what everyone’s been up to xx
What a week! Must have been quite the roller-coaster and busy, too. It’ll be interesting to see how you get on with the building work, if you choose to go ahead x Thanks for sharing with #WotW
Thanks Jocelyn! It’s been a crazy week! x
Oh my what a journey you’ve been on regards housing. I hope you like the changes when they’ve been made. It would be great to see the results. #WotW
Oh no house stress is awful! I hope you find the solution that’s right for you. We currently rent and very nearly bought a house recently, but it all fell through. We were upset for a while but realised it was never right, and we’ve now decided to keep renting for a while rather than start looking again. Controversial choice as the world and his wife seems to be yelling ‘buy! buy!’ in our direction, but we are happy with our choice. It’ll work out in the end, and I’m sure your housing situation will as well!
Thanks for sharing my post 🙂 I live in a new build and while it’s not my dream house, it’s extremely practical especially with young children. Everything works, the space is great and there’s very little that we have to worry about other than wiping fingerprints off the walls. It’s not what I’d pick if we have all the money in the world but I love not having to really think about the house.
That’s exactly what I’m beginning to long for Rachel!
Oh gosh what a rollercoaster time indeed, it’s so stressful isn’t it? But without meaning to come over all new-worldly, I do believe that things happen for a reason and often like you can say, it can give you the chance to think about what you really want, or before you know it something better will come along. We started looking at houses in autumn of 2013 when we definitely weren’t in a position to put an offer in because we just hadn’t quite got all of the deposit and stamp duty together. I fell for a house then that was on the market for AGES and just as we got all our finance together, it sold. I was absolutely gutted and then just two months later this place came along – cheaper, a nicer area, a much bigger garden and much more space.
I also totally appreciate the convenience of a new build too bearing in mind how much we’ll have to do on this place to put it right but having lived in a new build with Pete when we first got together I would always have my reservations – the internal walls were very flimsy and made of plasterboard so you could hear everything and it was difficult to hang stuff. You’ll know though what the right decision is in the end, for you and your family. For now – feet up and enjoy the tidiness and flowers!! Xx
Thanks Lins – I think you are right that things definitely happen for a reason. And, if I’m honest, I was relieved as I’m not ready to leave this house yet. You are also so right about modern houses – I’d love to build my own to my own specifications, but the estate houses are always going to be a bit of compromise. x