Recently we moved into a new apartment. I was very sad about having to move in the first place. I was uninspired and unmotivated to look at anything since I believed we couldn't afford anything I wanted anyway, particularly in the area we wanted. There had been a place round the corner from the amazing apartment we had been living in that we had talked about. I had refused to even check it out because of the outside appearance. Cody went ahead and did his research on it anyway. We found out that the rent was surprisingly reasonable considering the location and it was month to month lease which was exactly what we needed. When Cody took me to see it (5 days before we had to move) lets just say I wasn't exactly thrilled about it but I was (reluctant to admit it) pleasantly surprised at the inside layout of the place. It did smell. Really bad. This alone was enough to put me off. The walls were unusual (I have come to love them now) and it was just plain filthy especially compared to the nice modern place we had been living in. But as usual my very optimistic husband saw the potential in it. He really has a gift of being able to see the beauty in anything. Since we had about 5 days to find a place and no other hopeful prospects I reluctantly agreed it was the best option for us since the other was living out of our borrowed mini-van.
Once we started moving in and putting our mark on the place, I started to have more and more hope. Cody worked so hard to get moved in as soon as possible so we could feel settled in our new home. We had fun working out the composition of the rooms together and figuring out the cheapest way of organising our things in a very small kitchen and a bedroom that has a tiny closet. I really didn't think we were able to make this place look as amazing as it does. Cody has taught me so much about not being hindered by the obstacles that always speak louder but seeing the potential in everything and simply making do with what we have. Even the amount of ants, cockroaches and fruit flies hasn't put me off, or the fact that I have to heat the kettle to get hot water to do our dishes, or that our shower takes 10 minutes to heat, not even the smell has turned me away (I'm sure some of this is normal when renting but since I lived at home up until I got married, I have never experienced any of this. Ohh woe is me). It has become such a cozy home that I am very proud of. I am so proud of my husband too for not allowing the initial hindrances (or the attitude of his wife) to deter him. Like my Mum said "even if you guys had to live in a container you would make it look like a designer container".
Our lounge with about 10 scented candles burning the gross smells away
Our cheap clothes storage hanging mechanism from Ikea
Charlie's spot!
I had to add a photo of me baking cookies in the new kitchen
This cabinet is my fave part of the kitchen
awww! that's the best! girl, I know exactly how you feel. But it's such fun memories to start of this way. You really appreciate everything you get along the way, and believe me, eventually, we'll have everything we need, and we'll just have these old memories of starting out to remind us of the first days. Lee's done with school now, so we'd love to get together with you guys whenever you're free. Let us know your schedule:)
ReplyDeleteWow Olivia, what a cute little dollhouse you guys have. I bet when you look back 20 years from now, you'll have some of the fondest memories from living there. I love the coziness of it. You guys really did a great job of decorating and making it your home. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWOW LIV SO awesome!! Thanks for sharing! It looks really fun and cute!! Two ideas for smell, baking soda and or moth balls. The moth balls smell really bad at first but they eat up the other odor, then you can remove them and create new and better smells!! :-) you guys are awesome.
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