Typically I don't blog about our house (meaning, the actual structure). But today, I make an exception. Today is our 5 year anniversary! Ü
Yep, we made it! We've now lived in the good ol' Money Pit for 5 long years. Honestly, I can't believe it's been 5 years (did I mention 5 long years?). 5 years (5 long years) ago, I never would have thought we'd still be here. I figured by now the house would have either fallen down, burned down, or even possibly, we just may have assisted in burning it down. ;o) But it, & we, are still standing. And that's a good thing.
If you've ever been screwed over by a previous owner, your own realtor & her personal "inspector", & lived thru the living hell that entails, you understand our monumental day. Not only did the house begin to fall apart, literally, the day after we moved in, but money was going out way faster than it could even begin to come in. We were under such a tremendous amount of stress, hubby was missing entirely too much work due to house issues - I wasn't even sure our marriage was going to survive. We were not in a good place, due solely to our 'new' house. But we made it. And I am so thankful. And I know he is too, 'cause Lord knows he'd never find anyone like me. Ü
For grins & giggles, let's recap all we have replaced in the last 5 years (5 long years):
The house alarm. Which broke the day after move-in. Paid hundreds to an alarm company who told us a "rat", in the attic, ate thru the alarm wires. Only to discover, it was a squirrel. A squirrel I named Hank. Who lived in our attic, on the other side of the wall and/or Audi's head, for 11 days. Because the pest control company, who we also paid hundreds to, couldn't trap the darn thing. So, our previous neighbor ended up shooting the squirrel (with a gun), in our attic, & alas, our problems were solved. Until we discovered Hank was a female & a tramp, & was having a party with her boyfriend in our attic. Yes, we had 2 Hanks. Again, our previous neighbor shot that one (with a gun), in our home, down in the master bedroom return vent. Let's just leave it at that. No worries - if you doubt my story, I certainly have photos. Ü
We discovered a leak behind our refrigerator which in turn, ruined our hardwood floors. We had to remove said hardwoods & we walked, in winter, with babies, on concrete for 6 weeks, until we had them replaced. I won't tell you what that cost. $.
We discovered the upstairs toilet moved all over the floor. Paid a plumber to check it out. Who obviously was inexperienced & had no clue what he was talking about. Or, he just didn't want to do the job. Or, both. Suffice to say, the toilet was just properly fixed last month. More $.
The microwave quit working. I had to heat bottles, so we went & bought a portable one. In the meantime, we paid a contractor who was able to repair ours. More $.
Our oven(s) worked, but the digital panel didn't. I had to beat on it every time I wanted to cook something, in order to see the temperature/timer/etc. We paid a contractor to order the part & fix it. He did. But really, he didn't. The oven panel is still not working. I still beat on it. And the knob always flies off. And I use many naughty words. Anyway. More $. And more $ again, when we decide to fix it. Again.
Pool pump went out. Had to pay a pool company to fix. More $.
Pool vacuum cleaner broke. Replaced. More $.
The gutters were trashed & had to be replaced. More $.
The disposal broke & had to be replaced. More $.
The heat upstairs didn't work & we had to pay a company come out to check it & do some tweaking. Twice. More $. Twice.
A drawer in the upstairs bathroom broke to pieces. It's still broken & missing (removed from cabinet). Looks awesome. Hasn't been fixed yet, but will be soon (by a professional company). More $.
The previous owner lied about the pool being replastered - it never was. Thus resulting in the pool pitting & discoloring horribly. Was retiled/plastered a year or so ago. I won't tell you what that cost. $.
Had to pay another pest control company to come & seal all holes in roof/siding/etc., to prevent, well, more critters from entering & partying in our attic. I won't tell you what that cost either. $
Numerous, numerous pool issues that thankfully hubby has been able to tackle & repair on his own. More $.
Downstairs heat went out, about 3 1/2 years ago, during one of the coldest North Texas February's on record. 5 of us lived upstairs for 5 days until we could locate a company who specializes in our type of unit (GeoThermal). Motor replaced. More $.
Within the last year or so, we had water pouring thru our downstairs ceiling (light fixture, actually) when it downpoured. Paid a company to locate & repair issue. More $. Only to discover, it's still leaking (but not as bad). More $ to come.
Dishwasher died & replaced. More $.
Oh, I saved the best for last. After moving in, hubby got the flu. Now. If your husband's ever had the flu, & he's anything like my husband, I needn't say more. My husband having the flu wasn't the worst part. The fact that we lost all plumbing while he had the flu, was the worst part. Yah. More $.
We love & appreciate a beautiful yard. So, in between the above happening, we completely pulled & renovated our front yard(s) landscaping. It was a jungle when we moved in! Now it's nice, neat & trim (or it was - it's looking a little shabby right now). It took us a few years to get it that way. I won't tell you how much that cost. Or, how much I now despise working in flower beds (which is why ours is looking a little shabby). Ü $
I'm sure there are other issues that I'm just not recalling. Or possibly, I've permanently blocked them from my brain. :) I'm also aware some of the above happened over time, & not immediately after we occupied the house. But it makes it juicier to list them all together & makes me feel like we overcame/survived even more. ;o)
I hate this house I've grown to love. And now, I do love it. So does that mean all the above was worth it? No. Teehee. Ü
I think we've earned this monumental celebration. I foresee a nice, chocolate cake & party hats tonight. Oh who am I kidding. I ain't no
Kelle Hampton. Kids are getting Taco Bell tonight. Ü
Happy Anniversary, Money Pit! ♥
Below: Serious. I am almost always smiling, & if I catch myself not smiling, then I smile. I don't need a reason. Ü Hubby may have been talking to me here & that's why I'm not smiling. Wait, that doesn't sound right. LOL ;o)
I feel very awkward doing impromptu photo shoots, because I never know what to do with my hands. That's why I typically put them under my face.
Below: Someone decided to steal my thunder, thus ending photo shoot. Whew. Not only did Bray crack me up, but I think it's funny you can see my Seventh Generation cleaning products on my kitchen counter. Teehee. :)
Ain't she purdy? Might I add she works just fine, is easy to clean, is very reliable & wonderfully hideable. Just like any good woman. Ü
Below: Audi (1) - 2.8.05.
Below: Audi (1) - 3.15.05. He still has this very same frown. Love it.
Below: Bentley (3 1/2) - 3.9.05.
Below: Bentley (3 1/2) & Audi (the next day he turned 1) - 12.30.04.
We purchased our very first digital camera Christmas of '04. Not knowing Jaguar would arrive the first week of January '05. :) All of these photos are snapshots - we barely knew how to work the camera. Ü
Below: 5.23.05. 
A tiny zoom of the light fixture:
