Our First Year in the Woods
The first week after we bought our house last year really set the tone on what home ownership would look like for us.
We were still staying at my parent's house for the first couple of weeks. Our plan was to start moving in slowly in the middle of May since there was no rush. We were 35 minutes away but still making a point to stop by a few times a week to check on the new house. Weekends were mostly when we could actually spend full days there and start moving our stuff.
I remember it so vividly. It was an early, rainy Saturday morning and the first thing we did when we arrived was to inspect the house as we normally did during our drop-ins. I checked the rooms. Everything's clear. As my husband checked the basement, he yelled, "there's water." I was confused by what he meant so I ran down to check. Turns out, we got flooded!!!!!! The water was mid-way up my calf. I've never experience flooding. Unsure of what we could do in that moment or what caused this, we started calling family.
We had two options in that moment. My husband would stay back but I could either drive to the local Lowe's to find a waterpump or go to my parents and pray the one they use for the pool was to be found in the clutter. I thought it was best to stay local. Ugh... that was my fault. It took me forever to realize they didn't have one at the store... the only other thing I was told could work was a ShopVac wet/dry vaccum. Yeah -- no -- that didn't work.
My brother-in-law came to the rescue. He found the pool's water pump, and that's what helped us get the water out quickly. Turns out the sump pump failed. It was old and corroded. We felt irresponsible for not checking. It was our first of many lessons in our new home. My husband was able to install a new sump pump and we haven't gotten any water since. And crossing fingers that we don't ever again. We want to eventually build something cleaner and professional but what he's done works great.
A few other things that happened this past year:
- We haven't seen any bears yet but we did get some evidence of them being around such as our neighbor's trash dragged to the back of our shed.
- My husband and father-in-law replaced the carpet in our family room with vinyl flooring that my dad gifted us.
- My inlaws giftes new groovy couches for the living room and we got some nearly new couches for the family room from Facebook Marketplace.
- The living room hard wood floors were stained and polished. The contractor had to come twice because we weren't satisfied. We're still not but it'll do.
- We've spent over $1K in decor. I've always wanted to style my home with the seasons.
- Bunnies, everywhere and all at once. We named them all Bruno.
- We hosted a few barbecues and gatherings including fourth of july and new years.
- There was a mouse. I have a crazy phobia but we've been told this is to be expected when we live in the woods. It was resolved quickly but I stick panic about cleanliness.
- There was over 18 in. of snow twice during the winter!!
What's next:
- We need to invite our realtor, finally. It's been soooo long.
- We are planting some flowers and cleaning up the garden this summer.
- Budgeting for new siding and potentially a deck/patio.
- Office renovation!!
We've learned to balance between wanting full control and getting every little thing done to remembering from the first lesson here that sometimes you'll be hit with things out of left field, and that's what makes it a memorable journey. We love our little home in the woods and we try our best to enjoy every moment here. It's cozy and it's perfect for the two of us.