I wish I still called Philadelphia my home… but really my home is here in Rhode Island. For now.
My home is something of a crazy ride. Ever seen The Money Pit? Yeah. That. Except that it’s not just a money sucker. It just was a money sucker. And now it’s this place where there are some dings, but we fix them- repair them with love and care. And we touch it up. And we dream about it. I’ve envisioned never leaving, but the truth is, we need to.
Dave works 51 miles away, and the commute is not good for family life. In the winter we miss hours due to snowy commutes, in the summer it’s beach traffic. And while driving isn’t a big deal, time is. We can’t make more time, so we have to use what we have wisely.
That being said… home is where the heart is, and this home in Cranston has a a lot of heart.
We closed in May 2009, 3 months before our wedding, and there was water everywhere. The pipes were disintegrating, the wiring was cloth, the attic wasn’t insulated, no fan in the bathroom, chipped paint everywhere (hooray, no lead!), the bathroom was- as all bathrooms are in Cranston – pink… it was a mess.
And then somehow, it wasn’t. There were endless nights that roved into our days at work- me hiding paint under my nails as I laced brides-to-be into dresses, and Dave straining to stay awake. But we always met back at the same place, sharing food from our tiny fridge on loan from my in-laws, working into the morning hours.
This house we’re in… it’s a home. It’s full of memories, hard work, love, drunken nights, kissing on the porch, first smiles and steps and words and foods. We made our babies here. My water broke twice here. I brought a puppy home. Two babies. I became a Mrs. living in this house that we made into a home.
Happy endings may not be a prince and a princess, but they can be made in 3 bedroom 1 bathroom home- no matter what you imagine. My palace. My home. It’s full of Worth. It’s full of Martinka. And it’s right where I want to be. For now.
Wow!! You really turned that house around! I think that would be so cool, but I’d have no idea how to start. Very, very impressive! I’m sure it will be hard to leave a house you put so much time, sweat, and love into!
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It was a little slice of Hell on the day we closed, that’s for sure!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Feed all the Babies
wow wow and wow.Nice.You have a lot to be proud of.
Thank you!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Feed all the Babies
This is just about one of the sweetest posts I’ve ever read. You really know how to pluck the old heart strings.
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<3
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Feed all the Babies
Wow what a sweet post. I can’t believe you did all that work!
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…and the hubs!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Feed all the Babies
We do not own our home so we are not able to do any cool makeovers as you did. I love the way Adelaide’s room turned out. So sweet.
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Hopefully your rental doesn’t look like my before!! 😉
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Feed all the Babies
I always say that this house I am in is not my forever home, but both of my boys came home from the hospital to this house, so I think when the time comes to leave someday, I will be heartbroken.
YES! That entirely.
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Feed all the Babies
It’s amazing the memories a building can hold. When we sold our first home, where we were when we got married and welcomed our first daughter, I cried over the yellow stripes I painstakingly painted in her nursery. We’ve only been in our current home 2 1/2 years, but when it is time to go, I know it will be heart-wrenching as this is the place where our son was born and memories like that can’t be replaced, no matter how nice the next place is!
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I am no good at moving… so our next move needs to be our last!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Feed all the Babies
For the past few years I’ve been in the process of saving for my first home and getting my credit on track. I’ve always said I don’t care if it’s a shack on a hill, as long as I can call it mine. I can’t wait to see my own home grow and transform just like yours one day!
Love that! Make it your own!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Feed all the Babies
I can only imagine the the crazy amount of work you guys had to put into it. I suppose that’s what we do though, we “Make a house a home.”
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That’s the phrase we live by!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Feed all the Babies
Wow you did an awesome job! We have so many renovations to do on our home before we put it on the market to sell, Im so overwhelmed with it. We knew this wasnt our forever home that is next so we have been putting it off since we moved here 4 years ago.
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I feel that!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Feed all the Babies
Wow, what a transformation. You’ve done a great job making that horrible mess into a cozy, and lovely home for your family
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Thank you!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Feed all the Babies
What a lovely, heart-warming post! Home truly is where the heart is and you certainly did an amazing job transforming yours!
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Thank you!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Feed all the Babies
Your home is a wonderful and beautiful place now! Great job on the remodeling!
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Thanks!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Feed all the Babies
Of course Adelaide’s room is as cute as ever! You decorated quite nicely!
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Her room was the first completed bedroom! …and she was born 3 years after we bought the house!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Feed all the Babies
Tons of work, but it will all be worth it in the end. Keep up the great job!
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Thanks, Scott!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Feed all the Babies
We purchased our house out of foreclosure and it was in bad shape. But we renovated everything from the inside out and made it our own. It is more than just our house, it is our home.
Love that! This was, clearly, also a foreclosure… I hope we can afford turn-key for the next house!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Feed all the Babies
Although we are trying to move, our current house holds so many memories that I love! You did a really great job with remodeling!
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It’s hard to leave those memories- that’s for sure!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Feed all the Babies
Home really is wherever you make memories with the ones you love. Such a beautiful story you shared and I love the rooms!
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That’s so true!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Feed all the Babies
Wow, you sure made it a home, great job on the renos! The changes are wonderful!
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Thank you, Tammi!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Feed all the Babies
I love what you did with your house. We moved in the summer. I was hard to leave the home i had so many great memories in.
We are hoping to move and I totally feel that way!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Feed all the Babies
I wish you could do my house. These looks are amazing. I could never imagine that you can do that kind of transition to a room. You did a fabulous job! I am from Philly as well, so I wish you the best in your new area…
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#philly love <3 !!!! I will be home in a few weeks... maybe we can have a painting party!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Feed all the Babies
You made me cry! We were homeless (sleeping in spare rooms and in a garage at one point) for most of the first five years of our marriage. We’ve been in our townhouse for two years this week, in this town for four years this month, and while I wish we owned a home, and while we’re likely going to have to move when my husband finally finds full time work…this place is home. Not the same as what you’re talking about, but I get it. And I long for roots like you’re describing, too.
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Love to you <3 Your roots are there.
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Feed all the Babies
Wow! All of that hard work is certainly paying off. It looks awesome!
Thank you!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Feed all the Babies
You put some amazing work into the house!! Your house looks warm and cozy, and your girls will love the memories they are making there.
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I hope so!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Feed all the Babies