Yes, I thought that title would grab you. So now what? What do you do when your life is bigger than the house you live in?
You move, right? But what if this is your house? Why would you ever want to leave something that is so similar to the magical cottage in The Holiday?
My house was built around 1840 and is one of the oldest homes in my town. And in a town where the permit process seems to be a bit loosey goosey with people tearing down heritage homes to put up towering McMansions, what's a gal to do?
If I sold this house I would DIE if someone tore it down and put up something made out of stucco and toothpicks. Actually if I sold this house I'm not sure I could ever even drive past it again.
I could have it designated as a heritage house to prevent it ever being demolished, but that's a bit of a thing.
I've looked for another house. I've spent 20 years looking for a house that's just slightly larger, with a larger lot in my town but what I want doesn't exist.
Actually, there are precisely 2 homes that based on how they look from the outside, I would consider living in. Both are similar to mine but a bit bigger. Higher ceilings, (my ceilings are 7'3" in the front of the house!) and slightly larger rooms.
But who knows what things I'd find out I hate in those houses. I already know all the things that make me crazy in this house.
The other heritage homes in my town, are large, grandiose, mansions or just too big. I do not need 4 bedrooms. What I do need is a larger workshop. More space for my plant starting setup. Just more room for my life. My seed starting, maple syrup making, screen printing, DIYing life.
My One Resolution
Which brings me to this year's New Years' resolution. If you've been following me since the beginning of this blog you know that about 15 years ago I snapped and sold or gave away almost everything I owned and started new.
I'm in that same mood right now.
You can read all about the debacle in this, one of my very first posts.
My New Year's resolution this year is to spend a month editing my house. A full month. In the first two weeks I will go through every drawer, every cupboard and closet until I have created some space.
Because the biggest problem with my house isn't really the size or number of the rooms, it's the lack of storage and the death spiral of a basement I have.
Which means, I am taking 2 full weeks off at the beginning of January. There will be no posts.
Like every other business things are slow on my blog for the first couple of weeks in January. People are busy trying to lose weight and pay bills.
For the last 2 weeks of the month there will be posts but I'll blog at night and work on the basement during the day.
The end result will hopefully be beneficial for both of us. I will have a house that has enough space to accommodate TWO packages of on sale toilet paper. And you will get a small break from me complaining about the fact that I don't have anywhere to put anything.
So wish me luck, have a happy New Year and send snacks. Flat ones that don't take up a lot of space.
It has been a privilege and joy to write for you this year. I couldn't say that the past few years because I was so focused on trying to write for Google, that writing wasn't any fun at all.
Google doesn't laugh. Google doesn't commiserate. Google doesn't suggest any good ideas. Google is a goon.
I much prefer having you here.
Hi Karen. Good luck. Do come back as you are the only blog I read straight away and share. Lots of funny moments, great tips, witty writing. Nothing to chuck, it's all good. Read you soon.
Happy new year!
finally have a few minutes to catch up on your posts. missed what the upcoming change to the dining room will be. only hope it isn't a change to the most clever bookcase idea ever. i tell everyone i direct to your site about the ingenious bookcase idea. happy new year
I love you. I enjoy everything Karen.
Breathe girl breathe.
You do YOU next 2 weeks and relax your mind. I am told a person has 84,000. thought process a day.
You are AMAZING in every thought process that we learn from.
Smile,
From ALL your fans
I will miss you !! Please come back and make me laugh, learn, love, sweat, complain, and do stuff when you finish your vaca so to speak. Enjoy your time off but get your ars back so I can be entertained as soon as possible. Love you Karen.
Happy New Year Karen. Don't move, its a lovely house, and I enjoy reading about your life in it. Houses of that age here in New Zealand are very rare and more than likely are museums. The old home which stood in the back part of our acreage when Mum was born here, burned to the ground in 1954. It would have been built about 1950. We love heritage homes and buildings but alas live in a 1960s bungalow built for mum and dad and us 5 kids. We do though have 5 acres, so plenty of space. Its a pity we are not as industrious and interesting as you in the things you do in your place.
All the best for 2024. I look forward to reading more from you throughout the year.
Sorry, the old house was built about 1850. Fingers too big...
WAIT!! TWO FULL WEEKS WITHOUT YOU??? I am being selfish. sorry. Good Luck in your venture! Maybe you'll find treasures you can sell online and make some moola!! win win!!
Just interested in knowing what you are going to do with all the overflow since it is January and not exactly lawn sale weather?
Oh my goodness....you are getting me excited! I too am finding my house too dark, too full of stuff, and too????? I want to move to your town. When there was an open house on a particular street in your town in the heritage district my husband was thrilled we missed it by being out of town. I get about editing. My 93 yo father just moved out of his large old home and I spent the summer emptying it getting it ready to go on the market. Now I want to purge, purge, purge this house too.....then move to your town.
Thank you for the. laughs and inspiration for the pst year and all the past years! All the best in 2024-may it be all you want and need.
Happy New Year, Karen, and good luck with the basement. XX
I so enjoy your posts! I love your sense of style, your sense of humor, your recipes, your garden, your furniture, and your willingness to tackle every project that comes along. Having said all that...7 foot ceilings? Oooooh...I think I'll stick with my 8-15 foot ceilings in my 43 year old tract home in Arizona. Good luck with your basement. I'm hoping you'll inspire me to clean out my quilt room.
I’ve been thinking about doing this for a while now. I think I’ll join you in this endeavour. I’m finding things have been taking root in corners and around the edges of rooms because they don’t have a home. They don’t have a home because drawers and cupboards are full of things I’m not using. It’s time for a purge.
Oh, Karen - you tell us the best things. I love that you love your chosen path in life. I hear it isn’t often that happens, that you love what you have/get to do for a living. You are forever beloved by me for the humor (humour?😁) and joie de vivre you possess. Have fun rearranging and finding space!
Will you ever *not* have chickens? There might be a tiny workshop/storage shed for you?
Happy New Year, my friend!
(Yes, I’ve been around that long.)
I'm confused. Is this post 36? I just read about a previously unseen corner in your house, a much earlier post and saw this post numbered at #36. I know you're a serial purger because I've been reading your blog for quite awhile. I know that itchy feeling and I dread it because it means dissatisfaction and I can't afford any more changes like tearing a wall down one Thanksgiving evening lead to. ( I lost a walk in closet). More storage is always a good thing but I try to see what I love about my home rather than what I don't. Good luck!
Hi Susan, it's a brand new post. Probably closer to 2036 than 36. I'm not sure where you're seeing #36 but this is today's January 1st, 2024 post. :) ~ karen!
Thanks for clarifying. It comes up at the bottom I guess as recommendations on other earlier posts of yours.
Thanks for the years of (mostly) light hearted reading. I do look forward you your posts!
And I love being here. Your blog makes me smile, inspires me, and makes life better.
Good Luck purging Karen. I am on the same page.
Already drove a carload of stuff to Value Village & that was from only the 3 bedrooms. We only use one as a bedroom, one as my indoor winter-spring grow op and the third is an actual guest bedroom.
I am great at purging other people stuff, just not mine, & definitely not my garden accessories, which seem to be growing. Currently occupying 2 rooms in the house, one garden shed & one garden storage shed (which is full & I needed so that I could move & access my growing bed in the garden shed during the winter & spring.
Enjoy your two weeks. I feel you as I am in edit mode and also live in historic house. They do not come with built in storage so that means furniture to house stuff. I love dishes so understand it. I wish you the best and enjoy your posts!
You mind yourself in the basement! No running up the stairs with your hands in your pockets! Can’t wait to hear about all the changes! Catherine
Smart girl! I've just moved from big to small and gotten rid of 75% of things I owned. I feel so much better! I'm always astonished at people who store a few hundred dollars worth of stuff int their garage and leave our their 2nd largest investment in the rain/snow--their cars. I look forward to your progress and hope you will take us along on that journey.
BTW--we so much prefer you to Google. You do You!
I too will be joining you in this editing process! I woke up yesterday morning and felt like my little bitty house was swallowing me. Good luck! I appreciate you.
Thank you always for the fun and inspiration. Sorry , don't know who to credit for the following quote: "The ability to change is a sign of intelligence."
Would like to add that knowing HOW to change is a sign of DEEP intelligence.
Thanks again for help with learning how-to.