By hope
Home improvements continue. I have too much time on my hands. And I want to be prepared if I really decide whether I’m going to stay or go.
I went from room to room and made a list of the little and big things I needed to do to be ready to sell the house. Then I split these lists into doing it myself, getting some help and doing it myself, and then things that I would need to hire an expert or require more than I think I’m capable of doing.
One of the most pressing tasks was to repair or replace my dog door. I’m not sure how this happened but the bottom third of the lid came off completely. Or rather, it was attached to a piece of plastic and the dogs refused to use it that way.
After evaluating whether I could just screw it back together or replace that part… well, I couldn’t. I purchased a new dog door and installed it!
(Yes, I’ve seen the Reddit comments on my photos and the “mess”. This is my real life. I’m not beautifying it or pretending to be anyone. I have that rug there to pick up the dirt and leave the floor. I bring the dogs. It’s washable and I wash it at least once a week It’s great if your house is never cluttered but that’s my reality.
Thank goodness, Home Depot carries exactly that We installed when the back wall was cut and the deck and French doors were installed. I took the old one apart and then replaced it with a new one. Voila! The dogs went back in and out.
Total cost $92 plus some frustrating yelping trying to get the screws to line up.
Kitchen updates are in progress
As I write this, we’ve cleaned out my kitchen shelves (bottom shelves), washed them, and are doing some repairs and patching as we prepare to apply a fresh coat of white paint. I also purge items at the same time of things I don’t need and items the girls want (and I don’t really need).
When/if it’s time to sell, I will replace the yellow storage baskets with real baskets. (This was a suggestion from a realtor that I didn’t really think about, but I’m excited to see this look.) In the meantime, I’ll enjoy the clean white shelves.
Aside from purchasing a new dog door, I have all the supplies needed for these improvements. So it’s really costing me time. And I have a lot!
Did you tackle any home improvements or changes during your vacation?
Hope is a resourceful, solutions-driven business manager who has spent nearly two decades helping clients streamline their operations and grow their businesses through project management, digital marketing, and technical expertise. Recently transitioning from her role as a single mother of five adopted children to an empty nester, Hope is overcoming the emotional and practical challenges to redefine her life while maintaining her determination to regain financial control and eliminate debt.
Hope lives in a cozy small town in northeast Georgia with her three dogs, and she cherishes the peace of the mountains amid the hustle and bustle of the beach. Although her children are now finding their footing in the world—pursuing education, careers, and independence—she remains deeply committed to supporting them in this next chapter, even as she faces the bitter tug of resignation.
Since joining the Blogging Away Debt community in 2015, Hope has candidly shared her journey of financial ups and downs. Now, with renewed focus and a clear path forward, she’s ready to tackle her finances with the same passion and perseverance she brought to her life and career. Through her writing, she continues to inspire others to confront their financial challenges and strive for a brighter future.
