Before we even begin

We talk as if the purchase of the new house is a foregone conclusion but, as in all real estate transactions, we do need to be prepared for things to go south and fall apart. The fat lady has not sung until we have left the closing with keys in hand. I think that's what leads to the most frustration during the home buying process, knowing that there's always a chance you could lose all of the things you've been dreaming about. But let's move on like that isn't in the back of our minds shall we?

I have lists. Oh boy do I have lists! I also have Pinterest boards and flooring samples and pictures on my phone. But the first list is of all the things that need to be addressed before we make the big move. We'll have to slowly start taking things over to entertain the kiddos while I work on the house but that is just a drop in the bucket. If the bucket were the size of a double garage packed full of our stuff that we packed for staging. No joke. Our garage has become my Monica's closet.

So here's the list in no particular order:

• pull carpet
• paint baseboards
• replace outlets with gcfi inside & out
• epoxy garage floor
• remove insulation above water heater to dry and replace
• get bids for electrical work
• get exterminator estimates for quarterly service
• place stick down linoleum tiles under sinks
• cover one junction box and add another in the attic
• replace kitchen light fixture (M would hit his head on the current one)
• get plumber to repair tub assembly
• replace exterior knobs and locks
• price, select, and schedule new carpet
• buy microwave
• install baby gates at top and bottom of stairs

Anyone else feeling like this is going to take me a little longer than the two weeks I'm shooting for? Ugh!