Eileen, if this is what is more affordable for you, I say to accept the "challenge" and just do what you can in your own time. You won't be there forever, so don't even worry about the blue laminate countertop, if that's not your style. My countertop is a dark grey-blue laminate and I've actually found colors that work very well with it and I won't be leaving it in 6 months, haha, so don't worry about yours for such a short time.

Hopefully, the current owner will agree to change out the carpeting to the tile you mention, as it is much more suitable for that part of the country. I lived in Phoenix when I was first married and all the houses then had ceramic tile in my neighborhood, I'm really surprised that this house hasn't already been done that way, and feel that this would be an appropriate upgrade.

And yes, you can hang shower curtains to cover glass shower enclosures! I just did that in property we own in NY. I had a custom shower curtain already made and the contractor installed doors on the tub/shower unit without checking with me first. I hung the curtain over it in front of it and it looked so much more attractive.

I hope this works out for you. It sounds as though you and your furry creatures would be much happier in new surroundings. Good luck with your job search!

Heidi

Wow. Three bedrooms and a two car attached garage. That place looks fabulous. And it has has lemon and orange trees now in fruit! I just got done chipping ice so I can move my garbage cans and that was chipping ice while battling 35mph winds. LOL.

I wouldn't worry about things like blue laminate counters or taupe carpeting. You say this is cheaper than what you had and it looks like you found a good deal.

Eileen, please keep us posted on the offer of the rental. It looks great to me and you wouldn't have the pressure of thinking about finding a place. All of your thoughts are good ones but most moves work out better than our worries about them. Keep your eye on the prize and that's good health. The rest is secondary.

Wow what a pretty home. I sure hope it works out for you. Let the cosmetic stuff go until you're feeling more up to snuff...you're right about being better off moving now though...my dearest friend has been fighting lukemia for years, and the chemo was hard on her, probably the hardest of her treatments...you don't want to move mid treatment.

I know you're going to go through the treatments just fine...you're tough :) But finding a great nest before you begin would probably help you in the long run...and how nice it's close to your church :)

Thanks everyone. When I bought my house in Wauwatosa Wisconsin in 1989 there were lots and lots of challenges, But what drew me to the house was the tree out front and I think the tree in front of this house with the three trees out back are helping balance out the blue countertop and carpeted bathrooms.
This was what the tree in Tosa (city's nickname) looked like originally.
{{gwi:38072}}

I had it pruned which I had to do because I had the house trim and gutters painted and put on a new roof and the lower back tree branches were dead.

Eileen,

In total, you really only have 4 things that bother you about the house. The bath doors could be removed and stored in that wonderful big garage. You would still have the trim, but easily ignored.

The kitchen "blue" can be stepped up with any bright colors, yellow/red/green/orange, they all work. And perhaps a kitchen throw rug to ignore the current carpet.

My cats have always used the garage for a catbox. But they had doors in a wall or the door into garage. They never got out because they didn't like the engine running and I made sure they were in a far off place before leaving.

Take your W/D, since you love them. At least then all you need is to find a dryer if needed.

As for the fruit trees, we had dozens and never did much other than make sure the fruit was off when ripe. They will even start to blossom for new fruit while old is still on. Citrus seem to be easier to deal with then other fruit trees.

The house looks lovely and timing is right for you. I'm concerned too about your moving right now, but knowing all, the stress factor may be less given your concern during the last month trying to find a place.

Hope this house works out for you. Wishing you the very best.

Eileen, I was raised in Brookfield (grade school and high school). Boyfriend was from 'Tosa. :)

Eileen, that is a pretty home. If it is more affordable for you and more doable, then by all means, take the challenge and go slow with the cosmetics. I remember 1989. That was a very good year. I moved early in 1988 and was still doing "stuff" to my house in 1989 but subsequently I have had a medical diagnosis that impeded some of my ability to complete projects and besides that, 20 years makes a big difference in how my body functions, even without the illness. Just don't forget that age and illness impact our ability and sometimes we overdo with our eyes what our bodies are capable of following through to completion. Take care of Eileen first!!!!

I'm sure you've done the math in order to know if the expenses involved in moving will outweigh the difference in rent between the 2 places since you say it would only be for 13 months.

Moving is expensive, and my main point is that it's also very tiring and disruptive, even with the best of health conditions, pack and unpack, etc....

I have to move - present landlord is moving his mother in here. I am mostly packed - did that in Sept before Oct surgery. So most of small stuff I will drive over myself in car. Large stuff will be about $500-$800 to move. or I can find a place that does it by the hour. I am only going 1 -2 miles away.

That is a cute place. I kinda think the less you move the better, meaning if current landlord would say ok for using washer and dryer for the January rent, etc I would go with that deal. I hope people from your church will come and help, I am worried that you will get too tired painting and moving cinder blocks (please don't move cinder blocks by yourself!). What kind of fence do you need for keeping your dog away from the cactus plants? Would a bamboo fence work? Bamboo seems economical and attactive.
You said the place is expensive so just do the minimum $ to spruce it up. I know you want to get in there and make it look nice, your surroundings are important to your health.
What are you going to use the windowless 3rd bedroom for? Maybe that would be a good landing spot for all the boxes of items until you get unpacked. Good luck, hope the landlord chooses you!

I would move cinder blocks by picking one up at a time and placing it in my utility cart and roll it elsewhere in the yard. I thought of this while in bed this morning - creating benches along 6' tall block fence by stacking blocks. Yeah, a fence from Ace Hardware or Lowes, etc. might be a better look than the blocks.
The 3rd bedroom will work as an office/tv room for now until I get a queen bed. But I will stack the boxes in there and unpack a litle each day. The painting will come a little at a time also, like on the good days right before I have to get another treatment. I may not be able to stay with this oxaliplatin drug because this time hands are constantly in pain, tingling, numb and sometimes cramping up like I had severe arthritis. I need my hands to do my computer work. I have to see how fast this pain goes away. It seems worse each time plus it moves around. My legs felt weak and tingly yesterday. Plus I had insomnia. I will mention this to nurse tomorrow when I go in to take off pump for 5FU, the drug I can tolerate. Many people cannot tolerate the entire 12 cycles of oxaliplatin.