Backtrack - Why We Passed Up On Travel Plans in 2011
It may not be much to some but for a family like ours who lived for 7.5 years with my in-laws, the next 7.5 years in our condo (a first acquisition back in 2000), and the next 4 years in a townhouse (after selling the condo), moving in to a modest house is surely an upgrade of sorts. Where before we only had 2 bedrooms, a tiny plot of garden and a single car garage, now we have more rooms and storage and slightly bigger spaces to move around and tend.
Here are a few pics during our move-in...
![The ritual before we moved in](http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6054/5883747032_a7ce88b9f0.jpg)
for luck right before moving in...
![What we brought first to our new house](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5030/5883186273_a14db8a2ce.jpg)
the first items we brought in...
![facade](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5148/5883743328_706e1a64c1.jpg)
minor finishing touches ongoing
![facade](http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6021/5883742196_b3ca3e6531.jpg)
no need for gates in this neighborhood
![The kitchen](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5306/5883751668_6c397a1810.jpg)
the kitchen was modified and made slightly bigger than the contractor's design
![The floor-to-ceiling storage and view of the dining room from the kitchen](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5192/5883189781_968a01742c.jpg)
floor-to-ceiling cabinetry in the kitchen area because one could never have enough storage...
![The ex-powder room, now toilet and bath](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5192/5883194939_fef2359a4b.jpg)
the ex-powder room, now toilet and bath
![Maple closers instead of a huge dark piece of fixture in the room](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5310/5883764494_74d4727457.jpg)
maple-colored closets in the blue room instead of having a huge dark piece of fixture
![Welcome](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5116/5862083315_ae265afe39.jpg)
the living room, dining area, guest/tv room
This was a major project in 2011. And with it came more expenses too - amortizations, real property tax, insurance, maintenance and higher utility costs like power, water, etc. We all consciously remind ourselves to delay gratification and just live within a reasonable level. Not that we are the type to splurge but no outrageous expenses like designer bags, expensive trips or other doodads here for the time being. :)
Here are a few pics during our move-in...
![The ritual before we moved in](http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6054/5883747032_a7ce88b9f0.jpg)
for luck right before moving in...
![What we brought first to our new house](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5030/5883186273_a14db8a2ce.jpg)
the first items we brought in...
![facade](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5148/5883743328_706e1a64c1.jpg)
minor finishing touches ongoing
![facade](http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6021/5883742196_b3ca3e6531.jpg)
no need for gates in this neighborhood
![The kitchen](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5306/5883751668_6c397a1810.jpg)
the kitchen was modified and made slightly bigger than the contractor's design
![The floor-to-ceiling storage and view of the dining room from the kitchen](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5192/5883189781_968a01742c.jpg)
floor-to-ceiling cabinetry in the kitchen area because one could never have enough storage...
![The ex-powder room, now toilet and bath](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5192/5883194939_fef2359a4b.jpg)
the ex-powder room, now toilet and bath
![Maple closers instead of a huge dark piece of fixture in the room](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5310/5883764494_74d4727457.jpg)
maple-colored closets in the blue room instead of having a huge dark piece of fixture
![Welcome](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5116/5862083315_ae265afe39.jpg)
the living room, dining area, guest/tv room
This was a major project in 2011. And with it came more expenses too - amortizations, real property tax, insurance, maintenance and higher utility costs like power, water, etc. We all consciously remind ourselves to delay gratification and just live within a reasonable level. Not that we are the type to splurge but no outrageous expenses like designer bags, expensive trips or other doodads here for the time being. :)
nice house. congratulations!
ReplyDeletethanks nina! :)
ReplyDeleteLovely home! :-)
ReplyDeletehappy for you and your family, linnor! congratulations! :) :)
ReplyDeletethans julie and tin! happy chinese new year!
ReplyDelete