The Love Shack

House hunting has been an absolute adventure in the area we are moving to. When we first found out Aaron got the job, we sent my mom and my aunt to be our eyes. They spent an entire weekend searching for a rent house and came home discouraged. We found out that there had been an oil boom in the area and rent prices were sky high for not so great houses in not so great areas. We also had to deal with the issue of them allowing a dog. We continued our research, found a few more possibilities and we sent both of our parents back again to check out another rental. Once again, it was not that great and definitely not worth the crazy high rent prices. You also have to realize we are coming from a small town where the rent is ridiculously cheap so we've been spoiled a little. We were kind of at a dead end road when Aaron got a phone call from his boss telling him that they have a house on the property that we are welcome to live in rent and bills free. Aaron was pumped!! He was so excited to tell me the news, that our searching could be over and that our wildest dream had come true. I on the other hand, was scared to death. For one thing, I knew it was an old house that needed lots of work. I knew the oven didn't work and I knew that it was out in the middle of nowhere. I was expecting the worse and praying that I could convince Aaron that paying rent for a place would be better.

You see, I'm not a spoiled rotten brat and I don't require a mansion or fancy things, but I do put a lot of importance on creating a home that is comfortable to live in and very welcoming to guests.

This weekend we went to the area where Aaron will be working and we looked at the free house. Pretty much all of my reservations about the place came true. Everything I had pictured in my head was true. It was old, small, and rough. I tried to go in with an open mind and I kept telling myself FREE and TEMPORARY, but I just couldn't do it. My parents, Aaron, and I kept exchanging looks and at one point in time I looked at Aaron and mouthed the words, "I can't do this." I could tell his heart sank a little because in his mind there was no question it was definitely do able. I'm pretty sure any man could live wherever as long as it's free and right on a ton of hunting and fishing land.

We continued our search and looked at a few other options, but none of them were in our price range. Plus, Aaron gets a company truck with his new job and he has to live within a 20 mile radius of the area in order to drive it home everyday so that eliminated our other option.

I can promise you I was bitter, sour, and not a very nice person to deal with that day. My attitude was terrible and I was pretty devastated about it, but I knew there was really no way to change Aaron's mind.

My mom and Aaron's new boss made it a point to say, "just think of all the memories you'll make out there". I didn't want to make memories out there, but I know there will definitely be lots of memories and stories to tell about it. One day we will look back and say remember when we lived in the love shack our second year of marriage and all the things that house taught us. Yes, we have named her the love shack. She is in Love County and she is a shack and she will definitely require lots of tender love and care so there's really not a better name for her (and yes we will refer to it as a she).

I put lots of thought into it over the course of that night and the next morning I woke up with a much better attitude. I had accepted the challenge and decided that we are going to flip this house. We are going to make it our home and it is going to be small, but cute and very very homey. Everything we put into it will come out of our pocket and won't be reimbursed, but you can't complain when it's free, right?

I guess you could say that now I am excited. I now look at it as a challenge and a project and I've got all kinds of ideas floating around in my head about what I want to do with it. Don't worry, it will all be documented here on this blog so get ready for some before & after pictures. We made a trip to Lowe's yesterday and picked out paint, flooring, and ceiling options. The majority of our furniture will have to be kept in storage. Our house hunting journey will begin ASAP and hopefully we will buy a house in the very near future. This house is temporary, but we're going to make the best of it while we can and hopefully save a ton of money. We have a huge yard on tons of land and we're going to put up our hammock, fire pit, and have lots of fun so come visit us in our love shack and hopefully we'll have room for you to sleep!

This week is our last week of work and we will begin loading the U-Haul next Monday. Our goal is to be moved into the Love Shack by Wednesday. AHHHH...can't believe this is really happening.

This quote is one of my most favorite quotes and it is going to be our motto during this season of life. I think I'm going to need this pillow sitting on our couch to remind us this on a daily basis. 

I hope this post doesn't sound snotty or bratty. I do want you all to know that I truly am grateful for this opportunity and for a free house. After all, we are so thankful for a roof over our heads, running water, and heat and air. That's a lot more than some people have. I know this will be a humbling experience for me. Here's to another adventure with Aaron!!! I have no doubt in my mind that he will be in heaven with this new job.