Similar Posts

67 Comments

  1. Brenda, If you move in six months so what, you are the one that has to live in and look at your at your surroundings, we all need to have the additute that we are not promised tommorow, you go girl, can't wait to see, you make anything you do look amazing, Brenda give yourself a pat on the back, you are smart, vey talented, you love animals, flowers, decorating, you have been given many talents, I want you to realize how blessed you really are. You have so much to give, so many people learn from you. I want you to live the rest of your life not looking back but enjoying each day doing the things you love to do!

  2. How exciting – I can't wait to see it all done and gorgeous! That's a great vanity you picked out – I love all the storage!!

  3. Me again! I forgot to mention this…Amy, who blogs at 11 Magnolia Lane, recently removed one of those huge mirrors from a bathroom wall. You might check their blog and read about it.

    xo
    Pat

  4. Brenda, I'm so proud of you and so very happy for you! You've done some amazing things at this apt and I absolutely love the beautiful outside area. I think as we grow older we are more cognizant of "time" and how quickly it flies by. A friend and I were discussing this subject a few days ago and I can't believe I'm this age and how the years have passed so fast! I think we should live in the moment ~ good for you! Your bathroom is going to look beautiful. I love the choices you've made and can't wait to see the end result. It's sad that the owner in Dallas cares so little about his property and maintaining it. Wishing you all good things!

    xo
    Pat

  5. Everyone is different, and what makes sense for one person doesn't work for someone else. You spend a lot of time in your apartment, and maybe moving again is very impractical. Maybe this is the right decision for you. If the project costs $1,000 in parts and labor, and you live there for 10 more months, then that is like spending $100 per month on having a more comfortable bathroom. What else could you spend $100 on that would give you as much comfort?

    I like the sink with the extra countertop space to one side to sit things. Oh so handy.

    And, I really liked the posts you used to do on people who live in small places, such as small apartments. Ever since we moved into our very small house, it has been fun to read about living in small spaces.

  6. Love that attitude Brenda! Someone else may have already said this (I didn't read all the comments) but have you asked the landlord to give you a break on the rent for the amount that you are putting into updating HIS (or her) building!!?? Lots of landlords will do that so it can't hurt to ask.

    Tania

  7. You are so right, Brenda! You may be in your apartment for a long, long time and you may as well love the place you live! I really like the fixtures you've chosen and can't wait to see them installed.

  8. Brenda,a couple more things to consider before you start. Removing the mirror will definitely damaged the wall. Most of those mirrors are put up with Liquid Nails behind them and that will damage the sheetrock. You will most likely have to do some Sheetrock repair as well. Not a big deal, but be prepared for it. Some of it can be covered by the new mirror you get, and some could be covered by some wallpaper if you wanted to. Also, did you consider getting a base cabinet with drawers? I know that I couldn't live without upper drawers and I have one that is offset like yours that has quite a few drawers and I love it.

  9. Brenda, while he's in there, consider adding some beadboard wainscoting. It's surprisingly affordable. And a new toilet makes life worth living.

  10. Very wise words, Brenda! Grab it…live it. I think it's fantastic that you have been keeping your money situation running smoothly. Many of us woman need to establish our own credit and doing it the way you have is widely recommended.

    I can't wait to see the bathroom!

    Jane x

  11. I really like your apartment. Your so lucky to have the private back patio to go along with it. You don't find the outside space very often. You have done so many neat things with your home. Don't think of it as an apartment, it is your home. Maybe you could find an old framed mirror from an old dresser to hang above your new bathroom vanity. Keep up the good attitude & wonderful work.

  12. You are one ambitious lady Brenda! I for one, cannot wait to see your new bath! It's going to be gorgeous! I think you are doing the right thing for you…you go girl! 😉

  13. I am so happy that the apartment management will allow your u to make these changes. I know it will be beautiful!

  14. I completely agree – as Jim Eliot said, "wherever you are, be all there." Didn't you share that recently? I think so. Why not fix that bathroom up and enjoy it while you live there, however long that may be. It's going to look beautiful!
    Mary

    1. I've sure tried. As an old friend, now departed, used to say to me: You do the best you can with what you have at the time.

  15. Love the color you'll be using! The best thing about having the maintenance guy doing the work is that he will do what you want. When I ask my husband to help me with a project he decides that the color is wrong or the widget should be six inches higher. Easier (in some ways) to do it myself!

  16. I think you have made some excellent decisions; you've taken your time and given it much thought. Sometimes you just have to jump off the edge–and hope it's only a curb and not a cliff.

  17. Life is so short! I am glad to see you do this for yourself. You have made this little apartment into a cozy, inviting and beautiful place to live. At age 75, I was one to wait to do things in the future, suddenly the future is here. Enjoy everything you have – you have worked hard for it. Your posts always cheers me up no matter the subject.

    1. Yeah, I used to tell myself: I'll do this for myself WHEN. We are not assured of being here tonight much less tomorrow. So WHEN has become NOW.

  18. Looking forward to your bathroom reveal! That tan you have in your kitchen will look so nice in your bathroom with the white vanity–very clean and neat. I like the placement of the sink on the vanity top–gives you lots of room for toiletries, etc. to the right. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on living in the now, something I need to focus on.

    1. That's what I thought about the color. I had to go with a 36 inch vanity because that is what is there, and have to take the flooring underneath into account, said the maintenance man. For much of the over five years since my divorce, I've thought: Oh no, what if something happens? And I spent money I could have used? Well, I've managed to build up some savings (not an incredible amount or anything), so I told myself to just relax and not be such a worry wart and live NOW. When I was married he made great money and spent like crazy and we NEVER had savings! I vowed never to be like that.

  19. It's all going to look great, Brenda. As to pulling off your large mirror, instead try this. Call a mirror shop and see if they can come out and add a beveled-mirror frame on top of your wall mirror. We did that in our hall bathroom, added a 3in. mirrored frame; they glued it on top of the mirror already there, all around the edge and at the top corners they added a 6 in. beveled corner insert. Really a classic look. Perhaps you could google it and see some choices. Not too expensive and no pulling off your old mirror but updating it instead.

    1. This mirror is like 8 feet long! I don't want it. Who sits on the toilet backwards and looks in the mirror?

  20. It would be nice if you could get credi. Save the receipts anyway. I watched a tiny hose show the other night. One was $100,00 for 750 square feet. I think that is defeating the purpose. You have a great indoor and outdoor space. Maybe you could be the model for the complex and get some off your rent.

  21. Wonderful Brenda. I think the same as you. Make wherever you live,your home. I know my landlord let's me do whatever I want to make my little condo look nice. He actually let's me deduct whatever I pay from my rent. Landlords like renters who take care of the properity. You are so wise and talented. I am amazed at what you can accomplish. Good luck. It is all going to work out.

    1. I'll ask them about that, but the owner lives in another state and doesn't seem to give a s***.

  22. I'm totally on with this philosophy. I work with what I have and what I think I'll be able to install/make/repair myself. It feels great when I have pulled a project together, at little cost and some effort.

    1. This project (plumbing, electrical) is beyond me. I recall when I took off my front door knobs so I could paint it. Couldn't get them back on and had to stay inside all weekend. Then when the maintenance man got to his shed after the weekend, which is thankfully in front of me, I had to yell at him through the window. I raised my white flag on that one!

    1. I guess he just doesn't care. There are I think four units the manager said she can't even rent because they have major problems and no one seems to want to fix it. Ridiculous. I thought you were supposed to take care of your investment. It's about 75% seniors here. Some have lived here over 20 years. You'd think they'd treat them better.

  23. Brenda, I love how you have invested in your apt. It has made me realize that I too am here for a good while and so I'm making the best of it. I finally got new kitchen faucets for my Mom and I and the maintenance man put them in for us for free (since ours were leaking). They do minimal updates but are good about fixing most things. Mom and I just really wanted certain faucets so we bought them on a great Black Friday sale!! I wish my place had the patio like yours, it's the one thing I really feel like is missing from here. Love your live now attitude!!

    1. Well really, when you think about it, most people who own their homes REALLY don't own them outright. They pay a mortgage. They will probably move before it's ever paid off. So kind of the same thing in a way. Yes, I know they will probably build equity making changes. But this isn't a huge change or anything in comparison.

  24. I felt the same way when I was renting. I took care of the apartment/house as though it were my own. Yes, it was money I would lose but it made me feel happy. And I was complemented when I moved out. It didn't take much either. I even took some diy classes and a new homeowners class. Boosted my confidence even when I messed up. Your outdoor room is wonderful.

    1. I'm glad to know I'm not alone. Some people probably think I'm nuts doing this. But it's my life and my home. Thanks for sharing your outlook with me!

  25. Good for you, Brenda. Just a thought for you. Have you approached the landlord (or the representative) to see if they would give you credit for upgrades you do to your place on your own? As long as they will benefit the landlord in the end they are often willing to give you a discount, or credit, on at least part of the cost of the work you do. It might be worth checking in to that.
    It is going to look great! Hope you have a good weekend- xo Diana

    1. I've been sharing all my plans with the manager, but she's fairly new and pretty young. I will check into that though.

    1. Me too. I'm glad you finally got your house sold. Another adventure to look forward to for you!

  26. Great idea installing your own vanity, sink and lights. Life is what we make it and you are on your way to the best life you can have. I am working on gratitude this new year. Thank you for blogging and sharing your life's experiences.
    Joyously,
    Betty

    1. Hey Betty! I'm working on that as well. We are works in progress, getting better every day and in every way!

    1. There are many of us "older" women, divorced or single or widowed, who don't want to wait around. If we were with a man, we'd probably feel better about making changes. Because of more income and the fact that he might be able to help us with the changes. But I don't see that happening with me, so I'm plunging ahead!

    2. You're an example to us older ones–hopefully also getting wiser, like you. Happy 2017, and enjoy the "new" bathroom. Looking forward to seeing the results.

  27. You are so freaking amazing, and so smart. You're a fantastic decorator, too and would be the BEST interior designer, I swear. You do so much with so little and have a real talent for taking ordinary things and making them special.

    1. Well, thank you! I went to my advisor in college and said I was interested in interior design and they talked me out of it. But I love journalism too, and I decorate anyway.

  28. Brenda, I love how you have made your place a home. You are so creative! I especially envy your outdoor space, although I myself do have a nice long balcony. (I am up about 8 feet from the ground as my building is up against a sloping hill.) Good for you for deciding to live in the now. I am excited for you and can't wait to see your new vanity and mirror and lights once they are installed.

    1. Don't have a mirror yet. I want to see what the space looks like and how long and wide would be appropriate. I have one on the wall above my bed, but I kind of like it there. So I'm still pondering and looking online. I'm hoping the huge mirror won't be horrid for him to take off and ruin the wall.

  29. You go Brenda. Hey this is your home whether you rent or own. So it should be a place you feel secure and happy in. So if you have to add somethings to make if feel and function better for you then that is what you have to do. I applaud you for living in the now and wanting your place to reflect you and make you feel like you are home and comfortable. I love what you picked out and I know after a fresh coat of paint and the installation of the new pieces it is going to look great. Good luck. I am excited for you.
    xoxo
    Kris

    1. That's the way I look it, Kris. No one is promised tomorrow, so live the way you want and can manage today.

Comments are closed.